Turning

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Chapter 498

For the first time, Yuder Aile fully came into their view, appearing entirely different from the vague rumors that had been circulating about him. Though undoubtedly young, he did not give off the impression of immaturity and servility that nobles generally associated with common youth.

He stood with an enigmatic ease, as if he had attended such gatherings hundreds of times before. His posture was so dignified that he could easily be mistaken for a seasoned member of any knightly order. His pale face exuded a frighteningly staunch sense of self-worth.

Just like other nobles, his slick black hair and red waistband emphasized his broad shoulders and straight back, making him appear considerably unique.

‘I don't know where he comes from, but he's definitely not just any young man. The rumors about him single-handedly taking down a monster the size of a house don't seem to be baseless exaggerations,’ even Duke Diarca momentarily harbored such thoughts. He clicked his tongue, realizing that had they not met under these circumstances, he would have certainly mistaken Yuder Aile as someone who had grown up in luxury.

An enigmatic commoner who commanded attention through an inexplicable aura. What was certain was that the rumors of Yuder Aile dining with Duke Peletta and engaging in debauchery suited him less than the terrifying accounts of him single-handedly tearing down a cliff to slay a monster.

Around that time, the herald finally finished recounting all of Yuder's accomplishments from the west and respectfully bowed his head. Emperor Keilusa spoke to the young man with black hair who was bowing before him.

"Sir Aile, you may raise your head."

Yuder lifted his gaze and head at a measured pace. Too quick, and he'd be accused of a commoner's lack of manners; too slow, and he'd risk being suspected of disregarding the Emperor's command. Years of navigating such nuances had instilled in him a natural grace.

However, the gaze he met this time was entirely different. As he looked into the warm eyes of Emperor Keilusa and the Empress, he felt something unlike anything he'd experienced in his previous life.

"For your courage in selflessly dedicating yourself to the people of Orr, and returning safely to this place, you should receive an appropriate reward. Therefore, I will grant you a monetary reward, a mansion, and furthermore, a monument will be erected in the Great Sarain Forest to commemorate your deeds. The monument will detail the events of that day so that no one will ever face the same danger again."

The announcement exceeded all expectations, causing a ripple of astonishment throughout the hall. Though many monuments were scattered throughout Orr to honor great Swordmasters and Archmages, the young man before them was neither.

‘Isn't this too much of a reward just to strengthen the Cavalry?’ Duke Diarca and other nobles exchanged glances as they began to silently share their thoughts. At that moment, Emperor Keilusa spoke again.

"Additionally, in the hopes that Sir Aile will continue to serve as a strong pillar for the Empire, I intend to bestow upon him the title of Single Victory Baron."

"..."

The title of Baron, even if it's the Single Victory title which can't be passed down to offspring, was an enormous deal. At least for decades, no one had received such a title. Several attendees wore expressions of near-fainting shock. Gasps of disbelief and astonishment rose from various corners, but the Emperor's expression remained unchanging.

And it seemed the same was true for Yuder, though in truth, he was quite astonished.

‘Even the monument alone was beyond my expectations... and now, you add a formal title to that?’

Was that what was implied when Yuder had dinner with the Emperor?

‘This is too much, even if there's an intention behind it.’

Yuder initially bowed his head, signaling his refusal.

"I'm grateful for the honor, Your Majesty. However, I am not the person fit for such a position. The deeds attributed to me were not solely my own. I am simply an ordinary man content with helping the Empire and its people. I have already received too much for what I have done; please retract your offer."

"That's precisely why I wish to honor you," Emperor Keilusa responded, as though he had anticipated the answer.

"How can I entrust the responsibilities to someone who doesn’t understand their weight?"

"...But."

"Let me indulge in the joy of choosing the right person. No more refusals."

It was an irrevocable rejection. The Empress, having read Yuder's expression, wore a slight smile as if agreeing with the Emperor’s decision. It was the exact opposite of what Yuder had hoped for.

‘Then, the only one who could possibly object now is…’

Yuder shifted his gaze again, briefly locking eyes with Crown Prince Katchian, who sat opposite the Empress. The Crown Prince looked as if he was either contemplating something or simply finding Yuder to be a curious spectacle. It was an eerie and unsettling stare.

‘It seems no one is planning to object now.’

In the end, Yuder managed to refuse just the cash prize and the mansion, ultimately accepting the title the Emperor had bestowed upon him. The moment seemed to have been anticipated, as the imperial hall of the Orr Empire was prepared for the conferring ceremony. He became Baron Aile.

When he turned to acknowledge the crowd, the Cavalry members cheered loudly, their faces flushed. Yuder glanced at them with mixed emotions before averting his eyes. Kishiar, who was clapping, met his eyes and grinned as if he had been waiting for just that moment.

‘Did you know this would happen and yet say nothing?’

‘…’

He asked with his eyes, but all that returned was a smile. It was unclear whether the answer was yes or no.

He had suspected he might receive the largest reward among the members, but this was beyond excessive. Yuder sighed softly before kneeling once more before the Emperor, finally saying the words that should have been said much earlier.

"Thank you. While there may be no way to fully repay Your Majesty's endless grace and trust, please allow me to dedicate the head of the monster—brought by the collective will of the entire Cavalry—to the Sun Palace."

"The monster's head, you say? The one that Baron Aile risked his life to capture?"

Although the Emperor seemed to already know, he asked as if hearing it for the first time.

"Yes, it is the evidence of that day, preserved all the way from the Great Sarain Forest."

"Interesting. Let's verify it right here."

My God. As all the nobles began to murmur, four of the members brought a cart covered with a golden cloth toward Yuder. The moment everyone had been curious about had arrived.

"Those of you who are faint of heart, please close your eyes."

Yuder briefly warned before lifting the cloth. The moment the giant head of Pethuamet was revealed, those who had not heeded the warning screamed or averted their eyes, holding their breath.

"My heavens, how can such a thing be...!"

Despite having been dead for some time, the head of Petuameth looked as vivid as if it had been alive just moments ago. The glinting eyes beneath half-closed eyelids were as large as those of a healthy man, and between the sharp teeth, the traces of a severed tongue were visible. It was the tongue that Yuder had cut off at the last moment.

Underneath a grand chandelier, the numerous massive wounds and torn flesh that hinted at a ferocious battle glowed eerily yet gruesomely beautiful.

Even the Empress turned away slightly, her face ashen as she gripped the armrest of her chair. The Emperor, however, swept his gaze over everything, neither turning away nor showing any signs of disgust.

"Seeing it firsthand is even more shocking. I've heard that the creature grew larger as time passed. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

"May I ask what you were thinking when you faced that thing alone?"

Yuder paused, pondering how to respond.

Did the Emperor want a carefully crafted answer, or raw honesty?

In the end, Yuder concluded that there wasn't much difference between the two.

What he had been thinking at that time was...

"I felt relieved and satisfied."

"Relieved? About what?"

"Because I was able to put an end to it there and then."

If he hadn't been able to end it at that place, at that time, it was clear what would have happened. The entire West would have been destroyed, and many would have died. He was satisfied that the blood of the Cavalry members and Kishiar La Orr didn't once again flood the forests of the West. That was all.

Upon hearing the answer, a faint smile appeared on the lips of the Emperor.

"The courage of the Baron Aile is truly commendable. Are you really not going to accept the mansion and the monetary reward?"

"Yes, please do withdraw that offer."

He didn't need any more money than his current salary, and the Cavalry barracks was his home. What would he do with another house? It would only make commuting inconvenient.

"Then what should be done with the prepared mansion and reward?"

"..."

"Duke Peletta."

"Yes."

Kishiar's smug response made Yuder almost inadvertently turn his head.

"The reward and mansion intended for the Baron Aile will be bestowed upon the Cavalry. Duke Peletta, you will be responsible for ensuring that they are appropriately used."

"Leave it to me. I will use them wisely to bring joy to Your Majesty."

Frustrated as he was, there was nothing Yuder could do about it.

"Then, after today, send the monster's head to the court mages for permanent preservation and store it in the First Palace of the Sun Palace."

"Yes."

"Next, who will be rewarded?"

The answer of Deputy Commander of Shin Division Ever Beck resounded.

Yuder's part was over. He rose from his seat and watched as Ever approached him. The moment their shoulders brushed, Ever gave a quick smile and gently tapped Yuder's arm before confidently walking away.

Returning to his seat, Yuder received beaming glances from his comrades. Their eyes seemed to scream they wanted to speak with him, yet because they had to maintain composure, their twisting bodies looked almost pitiable.

"..."

Yuder quietly turned his gaze to the large man sitting beside him. Kishiar rolled his eyes and let out a delightfully joyful laugh. His expression indicated he was enjoying the situation immensely.

'...Phew.'

Well, if that's how it is, then it didn't matter.

Yuder sat quietly, watching as the names of the members were called one by one. Different from his own announcement, most accolades were not elaborately detailed; the rewards were concise. The majority of the Cavalry members received cash prizes and valuable jewels, along with the honor of a “Surname." Those who had already achieved more, or who already had a Surname, were awarded a magic stone brooch for their honorable deeds. By the standards of the Empire, this award was equivalent to the Platinum Medal.

After all the awards were distributed, the Emperor commanded that the head of Pethuamet be placed in the most visible part of the hall for everyone to see. The expressions of the nobles, who looked like they might faint, were quite something to behold.

And then, finally, the time for dancing arrived.

"Tonight's opening piece, and the time that follows, has been given freely for the Cavalry members and Duke Peletta to enjoy. I shall remain here. I will be taking a brief rest with the Empress in Conde's room, so everyone, please have a pleasant time," announced the Emperor. He seemingly used the Cavalry as an excuse to retire with the Empress. Perhaps it was due to his health that he couldn't move, but to the public eye, it was a somewhat reasonable explanation.

"Well, let's get started then," Kishiar stood from his seat, offering his hand to Yuder amidst the bustling crowd. His lips, tinged red, curved into a smile as he extended an invitation that Yuder had never heard in his past life, and did so with a playful and buoyant face.

"Would you do me the honor of dancing with you?"

The spectacle of the nobles, who couldn't believe what they were seeing as Duke Peletta respectfully bowed and extended his hand in front of Yuder, barely came into his peripheral vision. Just as he had expected.

Yuder quietly looked down at the hand offered to him and then placed his own hand on top of it.

"Yes."

Their hands clenched tightly, one around the other.

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