Chapter 441 Extravagant Reward
The award ceremony went without a problem. Soon, Jane was called the leader of the Sur group. She gets awarded money, rare material, and access to rare skills/spells. Finally, Angus gets called at the end. He came forward and took one knee while bowing in front of King Leon.
One knee bowing is a gesture of allegiance and servitude. It means Angus recognizes and shows his respects to King Leon. Although Angus doesn’t like to lower his head to others because of his pride, he is still someone who could bow to others if he finds they are worthy.
Angus knows King Leon’s code of conduct and his burden to lead this big kingdom. They often bicker and fight each other, but deep inside, he truly respects King Leon. He also knew how big King Leon’s responsibility was as the heart kingdom leader.
It is already a miracle that King Leon didn’t retire or collapse from all the work stress. Even with a strong body that could work tirelessly, his mind will still be stressed when he tries to lead this big kingdom alone. Just handling those noble factions is already a headache even for Angus.
Contrary to his rumor as an iron fist leader without mercy, he actually led the Heart kingdom without any prejudice and focused on the kingdom’s prosperity. Most kingdoms with aristocratic systems have a huge discrepancy between their commoners and nobles.
However, the Heart kingdom didn’t have this much difference between them. It could happen because of King Leon’s strict policy.
He spends millions of gold coins to support every Heart Kingdom’s commoner. He wants every Heart Kingdom resident to at least get basic needs and education to survive when they reach adulthood.
This is also the major reason King Leon was hailed as the true king even by the opposition faction nobles. No one doubts his capability to lead the Heart Kingdom.
Seeing the kneeling Angus, King Leon smiles and blinks in front of Angus before taking out his sword artifact. Unlike the others who just get their reward from the podium, King Leon decides to stand on the same ground as Angus while pointing his sword to the floor.
“As the King of the Heart Kingdom, I award you five hundred thousand gold coins, one item of your choice from the royal treasure, a Baron rank, and personal favor. Did you accept it?” asked King Leon.
Everyone gasped in surprise as they heard Angus’ reward. Some young nobles were even confused at such extravagant rewards.
Although Angus’ contribution is impactful, as he finds the cure for the Plargos epidemic, which no one has ever done before, he still lacks in a few areas to receive this vast reward. Some quick-witted nobles notice this is King Leon’s move to support and invest in Angus.
Every noble starts to look at Angus in a different light. In comparison, some young nobles show contempt, jealousy, and envy toward him. With this kind of reward, it is clear that the king himself favors Angus.
‘No wonder he dared to threaten everyone before.’ thought Jane with a smile.
Jane may not be close with Angus since she is often busy managing the Sur group. Yet, she knows Angus is a true genius that will never be found in a thousand years. Ever since he healed her father, she knows he is a man that is destined to become great in the future.
During their journey, Angus often shows his bold actions that indicate he is not lacking in any direction as a leader or combatant. She even learned a few tips about leadership from this younger cousin.
If she didn’t know Angus’ obsession with Jayna, she would think he is a perfect man without weaknesses.
“I accept it, My Liege.” replied Angus shortly.
“From now on, you will be called Baron Angus Victory.” said King Leon as he pointed his sword to his shoulder and indicated he had become a true noble.
Previously, Angus was the only son of Duke. Although he is considered noble, he could also be called not a true noble. He is only noble in the title without any authority or power. In the meantime, getting the Baron title means he has authority in the Heart Kingdom.
Moreover, his status as the Duke’s son also did not disappear. Hence, his word and authority will have more power than before. If before he relied on his family name to command others, now he could use his name to command others. There is a subtle difference between these two.
“Now, did you have something on your mind for your wish that I could grant?” asked King Leon in a cold tone while sending a death glare to Angus.
Angus also notices the death glare that warns him not to ask for something ridiculous like Jayna’s marriage or others. Feeling the sword in King Leon’s hand could easily behead his head, Angus finally concedes and decide to follow their planned script.
“My King, if you may, please grant me a weapon artifact.” said Angus.
Hearing Angus didn’t ask for something stupid and followed the plan, King Leon nodded in satisfaction.
“Alright. I will grant you a weapon artifact. However….” said King Leon with a pause.
‘And here I thought he didn’t scheme anything. I should have known this old fox.’ thought Angus inwardly.
“However, someone of your caliber is not worthy of an ordinary weapon artifact. Therefore, you will get access to our ancestor vault in the Nirvas kingdom and take one of the weapon artifacts of your choice from there.” said King Leon with a smile.
“You will depart to the Nirvas and claim your reward the day after tomorrow.” added King Leon, who looked like he commanded Angus rather than rewarding him.
‘T-This… Old man!! I hope you will get premature ejaculation!!’ cursed Angus inwardly.
“Yes, my liege.” replied Angus shortly and stood up.
Then, he hurriedly returns to others before he blows up from seeing the despicable king. Returning to Jayna, he finds her trying to hide her laughter at being played by her father.
“Don’t worry too much. Currently, we are in a stalemate situation with Nergal. I doubt we need to fight in the frontline.” said Jayna.
“Are you sure? You did realize we always get into some unforeseen situation whenever we go to the new place.” said Angus.
“Now, you said that…” said Jayna.
Before Jayna could finish her sentence, “New place?! Angus, are we going on another vacation?!!” asked Anna excitedly.
“Err.. That’s…” replied Angus.
“We go, right? Right?!” asked Anna in a pleading tone.
Seeing Anna in a pleading tone while making a pitiful face, Angus could only release a sigh. He is too fond of the little troublemaker. Deep inside, he wants to show Anna to see more of the beauty of the world rather than cooped up in the royal palace like a prisoner.
“Fine. But, you must promise me not to create troub….” said Angus.
Before Angus finished his sentence, Anna cut him and jumped around happily.
“Yay!! Yay!! Anna is going on a vacation. Weak green bubble, we are going on a vacation. I will definitely search for a friend this time.” said Anna while ignoring Angus’ warning.
“*Sigh* I hope she didn’t do something stupid that angered those Altras.” said Angus in a defeated tone.
“Don’t worry. We will protect her if that happens.” said Jayna.
Then, they enjoy the party for a while before returning to the Royal Princess Palace. They leave Ilgor outside the palace. As soon as Angus arrives at the palace, he immediately rips off his tight clothes and burns them to ash.
“A-Angus, what are you doing?!!” asked Jayna while blushing, looking at Angus’s muscular body.
“It’s too tight and uncomfortable. I will never wear these clothes again.” said Angus as he wore comfortable spare clothes he took out from his storage device.
“Cool!! Anna also wants to do it!!” said Anna as she tried to rip her dress.
Fortunately, she gets bonked in the head by the couple before she manages to rip her dress. Jayna begins to lecture Angus and Jayna for this bad behavior. After that, they do light training and flying exercises before resting in Jayna’s room.
During the training, they also feel familiar mana clashing like yesterday from the hall. They only glance at the mana source before completely ignoring their two aunts fighting in the distance. They also heard a big explosion sound and felt the whole royal palace shake a few times.
“Hmm… Come to think of it. Why are they fighting like cats and dogs in the first place?” asked Angus.
“Did you want to know?” asked Jayna.
“Did Aunt Extalia tell you something yesterday?” asked Angus.
“Yup. They actually study in the Royal Academy together. At first, Aunt Hersha was not a student at the Royal Academy. She came to the Royal Academy to experience the culture of Heart Kingdom under the pretext of student exchange.”
“During this time, Aunt Hersha became the top student and beat the others easily. This makes Aunt Extalia choose her as her rival in claiming the first spot. Their competition lasts for a few years until they reach twelve.” said Jayna.