Chapter 283

Volume 2 Ch 26: Ryan the Law-Sunderer

From this height, the surging crowd that had seemed so overwhelming below now truly resembled a swarm of ants, packed so densely together that no individual could be picked out. Their cheers merged into a vast, indistinct roar, and all that remained was the torrent of force called the people.

Sunlight poured down without obstruction onto the polished stone, and the air itself seemed thinner and heavier because of the height and the concentration of attention.

Rex’s breathing had clearly grown heavier. His face was drawn even tighter now, and one could almost hear his teeth lightly knocking together.

For the son of a farming household, who had come this far on loyalty and a modest measure of talent, standing face-to-face with the Empire’s supreme ruling core was a shock far beyond anything he had mentally prepared for.

He could only rely on sheer force of will to keep himself standing straight, his gaze fixed rigidly on the tips of the Emperor’s boots ahead of him, not daring to let it wander in the slightest.

Lillian quietly took a breath and did her best to maintain her elegant composure, though the fingers folded before her tightened ever so slightly.

She could feel the almost frozen tension radiating from Rex beside her, and within her rose both helplessness and a strange, indescribable stirring. But at a moment like this, there was nothing she could do. She could only hold her back straight, display the bearing of a proper young lady of House Rosedale to the utmost, and pray with all her might that Rex would not make some disastrous mistake on such a fatal occasion.

Vera was far more composed. She lowered her eyes slightly, her posture respectful yet still graceful, her emerald gaze calm and still.

This was not the first time she had stood before someone of such rank, and the background of the Gale Duke’s house had already accustomed her to scenes of this kind.

Ryan’s gaze moved slowly across the figures before him. Emperor Augustus III wore a smile both dignified and broad-minded, the kind of poise only someone long seated in the highest seat could possess, making others feel acknowledged yet never daring to overstep.

Second Prince Keynes stood half a step behind the Emperor. Though he was doing his utmost to conceal it, the look in his ice-blue eyes still shot into Ryan like tangible needles. Third Prince Aster stood on the other side, the curve at his lips seeming to deepen, his gaze like that of someone watching a particularly entertaining play.

And Cecilia, standing a little behind and to one side of the Emperor, was resplendent beyond compare today, every inch the flawless model of royalty. Her gaze passed over Ryan and the others without a ripple, as though she were merely looking at a group of loyal subjects who had earned commendation upon first meeting her, with not the slightest excess emotion leaking through.

“My heroes, at last you have come up.”

Emperor Augustus III stepped forward, his voice deep and resonant, instantly drawing all attention and temporarily dispelling the invisible weight in the air.

The four of them immediately bowed together according to the ceremonial etiquette they had been hastily drilled in beforehand.

The Emperor nodded with a smile, his gaze resting on Ryan for a brief moment longer than on the others. That look was deep, as though he meant to see through him completely.

“Good. Very good. In this expedition into the ruins, you have displayed the courage and wisdom of the Empire’s younger generation. Your deeds are a service to the Empire and a benefit to future ages. I am greatly pleased.”

Second Prince Keynes and Third Prince Aster then inclined their heads in acknowledgment as well, their movements impeccable and beyond criticism. Cecilia, for her part, offered a perfectly executed royal return salute, her bearing flawless and her distance measured to perfection.

The Emperor followed this with a few more words of encouragement, no more than the usual talk of inheriting tradition and serving the realm, yet from his mouth they carried a weight all their own.

Then he turned and once more faced the masses below, who were watching with desperate anticipation, and swept one arm sharply outward. The heavy ceremonial cloak that symbolized imperial authority followed, cutting a powerful arc through the air.

“People of the Empire!” His voice, amplified by the Magic Tool, rang out in all directions. “Behold the champions who have brought glory and future to the Empire! Their names shall be inscribed upon the Empire’s Monument of Merit! Their spirit shall inspire every citizen of the Empire!”

“And now, in the name of the Empire and the royal house, I shall grant them the honor and reward they have earned!”

The cheers instantly surged to another peak.

Court attendants who had long been waiting at the side stepped forward, each carrying a tray draped in deep red velvet. Upon the trays lay several medals of different designs, all equally exquisite and dazzling in the sun.

A herald stepped forward, unrolled another decree, and began to read in a clear and solemn voice:

“In the name of Augustus III, we bestow—”

“Upon Rex Holden, whose loyalty and bravery did not falter in the face of peril, the Imperial Lion Medal, and promotion to the rank of Honorary Baron of the Empire, with the corresponding stipend and privileges!”

Rex’s body swayed twice, but under the worried edge of Lillian’s vision, he forced himself to steady. He dropped to one knee and received from the attendant both the medal and the sash symbolizing his new rank.

An Honorary Baron held no true fief, but it was still a step across the threshold into the noble class. For him, it was nothing less than a complete overturning of fate.

“Upon Lillian Rosedale, whose wisdom and courage remained unshaken in danger, we bestow the title Frostglaze and grant the Frost Rose Medal, in recognition of her merit. Her deeds shall be reported to her family, where further rewards shall be decided separately!”

Lillian bowed with effortless grace, receiving the medal—a delicate rose carved in metal and set with an ice-blue gem—with a proud yet restrained expression.

“Upon Vera Sebastian, whose agility and swiftness contributed greatly to this success, we bestow the title Windrest and grant the Wings of Heaven Medal. The Gale Duke’s household shall reward her further according to precedent!”

Vera accepted her reward with calm composure and perfect elegance.

The herald’s voice paused briefly, and his gaze shifted toward the final two trays in the attendants’ hands. His volume seemed to rise a little further.

“Ilyss, steady and keen of mind, who turned the tide at a critical moment, is specially granted the title Silver Radiance and awarded the Arcane Star Medal!”

At last, the herald’s gaze—and with it, nearly every eye in the entire square—settled upon the silver-haired young man.

The roar of the square quieted of its own accord, as though all were waiting for the final name, and the one that carried the greatest weight.

“Ryan Velt!”

The herald’s voice rang with force through the hush that had fallen over the square:

“In the exploration of the Starfall Ruins, he perceived the crucial turning point, braved the gravest perils, and rendered the greatest service! He is hereby granted the title Law-Sunderer and awarded the Dawn Pioneer Medal! His merit is extraordinary, worthy of all emulation. The Empire remembers, and all the people bear witness!”

Law-Sunderer.

The instant the title fell, many of the informed nobles showed a flicker of deeper understanding in their eyes.

This title meant far more than merely breaking convention or opening new paths.

Law, here, could also mean order, principle, even... fate.

That the Emperor had bestowed such a title upon Ryan carried implications of expectation, positioning, and invisible weight enough to provoke profound thought.

Ryan’s face remained calm. He stepped forward, dropped to one knee, and lowered his head.

An attendant fastened to his chest a white-gold medal of peculiar design, like a sharp ray of light tearing through the darkness, along with the special insignia representing his title.

The cool touch of metal pressed faintly through the cloth of his formal attire.

Within the Empire, the hierarchy of noble ranks was one of the great pillars sustaining both its rule and its social order. Broadly speaking, it was divided into five levels: Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, and Baron.