Turning Chapter 994

Chapter 994

He had already figured out why Yuder had been looking at him.

"..."

"It wasn't as grand as this, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. The atmosphere was cozy with only a small number of family members and witnesses participating. I received a seal ring engraved with a phrase I personally created, had a meal, and after that night passed, I went to Peletta by dawn."

Kishiar's voice was very soft. Everyone was excited and cheering, so no one paid attention to the two of them.

However, to Yuder, his low murmur sounded louder than any shout.

"Considering the essence of what a celebration is, it was a decent succession ceremony."

He knew those words were sincere. But he also knew how much time had to pass for the man to be able to say that so calmly.

Yuder nodded, looking at the man's lips that seemed to be smiling.

"...I see."

The applause ended. Myra stuck the spear of the First Duke of Herne at the top of the podium and turned around. The first thing the new Duchess of Herne did was none other than directly greeting the precious guests who had saved the South.

"As everyone here already knows, a terrible thing happened in the South not long ago. We almost lost this precious land and people of the South. Expressing gratitude to the heroes who risked their lives to help us escape that crisis is the first thing I must do as the lord of Herne."

Her way of speaking was different from when she was a princess.

Myra, who declared in a solemn voice, bowed her head in gratitude to the Cavalry, Imperial Army, and security forces sitting in the front row, as well as all those who had worked hard on the day of hail and the day the blue wall of despair reached them.

"Herne, and all the people of the South, will never forget the names and spirit of the heroes who have worked for us."

Yuder recalled Myra's face that he had met at the funeral not long ago. She had said to Yuder in almost the same way as now that she "won't forget." Those words, delivered once personally and once again publicly in front of everyone, felt heavier to Yuder than any expression of gratitude.

Perhaps it was because he had learned a little through Kishiar what it could mean for someone to remember him for a long time.

Those who had been still for a moment applauded again in unison. The faces of the Cavalry members looking around were flushed and very red. Myra slowly descended from the podium after enough time had passed for them to receive applause.

The servants lined up below the podium followed her as if they had been waiting. Yuder noticed that they were each carrying a large box. The place where Myra stopped, leading the servants, was none other than in front of Kishiar and Yuder.

"Cavalry Commander, and Commander's Assistant, Baron Aile. Please accept this token of gratitude for the heroes who risked themselves in the most dangerous places more than anyone else."

"..."

For a moment, the cheers of the people suddenly became wildly intense. As if they had been waiting for this moment, Yuder felt a little perplexed by the tremendously amplified applause.

"Cavalry!"

"Heroes of the South!"

"The swordmaster revered by the Divine Sword!"

'...Why are they applauding like that... Besides, why suddenly receive something like this?'

While Yuder was pondering what to do, Myra smiled slightly and personally received the box from the servant and opened it so that everyone could see.

Inside was not expensive jewels or silk, nor treasures like magic tools of equivalent value. It was just a single cloudy and translucent lump of stone.

"This is a crystal that came from the corpses of the monsters that the heroes defeated on the day when countless monsters rushed in amidst the towering waves. The crystals that come out after burning the corpses of monsters are very sturdy and make good tools when processed into anything, and it is said that carrying them becomes an amulet of victory."

Only then did the image of those transparent monsters they had defeated to the point of exhaustion come to Yuder's mind. It seemed that the crystals formed by burning and solidifying those terribly mixed-up body parts.

"The seal of the Herne family has been engraved on that crystal. The hero who possesses it will forever be treated as the most precious guest in the South and will become a benefactor of Herne, which I swear at this place."

All the other servants behind Myra also opened their boxes. The boxes they were holding also contained countless crystals of similar appearance.

'That means... she's making that promise not only to me but to everyone who has contributed this time. It's incredible.'

It wasn't an expensive item, but the meaning contained within it was more valuable than anything else. Who in this world could receive such a promise from Herne, a member of the four ducal families, in the South, which was notoriously exclusive?

Those with great responsibility do not make reckless assertions or promises. The fact that this was the first thing Myra did as a Duchess, knowing the weight of it better than anyone else, made them feel the magnitude of her gratitude and the clear direction in which Herne would move forward.

Amidst the applause of the people, Kishiar was the first to smile and accept the crystal.

"To think I would receive such a precious item."

"..."

"As the Commander representing the Cavalry, I promise that our Cavalry will always be the first to rush in and become a breakwater to block the waves whenever danger strikes the South, even without this emblem."

"Wow!"

Yuder stood up following Kishiar amidst the deafening cheers and received one of the crystals from the box Myra offered.

As monsters were his weakness, he had never tried to get close to the byproducts made from monsters either. However, this small crystal he picked up now didn't feel so unpleasant.

He bowed his head to Myra and to those who were cheering. As if they expected him to say something grand like Kishiar, the people suddenly became quiet.

But Yuder had no intention of living up to their expectations.

After taking the crystal, he said just one thing.

"I will cherish it well."

Then, as soon as he closed his mouth, the people who had been waiting for something blinked in unison. It was as if they were asking if that was really the end.

'Yes, that's all.'

It was enough for Kishiar to say the good words. There was no need for him, who was no longer a commander, to unnecessarily add useless words, and he had no desire to do so either.

"Hahaha!"

Amidst the awkward murmurs, someone suddenly laughed loudly. It was none other than General Gino, who was sitting right next to them.

"The one who has done the most work and shed the most blood is the least greedy of all. Indeed, it is the aspiration of a hero. At this age, I learn yet another thing from a young man. What a wonderful day!"

As he smiled and applauded, people finally began to applaud one by one as if drawn to it.

While people were at a loss, Myra, who had been watching Yuder unwaveringly as if she had expected him to do so, also casually extended her hand and shook hands with him.

Following that, Myra personally called out the names of all those who attended today's event and presented them with crystals. It took a long time, but no one left their seats. They felt that the unusually short succession ceremony was for this very purpose.

After presenting crystals to everyone, Myra declared that the ceremony was over.

"From now on, the party will continue, so please move to the hall next door and enjoy a delightful time to your heart's content."

As if they had been waiting, the music began. Kishiar stood up from his seat and extended his hand to Yuder.

"The moment I've been looking forward to the most has arrived. Of course, you'll grant me the first dance, won't you?"

A playful wink accompanied his offer, overlaying the memory of the moment Yuder had taken his hand at the palace party. Yuder reached out his hand without hesitation and grasped the man's fingers more firmly than that time.

"Yes."

The people of the South, who had only heard rumors about the scene, widened their eyes. The Cavalry members looked at the sight with faces that seemed similar yet different from the imperial palace party, filled with various thoughts.

They all remembered the words the Commander had said before going to the imperial palace party. However, there was definitely a slight difference between then, when surprise was the primary reaction for everyone, and now. Even if they couldn't clearly explain in words what had changed, it was certainly different.

Murmurs poured out behind them, but no one ended up openly saying anything to them. Myra, the protagonist of today's event, was the same.

Yuder followed the hand that elegantly held and led him, passing through the wide-open door.