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Chapter 14: A Hero Arises (Part 7: Final)
Captain Rizzou suddenly spoke to all of us. As the King’s Cavalry made its way towards the Royal Stage, our procession too took an immediate halt between the Spears.
The 30,000 of us was broken down into various segments. I, alongside Mike and Elise, was to follow Captain Rizzou. The rest were ordered to follow their unit leaders or commanders and made their way accordingly.
“Nelia, this is where I have to drop you.”
A guard came toward us but before I could lift her for him take it from there, Nelia gave me a tight hug. I caressed her hair for one final time.
“S-Ser C-Claude. W-Will I see you again?”
I smiled at her and I nodded while showing her the ring she gave to me. Nelia blushed. The ring became some sort of a bond between us.
“You bet we will. Now please be safe.”
As soon as Nelia was carried down from Bolt, the guard beckoned her to follow him to a suitable place so that she would not get it the way. The next main event would be starting soon; one where each and everyone in the Kingdom of Elsigardia was looking forward to the most, the Royal Conference of Medals. To the people Elsigardia, the Parade was not just any other celebration. It was a show of might and also to honour Elsigardia bravest and finest warriors. Today was where heroes were born and new legend arises.
“Claude, Mike and Elise! I want you three to follow me.” Captain Rizzou came to us, followed by another 3 other full-plated armoured knight, most likely a Captain rank. One was Captain Selina as I could remember how her armour looked like.
“Yes, Captain!!” All of us answer in unison.
“From now onwards, this is where things get very formal and serious. Be sure to follow exactly what I told you.”
He was back in his serious mode. The other three behind him nodded in agreement with him.
I gulped. My body started to get nervous. Upon seeing my condition, Captain Rizzou, lifting his face protector up then cracked a rare smile today.
“Don’t worry Claude. It’s nothing hard. You will have me and your Captain to guide you. It’s easy.”
“A-Ahhh… I see.”
The words were supposed to calm me down, but I could not avoid the butterflies in my stomach to swirl around. I still have the jitters, but since Mike, Elise and two of the Captains, Captain Rizzou and Captain Selina here, I am in great care. I gave one of the guards to safe keep the flowers that Nelia gave me as my present. Once I have done that, all I have to do was to follow Captain Rizzou to the Royal Stage.
The Royal Stage was truly a regal and beautifully decorated. This was the same stage I saw people were working on a few days ago. Built on the main palace courtyard, with the backdrop of the Royal Palace and facing directly the Champions Court, the stage was adorned with various flags and banners, while the stage itself was draped in royal gold with a red carpet in the middle. Seated alone at the front most on a throne was Crown Princess Sierra. Alongside her stood two heavily armoured knights, one in gold and one in crimson red. And in front of her, was another heavily armoured knight in gold and ebony colour. All the three knights were wearing full-plated armour. Massive and intimidating to those who gaze upon them.
And to the left side of the stage were various people, most presumably nobles and high ranking officers. Among them, I could see the same annoying familiar faces back in the Strategic Headquarters. The was one face I could remember. Wearing pompous clothing with a hat too big for his head, he looks like a court jester more than a ranked officer. What was his title again? Lord Cockroach of the Cellar?
Bah, I would not bother those who insulted me out of spite. I am one who won’t let his grudge die down easily.
To the right of the stage was where I, Mike and Elise stood in that order. Among us were various people who were either in armour or normal but beautiful clothes. Everyone was in their best attires. This side of the stage was for medals receiver or so it seems. All the Captains, leaders and commanders stood behind this group of ours.
“The Royal Conference of Medals shall now begin. I hereby announce, in attendance, by the blessing of Goddess Athenea, Crown Princess Sierra of the House of Elmsdor!”
A male voice suddenly pierced the crowd. When the announcement finished, I clapped my hand enthusiastically.
However, the situation suddenly became very awkward. I found that I was the only one who clapped. Everywhere around me, everyone else stood still and quiet. Mike nudged me from the side.
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“Hey, you don’t have to clap, Claude.”
Mike chuckled. So too does Elise. I turned behind and I saw both Captain Rizzou and Captain Selina giving me the double facepalm.
I looked at them apologetically. No one told me about this before. It’s your fault Captain Rizzou.
Crown Princess Sierra, upon hearing the direction of the clap, immediately looked towards my direction. However, she managed to keep her cool despite nearly chuckled at my mishap. Ohh, Sierra. I have shamed you. Please forgive me.
The rest of the people, who looked at me with disdain were brushed away by Princess Sierra’s calmness demeanour. Perhaps they were now in public and in the eyes of the public, their image matters. To reprimand a medal winner, what more of an Elsigardia’s finest hero was an unspeakable taboo. Hence the quietness and absence of any rebuke whatsoever.
“May I now present to you, by the grace of his Majesty, King Titus Elsivier the 17th, King of the greatest Kingdom in the land, the Royal Conference of Medals, to Elsigardia’s finest children, blessed by the Goddess Athenea herself!”
Again came the announcement after a brief moment of silence caused by a mishap by yours truly. The Herald then looked at the Princess and with her nod, he resumed.
“Upon the calling of your name, please come forward and receive your medal.”
I was overwhelmed with goosebumps all over. His announcement just made me realize that the medals I received back then was a big deal. Until today, I have not thought much about its value and meaning, but seeing today’s event and what was about to unfold, told me a different story.
For a country bumpkin like me, who was raised and grown in the solitude of the Brotherhood of the Sun, events like this hold no special meaning to me personally. But today, I’m here now, standing proudly, not just for myself, but also for the Brotherhood.
“Do us proud, Hasty One”
Both Blizzard Hawk and the old geezer, the Solaris Primus would often remind me. Even the day before I left, they were still reminding me of our ethos.
Nam quamdiu sol ortus est, nos non nuto, erit Pacem enim onmes!
“For as long as the sun rises, we shall not falter and there shall be peace for all!”
Now I understood more about what’s going on. My valour and bravery were rewarded not just by pieces of metals moulded in various shapes, but it also represented the values and the thoughts of the people throughout Elsigardia. There were 300 thousand or more people in the Champions Court watching our Royal Conference of Medals. To them and to each and every one of the people here, right here and right now, this was a celebration of heroes.
“And now, for the next medal receiver…”
“The Royal Medal of Valour bestowed by the Crown Princess Sierra Elmsdor, and…”
After an extremely short pause, the announcer then continued.
“The youngest receiver of the highest award for non-nobles in the history of Elsigardia, the King’s Medal of the Gallant Heart, bestowed upon the deeds of valour and bravery of saving the life of The Crown Princes, by His Majesty, King Titus Elsivier the 17th!”
The whole crowd went silent. Even those that were in the Champions Courtyard waited with bated breath.
“Given by my authority, I hereby call upon…”
Well, this was it. The moment I have been waiting for. The moment everyone here was waiting for. I took a deep breath.
“First Lieutenant of the Royal Elite Knight, Ser Claude Leonheart!!”
The crowd in the Champions Court erupted into thunderous claps and cheers. As my name was called, Captain Rizzou came over to my side and beckoned me to follow him. I then walked towards the end of the red carpet, with Captain Rizzou to my left guiding me. And on to my right, was Captain Selina.
“Claude, just do as I tell you alright.” Captain Rizzou reminded me. I nodded.
“Now, let’s take calm and confident steps following the red carpet. Both I and Captain Selina will guide you. Follow our pace.”
I walked with the two Captains alongside me, each of us taking short but precise and sure step. As I took those steps, I retraced the events that brought me here.
From being punished collecting firewoods by Blizzard Hawk, to be nearly killed by Sehanie’s joke, and to really got killed by unknown beast on beyond powers but somehow managed to be saved by another unknown power, to then encountering many journeys towards the capital and now, I am here; walking confidently towards the person who I have saved back then.
I did not know she was a Princess of the Kingdom. All I knew at that time was I could not let someone die on my watch. Saving both Sehanie and Sierra was a given. It was not a choice. It was dedication towards one’s cause.
And I’m now walking like a man with a cause.
At the end of the red carpet, stood the Crown Princess on top an elevated platform. As I reached the end of the red carpet, the three of us stood still at attention. Captain Rizzou then instructed me,
“Kneel down on your right knee. And then you bow down your head. Do not look up until I tell you so.”
I did as I was told. I knelt with my right knee and then bow down my head. Princess Sierra, who was standing right in front of me, took a sword from a swordbearer to her right. With the edge of the sword, she tapped once on my left shoulder then and once on my right shoulder.
She then returned the sword to the swordbearer. And from her left, she took a medal, draped in golden cloth. As she raised up the medal to be draped around my neck, Captain Rizzou told me my next instruction,
“Raise your head, Claude.”
As I raised my head, my eyes met Sierra’s. I could see her face very clearly now. As she took the medal to put around my neck, her face was all red. She was smiling the most beautiful smile I could ever see her smile; more than any smile I have ever seen in life. Surely, she was beaming with happiness, pride and joy. It was a joyous day for her and for me too. Now, I understand the weight of her words back then, where she said that she will reward me properly.
This smile of hers was the reward that I have been waiting for so long.
When the first medal was draped to my neck, she was resplendent as she could be. However, once the second medal came, I could hear the gentle whisper of her voice.
“Claude, thank you so much for saving my life back then. You are truly Elsigardia’s finest hero. And also, my hero.”
As Sierra’s resumed her position, she placed both of her hands on her heart as she commanded me for one final time today,
“Arise, Ser Claude Leonheart, Royal Elite Knight of the Kingdom of Elsigardia, the saviour of my life and hero of Elsigardia.”
End of the First Volume of Heroic Chronicles: A Hero Arises