𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐬
“It’s been decided that the S-class will receive a medal.”
ㅤ
Some days have passed since the Typhon attack. . . . . .The town is starting to rebuild, and the school has reopened.
The students are still talking about their own heroic tales. Lately, the story of 『A-class summoner Esterize, who was promoted to Special A-class at the youngest age in history』 has been included.
Esterize’s promotion was widely reported in the newspapers, and now Esterize’s reputation exceeds that of the S-class. She was more popular than the S-class who defeated Typhon and Florentia.
In the midst of this, Yorha, who came from the royal palace during breakfast, said:
Albero replied while drinking orange juice.
ㅤ
“A medal?”
“Yes. For the merit of defeating the demon of lust, Florentia, and the demon of gluttony, Typhon. The town is in a terrible state so the reward is minimal. . . . . .But the medal is to compensate for that.”
“I don’t want it.”
ㅤ
Kid responded in an instant, puffing on his pipe and reading the newspaper. He showed no interest, responding without even looking at Yorha.
“Without saying that, just take what you can get. Who needs the ‘Asgard Peace Medal’ anyway, it’s not often awarded, like, ever. Just toss it in the trash.”
“. . . . . “.
ㅤ
Yorha started to get irritated with Kid’s response. It seemed Kid was angry about Esterize being placed as the successor to the High Priestess. Since the Twenty-One Heroes were under Gabriel’s jurisdiction, there was nothing Yorha could do.
Feeling the tension, Ashe spoke.
ㅤ
“Um, about the medal. . . . . .Is there a ceremony?”
“Yes. The ceremony will be held at the royal palace in three days.”
“Three days from now, huh. . . . . .It seems the 『High Priestess』 title award ceremony will be first.”
ㅤ
Kid flipped through the newspaper and placed an article on the table.
Albero picked it up and read.
ㅤ
“Let’s see. . . . . .『A new hero. At just eighteen years old, Esterize Rushout will receive the title of High Priestess in a ceremony』. . . . . .Oh, the ceremony is tomorrow.”
“I can’t help it. . . . . .It was Gabriel’s decision, and I don’t have that authority.”
“Whatever. By the way, aren’t you curious?”
“. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Kid was referring to the Rushout family.
ㅤ
“Now that you’ve become this famous, you might not be needed anymore. Won’t your family just abandon you again?”
“I don’t care. I’ve said it many times, but I have no intention of getting involved with the Rushout family anymore.”
ㅤ
Kid showed the newspaper to Ashe.
ㅤ
“Ashe, your family’s salary might go up again.”
“Maybe. But when I sent a letter saying I got the reward, they stopped sending me money. Well, it’s fine. . . . . .”
“You’ll get a bit more this time, good pocket money.”
“Yeah! But, I don’t spend much. I’ll save it.”
ㅤ
Ashe chugged her milk.
Yorha, while opening the newspaper, said to everyone:
ㅤ
“This time, with Esterize as the leader, the strongest Summoned beast unit 『Peacemaker』 was formed. A 40-member A-Class Summoner unit. The chief captain is Esterize, and the vice-captains are Uncle Hill Climb and Aunt Euglena. My brother also volunteered for the unit, but he seems to have been assigned to the rear support unit. He wanted to serve by Esterize’s side, but the unit operates purely on merit, so even royal authority didn’t matter.”
ㅤ
Peacemaker squad.
Kid mocked, saying, “Such a lame name.” Ridelle seemed confused and tilted her head, while Ashe and Lapis admired, “Wow.” Meanwhile, Leivinia and Nisrok were fast asleep on the couch.
Albero appeared uninterested but he commented anyway.
ㅤ
“Well, we are probably stronger.”
“””””………”””””
“W, What is it?”
“Huh, hahaha! Well, maybe.”
“Yep. Kid, Albero, and I can transform into 『Total Assimilation』, and Ashe and Lapis have become much stronger!”
“True. It feels weird to say it about oneself, but I think we’re about A-Class Summoner strength now. Right, Lapis?”
“Yes! We train every day!”
ㅤ
Chattering away, Albero and the others seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Watching them, Yorha remarked,
ㅤ
“Exactly. S-class is the best! Make sure you attend the award ceremony. If you get a medal, I’ll treat you to a meal.”
“The crappy royal castle food?”
“No, no! It’s my favorite diner. They have amazing stew dishes!”
“Sounds good. I like that kind of stuff.”
“Fufu, look forward to it!”
ㅤ
But. . . . . .that promise was never fulfilled.
ㅤ
◇◇◇◇◇◇
ㅤ
Esterize was conferred the title of 『High Priestess』.
Twenty heroes lined up at the award ceremony, and Gabriel gave a 『blessing』 to Esterize. It wasn’t anything special, just a mere congratulatory remark.
Then, she was given a robe bearing the emblem of 『High Priestess』 and the award ceremony concluded.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .sigh.”
ㅤ
After the award ceremony, Meteore sighed in the castle corridor.
He was still not convinced about Esterize’s title. Originally, the twenty-one titles were given as a testament to those who saved the world from the 『Demon Emperor』. It wasn’t something to be handed down to someone else.
In fact, there was opposition to Esterize’s title. However, Gabriel, who held the supreme command, enforced it.
Then, a man stood beside Meteore.
ㅤ
“You don’t look pleased.”
“. . . . . .Gawain?”
ㅤ
『Sun』 Gawain.
He’s an escort for the king and a colleague of Meteore.
His robe is bright red with embroidery resembling the sun. Although he’s in his seventies, his well-maintained physique and youthful face make him look early forties.
Contrary to Meteore, he appeared eternally young.
ㅤ
“I understand why you’re upset about this situation. But, we need the power.”
“. . . . . .I know.”
“Apart from the demon of 『Lust』, the demon that appeared this time was clearly underprepared. It’s as if they quickly made it to buy some time. The country’s in ruins, so recovery will take a while.”
“. . . . . .The resurrection is imminent. Or. . . . . .it might have already happened.”
“Yes. You’re worried, but Gabriel’s decision isn’t wrong. Regardless of age, we need strength. Besides. . . . . .I might get to see it after a long time.”
“. . . . . .See what?”
“It’s obvious. Your true strength, Meteore.”
“. . . . . .The true strength of an old man like me? Haha, you joke.”
ㅤ
Meteore didn’t continue the conversation and walked away.
◇◇◇◇◇◇
ㅤ
The day of Albero and the others’ award ceremony has arrived.
Dressed in the S-class uniform, Albero headed to where everyone was waiting by the horse carriage.
ㅤ
“Albero, you’re late!”
“Sorry, couldn’t find my jacket.”
“Come on, please get on the horse carriage.”
ㅤ
Scolded by Ashe, Lapis grabs his arm.
Upon boarding the horse carriage, Ridelle, who was sitting next to Kid, gave a slight chuckle.
ㅤ
“Albero, seems like you’re whipped.”
“Huh?”
“No, it’s not like that! We’re just mad because Albero is so careless.”
“That’s right! Geez, Ridelle.”
“Be quiet. Keep it down inside the carriage. . . . . .and don’t lean on me.”
“Ugh. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Kid pushes away the leaning Nisrok, but Nisrok doesn’t wake up.
Leivinia sits in the driver’s seat, asking the driver various questions. She seems curious about the horses.
ㅤ
“Shall we get going then?”
ㅤ
The horse carriage set off towards the royal castle.
ㅤ
◇◇◇◇◇◇
ㅤ
Upon arriving at the royal castle, they were promptly guided to the audience chamber.
In the audience chamber, there was a grand throne, with somewhat grand chairs on either side.
The king sat on the central chair, with Sanbalt and Yorha on either side. Both were in formal wear, with Yorha having her hair styled and makeup on.
Additionally, rows of escort soldiers lined up, and twenty-one heroes stood against the wall by the throne. Seeing Damocles smile slightly, Albero also smiles, but gets discouraged upon seeing the imposing Esterize.
As they entered, knelt, and looked up, the king began to speak.
ㅤ
“For this demon subjugation, you have worked hard. Thanks to all of you, we were able to save this country from the threat of demons. Therefore, I hereby bestow medals upon you!”
ㅤ
Everyone stood up.
The king rose, and an aide brought over a tray with medals.
The king then pinned a medal on each person’s chest. Both Ashe and Lapis were nervous.
Albero, however, seemed surprisingly at ease.
After Kid’s turn, it was Albero’s.
ㅤ
“Albero Rushout, your contributions are━━”
ㅤ
Suddenly, something strange occurred.
An enormous hole appeared right above the throne, distorting the space.
ㅤ
“What. . . . . .what is that?!”
“Huh?. . . . . .What’s going on?”
ㅤ
The king turned to look up at the hole.
The soldiers took up their weapons, and the heroes assumed defensive stances.
And then. . . . . .a man and woman appeared from the hole.
ㅤ
“It’s been a while, Asgard Kingdom. I’ve returned.”
ㅤ
The one who muttered this was a pale girl.
With white hair, blue eyes, and an otherworldly beauty, she looked like a finely crafted doll.
ㅤ
“Wh. . . . . .who are you?”
ㅤ
The one who spoke was Albero.
The moment he saw the girl━━
ㅤ
“━━Ah, argh?!”
ㅤ
His right eye felt as if it was burning.
Albero’s right eye transformed into the 『Nether Eye Balor』.
ㅤ
“Ah, I found it. . . . . .Jabberwock, it’s you, right?”
ㅤ
Albero’s right eye and Shin’s left eye met.
In an instant, Albero got into position, transforming his right arm.
Shin, too, enlarged her left arm.
ㅤ
“Fufu, king and queen, right and left, blue and red, black and white, man and woman. . . . . .you and I, we are always so contrasting, aren’t we?”
“Wha. . . . . .y, you.”
“Nice to meet you. My name is Shin・Asgard. . . . . . the one you all call the Demon Emperor.”
ㅤ
And so, Albero and Shin met. They inevitably met.
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