Chapter 151 (1/2)

When the Emperor, Rudolf, entered the banquet hall, the music and the chatter had all stopped.

In addition, most of the lights were turned off except for a few.

When the people were hailing the Emperor, Rudolf raised his hand as a reply.

‘He looks very tired.’

Luke, who glanced at the face of the Emperor, laughed to himself. The pride and elegance which had to be in the Emperor’s eyes seemed tired. His expression didn’t fit a person that was supposed to be called an Emperor.

Considering the recent events, it was bound for him to be tired and exhausted.

“I see that everyone has come here. It is my pleasure to have so many people around me to celebrate our victory.”

With those words, the nobles with Duke Butler laughed at him.

They felt that the Emperor was so pathetic that he was declaring a war that was considered a defeat by a nation being branded as the victors.

“We are fighting against the rogues who have forgotten their manners as a man and are indiscriminately forming relations with the fairies. How can we leave the matters like they are because of those deceased men, who are fundamentally oblivious, and are trying to disrupt the worldly order and status.”

The Emperor argued that the war against the Republic was a fateful battle that would decide the destiny of the continent. He blamed the Volga Republic in his speech while he occasionally poured out swear swords wrapped in a gentle façade.

“In the midst of the chaos created by the shameless rogues, there was a man who fought against the North invaders and gave them deadly blows. As everyone knows, he is the descendant of the Sword Emperor Rakan, Luke de Rakan.”

When the Emperor pointed his hand in the direction of Luke, lights followed and gathered around Luke.

“Because of Rakan’s work, the bandits didn’t dare enter the Empire, and the brave empire soldiers were successful in driving out the bandits and defending their borders. It was all because of Rakan Viscount’s thoughts and hard work, so I hope to give him a huge credit today.”

At the words of the Emperor, the nobles looked at Luke with envy in their eyes.

The Imperial family had retrained and bullied the family of Rakan but because of the current situation, they were compelled to reward them.

“Luke de Rakan, come in front of me!”

At the call from the Emperor, Luke approached him slowly and knelt in front of him.

Emperor Rudolf pulled out the sword at his waist and placed it on Luke’s shoulder to announce the huge award he was granting him.

“Because of the bravery that Luke de Rakan showed, I grant him the title of a Marquis. And according to his title, he will be given a new estate.”

‘What, what did he say?!’

Luke was shocked, but the nobles were even more surprised.

They were expecting the title. But to also be allotted land?

No one thought that Luke would be given two awards.

Moreover, there was no law that stated for a Marquis to be assigned with a new territory.

For Luke, there was no loss, but for the nobles, it was nothing less than a heartbreaking shock.

Last time, Marquis Cavanill tried to lure Luke in giving a piece of his land.

Duke Butler too had been thinking of a similar way to get Luke onto their side.

The war hearing had been canceled, but the noblemen were thinking about the future, and it was always a good sign to have the Rakan family of the South which had considerable power.

However, the Emperor had the first advantage.

It was a bomb-like award.

“Majesty, such reward is too much.”

After someone had rebelled against the declaration of the Emperor, Butler snapped back to reality.

He was worried that someone from their side would speak out not realizing their situation.

There was a lot of concern because Butler could suffer a lot of political disadvantage, but fortunately, the backlash wasn’t from the noblemen.

“You… Count Juke.”