The past few days had been… busy.

After the battle, the academy was in chaos.

Professors and multiple engineers were running around fixing broken buildings, students were recovering from injuries, and priests had been working overtime.

As for Aestrea?

Well.

Right now, he was sitting on a couch in his dormitory room, a book in his hands. He wasn’t really reading it—his eyes just moved over the words while his mind wandered.

The dormitory was lively as usual.

Across from him, Lumi was lying on the carpet, kicking her legs in the air as she played with a floating wisp of mana.

Her slimy hair spread around her like a soft cloud, her bright eyes completely focused on the glowing orb in front of her.

Chaerin sat near the window, quietly braiding her hair while humming to herself.

Unlike her usual proper appearance, she was wearing comfortable home clothes—a simple blouse and a long skirt.

She looked relaxed, which was rare.

And Alaine…

“Aestrea,” Alaine called, peeking out from the kitchen.

“Tea or coffee?”

“Tea.”

Alaine nodded and disappeared back inside.

The scent of something warm and sweet filled the air, probably cookies or some other snack she was making.

This was their routine.

After everything that happened, the girls had been sticking to Aestrea like glue.

Not in an obvious way, but in small things. Lumi would always be nearby to annoy him, Chaerin made sure to act like his daughter properly, and Alaine…

Well, Alaine had taken over his schedule entirely.

Like a proper servant, or in this case, a personal maid.

He sighed, placing the book down.

“Still thinking about today?” Chaerin asked without looking up.

“A little.”

Lumi rolled over onto her back, staring at him upside-down.

“You should be excited, you know,” she said. “You’re meeting the Emperor and Empress!”

“Yeah, I know.”

And honestly, he wasn’t nervous.

Just… tired.

Because today was the official ceremony.

The Emperor himself had summoned them.

Aestrea, Lucas, Violet, Christina, Rose, Maya, Iris, Zeva, and a few other key figures from the battle were all receiving awards.

Titles, medals, gold—whatever the Empire thought was appropriate for their contributions.

Lucas was, of course, being recognized as the Hero.

Aestrea?

Well.

It was a surprise for him.

And not just any Baron.

Aestrea leaned back against the couch and sighed.

“Don’t sigh like that, Master~” a teasing voice said from behind him.

A pair of slimy arms wrapped around his shoulders, and he immediately knew who it was.

“Lumi,” he muttered.

“Mmhm,” she hummed, resting her chin on his head.

“Nihihi, you’re sighing like an old man. Stop it~!”

“Get off.”

“No.”

Lumi giggled.

Chaerin sighed.

“You’re going to wrinkle his clothes,” Alaine said, walking back with a tray of tea and small cakes.

Lumi ignored her, but she did let go—only to flop down onto the couch beside him.

“So, what time are we leaving?” She asked curiously, rolling onto her stomach.

“One hour,” Alaine answered, setting down the tray. “Everyone should start getting ready soon.”

Aestrea sighed again, but this time, he actually moved.

“Alright, alright,” he muttered.

No avoiding it.

It was time.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The grand hall was massive, easily the size of a cathedral.

White marble floors, golden chandeliers, and towering stained-glass windows made everything glow with elegance.

Aestrea stood in line with the others, dressed in formal academy attire—a crisp, dark uniform with silver accents.

It was his leader’s uniform from Silverleaf Academy, because, even though he was attending the Royal Academy, he is originally from Silverleaf.

Lucas stood beside him, wearing an actual formal suit, with golden ornaments climbing down the shirt, and along with that, he had a golden sash over both of his shoulders—marking him as the Hero.

The hall was filled with nobles, military officials, and even high-ranking members of the church.

The air was heavy with expectation.

Then—

BOOM.

The doors at the far end of the hall opened.

The Imperial Guards marched in first, their golden armor gleaming under the chandeliers. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, their spears held high as they lined the path leading to the Throne.

And then—

Two figures entered.

The Emperor and Empress of the Empire.

The Emperor, Francis Arthur Charles X, walked with slow, powerful steps. He was a tall man, with sharp features and cold golden eyes that held the weight of the entire nation.

His long red-yellow robes, lined with golden embroidery, flowed as he moved, the heavy Imperial Crown resting on his head.

Beside him, the Empress, Isabella von Eldoria, moved with grace. She had a quiet, observing presence—like the moon beside the sun.

Her silver hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, and her piercing blue eyes swept over the gathered warriors with an unreadable expression.

Honestly, Aestrea knew a bit about her.

Unlike the Emperor, who actually ruled with cold efficiency, the Empress was the hidden strategist.

Behind him, she was the one who handled diplomacy, military movements, and even some of the darker aspects of running an empire.

But still, her actual relationship with the emperor didn’t seem to be so good.

If anything, she seemed to want to overthrow him.

The Emperor actually knew about her actions, and with the help of Lilith, he thought that he had her actions under his control…

As for if that continued being the case…

Aestrea doesn’t know.

If, in the novel, she did overthrow him or not.

Either way, she could be a potential helper when he kills the Emperor.

And right now—

She was looking directly at him.

She might seem innocent, but she clearly isn’t.

It was even mentioned that she ‘faked’ a lot of her actions a lot.

Aestrea didn’t flinch, but he did straighten his back slightly.

The Emperor sat down on his golden throne, and the Empress took her seat beside him.

Then—

A royal official stepped forward, unrolling a long parchment.

“The Imperial Court recognizes the brave warriors who stood against the forces of darkness during the Great Battle against the Archdemon of Pride. Their courage, strength, and loyalty to the Empire shall not go unrewarded.”

His voice echoed through the massive hall.

The audience remained silent, their gazes locked onto the young warriors standing before them.

Aestrea, Lucas, Violet, Christina, and a few others were standing at the very front, closest to the throne.

Then—

The official continued.

“First, we recognize Lucas HeartStone.”

Lucas stepped forward.

He stood tall, his golden-blond hair shining under the light, his golden eyes filled with determination and pride.

The official took a deep breath and then declared:

“By decree of His Imperial Majesty, Francis Arthur Charles X, and by the will of the Divine Church, Lucas Reinhardt is hereby granted the official title of ‘The Hero of Light.'”

The audience erupted into murmurs.

A Hero.

The title wasn’t just symbolic—it was an official status within the Empire.

It meant he was recognized as the ‘chosen’ warrior against the DemoN kING, a figure who would be sent to battle whenever the Empire needed him.

Lucas bowed, his expression calm.

Then—

The Emperor spoke.

“You have proven your worth, Lucas HeartStone,” his voice was quite deep and strong. “May your strength serve the Empire well.”

Lucas clenched his fist, then knelt before the throne.

“It will, Your Majesty.”

Aestrea glanced at him out of the corner of his eye.

Lucas’s voice was steady.

He was accepting it, but…

Aestrea knew.

This was just the beginning of a very long road.

The official then moved on.

“The Imperial Court recognizes Violet Von Luxuria.”

Violet stepped forward, her usual playful expression replaced with a calm, serious one.

“For her valiant efforts in battle, she is awarded the ‘Silver Fang Medal.”

It was an elite military honor, given only to those who had demonstrated overwhelming skill in battle.

Violet smirked.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Next—

“The Imperial Court recognizes Christina Solara.”

The Saintess walked forward gracefully, her blonde hair shimmering under the lights.

“For her role in healing countless warriors and ensuring the survival of the academy’s forces, she is awarded the ‘Divine Radiance Medal.'”

Another powerful title.

Christina curtsied elegantly.

“It is my duty, Your Majesty,” she said softly.

Then—

The official cleared his throat.

And Aestrea immediately knew it was his turn.

“The Imperial Court recognizes Aestrea Moon.”

He took a slow step forward.

Silence.

The hall was utterly silent.

It wasn’t like Lucas’s announcement, where everyone whispered in awe.

This time—

The nobles, the military officials, everyone was just… watching.

Waiting.

Aestrea felt their eyes.

Some were curious.

Some were judging.

Some were even fearful.

Because unlike Lucas—who was quite the known figure…

Aestrea had come out of nowhere.

Even though he had his “presumed” title, “Moonlight Swordsman”, his origins were… null. No one knew where he came from.

And now…

He had stood against an Archdemon.

He had won.

The Emperor exhaled.

His golden eyes locked onto Aestrea.

Then—

He spoke.

“For your actions on the battlefield, your strength, and your contributions to the safety of this nation, I grant you the title of ‘Moonlight Swordsman.'”

A wave of whispers swept through the hall.

The Emperor’s lips twitched slightly like he was holding back irritation.

Then—

He sighed.

“And, as per Imperial decree, Aestrea Moon is granted the noble status of Baron.”

Silence.

Then—

The murmurs grew louder.

A noble.

He was now a noble.

Aestrea exhaled slowly.

He stepped forward, then bowed before the Emperor.

He didn’t kneel down like the others.

Instead, he even sent a provocative glance at the Emperor.

“…I accept, Your Majesty.”

Along with that, his voice also had a hint of teasing.

Grip…!

The Emperor clenched his fists, looking at him for a long moment.

That made Aestrea hold back a smile.

Then—

He leaned back on his throne.

“…Rise, Baron Moon.”

Aestrea straightened himself.

And just like that—

It was official.

He was now Baron Aestrea Moon.

Or—

Baron Moon.

Touché.

As the ceremony continued, more warriors were awarded, and more honors were given.

By the time it ended, the Empire had new heroes.

And Aestrea?

He was now a noble.

It wasn’t something he had ever wanted.

But now…

He would have to play the game.

The game of power, nobility, and politics.

As he stepped back, feeling the weight of his new title settle onto his shoulders—

He caught the Empress watching him.

Her lips curled into a small smile.

Aestrea exhaled.

‘Great.’

This was going to be a problem.

A big problem.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep