In the grand hall, the crystal chandeliers illuminated the entire space as bright as daylight, with beams of light cascading through the ornate dod ceiling, creating intricate light patterns on the carpet.
The backdrop on the stage was dominated by the Royal Army Flag’s black and gold colors, with the eleven gilded letters of "Demon Suppression Abyss Battle Recognition and Award Ceremony" standing out prominently.
The seats below the stage were fully occupied, the solemn black military uniforms mingling with the silvery shine of shoulder rank insignias ford a sea of solemnity.
The officers, dressed in crisp uniforms, the fabric stiff and the collars embroidered with subtle insignias corresponding to their battle groups, their black sword scabbards reflecting a matte finish, tassels hanging motionless.
Everyone was seated in order according to their units; they were leaders stationed on the first level of the Demon Suppression Abyss, with so knowing each other, but many more unfamiliar with those around them.
Qin Tian sat at the front row on the left side, the black uniform fitting his form, with the insignia of the Chijin Battlegroup embroidered on his sleeve, the golden star of a Colonel’s rank on his shoulder shining brightly in the light. Although not the highest rank among the commanders, his seating drew many eyes.
The clock on the wall had just ticked past three in the afternoon when Dongfang Yue, dressed in a black marshal’s uniform, walked steadily onto the stage, each step resonating with everyone’s heartstrings, making the already silent hall even more solemn.
His gaze swept across those below the stage, as if making eye contact with every warrior, his voice resonating throughout, no unnecessary pleasantries, carrying a penetrating power:
"The battle for the Demon Suppression Abyss this ti lasted for several months, with every battle group bravely fighting the enemy, using flesh and blood to build barriers, eventually successfully sealing seven spatial passages, keeping the demons at bay."
The image on the background screen suddenly switched, displaying a series of numbers—the rolling list of fallen warriors’ nas, the number of Demon Sources destroyed, the total number of demons killed...
Each number was heavy and burning, causing many in the audience to straighten their spines, with so brushing sleeves of their uniforms, eyes reflecting rembrance and determination.
"The victory in war is never due to the efforts of one individual, but the result of countless warriors’ charges and defenses." Dongfang Yue’s tone softened slightly, yet was more solemn,
"But we must not forget those heroes who stepped up in critical monts, resolving crises single-handedly; we must honor those rit-earning individuals who brought pivotal turns to battles with courage and wisdom."
He gestured with a raised hand, two soldiers dressed in black ceremonial uniforms carried a tray covered with red silk onto the stage, various dals laid neatly atop the tray—there was the ’Iron Blood dal’ symbolizing courage and tenacity, its silver dal engraved with a crossed sword and shield, the edges exuding a cold tallic luster;
There was the ’Deep Blue dal’ recognizing strategy, with the blue crystal inlay’s patterns precision like star trails, reflecting a profound halo in the light;
In addition, there were the Bauhinia dal, the Benevolence dal, among others.
And in the center, was the ’Empire Glory dal’ established for those with distinguished contributions—a rare red-gold crafted dal with a center embedded with an orange-red fire gemstone the size of a pigeon’s egg, surrounded by twelve gilt feather patterns, with diamond fragnts adorning the feather tips, even in soft lighting, it radiated dazzling brilliance, casting a golden hue onto the tray’s red silk, visibly marking it as the Empire’s highest honor.
"The the of today’s ceremony has only one focus—"
Dongfang Yue’s voice suddenly rose, gaze intense, his hand touching his chest’s uniform insignia, as if about to bestow the honor: "To honor the heroes! To bestow glory upon those warriors who fought bloodily in the Demon Suppression Abyss, defending the Empire’s peace!"
As his speech concluded, a thunderous applause erupted throughout the audience, the hems of black uniforms swaying gently with movents, forming into a rousing rhythm.
Dongfang Yue’s gaze fell on the achievent record book in his hand, fingertips grazing the paper surface, each na he called bearing imnse weight: "First War Zone, Baihu Battle group leader, Zhao Lie!"
To the left of the audience, a burly Lieutenant Colonel stood up abruptly, the black uniform accentuating his broad shoulders and back. As he stepped onto the stage, the sound of military boots on carpet resonated clearly, his face carrying a fortitude honed on battlefields.
"In the siege battle at the periphery of the Rotting Swamp, Zhao Lie led the Baihu Battle group in holding the ground for three days, facing a demon charge ten tis their number, personally killed seven Tier Six demon commanders, and even with severe injuries, persisted in command until reinforcents arrived."
Dongfang Yue’s voice was solemn, raising his hand to pick the ’Iron Blood dal’ from the tray, fingertips feeling the cold of the silver dal, "Such valor warrants the awarding of the ’Iron Blood dal’ to honor his determination!"
Zhao Lie straightened his back, saluting, as the dal was pinned on the left chest of the uniform, the silver sword and shield pattern reflecting with the golden star of his rank, drawing uniform applause from the audience, in tribute to the fearless.
Once Zhao Lie took his seat, Dongfang Yue continued, "Third War Zone, Xuan niao Battle Group leader, Lin Zhou!"
A slender-faced officer stood up, his steps steady as he walked to the stage, differing from Zhao Lie’s intensity with the calm deanor unique to the wise.
"During operations in the Demon Realm mist zone, you uncovered the demons’ deceptive ’east-west attack’ plot, counter-analysed the demon cave distribution, formulated an ambush strategy, annihilating demon caves with minimal casualties, and subsequently incited a demon internal conflict, ultimately successfully dismantling a Demon Source." Dongfang Yue picked up the ’Deep Blue dal,’ the blue crystal emanating a glow under the light, "Such intelligence warrants the awarding of the ’Deep Blue dal’ to signify his capability!"
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