There was a small hall in the mansion. It wasn’t big, but it was enough for a ceremony. Considering he was a high-ranking noble, it was necessary for him to have one, especially for giving out a rank.
Noel took the only seat in the hall. There were six witnesses. To be credible, they had to be the Ardagan family’s pillars. Roel, Khalid, Jasmine, Harley, Douglas, and Balott.
Rose was the one acpanying Noel on his side beside Anna. Of course, this was supposed to be Elaine’s role, but she was supposed to be one of the people that received the reward, and she was still in the Lesen family. Hence, Rose filled this position.
At first, Livia was supposed to be one of the witnesses, but because of the recent conflict, Livia chose to be absent.
Noel stood up. "Incetta Shervina!"
"Incetta Shervina is entering the hall!" A soldier announced while opening the door.
Incetta had changed into a formal suit. She didn’t choose a dress simply because this reward came from her military achievement.
Incetta gracefully walked forward, stopped in front of Noel, and dropped to her knee.
"Thanks to your effort, my brother-in-law is doing well. You have done a great job in stopping the demon army, including the people from the enemy’s side.
"I grant you the rank of Marquis. You will be granted the land of Masha. May you use this strength for this kingdom, Marquis Shervina."
Rose came with a tray. There was a short sword with the Ardagan family’s emblem as well as a badge of the family.
"I solemnly swear to use my strength to protect this kingdom." Incetta grabbed the sword first and swore before reaching for the badge.
She then stood up and walked to the crowd as people applauded her.
"Howard," Noel continued.
"Howard is entering the hall!" The soldier announced and opened the door again.
This time, Howard entered with another person. And that person was none other than Grandel. After following him for some time, Grandel had also reached the grandmaster rank.
"Thanks to your effort all this time, the territory has remained peaceful. This reward doesn’t e solely from the previous battle but from the creation of this family.
"I grant you the rank of a count, the name of Gratia, and the land of Ressein. Please use this power to protect the kingdom, Howard Gratia."
"I solemnly swear to wield this power for the sake of the kingdom." Howard grabbed the sword and swore.
"With this, you are deprived of your position as the Pillar of Defense. Do you have someone in mind to take over your post?"
"I do, my lord." Howard smiled. He glanced to the side. "I remend Grandel to take my position."
"!!!" Grandel was startled. He just followed him because Howard asked him, but he didn’t expect that it was because Howard wanted to remend him as the next pillar.
The people in the territory knew perfectly what it meant to be one of the twelve pillars of the Ardagan family.
Grandel wondered whether he had the ability to do it.
Noel, on the other hand, nodded and declared out loud, "From this point on, Howard Gratia will leave his post as the Pillar of Defense. His successor, Grandel, will now take his position as the new Pillar of Defense."
The applause filled the hall again as Grandel still panicked but didn’t dare to say anything.
Howard just smiled and brought Grandel to the side.
"Because two other people are still outside the territory, this will be the last. Tristan!"
"Tristan is entering the hall!" The soldier announced once again, opening the door for the last person.𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮
Tristan had followed Noel for several years. Although he was still lacking, Noel had seen his growth.
It could be said that he was just one or two steps away from Noel’s mastery of runes. If this continued, his rune ability would surpass Noel’s.
Tristan wasn’t a boy who had almost been beaten to death anymore. He was already a young man filled with dignity.
Tristan dropped to his knee and closed his eyes. Memories from the first time they met started to flow into his mind, reminding him how his life had changed.
He was eternally grateful to his master.
"Tristan. You are my disciple. I have seen all of your growth. Your contribution to this family has far surpassed that of most people. It’s time for you to fly in the sky.
"I grant you the title of an earl, the name of Clestine, and the land of Nassre. You might not be from this kingdom, but may you use this power to protect the kingdom and humanity, Tristan Clestine."
Tristan felt like crying. It had been a long journey. The slave boy had now bee an earl. But this wasn’t the end. Instead, this was the starting point.
Tristan clenched his fists, ready to face the challenge. "I will do my best to protect this kingdom and humanity."
The round of applause filled the hall again.
Noel waved his hand. "The reward ceremony is now officially over."
Noel immediately turned back as if he were ready to leave. But a smile appeared on his face. He had truly e a long way.
The Ardagan family had been rebuilt. The new generation started making its mark in history.
Out of the twelve pillars, there were only five people that came from the previous Ardagan family: Dimitri, Balott, Douglas, Harley, and Jasmine.
Eventually, these people would pass their positions to their succession. Unfortunately, Tristan had to bee a noble, which meant Sandra would follow him. In other words, Dimitri would need to search for another successor.
Still, people like Charlotte or Howard had passed on their seats.
It wasn’t easy to reach this far, especially since he had to split his time between training and development.
But he believed there would e a day when the new Ardagan family would finally present itself. And Noel was looking forward to that time.
With a sense of pride, Noel took his leave, followed by Anna and Rose. The rest of the people celebrated.
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