Three figures were already waiting by the long table.
Standing directly opposite the entrance, before the observation window, was the Ironspine Duke, Hakon Perik. He stood so still he seed to have rged with the scorched battlefield behind him.
He still wore his iron-gray armor, now marred with fresh battle scars. His gray-blue eyes calmly watched Murphy as he entered.
On the left side of the table, Saint Cyril Cardinal sat upright in a high-backed chair upholstered in thick velvet.
He looked even older and more exhausted than before. His face was ashen and his eye sockets were sunken, but his gaze was still filled with holy majesty.
His fingers rested lightly on the Golden Scepter in his lap, which emanated a faint glow. His eyes fell upon Murphy, filled with scrutiny.
On the right side of the table stood Valken, the tropolitan Bishop.
His deep blue Shepherd’s Robe was spotless, and his ice-blue irises, like polar frost, were fixed on Murphy.
The mont Murphy stepped into the stone hall, three gazes converged on him, as tangible as physical touch.
The air froze for an instant.
"Governor of lfield," the Ironspine Duke, Hakon, spoke first. His voice was deep and steady, as if the two had never spoken privately before. "Welco. Please, have a seat."
He gestured to an empty chair at the table. His deanor was natural, exactly that of a supre commander formally receiving the general of an important reinforcent contingent.
Murphy did as he was told, walking over, pulling out the chair, and sitting down. He unbuckled his Longsword and leaned it gently against the side of his chair.
A silence fell over the scabbard; not the faintest hum remained.
"First," began Bishop Cyril, his voice slow, yet clear and strong. "Allow to express, on behalf of the Church Court and all the soldiers and civilians who survived because of you, our most sincere gratitude, Lord lfield. In the battle at the Central Tower today, you turned the tide against impossible odds. Your contribution was imnse. The glory of Oriane shines all the brighter for your courage."
"It was my duty. You flatter , Lord Bishop," Murphy replied, his tone concise and flat.
"Flattery?" tropolitan Bishop Valken suddenly chuckled. "Slaying a Giant Earth Rock Worm at its peak, single-handedly breaking the monster line, and inspiring a collapsing defense force to launch a desperate counterattack... Such achievents would be considered a monuntal feat for even a long-established Legendary Knight. And you, it seems... have only recently been promoted? Truly, the younger generation is to be feared."
Murphy raised his head and t tropolitan Bishop Valken’s gaze calmly.
"The Deep Red Wilderness is a perilous place, and the pressure was imnse. I had a mont of insight and was fortunate enough to break through. As for slaying the worm, if Lord Quentin had not heavily wounded it beforehand, and if the three Archbishops had not spared no expense to empower with Holy Magic, I could not have succeeded on my own. The credit for this victory does not belong to alone."
Hearing this, a flicker of approval crossed Bishop Cyril’s eyes, and he nodded slightly.
"Regardless, Lord lfield, you stepped forward in a ti of crisis and saved the defense line from the brink of collapse. That achievent cannot be denied."
He paused, gently stroking the Scepter, and continued,
"rit must be rewarded, and faults must be punished. This is a principle upheld by both the Church Court and the Kingdom. In light of your ritorious service today, as well as your outstanding performance in returning from the Deep Red Wilderness and closing the gateway node, after discussion with Duke Hakon, the Church Court and the Peric Clan have decided to bestow upon you the following rewards—"
His voice turned solemn.
"First, you are granted the honorary title of Holy Protector. This honor not only symbolizes the Church Court’s highest recognition but also ans that you and your house will receive the permanent protection and dedicated resources of the Church."
"Second, as the Monte Territory is a borderland and lacks resources, the Church Court will grant, as developnt aid, the mining rights to a large iron vein sufficient for twenty years of extraction. Furthermore, the Monte Territory will be exempt from all taxes owed to the Church Court for the next twenty years."
"Third," Bishop Cyril’s gaze shifted to Duke Hakon, "the official comndation from the Kingdom must be reported to His Majesty John William IV, however—"
Duke Hakon took over, his voice steady and powerful.
"Given the urgency of the war and the magnificence of your accomplishnts, I, in my capacity as Supre Commander of the Iron Spine Defense Line and Guardian of the Eastern Border, hereby grant you the following imdiate rewards and authorities—"
He paused briefly, his eyes fixed on Murphy.
"First, the awarding of one Iron Spine dal. This dal is not only the highest honor for outstanding contributions to the defense of the Iron Ridge Mountain Range’s defense line, but it also grants its bearer top-priority military passage, the right to requisition ergency supplies, and the authority to demand necessary assistance and provisions from any garrison or territory along their path, throughout the entire Eastern Border War Zone—including all noble domains, autonomous territories, and Kingdom-controlled areas. This authority is effective imdiately for the duration of the war."
"Second, in recognition of the Monte Territory’s great contributions in this campaign, the Monte Territory is specially permitted to trade along all official trade routes through the Iron Ridge Mountain Range, completely free of tariffs, for the next ten years."
"Third, as you have now ascended to the Legendary Realm, in accordance with the ancient traditions of the Kingdom and the consensus of the lords of the Eastern Territory, a Legendary Powerhouse enjoys the special status of ’Friend of the Lord.’ I hereby formally recognize you with the title ’Friend of the Eastern Guardian.’ This status ans you will be afforded the sa courtesy and respect as a Hereditary Count throughout the lands of the Eastern Territory. During peaceti, you may travel, reside, and purchase property freely in any territory within the East."
After a pause, he continued,
"Furthermore, regarding the Great Knights who ventured deep into the Deep Red Wilderness with you, carried out the mission, and survived—they are also heroes for closing the gateway and are the Holy Protectors promised by the Church Court. I have already dispatched my personal guard to the vicinity of Eagle’s Beak Peak to retrieve them and ensure their safe return to the fortress. You need not trouble yourself with this matter any further, Lord lfield."
Finally, Duke Hakon looked at Murphy, his tone shifting to one of natural, equal exchange.
"What are your thoughts on these arrangents, Lord lfield?"
A Legendary Knight was, by definition, an individual who stood at the pinnacle of mortal power.
In the Vilt Kingdom, there was only one other Legend guarding the Royal Capital: Otto, the "Steel Lion."
Now, with Murphy’s teoric rise, his status had naturally soared, making him an equal to a Duke.
Duke Hakon’s current use of an equal tone was a clear acknowledgnt of this new identity.
Of course, during a state of war, Duke Hakon, as the supre commander, still held jurisdiction over all ard forces within the fortress, a right granted by the Church Court. This, however, did not affect their parity in terms of rank and power level.
Murphy’s gaze swept calmly over the three magnates.
The rewards announced by Bishop Cyril were both generous and practical, covering honor, tangible material support, and conveniences for his territory’s developnt. For a border territory, they were of imnse value.
Duke Hakon’s rewards were much the sa, and he had even made arrangents to retrieve the others, alleviating the specific concern Murphy had feigned.
Everything seed so normal, so perfectly logical.
’It was as if everything he had done today was solely for the purpose of obtaining these rewards. As if that conversation in the tunnel about "balance," "variables," and "Otherworldly Guests" had truly been nothing more than a hallucination.’
"The arrangents made by the Church Court and the Lord Duke are thorough and appropriate," Murphy said slowly, his voice steady. "lfield has no objections. On behalf of the people of the Monte Territory, I thank the Church Court and the Kingdom for their generosity and recognition."
He paused before adding,
"The most pressing matter is still to stabilize the defense line and guard against a monster counterattack. Since I am staying at the fortress, I will naturally follow the Lord Duke’s command and contribute my strength."
Duke Hakon nodded, a trace of approval on his face.
"Very good. Lord lfield, you understand the bigger picture. You have expended a great deal of energy in today’s fierce battle. Go back and get so proper rest to recuperate. We will discuss specific defensive arrangents after you have recovered."
"Yes." Murphy rose, gave a slight nod to the three n, picked up the Longsword leaning against his chair, and turned toward the door.
From beginning to end, the Ironspine Duke, Hakon Perik, showed no sign of ever having had a private conversation with Murphy.
He acted exactly like a just, dignified, and impartial supre commander treating a newly ascended Legendary ally who had perford a great service.
Murphy pushed open the oak door and walked out.
The torchlight in the corridor still flickered, and the distant sounds of the battlefield being cleared were faintly audible.
Everything was as usual.
’It was as if nothing had happened.’
’Only the rewards.’
Just as the Ironspine Duke had said—
"You will receive the rewards you deserve."
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