Chapter 13: Voices of Glory (Part 3)

We arrived earlier than the rest of the Elites in the main courtyard. However, the scene that greeted us was beyond our expectations.

We thought the courtyard might be empty, save for few Elites. It was like this early in the morning. However, in less than half a day, the entire courtyard was full of people. There might be at least 3 thousand people in the main courtyard, all looking so excited and enthusiastic.

Ariel, who stood next to me, was quite surprised too.

“I never thought there would be these many people.”

“Who are these people, Ariel?”

“Ohh, you are not from around here, aren’t you Claude?”

I shook my head.

“Nope, I’m not from here.”

“No wonder. Well, let Big Sis Ariel tell you what is happening in front of us.”

Big Sis? Did she just proclaim herself that way? She must have that little brother complex, I think. Ah well, whatever that she liked anyway. As long as she’s happy.

“These thousands of people are also involved in the Parade of Champions like us. But unlike us Elites, they come from various units of the army and knights. As what Captain Rizzou said earlier, we Elites served directly under the King. The rest, however, served under the army, which is under our Lord General, Ser Siegmund Godfrey.”

“Ohh… that old man.”

“Old man?”

Ariel looked confused.

“A-Ah. Nothing. I thought he might be an old man. Hehe.”

“Well, he is definitely old, Claude. But don’t let his appearance fool you. He is more powerful and extremely well versed in the art of war than every one of us combined. That’s why people called him the Warmaster Godfrey. He earned his nickname.”

Both of us took our steps down towards the main courtyard and I could not help but to look around all those people beside me. Ariel caught my anxious looks as she giggled out a little.

“Relax, Lil Bro. Anyway, these folks in front of us consists of newly knighted knights, senior ranked and commissioned army members and also leaders of various battalions and units and some of their men and all. And they come from all every part of Elsigardia, including those from the borders too.”

“I see.”

“To be honest, during the parade, there will be more people than this. Last year, it was about 20 thousand of us, parading throughout the whole capital.”

“2-20 thousand!!”

I shouted in surprise.

“So many of them?”

Ariel smiled at me and nodded.

“This is normal, Claude. You should see the crowd, really. It would be massive, so I won’t spoil your first time. Hehehe…”

Ariel continued as we walked down the stairs towards our next destination.

“I have been born and raised here since young, so I have been to all the Parades. 20 thousand people are not even 1/50th of our whole army. The Kingdom of Elsigardia has one of the biggest armies in the land, you know.”

“Wow. I never knew that we have such military strength.”

Ariel seemed very proud of that fact.

“Now, both of us are an Elite, so we are now part of that strength.”

I nodded. True enough.

“Come, let’s go to the table which displays our Elite crest banner.”

Before long, we found our table. It was easily identifiable and not too far from the stairs. It seemed that our table was located in front of the rest of other dozens of tables, which made looking for it became much easier. As we lined up to take our envelope, I looked around the courtyard yet again. I could not help it because the scene was both new and overwhelming for me.

Wow, this was massive. Look at all those people. Back in the Brotherhood, even though we have about 5000 members, but I never see so many of us at any one time. At most was about 1000 people. But today, for the very first time, I’m surrounded by no less than 3000 people, all part of the Kingdom of Elsigardia’s strength.

I felt so proud to be here. Proud to be alive and proud that my effort has been recognized. In the grand scheme of thing, I’m might be just a little speck of dust, but at least I’m a happy dust.

“I’m Ariel, recommended by the Zah’ringen.”

Ariel introduced herself towards a seated pair behind the counter table. The girl at the counter looked up at her, as the guy beside the counter girl immediately looked for her envelope.

“Ahh, there you are. Welcome to the Elite, Ms Ariel!”

Both of them welcomed Ariel as she received her envelope.

“Thank you!”

Ariel was all smiles.

“Hey, Claude. Looks like this is where we part ways for now. I need to say hello to some of my friends here. Big Sis will come back for you, so don’t go too far, alright Lil Bro?”

“Alright. See you later, Ariel.”

“See you later, Lil Bro!”

Lil bro ehh… Her little brother complex was now confirmed.

“Next!”

Ohhh, it’s my turn now. I moved forward, as I take a big gulp. I’m extremely nervous right now. I was not this nervous earlier but after Ariel left me, the impact and the occasion were starting to get to me.

“Hello, little boy. What can we do for you? Are you lost? Your Big Sis has gone that way.”

The girl at the counter greeted me.

Perhaps she overheard what Ariel said to me, but did not notice my existence as there were so many people around us. Or maybe I’m just short and Ariel overshadowed me.

“U-Uh… I’m Claude. Claude Leonheart.”

I introduced myself.

“Hello, Claude. How can I help you? Are you a new Elite too?”

I nodded.

“I see. May I know who recommended you? It will help us to look for your name easier as we sorted according to recommendations, not based on names.”

The girl was very helpful and friendly. I was still a nervous wreck though. I tried my best to talk though I still stammered.

“P-P-Princess Si-Si-Sierra recommended m-me.”

The guy who was on the job that was sitting next to the girl suddenly looked up at me with big and wide eyes. However, the friendly girl who greeted me earlier seemed did not catch my word exactly.

“Little boy, could you speak louder? I couldn’t hear you. Take your time, please.”

The girl asked of me. As soon as she said that, the guy beside her gave her a nudge that caused her to nearly fall down from her chair.

“Hey, what’s that for?!”

“Shushh… Keep quiet. I’m so sorry, Ser. Here is your envelope. Please forgive my partner’s behaviour. And welcome to the Elite, Ser!”

The guy seemed calm enough as he handed the enveloped to me.

I nodded to him.

“T-Thank you.”

I received the envelope, with my name written in gold ink with a crest on top of it. I wonder what was this crest anyway? So many crests to memorize but I have none the time to actually sit down and learned each one of them.

Well, I’ll open it once I’m out of the line. There were too many people here and all waiting for their turns, so I couldn’t afford to hold the line much longer.

-----

“Hey, what’s that for nudging me all the sudden like that back then.”

The girl pouted at the guy beside her.

“Be quiet. Don’t you know who that was?” The guy gave out a short rebuke to the girl.

“He is Claude. Cute little boy, ain’t he?”

The guy had this bewildered look on his face as if he did not believe what his partner had just said to him.

“Cute? Hah. Do you know who recommended him?”

The girl shook her head.

“Thought so. It was the Crown Princess Sierra!”

“WHAT!!!!” The girl’s sudden loud voice attracts some unwanted attention.

“Shushh… keep your voice down.” The guy places his hand and covered his partner’s mouth. Only when the girl calmed down that he released his hand.

“That little boy was recommended by her Royal Highness?”

The guy nodded. Then he continued,

“Do you notice the seal on his envelope?”

The girl again shook her head. The guy beside her facepalmed himself.

“Oh man. You better pay attention next time, alright!”

“What’s crest on his envelope?” The girl edge closer towards her partner as he whispered next in her ear.

“That's the crest of His Royal Majesty, The King’s official crest.” Answered the guy, with a smiling face.

Upon hearing the words, the girl finally lost her balance and fell down from her chair.

“That little boy. Perhaps the rumour is true. He is the princess saviour. Never judge a book by its cover, as they always say.”

As the guy helped the girl to her seat, both of them look at the far away silhouette. A short guy, who stammered his introductions earlier, and now looked at his surroundings like a deer lost in a village was a princess’s saviour. Just like a fairy tale told during bedtime stories.

-----

The courtyard was full of people of various kinds. Males and females of all races; humans, elves, dwarves, halfling and some other who I had never seen before. Though I wondered why there are none of the Beast people race here; the race of my maid back at the Bannen’s guest house, Reena.

I took a spot under a tree where I could get a good view of all that was happening in front of me. It was a little further than the hustle and bustle of the main courtyard, but at least no one was here, so I won’t be disturbed. I looked at my envelope given to me by the guy at the counter.

I wondered what’s inside of it. I held it up to the sky, straining my eyes to see anything inside of it with the help of the sunlight. But I found nothing out of ordinary. And I was right.

As soon as I opened the envelope by breaking the golden seal wax with a crest that I have never seen before, all that was inside the envelope was just a paper. A blank paper. With a big number 8 (1) written in the middle of it.

What’s this?

8 (1)?

I don’t understand it at all.

As I pondered about the blank piece of paper with that weird numbering that I held in my hand, I heard a voice coming towards my direction.