Chapter 13: Voices of Glory (Part 7)

“The three I mentioned have their numbers in parentheses from (1) to (3). You tell me if you want to be in the same row with them with your achievements and deeds. Do you want to know who these three are?”

Captain Rizzou continued to tease us with anticipation. The crowd was cheering and urging him to continue.

“Please, tell us who they are. We want to thank them” came a voice from the back.

“Yeah, yeah. Tell us, please. We want to know who are these three that made so much difference for us new recruits!”

“I’ll be sure to tell the other guys especially those from outside too. They deserve to be called our heroes as well!!”

“I love you Captain Rizzou!”

A girl’s voice suddenly penetrated the whole room and got the rest of us and even the captain himself laughing.

Everyone was super pumped up. Ariel was screaming and she too joined in.

“Tell us please Captain Rizzou. I would kiss him or her as my thank you.”

I look at Ariel dumbfounded. Mike was whistling. What’s with Mike and all his coolness? He seems so composed. Wait…

I’m forgetting something. Did Mike mention his number in parentheses for me? I think he did so, but I couldn’t remember at all…

I looked at Mike and he winked at me.

“Good job, Claude. Impressive indeed. You could score lots of girls with what you have done today. You’ll see… You’ll see.”

Mike whispered to me while giving me the thumbs up. Ariel was beside us, oblivious to our little exchange.

“Alright. Since we have no drum rolls, I need you to give me a boost here. I’ll announce their names and the medals they have gotten. This is part of how we; the seniors, leaders and the commanders feel too, that we want to congratulate and say thank you to these three people and spur them on. And we hope that they too will spur you on.”

The whole crowd cheered and answered in unison with a loud ‘Yes’.

“I need you to give me your biggest cheer as I announce the first person. She is from the Royal Elite Knight unit and she has been conferred the medal by Ser Siegmund Godfrey last year during the skirmishes between a band of bandits and villagers where she, together with our Lord General helped to overcome. For her valour and bravery, she has been conferred the Medal of Silver Star, which brings her the officer rank of First Lieutenant and a title Ser!”

Deafening claps thundered across the whole assembly hall. And it kept on getting louder and louder. I could feel the whole room was shaking, anticipating the first person to go on stage.

“Please welcome, First Lieutenant, Ser Elise Wallenhart!!"

"Please come on up to the stage and show yourself!”

The whole assembly hall erupted into even louder and more thunderous of claps and loud voices as every member of the crowd joined in, including Mike and Ariel. I too, despite my nervousness, joined in the excitement of welcoming First Lieutenant, Ser Elise Wallenhart.

Climbing the stage, a slender figure of a girl could be seen. Her steps were very assured and confident and her demeanour suggested that she has both elegance and strength. With a matching blonde hair and a sword by her side, her clothing resembled a swordswoman with hand braces and light armour hiding underneath her jacket.

Her appearance on the stage triggered the crowd wild. First Lieutenant Elise was all coy as she bowed down her head to us. She seemed very humble too. Her attitude got the everyone even more excited and thus the cheers just grew louder. And I could hear some of those voices that penetrated the whole assembly hall.

“Ser Elise, will you marry me?!”

A few proposals shout came from among the male crowd. Elise blushed. Wolf whistles following suits.

“You are my heroine, Ser Elise!”

“Elise, you are so beautiful… I want to be like you too!!” added another female voice.

The crowd seems exhilarated by the first medal recipient.

“Alright, alright people. First Lieutenant Elise, please stay on the stage, next to me. I will announce next, our second medal receiver. Keep the noise up and louder, alright.”

We were cheering Captain Rizzou to go on. All of us, including myself too, wanted to know who was this second person.

“This guy’s achievement is extraordinary for one so young. At 15, he singlehandedly drove off a band of ferocious wild animals from attacking a village and the surrounding area. At 16, he completed the mission of escorting a group of priests and priestesses of Athenea to the Holy City Melodia, when they were attacked by a band of bandits during the journey and were left with no one to protect them. At 18, he joined together with First Lieutenant Ser Elise, to overcome a yet another band of bandits from attacking a nearby village.”

The assembly hall was all quiet for a moment before erupted again in thunderous noises. I could hear people saying,

“Wow… what is with the freakish achievements. In a few years’ time, this guy could rival even Captain Kyriel.”

“He is scarily good.” another voice commented.

I nodded. To me, this guy was quite a hero. To be able to do what he had done at his age was very impressive, legendary even.

“For his bravery and valour, he has been conferred the medal of Shining Star of Elsigardia which brings the title of Ser and officer ranking of First Lieutenant. And because of the medal conferred, he will also receive, at his coming of age, various benefits and perks and automatic promotion to Captain.”

“Please welcome to the stage, First Lieutenant, Ser Michael Godfrey!!”

Suddenly, the whole crowd went silent.

“A-A Godfrey? Among us?!”

“My God… No wonder with all the achievements…”

One of the biggest and most powerful names of the whole kingdom, the Godfrey. And this Michael Godfrey was from that esteemed Pure Noble house. Not even 10 seconds of silence that passed, the assembly hall yet again erupted into thunderous claps and cheers. The noises resumed and people here were getting extremely excited. Who wouldn’t? A young Godfrey was making his name. I too was eager to see who was this ‘Michael’.

“Michael…!! Michael…!! Michael…!!”

The crowd cheered his name in unison.

“Well… looks like that’s my cue.”

Suddenly, both Ariel and I hear a voice from beside us. As we looked towards Mike, he was beaming brightly and winked at both of us.

“It’s my turn now, Claude, Ariel.”

Ariel jaw dropped. When she realized it, she quickly covered her mouth, but her eyes show bewilderment. A pleasant surprise of some sort. For me, I was dumbfounded and just stood still.

“Mike… y-you… are a Godfrey?!” Ariel asked while trying to hold in her trembling hands that was pointed at him.

Mike nodded as he took his step forwards. When he walked passed me, he then patted my back and whispered to me.

“See you up there, Claude.”

Ariel, looking at both of us flabbergasted, was beyond words. The guy who stood all the time besides us, with a smiling face and calm composure, was a Godfrey. And he achieved so many impressive achievements and deeds of valour and bravery at such young age. Worthy of the Godfrey name indeed.

As Mike made his way to the stage, everyone cheered at him.

“Michael… you are our hero!!”

“Show them what you are made of!”

And then, came the usual proposal shout. But this time, it was from the girls.

“Michael, marry us!!”

Mike looked towards the group of girls and he blows them a kiss to them. And because of that, the girl's section of the crowd got even wilder. Some almost fainted. Even Ariel was getting pumped, after her initial surprise.

The whole assembly hall was loud, cheerful with people singing praises to both of Mike and Elise who were standing on the stage. In one word that I could describe, it was amazing. So much noises, cheers and wolf whistles from the everyone here, cheering their heroes. I too for once, am happy to be here. I joined in the fun and shouted,

“Mike, you are the greatest!!!”

I caught Mike’s attention and he looked towards me. As he winked, he pointed at the empty space beside him. Immediately I knew his intention. I nodded to him as he was smiling. Ariel, who noticed our exchange was a little confused. But before she could ask me any question, Captain Rizzou continued.

“Now, for the moment we are waiting for. When I said three people were conferred medals and titles, I really mean three. And now we have two with us here. So, that’s left us the final one…”

“Ooooooohhhhh…“ Everyone suddenly got quiet and tense. Their level of anticipation rose up a few more levels. The air became heavy, like a thunderstorm waiting to happen.

“And I save the best for last!” Captain Rizzou gave out a big grin as he lifted the crowd once more. Thunderous claps and cheers could be heard for a moment before they resume the silence, as all of us were now acknowledging what was going to be announced in a moment.

“Now… this young man hails from the Brotherhood of the Sun.”

Even with that one sentence alone, everyone suddenly gasped. It’s like the air suddenly sucked out from them.

“WOAHH…. He’s from the Brotherhood?! Oh my god!!”

“A member of the famed Brotherhood??!! How exciting!!”

Excited murmurs could be heard from all the crowds, except for one. She was the one that was currently standing beside me.

I could see that Ariel was looking at me with disbelief. Mike’s introduction was already a major surprise for her, though a pleasant one. I don’t know if she could handle another. Her eyes were big but moist and her hand trembled.

“Now, he might not look like it but this particular guy did something any one of us could only fantasize. A stuff that is written only in fairy tales.”

“As you all have heard the rumours before that Crown Princess Sierra was saved when she was attacked by an unknown monster. Well, it happened to be true and the news now has been made official. This young man’s bravery and valour know no boundary as he risked very life to save our Crown Princess from imminent danger.”

The crowd went into deep silence. The eerie quietness made Captain Rizzou’s smile even wider. A victorious smile. I’m sure he was having fun doing this.

“How big was the threat? You could say it could even have rendered every one of us in full terror and unfortunately enough, killed one of our finest warrior who was the Princess’s personal guard with a single strike. That’s how big the threat was.”

Pin drop silence. No one dares to make any sound. I could see Ariel looked at Captain Rizzou and then turned to me. I gave out a sheepish grin while rubbing the back of my head.

“And because of his achievements and deeds, he was conferred first with the Royal Medal of Valour by Her Royal Highness, Crown Princess Sierra, which of course brings the title of Ser and officers ranking of First Lieutenant. However, he was then conferred his second medal, King’s Medal of the Gallant Heart, the highest award given to any commoner by His Majesty, The King himself.”

“The medal, when conferred to any commoner, gives him the titles and ranking of a minor noble. However, because of his young age, the title will be only given upon his coming of age at 21. He will also be given, if he chooses to be with us, an automatic promotion to First Captain by then! Both of the medals will be officially conferred to him tomorrow and it would be our Parade’s main highlight.”

What Captain Rizzou said surprised me some. Well, he did tell me about the benefits and perks before during the time we met, but then, hearing it live in front of others, make me felt a little surprise but extremely nervous. I was anxious and sweating to the point of making my tunic wet. As I looked around, everyone was at its tipping point. The amount of tense and anticipation rose up to another level. At any time, these people would burst. Their sense of excitement could not be contained any longer.

And Ariel, who was standing beside me, was trembling. As she raised her hands towards me, I could hear Captain Rizzou continued talking.

“Now, let me welcome, the one who made a part of fairy tales come true, a Princess saviour, the pride of the Brotherhood of the Sun, and now the pride of Royal Elite Knights, First Lieutenant, Ser Claude Leonheart!!”

As my name was mentioned, the crowd erupted into a wild roar. I could hear my name being sung through the roof. Even Mike and Elise who were on the stage were shouting for my name.

“Claude…!!! Claude…!!! Claude…!!!”

Ariel, who was next to me all these while been shaken by the announcement, yet managed to grab hold of my hand. As I looked at her, I smiled and gave her a little wink. She gave me a big bear hug and I could hear her whisper,

“I’m so, so, so proud of you. I never knew anything about this from you…”

As she let go of me, I could see her tears dripping down her cheeks. Tears of happiness and proudness, I think.

“Big Sis is proud of you, Lil Bro. Now go up and show yourself!!”

She said as she nudged me forward.

“Don’t keep the everyone waiting. Go, Claude!!”

To those around us who noticed our little exchange, their cheers grow louder and louder.

“Hey look!!! It’s the hero, Ser Claude. It’s that young boy over there!!”

“Let’s go to him and give him our congratulations!!”

“I want to touch him…”

I could see people coming to me and patting my back. Some are grabbing my hand, giving me handshakes. All the nervousness I had earlier was gone. Now, all I felt was a sense of proudness and happiness overflowing.

I looked up to the main stage and my eyes met Captain Rizzou’s.

“Come up here Claude. Let everyone sees you.”

I could hear a chorus of my name being sung by the crowd.

“Claude Leonheart…!! Claude Leonheart…!! Claude Leonheart…!! Our hero… Claude Leonheart!!”

As I make my way to the stage, I looked behind me as everyone below cheered me on. Though I have self-issue with a large audience and people looking at me, nonetheless I feel there’s a surge of energy. A euphoria of some kind now overwhelming my senses.

Was this how people who normally feel when someone sang praises of their name? Was this how it feels to be a hero who is being recognized by people? I beamed with pride as my eyes look determined.

As soon I reached the centre stage, standing beside Mike and Elise, I could hear shouts of my name.

“Claude… I love you!!” That word alone gave me the blush as I bowed my head a little.

“Look… you made our hero blushes!”

Chorus of happy laughter ringed throughout the assembly hall.

“Claude… please marry me!!”

“No… marry me please!!”

“Claude… let me bear your child… many children!!”

That shout got the most of us laughing and cheering. My face was red now. These proposals shout, when it's aimed at me, made me blushed even more.

Mike, who was standing next to me, gave me a hug. Elise came as well. She gave me a hug and patted my back.

“You did it, Claude. I’m always right!” Mike teased me with Elise all in her warm smiles.

The whole hall was loud and cheerful. The energy was amazing as all of them cheered us on the stage.

“Alright, there you have it, our three medal recipients. Now, I’ll like to end my briefing here so that you can proceed to take your uniforms. And Elites, do I remind you to assemble at the courtyard for your next and final activity. Be there in 10 minutes.”

As the three of us, Mike, Elise and myself make our way down the stage, everyone gave way as we pass through. We were patted, hugged and high fived.

Mike looked at me and said, “Claude, get used to being a hero. Remember the feeling.”

I nodded. The feeling of being a hero, a princess saviour was beyond this world. Perhaps, this was the reward for my near death battle. Though I prefer not to die or be near dead next time I became a hero.

Elise went back to her group of friends as they surrounded and congratulated her. For myself and Mike, Ariel came and hug each of us. And she hugged me especially long. Not that I mind anyway. It feels good to be embraced like this.

As Captain Rizzou make his way off the stage, the crowd gathered around us. I received compliments, congratulations, pats on the backs, hugs and kisses from nearly everyone. Even Mike too was getting all of these and he seemed to enjoyed it so much. Ariel too, true to her words, kisses me on the cheeks.

I blushed all over. Mike nudged me.

“Hey, a hero can’t get easily blushes alright. If any girls come to you, take them. But make sure they are to your fancy first.”

I nodded.

I have no doubt that many girls would love to get closer to Mike anyway. As for me, I couldn’t spend too long here as Captain Rizzou was waiting for us in the courtyard. Before he made his way off the stage, he reminded that all Elites were to assemble to the main courtyard so that each of us could be taken to our test and received our appropriate uniform.

As I walked out of the door with some other people in tow, I saw Captain Rizzou was waiting for us outside of the assembly hall. With his back leaning against the wall, he looked at me.