"Kneel down." The royal ceremonial officer shouted sternly.
Jonah hadn't reacted yet. He looked around blankly and saw Asai standing under the stage winking at him. Prince Harimaya anxiously made a kneeling gesture. Only then did he understand what the etiquette officer was shouting. He knelt down and bowed to the astrologer. It is something very unfamiliar to me. Because kneeling on the ground is not a good posture to look up at the stars. They who regard the stars as their only belief do not need to kowtow to any gods or secular idols. But now it seems that the occasion should be in line with the current situation. Kneeling on the ground, accepting the emperor's kindness... He held something in his hand. A golden ribbon, with a line of small words embroidered with red silk thread... Of course, it was also written in the common language of the Southern Continent. It was completely incomprehensible.
The 17-year-old boy stood in front of the throne at a loss, making the whole scene slightly embarrassing. However, Emperor Isaiah Bayink smiled tolerantly: "The "Joint Amnesty Decree" stipulates that members of the five major guilds do not have to kneel to anyone. As long as I The respect for the guild members will not change after one day in power. D. Jonah II. Now I grant you the title of first-class hereditary baron in the Tocharian Empire. The title is Baron 'Ecbatana'. Enjoy one thousand two hundred The land and three hundred strong slaves. Own all the contributions and taxes in the Ecbatana area. The land tax and agricultural tax on the land will be exempted for three years. It will take effect."
The emperor gently put the golden ribbon on Jonah's left shoulder. Then he tapped his right shoulder three times with the eagle scepter set with a huge ruby. The emperor's decision caused a commotion in the crowd. Even Harimaya The prince took a breath. "Ecbatana. It sounds familiar. Is it the legendary one..." The Easterner curiously asked the prince next to him. "Yes. It's that place." Shakal The prince nodded solemnly. The expression on his face changed.
"Then, D. Jonah II. I decree that you are the vanguard, tactical advisor, and lieutenant colonel officer of the Royal Flame Cavalry Regiment. You will enjoy the benefits of the lieutenant colonel rank regardless of whether you are assigned to the post. I hope you will devote all your efforts to the Tocharian Empire. Spread the light of the royal camel eagle coat of arms and the main god Luta throughout the entire southern continent." Emperor Isaibaink then took out a pure gold rectangular badge. He slightly bent his tall body and personally pinned it to the astrologer's chest. The red Tocharian eagle on the badge is engraved with two blue five-pointed stars, symbolizing the extraordinary and distinguished status of a lieutenant colonel in a huge empire. The emperor's words caused a lot of discussion in the crowd. But royal etiquette The officer's cold gaze swept over and eliminated all noise.
Jonah didn't understand a word of what the emperor said. He stood stupidly watching Isaibaink's performance. He didn't know what to do. In the end, His Majesty the Emperor actually knelt down for the first time. The knee covered with golden armor crushed a priceless marble brick. Jonah's waist sank. A golden dagger with a golden scabbard, a golden jaw, and a golden hilt was hung on his belt. He almost lost his life. The loose belt of the third-level astrologer reached his knees. "This clan dagger has the royal clan crest of Tochara. Only the direct descendants of the founding emperor can use this hump eagle pattern entwined with green wheat ears. May forty The heroic spirits of the four emperors protect you from the flames of war. May your military fortunes be long-lasting and your fighting spirit flourish."
This time, the people watching under the throne were really excited. The chattering voices drowned out the emperor's final words. The huge Hall of Valor was filled with chaotic whispers. It was like ten thousand noisy crows flying in. "What are they doing? Ah. The first time I was excited was because of the fiefdom. I understand this; the second time I was excited was because of the lieutenant colonel rank. I can understand it too; and the third time I was angry was because of it. Doesn’t everyone have this kind of short sword? "Asai shouted at Prince Harimaya. His hearing lost in the explosion has not yet fully recovered. When there was a noise around him, he couldn't help but raise his voice. The old prince covered his ears and replied: "Don't talk nonsense. Your daggers are engraved on It is an ordinary royal camel eagle coat of arms. It is a status symbol that can be owned by members of the royal family, nobles and high-ranking military officers; but the clan coat of arms can only be used by direct blood relatives of the royal family. In the entire Tocharian Empire, there are only His Majesty the Emperor, the two princes and their highnesses. A prince can possess it, but even I have no right to use it."
Amir ibn Shakar's face changed with several expressions. From envy, jealousy, and hatred. To entanglement, worry, and sorrow. Finally, joy, relief, and laughter. The Orientals were stunned for a moment and couldn't help but marvel. "You mean that the emperor recognized brother Jonah as his godson." Asai suddenly reacted and covered his mouth.
"I cannot presume to guess His Majesty the Emperor's intentions." At this time, the old prince once again put on the sanctimonious face of a relative of the emperor.
At this time, the ceremony has been completed. Emperor Isaiah Bayinke stood up proudly. His natural majesty immediately made the hall become silent. "Baron Jonah please come back. The next person to be honored is Daubidala from Punjab. Madara..." The Royal Ceremony Officer unfolded the scroll and read out the name of the winner. The third-level astrologer looked around blankly. "Brother Jonah, come down. Let you come down." The Easterner clasped his hands into a small trumpet and called his partner's name. Jonah, who was confused about the situation, responded, bowed to the emperor, and walked down the steps back to the crowd.
The people around him consciously moved away from him. I don’t know if it’s because the many new titles of the astrologer are disgusting or because the excessive honor he received is scary. “Asai, what’s going on? When did the battle end? I I seemed to be confused for a moment. When I came back to my senses, I was standing in front of His Majesty the Emperor. What did he say just now?" Jonah walked up to Asai, scratched his head and asked.
"Hello, Lord Baron Ecbatana." The old prince stepped back respectfully and saluted. "Your Majesty, you don't have to be so polite... what kind of baron." Yona hurriedly returned the greeting. Then he was stunned.
The Easterner patted him on the shoulder with a smile: "You are already the Baron of Ecbatana. You are also the lieutenant colonel of the Royal Flaming Blade Cavalry. You are also the holder of the clan coat of arms. I am afraid that you are very popular in the entire empire. No one here dares to brazenly challenge you. If you take a hair off you, you will be charged with treason."
"What and what and what." The astrologer's head grew bigger. "Wait. Tell me the same thing. Did we win the trial? How did we win?"
Asai shook his head and nodded again: "Actually, we didn't win. The first place was a priest from the Anglican Church of Divine Blessing. He was the first to take the stage just now. He was awarded the title of Royal Camel Eagle Knight. But his title He is a second-class baron who is not hereditary and has no fiefdom. His military rank is a major. Compared to you, he is quite inferior."
Jonah struggled: "Take your time. I'm a little dizzy... A priest became a knight, a baron and a major. Are these titles not contradictory?"
"Chaplains who leave the church to join the army are called military chaplains. They no longer enjoy the salary and promotion opportunities of the Anglican Church. However, they can obtain secular titles. Knight is an honorary title, baron is a noble title, and major is a military rank. These are not contradictory. .. Third-class astrologer, First Class Baron, Lieutenant Colonel of the Royal Flame Cavalry, Brother Jonah." The Easterner narrowed his eyes.
"I don't want to walk around with so many titles on my back." Yona looked distressedly at the dazzling array of trinkets on his body. Gold ribbons, gold badges, and gold daggers. The exaggerated style of the Tocharian Empire can be seen from this. "Why does His Majesty the Emperor treat me so favorably?"
"He wants you to be his godson... ah no no. Be his loyal subordinate. Go fight for him..." Under the glare of Prince Harimaya, Asai swallowed back the vicious speculation and choked himself. He kept coughing. "...Speaking of that priest, he is a guy with real abilities. He has rich experience and is good at both offense and defense. If it weren't for the prince's four soldiers secretly helping him, we would never be able to defeat him at our current level. Tie.”
"Really? Where are those four people?" the astrologer asked, looking around.
"After completing the mission, he disappeared." Asai replied.
"I...I killed so many people. Is there no punishment..." Jonah thought of the innocent martyrs in the arena and couldn't help but feel a little depressed. Behind the throne was the messy battle relics. The thunder pillar had disappeared. No trace. The devastation caused by the explosion looks shocking.
The Oriental comforted him thoughtfully: "Everyone who participated in the selection was mentally prepared to kill or be killed. You don't have to blame yourself anymore. I guess the emperor gave you special treatment because of your lethality. Although the priest is powerful .But holy light spells, which mainly focus on healing, cannot be used to attack a city."
Jonah found the legendary priest among the group of people opposite. The priest who was wearing a pure white robe and with the concentric pendant of the main god Luta hanging on his chest was easy to identify. The astrologer thought it should be a man with a white beard and a face. A kind old grandfather. Unexpectedly, there was an extremely handsome face under the white hood. He was clearly a handsome boy of a young age. He looked one or two years younger than himself.
"Young people should not be underestimated. I think I was such a lovable boy back then...I'm getting older..." A Sai touched his face sadly.
The eyes of Jonah and the priest met across the space in the Hall of Valor. The young priest nodded slightly and smiled. His expression seemed relaxed and happy, full of the carefreeness of a young man. The astrologer also nodded slightly and found that his smile was getting bigger and bigger. He appears less and less. The long journey gradually wears away the youthful spirit, causing his young soul to mature and age prematurely, showing a turbid color that is disproportionate to his age.
Unknowingly, the royal etiquette officer finished reading the name of the last candidate. The heavily armored swordsman who had broken off his left arm slowly walked up to the stage to receive the emperor's reward. He turned around and gave Asai a resentful look. "Please." The warriors have temporarily returned to their residences to rest. A grand banquet will be held at Harimaya Palace at seven o'clock this evening. A royal carriage will be greeted in advance. Please be sure to attend...Then, the selection of the royal warriors is over." The prince ascended. He went up the steps and loudly announced the arrangements. After consulting Emperor Isaiah Bayink, he announced the end of the ceremony.
"What about those who were not chosen?" Jonah asked.
"They are all dead," the Easterner replied frankly.