Chapter 388 - Medal Presentation Ceremony
On the morning of the last day in the Land of Half-Beasts, the medal ceremony took place.
Although there was no splendor inherent in ceremonies, everything took place in just one room of the palace. After reading Fran"s merits to the few invited guests, the royal family presented her with a medal. Probably, everything about everything took 30 minutes. The new medal winners will have to be publicly announced during the triumphal parade.
In the blink of an eye, all the necessary people were gathered and all preparations were made for the presentation of the medal.
It seems that in the Land of the Beasts, they initially refrain from especially lavish ceremonies or meetings. So such simple and short ceremonies were not something out of the ordinary. In general, none of those present was surprised that the ceremony of awarding the highest medal in the country, the Gold Medal of the Animal Claw, looked so modest.
Incidentally, of the officers present at the thanksgiving banquet, there were the Barberam of the Elephant of the Purple Wind, Ligdarf, and Lucias. Although they seemed to have drunk quite a bit of alcohol last night, so not all of them were on their feet, but they all held up with dignity in terms of facial expressions. As expected of seasoned veterans.
Among the officials, Prime Minister Raymond and Finance Minister Gvisa were present. In addition, there were some of their subordinates. However, I do not know if Lucias, the court magician, can be called an officer.
Although there were not many people present, since there was a general and a prime minister among them, the people gathered here were surprisingly influential. In addition, the medal was presented by Mea, a member of the royal family.
- Fran is from the Black Cat clan. Thank you for your work.
- Yeah.
- In order to glorify your feat, we reward you with the Gold Medal of the Animal Claw. Accept her.
This is how the ceremony went - quickly, but solemnly. There were only two surprises.
First, Urusi also received a medal. It appears to have been a Familiar Special Merit Medal given to the hero"s pets.
- Urusi, thank you for your work.
- Won!
- Yeah. Suits you.
- Uuuf!
Urusi did not hide his delight when Mea hung the medal around his neck. Urusi did a really good job. Then it will be necessary to reward him in his own way. Maybe make him a particularly spicy curry like he likes? He usually eats the same as Fran, so I limit the amount of spices. This time I"ll make it so hot that Fran can"t eat.
Once you can, in honor of the presentation of the medal. By the way, Fran has promised to support the people of the Black Cat. Looks like he"s going to visit them soon.
In addition to ensuring equality and living conditions in the country for the people of the Black Cat, those who wish to start a military career will be awarded armor and weapons by the state, and will also send mentors for them in martial arts. In addition, Fran is ent.i.tled to an additional reward of 10 million gold. Yes, they did not stint on the award.
At the end of the ceremony, we will have to hit the road. Yesterday we managed to make some small purchases, and all the awards are now with us. All preparations for departure have been made. We planned to leave the capital immediately after the end of the ceremony.
Then, by nightfall, having arrived in the port city of Graysir, we will board the high-speed s.h.i.+p on which His Majesty sailed.
Usually the journey takes about ten days, but we can take a more direct route.
Previously, we traveled to the capital using a horned carriage, but taking the path right through the demonic barrier would only take us half a day.
“Let"s say goodbye to Kiara and let"s go,” I said.
- Yeah.
Finally, we spent a few minutes looking at the late Kiara. Without saying a word, without even shedding tears, they just stood silently in front of her.
But as Fran left, her face was just more enthusiastic than before. I don"t know why, but it looks like Kiara influenced her so much.
- Well, that"s all? I asked.
- Yeah. Everything is fine.
- Here"s how.
- Come on, Teacher.
- Let"s go!
At the exit from the room with Kiara"s body, Fran was already waiting for Mea.
- Well, go!
- Yeah.
Looks like she saw Fran say goodbye to Kiara. But she said nothing more. With only a slight smile, she ordered us to hit the road.
We headed outside the capital. I didn"t want to leave the palace. And then there may be a noise that a demonic beast has burst into the capital. So we decided to say goodbye to everyone on the plain near the capital.
- What is Fran, going?
- Yeah.
- Great, go ahead, Linda!
- Guoooooooo!
This time we skated not on Urusi, but on Linda. Linda"s speed, of course, is second to none. Quina was on duty this time, so only Fran and Mea were flying on Linda. Therefore, the speed was even higher.
- Guooooooon!
- Wow! How fast! - I was surprised.
- Uh-huh! Amazing.
With each flap of her wings, Linda picked up more and more speed. Even Fran, accustomed to riding the Urusi, could not contain her amazement as she flew in the sky. Although I myself flew at higher speeds, I never sat in the scabbard on Fran"s back.
- Ha ha ha! Linda is not capable of that! Hey Linda! Show them!
- Guoooo!
It wasn"t fast yet ?! In the next moment, Linda"s entire body shone with a red light, and his speed began to skyrocket. Looking back, I saw that he had a trail of fire. He used the same ability in combat. It was like the Jet Shot from the school of fire magic.
Acceleration was not instantaneous, and although this ability was used to gradually gain speed, the end result was even faster than Rocket Shot.
This appears to be a unique skill related to flame control. One should also get skills in flame control. Even though I"m not that good at controlling flames, I think a skill from the same branch should be found.
In addition, with the skill of air flow control, he significantly reduced the air pressure. It’s not that I didn’t feel the wind at all, it could only be weak, like from a fan. Considering that we are flying high in the sky, you can ignore it.
- Look over there. A whole group of turtle kings.
- Oooh …
In the place where Mea pointed, a whole group of turtles swam in the lake, resembling a small mountain from afar. First time I see turtles with a tree growing on their backs! A very colorful landscape.
- Look down. The famous all over the country Jade Lake.
- Beautyaa.
Now a lake appeared, the surface of which s.h.i.+mmered with the colors of jade. It seems that since its bottom is completely covered with stones of this color, the play of light on the surface caused such an effect.
Mea never tired of showing and telling us about each curiosity, one after another. Just like a real guide. Fran loved it too.
- Look! Now the fog will clear and the border mountain range will be visible!
- Oooh … Awesome.
- High …
In the place where Mea was pointing, a huge gray mountain range appeared. Although he should have been very far away, this only added to his amazing majesty. It seemed as if he was propping up thick clouds, which ultimately looked like a huge veil covering the ground.
This ridge was even higher than Everest. You will not see this on Earth.
- And we were at its foot … - I said.
- Yeah.
Fran looked into the distance, at this ridge. It looks like she"s been flooded with different memories. Both good and bad - there were many.
- By the way, Fran.
- Yes?
- Will you come back to us?
The right question. Of course, Fran has different memories of this country, and good ones are not in the majority. But, in recent days we managed to get so many good impressions.
- Of course.
- True?
- Yeah. After all, you live here, Mea.
Still, Fran never stops thinking positively. Although she has many bad memories and very few good ones, she has a dear friend here.
Even though Kiara died in this country, and we ourselves almost said goodbye to life, while her friend Mea is here, no barriers will stop Fran to meet her again.
- I will definitely, I will definitely come.
- Yes I will wait.