Chapter 115: Major General
The stone hall was silent. Portraits of ancestors hung on its walls, and a heavy atmosphere ruled the room.
A boy stood in the center.
His body was young and small, yet it bore the weight of many medals.
“Noah Willard, son of Marquis Willard. Step forward.”
At the words of the king—the man who stood above all in the Kingdom of Lunoa—Noah stepped forward and slowly knelt.
“Your achievements began with restoring the western front at the start of the war. The path you’ve taken since then has brought great honor to our kingdom.”
“I’m grateful for Your Majesty’s words.”
“What do you swear from this day forward?”
“I swear upon my life to protect the kingdom and its people.”
“I accept your oath and grant you this honor.”
The king extended a hand to Noah’s shoulder. The chancellor beside him presented a rank insignia.
“I hereby appoint Noah Willard a major general in the Royal Army.”
The king himself attached the insignia to Noah’s shoulder.
“I expect even greater achievements from you.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Rapid personnel changes were underway in the Royal Army. New major generals, lieutenant generals, and generals had been appointed, and a new field marshal was soon to follow.
Yet Noah alone received an appointment ceremony conducted by the king himself. Everyone present understood that this showed how much was expected of him.
The nobles watched the small boy standing at the center of the hall with envy, caution, and calculation in their eyes.
◆◆◆
A party was held after the appointment ceremony.
“…Sigh.”
This was stifling.
There had been no such elaborate ceremony when I became a brigadier general. As the guest of honor, I had received my insignia from the king himself and then moved directly to the party venue.
“If you sigh like that, your happiness will flee.”
“Colonel Kernel.”
Colonel Kernel approached me.
“Please forgive me. I’ve already spoken to a great many people.”
I had finished speaking with the many dignitaries who came to see me. Surely I was allowed a sigh or two.
They had spent years looking down on me as a clod of earth, only to fawn over me once I rose in rank. Entertaining them was hardly enjoyable.
“Why must I speak with nobles when it won’t earn me a single coin? I’m sick of it.”
“That sounds like a merchant.”
“I’m a merchant.”
I was a merchant at heart—or rather, an ordinary commoner at heart, but I still thought of myself as a merchant.
“I wish people would stop making such a fuss just because I became a major general. I may have said this before, but I never wanted a military promotion.”
“It can’t be helped. Anyone who saw your achievements would react this way… Ah.”
Our conversation stopped. Someone was approaching us.
“May I have a moment?”
“Colonel Kernel, excuse us.”
“Of course. I have no intention of intruding. I’ll take my leave.”
Colonel Kernel understood my glance and stepped away.
“Sorry.”
“It’s no trouble… Father.”
The man before me was the head of House Willard—my father.