The news spread through the Kingdom of Galant faster than anyone expected.
From bustling cities to remote frontier towns, every Hunter Association branch displayed the same announcement.
A thirteen-year-old hunter had leaped from E-Rank to S-Rank.
The feat alone was unprecedented.
The fact that he had single-handedly slain the S-Rank Triple Head Ogre King made it legendary.
---
Three days after the promotion, a royal procession arrived at the Galant Hunter Association headquarters.
The sound of trumpets echoed through the streets.
Dozens of Royal Knights in gleaming silver armor marched in perfect formation.
Behind them rolled an elegant carriage adorned with the golden lion crest of the Kingdom of Galant.
Citizens quickly gathered along the streets.
"The Royal Guard?"
"They rarely leave the capital."
"Who are they here for?"
The carriage stopped before the Association's entrance.
The captain of the Royal Guard stepped forward.
"Hunter Sir Emil Myers."
"His Majesty, King Aldric Valen, requests your presence at the Royal Palace."
The surrounding hunters fell silent.
An invitation from the king himself was one of the highest honors in the kingdom.
---
Guild Master Gareth approached Emil with a faint smile.
"It appears His Majesty doesn't like waiting."
Emil nodded respectfully.
"I'll accept the invitation."
"Good."
Gareth placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Remember, today you stand not only for yourself, but also for the Hunter Association."
"I understand."
---
The journey to the capital lasted nearly half a day.
Although Emil could not see with ordinary eyes, his heightened senses painted a vivid image of the city.
He heard the constant bustle of merchants.
The rhythmic footsteps of countless pedestrians.
The distant ringing of blacksmiths' hammers.
The fragrance of baked bread mixed with exotic spices drifted through the air.
The capital was alive.
Far larger than any place he had visited before.
---
Eventually, the carriage came to a stop.
The captain spoke.
"We have arrived."
Massive palace gates slowly opened.
The sound alone revealed their immense size.
Beyond them lay the Royal Palace of Galant.
As Emil walked through the palace grounds, he sensed fountains, gardens, countless guards, and the quiet confidence of powerful cultivators stationed throughout the palace.
"This place is heavily protected," he thought.
---
Inside the Grand Throne Hall, nobles lined both sides of a magnificent crimson carpet.
Ministers.
Generals.
Royal advisors.
Court mages.
Many studied Emil with curiosity.
Some admired him.
Others doubted him.
Could this calm teenager truly be the hero everyone was praising?
---
At the end of the hall sat King Aldric Valen upon a magnificent golden throne.
Though approaching his sixties, the king's posture remained straight, and his presence filled the room.
He wore no extravagant expression.
Instead, he smiled warmly.
"So..."
"The hero of Blackwood Village has arrived."
Emil knelt respectfully.
"This hunter greets His Majesty."
The king chuckled.
"You may rise."
"You stand before me today not as a criminal, nor as a servant..."
"...but as the man who saved my people."
Emil stood.
"It was simply my duty."
Those simple words earned approving nods from several veteran generals.
Humility was rare among powerful hunters.
---
King Aldric descended from his throne.
The entire hall watched in astonishment.
A king rarely left his throne during formal audiences.
Stopping before Emil, he spoke clearly enough for everyone to hear.
"When Blackwood Village was attacked, help could not arrive in time."
"If the Triple Head Ogre King had advanced beyond those hills, countless towns would have fallen."
He paused.
"Because of your courage..."
"...thousands of my citizens still live today."
The hall became silent.
The king drew an ornate ceremonial sword from a nearby attendant.
"Emil Myers."
"Will you continue to protect the innocent and uphold justice within my kingdom?"
Emil answered without hesitation.
"I will protect those who cannot protect themselves."
A smile spread across the king's face.
"Then kneel."
Emil knelt once more.
The king gently rested the ceremonial blade upon his shoulders.
"By the authority vested in me as King of Galant..."
"I hereby bestow upon you the title of..."
Knight Protector of the Kingdom of Galant.
A brilliant golden light briefly shone from the ceremonial sword as the royal decree was completed.
The royal herald stepped forward and announced loudly,
"Henceforth, Sir Emil Myers shall enjoy all rights and privileges granted to a Royal Knight!"
Applause echoed throughout the hall.
Even several skeptical nobles joined in.
Such recognition had been earned through deeds, not birth.
---
The Royal Chancellor unfurled a scroll.
"As a Royal Knight, Sir Emil Myers is granted the following privileges."
- Freedom to travel throughout the Kingdom of Galant without restriction.
- Exemption from border tolls and most royal taxes.
- Priority access to royal libraries and training facilities.
- The right to establish an estate or domain with royal approval.
- Permission to command local militias during emergencies.
- Direct audience with the crown when matters of national security arise.
Many younger nobles looked at Emil with envy.
These were privileges that some aristocrats spent decades trying to obtain.
---
King Aldric smiled.
"These honors recognize your service."
"But they are not my true reward."
He gestured toward a pair of enormous golden doors at the rear of the throne hall.
The doors slowly opened.
A brilliant golden light spilled into the chamber.
Every noble turned toward the treasure vault beyond.
The king looked back at Emil.
"The Kingdom never allows its heroes to leave empty-handed."
"I have prepared gifts worthy of the man who slew the Triple Head Ogre King."
Even Guild Master Gareth, who had accompanied Emil to the palace, raised an eyebrow with interest.
Whatever lay inside the royal treasury...
It would undoubtedly become the talk of the entire kingdom.