Chapter 1029

Emperor Keillusa welcomed them not in the Second Palace, but in the grand hall of the First Palace, standing beside the Empress. A small number of ministers remained quietly by his side, exuding an atmosphere that was gentle but heavy with authority.

“It’s good to see you all here again, safe and well.”

The Cavalry members appeared tense, seemingly unable to guess why they had been summoned to such a place by the Emperor. All except for one—Yuder, who already understood that this hall was more special than any other in the palace.

‘To think he would call the Cavalry to this place...’

The ceiling loomed high, majestic and distant, gazing down on humanity. The floor was painted in the symbolic red of the imperial family. On either side of the massive doors stood two special columns engraved with ancient script.

Yuder didn’t know much ancient language, but even he knew the words meant “glory.”

Yes. The place Emperor Keillusa had chosen to welcome the Cavalry was none other than the Hall of Glory.

It was the honored space visited only by those about to be appointed to lead significant institutions. It was also the very hall where Yuder Aile—once known as Yudrain Aile—had undergone his appointment as Commander of the Cavalry in a previous life.

‘I never imagined I’d come back here like this.’

Even if not for an appointment, simply being recognized in the Hall of Glory was a sign of exceptional prestige. Merely stepping into this place to receive a reward from the Emperor set one apart from ordinary individuals. Regardless of what was said outside the palace walls, from this moment forward, the Cavalry members would be treated within the palace as nobles with rank.

A faint memory of the appointment ceremony he’d seen in a dream surfaced, then quickly faded. It no longer felt like a nightmare. Especially not with what was about to happen.

“What you accomplished in the South this time—none of it was short of miraculous. You risked your lives in the face of unexpected dangers and disasters to save countless people. I must grant rewards worthy of such feats.”

The Emperor looked down on the Cavalry members who had bowed their heads in tension. His face bore a ruler’s sternness, yet his gaze was gentle. When his eyes met ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ his younger brother’s, and then Yuder standing behind him, they momentarily warmed further.

“I declare that I will bestow upon all those who played a role in this mission—including the Cavalry—gold and jewels of appropriate worth, as decided in careful consultation. In addition, the entire Cavalry shall be granted third-grade access passes to the Imperial Palace. This privilege will henceforth be permanently inherited by all future members of the Cavalry.”

Yuder was honestly surprised.

‘Material rewards are one thing... but third-grade palace access?’

To most people, everything within the First Wall was considered part of the Imperial Palace. But in reality, the First Wall was vast. It encompassed the Solar Palace where the Emperor resided, the various other royal residences, and numerous function-specific buildings.

Because some people needed access to those buildings without necessarily meeting with the Emperor or royals, a pass system had been created. Depending on the grade of one’s pass, the areas one could enter varied—and naturally, higher-grade passes allowed smoother, broader access.

Even nobles with titles had to go through complicated reporting and inspection procedures if they lacked a palace access pass, making the pass almost a rank in itself.

Because of its significance, it wasn’t handed out lightly. Furthermore, if the Emperor who granted it passed away, all passes issued during their reign were voided—making them even harder to maintain than noble titles.

And now, Emperor Keillusa had given that pass to the entire Cavalry.

‘Third-grade is the lowest of the palace passes—but even so, there are plenty of nobles living in the Capital who don’t even have that. Especially right now...’

Keillusa had more enemies among the nobility than allies, which suggested few had been granted access passes during his reign.

In his past life, Yudrain Aile had naturally possessed a first-grade access pass. It granted him entry even to the Emperor’s quarters during emergencies and allowed him to carry weapons freely within the palace—a remarkably high privilege.

Of course, he hadn’t used it often, as he mostly met Emperor Kachian through secret routes. Still, just possessing that pass gave Yuder far more influence than his actual noble title would suggest.

‘In effect... this is no different from giving the entire Cavalry a noble rank. And not just current members—but future ones, too. Permanently.’

If the Emperor had attempted to grant formal noble titles to the entire Cavalry, it would’ve caused an uproar far worse than when Yuder received his single-rank baronship after the Western campaign. The opposition would have been immense. Even if he had the strength to overcome it, the controversy would’ve stained the meaning of their achievements and dragged on for too long.

But the palace access pass was entirely under the Emperor’s authority. Since it automatically expired upon his death, the nobles had little ground to protest. And yet, it delivered all the intended benefits quickly and effectively—an ideal, pragmatic choice.

‘If he’s given out access passes now, it doesn’t mean he won’t still confer titles later to those worthy. That’ll probably start behind the scenes soon.’

Yuder recalled how, in his previous life, Emperor Kachian had distributed noble titles to members of the Cavalry as a tool to manipulate and control them. In contrast, Keillusa’s approach was far more shrewd. Back then, even those who achieved great merit often ended up threatened and harassed. Keillusa was the wiser man.

After the Emperor’s declarations ended, the Empress stepped forward. She personally awarded Yuder and the three deputy commanders—as well as select members like Kakein—with medals crafted from the finest magic stones and jewels, offering them warm words in the process. When she added that some medals would also be sent to the contributors still in the South, the Cavalry members' expressions brightened noticeably.

Even the medals alone were an enormous reward—but the Emperor and Empress weren’t finished yet. They called Yuder forward once more to grant him a special additional honor.

“Baron Yuder Aile. As of today, by imperial decree, your title shall be elevated from non-hereditary to hereditary. As proof, we hereby present you with an engraved signet ring.”

This, too, was a cleverly chosen gift—simple, yet clearly intended to empower him. In the Empire, those who could pass down what they held—especially in long-standing families or institutions—commanded more respect and authority. A hereditary title held far greater prestige than a non-hereditary one, which was often little more than an honorary rank.

It was the perfect reward—one that silenced even the noble faction figures who were no doubt watching, eyes blazing, terrified that he might be granted a higher title.

‘And the signet ring... personally commissioned by the Emperor and Empress, no less.’

After receiving his barony, Yuder had deliberately skipped the process of crafting a personal seal. Since he had no one to pass it on to, he saw no point in having an official seal made—it would’ve only appeared on paperwork.

Even when the officials handling his title administration had expressed shock, Yuder ignored them and signed everything by hand. He had entirely forgotten about it.

And yet, here he was, unexpectedly being presented with a ring.

He murmured a formal thanks as he opened the box holding the ring the Empress had given him.

In his past life, Yudrain Aile had used an inherited insignia from a now-defunct noble house—a generic crest with two flowers on a shield. He could barely remember it anymore, as he’d only ever used it to stamp documents.

But the emblem engraved on this box was entirely different—delicate, strikingly beautiful.

‘A tree branch symbolizing nature frames the outer edge—I've never seen that before.’

Between the spreading branches were lines of light falling like sunbeams. Upon closer inspection, each line was uniquely shaped—each representing a different element. Sharp lines evoked blades, branched ones represented light and fire. Some resembled wind, others water. At the very top, the name “Aile” was written—not in the archaic fonts favored by old noble houses, but in a clean and modern style that suited the overall design perfectly.

To balance all of that atop a wooden crest like this, the artisan must have thought it through carefully. How long had it taken to make?

Yuder stared at it quietly, then bowed deeply.

“I hadn’t yet made my signet due to the chaos surrounding me, but to think His Majesty would show such care over a matter so small and bestow such generosity—I am deeply honored.”

“Do you like it?”

The Emperor asked gently.

It was a surprising question—he’d never asked that of anyone before when presenting a reward.

But Yuder answered honestly.