Medal of Honor

"Is this for me?"

Etke stared at the medal Chaos held out to him.

The medal was made of a special black metal. Its design showed a longsword piercing roaring flames, and under the light, the flames around the sword seemed to burn with a radiant glow.

Iron Forger.

This was perhaps the highest honor a knight of Steel Country could receive, and the dream of every Steel Country knight.

When Etke was young, he had heard his older brother boast that he would one day become an Iron Forger as well.

But for Etke's older brother, it was no longer a childhood fantasy. He was working hard to become one of the Iron Forgers.

Not only his brother, but even his father, Earl Cruz, had devoted all his efforts to this eldest son.

"Empress Yekana personally instructed me to give this medal to you."

Prince Chaos knelt on one knee and turned over the medal in Etke's hand. Two lines of tiny words were engraved upon its black blade.

'Etke Sliom.'

That was what the first line said.

When Etke saw the second line, he suddenly laughed. His laughter came with coughing. He knew how severe his injuries were, but that did not stop him from venting the emotions in his heart through laughter.

The second line read, 'Sword of Ossenburg'!

That was his name on the Holy Spirit Battlefield!

Etke braced himself with his bloodied hand, trying to stand. The two knights who had held him glanced at Earl Cruz.

The Earl gave no indication, and the two knights immediately stepped forward to help him up.

After Etke stood, his body swayed, but he still managed to steady himself.

He straightened his back and fixed his eyes on Earl Cruz's frosty face.

Etke stared at Earl Cruz for