The people in the ceremonial seating were taken aback by the First Prince's words, then began whispering among themselves.
The First Prince did not stop them. He listened to the discussion for a few seconds, then waved a hand to signal one of his confidants beside him to step forward. "Read it."
"Yes." The confidant nodded, took a scroll from his robes, opened it, and loudly read out name after name along with the corresponding rewards.
Naturally, many high-ranking military officials were on the list. In addition, quite a few people in the rear who had made indirect contributions to the war also received rewards.
Among the military high command, Soren was naturally ranked first. A title, a hereditary fief, money, servants—he received everything, in such vast quantities and at such a high standard that it made others green with envy.
Next came Richard. Richard heard that he had been made a Marquis. His money, residence, and servants were not much less than Soren's, and he had also been granted a special Garrison Area called "Shalin" as his fief. The difference from Soren was that the fief was not within the Alliance, but in newly occupied territory. It was enormous, but not hereditary—in other words, it would revert to the Alliance upon his death, and his descendants would have no legal right to inherit it.
Black-Faced Old Man Oscar spoke from beside him. "Actually... these rewards have been changed. The First Prince has probably increased the rewards for people from his own faction and reduced those for everyone else. As I recall, Your Majesty originally intended to grant you the special Garrison Area of 'Noel' as your fief. Its area was smaller, but the land was fertile. It was better than this so-called 'Shalin.'"
"Is that so?" Richard responded, not