Awarding Ceremony (III)

The monsters' protests gradually subsided under Keosius's scrutinizing gaze, eventually returning to silence.

The seven marquises were finally all in place, and twelve Earl emerged. Most of them were leaders of their respective clans, but they were either too inexperienced or too weak to advance further.

Another name was read out.

"Guillermo Hagen".

The human mage, dressed in a long robe, was flattered and quickly used Flight Spell to arrive at the altar.

He was the second human to receive a knighthood in this Awarding Ceremony. As a spellcaster belonging to the kingdom and a capable assistant to Lang Pu, he made many contributions to the study of magic and was even proficient in using various new technologies. He was chosen by Keosius and became another lucky one.

"Damn it, it's a human again!"

I really want to smash them to pieces!

"That wretched hairless monkey."

The monsters surrounding the altar became restless again, filled with resentment at having their place taken by humans.

But this time it was just whispers and no disturbance occurred. After all, with Keosius personally in charge, no one dared to express any dissatisfaction with these decisions—that would be to openly challenge the Red Dragon's authority.

This is also what makes the Embers of the Burned Kingdom different from normal countries.

The leaders of a country generally derive their power from the military or the political system.

They need to coordinate the demands of all parties and ultimately achieve a basic consensus among the vested interest groups in order to achieve their goals.

But in this country ruled by dragons, the Red Dragon is power itself. He is the source of all power and even the foundation upon which the country is built, which makes him supreme and godlike in the kingdom.

The Awarding Ceremony is still ongoing.

The tens of thousands of humans and monsters present held their breath, craning their necks in anticipation, hoping to ascend the high platform that symbolized power and authority.

Then there were even more viscounts, more than forty in total, mostly generals who had distinguished themselves in various wars. Anthony of the Dragon Scourge Hall, as the current nominal leader of the Dragonkin Paladin, also received such a title.

However, nearly one-fifth of the humans were selected. Most of them were public officials who had made outstanding contributions to the country's legislation, production and other processes. Some were well-known scholars who participated in the compilation of the "Kingdom Law", some were senior craftsmen who improved machinery, and some were scribes who wrote articles in the Propaganda Department.

If the previous titles were considered unattainable, the current ones are now highly coveted.

For example, the "representative craftsman" Gilmore Sparrow was originally just an ordinary blacksmith in the Blacksmith Shop in the east of the city, but because he discovered the defects in the rifle production line and improved them, he rose to become a so-called "technician" and eventually became a high-ranking nobleman.

At this moment, he was rubbing his hands, his face flushed, and touching his red nose, anticipating the upcoming blessing.

People gazed at those familiar faces with envy, saying things like "If I had been there back then" and "If I had this opportunity, I could have done it too," as if they had made these their goals.

And then there were even more Baron, more than a hundred in total.

The monsters and humans here are even evenly divided into five groups.

Those who joined the Ember Nest early on and made great contributions are now leaders of small to medium-sized units, and many of them have been given the rank of Baron.

Meanwhile, the humans selected outstanding individuals from various industries, as well as newcomers who made significant contributions to the kingdom's development. These included supervisors overseeing factory operations, leaders of the kingdom's caravans, and human commanders newly joining the military system. The monsters' retinues watching caused another sensation, while the humans cheered with joy.

Even the most disdainful Hobgoblin had to admit that humans were often more astute and capable than their servants in the development of the kingdom, and would never cause trouble like the "Ogre food inspector." Therefore, even with deliberate suppression from certain higher-ups, many promising human talents still emerged, ultimately leading to this situation.

The nearly two hundred noble titles have finally been distributed.

But Lang Pu's remarks did not stop.

"My friends, you have made great contributions to the kingdom and deserve this reward."

"However, in addition to these, there are also some citizens who have stepped forward to safeguard the kingdom's security. The kingdom will not forget their contributions either, and they will be awarded the special honor of ' First-Class Citizen '."

Immediately, the crowd erupted in an uproar.

What does this mean?

"Does this mean that ordinary people are also divided into superior and inferior categories?"

The concept of First-Class Citizen has never existed in the history of the the North. Nobles have always been high above the common people, existing in a completely different world.

Under the protection of the Tiefling Guard, several simply dressed humans slowly emerged.

They were the "lucky ones" who successfully reported spies. Most of them were just ordinary people who had unexpectedly struck it lucky and became the models chosen by the Red Dragon — George, who had reported the Silver Dragon, was among them, and even in the front row.

Looking at the restless crowd, George couldn't help but swallow hard. His heart was pounding, his legs were trembling from excessive tension, and large beads of sweat seeped from his forehead.

"No, you can't be nervous."

"I've become a big shot! Look at the envious looks on those guys' faces."

George reminded himself of this, and only then did he manage to move his trembling legs and barely keep up with the Tiefling Guard.

"Isn't that George?"

Some of the workers at the food manufacturing plant recognized George and exclaimed in surprise.

"He... he used to be a serf!"

"Even someone like that can be granted a title?"

"Damn! What a lucky guy, why don't I have such luck?"

Soon, the workers' chatter turned into envy, and even jealousy.

They had witnessed George rise from the lowest and most insignificant "Gray Livestock" to the big shot he is today. Even Howard, who was on good terms with him, couldn't help but mutter a few curses under his breath, after all, the difference between before and after was just too great.

Meanwhile, one of the monsters complained, "Such weak humans wouldn't even have been worthy of being made into snacks in the past; they were only good for us to kill and play with!"

Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, he was stiffly helped up to the bottom of the stone platform.

Looking down at the diverse array of humans and monsters, listening to their chatter, and clutching the gilded medal of honor in his hand, George felt as if he were dreaming, afraid that he might accidentally wake up and return to that dilapidated and cramped manor.

"Thank goodness, this isn't a dream."

George took a deep breath, calmed his overly excited emotions, and began to look forward to his wonderful future.

For the kingdom and His Majesty, there is now only loyalty in his heart.