After the sharing session came the medal ceremony.
The emperor personally placed Imperial medals on the five astronauts.
This was the highest honor in Goblin World. The medals were forged from pure gold and engraved with the Goblin clan emblem.
Grim's hands trembled as he accepted his medal, and his eyes reddened again. Zick lowered his head to look at the medal on his chest, unable to stop the corners of his mouth from curling up.
This was the Empire's highest glory!
Today, the five of them would be recorded in history!
Thunderous applause erupted below, and camera flashes went off without pause.
Once the ceremony ended, the astronauts boarded the open-top cars again and began their parade around the city.
This route was even longer, passing through several of the Imperial City's busiest streets. The cars moved slowly so everyone could clearly see the heroes' faces.
Grim sat in the front row with his back ramrod straight, constantly waving to both sides.
The other astronauts beside him were also all smiles, basking in the glory of the moment.
They... were heroes!
But something seemed off about the people in the streets.
Sitting in the back row, Zick quickly noticed the oddity.
The spectators were clapping and cheering too, but their smiles were forced.
Some still had tear tracks on their faces. Some had swollen, reddened eyes. Others were absentminded, their gazes drifting aimlessly.
"What's going on?" Zick quietly asked the companion beside him. "Why do they look... unhappy?"
His companion had noticed it too and shook his head. "No idea."
As the motorcade passed through an intersection, Zick's attention was caught by a roadside stall.
It was a stall selling statues, and business was unbelievably brisk. The line stretched for over ten meters.
Curious, he took another look, wanting