Not long after Severin arrived in Tear Knight City, before he had even absorbed the shock of his journey and the city itself, an invitation came from the Governor's Mansion.
Tear Knight was holding its grand annual commendation ceremony.
Severin found the timing a little convenient, but he was not surprised. Every defensive line held such ceremonies; Ironthorn also awarded honors after Blood Moon Season.
Most honorees were knights who had slain High-Tier Demonic Beasts, lords or officers who had held critical territory, or Legion Commanders who had led reinforcements when a defensive line was on the verge of collapse.
After all, merit at the Eternal Night Wall was meant to be earned on the battlefield.
So the first few citations at Tear Knight's ceremony struck Severin as nothing unusual. They even felt familiar.
Then the Recorder read out a name. "Fifth Legion, Seventh Battle Battalion, squad leader Harold."
A veteran of about forty walked onto the stage.
He was plainly uncomfortable in his dress uniform. When he reached the center of the dais, he instinctively adjusted the sword belt that was no longer at his waist.
"During the battle in the northern Fourth Defense Zone, the commander and his two deputies were killed in succession.
"Under the wartime succession rules, Harold took command of the remaining troops, rallied two depleted squads, and formed a temporary mixed unit after joining up with reinforcements from the Third Legion. He held the reserve position for three hours and organized the evacuation of 270 severely wounded soldiers."
As Severin listened to the Recorder recite the citation, he looked up at the veteran onstage.
What the squad leader had done sounded simple enough: take command and gather the scattered men back together.
But to Severin, it sounded like a tale from the Arabian Nights.