CHAPTER 432: BENEATH ONE ABOVE EVERYONE

We stepped outside the restaurant, the cool morning air brushing against our faces. Steve rubbed the back of his neck and let out a dramatic sigh. "Well, I guess I’ll be going back to get beat up some more," he muttered, shaking his head as if accepting some cruel fate.

I smirked. "Don’t worry, I’ll meet you both if the plans involve you as well. Then I will take revenge for you."

North gave me a small smile, and I stepped forward to hug her. "Take care of yourself," I said softly. "Keep pushing. Focus on reaching Grandmaster rank, okay?"

She nodded. "I will."

Steve groaned loudly, crossing his arms. "Not everyone’s as lucky as you, Billion. You get to plan and choose while we’re stuck here grinding. First, our quests, then comprehension... damn this. Sometimes it feels like we’ll never get out."

North chuckled. "Don’t worry, Steve. We will reach there for sure. It’s just a matter of time."

I gave them both one last look. "Alright," I said, stepping back, "then this is goodbye for now. I’ll see you both soon."

We shared a few final nods, small smiles crossing our faces despite the tension of what lay ahead. I watched Steve mutter something about more pain and training while North waved gently.

With one final glance, I turned and moved toward the palace, my mind already shifting to the tasks ahead.

There were a few things I wanted to finish today.

First, meet the Emperor since I had received his personal invite. Second, finalize my talent upgrade. And lastly, think through the new quest I had just received, the one that would push me closer and past Level 300.

Within ten minutes, I found myself waiting outside the throne hall doors. I remembered the invite I had received two days ago.

It wasn’t just any formal request, it carried a personal message from the Emperor himself. He had congratulated me for ranking up to Grandmaster, achieving something no one had ever done before: becoming the youngest Grandmaster, and all this before even turning twenty.

A sharp bang pulled me out of my thoughts as the massive doors swung open.

I stepped inside.

The hall was packed. Every familiar face was there: Arkas, Edgar, Cassian, and all the key figures of the Empire. Even my grandmother was present, her calm presence unmistakable among the crowd.

’Talk about being sneaky,’ I thought with a small chuckle. She caught my eyes and gave me a warm, sweet smile from where she stood.

At the far end, the Emperor sat on his throne, his eyes shining with excitement. Hazel, his sister, was standing in line near Cassian, her posture straight but curious.

I stopped in the center of the hall, feeling the weight of all those eyes on me. Before I could even greet anyone, the Emperor’s voice boomed.

"Billion Ironhart, as the Emperor of this world, I am honored to have you as a citizen of my world."

’Wow,’ I thought, ’starting strong.’

The words carried a sense of pride and recognition, and for the first time in a while, I felt the enormity of my accomplishments settle in.

I straightened my shoulders and met his gaze, ready to answer, to step fully into the moment.

Today was just one minor milestone for what I had planned.

The Emperor’s words hung in the hall. I felt every eye on me, measuring, acknowledging, weighing my presence.

There was a strange warmth in that weight, a recognition of the path I had walked, of the countless battles, the long nights of training, the endless pushing of my limits.

He paused for a moment, scanning the room, and then spoke again.

"Billion, your achievements are unprecedented. Youngest Grandmaster in history, master of multiple laws, and a summoner whose strength rivals some of the oldest veterans among us. Yet..." He shook his head slightly, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"I have no rewards to give you. No grand title, no treasures, no lands. Your strength and growth are their own reward. But still..."

I tilted my head, curious.

He stood from his throne, the sheer presence of him making the hall seem smaller, as if his authority pressed down on everyone.

He bowed his head slightly, and his voice softened but carried through the entire hall. "Allow me to offer this instead. A bow, from me, and from all of you here, to acknowledge that this day marks the beginning of a new era. The day we finally, finally have a guardian of our own."

For a heartbeat, nothing moved.

Then, as if a single, silent command had been given, the entire hall bent in unison. Heads bowed, shoulders inclined, a wave of respect and recognition sweeping over me. Even Hazel, lowered her head with a quiet, deliberate grace.

All except one. My grandmother. Her eyes glistened with moisture, her body still, but her gaze locked on me. The room seemed to shrink around her, as though the respect of a thousand soldiers and nobles meant little compared to the unspoken pride in her eyes.

I felt my chest tighten. The weight of the moment hit me harder than I expected. I hadn’t anticipated anything like this when I walked in, I thought we’d be discussing the looming war, Ferans, and all the other pressing matters.

Instead, I was met with this overwhelming recognition, and, honestly, I didn’t know how to react.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to steady my emotions, and finally spoke.

"There’s no need for this," I said, my voice carrying across the hall.

"As a citizen of this world, it is my duty to protect it. I do not seek glory, nor do I expect reward. Strength is nothing if it does not serve a purpose. "

I turned toward my grandmother.

A faint smile broke across her face and I gave her a cheeky smile.

The Emperor’s voice broke the brief silence. "Then let it be known," he said, rising slightly in excitement.

"The future guardian of our empire, the protector of our people, stands before us, Billion Ironhart! From this day forward, his authority shall rest directly beneath mine, and beneath no one else’s.""

Once again everyone bowed in respect. The sound of heads tilting, the quiet rustle of armor, the synchronized breath of an entire empire, all reverberated in the chamber.

I held my posture, refusing to bow back. Respect need not be met with reverence in kind.

Instead, I simply acknowledged them with a steady gaze, firm and calm, the promise of protection and strength flowing silently from me.

I felt the resolve settle deep in my chest, the next challenges, the next threats, and the promise I had made to myself and to this world.