CHAPTER 87: CHAPTER : 87 : AWARD CEREMONY!

The Grand Hall of the GrimclawCastlee was filled with the chatter of the noble and high-ranking soldiers.

At the head of the room was Lysandra, sitting on her throne, Leona on her lap, playing with her mummy’s hair. On her left sat the future king, Throk Grimclaw, bouncing in excitement.

"Mummy... Mummy, Isisaddy coming?" Leona asked, excitedly, tugging at her mother’s sleeve.

Lysandra smiled softly, brushing her hair, "Yes, my love. Daddy will come and will shower you with love."

Throk leaned slightly toward them, whispering, "She got more energy than Uncle Groth."

Leona pouted cutely toward him, "Uncle, I am not loud!"

Throk chucked low in his throat.

From the audience, Eline watched the throne, her eyes lingering on Throk. Ivy nudged her gently.

"You’re staring at him again," Ivy said, teasing her.

Eline flinched. "I-I’m not! I’m just... watching him... sit there..."

Ivy giggled quietly, "Uh-huh. Sure."

The massive wooden door creaked open, and silence fell as King Kragg walked inside the hall.

He wore no crown, just his battle-worn armor, his massive axe slung casually over his shoulder. His booming voice broke the silence.

The room quietened.

Then his voice boomed.

"Tonight," King Kragg said, his deep voice echoing through the hall. "We celebrate heroes. Those who stood on the battlefield and bled for Grimclaw. Let us begin!"

Cheers erupted.

The generals and the heroes lined up in the centre of the room, kneeling with their heads low in respect. Even Fluffynugget sat still, unusually solemn.

Kragg gestured to a soldier carrying a tray of medals.

King Kragg approached the first soldiers, placing his axe across their shoulders in a knighting gesture.

"Adrish Zenith!" Kragg’s voice thundered. "From the noble house of Zenith, Hero of the Spear! Commander of the Spear Army!"

Adrish raised his head proudly as Kragg slipped a heavy necklace medal over his neck. The soldiers and officers clapped in respect.

"May your spear strike true in every battle yet to come."

Adrish nodded, placing his hand above his head.

"Lindash Madoka!" Kragg walked toward him.

"From the noble house of Madoka! Hero of Magic! Commander of the Mage Squad!"

The king’s axe touched Lindash’s shoulders, and Lindash raised his head with his trademark smirk as the medal was placed around his neck.

"You wield magic like a blade," Kragg said, his deep voice rumbling. ’May your power guide, not just destroy."

Aurora’s turn came next.

"Aurora Paledusk!"

"From the noble house of Paledusk! Hero of Healing! Commander of the Healing Squad!"

The cheers were loud until Kragg silenced them with a raised hand.

"You heal wounds, Aurora," Kragg said softly, his tone almost fatherly. "But today you’ve healed our spirits, too."

Aurora bowed low, eyes warm.

He placed the medal around her neck.

"Groth Fenish!" Kragg’s voice bellowed.

Groth knelt, grinning widely even with his head bowed.

"From the noble house of Fenish! Hero of Strength! Commander of the Mercenary Squad!"

Kragg touched the axe to Groth’s shoulders. They placed the medal around his neck.

"You’ve proven that strength is not just muscle, but heart, Groth."

He then turned to Arisha.

"Arisha Zenith!"

"From the noble house of Ze—"

"Nightshade," Arisha interrupted softly but firmly. "Not Zenith anymore."

The hall buzzed with whispers. Aiden smirked slightly from the line.

Kragg chuckled deeply. "Wife of Aiden Nightshade. Hero of the Sword! Commander of the Sword and Shield Squad!"

He placed the medal around her neck.

Pride glimmering in her eyes, glancing briefly at Aiden.

Then came Vegia.

"Vegia Shadowglow."

Whispers stirred among the nobles. Kragg silenced them with a glare as he lowered his axe onto her shoulders. Placing the medal around her neck.

"She is not a goblin nor a hobgoblin to us," Kragg growled. "She is Grimclaw. Hero of Magic. And her squad is our own."

The applause was hesitant at first, but soon filled the hall. Vegia blinked, bowing deeply with a rare smile.

Then he turned to Luna, head low, bowing in respect.

"Luna Nightshade!"

"Wife of Aiden Nightshade. The fiercest protector this hall has ever seen."

Luna smiled, glancing toward Aiden.

Kragg placed his axe on her shoulders before placing the medal around her neck.

"Thristle!"

"Princess of Chu-"

"Wife of Nightshade." She said, correcting him gently. "Not Chugh anymore."

Kragg said, "Wife of Nightshade. I extend my utmost gratitude for choosing us."

"Don’t mention it, Uncle. I just did it for the man I love and my dear friend." She said softly, proudly.

Aiden and Lysandra smiled.

"Fluffynugget!" Kragg called next, and laughter spread through the hall.

"Mii~!" The little beast waddled forward, receiving its medal proudly, squeaks echoing, but it was clear it was too heavy for him.

"Nyxion Nightshade!"

Nyxion smiled, trying to get up now, but Aiden didn’t let her, making her pout.

"Newest edition to the Nightshade family. Selflessly stepping forward when defeat loomed largest, you faced the formidable beast without a thought for personal gain, turning the tide when we needed it most. Your courage in that moment of peril will be etched in our memory forever."

He said, tying the medal around her neck. She winked at Aiden.

Finally, the moment everyone was waiting for.

"Aiden Nightshade!"

The entire hall erupted with applause, louder than ever before. Even Leona clapped her tiny hands excitedly, squealing, "Daddy! Daddy!"

Kragg’s voice was steady but filled with emotion. "Aiden Nightshade. From no noble house, yet a man who has created one. The Beast Tamer who conquered the impossible. The hero who saved Grimclaw."

The cheers were deafening.

"And..." Kragg said with a proud smile, "The man to whom I entrust my daughter’s hand."

Gasps filled the hall. Lysandra flushed deeply, hugging Leona tighter.

Kragg laid his axe on Aiden’s shoulders, then placed the medal around his neck. "Rise, Hero of Heroes."

Aiden stood, and the hall roared. He turned, walking toward Lysandra.

"Daddy!" Leona squealed as Aiden reached her. He lifted her from her mother’s arms, kissing her forehead.

"You’re glowing," Aiden teased Lysandra.

"And you look like an idiot." Lysandra shot back.

"For you, my queen." Aiden teased back.

"Daddy! You look really cool." Leona said, excitedly.

Suddenly, Luna, Nyxion, Thristle, and Fluffynugget sprinted toward Aiden. Well... Fluffynugget was flying toward him. Immediately, Lysandra took Leona from his arms.

Then the three threw themselves at Aiden, making him fall on his back.

Laughter erupted in the hall. Lysandra rubbed her forehead. "Idiots."

Leona laughed cheerfully, pointing toward them.

Ivy and Eline smiled nervously, slowly walking toward them.

"Ohspiritss..." Arisha muttered, blushing.

"Can’t they stay still for a minute without making a scene?" Vegia muttered under her breath.

"They really are the best." Adrish snorted.

Growth started laughing.

"This is so embarrassing.* Aurora muttered.

"What if a huge dragon comes, burning everything up?" Lindash muttered darkly.

"Sir Madoka... Will you please stop saying such things?" Aurora scolded.

Arisha and Vegia looked at him nervously.

"You’re amazing, master," Luna said, beaming.

"Heartlord. I promise my everything to you." Nyxion added, glowing.

Fluffynugget had sat on his head, "Mii~"

"My King!" Thristle cried.

"I get it. Now get off me." Aiden said.

Three of them giggled and pulled back, giving him space.

"What will I do with you all?" Aiden said, sitting up.

King Kragg came toward him, grinning. Offering his hand to him to get up. Aiden took it, and Kraag pulled him up.

"Sorry about that, guys." He said, rubbing the back of his head, smiling nervously toward the others.

Laughter erupted from the back.

"Now that is out of the way... Let’s announce the most important news." Kragg said, his tone serious.

The tone in the room shifted, focusing on what hhadas to say.

"My son-in-law, Aiden Nightshade, will be leaving the kingdom with his wife, which includes my daughter Lysandra Grimclaw, princess of the Grimclaw kingdom."

The room erupted in chatter.

Arisha and Adrish were calm. Arisha had already decided to leave with him, and Adrish was aware of it.

"But worry not. I have decided who my successor will be", Kragg said.

Spectators were whispering, already knowing who it could be.

"Throk Grimclaw, step forward."

Throk got off from his throne, walking toward his father, bowing his head in respect.

"My son, Prince of the Grimclaw kingdom. Will be taking the throne after me." Kragg declared.

Throk took a long breath.

"My father, before these witnesses, I pledge to you: I shall honor the legacy you have built, I shall rule with the wisdom you have taught me, and I shall protect our people with the courage you have shown me. When the time comes for me to wear the crown, I vow to be a just and strong king, making you proud, father, and serving our kingdom with honor."

Throk vowed.

Applause erupted in the hall.

Beside the other girls, Eline was blushing, her lips parted. Lost in his earlier speech.

"Eline-Chan... You’re blushing." Ivy teased, whispering to her.

"-I I-Im... Mayb- Shut up." Eline said, embracing beyond words.

Throk turned, walking back to his throne, placing his hand above his heart, exhaling the breath he didn’t know he was holding.

*That was so overwhelming. Thank goodness, Eli-Chan made that speech for me last night. I practised the whole night.*

He thumps up toward her, thanking her.

Eline smiled softly, as if saying, You’re welcome, idiot.’

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[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

[SAVE THE GRIMCLAW KINGDOM: COMPLETE]

[REWARD: LEVEL 27 → 30]

[NEW SKILL UNLOCKED] (Check your status.)

[BEAST STORAGE CAPACITY: 5 → 8]

[ULTIMATE REWARD:

MARRIED TO PRINCESS LYSANDRA.]

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END OF Chapter : 87 : AWARD CEREMONY!

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A/N: Guys... The Grimclaw kingdom arc is about to end. It was a long journey up to this point. And I am glad it was with you all. Do leave your comment about the whole arc. Thank you.

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