Early in the morning, the streets of the capital city were bustling with cheers. A parade of dancers with colorful costumes that represented their empire. Petals were thrown up in the air and it rain beautifully as it flowed with the wind.
The sky was littered with beautiful fireworks, glittering in the star like the galaxies. The music was bustling and this magnificent sound was personally played by a master musician that rarely came out to dedicate their time to perfecting the instrument they had used.
The star channel which was connected to the star net was broadcasting the parade and people who couldn't personally visit the capital city can still experience it through the virtual network.
Seven looked at the festivities under him, beside him was Maddox who was busy drinking the coffee frappe he made for the two in order to keep them awake. The two had spent the entire month preparing for today, as important figures of the society they got invited for today's anniversary to give a speech and encourage the young generation, but obviously just doing so wouldn't be enough.
The emperor had specifically told them to make it more creative. So the 2nd army was going to perform an aerial mecha show. While Maddox would present a new research project.
They were currently riding Cross' mecha towards the central part of the city.
Today was the founding anniversary of the empire as a celebration the people would stop their work just to enjoy these joyous moments, we'll except for restaurants and shops located in the empire since the people would flock to the whole city, they can't just ignore such opportunities to earn more money.
The food industry would choose to display their newly created dish and drinks, this year's famous food had to be sweets and so the food stall would display a variant of sweets that features delicate and intricate designs made out of sugar candy, chocolate, and fruit juice. This was quite lacking compared to earth but it was still better than nothing.
Other shops would also do the same, they would create items limited only for today and sell them at high prices. Some offer discounts to attract customers.
They arrive at the place and many people flock around them. Maddox was carrying him in his arms to make sure he don't get swamped by these people. They stood out pretty much everywhere they go with Cross and Maddox's reputation and him who was wearing a mask.
Some even whispered that he was Maddox and Cross's child, in order to protect his safety they could only hide his face from the public. This sounded ridiculous since Maddox was still 23 and he was 5, wouldn't the general be arrested if that were to happen?
"I'll see you guys later" Cross bid his farewell while the two remain in a room dedicated to Maddox.
From time to time people would come in and greet Maddox, some even used their children to make Seven look worse but failed miserably in the end. Seven didn't even have to lift a finger to embarrass these people, he only needed to tilt for a bit and show the broach the emperor gave him.
They were certainly shocked to see a kid receive an Insignia of recognition. These people could only shyly leave hiding their embarrassing act with an awkward smile.
The program began and the emperor gave his speech, there wasn't really much interesting about it for Seven, but the people around him with attached to this kind of celebration and even shed tears.
The emperor then called for Maddox, an attendant of the emperor carried a box, he opened it slowly and an emblem was at the center, it was a jewelry with intricate design, Seven recognized this pattern since this was printed on Maddox's work.
The emperor took it and pinned it on his chest pocket and stated these words. "To recognize Count Zalric Maddox contributions, he shall be awarded his own insignia and shall now be Marquise Zalric Maddox"
The people clamored with delight and Seven didn't expect Maddox to be a count and now has the same title as General Cross. Maddox didn't like to bring out his title as a count in the first because he wasn't entirely noble born.
He only got this title after contributing greatly to their empire, since there is barely anything left for them to give him. At first, it was an insignia of recognition, next was a Soriel badge that permits you to take ownership of one of the small planets in the empire.
Afterward, it was the Pristine medallion, with this you can mobilize the army 5 times, then a Wimbroase insignia that allows a person to request one favor from the emperor. Though some limitations were still present like dangering the royal family, the citizens, and the empire were not allowed.
Since he received these four awards, the emperor could only give him a title after another one of his inventions, it was a baron at first, then an Earl that has their own fief or land, then Viscount, then a Count and now he had become a Marquise with his own insignia and can directly pass his title to his children.
After awarding Doctors and scientists they proceeded with the military. The first to be awarded was those with a lower rank. There were numerous promotions from the second army, Lewis Blanche was promoted to major general at the age of 30, and his now boyfriend of the same age, Lieutenant Colonel Green was awarded a master position for the logistics branch and became a colonel.
It was another wave of applause when General Cross was called. He was wearing a form-fitting uniform, the color was one step darker than his previous one. Pin on his body was his previous awards and the stars on his shoulders were removed.
The emperor congratulated him and attached his new Marshall badge to his chest. Next were to step in was the previous Marshall of the 2nd army, Count Litch. Though he had stopped his military exploits, his standing still give out a dignified aura, he put the stars on his shoulders and officially passes the 2nd army badge to him.
"I'll leave the 2nd army in your hands" he smiles happily at him. His heart was finally at ease, ever since his son went missing, he could no longer go to the military in order to keep his wife accompanied. In order to keep the 2nd army going, Cross stepped in and manage it which he was thankful for.
Seven looks at count Litch, he did see a bit of resemblance with Ares, especially in the eyes, the man looks kind and his eyes show no malice. You can see that he was a kind man, unlike the boss who was wicked and evil. That person was probably being punished in hell for his wrongdoings.
The most important thing was, he didn't look like the previous Cerbrus boss. If he did, Seven would probably go rabid and attack him. He learned that Ares' father never stop looking for him despite how many failures they had encountered.
He felt a fang on his chest, he bet Ares would have a good life if this was his father in his previous world.
Seven clapped his hands once again, he was currently staying in the family lounge for Cross and Maddox, the empire had probably considered the two as lovers but the people involved weren't aware of it.
On the stage, it was time to put on Marshall Cross the 2nd army badge which was supposed to be pinned by his family but Cross didn't have one and so what they did was, they called Maddox.
He looked clueless but still did so anyway. Seven thought that for a smart person like Maddox, he can sometimes be stupid. Anyway, it's not his business to meddle with their love affair.
Everything was perfect until he suddenly felt a chill on his back, he looked around and saw one of the booths for the royal family, and saw Magus smiling at him. He really hated that smile of his, to the point that he wanted to beat him up. Beside him were his brothers, this includes Eros. The man's face was exactly the same as his previous one minus the color of his eyes which were now blue.
Seven tsk and focus his attention elsewhere, which made Magus chuckle. Magus could imagine his annoyance behind the mask. This caught the attention of his family, they look at him bewildered their youngest was actually smiling.
"son what made you so happy" the Marshall ask, his youngest was the least who would show his expression, don't even mention laughing, he wouldn't even smile.
"nothing" though he was no longer smiling they could see a faint glimmer in his eyes.
His family gossiped behind him but Magus didn't care about it.