The average Exemplary Service Ceremony hosts thousands of guests that includes not only the soldiers being honored but also Imperial nobles trying to get a chance to gain the Emperor's favor. Unfortunately for them they would never get a chance to even speak to the Emperor. That honor was reserved only for the three honorees that performed the most impressive feats.
The ceremony was always preceded by a ball and a banquet. The ballroom was decorated with fixtures of solid gold and ornaments of all manner of precious gems. The ballroom floor was a sheet of solid gold, polished to the shining gleam of a mirror. The banquet spread was a collection of the finest food and drink from all corners of the Empire, prepared by the Emperor's personal chefs. It was a presentation of decadence that was beyond imagination.
"War" and the rest of the 7 Elements were all invited for their work in defeating the Vandal Royal Guard. Margarita and the others also received some smaller acknowledgements. Of course "Star" and his team were also in attendance, as they usually were. The two Great Generals and their staffs were also there to receive their own rewards.
"Darling! Let's dance!" Margarita said excitedly as she pointed to the dance floor.
"Huh? I'm not interested. I'm good right here." "War" said as he was piling food comically high on his plate and stuffing his face.
"War's" undignified behavior drew the attention of many of the Imperial nobles in attendance, who sneered and laughed and whispered insults toward him. As one of them was making a comment about how "War" should learn some manners, Great General Clyne happened to be walking by.
"He probably never learned manners because he was too busy fighting the Empire's enemies. Putting his life on the line to protect trash like you." Clyne said has he looked down on the man in disgust.
"I-I'm sorry sir, I didn't mean any offense." He said in a panic.
"Just get lost." Clyne replied while waving him off dismissively. He then went up to "War" put his arm around his shoulders and said, "Just the man I was looking for. How you enjoying the party so far?"
"The food is really good, but other than that, well I guess this just isn't my sort of crowd." "War" said shrugging his shoulders.
"Hahaha! I know what you mean, this isn't a place warriors like us fit in is it?" Clyne said with a hearty laugh. "Let's sit down a second, I wanna talk some business with ya."
"What do you mean?" "War" asked as he grabbed a seat at the nearest table.
"You know I was real impressed with your performance in the last battle. Kize and Venpa were no pushovers and you went toe to toe with both of them. As your direct superior I'd like to find more ways to utilize your skills. For starters, I'd like to get you to help train my troops in hand to hand combat." Great General Clyne said.
"Well I'd be honored to help out sir. In fact I was hoping to talk to you about something along those lines." "War" said.
"Oh really? You were planning on asking to train my troops?" Clyne asked.
"No not exactly. Actually it's the opposite. I was hoping that you'd help me train by sparring with me from time to time." "War" said.
Great General Clyne seemed to mull "War's" request over for a few moments before saying, "Well, I don't see why not. You would be doing me a bit of a favor training my troops so I guess it's a fair exchange. But I warn you I'm a Great General, I won't have much time to spare for you, and I don't have time to slow down for you to catch up. If you can't handle my training then I just won't waste my time with you."
"I understand sir! Thank you very much. I won't let you down." "War" said as he shook his hand and bowed his head.
As Great General Clyne left "War" after their conversation, Victoria approached him from behind and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and she said, "Would you like to dance with me? It'd be our last dance as fiancés."
"First and last. Eh I don't really have any interest in dancing. Thanks but no thanks." He said but still he ended up on the dance floor with her.
The two danced hand in hand to a slow paced waltz and "War" said , "You seem to have been awfully chipper these past few days. You that happy to be getting rid of me?"
"It's nothing like that, I just thought it would be a nice gesture is all." She replied.
"Just to be clear, they haven't announced who the top honors are going to yet. I might not even get a chance to talk to the Emperor." "War" said.
"Oh, I'm not worried about it." She said dismissively.
"Well I appreciate the confidence I guess. Still even when I get our engagement canceled, we're still going to end up in political marriages eventually. The Emperor is still going to match me up with someone else, and I'm sure your father will just set you up with somebody else." "War" said.
"Yes I suppose that's true." She replied.
"You never know, we might have been the best match for each other and the next ones we get stuck with will be even worse." "War" said.
"That's a chilling thought." Victoria replied, causing the two to share a laugh.
"We will be beginning the award ceremony shortly, everyone please begin to make your way to the great hall please." A man said as the music stopped, and everyone began to make their way to the great hall through a pair of massive ornate golden doors at the far end of the room.
The great hall was just as grand as its name suggested, maybe even more so. It was a room with a large balcony on the far end with rows of bleachers along the side with an extravagant red velvet carpet stretching down the middle of the room. On the walls were the banners of the defeated nations of the coalition, all of which were hung underneath the massive banner of the Empire. The Empire's banner was a golden phoenix surrounded by a ring of golden stars on a white banner.
"Thank you all for coming here today. Without further ado, I introduce his majesty the Emperor, Rahamzat XIII!" A man announced to the room. Though he said he would be introducing the Emperor, it was only the Emperor's voice that entered the room.
"I hope you've all been enjoying my little party here today. Congratulations to all of you for your valiant efforts during the war. You are all heroes of the Empire." The Emperor said. Though it was only his voice, it filled the room with a tension that would need something bigger than a knife to cut.
The nobility in the audience were too frightened to even blink or breathe during the Emperor's speech, afraid that even the slightest offense could mean death. The Emperor was the most powerful man in the universe, on a whim he could have an entire galaxy erased. Little did they know that the true authority mostly laid in the hands of the Ministers of Right and Left, both of which were present on the balcony next to the speaker which the Emperor's voice was coming from.
The Emperor began the ceremony by handing out various awards and promotions of increasing magnitude. Ranging from foot soldiers to the Great Generals until finally it was time to reveal the three who he would bestow the greatest honor to.
"First I'd like to bestow the third greatest achievement of this war. He slew the captain of the Vandal Royal Guard and played a crucial role in the Siege of Vanda. This honor goes to "War", step forward." The Emperor said as "War" made his way down the carpet until he was underneath the balcony. "I bestow upon you this Bronze Wing to commemorate your accomplishments as well as 1200 silver dazus (the Imperial currency) and 500 gold dazus. Of course you will also be awarded with an audience with me at the end of this ceremony."
"War" saluted the Emperor then moved to the side to allow the next name to be called up. "Next with the second greatest achievement, this man has been given many awards over his many years of service, this time he single handedly defeated the two traitors "Sun" and "Moon". He also led the forces of our eastern counteroffensive. You usually get a Gold Wing but this time you'll have to settle for silver, "Star"." The Emperor said as "Star" made his way up. "Your reward is the same except you will be given 1500 silver dazus and 750 gold dazus."
"Star" saluted and made his way next to "War". "The final and greatest achievement will unfortunately have to be given posthumously. "Ice" slew the Vandal King Venpa, but unfortunately also died during the battle. His sacrifice brought a swift end to the conflict and saved countless lives. His estate will go to his wife and child. The reward of 2500 silver dazus and 2000 gold dazus will go to the orphanage that he was from. That concludes the ceremonies. I want to thank you all again for your service and bid you farewell."