Chapter 331: Baron

"For your heroic deeds, the title of Baron is conferred upon you. This rewards your loyalty and courage; do not forget this moment."

The verbose and tongue-twisting words of praise made even the speaker frown.

Yet this only lent more dignity to the overly young noble—at least, in the eyes of onlookers. The young princess spoke with seasoned eloquence, her expression grave, every furrow of her brow and every smile exuding the bearing of a monarch.

The words rang out overhead; Li En, kneeling on one knee, was beginning to lose his composure.

He had originally thought, like the last investiture, this would be quite brief.

But this time, it was not merely an investiture; it was also a proclamation of victory.

"Will this ever end?"

Autumn harvest festivals mostly involve the common folk, farmers, and dwarves (who love to drink themselves into a stupor during festivals); this was likely the first autumn harvest festival actively organized by the authorities.

And this was also a proclamation of Victory Day; under the organizers' guidance, harvest and victory were gradually equated.

"Your fiefdoms are the watchers beneath the earth, the pioneers of the front lines..."

Li En's title was not granted in isolation as last time, but was part of a series of speeches and accounts of merit.

The recipients of the investiture were naturally not limited to him alone; the "Red-Haired Demon" of the Radiant Guard also received his own Viscount title at this moment—but he was destined to be the most watched, forcing him to sit still on stage under the gaze of the crowd.

Perhaps some would view this as glory, but Li En did not.

The knights being invested beside Li En were each flushed with excitement, their expressions so intense they bordered on grotesque.

For them, this might be the greatest moment of their lives, a heroic past to boast about to their grandchildren after retirement.

A city guardian's medal, and the noble title medal possessed by only a very few, was already the ultimate goal that countless warriors would risk everything for.

"So small..."

A sudden thought flashed through his mind.

This was not arrogance, nor did it carry much emotion; it was merely a statement of reality.

It was sighing that these people looked too closely, their vision already obscured by fame and profit, unable to see what truly mattered.

"Tsk, the vision of a Heroic Soul?"

Li En knew this was not his own emotion; perhaps it was the sigh of a Heroic Soul from that dreamland.

He, It, seemed to disdain the honors seen by mortals?

No, it was not that simple... This was an emotion of excessive calmness; it was not disdain, but "indifference," even feeling that these mortals were somewhat wasting their lives.

"The indifference of the Ancients?"

The investiture continued on stage; the inner drama had unexpectedly flashed by, yet Li En's anxious heart calmed down.

"The battlefield shall be your fiefdom, its name shall be..."

Dai Niya placed her sword upon Li En's shoulder; all around were envious glances, and cheers rose from the audience.

Your Highness, while investing the Heroine, actually intends to grant a fiefdom.

"This is a fiefdom! A fiefdom that can be inherited by future generations!"

Though it was a bit small and the risks a bit high, this was a fiefdom—a lord could lie back and collect rent, a fiefdom where one could do as they pleased.

She was asking Li En for the name of his fiefdom; that front-line small town had a temporary designation but no official name.

"Dai Niya Town."

Li En spoke, and the Princess instantly showed a look of surprise—only that the performance was too fake; the expressions of some nobles on stage were quite subtle.

They were either trying hard to hold back laughter or suppressing their anger; if they laughed or shouted out at this moment, their lives would truly be over.

"This favoritism, are you no longer acting?"

Whether a name is important or not is irrelevant; a meaningless name is certainly unimportant, but the mere existence of some names is itself an attitude.

"I record this victory of the war, stemming from the wisdom of the decision-makers and leaders."

Li En gritted his teeth and read the script from the royal house.