A Title and a Name

Nate knelt before the grand throne of King Alden Valtaris, the imposing ruler of Ecronia and father of Princess Athena. His head remained bowed, heartbeat steady—but a pulse of unease lingered just beneath the surface. How had things escalated to this point so quickly?

It was all a blur.

After his battle with Jaden—Tenkan—he had collapsed. Unconscious for an entire week, or so they told him. And upon finally waking, he’d been summoned by the king alongside Eden. He assumed it was to discuss the aftermath in the capital.

He had been wrong.

The king had organized an entire ceremony in their honor.

A ceremony.

Followed by a feast.

Nate’s mind reeled.

What the hell was going on?

---

Eden stood calmly as the grand hall echoed with the bishop’s voice. His gaze flicked to the side, observing Nate, still kneeling with tense shoulders and a lowered head. The kid clearly wasn’t enjoying this.

“Sir Eden Vortane,” the bishop declared, “for your bravery in preventing the destruction of this land, we hereby award you the title of Noble of the Capital of Ecronia.”

King Alden stepped forward, his ornate blade resting lightly on Eden’s shoulder.

A noble of Ecronia.

Eden hadn’t heard that title in years—not since his father held it. He glanced to the side and spotted the man he hadn’t seen in what felt like a lifetime.

Blonde hair, perfectly styled. Blue eyes burning with rage.

His brother.

The man bit down so hard on his lip that blood began to trickle down his chin.

---

The bishop turned next to Nate.

The silver-haired youth looked like a man about to be executed. Trembling slightly, drenched in cold sweat, he struggled to keep still.

“Sir Nate Williams,” the bishop continued, “for your bravery in aiding a foreign nation, you are hereby granted the title of Citizen of Ecronia.”

The first title fell upon him like a weight.

Then came the pause.

“And for your willingness to lay down your life in defense of this kingdom, you are hereby bestowed the title of—Hero of Ecronia.”

The ceremonial sword pressed gently against Nate’s shoulder.

And then—

“That’s nonsense!!!”

A voice thundered through the grand hall, soaked in outrage.

Eden’s lips twitched.

Here we go again.

---

Princess Athena watched it unfold from her throne, her violet eyes narrowing as she predicted the interruption.

A fat, red-faced nobleman shoved himself to his feet, his fists shaking at his sides.

“This is outrageous!” he roared. “How can a foreigner with no noble status be our hero?!”

Athena prepared to rise and defend Nate.

But she didn’t need to.

A voice—low and steady—spoke from across the hall.

“I bet you didn’t just wake up with a noble title, did you?”

It was Nate.

The noble stiffened. “How dare you speak out of turn?! You should know your place, commoner!”

“I’m sorry,” Nate responded, his voice darker now. “But if you’re talking about me, then it concerns me.”

The hall fell silent.

Nate raised his head slightly. His golden eyes gleamed as they locked onto the nobleman.

“If you woke up one day with a noble title, then remember this…”

He paused.

“Titles belong to those who work hard for them—not to those who simply inherit them.”

The noble's face twisted, his teeth grinding. But he said nothing more. With clenched fists, he dropped back into his seat.

Athena caught her father smiling with quiet amusement. Clearly impressed.

---

“You may both rise,” King Alden spoke, his tone deep with regal authority.

He handed his sword to a nearby knight. The bishop approached with a golden box, opening it to reveal two ornate medals.

Taking the first, King Alden stepped toward Eden.

“This medal represents your status as a noble of the capital,” he said, pinning it to Eden’s chest.

Eden knelt immediately. “Yes, my lord. I live to serve.”

A nod of approval followed.

Then the king turned to Nate, who—for some reason—looked like he was on the verge of a panic attack.

Alden gently pinned the second medal onto Nate’s chest.

“This represents your status as a Hero of Ecronia,” the king proclaimed. “You are tasked with protecting this kingdom… This nation’s hopes—no, their faith—now rests upon your shoulders.”

Nate swallowed hard and dropped to a knee. “I will do my best.”

King Alden smiled.

“With that,” he declared, raising his goblet, “let the feast begin!”

Around the room, nobles clapped and raised their glasses—but more than half of them wore expressions of disdain. At least eighty percent of them looked furious.

---

Nate sat stiffly at the banquet table, poking at a roasted leg of something he didn’t recognize.

He felt like an idiot.

If he’d known he was getting knighted today, he would’ve worn something other than leather armor. Now he just looked like a dumb merc.

Scanning the room, he spotted Athena making her way over.

“Nice first impression, Hero,” she teased, leaning casually beside him. “You just made an enemy of the Duke of Clonis.”

Nate raised a brow. “Am I supposed to be scared?”

Athena smirked. “Nope. But you should know—he controls all the guilds in the world. His ancestors founded the entire system.”

Nate froze.

Athena turned to leave, then glanced back. “Good luck ever getting into a guild after today,” she added over her shoulder.

Damn.

If he had known that, maybe he would’ve held back.