The grand banquet hall—which hadn’t been used even once after my coronation—was filled to capacity for the first time in ages.

I had purposefully avoided holding any banquets during the war, irritated by the fools who, being far from the front lines, were oblivious to the fact that we were even at war.

As a result, the banquet officials, who had been collecting their pay without doing any real work, seemed to have pent-up frustration.

This banquet was the perfect outlet, and it turned out to be a spectacle worthy of the word “extravagant.”

‘It couldn’t be helped.’

Even with the Empire’s knights and soldiers melting away on the battlefield against the Demon King’s army, these fools clung to the blind hope of victory, utterly ignorant of the gravity of the situation.

The banquet officials had faithfully executed my instructions not to limit the budget. They showed just what professionals could create when given free rein over manpower and funds.

From the chandelier emitting a golden glow—who knows where they found it—to the wine glasses adorned with intricately carved jewels, it was luxury beyond measure.

Even I, who have little interest in fine dining, found my mouth watering at the array of delicacies, each more extravagant than the last.

There were hundreds of bottles of wine, the price of each enough to buy a mansion, treating the finest wines in circulation like mere trifles.

The treasures, long forgotten in the royal vaults, now dazzled the banquet hall. Even the aristocrats, accustomed to luxury, couldn’t hide their admiration.

“Well, what do you think? Do you like it?”

“This banquet is far too grand for someone like me, Your Majesty.”

“If it’s too grand for you, then who else could enjoy it? Come, have a drink.”

I gestured to a servant to hand a cup to Xian first, followed by one for each of his companions.

“Riel, you’ve done an incredible job. You have no idea how proud Duke Fael is of you.

Still, you could write home more often. The Duke has been feeling a bit neglected.”

Starting with Riel Fael, the young lady of the Fael Duck’s House, I added a small joke as I handed her a cup. Riel, clearly nervous, received it with trembling hands.

“Th-Thank you! Your Majesty!”

Next... though I don’t really want to give anything to these guys...

But with so many eyes watching, I had no choice.

First up, the elf.

“Princess Seria, you’ve worked hard. It’s thanks to you that Xian never wavered.”

“Hmph.”

True to her haughty nature, Seria snatched the cup from my hand without so much as a proper reply.

Though there was a bit of murmuring around us, no one reacted strongly. After all, the arrogance of elves was no recent phenomenon.

The Empire’s nobles glared at Seria as though they might kill her with their eyes, but she seemed utterly unconcerned.

Next was Nia, the daughter of the Beastfolk Chief.

“Nia, I’ve heard you always fought at the forefront. Many knights owe their lives to you, so I owe you my thanks.”

Nia gave a slight nod before taking her cup. True to her kind, the beastfolk’s lack of manners was evident, but it was still far better than Seria’s behavior.

As such, neither I nor the other nobles made any issue of it.

Next was Ella, the Saintess of the Holy Kingdom.

“Saintess, it is no small part thanks to you that Xian was able to survive and slay the Demon King. As Xian is a dear friend of mine, I owe you my gratitude.”

“Your Majesty, your words are too kind. I simply did my duty in healing my comrade.”

Thank you for healing my friend.

No, wait. You only healed him because he’s my friend, didn’t you?

Though it was phrased politely, the underlying sentiment was so childish it could have come from a schoolyard spat. Still, I handed her the cup.

And finally, the mage from the Magic Tower. Her name was... Viola, right?

“Viola, I was impressed by the reports of how many times you’ve repelled the Demon King’s army. To reach such heights at such a young age, perhaps I’m looking at the future Archmage.”

“...It’s an honor.”

After handing the cup to Viola, I glanced around the hall. All eyes were fixed on us.

With me personally honoring the Hero’s party, it was impossible for the other attendees not to pay attention.

Of course, they were all eager to talk to the Hero’s party themselves, but with me sitting here drinking with them, no one dared approach.

The entire room’s focus was now on this moment, so it was time to make my announcement.

I gestured to a servant to signal the musicians to stop playing. When the room fell silent, I spoke.

“Now, on such a joyous day, I have an announcement to make before all of you.”

The once-bustling banquet hall grew deathly quiet as soon as I opened my mouth.

‘Ah, the taste of power.’

After savoring the moment for a brief second, I continued.

“Here stands my dear friend, Xian . He is the Hero who vanquished the Demon King, who threatened the entire continent, and finally beheaded him.

Such a feat, one that a thousand knights could not accomplish, makes him the hero of this age. And so, I will honor him above all others by granting him the rank of Duke.

There are many lands in the South that are currently without a lord, so I shall unite them into one territory called Audas and bestow them upon Sir Xian  as his ducal estate. From this moment forth, Xian  shall be known as the Duke of Audas.”

The silence quickly gave way to another wave of murmuring throughout the hall.

It was amusing to see how those who hadn’t been informed ahead of time struggled to maintain their composure.

“Your Majesty, I mean no disrespect to Sir Xian’s achievements, but isn’t granting him a dukedom a bit excessive...?”

As expected, someone finally gathered the courage to speak up.

Yes, this is about where I expected the pushback to come.

It would be too easy if everyone just accepted it without question. The rank of Duke was no small matter, after all.

The one who spoke was a count, one of the more moderate nobles who had survived in the capital despite being part of the old aristocratic faction.

“Count. What is it that you find excessive?”

“Well, no matter how great his accomplishments, Sir Xian is still a commoner. While bestowing him a title is certainly a wise and just decision, making him a Duke...”

“Duke Fael, could you join us for a moment?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Could you remind us how your ancestor was granted the rank of Duke?”

“Certainly, Your Majesty. My ancestor was granted the title of Duke after slaying the Behemoth, a great monster that threatened the Empire 800 years ago.”

“Exactly. So tell me, Count, is it truly excessive to grant the rank of Duke to the man who has saved the Empire from an even greater threat?”

“...I was short-sighted, Your Majesty.”

The count bowed his head and retreated.

Of course, this argument wasn’t entirely fair. The Fael family had already been nobility before being elevated to a duchy, unlike Xian , who was a commoner. But that wasn’t the point.

What mattered was that Duke Fael was publicly supporting my decision. No one, not even the count, could openly challenge both me and Duke Fael.

“Your Majesty, you’re saying that Sir Xian will be granted the title of Duke of the Empire?”

“And who are you?”

Suddenly, the elf interrupted, and I replied curtly.

“I am Saron, Elder of the Great Forest.”

“Well, Sir Saron, yes, I do intend to grant Xian  the title of Duke.”

“Pardon my boldness, but have you asked Sir Xian how he feels about this?”

?

What nonsense is this?

“I don’t understand. Should a ruler have to ask his subject’s permission to honor their achievements?”

It’s not like I’m offering him some minor title. I’m making him a Duke!

I turned to Xian  with a look that said, “Isn’t that right?” But Xian , looking more than a little troubled, met my gaze.

What?

“Your Majesty…”

“Yes, my dear Sir Xian , Duke of Audas, speak.”

“I... I’m afraid I must decline, Your Majesty. I’ve made a promise to my companions that once the war was over, we will go on a journey together…”

What…?

“You’re saying you want to leave on a journey?”

“Yes. Before I defeated the Demon King, we made a pact to travel the world once peace was restored.”

The atmosphere chilled instantly.

The Emperor himself was offering lands and the title of Duke, yet Xian was choosing to go on a journey instead?

“Hmm…”

What should I do?

If anyone but Xian had said such a thing, it would have been rejected outright.

But Xian is the Hero. If he insists on leaving, there’s no real way to stop him.

He could simply walk out, and even if I sent someone after him, what would I do? He’s the Hero.

Even if I somehow convinced him to stay, I’d still have to deal with rumors of the Emperor oppressing the Hero.

Just the thought of it gave me a headache.

“Very well. I was too hasty in not considering your wishes.”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

But now that I’ve announced the title and estate in front of all these people