Tech Hero in Another World
Chapter 63: [62] Awards

Chapter 63: [62] Awards

Ren’s recovery progressed much faster than anyone had expected. The internal injuries that should have taken a long time to heal naturally now left behind only a faint ache, no longer hindering him from standing. He himself wasn’t entirely sure whether it was due to the effects of the bee princess’s nectar or the strange recovery system of his body.

Now, he stood in front of a tall mirror in the guest chamber of the palace, staring at a reflection he could barely recognize. The clothes he wore were the formal attire of the Elf Kingdom—a long emerald robe adorned with golden thread embroidery and tiny gemstones along the collar. The fabric was soft, nearly weightless, like silk blended with morning dew. Still, despite its beauty and obvious cost, Ren couldn’t shake the awkwardness he felt wearing it.

"This really isn’t my style..." he muttered, tugging slightly at the too-tight collar around his neck.

In the grand hall of Alfheimr Palace, the ceremony had been solemnly prepared. Silver-plated pillars stood gracefully, while the white stone walls reflected the light from floating magic crystals, casting a warm glow like an eternal twilight. At the center of the hall, a long, deep green carpet stretched all the way to the throne, where Queen Beatice sat with an undeniable air of authority.

Nobles and military generals had already gathered, dressed in their formal regalia. Gentle music played by a group of elf musicians, and the scent of southern forest flowers filled the air. It was a grand ceremony of honor—reminiscent of noble title conferments from medieval European traditions—and Ren now found himself right in the middle of it.

When his name was called, Ren took a deep breath and stepped forward. With an upright posture and steady steps, he walked along the carpet toward the queen—though inside, he still felt like a high schooler who’d shown up in the wrong outfit to a royal wedding. Technically, he was still a high schooler.

As for Veskar and the bee princess, they were now handling diplomatic matters with the Alfheimr ministers, assisted by the coordinated efforts of the bee swarm that had recently served as reinforcements.

There were no laughs or jeers. Everyone in the hall remained silent, watching Ren—or rather, Nico Mustang—with serious eyes.

No one knew Ren was actually from another world. All the tools and abilities he possessed were believed to be remnants of ancient Dwarf technology. That alone was enough for them to accept him without many questions, and Ren was content to let them think that.

Commander Ryul stood among the officers, then began clapping. He had respected Ren since the first day, when Ren had rescued the hostages and brought them back safely. His applause was soon followed by the others, and the atmosphere in the hall settled.

Queen Beatice rose from her throne. Her long white gown swayed gently as she stepped down from the elevated platform, holding a small, dark wood box in her hands.

"Nico Mustang," the queen said, her voice calm but firm. "For your service and bravery in protecting our people, and your sacrifices on the battlefield, the Kingdom of Alfheimr grants you an honorary award."

Ren—or Nico—stepped forward slowly. He stopped in front of the queen and knelt on one knee, just as one of the palace guards had instructed him earlier.

"Accept this title as a symbol of our gratitude," Beatice continued, opening the wooden box. Inside was a small silver leaf-shaped pendant tied with an emerald green ribbon—the signature color of the elf kingdom.

The queen placed the pendant around Ren’s neck and touched his shoulder with a small, crystal-tipped scepter. "From this day forward, you are granted the title of ’Warden of the World Leaf.’ It is a title bestowed only upon those who have truly protected this land."

Ren paused for a moment, then bowed deeply. "I accept this honor with all due respect, Your Majesty."

Applause followed. It wasn’t thunderous, but it was enough to show that the audience approved of the decision.

Beatice gave a small nod. "You are no longer just a guest in this land. You are one of us now."

Ren responded with a slight nod and a faint smile. Though he had felt awkward under the spotlight, a warm feeling bloomed in his chest. For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt truly accepted.

Not long after the formal ceremony in the palace hall ended, Queen Beatice stood on the palace’s main balcony. From there, she looked out over the sea of citizens gathered in the courtyard below. With a loud, confident voice, she began to speak to them.

"This victory belongs to all of you!" the queen declared, her voice echoing through the palace grounds. "Thanks to the bravery of our soldiers and the strength of our people’s hearts, we have protected the land we love!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd. Trumpets and drums joined in, amplifying the joy and energy of the people in celebration.

Then, the queen raised her hand slightly to call for quiet. She turned to glance at Ren, who stood a few steps behind her, and said, "And of course, we must also give our thanks to one important person—someone not of this land..."

The crowd began murmuring amongst themselves. Some faces looked puzzled—especially those who didn’t yet know who Ren was.

"...A human, who not only rescued our princess from the enemy’s grasp but also faced the strongest monster in the skies... Sir Nico Mustang!" the queen declared proudly.

Ren stepped forward onto the balcony, revealing himself to the gathered masses. Several refugees he had rescued in the past instantly recognized his face. They began cheering louder, and soon the others followed, even if they didn’t yet fully understand who he was.

Queen Beatice didn’t let the moment hang in uncertainty. She went on to recount a brief tale of Ren’s bravery: how he had infiltrated the enemy stronghold, rescued hostages, fought the mutant beast Veskar, and stood at the front lines for a land that wasn’t even his own.

As her words filled the square, the previously unsure expressions changed to ones of admiration. The cheers returned, louder and more heartfelt this time.

Ren gave a small smile and a slight bow in return. Deep down, he still felt like an ordinary guy... but now, he knew that even ordinary people could be remembered as heroes.

The celebration carried on until nightfall. Not only was the palace’s grand ballroom alive with music and laughter, but the entire capital’s streets were lit with lanterns, echoing with laughter and vibrant music. The elves celebrated their victory with dancing, singing, and delicious food served on every corner.

Meanwhile, Ren found it hard to enjoy the festivities. He was swarmed by groups of elf girls, eager and curious to hear tales of his heroics. Their nonstop questions and praises left him slightly overwhelmed.

Fortunately, Elaria arrived just in time. She walked gracefully in a soft-colored evening gown, her hair elegantly styled, every step exuding noble poise. With a calm but firm smile, she gently dispersed the group surrounding Ren.

"Thank you..." Ren exhaled, clearly relieved. He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a little awkward. "Haah, I’m really not made for crowds like this."

Elaria chuckled softly. "You’re just not used to it. But at least now you can breathe." She glanced at him for a second, then added, "Care to take a walk with me?"

Ren followed her away from the noise, and they arrived at a high balcony on the eastern side of the palace. As the glass door opened, the chill of night greeted them—sharp, yet refreshing.

"Man, it’s cold," Ren muttered, crossing his arms. "If I catch a cold, make sure the party has a bowl of hot soup ready for me."

Elaria giggled at his playful tone. "Oh, of course. I’ll put in a request with the royal kitchen right away, Sir Mustang. Chicken soup... or perhaps one with mithril chunks?"

Ren smirked. "Mithril’s hard to digest, you know. I’ll stick with chicken soup. Preferably something that doesn’t try to kill me from the inside."

They leaned against the stone railing, gazing out at the city aglow with light. In the distance, floating lanterns drifted through the sky like stars that had descended to Earth.

"You know..." Elaria spoke softly, "I don’t think I’ve ever seen my people this happy. Not even before the war."

"Well, it’s not every day they get to see someone fight lightning-fast monsters in what basically amounts to walking armor," Ren replied flatly. "Definitely a rare sight."

"And you call yourself walking armor?" Elaria raised an eyebrow, barely containing her laugh.

"I’m a realist," Ren said, glancing at her briefly. "If I exploded in mid-air, some folks might mistake me for a high-tech kitchen appliance."

Elaria shook her head slightly, but the smile never left her face. "You really are unlike anyone I’ve ever met."

Ren looked up at the sky for a few seconds, then leaned his back against the stone railing. "That’s because I really am strange in your eyes... But hey, who cares," he said lightly, almost like a whisper carried by the night breeze.

A moment of silence passed. Only the soft wind could be heard, brushing through the cracks in the stone and the curtains behind them. Then Elaria finally spoke, her voice quiet but full of meaning.

"Have you thought about... what you’ll do next?"

Ren took a short breath before answering. "Yeah, I need to head to the Penal plains. I promised I’d return my passengers to their homeland."

"Ohh, you mean those giant tigers?" Elaria asked, smiling slightly at the memory of the unique animal family.

"Yup," Ren nodded. "They’re part of the things I have to finish."

"I see..." Elaria looked down for a moment, her fingers tightening around the edge of her dress. The mood shifted slightly.

Ren glanced at her. "Hmm... What’s wrong?"

Elaria lifted her face, her eyes trembling just a bit. "I just wanted to say... thank you," she said softly but firmly.

Ren frowned. "You keep saying thank you. Once is enough, okay?"

"N-no!" Elaria replied quickly, her voice jumping half an octave. She clenched her fists at her sides. "Once will never be enough... It’ll never be enough," she whispered, her fingers trembling.

Ren fell silent. He understood—what had happened to the elf hostages in the Yordan army camp. Elves were known for their beauty and ideal figures; it wasn’t hard to imagine that Elaria, once captured, had likely been mistreated. His expression didn’t change, but his eyes softened. He didn’t press further. He knew... some wounds were too deep to put into words.

He looked at Elaria for a moment, then turned his gaze to the star-speckled sky. "Yeah... it’s okay," he said quietly, pausing just long enough to make sure his words didn’t sound like hollow sympathy.

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