THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

As the two knelt in silence, the atmosphere in the grand hall seemed to thicken, the attention of the entire room fixated on them. Ashley\'s heartbeat drummed loudly in her ears, but she kept her head lowered, determined not to let the pressure crack her composure. Suddenly, she sensed a presence moving behind them, deliberate yet calm. Curious, she took a discreet peek over her shoulder, and her heart gave a jolt of recognition.

It was David.

His approach was as steady and composed as ever, the quiet strength he exuded a comforting contrast to the tension that filled the room. He came to a stop beside them, mirroring their gesture by lowering himself to one knee. Ashley\'s breath hitched for a moment. She had been searching for him all day, and now here he was, just as the eyes of the entire house fell upon them.

Elder Scrolls, his face stern and unreadable, cast one final, assessing glance at the trio. For a fleeting moment, his sharp eyes softened, a hint of approval flashing across his features. He gave a curt nod and turned on his heel, making his way back toward the dais.

Reaching the throne, he bowed deeply to the Earl, addressing him with a respectful, "Patriarch." Without further words, he stepped back to rejoin the other elder nobles, his task complete.

Lord Hilton, who had remained silent throughout the proceedings, finally lifted his gaze. His eyes settled on the three kneeling before him—Ashley, Noelle, and David. The room held its collective breath, waiting for the Earl\'s judgment. Ashley\'s pulse quickened, but she kept her composure, waiting for his words to break the silence.

"You may rise, heroes of this house," Lord Hilton\'s voice rang out, firm but laced with a note of genuine respect.

The words hung in the air, and slowly, Ashley, Noelle, and David stood, their movements synchronized as if they had rehearsed it. Facing the Earl, the gravity of the moment sank in.

Lord Hilton\'s gaze was steady, his expression one of both pride and acknowledgement. He knew what they had endured, what they had risked to save the others and eliminate the threat. There was no need for further praise—their actions had spoken louder than any words could.

The hall remained silent, the weight of the Earl\'s recognition washing over them, but for Ashley, the real relief was standing beside her—the companions who had fought alongside her through it all.

From the intel they had gathered, it became clear that Ashley and Noelle had fought valiantly on the front lines, even when outnumbered. The odds had been stacked against them, yet they had held their ground with unwavering determination.

It was a pity that the Mous\'s son hadn\'t been present for the ceremony; though he had supported the group from behind, he was still recovering from his wounds. They had all planned to visit him soon to show their gratitude.

David, however, was a different story. The reports of his actions were nothing short of remarkable. He had carved a path for the candidates to escape, cutting through the chaos with sheer will and ferocity. He had fought one-on-one with a beast of terrifying strength, something akin to an apex lord. The Earl, seated upon his throne, could think of only one thing: *David is growing strong*.

"As the head of the De Gor house, I sincerely thank you," the Earl\'s voice rang through the grand hall, cutting through the silence like a blade. His gratitude wasn\'t simply a formal gesture—it was genuine, coming from the head of one of the most powerful houses.

Noelle couldn\'t believe her ears. A commoner, praised by the Earl in person? She stood frozen, her mind racing to process the surreal moment. Never in her wildest dreams did she think someone of her standing would ever receive such recognition. The weight of the Earl\'s words hung heavily in the air, making the moment feel like a dream.

Ashley\'s father, Count Greg Nel Gor, who had been standing nearby, couldn\'t help but break into a proud smile. His daughter had shown the courage and strength that was expected of a De Gor—more than that, she had upheld the values and beliefs of their house. Her bravery, her loyalty, and her actions were now paying off. His chest swelled with pride, and he silently thanked the ancestors for guiding her.

"And for such deeds," the Earl continued, his voice commanding the attention of everyone present, "I grant you any wish that is within my power to fulfill."

A hush fell over the hall. The weight of his words was immense, and every noble in the room knew it. This was no simple reward—it was a rare gift, one that came with the authority of the De Gor house itself. The Earl\'s offer wasn\'t something to be taken lightly.

The trio stood before him, momentarily stunned by the magnitude of the offer. A single wish—whatever they desired, within reason—was theirs for the taking. The possibilities were endless, but the responsibility that came with such a boon was equally heavy.

The hall remained silent, the air thick with anticipation as everyone awaited their response. Eyes from all corners of the room were locked on the trio, wondering what they would wish for, what they could possibly desire after having faced such danger. The weight of the moment pressed down on them, and in that silence, the future of these heroes would be decided.

"However," the Earl interrupted, his voice carrying a weight that immediately silenced the hall and dispelled any thoughts of a simple conclusion. There couldn\'t possibly be more, could there? Yet the pause in the Earl\'s speech told the gathered nobles otherwise.

"Simply granting David a wish would tarnish my name," he continued, his tone calm yet commanding. A murmur of agreement spread across the hall, rippling through the ranks of nobles. The trash of the family—David—had not only made a name for himself within the estate but had now gained recognition far beyond, within the county of Aethelwarin itself.

The Earl stood tall, radiating an aura of nobility and authority as he turned to face David directly. His icy blue eyes, once cold and distant, now reflected something new: respect. It was a look David had never before received from his father.

"And so," the Earl declared, his voice ringing through the chamber with the full weight of his authority, "with the power invested in me by the Queen of the Solarain Empire, as her General in her majesty\'s army,"—the Earl\'s next words shocked the entire assembly, including the elder nobles who had gathered behind him. Gasps echoed in the hall as the realization hit them all: the Earl was invoking his imperial titles.

Lord Hilton raised his hand, and as he did, the sigil of the De Gor house—the two winged knights holding the sea sword together—began to weave itself in golden threads across the air.

"I, head of the De Gor house, grant David, my son," the Earl\'s voice resonated with unwavering confidence, "the title of

Spross des Banners

."

The hall erupted. The ripple of disbelief spread faster than wildfire. Elder Masion couldn\'t contain his surprise, his exclamation loud enough for all to hear, "What!"

The gathered nobles shifted uncomfortably, exchanging astonished glances. The title

Spross des Banners

was no mere decoration. It was a rare and prestigious title, only bestowed upon those officially recognized by the Queen of the Empire or individuals who had accomplished impossible feats, elevating the honour of the De Gor house.

Spross des Banners

embodied the very essence of noble lineage. It symbolized continuity, honour, and loyalty, and to hold such a title meant carrying the weight and authority of an elder within the De Gor house—even outside its borders. For David, this meant that his status had just skyrocketed, far beyond anyone\'s expectations.

Suddenly, a sharp chime rang in David\'s head, breaking through the noise. His vision flickered, and a system window popped up before his eyes.

[Congratulations on earning your first Title!]

The system\'s message seemed ecstatic, its golden text glowing brightly before his eyes.

[All stats will receive an additional 100 points.]

In that instant, David felt an overwhelming rush of power surge through him. His muscles tightened, his senses sharpened, and his entire being felt as though it had been set alight by an unseen force.

His presence within the De Gor house, which had always been a struggle, was now solidified. He was no longer just "David the trash." He was

Spross des Banners

, a title that carried the weight of generations, a position that no one could ever take from him.

But it was the last message from the system that almost made him let out a victory roar, his excitement barely contained through sheer willpower.

[Side Quest Activated]

His eyes widened as the system continued:

[Quest: FIND THE DEMON\'S SHADOW]

[Reward: ASCENSION RANK SHALL BE LEVELED UP TO DIVINE EMBER!]

As the voices in the hall settled, David\'s mind was already racing with possibilities. He felt unstoppable. This was no longer just about survival. It was about dominance.

The path that lay before him now was one of unimaginable power, and nothing—not even the dark forces of Ternion—would stand in his way.

The Earl, unaware of the storm raging in David\'s mind, simply looked on, satisfied. His son had exceeded expectations, and now, with the title of

Spross des Banners

, the future of the De Gor house seemed more secure than ever. But for David, this was only the beginning.