Death Ascension - Chapter 102

“Haah… worrying over it won’t really change anything, anyway. So…” In the end, Mikael gave up agonizing about this new feature of the system, “Let’s just cross that bridge when we get there.”

He temporarily put those matters aside and turned his attention to the closing ceremony. The king called for Sir Finn and had him stand side by side with Nora while fetching a badge etched with a caricature of a rising sun.

“This silver badge, which signifies your loyalty to the third prince, will be proof of your membership to the Order of the Golden Dawn. With this, you will be granted privileges equal to a Heinken noble of a Baron’s rank.” The king gave each of them a silver badge and continued, “The kingdom expects you to bring pride and honor befitting of your conferred status. Do not fail us and you shall be rewarded.”

With that, the ceremony ended, and the people filed toward the exits.

But as soon as the officials passed through the door, snickers burst out of their mouths as if they just heard the best joke of the year.

“Pu-ha! The kingdom expects them to bring pride and honor? Your majesty, no one thinks so!” one of them said out of the king’s earshot.

His companions laughed with him, eyes tearing and shoulders trembling as they held their stomachs.

This sight made Nora’s blood boil.

However, she was alone in her anger. Unaware of the dame’s simmering rage, Mikael busily chatted with Deon.

“Order of the Golden Dawn? I thought Nora and Finn would be separated into a Knight’s Order and an Almagi’s Order?”

“Ahh… that’s true.” Deon agreed, “That should have been the case if Sir Finn didn’t turn down his post in the father’s Royal Almagi Order. As for Dame Nora… well…”

The young prince trailed off. His hazel brown eyes unconsciously attached to the Dame’s back with a look of pity. This was enough for Mikael to figure out that no one wanted the Dame in their Order.

Not only was she a commoner, an orphan, an amputee, and a woman, Nora also killed one of her opponents in a spar witnessed by hundreds of people including the royal family. To them, she was like a ticking time bomb waiting to destroy whichever Order she joins.

“So? Since they can’t kick her out, they just made a new Order for her?” Mikael scoffed, “Wow. Talk about convenience… anyway, who named your personal order? It’s so lame!”

“…”

When his question was met with silence, Mikael laughed, “Ah! Was it you? It WAS you, right? HAHAHA! Really! How did you manage to think of such a cringey name?”

“It’s not!” the prince’s face burned bright red from Mikael’s teasing. “That name was dedicated to you, Sir! But you don’t even appreciate it! I shouldn’t have wracked my brain, trying to come up with a decent name…” he pouted.

“This silly kid! How is the golden dawn related to me?”

“You said your mission is to ascend to the heavens!” the young prince protested, “So, I thought you are like the sun rising in the sky after a long night of darkness and… that your warmth will bring salvation to countless people… as you did with George and me…Argh! I hate you, sir! Must I really say these embarrassing things?!”

“Is that so? Hahaha!” Mikael heartily laughed at his partner’s cute reaction.

It was at times like these that he was reminded of their age difference. Mikael was a 22-year-old man while his partner was a 15-year-old boy. With their age difference, Mikael felt like he now had an adorable younger brother– But of course, he would never tell Deon because it was embarrassing so, he deftly changed the topic.

“Ah! Now that I think about it, wouldn’t it be strange for a prince to have a personal Order? I thought that privilege was exclusive to the King?”

“No. Although the Crimson Knights and Royal Almagi Orders are indeed the King’s personal force. Other members of the royal family are also granted that right. Especially the princes vying for the throne. A prince’s order is his public face, so to speak. The more fame and glory his personal order have, the greater the support from nobility he gets.”

“Huh? So, you mean your older brothers already have one?”

“Y-yes, sir.” Deon said weakly, “Brother Avery already has his Order of the Blazing Phoenix, and brother Cail has his Order of the Soaring Griffin. Each one is made up of about 50 Almagi and Knights.”

“What?! You mean they had personal Orders all along, while you didn’t? ” Mikael exclaimed, ignoring the fact that the other Princes’ Order names were just as lame as Deon’s.

“Yes, Sir…” the young boy confirmed, “Orders are all about pride, honor, and glory. They are the kingdom’s heroes who are usually tasked to go on dangerous missions under their superior’s command. But because I was known as an incompetent prince, no one wanted to come under me.”

As he continued his explanation, Deon’s voice grew progressively weaker. He was so embarrassed of his past self that he was left to hang his head and bite his lower lip in anxiety.

‘Now, I’ve done it. Sir Mikael definitely regrets partnering up with me.’

Contrary to the prince’s concerns, Mikael felt like he was struck with a bolt of lightning.

Order. Pride. Honor. Glory. Heroes.

HEROES!

Mikael felt his phantom heart pound in excitement!

This was the answer!

‘If we gather more talented and trustworthy people like Finn and Nora to form the Golden Dawn Order, I could use the sub-contract to bestow them powers and they’ll instantly shoot to the top and be the best Order in the kingdom!’ Mikael restlessly paced back and forth inside the white world, ‘The best means more dangerous quests. Dangerous quests equate to more chances of using the bestowed skills. And the result? Faster Good Karma collection! HAHAHA!’

“Kid, Do you want to beat your brothers?”

“Huh? Uhh… not really.” Deon replied, but before Mikael could feel disappointed, he added, “But I do want them to acknowledge me.”

“Great! Now listen to me,” Mikael candidly explained his plans to the young prince on their way to his bed chamber.

–Chapter end—

A/N: Did you know? The Golden Dawn Order really existed in the late 19th century. It was a secret society that was devoted to the study and practice of the occult, metaphysics, and paranormal activities.. Isn’t it perfect for Deon and Mikael’s Personal Order? Hehehe.