Paradis Island, Royal Capital.
Today, the royal capital was exceptionally lively. Many citizens had gone early in the morning to secure spots in front of the royal palace, because today was the day the Queen would confer honors upon the heroes returning from overseas.
On Paradis Island, the news that the Survey Corps had achieved a great victory in Marley's capital and liberated millions of Eldian compatriots had already spread across the entire island. The parliament had also vigorously promoted this uplifting news.
This was mainly because the Imperial Faction had previously spread the idea that Eldians were oppressed throughout the world, casting a shadow over many Eldians on Paradis Island. At such a time, a massive victory from beyond the island was the perfect morale booster, reigniting the Eldians' confidence.
The reputation of the Survey Corps surged once again. Now, in the eyes of countless new recruits in the training corps, the Survey Corps had become even more dazzling than the Military Police. It had become synonymous with the future of Paradis Island.
Dedicate your hearts to the future of the Eldians! With just this one phrase, countless recruits rushed forward, eager to join the Survey Corps. In comparison, the once high-and-mighty Military Police had become an awkward presence.
Since the Military Police still operated under the slogan of protecting the royal family, it held little appeal for the overly passionate recruits of today. Some would even rather join the Garrison than become watchdogs in the Military Police.
Over the past two years, those who had experienced the greatest emotional ups and downs were the Squad Leaders of the Survey Corps responsible for recruiting new members. As veterans, they had lived through the Corps' lowest period, when it was practically like a rat crossing the street—everyone shouted at it and cursed it.
Back then, being able to recruit anyone at all was already good enough. Who were you to be picky?
But now, times had changed. Whenever the Survey Corps appeared at the training grounds, it was like the most sought-after prize in the eyes of the recruits. There were more applicants than one could count.
For a time, the recruiting Squad Leaders of the Survey Corps were spoiled for choice. Whenever Military Police recruiters passed by, the Squad Leaders would mockingly shout,
"Hey! Top ten graduates get priority!"
The feeling was indescribably satisfying. Times had changed—finally, they could hold their heads high.
At the same time, it wasn't only the Survey Corps that gained fame from this victory. The name of the Eldian Revival Army also entered the public eye on Paradis Island for the first time. Its highly similar name made it hard for people not to associate it with the Restorationists on the island.
As expected, the truth matched what the people thought—the Revival Army and the Restorationists were indeed one and the same. This caused quite a stir. The Restorationists' ideology of reviving the Eldian people had always been more popular than the Imperial Faction's idea of restoring the Eldian Empire.
Now, with the emergence of the Revival Army, the Restorationists' reputation soared even higher. Even within the Imperial Faction, many members began to waver, with some leaving to join the Restorationists.
...
Historia wore her queenly attire with a somewhat unhappy expression. The exquisite crown on her head looked delicate and magnificent, but it pressed uncomfortably against her hair. Still, that wasn't what bothered her the most.
The real reason she was unhappy was that she hadn't had her fill of fun outside the island before being dragged back to become Queen.
When conferring honors upon Yago, Historia wore a bright smile on the surface. But as Yago lowered his head and bent forward, a mischievous grin flashed across her face. She gathered her strength and flicked his forehead hard.
That nearly brought tears to Yago's eyes. She was wearing a ring when she flicked him! The gemstone on that ring was ridiculously hard!
Yago resisted the urge to rub his head. When he blinked and looked up again, Historia had already returned to her dignified and elegant demeanor. However, the trace of smug satisfaction in her eyes was unmistakable.
Historia had kept a very clear record in her little notebook. Back when she proposed staying longer in Marley to have fun, Yago had been the first to stand up and oppose it, immediately arranging for the team to return to Paradis Island. That had made Her Majesty very angry.
Yago, quietly hissing in pain, increasingly felt that Historia had entered the so-called rebellious phase. A rebellious Queen was not someone you could afford to provoke. Better to stay cautious.
When the ceremony ended, the citizens watching below erupted into thunderous cheers, celebrating their heroes of the Survey Corps, celebrating those who fought for the future of the Eldians.
"Alex! Look, look! That must be Yago Norman! That's amazing! I finally get to see him!!" a blonde girl excitedly shook the boy beside her.
Alex was equally excited. "That's right, Luise! Yago is the founding leader of our Restorationists! We must follow in his footsteps—join the Survey Corps and fight for the revival of the Eldian people!"
Hearing Alex's words, Luise showed a slightly uncertain expression.
"But, Alex, I can only rank twelfth among my peers. Can I still join the Survey Corps?" (Survey Corps: Yes, yes, yes!! Of course you can! Hahaha!)
Alex scratched his head.
"Well, I'm not too sure either. But as long as we work hard and make it into the top ten together, we'll definitely be able to join the Survey Corps!"
"Mm!!"
While the two young people were filled with excitement for their ideals, a figure quietly passed by them.
Arno cast a cold glance at the two youths. Who would have thought that one day the Survey Corps would also have a threshold? Wasn't that place one you could join as long as you weren't disabled?
Shaking his head, Arno walked off alone. Midway, he stopped and looked up at Historia on the stage. Her unhappy expression was clearly visible to him.
However, in Arno's eyes, Historia's dissatisfaction from not having enough fun took on a completely different meaning.
"So, you're not willing to be just a figurehead either, Historia? Do you want to become a true Queen? The Eldians need a real king—even if sacrifices must be made. Only by welcoming back the true king can the glory of the Eldian Empire be restored."
Arno muttered to himself. Then his gaze shifted to Yago standing upright on the stage.
"Yago Norman? The leader of the Restorationists?"
On the stage, the pain in his head gradually faded, and Yago's expression returned to normal. But suddenly, a chill ran down his spine. He felt as though he was being watched by a cold, sinister gaze.
However, when Yago frowned and scanned the crowd, that chilling gaze seemed to vanish without a trace.