Chapter 79 29:
"Fortunately, when we arrived, I was able to feel relieved; but then I asked, how was it possible? How had the Lithari failed? For our information indicated that it would already have been too late by the time we managed to arrive."
Thragg smiled as he looked at Korr-add.
"Great was my surprise when I was informed that a native, Class Fifteen, had been responsible for saving our entire planet by disobeying protocol, leading his companions into a forbidden zone, facing thousands of Lithari alone; protecting his own."
The Regent, once again, extended his hand toward Korr and, with an almost paternal gesture, stroked the infant's cheek.
Korr did not know what to say. His throat was dry, because he did not know how this man would react. Would he be punished? He had also considered that possibility. The Empire took the matter of rules and laws imposed upon every Viltrumite very seriously.
Whether it was him or another, someone would pay for their transgressions, even if he had been the hero of the Empire.
"The Empire is in your debt. And for that, we shall honor your valor and your effort as a perfect imperial warrior, canonizing your deeds so that all Viltrumites of today and tomorrow may know that Viltrum still lives because of a brave native willing to give his life for the Empire."
Thragg stepped aside and, with a gesture, signaled one of the counselors seated upon the side thrones. The gray-haired Viltrumite flew toward them, carrying in his hands an object wrapped in an immaculate white cloth.
"Korr-add, kneel before this edict," ordered Thragg; Korr obeyed without hesitation and, to his disbelief, could not help but open his eyes almost wide with astonishment as he witnessed what the gray-haired Viltrumite held.
It was a uniform, though different from the one he had. Even the Fauld was different, for compared to the one currently worn by him or any other Viltrumite warrior, this one was red.
Korr remained completely bewildered, incredulous. That color meant that... he had been adopted into the governmental faction of the Empire?
And, no less impressive still, directly above the heart, a solitary bar adorned the fabric. A single bar that separated him from the rank of a simple warrior, the equivalent of an enlisted soldier in this world.
He had managed to attain an officer's bar without even having graduated to begin with.
"Korr-Add, Scion of Vorath, Firstborn of Class Fifteen, He Who Mastered His Instincts Before the Trial, Frustrator of Our Inferior Enemies, Protector of the Innocent and Our Land, Hero of the Lithari Rebellion, Bearer of the Meritorious Bar, Bastion of the Imperial Cradle, Savior of Viltrum. In the name of Argal the Wise, and by the authority conferred upon me as Great Regent of the Viltrumite Empire, we remember Korr-Add. May his example remind us of his valor, as well as his strength. May his sacrifice teach us the proper way to protect the Empire. Glory to Viltrum."
"GLORY TO THE EMPIIIIIRE!!"
The soldiers shouted with force, the voices seeming to become extraordinarily shrill for what was a fraction of an eternal second.
"Take it," said Thragg.
Korr took the uniform with trembling hands; the fabric was softer than he had imagined.
"From this day forward I grant you the bar of sub-officer," said Thragg, approaching him. "This bar represents a meritorious achievement, Korr-add; it has been granted to you because you have earned it. You annihilated our enemies and saved our race. From this point onward, once you complete your education at the Dorymathos, you will be promoted to senior officer. Your age or your experience will not matter. If you maintain that capacity for leadership, that loyalty, and the rest, you will be a valuable candidate to become part of the governing table within the Imperial Council. Feel proud, native; you have achieved what many have attempted throughout their entire lives."
Korr wanted to speak, wanted to say something, anything, but the words would not come out. Not when he understood what those decorations implied and, curiously, he seemed to feel... nothing.
As though all of this were something as interesting as a bad commercial; his mind dismissed it in an instant.
The Regent stepped away and extended his arms toward the thousands of Viltrumites watching them.
"This is Korr-add!" he exclaimed, his voice resonating throughout the entire hall and beyond. "The native who saved Viltrum! The warrior who, with his own hands, annihilated those inferior beings who dared attempt to strike against their benefactors! The son of the Empire who demonstrated his loyalty to Viltrum! Long live Korr-add!"
"LOOOOONG LIIIIIVE HIIIIIM!!"
A deafening roar filled the air. Thousands of fists struck thousands of chests in a collective salute that made both the air and the ground tremble in a single instant.
Even the Viltrumites far from the city, and those who were out in space, merely witnessing the great ceremony through enormous projections, now moved in an ovation filled with euphoria that seemed to have no end.
Korr, amidst all of that, felt tears threatening to emerge from his eyes, but it had only been an impulse, a moment. His mind displaced those acidic and contrite feelings within him.
He lifted his chin, straightened his back, and accepted it. He had no other choice.
He had to live with the fact that he had been responsible for the annihilation of the Lithari from the face of the universe; that in exchange for saving those children who now saw him as the hero of their world, he had condemned an entire race to extinction.
Like every conscious being, he had to take responsibility for the consequences of his own decisions.