The woman officer knelt on one knee as well, holding aloft in both hands the brocade case that held the "Bestowal Crystal." At this a holographic projection cast itself out from the crystal — a middle-aged man seated upon a throne.
At the sight of him, every person present dropped to one knee; a few who'd never witnessed such a scene, hearts pounding, went straight down flat, prostrate on the floor. Zhao Chen, by contrast, lifted his head a fraction and quietly studied the figure of light before him.
He looked 70 or 80 — though perhaps, owing to therapeutic care by advanced technology, he didn't seem so very old, more like a middle-aged man, with a full head of jet-black hair. High-bridged nose, wide eyes, seated upon that throne like a great dragon coiled atop a mountain peak. In sheer presence, the only man in Zhao Chen's memory who could compare with the one before him was Governor Chu of Chu River. And yet the two were utterly different in kind. Chu Changhe's was a presence like a blade's edge — sheathed, he seemed a kindly, benevolent old man; but once the sword was drawn, the edge blazed forth, killing intent spilling in all directions, like a god of slaughter come into the world. This man, who stood at the very summit of the Starlight Empire, was more like one transcendent and otherworldly — commanding awe without anger, the sea of stars itself held between his brows.
"Baron Zhao Chen, Lord of the Owl Dragon Star System. Alone he braved the hive-race's deadly straits and delivered 187 teachers and students of the two academies — a deed worthy of a young hero! We hereby invest him as an Imperial Viscount, and bestow upon him 1 million star coins." When the figure of light spoke, its voice rang out mighty as a great bell, laying upon all an invisible pressure. For a full half-minute after the voice had fallen, the figure of light lingered before at last dispersing.
At this the woman officer rose to her feet, saying, "Viscount Zhao, please rise."
Zhao Chen stood.
"This is the Bestowal Crystal — please keep it safe. And here is the Imperial card His Majesty has bestowed on you, bearing 1 million star coins. Besides these, here are some small gifts sent to you by Her Highness the Princess." The woman officer first held the "Bestowal Crystal" out before Zhao Chen. Then the women soldiers behind her presented several brocade trays.
Zhao Chen took the "Bestowal Crystal." The thing itself served no real purpose — it was merely a token of honor. But the bestowal behind it was rather fine. A viscount's title. Only a single step up in rank, true, yet it could afford Zhao Chen great convenience — in the matter of a lord's fleet, for one.
By the Empire's regulations governing a lord's fleet, lords of different ranks might hold private fleets of different sizes. As a baron, Zhao Chen had earlier been entitled, in theory, to an interstellar fleet of no more than 30 ships. In practice, of course, no few lords ran somewhat over — the Empire wouldn't quibble with you over a handful of warships. But run several times over, and once a rival or an enemy reported you, that became a serious problem. A viscount's title let Zhao Chen hold, openly and legitimately, an interstellar fleet of up to 100 warships, which would spare him no end of trouble.
Zhao Chen then looked at the crystal bank card with its 1 million star coins. So stingy, the royal house — only 1 million star coins? Ah, well; better to have than not.
The Princess's gifts, by contrast, were rather more precious — a specially made viscount's formal dress, some sort of costly jeweled ornament, and the like. Put up for auction on the open market, with the royal name attached, they'd likely fetch 2 or 3 million star coins. But at a time like this, that was something Zhao Chen simply couldn't bring himself to do. When a Princess bestows such things on you before this many people, is it for you to turn around and sell? Only a hopelessly clueless meathead would do a thing like that — and Zhao Chen didn't count himself one.
"Many thanks. And how might I address you, elder sister?" Zhao Chen smiled, warming up to the woman officer.
The officer answered with a smile, "Commander of the Tenth Fleet under the Princess's household guard fleet — Wei Shishi."
"So it's Sister Wei. Forgive my discourtesy. Might you have the time — I'd like to host a private dinner for you sisters." Zhao Chen invited.
Reforged by several courses of super-soldier serum, Zhao Chen was without question a handsome man, and of the thoroughly virile sort besides. To be asked out by a man like that, most women wouldn't refuse. Behind Wei Shishi, no few of the women soldiers' gazes now roved over Zhao Chen.
"That, I'm afraid, we'll have to decline. We are the Princess's household guard fleet; leaving as we have this time is already a special circumstance. Once this matter is done, we'll be setting out back." But Wei Shishi turned down Zhao Chen's kindness.
"In that case, as it happens I'm about ready to leave myself. Let's go together — I'll see you sisters off." That "sisters" rolled off Zhao Chen's tongue smooth as anything. Off to the side, Xue Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes at the sound of it.
"Very well." Wei Shishi looked to the Azure Governor and the others, and to Governor Chu's ever-present video window. "Governors, Marshal. This officer is in haste to return to the Princess's side, so I'll take my leave first."
"Go, go." Governor Chu said it with a broad grin — a world apart from the man who'd been thundering at the Azure Governor and Marshal Huang Zhixiong moments before.
"Then allow me to congratulate Baron Zhao — no, his lordship Viscount Zhao Chen now, I should say. There was some negligence and misunderstanding at this banquet; the next time the chance arises, your uncle here will be sure to host another to entertain you properly." The Azure Governor said it with a genial chuckle.
"Instructor Qin, Sister Su Lan, Xiaoxiao — let's go. And lend me a hand with these things while you're at it." Zhao Chen looked at the boxes upon boxes of gifts; he truly couldn't carry them all himself.
Xue Xiaoxiao happily took up the bestowed treasures, blinking her big, limpid eyes at the exquisite trinkets.
"Your Excellency — we take our leave." Instructor Qin gave a slight bow and departed. Su Lan, too, made her courtesy and left.
The people around still watched Zhao Chen with envy and jealousy in their faces. Only a promotion from baron to viscount, true. But anyone with eyes could see the deeper meaning in it: the Emperor of the Starlight Empire had conferred the bestowal in his own voice; a royal fleet had escorted and delivered it; and there were even little gifts from Her Highness the Princess. Such attentions were proof enough that Zhao Chen stood very well indeed in the eyes of the royal house. And most important of all — as everyone knew, the little Princess's own elder brother, His Highness the First Prince, was the Crown Prince, the future heir to the Starlight Empire. This was as good as Zhao Chen stepping onto a promotion rocket! His road ahead would be nothing but smooth sailing. Count in three years, Marquis in 10 — no idle dream!
Just as everyone watched Zhao Chen about to leave the domed restaurant, Zhao Chen abruptly halted his steps, turned, and walked toward the three big shots.
He stood before the three, regarding them with a smile all over his face. "Today's 'hospitality' from you three lords, Zhao Chen keeps engraved in his heart. One day I shall surely repay it in kind."
The threat in these words was plain enough. Arrogant, yes — but Zhao Chen didn't care. He'd already torn faces with the three of them, after all; had Governor Chu not stepped in, they'd long since have thrown him in a cell, and there was no telling what methods they'd have used on him.
And let no one forget: Zhao Chen had one "bad habit." He held his grudges very well indeed!