Please Drop the Formalities

Eisenburg, the Imperial capital. The Grand Ballroom of the Imperial Palace.

Beneath the twenty-meter-high domed ceiling, the Empire's most prominent nobles and generals stood in formation, holding their breath. Light from the chandeliers reflected off the marble floor, nearly blinding me.

I walked through the middle of it all, across the red carpet.

On the dais, Ferdinand IV sat upon the golden throne.

"Commander Max Jaeger of the Jaeger Combat Group."

At the master of ceremonies' booming voice, I came to a halt.

Emperor Ferdinand IV rose from his seat and walked down from the dais himself. It was an unprecedented display of favor.

"Raise your head."

I slowly raised my head.

"You made the impossible possible and raised the prestige of the Empire. How can words ever do justice to your accomplishments?"...