The Female Officer knelt on one knee at the same time, holding the brocade box containing the 'Award Crystal' high with both hands.
At this moment, a holographic projection beamed out from the 'Award Crystal'.
It was a middle-aged man sitting on a throne.
Upon seeing this person, everyone present knelt on one knee; some who had never witnessed such a scene were so flustered that they prostrated themselves on the ground.
Zhao Chen, however, slightly raised his head, quietly observing the light projection before him.
He looked to be in his seventies or eighties, but perhaps due to technological medical care, he did not appear very old, looking like a middle-aged man with a head of jet-black hair.
With a high nose and large eyes, sitting on that throne, he was like a giant dragon coiled atop a mountain peak.
In terms of presence, the only person in Zhao Chen's memory who could compare to this man was Governor-General Chu He.
However, the two possessed completely different auras.
Chu Changhe's aura was like a sharp blade; hidden away, he seemed like a kind-faced old man, but once he drew his sword, his edge was fully revealed, overflowing with killing intent, like a god of war descending upon the world.
This man, standing at the very pinnacle of the Starlight Empire, was more like an otherworldly being; he was imposing without anger, and the vast sea of stars seemed to reside between his brows.
"Lord of the Owl Dragon Star System, Baron Zhao Chen. You ventured alone into the Zerg dead zone and rescued one hundred and eighty-seven teachers and students from the Two Academies; this is the act of a young hero! I confer upon you the title of Empire Viscount and reward you with one million star coins."
When the projection spoke, the voice was resonant, like a tolling bell, exerting an invisible pressure on everyone.
A full half-minute after the voice ceased, the light projection finally dissipated.
At this point, the Female Officer stood up and said, "Viscount Zhao, please rise."
Zhao Chen stood up.
"This is the 'Award Crystal', please keep it safe. Here is the Imperial card with the one million star coins His Majesty has bestowed upon you. Additionally, there are some small gifts from Her Royal Highness the Princess."
The Female Officer first handed the 'Award Crystal' to Zhao Chen.
Subsequently, the female soldiers behind her brought forward several brocade trays.
Zhao Chen took the 'Award Crystal'; this item actually had no practical use, serving merely as a symbol of honor.
However, the rewards behind it were quite good.
The title of Viscount.
Although it was only a promotion in title, it could provide Zhao Chen with great convenience.
For instance, regarding the Lord Fleet.
According to the Empire's regulations on the Lord Fleet, the scale of the private fleet—that is, the Lord Fleet—that a lord could possess varied depending on their title.
For example, as Zhao Chen was previously only a Baron, theoretically, he could only possess an Interstellar Warship fleet of under thirty ships.
Of course, in reality, many lords would exceed this limit to some extent; after all, the Empire would not haggle over a few Interstellar Warships.
But if it were several times more, once reported by one's enemies or rivals, that would be a major problem.
However, the rank of Viscount would allow Zhao Chen to legitimately possess an Interstellar Warship fleet with a scale of one hundred ships, which could save him a lot of trouble.
Zhao Chen looked again at the crystal bank card containing one million star coins; was the Royal Family really this stingy, giving only one million star coins?
Forget it, having something is better than having nothing.
The gifts sent by the Princess were actually quite valuable.
For example, the custom-made Viscount ceremonial dress, various precious gemstone jewelry, and so on.
If put up for auction on the market, and with the Royal Family's name attached, it could probably be worth two or three million star coins.
But at a time like this, Zhao Chen couldn't possibly do that.
The Princess bestowed these items upon him in front of so many people—was it for him to sell?
Only a hopelessly oblivious man would do such a thing.
Zhao Chen did not consider himself to be one.
"Thank you. May I ask how to address you, sister?" Zhao Chen asked, smiling as he tried to get familiar with the Female Officer.
The Female Officer answered with a smile, "Commander of the 10th Fleet under the Princess Royal Fleet, Commander Wei Shishi."
"So it is Sister Wei, my apologies for not recognizing you sooner. I wonder if you might be free? I would like to host a private banquet for you ladies." Zhao Chen invited.
Having undergone several augmentations with super-soldier serum, Zhao Chen was definitely a handsome man, and the type with an abundance of masculine vigor.
Most women would not refuse an invitation from such a man.
Many of the female soldiers behind Commander Wei Shishi were currently casting glances at Zhao Chen.
"Let's skip that. ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) We are the Princess's personal guard fleet; leaving this time was already a special circumstance. Once we finish this matter, we are prepared to return." Commander Wei Shishi declined Zhao Chen's kind offer.
"In that case, I happen to be preparing to leave as well. Let's travel together, and I will see you ladies off." Zhao Chen called them'sister' so naturally.
It made Xue Xiaoxiao, who was standing nearby, roll her eyes.
"Very well." Commander Wei Shishi looked toward the Azure Governor and the others, as well as the video window of Governor Chu who had been present the whole time: "Governors, Marshal, I am in a hurry to return to the Princess's side, so I shall take my leave."
"Go on, go on." Governor Chu said with a grin, acting like a completely different person compared to when he had angrily rebuked the Azure Governor and Marshal Huang Zhixiong earlier.
"Then I must congratulate Baron Zhao Chen... no, I should address you as Viscount Zhao Chen now. There were some slights and misunderstandings at this banquet; next time there is an opportunity, your uncle will surely host another banquet to entertain Student Zhao Chen." The Azure Governor said with a chuckle.
"Teacher Qin, Senior Su Lan, Xiaoxiao, let's go. Please help me carry these things." Zhao Chen looked at the boxes; he really couldn't carry them all by himself.
Xue Xiaoxiao happily took the rewards, blinking her large, watery eyes as she gazed at the beautiful treasures.
"Governor, farewell." Teacher Qin bowed slightly and took his leave.
Senior Su Lan also offered a salute before leaving.
The people around them were still looking at Zhao Chen with expressions of jealousy and envy.
Although it was only a promotion from Baron to Viscount.
But those with discerning eyes could see the implications: the Emperor of the Starlight Empire had personally bestowed the reward, the Princess Royal Fleet had escorted the delivery, and there were even small gifts from Her Royal Highness the Princess.
These gestures were enough to prove that Zhao Chen made a very good impression in the eyes of the Royal Family.
And most importantly, it was well known that the little princess's older brother, the Crown Prince, was the future successor of the Starlight Empire.
Zhao Chen was essentially standing on a rocket of promotion!
His future would definitely be smooth sailing.
Becoming a Count in three years and a Marquis in ten years was not a pipe dream!
Just as everyone watched Zhao Chen preparing to leave the Dome Restaurant.
Zhao Chen suddenly stopped in his tracks, turned around, and walked toward the three big shots.
He stood before the three, looking at them with a smile: "The 'hospitality' the three of you showed me today, I, Zhao Chen, have kept firmly in mind, and I will surely repay it in the future."
The threatening tone in these words was already very clear.
Although this was very arrogant, Zhao Chen did not care.
After all, he had already fallen out with the three of them; if not for Governor Chu stepping in, they would have already imprisoned Zhao Chen, and who knows what methods they might have used against him!
Don't forget, Zhao Chen had a 'bad habit'.
He held a grudge!
