Kaiser, ever the inquisitive one, bounds over to Luster, a look of urgency on his face. "Did you tell him?" he asks, a hint of worry in his tone.
Luster shakes his head, a slight frown on his face. "How can I? I won't tell him," he says, a note of secrecy in his voice.
Kaiser sighs his expression a mix of frustration and understanding. "You have to tell him one day, Luster. We should just tell him before it's too late, Don't worry I would also help you if something happens," he says, his words filled with a sense of impending revelation.
Sensing the secrecy and intrigue, Rei pipes up, his curiosity piqued. "What are you two talking about?" he asks, hoping to unravel the mystery that seems to hover around him like a shroud.
Kaiser turned to Rei, trying to deflect the topic Kaiser asked a sly smile playing on his lips. "Oh, do you know why we were summoned here, Rei?" he asks a glimmer of mischief in his eyes.
Rei shakes his head, a look of confusion on his face. "Nope, not a clue," he admits, hoping for some insight into the gathering. However, Rei noticed that Kaiser was trying to deflect the topic. Rei is the kind of man who likes to have all the information he can have to put him in an advantageous position but due to Emilia he has calmed down a bit and does not see everything as a threat anymore so he does not press for answers.
Kaiser's smile widened when he noticed that Rei did not pursue the matter further and then a hint of excitement in his voice. "Well about the summon, you'll know soon enough," he says, leaving Rei in suspense as the anticipation builds around him.
Just then, a person steps forward, addressing the gathered crowd with a booming voice. "Hello, people! We are here to celebrate and reward the kids for killing the bandits on their own," he announces, his tone filled with pride and admiration for their shared accomplishment.
He begins to call forth the children who participated in the battle, distributing the salvaged wealth and weapons of the fallen bandits as rewards. "Kay, come forward and take your share," he says, pressing a hefty pouch of coins into the boy's eager hands.
He continues this process, ensuring each child receives their due for their bravery and participation in the battle. "And finally," he says, his gaze falling upon Rei, Kaiser, and Luster, "Luster, Kaiser, and Rei, please step forward."
Rei exchanges glances with his friends, a mix of confusion and anticipation in his eyes as they make their way to the front of the gathering. "Out of the total share, half will be distributed to you three," the man says, his voice filled with a mix of pride and respect. "Luster will be given one-sixth of that share and a dagger of a dead bandit for his courage," he continues, pressing the promised dagger and pouch into Luster's hands.
Rei's eyes widen as the man turns to Kaiser, a smile on his face. "Kaiser will be given one-third of that share and a sword of a dead bandit for his courage," he says, the glint of a well-crafted blade catching Rei's eye as it is handed to his friend. Kaiser's father on the other hand snorted and said, "I could have built a better one."
Finally, the man turns to Rei, a warm smile on his face and a strange, glowing gem in his hand. "Rei, for your leadership and strategic guidance during the battle, you will be given half of that share and this magic gem," he says, pressing the pouch of coins and the gem into Rei's palms.
Rei glances down at the gem, a sense of uncertainty washing over him. "But I didn't kill as much bandit as the others," he says, a note of hesitation in his voice.
The man laughs a hearty sound that echoes through the square. "Commanders don't kill, Rei. They protect and guide. You've more than earned this reward," he says, his words filled with a mix of respect and understanding.
Kaiser, ever the supportive friend, chimes in with encouragement. "Take it, man. You earned it," he says, a grin spreading across his face.
Sensing the support and agreement from those around him, Rei nods, accepting the magic gem and the pouch of coins with a sense of humility and gratitude. "Okay, thank you," he says, a note of appreciation in his voice as he clutches his rewards tightly.
He wondered if he was truly worthy of being called a commander, he saw everyone as a tool, incompetent and his plaything so why was he treated so nicely now even if he was such a scum. He then thought that he did not deserve this and swore that he would try to change himself so this recognition of others wouldn't be wrong.
As the celebration wound down, several parents of the children involved in the battle made their way over to Rei, gratitude etched on their faces. "Thank you, Rei, for protecting and helping our kids," one parent said, their voice filled with heartfelt appreciation.
"Indeed, we are very grateful for your guidance and support," another parent chimed in, echoing the sentiment of the first. "Our children fought bravely, but your leadership played a crucial role in their victory."
Rei shook his head, a modest smile on his face. "Oh, no, I didn't do anything. They fought on their own," he said, hoping to deflect the praise and recognition toward the true heroes—the children who put themselves in harm's way to protect the village.
Just then, the village school council members approached Rei, a mix of pride and admiration in their eyes. "That's not true at all, Rei," the head council member said, a warm smile on their face. "You changed the curriculum, giving the children more experience in both fighting and knowledge. It was this newfound expertise that truly helped them confront and defeat the bandits."
Sensing the sincerity in their words, Rei finally accepted their well-wishes and praise. "I guess I do accept your kind words and gratitude," he said, a note of humility in his tone.
As the event drew to a close, Rei and his parents, Thomas and Lily, made their way back home, the cool evening air a welcome respite after the day's festivities.