205 Once I climbed the stairs, thousands of people were looking at me.

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*Omniscient POV*

"His wounds must have been very deep, to the point that an HP potion wasn't enough to cover the damage." The man shook his head as he imagined how bad the wounds must have been before this day.

Another nodded and said, "You're right. From that guy named Thousand Sabers onwards, all the participants have a disfigured face and a toothless grin."

"War is brutal" Many trembled with fear, grateful to have ended up with so few injuries.

Similar conversations were heard in the army, but all agreed that the heroes on stage did a great deed worth remembering.

Even if they won't remember their faces later.

***

*Emir's POV*

It feels good to make time while I move my body a bit. After all, I'm someone who can't be at ease if I don't have something to do.

After the next group headed to the stage, I sat on the armchair waiting for the goons on duty to show up, but... this time they didn't show up.

'That's strange.'

I more calmly assessed the room only to realize that there were 10 people left in the place, counting me.

Emir: "..."

'I'm in the top 10! My Holy God Solus!'

I was looking up at the ceiling when suddenly the clerk entered.

"Congratulations to everyone here; you are already among the top ten war heroes." The clerk smiled, "From now on, you will be called up one by one and will be introduced by a renowned general, someone with a future as bright as yours."

Saying this, the clerk steps aside and lets the person behind him enter.

He is a tall man with light brown eyes, a light beard, and black hair. He possesses an aura that makes you think that he has a clear objective and, therefore, has no interest in love relationships. Of course, I know this guy.

"I am General Hernan, and I will be the one to introduce the Top Ten. I was present during the war and witnessed many of your achievements. I know your deeds, so I will make sure your name is recognized throughout the length and breadth of the kingdom," He said in a solemn tone.

Almost all those who were in the room said something about it and tried to get General Hernan on their side. That way their presentations could be more extravagant, not to say exaggerated.

Though, of course, we were not all like that. Myself and three other men greeted him in a casual manner, hinting that we need not resort to such gimmicks.

*smile*

Emir: "..."

When our gazes met, Hernan smiled and approached me.

'He must have heard about his erectile dysfunction rumor... I hope they haven't tarnished my name by saying I was the one who started it... People are very gossipy. I must tread carefully.'

"Golden Archer, I heard of your great feat of saving my life and handing me over to the allies. At that time I was..." With narrowed eyes, he said, "Unconscious. By any chance... don't you know who attacked me from behind?"

"Did someone attack you??! ...I'm sorry, it was all so fast" I shook my head, implying that the memories of that moment are vague.

"Hmm-... I see."

'Hey! don't look at me like you want to murder me. Besides, I saved your life, damn it. You must thank me.'

"As a thank you for rescuing me, I will give you the Tower shield that represents me as the general of the Tower brigade... The same one you took that day. I hope you can put it to its proper use."

Emir: "..."

'Hm... Don't tell me... Does he have a way to track it?! If so, then he can use it to find out my true identity!'

"That's too polite, General Hernan. I just did what anyone would do in my position." I removed the shield from my storage ring and handed it to him."I've been looking after it all this time for you, but now I'm asking you to take it back. After all, an archer like me could never use it properly. I hope you will not refuse the request of the one who saved your life. I would be very offended if you did."

Hernán: "!!!!"

'- This scoundrel! If I refuse his request, I'd be looking like an ungrateful man in front of everyone!'

For a moment, Hernán gritted his teeth, but then he went back to his usual attitude.

"All right, I'll take it back. But this will leave me indebted to you. I hope we can meet another time to express my thanks accordingly. In the meantime..." Hernan grinned and said, "I'll be sure to present you in the best possible way to the public."

'I don't want him to present me to the audience! This guy is planning to make a fool of me in front of everyone!'

Just before General Hernan and the clerk left the room, one of the people who kept a low profile spoke up.

"Since you changed the presenter for the top ten... Does that mean you'll change him again when presenting the top 3?"

After a few seconds' silence, the employee nodded.

"That's right, it's just as you say. Since you found out ahead of time, I'll tell you who will be in charge." Smiling, the clerk said, "The best three will have the honor of being presented by the Admiral General himself!"

"!!!"

Everyone was surprised at this. It should be stressed that the Admiral General is a big shot, someone you can only see in war or at high class events. There is no greater honor than being presented by the one who controls the entire army!

'I can't believe I'm about to say this, but... I want to be in the top three! A thousand times I'd rather prefer that than have this presumably impotent general introduce me to the public!'

Once the introductions between the participants and General Hernan were over, they both said their goodbyes and left the room. But after a few minutes, the clerk re-entered, this time to take with him the tenth best war hero.

'Not me, not me, not me, not me. Fingers crossed.'

"Immovable Rock, please follow me."

'Fuuh... Now there are nine left.'

I was performing black magic so as not to be next, when one of the candidates sat arrogantly in front of me.

"Guys like you disgust me. I clearly saw how you handed a shield to General Hernan, trying to bribe him. I, Red Storm, can no longer tolerate your arrogance! I dare you to-...!" He was interrupted.

"Red Storm, please follow me" Said the clerk.

Red Storm: ''..."

'As expected of the employee… Not me, not me, not me, not me.'

As Red Storm left, I continued with my voodoo magic.

"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. You must be exhausted now. That's why you didn't raise your hand against Red Storm!" With a villain's smile, he said, "I, Winged Sword, will avenge everyone-... Gufuh! Hey! fight like a-... Aghack! Stop-... Fuguh!"

Once he fell to the floor, the clerk entered the room.

Employee: "Winged Sword, please follow me."

Employee: "..."

As the clerk dragged the unconscious Winged sword, I initiated the shamanic magic again.

'Not me, not me, not me, not me.'

And so time passed until the number of people in the room decreased to three.

'Haa, I have complex feelings about this.'

While I achieved my goal and prevented that imposing general from taking revenge with my presentation, I now find myself in an equally problematic situation.

'I'm in the top 3, damn it! My head will have a juicy bounty on it in the enemy kingdom! Ahh, I knew this alternate identity would have had its days numbered by now. After all, I tried to assassinate the Samael Entrial for crying out loud! Just how big were my balls at that moment?!'

"Dagger Assassin, please follow me!"

'No, God! please, no!! Noooo!!! There are only two of us left! I don't want to! I don't want to! But… But I'm the Golden Archer… I must keep my gaze serious and cold until the end.'

"Haa... I won't be like those fools who tried to forcefully get in your way." The last participant came forward and said, "I am Dragonlance. Could you tell me your name?"

Since Dragonlance was so cordial, I humbly introduce myself.

"I am the Golden Archer."

"Boss! Don't you want me to give you a massage?"

Emir: "..."

"Very well" I nodded.

Once the clerk took my masseuse off my shoulders, I couldn't help but bring my hands to my face.

'F********ck! I don't want to be in first place! You already knew about this, didn't you? Yes! I mean you, Commander Cael! Ahh, I curse the day that stupid elf tried to murder Delia. If it wasn't for him, I would have run like hell from that stupid war. But no! Me and my stupid revenge! If I could go back in time, I'd punch that elf in the balls until he was dead!'

I was raving when the clerk entered the room.

"Golden Archer, please follow me!"

'Haa… There's no other way, I'll have to go up to the stage.'

I positioned the pulley bow and a quiver with arrows on my back and then followed the clerk. The hallway was lit with glowing stones, and the more I walked down it, the more I could hear the clamor outside.

"Go up this staircase and make your way to the Admiral General; he will take care of the rest."

"Understood."

Once I climbed the stairs, thousands of people were looking at me.