Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil

'This young man has dipped his fingers in many pies.

No wonder House Remus and House Slughorn want to get rid of him.'

Osha thought to herself as she heard Eren's achievements from Emil's mouth. She was acquainted with Birmond Remus who also wanted to chat with Eren regarding their conflict. He was stationed at the border at the time with his demon beast.

The other Sages present on the platform also looked at Eren with newfound curiosity. They wondered how one could find time and drive to pursue such a wide scale of interests.

Emil seemed mentally fatigued after speaking for so long. But as a king, he knew how to perform his duties even when he didn't want to.

"Eren's list of achievements is long. And frankly, we should have offered him many more benefits sooner. I can only apologize for neglecting the boy's efforts until now."

Emil looked at Eren and pursed his lips before adding further.

"Better late than never, I guess. It pleases me to say that Edinburgh has finally recognized Eren's dedication to work and service to his country.

First of all, Eren's entire guild lands shall be given to him as his fief. The city of White Raven and Grim Pillar Town would have complete autonomy to run themselves however they want. The kingdom will never interfere in Eren's fief unless for security reasons.

Eren wouldn't have to pay taxes on the income he generates from his fief. He could also ask for the kingdom's assistance in case he needed any financial or administrative help.

What's more? Eren will be able to ask for Edinburgh's intervention on his guild lands if he finds himself threatened by any internal or external force.

Edinburgh will do everything in its power to protect Eren's fief."

Eren sighed with relief when he heard Emil's words. He was prepared to face House Slughorn, House Remus, and the Escalon Guild on his own turf. But he preferred no covert or overt attacks on his property.

The destruction caused by any attack, of any scale, was bad for business. Reputation and security mattered a lot when it came to running a successful money-making organization. One bad move and everything would come crashing down.

With the king's words acting as deterrence, most of Eren's problems related to his city's security would be solved. And with Grim Pillar Town serving as a way to mock Layos, Edinburgh would not allow harm to these two locations.

The butcher needed this kind of assurance from Emil before starting with the Lazarus Project. He didn't want anything to happen to his golden goose while he chased dangerous clouds.

"Here, take this."

Emil handed Eren his medallion and asked him to channel his mana. The latter got up and held the medallion in his hands, tracing the runic engraving with his fingers.

The medallion was made of metal but it was exceptionally heavy for its size. No mortal would be able to lift it even using a group of three people together. It was palm-sized and round in shape, boasting abstract metallic engravings on both its faces.

Eren closed his palm on the medallion and turned around to face the crowd. He closed his eyes and listened to the crowd's cheers. It wasn't long before ambient noise started feeling distant and fading.

Eren concentrated to a point where he could only listen to his breathing. He could hear his lungs expanding and closing with his breaths. He could hear the sound of blood pumping through his veins. And he could hear the sound of his heartbeat closely as well.

The butcher needed to concentrate this much to use his soul sense with fine control. He hid Alephee's intervention from the Sages by masking it with his soul sense. Alephee herself was cautious about her task. She started modifying the runic engravings over the medallion in real time without alerting the Sages around Eren.

Steve already had an unofficial title from his LA days. And he tamed a boar-type demon beast. It could be said that Steve's individuality was well-established. Emil came up with a title for Steve naturally.

Unlike Steve, people didn't know much about Eren. That's why Emil wanted to see Eren's individuality get drawn out by the medallion before he bestowed Eren with a title.

"Young man… are you alright?"

Emil asked Eren in a low voice. His eyes looked at Eren puzzled. The king didn't understand what Eren was doing by holding the medallion so close to his heart without channeling his individuality into it.

'It's done.'

Alephee's voice was heard in Eren's mind before he answered King Emil. A subtle yet cunning smile escaped from Eren's lips as he opened his eyes and looked at the crowd awaiting his move.

Instead of answering Emil's question verbally, the butcher started channeling his mana and elemental attainments through the medallion. The medallion in his hand started buzzing and became instantly hot. So much so that it would have burned the flesh of any lower-ranked entities instantly.

Eren allowed his individuality to emerge as he opened his palm.

The deafening cheers abruptly halted, and the previously chaotic atmosphere turned eerily still. The audience members gazed at one another with questioning expressions, doubting their own sanity and the reality before them.

The bright lights of Edinnica dimmed to a barely discernible glow, and the sun's scorching heat vanished from the sky. The unsettling stillness of this new world was devoid of both day and night, hinting at an impending event that could shake the very foundation of reality.

Suddenly, a dense mass of mana streaked through the sky like a fallen comet. It emitted a bright purple light like a miniature sun. However, it brought with it a sense of doom rather than life-giving energy.

The comet caused spectral orange flames to engulf the sky, yet the essence of twilight remained, lending a foreboding air to the surroundings. Emil's murmured words echoed through the silence, solidifying Eren's title.

"Grimdawn…"

Chapter 1220 Title: The Dawn of Grim Possibilities: Grimdawn

AN: Many of us wanted Grim added to Eren's title. All suggestions made sense so it was difficult to choose just one. After considering everyone's choices, I settled on Grimdawn. Kindly note that it's not suggested by anyone but the culmination of all suggestions. ;)