NOVEL NEXT 110. Three Rewards
[ Notification ]
Congratulations! You have unlocked a new title!
A new title has been added to your profile. Please check the Main Menu to view and manage your titles.
A glowing translucent screen materialized in front of Ravenna, hovering a few inches above her line of sight. Its golden frame shimmered faintly before settling into a more neutral tone, indicating a passive notification.
Ravenna blinked, her eyes narrowing as the message lingered. "Huh… that's new," she muttered, raising a brow.
[ Reputation System v0.1 ]
User: Ravenna Solarius / Joy Cha Kim
Reputation Level: 70 — (50,000 / 59,400 EXP) ↑
Current Reputation Points: 130,000 RP ↑
Titles Unlocked: Raven of the Sun Palace, Unruly Princess, Beast Slayer (New)
{ View Reputation Log } { Spend Reputation Points }
Curiosity piqued, Ravenna opened the Titles submenu with a flick of her hand. A panel slid into view, listing each title with a brief description and its attached effects.
[ Raven of the Sun Palace ]
Bestowed by the noble class of the Ancorna Empire after Ravenna orchestrated the downfall of three major aristocratic houses without shedding a single drop of blood.
Effects: +7–12% increase in fear and respect among nobility. (Title is permanent and cannot be unequipped.)
[ Unruly Princess ]
Granted by palace staff and common citizens due to Ravenna's history of excessive spending and her notorious habit of dismissing servants and guards over petty offenses.
Effects: Purchase prices increased by 4–9% at most vendors. (Title is permanent and cannot be unequipped.)
Ravenna sighed as she read through the familiar ones, her expression twitching at the second title. Then her eyes landed on the third—new and glowing faintly with a golden shimmer.
[ The Beast Slayer ]
Awarded by the nobility and citizens of the Ancorna Empire after Ravenna's unexpected heroism during the magical beast invasion of the capital.
Effects:
+7% to both fear and respect from the general populace
Injured magical beasts receive a brief stun when struck by your attacks (duration scales with damage dealt)
(This title can be equipped/unequipped freely.)
Ravenna's lips curled into a small smirk. "Okay… now this one might actually come in handy," she said, her tone a mix of amusement and pride. Her fingers tapped lightly as she toggled the title on, the golden light sinking into her skin like ink into parchment.
Just then, a voice called from outside the chamber doors. "Your Highness, the court session is about to begin."
Ravenna glanced toward the sound, recognizing the voice as one of her attendants. Her smirk faded, replaced by a calm mask of poise.
"I'll be there shortly," she called back, adjusting the sleeve of her dress.
Standing up, Ravenna stretched briefly, her mind still whirling with thoughts. The notification had reminded her of something important—she wasn't just living in this world anymore. She was part of it. Shaping it. Changing it. With every action she took, ripples spread through the empire, reshaping opinions, alliances, and destinies.
"Beast Slayer, huh?" she muttered under her breath as she walked toward the grand doors.
Imperial Court Hall, Imperial Palace – Capital City, Ancorna Empire
Sunlight poured through the grand skylight of the marble-lined court chamber, casting golden rays across the pristine white stone and gleaming floor tiles. The massive hall buzzed with hushed whispers, the murmur of nobility, clergy, and military officers blending with the soft rustle of robes and the clinking of ceremonial armor.
Stolen story; please report.
At the far end of the hall, the grand throne sat elevated upon a polished stage, its golden backrest etched with the sigil of the Solarius bloodline — a radiant sun encircled by twelve stars.
Emperor Andrew entered with deliberate, measured steps, flanked by ministers in their official regalia. The crowd bowed respectfully as he ascended the stage and took his seat, surveying the chamber with a piercing gaze.
Among the assembly, Ravenna's presence did not go unnoticed. She and her entourage were seated in the left division, far from the front rows reserved for imperial spectators or advisory roles. The left side's last row was generally reserved for individuals directly involved in the day's proceedings — petitioners, witnesses, honorees… or subjects of inquiry.
Emperor Andrew's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. He did not recall authorizing her presence in today's court session, which meant only one thing.
"The High Nobles must have done this behind my back." he thought leaned back in his throne, mind already calculating. There were only three ways an item could be added to the Imperial Court's agenda:
Official Petition — filed by ministers, nobles, or members of the imperial family. These had to be reviewed and approved in advance, with full transparency to the emperor.
Noble Vote — if at least two High Nobles agreed, they could enter an unscheduled item onto the agenda.
Church Petition — the Solius Church, as a recognized divine institution, could request an emergency audience or petition under divine pretext.
Of these, only the first required prior imperial notification. The others were purposefully established during the empire's founding to keep the monarch's authority from becoming absolute — especially in cases where a member of the imperial family might be on trial or under scrutiny. Advance knowledge could allow the emperor to tamper with evidence, coerce witnesses, or worse.
Emperor Andrew thought grimly, eyes resting briefly on his daughter. "She's become useful to them again."
He gave a subtle nod, and the Court Herald stepped forward, his voice echoing across the grand chamber.
"Let the Imperial Court session commence!"
The first agenda item concerned the resurgence of Hilon Pox in the Imperial district — a petition raised by the Medical Association. Several minutes were spent discussing containment efforts and sanitation measures.
Next came the investigation into the magical beast attack during the recent Imperial wedding — the very incident that had brought Ravenna back into public attention.
At that moment, Princess Serena and Prince Nolan entered the hall and quietly took their seats among the imperial observers on the right-hand side. Their late arrival drew subtle glances from the crowd, though none dared speak.
Then came the item everyone had been waiting for.
Duke Albert Roland, the Minister of Economy and a prominent figure among the High Nobility, stepped forward. A tall, stern man with silvery hair and sharp features, he cleared his throat before addressing the court.
"The next matter has been submitted as a joint petition — one backed by the required vote of two High Nobles and supported by the Solius Church. Therefore, as per tradition and imperial law, it is entered into the record without prior review by His Majesty."
A ripple of tension passed through the chamber. All eyes turned toward Ravenna.
Duke Albert continued, his voice calm but resolute. "During the recent magical beast invasion of the capital, chaos overtook the city. Our knights, brave as they may be, were overwhelmed. Even the esteemed Imperial Guardians were seen abandoning the chaos in their efforts to protect the imperial family."
A hushed gasp moved through the crowd. No one dared interrupt, but the implication was clear, the nobility had been left to fend for themselves.
"However," the Duke continued, pausing for effect, "at great personal risk, Her Highness Princess Ravenna Solarius, along with her small entourage, intervened. She was joined by Duke Kevin Morgen, and according to verified testimony from clergy and surviving witnesses she acted under the divine guidance of Goddess Herptian herself."
A stunned silence fell over the court. The word divine held great weight — especially when uttered in the sacred halls in presence of Priests of Solius.
"She is now recognized as an Apostle of Goddess Herptian, her Apostle mark's presence confirmed by the priests during the battle"
Duke Albert's gaze swept across the court. "In light of these extraordinary circumstances, and in recognition of her role in defending the empire's nobility and restoring public faith, this joint petition requests that Her Highness be granted three formal rewards for her service."
He stepped back and bowed slightly toward the throne. "We leave the decision, as always, to His Majesty's wisdom."
A thick silence settled over the hall, every pair of eyes now turning toward Emperor Andrew.