Grid toured dozens of departments and was able to find a total of 11 talented people. Even so, Bethell was the only one with great talent. The remaining 10 were just ordinary. They wouldn’t be able to reach the top of their field. Of course, he had no intention of disparaging them. Not everyone could be the best.

‘It is painful that there isn’t anyone from the magic department, but... it isn’t bad.’

Grid felt regret. Then he thought about his current results and was convinced that the harvest was sufficiently large enough.

Moreover, the Overgeared Academy wasn’t a prestigious school. Rather than only selecting and enrolling qualified people, they also accepted ordinary people, even those who couldn’t read, and started the education from the basics.

In the first place, talented people didn’t knock on the doors of the academy. Talented people would go to talented people in the field to become their disciples and receive higher education.

It was a remarkable and grateful miracle to find 11 talented people who met Grid’s standards here.

“

Um.

”

At the auditorium...

it was the place that the elemental department usually used for practice and it was where the graduation ceremony today would take place. After arriving there, Grid adjusted the Overgeared King’s Crown and wore the Ruler’s Cloak. Then he opened the door to the auditorium while repeating the carefully written speech in his mind.

There were a thousand people in the room and their gazes turned to Grid.

“You punished the corrupted pope and saved our church from a crisis.”

“You restored the authority of our church by unsealing the First Holy Sword.”

“I greet Overgeared King Grid, the benefactor of tens of thousands of Rebecca followers, friend of Pope Damian, and the one who is favored by Goddess Rebecca.”

The excited atmosphere in the air quickly subsided.

The moment Grid appeared, the Rebecca Church’s envoys participating in today’s activities knelt down and saluted simultaneously. It resembled the scene of praying to a god.

Isabel, one of the renowned Rebecca’s Daughters, was known to not even bow her head to the empire’s ruler, yet she was infinitely polite and reverent in front of Grid.

“

Uwah...”

Making a messenger of a god kneel when she was only loyal to the goddess—the graduates realized how great their king was and shouted loudly. The water clan and Twilight Orc envoys also shouted loudly like they were competing against each other.

“Bless the rescuers of the water clan!”

“In awe of the strongest warrior!”

Soundproofing magic was used, but the sound was about to leak out.

Stone-like skin and a big stature—the warriors of two races reminiscent of golems overwhelmed the graduates. The graduates saw all types of wounds on their tight muscles and noticed that these people were warriors who dominated the battlefield. It was amazing that they were like gentle sheep in front of Grid.

“Kelpato, duke of the Arc Kingdom, greets the great hero, King Grid.”

What duke? The power representing one nation was completely humble in front of Grid. The rumor that Grid defended the Arc Kingdom by fighting against the 13th Great Demon Beleth alone was an unexaggerated truth.

Additionally, figures from the East Continent, like the Han Seokbong father and daughter, as well as ethnic minorities like the Ul clan, silently bowed to Grid.

Every time Grid took a step, people’s stature lowered.

The graduates thought there were no more surprises, but this was a mistake.

“I’m glad I’m not late. It has been a long time, Overgeared King...”

Immortal King Grenhal—the most powerful among the dukes of the empire and the absolute power that made kings of other nations bow down. He could be called an existence that was ‘below one person and above 10,000 people.’ He came here and greeted Grid in such a happy manner?

The graduates and the high-ranking officials of the Overgeared Kingdom were so surprised that their mouths dropped open.

Grid was also amazed. No, he was already in a daze.

‘Why are all these bigshots coming to the academy graduation ceremony?’

It was ridiculous that these distinguished guests were more excellent than those who came to the founding ceremony several years ago.

Lauel smiled happily.

‘This is what you’ve accomplished over the years.’

It was why Lauel didn’t complain to Grid despite needing to work hard every day. In the past few years, Grid had never wasted time. There was a good reason every time he was away from the throne.

Grid was active all over the world and the status of the Overgeared Kingdom was elevated.

“The Hero King Grid, who purified the Behen Archipelago, is stepping on the stage.”

Sticks had fun watching the situation and now he joined in on praising Grid’s past achievements.

It made Grid more embarrassed, but he didn’t show it.

How could he show agitation in front of the people watching?

He was a king. He was the face that represented them.

Grid stood on the stage and calmly opened his mouth, “You’ve worked hard and suffered in the last seven years.”

His voice spread to every corner of the large auditorium even though he didn’t use the speech amplifier technique installed by Sticks.

He had the strange power to make people focus on his bold, yet calm, voice. It wasn’t just the graduates. The distinguished guests present also listened to him intently.

“The end is another beginning. In the future, every step you take f