Chapter 279. Excellency Vhorn 3!

Even the International Union’s powerhouses couldn’t help looking toward the screens.

The creation of an entirely new office for one individual was unprecedented.

They understood what it meant.

The Union wasn’t merely rewarding Aiden for his past achievements. It was establishing a position that acknowledged his extraordinary contribution and gave him a unique place within the organization.

Armstrong’s expression became solemn.

"Today, the International Union formally establishes the office of honorary patron and appoints Aiden Vhorn as its first holder."

He paused before delivering the final declaration.

"From this day forward, Aiden Vhorn shall serve as the honorary patron of the International Union, and his loved ones shall be granted open access to the organization’s cultivation resources in accordance with the privileges of this office."

The applause that followed was even louder than before.

Some of the Union’s powerhouses glanced toward Aiden’s loved ones.

They knew how unusual this arrangement was. Even the loved ones of Legendary Rank 4 warriors did not ordinarily enjoy such privileges.

Yet the decision had been unanimous.

No one present could reasonably argue that Aiden hadn’t earned the recognition.

After all, the benefits extended to his loved ones were part of the honor being bestowed upon him. The Union was acknowledging not only his contribution but also the people who had stood beside him while he faced danger.

For those who had personally participated in the campaign against the Order, the decision was especially understandable.

They had seen how much had been at stake.

Without Aiden’s intelligence and timely intervention, the Union might never have discovered the full extent of the Order’s plans until it was too late.

Armstrong had no intention of letting such a contribution go unrecognized.

And the other powerhouses had agreed.

The cameras captured Aiden as he rose from his seat in his formal black suit.

He walked toward Armstrong without displaying any particular emotion.

Armstrong extended his hand.

Aiden shook it politely.

A simple gesture.

Yet across Endra, millions of people watched as the International Union formally recognized the man who had risen from an ordinary background to become the most terrifying warrior on the Tyrant Fate Rankings.

Armstrong then presented Aiden with the official insignia of the International Union.

" Congratulations, Excellency Vhorn" Armstrong said.

" Thank you, Sir" Aiden nodded politely.

He accepted the official insignia of the International Union before turning toward the audience.

The cameras focused on him.

For a brief moment, the hall was silent.

Then the applause erupted again.

Aiden merely nodded.

He wasn’t interested in delivering a lengthy speech about his accomplishments, nor did he feel the need to express false humility.

When the applause subsided, he spoke a few words politely.

"I accept the position and appreciate the recognition"

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Aiden Vhorn didn’t say anything else.

Then laughter and applause spread through the audience.

Some people exchanged amused glances.

Of course.

This was exactly the sort of response they should have expected from Aiden Vhorn.

The man had never been particularly interested in public recognition.

He had acted against the Paranormal Liberation Order because its existence threatened him and his loved ones, not because he wanted to become a hero.

Now that the International Union had decided to honor him, he had accepted the position without making a spectacle of himself.

There was something strangely fitting about it.

Armstrong himself smiled faintly before returning to his position. He had observed Aiden since Aiden’s days in Derulo City University. To think the young man he had been certain would shake Endra would come this far in such a short time.

Ashbourne shook his head with a quiet chuckle.

"That sounds like him."

Vandaport smiled.

"He came because he had to. I doubt he wants to spend another minute here."

Wembley glanced toward Aiden, then toward the other powerhouses.

"Perhaps that’s part of what makes him so difficult to understand. He can accomplish something that changes the entire planet, then act as though it’s just another item on his schedule."

Ashbourne’s expression became thoughtful.

"That’s one thing I admire about him"

Vandaport nodded.

"His reason for interfering with the Order was personal but, Endra has benefited from them."

Their conversation ended as the ceremony continued.

Around them, the other powerhouses were reaching similar conclusions.

" What an admirable young man!"

" Indeed. One can’t help but wonder if he’s really a young person"

" A once in an era genius"

Every member of the International Union rose up and performed a ceremonial greeting meant for newly inducted warriors inducted into the International Union.

"We welcome Excellency Vhorn to the International Union!"

Aiden bowed politely.

" Thank you, Excellencies"

After that, he returned to his seat under the heavy applauses of the people gathered in the large hall.

His loved ones flashed him looks of joy, pride and admiration.

---

Across Endra, people continued watching the broadcast.

Several chanted with admiration, fear and reverence in their eyes too.

"Congratulations to Excellency Vhorn for becoming a member of the International Union"

In training centers, young warriors stared at the image of Aiden Vhorn on their screens.

Some remembered when his name had first appeared on the Tyrant Fate Rankings.

Others had followed the reports of his achievements, from his eventual rise in the Eldorath Empire, through the southern continent, the Kahra Desert, and across Endra, to his involvement in the downfall of the Paranormal Liberation Order.

Now, they had witnessed his induction into the International Union.

For many of them, Aiden’s rise seemed almost unreal.

He had awakened at nineteen.

At twenty-one, he had become the number one warrior on the Tyrant Fate Rankings despite being only an Advanced Rank 3 warrior.

And now, the International Union had created an entirely new position for him.

It was difficult not to wonder what he would accomplish next.

Meanwhile, the broadcast returned to the ceremonial hall.

Aiden had resumed his seat beside Desmonda.

She leaned slightly toward him, locking arms with him as a look of pride flashed through her eyes.

This was her man. This was just the beginning of his journey. She knew Aiden would shake the sea of stars sooner or later.

"That wasn’t so bad, was it?"

"It was longer than necessary."

Desmonda laughed softly.

"You really can’t help yourself."

"Help myself do what?"

"Act as though none of this matters."

Aiden glanced at her.

"Does it need to?"

Desmonda studied his face for a moment before shaking her head with a small smile.

"No. I suppose it doesn’t."

She understood him well enough to know that the ceremony meant something different to him than it did to everyone else.

To Endra, this was the recognition of a legend.

To Aiden, it was a useful arrangement that would improve his loved ones’ circumstances.

He had no intention of remaining on Endra indefinitely.

The wider interstellar community existed beyond this planet, and Endra remained an unregistered civilization vulnerable to forces it could not withstand.

The International Union’s recognition would not solve that problem.

He still needed to leave.

He still needed to secure Endra’s registration with the Universe Alliance so that his loved ones on the planet would not become prey waiting to be slaughtered. Also, he personally needed to grow stronger. Compared to powers in the universe, he was ant that could be squashed and trampled on.

And he intended to accomplish that objective regardless of what happened on his journey.

For now, however, he had agreed to remain on Endra a little longer.

Desmonda had made her request clear.

She wanted him to spend at least a month with her before leaving.

Aiden had agreed to it.

And for the moment, that was enough.

The ceremony continued for a short while longer, with Armstrong Lee delivering the remaining formal remarks and the International Union’s representatives completing the necessary procedures.

Soon, the inauguration came to an end.

Aiden Vhorn was now officially a member and the honorary patron of the International Union.

Across Endra, the broadcast concluded with a final image of him seated beside Desmonda Creed.

The Devil of Endra had received the recognition of the organization that stood at the pinnacle of the planet’s power structure.

But while millions celebrated the occasion, Aiden’s attention was already turning toward what lay beyond his homeworld.

Endra had recognized its legend.

Now, the legend was preparing to leave.