Chapter 788
Chapter 788: Upgrade (6)
I left early in the morning for the royal capital, Karnon, even though my promotion ceremony was scheduled to take place much later. After all, mine wasn’t the only ceremony happening today. Wondering when I’d be able to leave, I had thoroughly reviewed the schedule sent by the royal family beforehand.
‘First period… Is the principal’s speech, right?’
Once all the nobles had gathered, Duke Kealunus, who would officially be taking the position of Prime Minister and overseeing national affairs starting today, stepped up to the podium and began his speech.
“Nia Rafdonia! Eternal glory to this great city and its boundless future!”
The opening was a powerful salute and rallying cry, something that immediately struck me as heavily rehearsed. As far as I knew, Duke Kealunus had never been a soldier. In fact, his usual way of speaking was rather soft and meticulous. The Kealunus family was originally known as an academic household, producing many wizards and scholars. Ah, I suppose now they’ve produced a Prime Minister as well? Anyway, while the introduction was fairly impressive, the content that followed was predictably bland.
“Those treacherous rebels coveted these eternal walls, but we defended this city……”
He went on to disparage Noark, honor the victims, praise those who triumphed in the war, and finally attributed all the glory to the royal family. That took about an hour, and so, the first period ended. The second period was the succession ceremony.
“Remember this well. Your youthful blood represents the future of our city!”
One by one, the heirs who had inherited their households after the recent events stepped forward to formally receive their titles. To be honest, watching these scenes was both tedious and shocking.
‘That many have died……?’
The number of succeeding heirs reached a staggering two hundred……
“Ah! Here is the future Count Lumina! On behalf of the Rafdonian royal family, I, Duke Kealunus, recognize the succession of the title of Count to Meteia Lumina.”
“The treasure of the Piese Viscount family is here with us today! On behalf of the Rafdonian royal family, I Duke Kealunus, recognize your succession of the title of Viscount.”
“Haha, the young genius has become a man. On behalf of the Rafdonian royal family……”
Even though Duke Kealunus, who was presiding over the ceremony, tried to proceed things quickly by keeping his congratulatory remarks brief in an assembly-line-like manner, the second period still took an incredibly long time. It was quite tedious for an observer like me, but other nobles seemed to have different thoughts about it.
“Tsk tsk, to think that profligate brat would inherit a noble family…… The Bolche Count Family is finished.”
“The same goes for the Berton Viscount family. Even if the only heir is an infant, how could they allow a mere branch family member to receive the title and not even as a proxy……”
“I heard the sole heir has a disability, so that mixed-blood bastard used that as an excuse to push for the succession.”
“Oh my! Even in times of chaos, such heinous scheming is beyond the pale!”
“Don’t get too upset. He’ll bring himself to ruin anyway. Most families associated with the Berton Viscount family will cut ties soon enough.”
“Indeed, no noble would want to associate with such an ungrateful scoundrel.”
The older, conservative nobles kept making judgments about each successor even as the ceremony continued. Was it because they’d spent their whole lives in noble society? They seemed remarkably well-informed about the internal affairs of other families.
“Looks like the ranks are filled with fresh blood.”
“A new era is dawning……”
“What will become of the world……”
Occasionally, a few nobles expressed sentiments that were a mix of regret, relief, anticipation, or concern, but in my view……
‘I don’t think much will change just because there’s been a generational shift.’
After all, didn’t even the famous Socrates grumble about how young people these days have no manners? In the end, it’s just comparing one acorn to another.
“With this, we conclude the succession ceremony. We’ve prepared a banquet, so I hope our honored guests who’ve taken time from their busy schedules will enjoy themselves!”
Anyway, after the succession ceremony that had run significantly over schedule concluded, everyone gathered for lunch. Throughout the meal, the court orchestra filled the space with music, and dancers performed elegant dances. Oh, of course, that didn’t mean I could relax and enjoy it in peace.
“Baron, a pleasure to meet you. I am Viscount Piese. Are you finding the food to your taste……”
“Behell—aaaaaaah!”
“…Ahaha, I see it’s very much to your liking……”
“That’s right. But you can’t possibly match up to me, can you?”
“……Yes?”
“I’m eating, so go away.”
Throughout the meal, nobles I barely knew approached me for conversation, most of them young nobles who had just inherited their titles.
‘It certainly… seems like there’s a difference between generations.’
Was it because they were young? Usually, titled nobles prefer not to associate with non-human nobles like me. Hmm, or maybe my reputation has grown so much that they can no longer afford such discrimination anymore.
“Haha, my young friend! How have you been? It would have been wonderful if you could have attended the festival……”
While most who approached me were young nobles, that wasn’t exclusively the case. There were regular visits from nobles I had connections with, such as Count Alminus, who regularly deposits ‘friendship fees’ to me and Count Ferdehilt, who never fails to propose his daughter’s hand in marriage whenever we met. Each time, I would pause my meal briefly to exchange a few words…… Among them was the Rabbit Baroness.
“It’s been a while, Baron Yandel. Or should I call you Viscount now?”
“…I haven’t had the promotion ceremony yet. Anyway, it’s been a while. Baroness Lirivia.”
We exchanged greetings and brief conversation as proper nobles should, and when I gave clear signals that I wanted to get back to eating, the Rabbit Baroness left with a dejected look. After leaving behind some rather timid words.
“Um… Baron? I haven’t seen you at the Melbeth gatherings lately……”
“I’ve been busy.”
“Ah, but you’ve been meeting with Count Alminus often……”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Um… P-please… don’t abandon Melbeth……”
“……”
“Well then, enjoy your meal……!”
As I watched the Rabbit Baroness’ pitiful retreating figure, I felt a strange mix of emotions.
‘Melbeth……’
At first, I joined because I needed backing to establish myself as a noble, and I thought I could get the most support by taking advantage of Melbeth’s situation, which it did in fact work out that way.
But……
‘Now it feels like a bit of a sore thumb.’
It’s hard to put into words…… Maybe it’s a feeling that as a fellow non-human noble, I should help them? Well, it’s not like I haven’t received anything from them either.
‘I guess I should attend the next gathering.’
As I was thinking about this during my meal, the banquet time ended and the third period began. Oh, by the way, it wasn’t Duke Kealunus, but Count Alminus who took the podium for the third period.
“Yawn……”
With a full belly, I drifted in and out of drowsiness, and before I knew it, the inauguration was over. Then the newly appointed Prime Minister, Duke Kealunus, resumed leading the event. Before I knew it, We had reached the fourth period, the final ceremony of this event.
“This was a war where countless heroes emerged. But among all those many heroes, there was one whose accomplishments shone brilliantly, like a star.”
From killing the Corpse Collector, battling Demon Eyes, to killing the traitor who was considered the ultimate mastermind behind this war, Marquess Tercerion. While Kealunus took his time listing each of my achievements one by one, I stood behind, listening, and then, at the right moment, stepped up to the Podium.
Alhough I had experienced a promotion ceremony once before, this ceremony was clearly different from that time. Should I say it felt much simpler? Back then, it had been the moment marking my entry into the ranks of a thousand or so noble households, rising from a Baronette to a Baron. This was more like an appointment ceremony than a promotion—.
“…What are you doing? Go on and take the box.”
Oh, right. Snapping out of my daze, I followed the instructions I’d memorized in advance, receiving the box and kneeling on one knee while holding it forward.
Then……
Swish.
The duke removed the navy cloth that covered the box and replaced it with a blue one, signaling the end of the promotion ceremony. After that, it was time to give a few words. Although I hadn’t been briefed about this beforehand, it wasn’t a big problem. I could feel Duke Kealunus’ gaze somehow expecting praise directed at himself, but……
‘What’s he expecting from a barbarian?’
Completely ignoring him, I boldly delivered my words. As a barbarian warrior, there was only one thing to shout in front of thousands of people.
“Behell—aaaaaaah!”
I let out a battle cry in front of thousands of nobles, but surprisingly, their reaction was lukewarm. No, to be precise, it was indifferent.
“There he goes again.”
“Honestly, I expected this the moment he was asked to give a few words.”
“It’s not even surprising anymore.”
No one clicked their tongue in disapproval, and no nobles were complaining about my lack of manners as a barbarian. But why does this somehow make me feel disappointed? I didn’t know, but I didn’t need to know.
“…If you’re done, you may step down now.”
“Understood.”
And with that, I became Viscount Yandel.
***
[Your Reputation has increased by +10.]
[Your Reputation has increased by +10.]
[Your Reputation has increased by +10.]
[Your Reputation has……]
[……]
***
Though my title had been promoted from Baron to Viscount, my daily life remained the same. The difference between a Baron and a Viscount mainly comes down to the benefits like the number of private soldiers the household can have, but the Yandel family never had any private soldiers to begin with. It was simply a matter of gaining a bit more honor.
‘Would it be any different if I were a Count or a Marquess?’
Hmm, probably. They say benefits increase significantly from Count and above. However, even if I were to become a Count, it wouldn’t bring about any dramatic changes. At best, I might be able to establish a noble faction on the level of something like Melbeth.
‘Let’s just focus on my own tasks.’
After the promotion ceremony, I quickly returned to my usual routine. I attended gatherings hosted by Melbeth and had lunch with Duke Kealunus, where we exchanged various conversations. The Duke, now the Prime Minister, was eager to maintain a good relationship with me, and I felt the same. Being close to the Prime Minister meant access to high-level information. For example, things like the opening date of labyrinth not yet disclosed to the Explorers’ Guild. How many explorers would be allowed entry, which clans would participate, whether the royal family would enter the labyrinth, etc. The Prime Minister freely shared such valuable information with me. Well, his goal was probably to earn my favor.
“The material damage within the holy land is almost completely repaired, and starting next month, warriors will be dispatched for the reconstruction work in Districts 7 and 8.”
As always, Shavin Emoor was handling all matters within the holy land, big or small. In fact, if anything, she seemed to be working even harder than before.
“Shavin Emoor, are you getting enough sleep……?”
“Don’t worry. I manage to get some rest at dawn.”
“……”
Seeing her push herself so hard was very concerning, but I didn’t think forcing her to rest was the right approach either.
‘…Time will solve it.’
Thanks to Shavin’s relentless efforts in managing the holy land’s affairs like a madwoman, I didn’t have to worry about internal matters. So, I devoted all remaining time to preparing for the upcoming exploration. I meticulously planned the exploration route and repeatedly gathered the team members to practice coordinating with each other. And so time quickly passed……
“Wow, how long has it been since we last explored the labyrinth?”
Finally, the long-awaited day had arrived.
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