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056 Award
Ceremony
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Translator : PolterGlast
It was the 64th day
since my reincarnation. I had been waiting for this ennoblement ceremony! No
one else was waiting? Well, neither was I.
Arriving at the castle
in the carriage that had arrived yesterday, I saw many nobles ascending to the
castle. Are all these people attending the ceremony? Wow, so nervous
(monotone).
This carriage was
arranged by Mondark because he deemed it necessary. They apparently rushed its
production to make it in time for the ceremony. I felt bad for the craftsmen.
The carriage bore our
crest and was apparently a simply designed, yet elaborately crafted noble
carriage. Mondark said that the materials, such as wood, paint, and varnish,
were of higher quality than those for common use, and there were carvings in
key places, indicating it was made with good materials and considerable effort.
"Since Master is
a noble, he should be particular about the materials, regardless of
ostentatious decorations. Of course, we have also carefully selected the
craftsmen," Mondark explained. As expected of someone who had served noble
families for a long time, Mondark was doing an excellent job. He compensated
for my shortcomings.
"Honorary Baron
Footscythel!" Gandarvan announced the arrival of the day's protagonist.
Gandarvan was riding a warhorse. Given his massive size, his warhorse was also
a large Gorgon breed, probably weighing around 1300 kilograms.
Jewel, the
butler-in-training, and Bath were in the coachman's seat of the carriage, while
Anneliese, Rosalina, and Solidia were inside the carriage with me.
The carriage was
pulled by two large Verdigo-breed horses. Though slightly smaller, they still
weighed about 1000 kilograms. Did they need warhorses to pull a carriage? I
didn't know, being an amateur, so I asked.
"Sir Gandarvan
said that a sturdy warhorse would be best in case of an emergency,"
Solidia explained. It seemed Gandarvan had chosen the horses. The word
"emergency" bothered me, but I hoped there would be no such
"emergency."
Additionally, Jojok
and Lin were also riding warhorses. Their warhorses were medium-sized Boldia
breeds.
I heard "Honorary
Baron Footscythel's retinue" from outside. My spirits felt heavy.
Perhaps because I was
the main character, we were able to enter the castle through a different route
than other nobles. I left the carriage and horses to Jewel and proceeded into
the castle with everyone else. "Please wait here," a maid said,
leading us into a splendid room. She served tea, and as I drank, Zaigen
arrived.
"I will confirm
the proceedings for today," Zaigen stated.
"Please do,"
I replied. Proceedings? Aren't I just receiving a medal? And Anneliese's slave
release, I think?
"First, there
will be the ennoblement ceremony for the knights. Honorary Baron Footscythel's
house will be seated at the lowest rank among the nobles." It seemed the
Duke's knights would also be receiving medals, and we would come after them.
"Next, the award
of the medal to Honorary Baron Footscythel. When your name is called, please
step forward from the noble seating. Proceed to the spot where the knights were
standing." OK, that's easy enough.
"After the award
ceremony, Anneliese will be released from slavery. That will take place in my
office."
"Thank you,"
I said. And then I can go home.
"There will be a
short break, and then a party will be held," Zaigen added. What? I didn't
hear about that!
"You should
mingle with the other nobles at the party."
"Do I have to
mingle?" I asked.
"Making allies is
also a noble's duty," he explained. What a hassle.
"It will be a
standing reception, but there will also be dancing."
"I can't
dance," I admitted.
"Then you can
just stand and chat," he replied. That was a relief, as I'd be troubled if
he told me to dance.
"The guest of
honor must remain until the very end. Do not leave midway." No way! I want
to go home!
Zaigen exited, leaving
just Honorary Baron Footscythel's retinue.
"Ugh, I'm
nervous," I muttered.
"Master will
surely receive the medal splendidly," Anneliese assured me.
"I wish Anneliese
could be with me. Then I'd feel so much stronger," I said.
"This is not a
place for a slave to be," she replied.
"I wish the Duke
had just freed you first. He's not very thoughtful," I mumbled.
"If you say such
things, you'll be punished. I am happy just to be freed," Anneliese
insisted.
Anneliese's reward was
her freedom, so she wouldn't receive a medal. Thinking that she would truly be
freed from slavery today made me feel relieved of a burden.
When the tea in our
cups was nearly gone, we were called and led into a very grand audience
chamber, where we took our seats at the very end. The gazes of the nobles,
sizing me up, converged on me. Don't stare like that! I'm not a spectacle! I
couldn't say that, though.
When the Duke sat on
his throne (?), the knights entered the audience chamber. Rook and a few other
knights and soldiers. The difference between knights and soldiers was their
capes; knights wore capes, but soldiers didn't. There were 3 knights, including
Rook. There were 15 soldiers. These were reportedly the people who contributed
to evacuation efforts during the demon incident.
"I hereby bestow
the Order of the Camellia, Fourth Class, upon Rook Barukan, for bravely
protecting the citizens during the demon attack," the Duke declared in a
clear, resonant voice. Rook then stepped forward and ascended to the third step
of the four-step staircase. The Duke stood and pinned the medal to Rook's
chest.
After that, names were
called one by one, and the Duke presented medals. As Rook left the audience
chamber, he winked at me. I wasn't happy to be winked at by a tough-looking
man.
"Honorary Baron
Toi Footscythel. Step forward!" My name was called, and we walked across
the soft, crimson carpet to stand before the Duke. Gandarvan stood behind me,
and our soldiers behind him.
"Honorary Baron
Toi Footscythel repelled the demon and saved Kerniff from crisis. In
recognition of his achievement, I bestow upon him the Order of the Peony, Third
Class." I stepped forward and ascended to the third step of the stairs,
standing before the Duke.
"Well done. I
expect great things from you in the future," the Duke said. I don't need
to be expected of anything.
"Thank you,"
I replied. As I stepped back, Gandarvan was called next, followed by the
soldiers, and they were presented with their medals in turn.
The ennoblement
ceremony concluded successfully, and it was finally time for Anneliese's
liberation. Only Anneliese and I entered Zaigen's office.
"This is an
amnesty in place of a reward for repelling the demon. From now on, you are to
live honestly, without committing any crimes. Understand?" Zaigen stated.
Anneliese nodded with a solemn expression at Zaigen's words. Her liberation was
carried out by a slave merchant serving the Ducal House. With this, Anneliese
was free.
"Congratulations,
Anneliese," I said.
"This is all
thanks to Master. No words can express my gratitude," she replied.
"Not 'Master,'
but Toi. Call me Toi," I corrected her.
"But..." she
began.
"Toi," I
insisted.
"T-Toi...-sama,"
she stammered.
"Good. That's
fine. Tears don't suit a beautiful face like yours. Here, let me wipe
them." I wiped Anneliese's tears with a handkerchief. Tears don't suit
her, but Anneliese is beautiful even when crying. I pulled her into a hug and
gently stroked her head.
Unfortunately,
Anneliese was currently taller than I was. Would my height grow more?
"Ahem. Honorary
Baron Footscythel, could you please do your canoodling elsewhere?" Zaigen
interjected.
""Ah...!""
I had forgotten we
were in Zaigen's office. Zaigen, the slave merchant, and the civil servants
were all giving wry smiles. My apologies. Hahaha, I'll just laugh it off.
Anneliese's liberation
was complete, and I wanted to go home, but I couldn't yet. I had to attend the
party.
I linked arms with
Anneliese, who was in a dress, and entered the hall where music was playing.
How about that? My Anneliese is beautiful, isn't she? Are you envious?
Ahahahaha.
"I don't think
I'm suitable for a place like this..." Anneliese murmured. I said to her,
"There's no one else but you to stand beside me. So don't worry, just stay
by my side."
"Mas—...
Toi-sama... Thank you," she replied, still unused to calling me by name,
but even that was endearing.
First, we greeted the
Duke. We had just seen him, but we had to go and greet him again. What a
troublesome custom.
"Your Excellency
the Duke. Thank you for today. Thanks to you, she has been freed," I said.
"She is
beautiful," the Duke replied.
"She's my
Anneliese, you know," I said.
"Hahaha. It's
alright, I won't take her," the Duke chuckled. It's fine if he thinks
she's beautiful, but if he tries anything with Anneliese, I'll eliminate him
with all my might. Even if it means making the world my enemy.
"So, when will
you hold the ceremony? Shall I be your matchmaker?" the Duke asked.
""Eh!?""
Ceremony...
"From that
expression, you haven't even proposed yet? That won't do. If you don't do
things properly like that, you'll be told about it forever (laughs)," the
Duke remarked. C-ceremony, could he mean wedding ceremony?
Anneliese blushed,
looking down. Me and Anneliese getting married... That's a good idea! Yes,
let's do it!
"Your Excellency
the Duke. Honorary Baron Footscythel," Zaigen said, approaching as I was
thinking about the ceremony. I stood beside the Duke and received his greeting.
It was troublesome, but as the guest of honor tonight, I apparently had to keep
smiling beside the Duke. Anneliese was also there. I thought her smile was
worth 10 billion Grill. I hoped her smile would cover up my forced smile.
Next, Rook and his
father Barukan approached. Wait, there was one more person with Barukan's face.
Barukan's eldest son! What strong genes! The Barukan genes are terrifying.
"Thank you for
your patronage of my son this time," Barukan said. Barukan is speaking in
a long sentence!? Could this guy even speak long sentences?
"I shall strive
for further loyal service. I look forward to working with you from now
on," Rook said, looking a bit nervous. His face is scary. Let's try to
smile.
"Your Excellency
the Duke. I thank you for your patronage of my younger brother," a new
voice added. Oh, he can speak properly. Destroy the Barukan genes!
"Honorary Baron
Footscythel. It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time. My name is Aegis
Barukan. I heard my father and brother have been troubling you. Have they
caused you any inconvenience?" He's incredibly sensible!?
"Your polite
greeting is truly appreciated. My name is Toi Footscythel. Your father and Sir
Rook have been a great help to me, Sir Aegis," I replied. Though in
reality, they've been a huge nuisance. It's just social courtesy.
Aegis was also a
military man belonging to the Knight Order, currently serving as a regimental
commander. Looking at his face—no, his well-trained, large body—it was easy to
imagine he wasn't a civil servant. He must have been drilled hard by his father
(distant look).
Considering that
Aegis, the eldest son, and Rook, the third son, were exposed to the might of
the Barukan genes, the second son must also be full-throttle Barukan genes. If
the whole family gathered, the temperature would probably rise by about 5
degrees Celsius.
After the Barukan
family, the Duke's other noble vassals came to greet us. Some nobles looked at
Anneliese with unpleasant smiles, but if they tried anything, they'd have to be
prepared.
I stood there the
entire time, unable to even taste the food. Was this torture?
The nobles' greetings
reached their climax, and just when it seemed it would be over soon, it
happened.
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