Chapter 294
(Kyle Calendar Year 513: Age 20)
Awards Ceremony ④ A Parting Gift for Those Who Bear the Future
Translator : PolterGlast
The awards ceremony held this day had passed its greatest
climax, the announcement of the establishment of the Westlights Demon
Territory Dukedom, and what remained at the end was the recognition of
merit for individuals, not lord nobles possessing inherent territories.
Of course, this is judged based on the recommendations of
the supreme commanders and higher-ups on each
front, whether the Kingdom side approves them, and further scrutinized for
individual military exploits and merits, concluding with concrete reward
amounts.
"Then finally, we begin the recognition of merit for
individuals omitted from the rewards so far. Proceed before the throne as your
names are called in order of your current peerage. Baron Weiss von
Schwarzfalke, Baron Erol von Copper, Baron Yuka von Solis,
Baronet Alexis von Bauner, Baronet Chrisia von Solis... Baronet Anne
von Solis, Baronet Miseri von Solis, Baronet Claire von Solis,
Baronet Yoltia von Solis..."
Of my five wives, Her Highness Clarice and I
recommended Yuka, and I recommended the other four. Including
achievements in internal affairs, not just on the battlefield, I wanted them to
hold the title of Baron at this time. With this, they are no longer semi-nobles
but formal nobles. They won't be easily slighted domestically or
internationally.
The calling of names continued...
"Knight Christoph von Solidia, Knight Gail
von Solidia, Knight Elan von Solidia, Knight Bart von Solidia,
Knight Raphael von Solidia, Solidia..."
"Hey, Takuhir! They're all the same, aren't
they!? Did
you cut corners?"
My brother spoke to me in a low voice while laughing.
"NO... THEY ARE NOT ALL EXACTLY THE SAME."
You see... there were various circumstances behind this...
Yes, that was two days ago.
< Royal Capital Kylar, at the Mansion of Count Solis >
To have them participate in the awards ceremony, I had
summoned many people besides the Commander, Alexis, and my five wives.
That number was 22 people, leading a total of 29; it was like a tour group.
"This time, everyone here will appear before His
Majesty at the awards ceremony held the day after tomorrow."
"Wha! Huh?
Haaah?"
Many of them raised strange voices out of sheer surprise.
Well, most of them are people who have never even been up to the Royal Palace.
"Ah, no... is it really okay for someone like me?"
"Yeah, of course. Raphael is also favored by the
King of Fearalt, and you might be formally appointed as an envoy as a
noble in the future."
"No, please spare me! Even now my comrades call me
'Bandit Noble'... The Kingdom's dignity will plummet, you know!"
Seeing Raphael, normally a bold and resolute veteran
of many battles, changing his complexion and panicking, everyone laughed and
the atmosphere softened first. Well... he must have truly learned his lesson
from the previous drinking party.
"Now then, I have one important thing I want to convey
to everyone.. First: I want to properly reward everyone's efforts up to now,
and the hardships you've gone through following me. Second:
I thought about this during this battle, but everyone lacks a public status
commensurate with your abilities. Status is a universally recognized right to
command. Without it, you cannot stand above others when the time comes."
Yes, the second point is something I felt particularly
strongly about. Within my territory, there's no problem. Even if they stand as
commanders by tacit understanding, no one complains, and it's fine if I set up
positions and appoint them.
But when leading people from other territories like in this
battle, or when negotiating with the Empire in the future, a public status
becomes absolutely necessary. I caused hardship for Alexis too, and Gord
seemed to be walking on eggshells on the Western Front.
"An official
position, that might be a stiff and formal thing.
But I think it will also become something that helps everyone. What I can
freely appoint is at most Knight rank; that won't do. This time, my territory
extends even into the Empire. If that happens, I will have to ask everyone for
even bigger roles. At that time, a status to back your right to command and
order will become absolutely necessary."
"Even if our status changes, can we serve you as we
have until now?"
"Yeah, regarding Gail's question, nothing will
change from now on either. What changes is that you'll become nobles, your
salaries will increase, your subordinates will increase significantly, and
you'll probably have to employ vassals from your salaries too. But the
relationship with me, the relationship among the comrades here, nothing will change."
Yes, even if they become semi-nobles or nobles, they won't
have territories, and will serve as military or civil officials as before.
However, from now on, the number of their subordinates will also increase
incomparably to before.
"So, most of the people gathered here don't have
surnames right now. Therefore, I want you to think of one within today. All of
you."
When I said that, everyone made serious faces and started
holding their heads. Well... no wonder. There, a brave person appeared to cast
a stone into the pond.
"Hahaha, Raphael, how about Sanzoku
(Bandit) von Raphael?"
"No, no, Boss Gail, spare me. What about you,
Boss?"
"Eh, me? ......... Ninsoku (Laborer)?"
"That's no good!"
Gail, a former
laborer, took a boomerang splendidly and was rejected by everyone. But those
who laughed at it will face the same tomorrow.
"..."
Those who laughed at the exchange between the two once fell
silent again when it came to themselves, unable to come up with anything. Well,
a surname isn't something you come up with quickly, and it's something they
never even dreamed of until now.
There, Miseri raised her hand.
"Takuhir-sama, may I? Previously, Sir Raymond was
granted a wonderful surname, 'Estia', named after the territory, from
the Solis family he served for many years."
Ugh... I have a bad feeling about this.
"Could you please grant them a good name associated
with Teigoon or the Solis family too? In the future, for those
under Lord Takuhir's command who have merits, granting them that name...
I thought it would be good if we could establish such a system..."
Ah, no, Miseri. Please don't throw the boomerang at
me too. Certainly, the one laughing the most at Sanzoku and Ninsoku
was me, but...
Now, what should I do? Something like that isn't something
you can just come up with overnight! Who said something so unreasonable!
It was me, right... Yes... I'm sorry.
"..."
Teigoon... Takuhir...
Solis... Hmm, Solis?
"Soli... no, Solidia, how about this? ...
Maybe?"
"Oh! We all shall be granted the name Solidia!"
"Ah... how about dividing the surname, Solidia
for men and Soldia for women."
That was the sequence of events.
< Royal Palace, Hall of Awards Ceremony >
Unable to tell my brother that I decided their surnames, I
just scratched my head and laughed to gloss it over. And after that, the
Minister of Internal Affairs continued to call out Solidia repeatedly.
"...That is all, 38 people in total!"
"H-Hey, don't tell me, Takuhir, you shoved all
the concerned parties in all at once?"
"Yes, Brother. To begin with, as His Majesty said, the
military exploits this time started from building the city of Teigoon. Therefore,
regardless of whether they are military or civil officials, I took the liberty
of recommending about 30 people."
I answered with a nonchalant face.
"Individual commendation, first in merit! Baronet Alexis
von Bauner! The role and war results he fulfilled in the Ishtar
battle are enormous. There were recommendations from Archduke Westlights,
Marquis Solis, and Count Cornell respectively. Therefore, special
promotion to Viscount, and 30,000 gold coins are bestowed, and he will be given
an appropriate territory within the Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom."
"Ooh!"
Loud cheers and applause arose. Especially grandly from the
eastern frontier nobles starting with Frontier Duke Hamish. Rising two
ranks in peerage, and becoming a lord noble, it's a three-step promotion.
"Next, individual reward, second in merit! Baron Weiss
von Schwarzfalke! In addition to the capture of the First Prince of the
Empire, his vanguard command on each front was truly splendid. Therefore,
promotion to Viscount and 10,000 gold coins are bestowed, and the territory
owned by the Twin-Headed Hawk Mercenary Corps within the new territory, the Demon
Territory Dukedom, is recognized. Also, the position of Commander of the Demon
Territory Knights led by Viscount Weiss shall be equal to the Corps
Commander of the Royal Capital Knights."
Yes! That last part was something even I hadn't anticipated.
The numbers aren't all there yet, but the Commander is recognized both in name
and reality as a general, a Corps Commander leading ten thousand. I felt the
inferiority complex I had carried from the previous history soften just a
little.
"Next, individual reward, third in merit! Baron Erol
von Copper! Quietly continuing to support great merits in the shadows;
rewarding your merits is something that should be an example for the future.
Promotion to Viscount and 10,000 gold coins are bestowed, and a Viscounty
territory is given in the western frontier."
Oh? With this, he also becomes the right hand supporting my
brother both in name and reality, huh. He too is walking a completely different
fate from the previous history.
"Next, individual reward, fourth in merit! Gord
Solidia! In the Western Front this time, he supported Her Highness Clarice,
and the command ability demonstrated in times of crisis was truly splendid. For
him, besides Archduke Westlights, there were strong recommendations from
Her Highness Clarice and Corps Commander Schultz; although
unprecedented, he is appointed Baron, and 10,000 gold coins are bestowed."
Are you serious! I thought Baronet was the best he could
get, but to jump from commoner past Knight and Baronet, a three-step jump to
Baron all of a sudden! They're doing something pretty slick. Well, conversely,
the person himself is probably turning pale with apprehension, though... I was
happier than anything that Her Highness and Corps Commander Schultz, who
fought alongside him, evaluated him so highly.
"From fifth in merit onward, since there are multiple
people, I will read out the new peerages and rewards. Baron Christoph von
Solidia, Baron Gail von Solidia, Baron Raphael von Solidia,
Baron Elan von Solidia, Baron Bart von Solidia; each receives a
promotion for their achievements, and 3,000 gold coins are bestowed to
each."
All five of them got a two-rank special promotion from
Knight Peerage, huh. I'm grateful for the generosity. But since they all
contributed greatly in crucial parts of the war situation, in my mind, it's an
extremely fair evaluation.
After that, sixth in merit (4 people, 1,000 gold coins: no
one from my comrades) and seventh in merit (22 out of 25 from my comrades) were
recognized, and 600 gold coins were awarded.
As for my wives; Yuka became a Viscount, Anne, Miseri,
Claire, and Yoltia became Barons. Among other comrades, the one
newly made a Baron was Rosa. Those who became Baronets reached as many
as 16.
And among the Mage comrades not appointed here, I
intend to make several of them Knights by my authority at a later date. Because
they all have done work worthy of it over the past few years...
The personnel decisions for my direct comrades were also
settled, giving birth to 16 Baronets, 11 Barons, and 3 Viscounts within my
house. These are, of course, commensurate with their achievements so far, but
it cannot be denied that they also have the aspect of being given as a parting
gift from the Kyle Kingdom to those who will bear the future of the Westlights
Demon Territory Dukedom.
These awards ceremony were results exceeding expectations
for me too, but as an effect I didn't even anticipate, it brought fortune to
the Westlights Dukedom as a massive boost of support.
"Your Majesty..."
"Oh! Minister of Internal Affairs, I forgot."
Eh? It wasn't over yet? Seeing His Majesty the King's face
looking here with a grin, a bad premonition ran through me.
"This is also strictly a reward for an individual, but
at the earnest request of King Fearalt. To the Archduke of the Westlights
Demon Territory Dukedom, the territorial rights to his country's trade city
Salaam shall be given as a token of gratitude for suppressing the rebel
army. There was a message wishing you to accept it gratefully."
Huh? I didn't hear such a story? No, I do remember him
saying to take care of Salaam from now on when parting, but...
"The Archduke has already placed a retained trading
company in Salaam and is using it practically as a base, so there's no
problem, right?"
"I shall gratefully... accept it."
Well, if it's Salaam, I have trustworthy connections,
and it's an important city in my spice strategy. I am happy about it, though.
Honestly, there are too many surprises, I'm already full...
wait, if I say something like this, will I get divine punishment?
Thus, the awards ceremony, which were continuous turbulence
from start to finish, brought down its curtain.
◆ Reference
|
Current Position |
Name |
Current Peerage |
New Peerage |
Reward |
|
Eastern Defense Commander |
Alexis |
Baronet |
Lord Noble Viscount (3-rank
promotion) |
30,000 Gold Coins |
|
Demon Territory Knights
Captain |
Weiss |
Baron |
Lord Noble Viscount (2-rank
promotion) |
10,000 Gold Coins |
|
Deputy-Lord |
Yuka |
Baron |
Viscount |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Steward (Head of
Administration) |
Miseri |
Baronet |
Baron |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Internal Affairs/Guard Unit
Commander |
Anne |
Baronet |
Baron |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Public Relations Department
Manager |
Claire |
Baronet |
Baron |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Commercial Department Manager |
Yoltia |
Baronet |
Baron |
600 Gold Coins |
< Military Officers >
|
Current Position |
Name |
Current Peerage |
New Peerage |
Reward |
|
Engineer Corps Commander |
Elan |
Knight |
Baron (2-rank promotion) |
3,000 Gold Coins |
|
Transport Unit Commander |
Bart |
Knight |
Baron (2-rank promotion) |
3,000 Gold Coins |
|
Intelligence Department
Commander |
Raphael |
Knight |
Baron (2-rank promotion) |
3,000 Gold Coins |
|
Special Fire Corps
Commander |
Christoph |
Knight |
Baron (2-rank promotion) |
3,000 Gold Coins |
|
Garrison Commander |
Gail |
Knight |
Baron (2-rank promotion) |
3,000 Gold Coins |
|
Expeditionary Force Commander |
Gord |
Commoner |
Baron (3-rank promotion) |
10,000 Gold Coins |
|
Demon Territory Knights
Vice-Captain |
Mars |
Commoner |
Baronet (2-rank promotion) |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Eastern Garrison Commander |
Danke |
Commoner |
Baronet (2-rank promotion) |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Western Garrison Commander |
Aral |
Commoner |
Baronet (2-rank promotion) |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Soldier-Settler Commander |
Masrur |
Commoner |
Baronet (2-rank promotion) |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Vigilante Corps Commander |
Isaac |
Commoner |
Baronet (2-rank promotion) |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Mercenary Corps Commander |
Kira |
Commoner |
Baronet (2-rank promotion) |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Relief Unit Commander |
Marianne |
Commoner |
Baronet (2-rank promotion) |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Logistics Department
Commander |
Walrus |
Commoner |
Baronet (2-rank promotion) |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Magic Combat Commander |
Lilia |
Commoner |
Baronet (2-rank promotion) |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Longbowman Battalion
Commander |
Glen |
Commoner |
Baronet (2-rank promotion) |
600 Gold Coins |
< Civil Officials >
|
Current Position |
Name |
Current Rank |
New Rank |
Reward |
|
Honorary Bishop (Infirmary
General Manager) |
Rosa |
Knight |
Baron (2-rank promotion) |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Director of Urban Development
(Director of Special Weapons: Concurrent Military Post) |
Carleen |
Commoner |
Baronet (2-rank promotion) |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Director of Urban Planning |
Mary |
Commoner |
Baronet (2-rank promotion) |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Director of Urban Planning |
Sasha |
Commoner |
Baronet (2-rank promotion) |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Director of Industrial
Development |
Karl |
Commoner |
Baronet (2-rank promotion) |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Director of Aegis |
Astor |
Commoner |
Baronet (2-rank promotion) |
600 Gold Coins |
|
Director of Demos |
Laila |
Commoner |
Baronet (2-rank promotion) |
600 Gold Coins |
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