Chapter 83 – Audience at the Castle Part 2

Translator: SFBaka

Editor: Thor’s Stone

“……How unbelievable. Is that truly what happened?”

“Yes. I was also quite surprised that things went as well as they did that day. Dragons are apparently very smart creatures. As I’ve witnessed, they can even understand human language.”

“Hou. ……And just how did you manage to assist the dragon in its battle with another of its kind then?”

“I managed to land a hit on one of the enemy dragon’s eyes with a Flame Arrow spell. Perhaps I managed to land a critical hit by complete chance because that dragon fell down after that one hit.”

“………Fine then. I have already made my people transcribe the conditions you proposed in this contract. Go ahead and confirm the documents, then sign them.”

The marquis then went to inspect the dragon fangs that were retrieved by the castle chamberlains earlier. The fangs were placed on a luxurious-looking large table within the office and ended up being displayed similar to items in a museum exhibit.

I gave the contract documents that were handed to me a once-over and found nothing wrong with the terms written on it. It properly stated that I was allowed to reclaim land within the Great Demon Forest without any particular restrictions and make them a part of my territory as a kingdom nobleman of this kingdom. There were no weird clauses added either. Just like the baron told me, the king has already signed the documents in advance.

A quill pen and ink bottle were available at the guest lounge within the office, so I went ahead and borrowed them to write ‘Alan’ on the two contract documents. An official surname will only be given to me once I’ve been conferred a title by the king in the investiture ceremony.

The marquis finished checking out the dragon fangs and sat back down on the sofa. He then checked out the contracts after I handed them back. I suppose he’s checking if I used the same signature on both documents.

“Very well. Here, take it. That is your copy.”

The marquis then tossed one of the documents in my direction. I managed to catch it just before it hit the floor.

“My utmost gratitude, Your Lordship.”

According to Cleria, anything that was related to the king should be treated with great care, but what’s with this guy tossing around a document signed by the king like it was mere waste paper? Maybe the customs were different in this country. I’m really not sure.

“You may go.”

“”Yes, please excuse us.””

It looks like my audience with the marquis was finally over. I thought it would be a lot worse than that after the baron’s warnings.

I and the baron immediately left the room in order to avoid being seen as rude. A single chamberlain was waiting for us in the hallway outside.

“Please follow me.”

It looks like we won’t be leaving just yet huh. The chamberlain brought us to what appeared to be a small meeting room on the castle’s first floor.

“Good day, gentlemen. My name is Zard and I currently serve as this kingdom’s master of ceremonies. It’s a pleasure to meet you both, Baron Volker, Alan-sama.”

Since he’s addressing me as ‘Alan-sama’, I suppose this person was a commoner.

“The lord marquis has instructed me to brief you regarding the kingdom’s future arrangements for you, foremost of which is the conferment ceremony.”

“I’ll be in your care.”

“First, you would have to decide what you are going to use as the name of your noble house. You don’t have to decide on one right now, but we would like you to have a name ready by tomorrow.”

“I understand.”

“Next is the pattern that will be used in your official coat of arms. You will have to provide us with one by tomorrow as well.”

“Minister Zard, do you not think it unreasonable to ask Alan-dono to decide on his coat of arms by tomorrow as well?”

“No, baron. It’s fine. We’ve already decided on one for the most part after all.”

“……If you say so, Alan-dono.”

Yep. What we’ll use as our coat of arms was already decided. Or rather, there can be no other choice except for that.

“Alright then. Please put the family name and coat of arms you’ve decided to use on these pieces of paper and bring it to this workshop by tomorrow. We’ve already informed the workshop in question beforehand, so they’ll be expecting you.”

I was then handed two sheets of blank paper. One piece of paper had a blank space where I could write the family name and draw the pattern for the coat of arms symbol we were going to use, while the other had the name of a workshop written on it together with a hand-drawn map.

“Alright then. Your title conferment ceremony and celebration banquet will be held five days from now, Alan-sama. So before the occasion, it would be best if you could procure clothes that are, well…”

“I understand sir.”

I suppose he’s trying to tell me to get clothes that are more fitting for a noble. Five days from now huh. It looks like we’ll be getting this done earlier than I expected.

“This is our schedule for the occasion. Please be sure to come to the castle by the designated time.”

I was given something that seemed to be a ceremony program. The conferment ceremony was set to take place in the castle at four in the afternoon but we were supposed to call in by twelve noon. It also listed a couple more points to note. This certainly would help a lot.

“Do you have any questions?”

“No, nothing in particular, sir.”

I and the baron were led by the chamberlain once more and brought back to the castle courtyard where our carriage was parked with Dalshim and the baron’s attendant waiting for us.

When Dalshim saw that we were back, he displayed a relieved expression.

I boarded our carriage together with the baron and we headed back to the inn. Phew. That was a bit nerve-wracking after all.

“It’s great that the audience ended without incident.”

“It was surprisingly quick and simple.”

“The marquis did say he already dispatched his own men to Gantz in order to confirm the facts themselves. He is probably waiting for their report. I was told they will be returning from Gantz soon.”

“I see. So that’s the case huh.”

I’m grateful that the baron trusted me enough to tell me this piece of info.

So the marquis was the type to act after properly confirming the facts himself huh. I guess that’s just to be expected of a country’s prime minister.

After arriving back at the inn, I thanked the baron for his help and sent him off soon after. While we were riding in the carriage, the baron told me his mansion in the capital was actually a walking distance away from the inn we were staying at. Before he departed, the baron invited me over to visit his mansion after the ceremony.

As usual, my party and the rest of the Clan members were already waiting at the inn’s dining hall, so I told them everything that happened during the castle audience.

I told them about my impressions of the castle, my audience with the marquis, the contract he had me sign, and the thing about our coat of arms.

“……That’s how it is, everyone. For the time being, we need to prepare a set of clothes that is fit to be worn in the conferment ceremony, and we also have to decide on the family name and our coat of arms by tomorrow.”

“I already thought that would be the case, so I gathered information regarding the most reputable clothing store here in the capital for you. It seems to be a purveyor to high-ranking aristocrats. Since you’ll need the outfit delivered in five days, I think it would cost you more than usual though……”

“Good work, Katolle. Well, we have no choice but to pay the additional premium fee. Please take me to that shop later.”

“Understood.”

“We’ll go with you. Somehow, I feel like you’d purchase weird-looking clothing if we left the choice to you, Alan. Leaving that aside, your official surname will be Corinth, but what about the coat of arms?”

“Oh, about that. I’ve already decided on what design to use. I’m sorry everyone, but I will have to insist on using my design for the coat of arms.”

“But of course. It will be the Corinth House’s official coat of arms, so it goes without saying that you have the final say, Alan.”

Of course, the design I’m gonna use was the emblem of the Human Galactic Empire. There’s no other choice but that. After all, Iris warned me that if I used another design for our coat of arms and the national flag, there’s a possibility that I might get accused of the crime of rebellion against the empire.