Chapter 31
In the Chancellor’s office within the Royal Palace of the German Kingdom, Richman-sama, the master of the room, was perusing a certain report.
“A Goblin Lord spawned in the dungeon managed by the Prominence Marquis House. And Claude, the third son of the Prominence House who happened to be present, has already subjugated it solo, huh? The Prominence House siblings are renowned for their excellence, but I have no information on this third son.”
Richman-sama rang a bell and summoned his secretary.
“My apologies, but could you urgently investigate Claude, the third son of the Prominence Marquis House?”
“Understood.”
A Noble Registry, which recorded the births of nobles, was kept in the Royal Palace.
It was a system where, upon achieving merits, additional information would be recorded.
The secretary searched for the records of the Prominence Marquis House and read the entry for Claude, the third son.
It only listed his year of birth; there was no other information.
“Regarding Claude, the third son of the Prominence Marquis House, there was no information aside from his year of birth. If the records are correct, he should be turning five years old this year.”
“Good work. You may leave.”
“Excuse me.”
Richman-sama cradled his head in his hands.
If he were to take the Prominence Marquis House’s report at face value, it would mean a five-year-old child had subjugated a Goblin Lord.
Deciding that mulling it over wouldn’t help, he left the room to head for the King’s office.
Richman-sama requested the soldier guarding the King’s office to announce his visit and then waited.
“He will see you at once.”
“Understood.”
As a matter of courtesy, he checked his attire, ensuring nothing was out of place, before entering the room.
“Your Majesty. Excuse my intrusion.”
“It’s rare for you to visit. Has something happened?”
“A Goblin Lord has spawned in the dungeon managed by the Prominence Marquis House.”
“Is that so. Did they send a request for reinforcements?”
“No. It has reportedly already been subjugated, but a rather perplexing report has come to my attention.”
“A perplexing report, you say?”
“It states that Claude, the third son of the Prominence Marquis House, subjugated it single-handedly.”
“Claude? I don’t believe I’ve heard that name.”
“According to the Noble Registry, he is reportedly still a child of five.”
“That is indeed perplexing. However, it’s hard to imagine Finel filing a false report.”
“What should we do?”
“We’ll proceed assuming it’s true. However, as a third son, there’s a possibility he might leave his house in the worst-case scenario. I want to grant him a peerage and secure him for the kingdom.”
“What rank of peerage should we bestow upon him?”
“He’s said to be a five-year-old child, so for now, let’s grant him the title of Knight Bachelor. Depending on his future achievements, we can raise his rank.”
“Even if it’s ‘just’ a Knight Bachelor title, it’s likely some nobles will oppose it, wouldn’t you say?”
“Suppressing such opposition is our job, yours and mine, is it not?”
“You are absolutely right. What about his official duties?”
“There’s no need to assign him any duties. As long as we can bind him to the kingdom, that will suffice.”
“Understood.”