Chapter 35
After finishing breakfast, I changed my clothes and had Mother-sama check them for confirmation.
“Claude, it suits you very well,” she said.
“Mother-sama. Thank you very much.”
Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Father-sama entered.
Father-sama was also wearing clothes that looked more aristocratic than usual.
“It seems the carriage to pick us up has arrived. Claude, shall we go?” he asked.
“Yes.”
Netzal-san was waiting for us at the inn’s entrance, wearing a beautifully adorned robe.
Father-sama said to him, “Netzal-dono. Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s go.”
We boarded the carriage parked beside the inn and set off for the royal palace.
Netzal-san chuckled. “Hoho. Even a prodigy like you seems nervous, doesn’t he?”
“I’m just worried I might commit some blunder,” I replied.
“Claude, your manners are impeccable,” Netzal-san said. “You’ll be fine if you just act as you normally do.”
The carriage passed through the high-class residential district, entered the noble quarter, and soon arrived directly at the royal castle.
We were greeted by an elderly man in butler attire and guided to a reception room.
As we were waiting while drinking the tea that had been served, two men entered the room.
Father-sama spoke first. “Prime Minister Richman. Your Majesty, it has been a while.”
“My apologies for summoning you,” His Majesty said. “That child there is your third son, Claude, I presume. And who might this gentleman be?”
“I am Netzal, the Sage,” Netzal-san introduced himself. “I am currently serving as Claude-dono’s tutor.”
“I have heard rumors of Netzal-dono,” His Majesty replied.
Father-sama then asked, “Your Majesty. Am I correct in assuming this summons is regarding the Goblin Lord matter?”
“Finel,” His Majesty began, addressing Father-sama, “I am aware that you have distanced yourself from the royal court and have taken on the role of a mediator between various factions. However, we cannot simply ignore someone capable of single-handedly subjugating a monster referred to as a boss.”
Prime Minister Richman then turned to me. “Claude-dono. Would you be willing to show us your Stats?”
“Understood,” I said. “Stats Open.”
Prime Minister Richman and His Majesty the King examined my Stats.
“Indeed,” His Majesty mused, “with Stats like these, solo subjugation might just be possible.”
“Now that we have confirmed that subjugation is possible,” Prime Minister Richman announced, “I will explain the proceedings from here. Later, in the audience chamber, Claude-dono will be conferred a peerage.”
His Majesty then said, “Considering his age and to quell any opposition from others, we intend to grant him the title of Knight Bachelor. We are not planning to assign him any duties. By the way, Finel. What are your thoughts on Claude’s education?”
“Like my other children,” Father-sama replied, “I am thinking of having him attend the Royal Capital’s academy once he turns ten.”
“It is possible to have him attend now,” Prime Minister Richman interjected, “but considering the potential friction from those around him, it might be best to refrain.”
“Besides,” His Majesty added, “he has the Sage-dono as his tutor. Well then, we shall take our leave for now.”
Prime Minister Richman and His Majesty the King then left the room.