Chapter 36
Netzal-san decided to remain in the reception room, so I headed to the audience chamber with Father.
Many nobles were in attendance in the audience chamber, and I joined Father in one of the front rows.
After a short while, the Prime Minister, Richman, stood beside the throne, and a voice announcing His Majesty the King’s entrance echoed.
“His Majesty, Poseidos de Gelman, has arrived!”
Everyone around me knelt and bowed their heads in unison, so I copied them, kneeling and lowering my head.
“Everyone. Thank you for gathering today. You may be at ease.”
At His Majesty’s words, I raised my head.
“The reason I have gathered you all today is that a Goblin Lord was confirmed and subjugated in the dungeon managed by the Prominence Marquis House. This is to bestow a reward for that.”
“Claude von Prominence, step forward.”
“Yes!”
My name having been called, I stepped forward and once again knelt and bowed my head before His Majesty.
“For playing a central role in the Goblin Lord subjugation, I hereby appoint you to the rank of Knight Bachelor.”
“I gratefully accept.”
His Majesty the King drew his sword, placed it on my right shoulder, and then on my left shoulder.
“Claude-dono, take this.”
I received a scroll certifying my peerage from the Prime Minister, Richman, and returned to my original position.
“With this, the audience is concluded.”
I bowed my head again and waited for His Majesty the King to depart.
The nobles’ reactions were divided into two types.
Those who were perplexed as to why a child was granted a peerage.
And those who tried to discern the meaning behind this audience.
The rank of Knight Bachelor is the lowest among nobles and is a title limited to a single generation.
Even when granted, it’s usually done informally, and in some cases, a member of the royal family might even perform the ceremony as a proxy.
And yet, the significance of gathering the nobles to have them acknowledge it.
The more perceptive ones would likely try to make contact, but Finel, having read the room, had quickly left the audience chamber and headed for the reception room where Netzal-san was waiting.
“Netzal-san, sorry to keep you waiting.”
“From the looks of it, things concluded without a hitch, it seems.”
“If we linger too long, it looks like other nobles might try to catch us, so let’s head back.”
We left the reception room, boarded the carriage the royal palace had prepared for us, and headed back the way we came.
The carriage arrived at the inn without any problems, and the first thing I did was change from my formal attire into my everyday clothes.
I headed to the room where Father and Mother were staying.
My older brothers and sisters were also gathered there, enjoying tea with Mother.
“Claude. Good work. How did it go?”
“Just as Brother Fahrenheit said, I was granted a peerage and became a Knight Bachelor.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you very much.”
“To celebrate Claude, let’s go out to eat. I know a recommended restaurant.”
Our whole family left the inn and walked down the street.
Though my eyes darted to various shops along the way, we eventually arrived at the restaurant we were aiming for.