Chapter 49
Today, an audience was being held, so I had gone to the royal palace with Father and Brother Fahrenheit.
This time, as a Knight Bachelor, I am standing alone in the rearmost row.
An attendant’s voice announcing His Majesty the King’s entrance echoed, and I knelt and lowered my head.
“Everyone. You may be at ease. Today is for the conferment of honors regarding the Stampede that occurred the other day in the Rimtech Domain.”
The Prime Minister, Richman, first offered an apology.
“Firstly, regarding the monster overflow from a dungeon managed by the kingdom, we deeply apologize to Count Rimtech. I shall apologize on behalf of the kingdom.”
The audience chamber stirred.
Since His Majesty the King cannot apologize himself, the Prime Minister did so in his stead, but this meant the kingdom had admitted its fault.
“Next, to the feudal lords who helped resolve the situation, we will grant monetary rewards. And, as their achievements were particularly great, the following individuals shall be awarded medals. Fahrenheit von Prominence, step forward.”
Brother Fahrenheit stepped forward before His Majesty the King, knelt, and lowered his head.
“For your swift relief efforts and splendid command, which minimized the damage, I shall bestow upon you a medal of honor.”
“I am most grateful for this honor.”
The Prime Minister, Richman, held a small box and presented it to His Majesty the King, who then personally pinned the medal on Brother Fahrenheit.
After the medal was pinned on him, Brother Fahrenheit returned to his original place.
“Next, Knight Bachelor Claude von Prominence, step forward.”
Passing through the nobles, I went before His Majesty the King, knelt, and lowered my head.
“Sealing the dungeon with a small force, your achievement in greatly turning the tide of battle is immeasurable. Therefore, in recognition of this, I shall bestow upon you the rank of Baron.”
“I gratefully accept.”
“Your Majesty! Please wait! No matter how great his achievements, to so easily grant a peerage to a child like this… I can only think that you are slighting us!”
A voice of discontent erupted from a young noble.
“Whether a child or not, if there are achievements, they will be recognized. Furthermore, there were also recommendations from the Captains of the First, Second, and Third Knight Orders. I cannot ignore these.”
“Viscount Rottem! You are in His Majesty’s presence! Restrain yourself!”
An elderly noble who was nearby interjected to admonish him.
The Prime Minister, Richman, after clearing his throat, proceeded to conclude the ceremony.
“With this, the conferment of honors for this occasion is concluded.”
I once again knelt and lowered my head, waiting for His Majesty the King to depart.
While waiting for His Majesty the King to depart, and as I was waiting for Father and Brother, Viscount Rottem, who had spoken out earlier, approached me.
“To be promoted in peerage just because you were leading an excellent order of knights… I will not acknowledge it!”
I’ve ended up drawing quite a lot of gazes from the surrounding nobles.
“This has become troublesome,” I thought, sighing inwardly.