Chapter 18: Imperial Capital – Martial Arts Tournament – 13
Following the butler, Mr. Zorberg, I exited the waiting room and walked down the corridor. Ahead of us loomed a grand pair of double doors, pure white and imposing. Each door measured about ten meters in height and width, adorned with intricate decorations made from rare metals like gold and mithril. I couldn’t even begin to imagine the cost of such magnificent doors.
“From here on, only those of ‘Soul’s Guidance’ may proceed,” Mr. Zorberg announced, stepping aside as the doors were opened by an attendant.
The audience chamber of the Imperial Castle, the seat of the continent’s leading empire, overwhelmed us with its vastness. It was reminiscent of the grand halls of national theaters from my previous life, if not larger.
The floors and walls were all made of a uniform, pure white marble, polished to a mirror-like sheen. A striking crimson carpet, about seven to eight meters wide, stretched from the entrance all the way to the dais at the far end.
At the very back, a throne awaited, and seated upon it was none other than His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor. Beside him stood Princess Marishielle, likely serving as his guard. Opposite them was an elderly man with a long white beard—none other than the Prime Minister.
On either side, a throng of court nobles, perhaps three hundred in total, stood in attendance. They regarded us with keen interest, whispering amongst themselves.
“Count Okuno and the members of ‘Soul’s Guidance,’ please advance to the Emperor’s presence,” the ceremonial officer called out.
Following his command, I led our group along the crimson carpet. Though I had experienced similar ceremonies in the Vermilian Kingdom, I doubted I would ever grow accustomed to such formalities.
Reaching the throne, I knelt and bowed my head. I assumed everyone else followed suit, though Geshura likely only bowed her head without kneeling.
“I, Soushi Okuno of the Vermilian Kingdom, along with the nine members of ‘Soul’s Guidance,’ humbly present ourselves before His Imperial Majesty. It is an honor to be granted an audience,” I recited, my words following a formal script.
I sensed the Emperor nodding in acknowledgment.
“Count Okuno, and all of ‘Soul’s Guidance,’ I am pleased to welcome you to this Empire. Raise your heads,” he commanded.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I replied.
Dressed in his imperial regalia, the Emperor exuded a dignity befitting the leader of a great nation, a presence that felt innate rather than merely a product of his position. Despite having received a countship myself, I couldn’t help but wonder if I would ever possess even a fraction of that gravitas. I hoped that, should I fulfill my duties properly, some of that dignity might rub off on me.
“Now, Count Okuno. It appears you have successfully defeated the formidable monster known as the ‘Chaos Flare Dragon’ that appeared in the south. We have confirmed this to be true, and you have no objections to this matter, correct?”
“Yes, I have no objections,” I affirmed.
“Good. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that you contributed to resolving the mining accident in the Zanzagir Territory, and you also defeated the two members of the ‘Kin of Twilight’ responsible for that incident. Is that also correct?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Your achievements are indeed significant, and as Emperor, I intend to reward you accordingly. However, first, I must confirm that while you have been granted the title of Count in the Vermilian Kingdom, you have received assurance from its king that this will not impede your titles in other nations. You are aware of this, I trust?”
“Yes, I have been informed of that.”
“Very well. I shall now bestow upon you your next reward. Prime Minister.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the Prime Minister replied, stepping forward with a scroll on a tray.
The Emperor unfurled the scroll and declared solemnly, “In recognition of your considerable achievements, I bestow upon you the following: First, five hundred million Drums. Second, a single entry permit to the ‘Dragon’s Cradle.’ Third, the honorary title of Count of the Empire. Note that within the Empire, this honorary title will be treated as equivalent to that of a Marquis in the Kingdom.”
I felt the weight of the court’s gaze upon me, a palpable pressure. While no one dared to speak, it was clear that this was an extraordinary reward. The honorary title of Count—unprecedented and effectively equivalent to a Marquis—was a significant honor.
In the Empire, it seemed that only those of imperial blood could attain the title of Duke, making this honorary title the highest rank available to common nobility. Yet, I couldn’t fully grasp the implications of this status.
“Accept these honors,” the Emperor instructed.
“Yes, I humbly accept,” I responded.
With this, I had officially become a noble spanning two nations. Though I held no territory and did not serve at court, the Empire had no choice but to recognize my status, a fact I needed to contemplate deeply.
However, it was a stroke of fortune that both the Kingdom and the Empire had leaders who were reasonable. If this was indeed influenced by my ‘Bad Luck’ skill, perhaps it was fair to call it ‘Divine Fortune’ instead.
That night, a celebration party for my ennoblement was hosted by the imperial family.
As the guest of honor, I was greeted by over thirty high-ranking nobles. Some were already eager to introduce their daughters or granddaughters, which was rather overwhelming. Thankfully, Princess Marishielle, having received a word from the Emperor, came to my side, effectively putting an end to such discussions.
While I couldn’t help but feel uneasy about why those introductions ceased, I was grateful nonetheless.
The members of ‘Soul’s Guidance’ were also invited to the party, all dressed in elegant gowns. Even amidst the splendor of the imperial celebration, their presence stood out remarkably.
Particularly, Sfenia, the High Elf, captivated attention not only with her beauty but also with her graceful demeanor, drawing the eyes of many men.
Freinir, Shizuna, and Sakurahime, accustomed to high society, blended in seamlessly, while Larni and Karma seemed oblivious to the nobility around them, focused solely on the food.
Interestingly, Mariane, who could easily pass for a noblewoman, was approached repeatedly by young male nobles, though her usual aloof demeanor ensured that none of those conversations lasted long. Perhaps her composure as an A-rank adventurer allowed her to remain unfazed in such settings.
Geshura, on the other hand, opted not to attend, citing her preference to avoid such gatherings, stating, “It would only bring trouble if I were to attend.”
As the initial flurry of greetings began to wane, I finally found a moment to savor the exquisite dishes.
While sipping a cocktail at the edge of the room, I noticed something that piqued my curiosity.
A middle-aged noblewoman was introducing a well-built young nobleman to Princess Marishielle.
At first glance, it seemed like a simple introduction of her son to the princess, perhaps even a proposal for marriage. While that wouldn’t be out of place in noble circles, I couldn’t shake off a peculiar sense of unease regarding the pair. They felt like individuals who did not belong in this setting… an unsettling impression that lingered in my mind.