The next morning, after falling asleep drunk, I reached out of the blanket to grab the flask from the nightstand and gobbled up the strangely sweet drink it contained. She knew as if someone had sweetened her with honey.
Ugh, I feel so much better.
After rolling around in bed for a while, I slowly got up. The first thing I saw was a carefully folded letter on the nightstand.
I'm going to holy land. But don't worry too much. I will be able to go down without much problem. Oh, and.... If you have a hard time, be sure to tell me! Okay?
PS I heard you left the first clan member's place blank for me on purpose. Thank you. Really.
PPD Oh, and it's today, right? Be careful!
Your first clanmate, Erwen
So, Erwen has gone to holy land again. If I had come back earlier yesterday, we could have talked. Gosh, why did I drink so much?
I sat on the bed for a while to give the stench of alcohol time to dissipate and I remembered again what had happened after separating from Mr. Bear. I even remembered when Erwen and Amelia welcomed me home.
I think they helped me up to the second floor...
Was it because I drank when I was still exhausted? I was sure we had talked about something going up, but I didn't remember it at all. However, she was sure she hadn't done anything wrong. If I had, I certainly would have remembered it.
«It looks like you're awake», Amelia said from the door.
«Yes, I just woke up».
«Go wash yourself a little. Today you are heading to the royal capital».
«...Wale.»
«I'm going out now, so good luck today».
«Clear.»
I heard Amelia come down the stairs. I went to the bathroom to wash and get ready to go out. For today's search, I had to pay close attention to my clothes.
«...Tsk, I knew you would do this». After washing, Amelia surprised me as I put on the suit and helped me get dressed. It was something fascinating.
«Why are you so good at this?».
«Who do you think bought the clothes you're wearing?».
«Ah... you bought this, I had forgotten». It seemed like he had learned how to put on his clothes when he bought them. Amelia was strangely meticulous with everything she did.
«All ready. You can go now. It looks like the carriage arrived a while ago».
«I should go, then. See you in the afternoon».
«...Goodbye.»
Amelia said goodbye to me, and I took the carriage that was waiting for me in front of the house to the military platform. We then used a teleportation circle to immediately reach the royal capital.
I always think the same thing, but this is really convenient. Apart from the slight dizziness.
Anyway, another carriage was waiting for me in front of the platform, and in a short time I was able to reach my destination.
It's actually not so amazing anymore.
He had visited the Palace of Glory several times in recent years. A small event was being held here today, and my search today was related to it.
«I'm Mia Arbelto, first class butler. I welcome you to the palace, Baron Yandel».
When I followed my guide inside, a large room appeared. This was the place where I announced the return of our squad.
«It's the first time I've seen it so empty».
«There is still time until the ceremony begins. The gentlemen will arrive soon».
But how many could there be? Even if everyone comes, there will only be enough to fill the first rows.
«Please come this way.»
Crossing the Palace of Glory, I passed into a private room reserved for me. There, the butler explained to me the program for today's ceremony.
A long while later, the door slammed open.
Toc, toc.
An old man I didn't know came in. It seemed that the waiter who was giving me the lecture knew him, because he immediately stopped what he was doing, surprised. «Your Excellency, what brings you here?».
«I thought I'd have a quick chat with the star of the event. If you're not busy, would you mind leaving us the room?».
«...i'll wait outside». The butler bowed politely to his superior and left the room. Only once he was gone did the formal meeting between the old man and me begin.
«Nice to meet you. I am Duke Kealunus».
I was wondering what duke you were. So it's you.
«Bjorn, son of Yandel.» I also formally introduced myself.
«Incorrect.»
What the hell?
When I frowned, the old man laughed. «It's Bjorn Yandel. No 'son of Yandel'. You're a member of the court now, right?»
I wondered if he had come here just to fight me, but I didn't sense any hostility in his tone. Therefore, I refrained from attacking him for the moment. He would listen carefully to what came out of his mouth next so he could make an accurate assessment of his personality.
«I may not have anything to say about your unique way of speaking, as the king has officially allowed it, but you should make it clear to people who you are. Remember, you are not Bjorn, someone's son. You're not just any barbarian either. You are Baron Bjorn Yandel of Rafdonia. Oh, or would that be baron now? By the way, your tie is crooked». The duke laughed heartily and patted me on the shoulder.
This was a little depressing. Now that I was shorter, even an old man like him could reach my shoulder. «Thanks for your advice. But I don't think you're here just to say hello». I couldn't destroy a duke just because he was in a bad mood, so I got to the point.
But wasn't he used to this kind of candor? «That? Ha ha ha! Ahem... I apologize for laughing. I didn't mean to insult you in any way, it's just that I find this fascinating».
I could understand it. Nobles liked cumbersome conversations, didn't they? I was sure I didn't have much experience getting straight to the point right after presentations.
«Anyway... answering your question, you are right. If I just wanted to say hello, I could have come to see you another time. I came looking for you now because I have some questions for you».
He's doing it again. Just say, «I have a question» and get it over with. Like I'm doing now.
«What is your question?» Did not answer. «...Are you hard of hearing?» I asked carefully.
The duke came to. «I'm sorry. I got distracted for a second. No, not distracted... To be honest, I didn't realize you were done talking».
«Ah, I see. So what's your question?»
When I repeated my question, the duke finally got to the point. It seemed like he had figured out how to communicate with me. «I'll be brief. You are not one of those who long for the life of an aristocrat. Why did you choose to rise through the nobility in exchange for your contributions to this mission?»
That wasn't short at all, but it was still to the point.
«The palace has offered Bjorn Yandel a higher title for his contribution to the expedition».
Deer had revealed that at the Round Table, but in truth, promotion was not the only reward the palace had offered me. The Ministry of Veterans Affairs presented me with a total of four options: a large sum of money, enough to build an entire mansion from scratch; two essences of rank three; a two-digit Numbered Object; and the title. After much deliberation, I chose promotion. The reason was simple. The first three were things I could achieve on my own, and this one was much more useful in terms of my immediate survival.
«I want to hear the truth. Why did you want the promotion?»
What a funny old man. The truth? Since when have we known each other?
I laughed at his insistence and responded as if I had asked the most obvious question in the world. «Because it's good to have many wives!».
Although he had deliberately shouted it with incredible enthusiasm, the duke's expression went blank. «Wives...?»
Wow, do you really have bad hearing?
«Yes, wives», I responded without any qualms. «Barons can have three wives!».
In response, the duke's gaze changed significantly. Is this son of a bitch serious? he seemed to wonder. But the reason he didn't dare to fight back was probably because he didn't know if it was worth it.
¡Eructo!
After all, he was his opponent.
«Oh, I'm sorry. I've had too much breakfast». I quickly apologized as this man obviously grew up with manners, but the duke didn't seem to care at all.
He just muttered to himself as if he was starting to put something back together. «Certainly... you are known for having many women».
To be more exact, he had comrades who were women, although lots of strange love stories and rumors had proliferated throughout the city. Maybe it was because we lived together.
«So, does that answer your question?».
«At least half. There is one more thing I want to ask».
«Question».
It seemed that he was beginning to like the barbarian's direct way of speaking because, without warning, the duke asked the following question: «Do you work for the marquis?».
It was brief, too brief. There's nothing wrong with being direct, but since it seemed like an important question, I started by asking for confirmation. «When you say marquis, are you referring to the prime minister?».
«Yeah. Including the period he was missing, it appears that he has been working with the marquis for a long time.»
«...I guess?»
This was a loaded question. The marquis had actually entrusted Bjorn Yandel, who was believed dead, with several secret missions during the two and a half years he was missing, and that is why the announcement was made that he was an evil spirit. As far as the public knew, this was the official story.
However, he did not believe that the truth was also hidden from the duke.
A strange tingle of mistake took hold of me.
«I have read all the documents related to your mission. You have done a great job. The documents are also authentic. At first, I thought there might be some kind of deal between the two of you, but it seems like the mission itself was real».
Had the marquis already prepared the documents? And he made them look good enough to fool even the duke? He told me it would take two more months for the ceremony... Is this the kind of thing that makes it possible to be the prime minister of a country?
The question came to mind, but for now I focused on my conversation with the duke. First, I had to make this clear. «I don't work for the marquis».
«So can you tell me what exactly your relationship is?».
«We are kind of friends. Friends who help each other out of trouble from time to time».
Perhaps that was the answer he expected, because the duke's expression became warmer. «Friends... What an interesting word. You're smarter than I thought. And quite sensible», said the duke, almost to himself, before asking another question. «Anyway, does your answer mean... that you are also open to being my friend?».
His hand was already extended towards me, as if rejection wasn't even an option on the table. I wiped my hand on my thigh and then grabbed his. «Of course. The more friends, the better».
Although true friends don't shake hands.
The fact was that Duke Kealunus was the third most powerful person in the kingdom after the king and the prime minister. Although he had no political power like the prime minister, his family had incredible influence. It sponsored dozens of clans, and among them were a surprising number of medium-sized clans. One of his younger brothers was even the lord of the Magic Tower.
Friends with a duke like that, huh?
The offer was unexpected, but there was no problem accepting it. For starters, it wasn't like we were real friends. The duke was only suggesting a friendship to prevent me from working for the marquis. I just had to do with him what I already did with the marquis: give what I could give and take what I could take. At least until I stopped needing «friendships» like that.
The duke chatted with me until just before the ceremony began. Most of them were trivial conversations to build a good relationship, but some of the things he mentioned were more important. According to him, the reason our squadron survived was because the Order of the Rose engaged Noark's troops while they were on standby for another mission.
«It's time for me to go, so I will. See you later».
«Clear».
I still don't know if I was trying to mention the Order...
He was unsure of the duke's motives, but one thing was clear. At the very least, the kingdom's Intelligence Department was interpreting what had happened on the seventh floor the way I wanted.
I wonder what that son of a bitch marquis thinks.
Actually, that was what I was wondering the most. Since the return ceremony, he had not seen the marquis even once. Today would be our first reunion in weeks.
«Baronet Yandel. »
So it has begun.
I stood in front of the door and waited according to the butler's instructions. As soon as the door opened, I entered slowly.
Step. Step.
The Palace of Glory, which had been empty for two hours, was now full of people. Or, at least, the first two rows.
Step. Step.
It was different from our squad's return ceremony. Not all the seats in the room were occupied, and there was no loud music or soldiers marching behind me. In terms of scale, it couldn't compare to the previous ceremony at all.
Step step.
Still, it would be a mistake to describe this event as small. The people filling the seats were all titled nobles, after all.
«It's really been a long time since everyone got together like this».
«I was very surprised to see the call. A rise in rank for Baron Bjorn Yandel...»
«Haha, this is actually the first time I've received an attendance notification.»
«Oh, it hasn't been long since you inherited a title, has it?»
«I can't say it hasn't been a long time, but... yes, promotional ceremonies are not common in themselves».
The nobles whispered among themselves as I walked the carpet. Some seemed to be enjoying the rare sight of a rise in rank, but others seemed to feel otherwise.
«...a mere barbarian...» Some despised me.
«...it was just born at the right time...» Some envied me.
«...i hope this ends soon.» Some attended out of obligation and had no interest in me. They preferred this to end as soon as possible.
Step. Step.
I walked through the ranks and arrived before the empty throne. Also this time the marquis was in front of him. And here I thought I might get to see the king's face for once.
«How long without seeing you». The marquis greeted me quietly so that only I could hear him, and immediately raised his voice to make a speech before I could even respond. Then he handed me an empty box. «Seal your family crest on this box».
It was a ceremony that only took place when a baronet was promoted to baron. The titles of baronet and baron were worlds apart, so this was treated as the historical moment it was: another noble family being added to the thousands that elevated the kingdom.
Diapositive.
As soon as the cloth he had prepared was folded and placed inside the box, his dignified voice echoed throughout the room. «With this, an eternal covenant has been made».
The marquis sealed the box himself and handed it to the royal guards waiting at his side. They solemnly accepted her and left the Palace of Glory. That box would enter the Palace of Immortality and be kept under lock and key from now on, until this kingdom burned to the ground and perished, or I committed treason.
«Baron Bjorn Yandel, standing.» I stood up. «Nobles, I hope you will be pleased to welcome the appearance of a new pillar that will serve to elevate the kingdom».
I received silent applause, without cheers or whistles.
«Now, this concludes the promotion ceremony!»
From there, the banquet began.
Looks like I just took a big step forward.
So it was time to move on to the next step.