Trantor: SFBaka


    Editor: Thors Stone


    How unbelievable. Is that truly what happened?


    Yes. I was also quite surprised that things went as well as they did that day. Dragons are apparently very smart creatures. As Ive witnessed, they can even understand humannguage.


    Hou. And just how did you manage to assist the dragon in its battle with another of its kind then?


    I managed tond a hit on one of the enemy dragons eyes with a me Arrow spell. Perhaps I managed tond a critical hit byplete chance because that dragon fell down after that one hit.


    Fine then. I have already made my people transcribe the conditions you proposed in this contract. Go ahead and confirm the documents, then sign them.


    The marquis then went to inspect the dragon fangs that were retrieved by the castle chambeins earlier. The fangs were ced on a luxurious-lookingrge table within the office and ended up being disyed simr to items in a museum exhibit.


    I gave the contract documents that were handed to me a once-over and found nothing wrong with the terms written on it. It properly stated that I was allowed to reimnd within the Great Demon Forest without any particr restrictions and make them a part of my territory as a kingdom nobleman of this kingdom. There were no weird uses added either. Just like the baron told me, the king has already signed the documents in advance.


    A quill pen and ink bottle were avable at the guest lounge within the office, so I went ahead and borrowed them to write n on the two contract documents. An official surname will only be given to me once Ive been conferred a title by the king in the investiture ceremony.


    The marquis finished checking out the dragon fangs and sat back down on the sofa. He then checked out the contracts after I handed them back. I suppose hes checking if I used the same signature on both documents.


    Very well. Here, take it. That is your copy.


    The marquis then tossed one of the documents in my direction. I managed to catch it just before it hit the floor.


    My utmost gratitude, Your Lordship.


    ording to Cleria, anything that was rted to the king should be treated with great care, but whats with this guy tossing around a document signed by the king like it was mere waste paper? Maybe the customs were different in this country. Im really not sure.


    You may go.


    Yes, please excuse us.


    It looks like my audience with the marquis was finally over. I thought it would be a lot worse than that after the barons warnings.


    I and the baron immediately left the room in order to avoid being seen as rude. A single chambein was waiting for us in the hallway outside.


    Please follow me.


    It looks like we wont be leaving just yet huh. The chambein brought us to what appeared to be a small meeting room on the castles first floor.


    Good day, gentlemen. My name is Zard and I currently serve as this kingdoms master of ceremonies. Its a pleasure to meet you both, Baron Volker, n-sama.


    Since hes addressing me as n-sama, I suppose this person was amoner.


    The lord marquis has instructed me to brief you regarding the kingdoms future arrangements for you, foremost of which is the conferment ceremony.


    Ill be in your care.


    First, you would have to decide what you are going to use as the name of your noble house. You dont have to decide on one right now, but we would like you to have a name ready by tomorrow.


    I understand.


    Next is the pattern that will be used in your official coat of arms. You will have to provide us with one by tomorrow as well.


    Minister Zard, do you not think it unreasonable to ask n-dono to decide on his coat of arms by tomorrow as well?


    No, baron. Its fine. Weve already decided on one for the most part after all.


    If you say so, n-dono.


    Yep. What well use as our coat of arms was already decided. Or rather, there can be no other choice except for that.


    Alright then. Please put the family name and coat of arms youve decided to use on these pieces of paper and bring it to this workshop by tomorrow. Weve already informed the workshop in question beforehand, so theyll be expecting you.


    I was then handed two sheets of nk paper. One piece of paper had a nk space where I could write the family name and draw the pattern for the coat of arms symbol we were going to use, while the other had the name of a workshop written on it together with a hand-drawn map.


    Alright then. Your title conferment ceremony and celebration banquet will be held five days from now, n-sama. So before the asion, it would be best if you could procure clothes that are, well


    I understand sir.


    I suppose hes trying to tell me to get clothes that are more fitting for a noble. Five days from now huh. It looks like well be getting this done earlier than I expected.


    This is our schedule for the asion. Please be sure toe to the castle by the designated time.


    I was given something that seemed to be a ceremony program. The conferment ceremony was set to take ce in the castle at four in the afternoon but we were supposed to call in by twelve noon. It also listed a couple more points to note. This certainly would help a lot.


    Do you have any questions?


    No, nothing in particr, sir.


    I and the baron were led by the chambein once more and brought back to the castle courtyard where our carriage was parked with Dalshim and the barons attendant waiting for us.


    When Dalshim saw that we were back, he disyed a relieved expression.


    I boarded our carriage together with the baron and we headed back to the inn. Phew. That was a bit nerve-wracking after all.


    Its great that the audience ended without incident.


    It was surprisingly quick and simple.


    The marquis did say he already dispatched his own men to Gantz in order to confirm the facts themselves. He is probably waiting for their report. I was told they will be returning from Gantz soon.


    I see. So thats the case huh.


    Im grateful that the baron trusted me enough to tell me this piece of info.


    So the marquis was the type to act after properly confirming the facts himself huh. I guess thats just to be expected of a countrys prime minister.


    After arriving back at the inn, I thanked the baron for his help and sent him off soon after. While we were riding in the carriage, the baron told me his mansion in the capital was actually a walking distance away from the inn we were staying at. Before he departed, the baron invited me over to visit his mansion after the ceremony.


    As usual, my party and the rest of the n members were already waiting at the inns dining hall, so I told them everything that happened during the castle audience.


    I told them about my impressions of the castle, my audience with the marquis, the contract he had me sign, and the thing about our coat of arms.


    Thats how it is, everyone. For the time being, we need to prepare a set of clothes that is fit to be worn in the conferment ceremony, and we also have to decide on the family name and our coat of arms by tomorrow.


    I already thought that would be the case, so I gathered information regarding the most reputable clothing store here in the capital for you. It seems to be a purveyor to high-ranking aristocrats. Since youll need the outfit delivered in five days, I think it would cost you more than usual though


    Good work, Katolle. Well, we have no choice but to pay the additional premium fee. Please take me to that shopter.


    Understood.


    Well go with you. Somehow, I feel like youd purchase weird-looking clothing if we left the choice to you, n. Leaving that aside, your official surname will be Corinth, but what about the coat of arms?


    Oh, about that. Ive already decided on what design to use. Im sorry everyone, but I will have to insist on using my design for the coat of arms.


    But of course. It will be the Corinth Houses official coat of arms, so it goes without saying that you have the final say, n.


    Of course, the design Im gonna use was the emblem of the Human Gctic Empire. Theres no other choice but that. After all, Iris warned me that if I used another design for our coat of arms and the national g, theres a possibility that I might get used of the crime of rebellion against the empire.