Book 4: Volume 6 Chapter 5, Distinguished Conduct Award

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

A few days after the turmoil in the northern town had subsided, important figures gathered in the castle hall of Razequa Amamiya for a ceremony to present rewards to those who had been involved in the incident.

 

By this time, Mia’s punishment had already been decided, and notifications had been sent both inside and outside the castle. The same punishment would apply to the other people involved in the incident. Most people were surprised that Mia had been implicated at all. However, after hearing the details of the punishment, those close to Mia agreed to keep it a secret. It was common knowledge that Mia had been interested in the management of the tower since her student days, leading some to deduce that she and Towa had been working together to orchestrate the incident. Of course, no one would go out of their way to make such speculation public. Even if they had told someone, the fact that Mia had been punished was undeniable. Above all, the person who received the punishment seemed to be the happiest about it, so there was no need to mention it further.

 

As the rewards were distributed one after another, it came time to recognize Dorotheo Grevilius, who had made the greatest contribution in this incident. Dorotheo was the biological Son of Lucas Grevilius, the former Lord of a northern city. He had used his connections to detect the rebels’ movements, though it was other significant actions that truly merited his recognition as the greatest contributor.

 

With the attention of all assembled, Floria announced the reward to Dorotheo.

 

“Dorotheo, you have been recognized as the person who made the greatest contribution in this incident. Therefore, you shall receive XX gold coins as your reward.”

 

“Yes! I humbly accept.” Dorotheo bowed at Floria’s words and accepted the certificate.

 

However, some of those watching the scene looked puzzled. While it might have been inappropriate for someone in this room to display such an expression in front of the Queen, few criticized them. The reward Dorotheo had received was smaller than expected, even smaller than that of the captain of the guard, who had personally led the capture of the criminals.

 

Floria seemed to understand this well, as she nodded and continued. “Don’t look like that. Dorotheo’s reward doesn’t end there, but that’s for later. Right now, there’s something I need to do first.”

 

When Floria said this, the assembled crowd responded in unison with a “Yes!”

 

Watching from her throne, Floria continued. “I think everyone knows that Dorotheo has contributed greatly to this incident. But is there anyone who has done even more?”

 

Everyone in the room looked at each other quizzically.

 

“Don’t you understand? The answer is standing next to me.”

 

At Floria’s words, everyone’s attention shifted to Towa, who stood beside her.

 

Confirming this, Floria nodded. “That’s right. My Son, Towa, has also contributed greatly to this incident. Therefore, in recognition of this achievement, I hereby hand over the throne to Towa!”

 

Everyone looked surprised at Floria’s declaration before immediately bowing down. They had all been feeling that it was about time for this transition. The timing was certainly perfect: to take over the throne after achieving the greatest feat during the turmoil in the northern city. This incident had also proven that Towa’s abilities were beyond question. Of course, there were still some areas where he could grow as a King, but he could develop those from now on. Furthermore, Floria herself had no health problems. If anything happened, Towa could rely on her guidance. Floria herself, however, didn’t seem to have the slightest concern about the transition.

 

In any case, not a single person gathered there opposed the transfer of the throne to Towa.

 

“Since there doesn’t seem to be any opposition, this is decided. We’ll deal with the details of the handover later, but for now, we’ll carry out the ceremony informally.”

 

Floria said this and looked at Towa. He immediately stepped forward and bowed before her. After confirming this, Floria placed the crown she had been wearing on Towa’s head.

 

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Towa took Floria’s place on the throne. Since he was now King, albeit informally, no one could object. After settling into the throne, Towa spoke his first words as the new monarch.

 

“The previous Queen has appointed me as the next King. I look forward to serving you well from now on.”

 

Everyone who heard these words straightened up and bowed in unison.

 

“Now, I would like to begin my first task as king right away.”

 

When Towa spoke, everyone looked skeptical. Having only just ascended to the throne, they didn’t think there was anything particularly urgent to address.

 

Towa, who was well aware of their confusion, continued. “Don’t you understand? We still have to award Dorotheo his full reward, don’t we?”

 

The assembled crowd looked as if they’d finally remembered. Since the throne had been handed over to Towa, they had completely forgotten about the incomplete ceremony.

 

“Dorotheo, I hereby appoint you as a Baron of Razequa Amamiya. This is an official appointment from the Royal Family!”

 

When Towa declared this, the room fell silent for a moment before erupting into a roar. Normally, such behavior would have been seen as rude in front of the king, but neither Towa nor Floria reprimanded anyone. They understood the magnitude of the shock, and it was no surprise. This was the first time that a title had been appointed by the Royal Family in Razequa Amamiya.

 

Although he held the title of Baron, Dorotheo was now the most powerful person in Razequa Amamiya, excluding the Royal Family. The people gathered there were merely civil servants and hired knights without titles. Among them, Dorotheo now stood out, elevated to the very top.

 

“Dorotheo will be the first person in Razequa Amamiya to hold a title, but from now on, you should remember that these honors will be granted based on merit and service.”

 

Towa said this, and everyone gathered bowed their heads.

 

“Now, Dorotheo.”

 

“Yes!”

 

“As a nobleman, I would like to grant you some land.”

 

Towa’s words caused further uproar. While it was natural for Nobles to manage land, there was very little available in Razequa Amamiya. To be precise, the presence of monsters made most land unsuitable for management.

 

“Huh?” Dorotheo seemed to have had a similar thought, as he stared blankly, even in front of Towa.

 

“I’m thinking of giving you part of the third Floor. What do you think?”

 

Towa’s words elicited exclamations of ‘Oh!’ from the crowd. No one had thought of this, but the land on the Tower’s Floors was also recognized as Royal property. Furthermore, the third Floor would be much easier to develop than undeveloped land on the Central Continent. Even though they normally lived inside the Tower on the fifth Floor, no one had ever considered the Floors as potential fiefdoms. Despite Razequa Amamiya having been founded over ten years ago, the Tower’s Floors were still not widely recognized as habitable land.

 

In response to Towa’s words, Dorotheo bowed his head and said, “I humbly accept.”

 

With this, the rank of Nobility was officially born in Razequa Amamiya. How this would affect future governance remained unclear. After all, it was entirely new territory, making it difficult to predict future developments. However, the introduction of this first-ever peerage title would have great significance both internally and externally.

 

The transfer of the throne to Towa and the creation of the first-ever peerage title together signaled that Razequa Amamiya had taken another major step forward as a kingdom.