Chapter 7: The Appraisal Ceremony

The state capital of Barondia was in the midst of a festival. Food stalls were lined up throughout the city, and crowds gathered in droves. 

The surrounding nobles gathered with their vassals and subjects in one place. Where people gather, money is spent, so it was only natural that the city was bustling with activity. 

In contrast, the residence of the powerful Strauss Marquis, who ruled over the state capital and the entire northern region of the country, was quiet. More accurately, many nobles were speaking in hushed tones frequently. 

Before noon, Lucius was taken by his parents to the hall of the castle. 

“Exactly what I imagined,” he thought. 

Nobles in the hall were dressed in splendid attire and lined up against the walls. In the center of the hall, people crowded around, forming a donut shape. 

The twin parents who had come from the village were in the castle town, taking part in the “Appraisal Ceremony” for common citizens. Only nobles were present here. 

Most of them were pairs of men and women, but there were also nobles here and there with children. 

One of those pairs approached them. 

“Ah Baron Dragon. As always, you’re dressed so well,” said the slightly overweight man in his forties, leading a woman in her twenties and a child behind him, coming closer to Lucius and the others. 

Robel frowned obviously. His expression was clear that he disliked this man. 

“Viscount Gaeden. Is there something you need?” 

“No, nothing. I just wanted to catch a glimpse of the rumored child,” said Viscount Gaeden, licking his lips as he looked at Lucius. Apparently, the rumored child was referring to Lucius. 

“What rumor?” Lucius interjected since they were talking about him. 

“Oh, Baron Dragon, have you not told your son anything?” 

“What nonsense,” Robel muttered under his breath. 

The Viscount seemed to be satisfied with Robel’s bitter expression and continued speaking. 

“Oh my, it can’t be that the person in question doesn’t know about this. It’s a noble’s duty to know their own worth. Your father dedicated a quarter of his territory to you, did he not?” 

“What?” Lucius turned to his father, surprised. 

“Don’t worry about it, it’s something from the past.” 

“Did that really happen?” Lucius wondered.

In Lucius’s chest, joy and surprise well up together.

Although he didn’t understand why his father gave up his territory, his mother had said before that for nobles, land and their people are irreplaceable. He had given it up for Lucius’s sake. Could it be that he was an irreplaceable presence for his parents?

–No, that’s not it. There must have been some political reason.

Viscount Gaeden continues to talk.

“I can’t understand it at all. To do that much for just one child. I could just impregnate as many mistresses as I wanted. Or are you so infatuated with Emily? Well, I admit that she’s a beautiful woman–“

Viscount Gaeden sends a vulgar glance towards Emily.

Unable to bear it, Robel interferes with his gaze.

“Leave her alone.”

“Hmph. This is advice from goodwill, you know? The Dragon family, who became nobles due to their achievements of taming dragons, are also following a steep path of decline. If the wings are gone, they become nothing more than lizards.”

Anger fills Robel’s eyes.

“Hey, Gaeden. Cut it out already.”

“Oh, lizards are scary, scary.”

Viscount Gaeden distances himself as if to make fun of them.

“Oh, that’s right. My son will also participate in the [Appraisal Ceremony] this year. It’s a masterpiece, so look forward to it.”

Viscount Gaeden left with a faint smile.

“He’s really an unpleasant guy.”

“Don’t worry about it, Robel.”

When Emily tries to calm Robel down, the large door behind the hall opens.

A dazzling group enters.

A middle-aged man with an air of dignity leads the way, followed closely by armored guards. A beautiful woman trails behind, holding a frightened child in her arms.

The aristocrats who had been speaking in hushed tones fall silent as the man at the head of the procession speaks in a deep, commanding voice.

“My fellow brethren, thank you for gathering here today,” he says.

The man, who is none other than Lord Strauss, continues to speak as the crowd echoes his words.

“This year, we are honored to have His Majesty the King in attendance.”

The aristocrats murmur among themselves, surprised at the news.

“Why would the King be here?”

“He hasn’t visited in over five years.”

“Not even the other four major noble families attend these events anymore.”

Ignoring their murmurs, the guards shout, “All hail His Majesty the King!”

The whispering voices suddenly ceased.

Strauss quickly knelt on one knee and faced the monarch, and the other nobles followed suit.

An elderly man entered through the wide-open entrance, flanked by strong knights on either side and behind him.

“Is that the king?”

He was at the top of all the nobles.

Though he was old, his sharp eyes reminded one of a lion.

The wrinkles on his face seemed to speak of the hardships and battles he had endured.

The king slowly sat on a particularly luxurious chair placed at the front of the hall.

“Everyone, don’t be so stiff. The Appraisal Ceremony is an important event for our country, so we’ve all come to watch.”

As soon as he took his seat, he stood up and urged the nobles to do the same, with a smile on his face.

Strauss was once again the first to stand up.

“Ha!”

Then he faced the nobles and declared loudly,

“Let’s begin the Appraisal Ceremony this year. To our great honor, His Majesty the King will be observing. Think of this as an opportunity to demonstrate your loyalty.”

With Strauss’s call, the nobles burst into applause.

“This year, my daughter Olivia will also be participating in the Appraisal Ceremony. As a parent and as a noble, I’m delighted to fulfill my duty. I hope everyone feels the same way.”

“Ha!”

The nobles all stood and saluted together.

The three-year-old noble sons were left behind, looking bewildered because they didn’t understand the situation.

Lucius imitated those around him and saluted as well, unaware that his actions seemed out of place.

Strauss turned to Lucius’s father, Robel.

“Lord Dragon, is that the rumored child? Does he understand etiquette at the age of three?”

“Ha. He still has much to learn, but we are training him diligently.”

Robel didn’t use his usual frivolous tone but spoke like a proper noble.

Strauss nodded, and his servant whispered in his ear.

“We’re ready to start. Let’s begin the Appraisal Ceremony, starting with Olivia.”

A three-year-old girl held by her mother was led to the center of the hall, her long, pale blue hair trembling.

Before I knew it, there was an old woman standing in the center of the hall. I’m not sure when she got there.

The old woman raised her left hand and murmured in a hoarse voice, “Come hither, Siren.”

The moment she finished speaking, a beautiful woman with large wings appeared above the old woman’s left hand.

-What the…!? What is that!?

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