Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 475: Various Meetings
Tauro immediately rejected Viscount Musai’s offer to recommend him for a noble title.
“I have no interest in that sort of thing!”
“But Tauro-dono, you’ve already surrendered your right to inherit the House of Count Graunewald in favor of your younger brother, have you not? In that case, would receiving a title in recognition of your recent achievement not be the best possible outcome?”
Viscount Musai pressed on, unwilling to let someone of Tauro’s caliber slip through his fingers.
“Why not simply accept the title?”
Aeris, who had been listening silently beside them, suddenly spoke up in support of Viscount Musai.
“Aeris, what are you saying? You, of all people? I became an adventurer because I don’t want to be tied down!”
Tauro was shocked that even Aeris—whom he considered his closest ally—was encouraging this.
“Calm down, Tauro. Although they’re rare, some adventurers have been granted noble titles for their accomplishments. They’re neither court nobles nor landed nobles, of course, but honorary nobles.”
“An honorary noble?”
“Yes. There are three broad kinds of nobility. First are the landed nobles who govern territories. Second are court nobles, bureaucrats who serve the royal family and receive compensation from the Crown. Finally, there are honorary nobles, who contribute to the nation in other ways. The adventurers I mentioned belong to that last category. In rare cases, people who make major contributions to the nation’s culture or similar fields may also receive an honorary title from the royal family. An honorary noble receives no land or salary, but the title still grants noble status. That brings privileges such as a noble’s right to be heard and the protections afforded by noble law. It’s quite useful. For an adventurer, it opens places normally closed to commoners and makes it easier to enter dungeons controlled by the state.”
“Exactly, Tauro-dono. An honorary title is very useful. Certain duties do accompany noble status, but to be frank, many nobles neglect them anyway. You need not worry about them too much.”
“…Are you sure this won’t cause problems?”
Tauro wavered, clearly tempted by the practical benefits for an adventurer.
“Absolutely. I’ll ensure my father understands the nature of the request. Judging by your achievements, you’d probably receive the lowest rank, knight, but a noble is still a noble. You’d gain the accompanying rights and privileges, including far greater freedom of movement.”
Viscount Musai pressed the offer confidently, seeing this as his chance.
“It sounds like a good arrangement, Tauro. I don’t understand every detail, but it’d also add prestige to the Black-Gold Wings, so I think you should accept.”
Ragune chimed in enthusiastically, surprisingly in favor of the idea.
“I think it’s a good idea too, Leader. A surprising number of places have strict entry restrictions. A noble title would be extremely useful.”
Ankh, drawing from his experience as a mercenary, agreed as well.
“I support it too!”
Zion hadn’t followed most of the conversation, but she was in favor of anything that would benefit Tauro.
“…Hmm. The duties of a noble still worry me a little, but if it’s only the rank of knight, perhaps it’ll be all right?”
With everyone in agreement, Tauro could no longer bring himself to say no.
“Then I’ll speak to my father and set the process in motion. With recommendations from both of us, there should be no problem. Leave it to us.”
Viscount Musai thumped his chest confidently, assuring them that Tauro’s ennoblement was practically guaranteed.
After their meeting with Viscount Musai, Tauro and his companions returned to their room—only to find an envoy from the Crown Prince waiting nearby.
“His Highness the Crown Prince requests an audience with the two of you.”
That was all the messenger said, gesturing for them to follow.
“…Ragune, Ankh, Zion—you three stay here.”
Tauro exchanged a weary glance with Aeris before the two followed the messenger to the Crown Prince’s room.
“Your Highness, I’ve brought Lady Aeris and Tauro-dono.”
The messenger knocked on the door and announced them.
“…Come in.”
The messenger opened the door and gestured for Aeris and Tauro to enter.
The two obediently followed his instructions and entered the room.
The spacious room was lavishly decorated with ornate furnishings and paintings.
“Take a seat.”
The Crown Prince, visibly irritated, motioned for them to sit.
“So you’ve been doing whatever you please without informing me? Do you realize that your actions could’ve caused a diplomatic incident with the Kingdom of Luwan? Yet you didn’t say a word to me, the Crown Prince?”
“With all due respect, Your Highness, we had no idea where information might leak from, so we had to make an immediate decision. Furthermore, the operation took place within the Barriera Duchy. Viscount Musai, acting as the local authority, approved the plan, so I believe there was no problem.”
Tauro answered with impeccable logic.
“I’m responsible for guarding the Saint’s entourage on behalf of our kingdom!”
The Crown Prince retorted, emphasizing his authority.
“With all due respect, Your Highness, I served as the decoy. The Saint herself wasn’t involved. Viscount Musai, the acting lord of this territory, made the decision, and I—the decoy—consented to it. I therefore see no problem.”
Aeris’s argument was equally sound.
“You’re both under my jurisdiction! Had you reported the matter, we could’ve discussed it and prevented the entire incident!”
The Crown Prince seemed to believe his ties with the Empire could’ve resolved things diplomatically.
“Do you honestly believe discussion would’ve stopped Imperial soldiers who had already received orders to abduct the Saint and were lying in wait? Were you planning to send an envoy to the Imperial embassy in the capital and ask them to abandon the kidnapping they were preparing? Do you truly think the Empire would’ve admitted its involvement and recalled the unit?”
This was clearly not a matter diplomacy could resolve.
The Empire had even dispatched its elite Golden Lions.
Because the Golden Lions were a secret force, the Empire would never acknowledge their involvement. Warning it in advance would only have benefited the attackers.
Tauro’s rebuttal made that point unmistakably clear.
“Had we informed them that we knew of their plans, they’d have hesitated! That would’ve prevented the incident. The fault therefore lies with Viscount Musai and you two for allowing the situation to escalate!”
The Crown Prince genuinely believed he could settle matters peacefully with the Empire.
The truth, however, was clear. The Empire had fully intended to abduct the Saint, and evidence found on the fallen soldiers showed that they had prepared forged proof intended to implicate another nation afterward.
Every indication suggested that the Empire had no regard whatsoever for the Kingdom of Sart. Indeed, it appeared to be trying to sow discord between Sart and the Kingdom of Luwan.
Every nation placed its own interests first, so the Crown Prince’s desire to appease the Empire wasn’t merely naive—it was dangerous.
“That’s a matter for His Majesty the King, the highest authority in this kingdom, to decide. As children of this kingdom’s nobility, we did what we believed necessary. If Your Highness objects, please raise the matter with His Majesty once he has reviewed the incident, and then inform us of his decision.”
The moment Tauro mentioned the King, the Crown Prince went silent.
Even for him, the King—his father—was absolute.
“Then please excuse us, Your Highness. We’re exhausted after risking our lives in this operation. Thank you for your kind words—and we’re also relieved that the Saint came to no harm.”
The Crown Prince had, of course, offered no such kind words.
Aeris’s remark was purely sarcastic.
Pretending not to notice the Crown Prince’s face turning red, the two left the room.