Chapter 498: Return to the Royal Capital

During the carriage ride back, Tauro had many conversations with the royal messenger, and he took the opportunity to ask why they had been summoned.

“I can’t go into detail, but perhaps this will make it easier to understand: the recommendation came from Viscount Musai, the son of Prime Minister Duke Barriera.”

“Ah! Wait, then… does that mean… is it what I think it is?”

From the messenger’s explanation, Tauro finally realized that he was probably going to be granted an honorary noble title.

“That’s probably what this is about. I was simply ordered to bring you and your companions back, so I’m afraid I don’t know the full details myself.”

Tauro seemed ready to accept that explanation, but Aeris, who was also present, interjected.

“Isn’t it strange, though? Why would His Majesty personally summon you just to confer an honorary noble title?”

“Now that you mention it… you’re right.”

Tauro realized she had a point.

Normally, the conferment of a low-ranking peerage could be handled through a simple ceremony in which an envoy delivered the document certifying the title.

That was especially true for an honorary noble.

Honorary nobles received only a title. They held no territory and received no salary like court nobles.

The position still came with privileges because the holder was treated as a noble, but the investiture itself wasn’t usually considered a major affair.

Given that, the fact that Tauro had been summoned directly by the King strongly suggested there was another, more important reason in addition to the peerage.

Tauro glanced at the messenger, who quickly looked away as though to say, “I don’t know anything else.”

It was clear that he would say no more on the matter.

The messenger was willing to talk about almost anything else, however, so Tauro and Aeris candidly recounted what had happened during the Saint’s journey, including the Crown Prince’s behavior and the events in the Halagoura Marquisate.

The messenger listened with interest and nodded frequently as they spoke.

Tauro and Aeris were merely recounting facts, but some of the details might have caused problems in an official setting. Since they were spending an entire week traveling together to the Royal Capital, however, the conversations felt more like informal exchanges of information.

By the day before their arrival, the messenger had taken a liking not only to Tauro and Aeris, but also to Ragune, Ankh, and Zion, who often joined them during meals.

“Please be careful not to repeat anything we discussed here in an official setting. I won’t either. I may have occasion to speak privately with His Majesty or the Prime Minister, but if I do, I won’t say that I heard any of this from you.”

With that veiled reassurance, the messenger made it clear that he regarded himself as being on their side.

And so, one week after leaving the Halagoura Marquisate, Tauro and his companions finally returned to the Royal Capital.

The messenger went straight to the royal palace, while Tauro headed to his family home, the Graunewald residence, to prepare for his audience with the King.

Count Graunewald and Haku, Tauro’s newly adopted younger brother, were waiting for him at the mansion.

“You’re finally back, Tauro. Judging from your face, it looks like you had a difficult time. Over here, we’ve been holding celebration after celebration for Haku. The poor boy is exhausted! Hahaha!”

The Count laughed warmly at Tauro’s safe return and briefly brought him up to date on what had happened at home.

“Welcome back, Brother! You’re finally free from the Saint, huh? I’m glad!”

Haku clearly understood Matilda’s temperament and had been worried about his older brother.

“More importantly, congratulations on your official adoption, Haku! That takes a huge weight off my shoulders. Oh, and Father, actually…”

Tauro quickly explained why he had been able to return to the Royal Capital.

“I see. A direct summons from His Majesty himself… That’s wonderful. If you’re going to receive an honorary title, I’m proud of you. Still, remember this: you’re our son and the eldest son of House Graunewald. Never forget that.”

Count Graunewald spoke warmly as he pulled both of his sons into an embrace.

Aeris and the rest of Tauro’s companions were also invited to stay at the Graunewald residence.

Both of Aeris’s parents had returned to the Van Dyne Marquisate, leaving their Royal Capital residence empty for the time being.

Count Graunewald believed Aeris was Tauro’s girlfriend, so he welcomed her with particular enthusiasm.

“The Van Dynes have their heir now too. They must be delighted. Not as delighted as we’re, of course! Wahahaha!”

Count Graunewald beamed proudly as he boasted about his sons.

“If you receive an honorary noble title, Tauro, your freedom of movement will expand considerably. You might be permitted to challenge the underground dungeon Babylon or even enter restricted areas within the kingdom.”

“I see. I’d be eligible to challenge Babylon… By the way, are there restrictions on who I can bring with me?”

“Do you mean companions outside Black-Gold Wings?”

“Yes. I was thinking the dragonfolk might be interested.”

“Ah. So you’re suggesting that the dragonfolk help conquer Babylon, just as they conquered the Dungeon of Beginnings. If that were possible, we might no longer have to worry about a large-scale dungeon monster outbreak beneath the Royal Capital. It’d depend on the procedures, but it isn’t out of the question.”

Count Graunewald was impressed by Tauro’s unusual idea.

“It depends on them, of course, but I think there’s a good chance they’ll agree.”

Ragune joined the conversation.

“Everyone in the village is curious about other dungeons too. I think they’d cooperate. Especially the tribe leader. He’s been a little aimless lately, with most of his attention going to maintaining order in the kingdom and watching the Northern Empire, so he seems to have plenty of time.”

“Really? Then if I do get the title, there are a few things I’d like to try. Maybe I should visit the dragonfolk village again.”

Tauro’s tone suggested he already had something in mind.

“Hey, Leader, you’re not planning to do something dangerous again, are you?”

Ankh eyed Tauro suspiciously, worried that he was slipping back into his old habits.

“Tauro, whatever you’re planning, you understand that you have to do it with all of us, right?”

Aeris immediately cut off any possibility of Tauro acting alone.

“Haha… You really don’t trust me at all, do you?”

Tauro laughed awkwardly, and the others answered with nods and laughter, filling the room with warmth.