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 I think it will be easier to understand if I say that it was a recommendation that came from Viscount Musai, son of Prime minister Barriera.”
“Ah! Wait, then… does that mean… is that what I think it is?”
From the messenger’s explanation, Tauro finally realized that he was likely being granted a noble title as an honorary noble.
“That’s probably what this is about. I was simply ordered to bring you and your companions, so I’m afraid I don’t know the full details myself.”
Tauro seemed to accept that explanation, but Aeris—who was also present—interjected.
“Isn’t it strange, though? His Majesty personally calling me to confer a peerage, especially one for an honorary noble title?”
“Now that you mention it… you’re right.”
Tauro realized she had a point.
Typically, the conferment of a peerage of a lower-ranking noble title was a simple ceremony in which an envoy hands over a piece of paper that serves as a certificate.
Especially since he is an honorary nobleman.
It wouldn’t be strange if he were treated worse than that.
Honorary nobles received only the title— they don’t have any territory, and they don’t receive a salary like court nobles, so that’s about it.
Of course, The position came with certain privileges since they will be treated as nobles, but the current situation is that the conferment of a peerage is not really treated as a big deal.
Given all that, the fact that Tauro was being ‘’summoned directly by the King’’, it’s safe to assume that there was another, more important reason beyond just the peerage.
Tauro glanced toward the messenger, who quickly averted his eyes as if to say, “I know nothing more.”
It was clear he wouldn’t say anything else on the matter.
However, the messenger was open to talk about anything else, so we talked about everything, candid accounts of our experiences—including how the Crown Prince had behaved during the Saint’s journey, and what had happened in Marquis Haragura’s domain.
The messenger listened with interest, nodding frequently as Tauro and Aeris spoke.
Tauro and Aeris were simply recounting facts, but it might have been problematic if they were in an official setting, but given they were spending a full week traveling together to the royal capital, it came off more as casual conversation and information exchange.
By the day before their arrival in the capital, the messenger had taken a liking not only to Tauro and Aeris, but also to Ragune, Ankh, and Zion, who often joined them at meals.
“Please take care not to repeat anything we’ve discussed here in an official setting. I won’t, either. I may have occasion to speak with His Majesty or the Prime minister as a private citizen, but rest assured that I will not tell anyone that I heard about it.”
With that veiled reassurance, the messenger made it clear he considered himself ‘’on their side’.
And so, a week after leaving Marquis Haragura’s domain, Tauro and his group finally returned to the royal capital.
The messenger went straight to the royal palace, while Tauro headed directly to his family’s estate—the Count Graundewald residence—to prepare for his audience with the King.
At the mansion, Tauro’s father, Count Graundewald, and Haku, his newly adopted younger brother were waiting for his return.
“You’re finally back, Tauro. Judging from your face, it seems like you’ve had a hard time on your end. Over here, we’ve been holding celebration parties for Haku nonstop. The poor boy’s been exhausted! Hahaha!”
The Count laughed warmly upon seeing Tauro return safe and sound, and gave him a brief update on how things had been at home.
“Welcome back, Brother! You’ve finally been freed from the Saint, huh? I’m glad!”
Haku clearly understood the Saint’s temperament and had been worried about his older brother.
“More importantly—congratulations on your official adoption, Haku! That takes a big weight off my shoulders. Oh, and Father, actually—”
Tauro quickly summarized why he was able to return to the capital.
“—I see. A direct summons from His Majesty himself…? That is wonderful. If you’re being granted an honorary title, I’m proud. Still, remember this—you are our son, and the firstborn of the Graundewald family. Never forget that.”
Count Graundewald spoke with heartfelt warmth as he pulled his two proud sons close and embraced them.
Aeris and the rest of Tauro’s companions were also invited to stay at the Graundewald estate.
This is because both of her parents have currently returned to their family territory, and so the Marquis Vandyne mansion in the royal capital was now unoccupied.
The Count assumed Aeris was Tauro’s girlfriend, so he welcomed her enthusiastically.
“The Vandynes have their heir now—how happy they must be. Not as happy as we are, of course! Wahahaha!”
Count Graundewald beamed proudly, practically boasting about his sons.
“If you receive the title of honorary noble, Tauro, your range of movement expands significantly. So—what’s next? You’d probably be allowed to challenge the underground dungeon ‘Babylon,’ or even enter forbidden zones within the kingdom.”
“—I see. I’d be eligible to challenge ‘Babylon’… By the way, are there any restrictions on the people you can bring with you?”
“Do you mean companions outside of the Black Golden Wings?”
“Yes. I was thinking that the Dragon people might be interested.”
“…Ah. So you’re suggesting the Dragon People Tribe help conquer ‘Babylon,’ just like they cleared the Ancient Dungeon… If that’s possible, we wouldn’t have to worry about mass outbreak of dungeon monster in the capital anymore. I think it depends on the procedures, but it’s not out of the question.”
The Count was impressed by Tauro’s unique line of thought.
“It depends on them though, but I think there’s a good chance they’ll agree.”
Tauro responded and 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 kind of Aimless lately, only focused on maintaining order within the kingdom and guarding against the northern empire, so he seems to have a lot of free time.”
“Really? Then if I do get the title, there are a few things I’d like to try. Maybe I should visit the Dragon people’s village again.”
Tauro hinted at something.
“Hey, leader, you’re not thinking of doing something dangerous again, are you?”
Ankh looked suspiciously at Tauro, worried he was up to his old bad habits.
“Tauro, you do realize that whatever you’re planning, you have to do it with all of us, right?”
Aeris also put a pin in Tauro’s coffin.
“Haha… you guys don’t trust me at all, do you?”
Tauro chuckled awkwardly, and the rest of the group responded with nods and laughter, filling the room with warmth and camaraderie.