Chapter 499: Investiture.

A few days after arriving in the royal capital…

While Tauro and his group were resting at the Graundewaldt estate, a messenger from the royal palace arrived with a summons—they were to meet with the King.

According to the messenger, when the Prime Minister learned of Tauro and his companions’ return to the royal capital, he quickly managed to squeeze a meeting with them into the King’s already packed schedule.

“Then, tomorrow morning, I’ll return as your official escort. This will be a formal audience with His Majesty, but it won’t be overly grand. As long as everyone is dressed neatly and appropriately for their station, there should be no issue.”

The messenger glanced briefly at Ragune and the others who were standing behind Tauro and Aeris as he said this.

　 

“…We understand. Then we’ll be ready for tomorrow.”

Tauro replied and saw the messenger off.

“I thought it’d just be you and Aeris meeting the King, but looks like we’re included too.”

Ragune looking surprised by this unexpected development, finally spoke once the messenger had left.

“I-Is that okay? I… I don’t know anything about court etiquette…”

Zion said this with a nervous look on her face., clearly feeling the pressure.

“If they’re the ones asking to meet us, I’m sure they’ll overlook a bit of ignorance. I mean, even I don’t know the proper way to act in front of a King. If it comes down to it, I’ll just imitate Leader and Aeris and I’ll be fine.”

Ankh, who was surprisingly well-versed in etiquette toward nobles, spoke and lightly patted Zion on the back in an attempt to ease her tension.

“Haha. Honestly, I don’t know much about formal etiquette either. I was totally winging it the first time I met the Prime Minister. In the end, it’s about showing respect, right?”

Tauro admitted, rather nonchalantly.

“Tauro, that attitude might get you in trouble… but Fine, just follow my lead tomorrow and you’ll be fine. Oh—and first of all, be careful not to stare at His Majesty. No side glances either. Just look at the floor or His feet. Only raise your head if given permission. Also, if the King asks you a question, don’t answer directly—that’s considered disrespectful.”

“Seriously?! If you hadn’t told me that, I would’ve stared out of curiosity and probably blurted something out without thinking…”

Ankh was surprised at how different the etiquette of the Royal court was from that of the nobles.

“I’m guessing Tauro or I will be the ones being questioned first anyway, so just copy us when the time comes and you’ll be fine.”

Realizing the importance of her role, Aeris took on the responsibility of keeping everyone on track.

### The Day of their Audience with the King

Tauro’s group was escorted to the royal palace and led into a small audience chamber—used for simpler, less ceremonial affairs—but it was still equipped with a proper throne.

On the raised platform sat the King himself, with the Prime Minister and several Royal Guards standing by his side.

Tauro and his group knelt on the plush carpet and kept their heads down.

Thanks to Aeris’s guidance the day before, everyone avoided looking toward the throne, but instead knelt down and waited, imitating Tauro and Aeris.

“Tauro Granundewald. Aeris Van dyne. I have received much help from your respective parents. I hear that you have taken great care of one of my sons, Fleue. Over the past few years, he’s grown into his role as a prince and has made notable contributions to state affairs and improved his reputation. You have my gratitude.”

The King spoke directly, without going through the Prime Minister.

Tauro and Aeris glanced at the Prime Minister to confirm whether it was okay for them to respond.

The Prime Minister looked to the King, who gave a nod.

“Both of you are permitted to respond directly to His Majesty.”

With that, Tauro and Aeris, without discussing it beforehand, both answered with words of thanks at the same time:

“We are deeply honored by your words. Thank you.”

“Hmm. You both have a lively presence—more so than the rumors suggest. Now then… Tauro Graundewald, the Prime Minister has recommended you for a peerage. I’ve heard you are, in fact, the very same Giro Sugar who’s been stirring up quite a bit of interest in the world, yes? Your cultural contributions to the kingdom are noteworthy. Furthermore, I have received a report from the Prime Minister’s son, Viscount Musai, that you have been instrumental in resolving various issues surrounding the recent visit of the Saint and delegation from the Kingdom of Luwan. It seems that something also happened in Marquis Haragura’s domain, didn’t it?”

The king seemed to be aware of the extent of Tauro and the others’ activities.

Tauro explained how Marquis Haragura had been using strange techniques in his capital city, including large-scale magic and sorcery, to gather mana from nearby lands in the domain capital. This likely caused widespread illness and poor harvests in neighboring territories.

He also added that something had happened that had undone the spells, causing great damage to Marquis Haragura’s domain.

“…Hmm. That seems to be in line with the reports we have received. Do you know whose power caused the disruption? …No, never mind. I’ll stop there. Your achievements are more than sufficient. I have heard stories from Fleue, but they don’t seem to have been exaggerated. – Prime Minister.”

The King turned to the Chancellor.

“Then, first—Ankh and Ragune shall be granted the title of *Honorary Knights of the Kingdom*.”

““Wha—?!””

The two, who had been quietly kneeling behind Tauro the whole time, couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.

“Zion shall be granted the title of *Honorary Priest of the Kingdom. Aeris Vandyne, you shall be granted the title of Honorary Mage of the Kingdom.”

““—Eh?!””

The next pair also spoke up in disbelief.

“And as for you, Tauro Graundewald— For your contributions to the country and your recent achievements, you will be awarded the title of Viscount.”

“…Huh?”

For a moment, Tauro couldn’t think straight.

Aeris and the others felt the same way, and just like Tauro, all of them wore matching confused expressions on their faces when they heard the words coming out of the Prime Minister’s mouth.

　

The day before, they had all assumed that Tauro would be granted the title of an honorary knight, a rank often bestowed upon adventurers  with honorary nobility.

Incidentally, even the position of honorary knight is held by only a select few among A-rank adventurers.

But ok instead, He skipped all that and became a viscount outright. And not even an honorary one at that.

Tauro was still too stunned to speak.

Then, as if to drive the point home, the Prime Minister added,

“…Furthermore, your family name shall be Giro Sugar. From this day forward, you shall be known as Viscount Tauro Giro Sugar.”

And so he continued.