Chapter 117: Reward for Killing a Lion

“I’ve mentioned this beforehand, but I’ve come today to inform Rest-sama about the reward associated with the subjugation of Sabnok.” 

Celestine said with a gentle smile.

She had informed them in advance that she would visit the Rosemary Marquis’s townhouse.

The purpose of Celestine, the daughter of the Prime Minister, visiting herself was to talk to Rest about defeating Sabnok.

“Good day, Celestine. Please, have a seat.” 

Viola and Primula greeted Celestine with smiles.

Especially Viola seemed to have become quite close to her, her tone and attitude becoming softer.

“Hey, Celestine.” 

Yuri also greeted her casually.

Except for Rest, the four of them seemed to have frequent interactions. Back when they were in school, they used to hold tea parties and salons without boys.

Thanks to that, they had become close friends, and Rest, surrounded by four beautiful girls, felt a little uncomfortable.

“Ah… hello. Thank you for coming all the way to tell me today, Celestine-san.”

“No, it’s not that. Originally, there should have been an official message from His Majesty the King, but I’m sorry to inform you informally. I’ll explain the details later, but the palace is currently quite busy.”

Celestine leaned her cheek on her palm, tilting her head apologetically.

Each of her movements was refined and elegant. She sat down on the sofa facing Rest and the sisters.

The maid immediately brought tea and snacks for her.

After wetting her lips with a sip of tea, Celestine spoke.

“To begin with… what I’m about to tell you has been decided through discussions between His Majesty the King, the Prime Minister, and Marquis Rosemary. It hasn’t been officially announced yet, but formal procedures will be conducted once things settle down.”

In other words, it meant that Rest’s father-in-law, Albert Rosemary, had also approved it.

Albert had been staying at the palace for several days to deal with the aftermath of the Hunting Festival and hadn’t returned home.

“Huh? Can I also listen to that?”

Yuri blinked.

Although she was a friend, Yuri was unrelated to the Rosemary Marquis’s family.

“If the three of them agree, there shouldn’t be a problem. Of course, I’d like you to refrain from spreading this to others…”

“I’m fine with it. What about you two?”

Viola nodded in agreement, and so did Primula.

Celestine turned to Rest after a pause.

“Rest-san has been recognized for defeating many monsters as part of the rescue team and saving the lives of students. Also, the remains of Sabnok, the master of the Monster Territory, were confirmed among the corpses of the defeated monsters. As a reward for these achievements, you will be given 100,000 platinum coins.”

“Platinum coins… and, 100,000 of them…”

Each platinum coin was worth a hundred gold coins. One gold coin was roughly equivalent to a month’s salary for an ordinary civilian, around ten thousand yen in Japanese currency.

(If one platinum coin is worth the value of ten million yen and there are ten thousand of them… does that mean a hundred billion yen?)

“…Isn’t that too much?”

“It’s not enough.” 

Celestine shook her head as if offended.

“By defeating Sabnok, the development of the plains has become possible. If other monsters are defeated before the next master of the Monster Territory is born, the Kingdom of Iwood can obtain a vast and fertile grain-producing area.”

Sabnok Plains were part of the monster territory. It was a land where monsters were born easily, but if successful in cultivation, it would become a fertile land where crops could grow easily.

Compared to the income that could be obtained from there, 100,000 platinum coins were not too high a reward.

“Furthermore, Rest-san will be given the title of ‘Viscount’ and a territory. Think of it as joining the ranks of the nobility.”

“””Eehh!?”””

The Rosemary sisters and Rest exclaimed in surprise at Celestine’s words.

Yuri didn’t say anything, but her eyes widened considerably.

“Nobility… but Rest is supposed to become the son-in-law of the Rosemary Marquis!?”

“Does this mean we can’t marry him anymore…?”

Viola and Primula leaned forward, pressing Celestine for answers.

Celestine smiled wryly at her friends’ inquiries and waved her hands.

“Of course not. I have no intention of interfering with Rest-san becoming the son-in-law of the Rosemary Marquis. Please think of it as your two children inheriting additional titles and territories.”

In other words… Rest would become both the head of the Rosemary Marquis family and the head of the emerging Viscount family.

It wasn’t uncommon for high-ranking nobles to hold multiple titles.

“As for the territory… one-third of the Sabnok Plains to be developed in the future will be given to Rest-san. The remaining two-thirds will be divided among the royal family and other noble families. Lord Wilhelm Lubase, who fought alongside Rest in the defeat of Sabnok, will also be granted the title of ‘Baron’ and a territory as the second-ranking achiever. A formal commendation ceremony will be held at the palace later.”

The woman-hating Sword Saint… Wilhelm Lubase.

It seems that he too will be able to advance in life thanks to his achievements this time.

(Does this mean he’s getting closer to the position of Knight Commander…? That’s quite an auspicious thing.)

“One-third of the plains. That’s a pretty generous amount.” 

Yuri said with a puzzled expression as she listened to the conversation.

“It’s not bad as a reward for slaying the enemy’s general… but still, isn’t ‘Viscount’ a bit low?” 

The size of the territory and the title don’t match. 

If he’s given one-third of the vast land of the plains, at least the title of Count or higher would be appropriate.

In response to Yuri’s words, Primula, who was sitting next to Rest, also raised her hand.

“As Yuri-san said. Besides… even though Rest-sama has the backing of the Rosemary Marquis family, wouldn’t there be many people jealous if a commoner like him suddenly received such a large piece of land?”

Primula spoke with concern.

Even just inheriting the Rosemary Marquis family as a commoner had already caused jealousy among many.

Moreover, if he were to be given such a vast land, there might be persistent harassment from other nobles.

“No problem. Land will also be allocated to nobles who are close to the royal family. Besides… nobles who directly oppose the royal family’s decisions will soon be dealt with collectively.”

“Dealt with…?”

What does she mean?

When Rest asked with his gaze, Celestine opened her mouth with a somewhat astonished expression.

“The leader of the anti-establishment faction… Marquis Eiger has rebelled. He has declared war on the royal family, using Prince Rodel as his banner.”

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