Chapter 38: The Celebration
Twilight in Count Cream’s territory. Inside the stone-built, rugged dining hall, an unusually elevated atmosphere filled the space. More candlesticks than usual were lit. The flickering flames illuminated the family’s faces.
At the center of the table, large plates were arranged. Upon them sat whole roasted horn rabbits, emitting a savory aroma. The two horn rabbits Ren had hunted.
Father raised his cup solemnly.
“Today is a truly auspicious day for our House of Count Cream. …Yuan and Yona have completed their ‘Blessing Ceremony.'”
The siblings’ gazes turned toward Yuan and Yona.
“First… Yona has ‘Water Magic.’ …Not bad. It can be used for support and such. Sufficient for a daughter of a noble house.”
When Father said this, a smile appeared on Yona’s tightly pursed lips.
“Congratulations, Yona!”
“Congratulations! Starting tomorrow, it’s magic special training, right?”
The siblings offered words of celebration one after another.
“Congratulations, Yona.”
Ren also gave Yona his congratulations. Yona looked around at her family and nodded firmly.
“Next… Yuan…”
When Father opened his mouth again, the dining hall fell silent for a moment. Everyone had been at the church, so they should have known the results of the “Blessing Ceremony,” yet they all waited for Father’s next words.
“…Yuan has received the ‘Swordsmanship’ skill!”
Cheers erupted. Yuan’s face lit up brilliantly. Father nodded with satisfaction and took a drink from his cup.
“…Wonderful! Wonderful, Yuan! To think you would actually receive the ‘Swordsmanship’ skill…!”
Father’s slightly excited voice echoed through the dining hall.
“Congratulations! Yuan!”
“Yuan, that’s amazing!”
The siblings showered Yuan with congratulations one after another.
Mother pressed a handkerchief to her eyes. Her voice trembled as she spoke as if to herself.
“How wonderful… Truly wonderful…”
The atmosphere in the dining hall was as bright as a festival.
“That’s great, Yuan…”
Ren also spoke words of celebration from the bottom of his heart. He knew that Yuan and Yona had been swinging swords all year. So he thought it was good that their efforts had been rewarded.
Father placed his empty cup on the table. Then, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
“Yuan is the pride of the House! Truly… truly wonderful!”
Father’s words reached the far end of the dining hall.
Ren held his breath. He felt as if he had been clearly told he was “not the pride.”
(…Well, that’s true…)
His mood sank slightly, but he switched his thinking—he had known all along that his skill was not evaluated at all. When he raised his downcast gaze, the dining hall had fallen silent.
“Father, Mother! I will become a splendid knight!”
It was Yuan’s childish yet determination-filled voice that broke the silence. Father nodded deeply.
“Yes. With training, you will surely become strong. You may change not only this house, but the entire frontier.”
There was clear pride in those eyes. The atmosphere in the dining hall trembled quietly for a moment.
The cook took down the plate of whole roasted horn rabbits from the center of the table and began cutting it at a counter at the end of the room.