Chapter 307 - Episode 299: The Mysterious Reward
Late July, Royal Year 219. Using the "Far-Talk" communication network and fast horses, contact was made by the Royal Family to high-ranking nobles across the country, conveying that a ceremony and banquet would be held at the Royal Palace in mid-September.
That communication reached the Arqvist Viscountcy via the Koenitz Viscountcy from the Bechtolsheim Marquisate. Immediately after the "Far-Talk" arrived, Chief Attendant Yuri, accompanied by the dialogue mage Konrad, visited Noein's office.
"—Therefore, regarding this occasion, it was stated that formal ceremonial dress is not required, and that preparations for tributes to His Majesty the King should not be made."
Facing Noein, who sat at his desk, Konrad reported the contents of the communication received via "Far-Talk." Noein's adjutant, Matilda, stood by his side, and Chief Attendant Yuri stood beside Konrad.
"Not that we don't have to prepare, but that we should not prepare, huh. It seems they've been quite considerate of the Southern nobles."
"Indeed. At the same time, they are likely being quite mindful of the Northern nobles as well."
As Noein muttered while listening to the report, Yuri nodded in agreement.
During the ceremonies and banquets held in the Royal Capital roughly once every two years, it was customary for nobles to bring tributes as gifts for the King.
Under customary law, this was considered a type of tax that nobles were burdened with, alongside military service, and they were required to prepare items befitting their family rank. In Noein's case up until now, he had carefully selected a wooden box full of particularly high-quality raw lapis lazuli to present.
If the tributes from all high-ranking nobles were collected, it became a significant amount of incidental income for the Royal Family. It was said that in the past, there were foolish kings who held banquets frequently for the sake of these tributes.
The fact that this burden was effectively waived this time was likely a consideration for the Southern nobles, many of whom had only just inherited their family heads and had not yet made progress in rebuilding their territories.
The measure of prohibiting even the Northern nobles from bringing tributes was thought to be a way to prevent the Southern nobles' honor from being damaged by people saying "only the Southern nobles didn't bring gifts," while simultaneously preventing dissatisfaction among the Northern nobles by ensuring they didn't feel "only the Northern nobles were forced to bear the burden of tributes."
"As for the ceremonial dress, there are probably houses where the heads, having just inherited, cannot prepare something that follows formal etiquette... It really feels like they're just saying 'as long as you arrive in the Royal Capital by the deadline, it's fine.'"
"For many Southern houses, just doing that will be their utmost. The Royal Family likely wants to wrap up the granting of rewards and the introductions of the new heads as quickly as possible."
"His Majesty probably made significant concessions to make the nobles comply with the Royal Family's convenience... Setting the ceremony aside, the banquet might not be as luxurious as usual."
The purpose of this summons was to hold a ceremony for the granting of peerages, promotions in rank, and the bestowal of rewards. The central part of the Kingdom was still in the midst of post-war reconstruction, and since there would be no profit from noble tributes, Noein thought it best not to expect much from the banquet.
"Speaking of which, Konrad, was there any mention of my reward via 'Far-Talk'? Like whether an envoy from the Royal Family is scheduled to come?"
Considering his achievements in the Betumia War, Noein would likely receive the largest reward among all the nobles. When a reward was significant, it was common for a formal envoy from the Royal Family to be sent in advance for the sake of etiquette.
"No, about that... regarding the matter of the reward, it seems His Majesty the King wishes to speak with Noein-sama directly. It was said that it is a matter that cannot be conveyed via 'Far-Talk,' and a royal order has been issued for Noein-sama alone to arrive at the Royal Palace in early September, ahead of the other nobles."
Hearing this, Noein raised an eyebrow in slight surprise. A matter that could not be conveyed via "Far-Talk" must be of considerable significance.
"...I wonder what His Majesty intends to give me."
Noein looked around at the people in the room, but Konrad and Matilda, by his side, shook their heads apologetically, and Yuri answered with a bitter smile, as if speaking for their feelings.
"If Noein-sama doesn't know, then we haven't the slightest clue. But at the very least, it's probably not just a simple promotion or mere money and goods."
"Right. In that case... an exclave? If so, I'd rather they spare me. There's still room for development in the Arqvist territory, and it's not as if we have a surplus of manpower."
Noein muttered with a look of genuine distaste.
If the Royal Family were to grant new land to a noble, depending on the location and scale, there might be political circumstances where they would want to convey it directly.
However, Noein had no good memories of exclaves. In the first place, while he was already fully occupied with the management of the Arqvist territory, being given such a thing would only increase the hardship of administration and would not make him happy in the least.
"The Royal Family surely knows that Noein-sama doesn't want any more land. Perhaps that's not it?"
"But then, what kind of reward could it be... well, there's no point in thinking about it here."
"Yeah, we can't possibly know what His Majesty the King is thinking."
As Noein sighed, Yuri nodded with a resigned expression.
.....
"Samuel—"
"Eleos!"
One day in August, when the air had become completely summer-like. In front of the residence of the Koenitz Viscountcy, Noein's son Eleos and Frederick's son—and Arnold's eldest grandson—Samuel ran toward each other and hugged.
The sight of the two-year-old children, who were cousins and childhood friends, rejoicing in their reunion was very heartwarming. Noein and Clara, who were watching from behind Eleos, and Arnold, Eleonore, Frederick, and Renette, who were watching from behind Samuel, all instinctively smiled.
"Noein, welcome. Eleos seems to have grown again."
"Yes, recently he's been learning new words rapidly and becoming more mischievous by the day. It's almost a bit troubling."
As Noein gave a wry smile while exchanging greetings with Arnold, Frederick nodded in agreement.
"I understand the feeling, Noein-dono. Our Samuel is the same. I'm already tired just thinking about how he'll become even more rambunctious from here on."
"Ahaha, the troubles of child-rearing are the same in every house."
While Noein spoke with the two men, Clara also exchanged greetings with her mother and sister-in-law, and everyone entered the residence.
"Now then, dear, we shall go to the living room."
"Yeah, see you later. I'll leave Eleos to you."
And so, the women's group, including Clara, headed to the living room, while the men's group, including Noein, entered the reception room.
Today, Noein had not visited the Koenitz Viscountcy merely for family interaction. The main purpose was business as a noble.
Having been told by Arnold that he wanted to discuss future matters, including next month's ceremony and banquet, Noein had brought Clara and Eleos along while visiting the Koenitz Viscountcy.
"So, were any details conveyed regarding your reward?"
"No, I was only instructed to come to the Royal Palace in early September, ahead of the other nobles... as for the specifics, nothing yet."
"I see. To be explained to directly by His Majesty... as expected of the 'Hero who Saved the Nation'-dono."
"To be honest, I'm not very fond of that alias..."
Noein returned a subtle smile to Arnold's words.
At the same time that the notices regarding the schedule of the ceremony and banquet were sent to the high-ranking nobles, a proclamation regarding the overview of the Betumia War was issued throughout the Kingdom in the name of King Oscar Roadberg III.
In that proclamation, it was emphasized—more prominently than the achievements of the great nobles who had excelled as generals during the fight—that Noein had presented a bold strategy and saved the Kingdom from its predicament. It was boldly declared in the name of the King that Viscount Noein Arqvist was the "Hero who Saved the Nation."
While there was no doubt it was an honor, for Noein, who wished to live quietly and peacefully in his own territory, he felt that he was standing out too much, for better or worse.
"And as for the Koenitz Viscountcy, was there any talk of a reward?"
Not wanting to dwell on the alias that had thundered across the country, Noein changed the subject by asking this.
"Yes, an envoy came just the other day, and I received a letter from the Royal Family... according to that, we are to be promoted in rank and become the Koenitz Earldom."
Hearing this, Noein's eyes widened.
"...Congratulations. That's amazing. Is it... seventy years since a new Earldom was created?"
"Seventy-three years. Ever since the Ahatz family was promoted after succeeding in the construction of the port city. In our case, combined with Frederick's success as the chief of staff for the Western Army, the political circumstances of the noble factions likely played a large part..."
Through the Betumia War, the power balance among the regional noble factions had changed significantly, and the power of the Northwest and Southwest, and the Northeast and Southeast, became nearly equal. If that were the case, having a new Earldom in the Northwest would be just right in terms of the balance of family rank.
As Arnold explained these considerations, Noein tilted his head.
"In that case, what will happen to the reward for my Arqvist family... if the Royal Family speaks of my achievements so exaggeratedly, then considering face, they'll have to give me something more than a promotion to an Earldom, right?"
The "face" in this case was not Noein's. If they praised Noein excessively and then gave him a reward equal to or less than other nobles, the Royal Family's face would be crushed, as it would seem they "only praised with words and lacked the capacity or power to give a fitting reward."
"True... a very significant special privilege of some sort would be appropriate, wouldn't it? Though I cannot imagine the specifics myself."
"A privilege... I feel a complex mix of anticipation and a bit of fear."
Noein spoke as if he felt uncomfortable. Laughing softly at that appearance, Arnold tightened his expression again.
"Now then, in a sense, this is where the main topic begins... Along with the promotion, I have decided to move my residence, together with Eleonore, to a villa in the Royal Capital. Regarding the practical administration of the Koenitz territory, I will appoint Frederick as the Acting Lord and entrust him with full authority."
Hearing this, Noein's eyes widened again.
"That is... quite a bold decision."
"Yes. This too is intertwined with various political circumstances."
"A not-insignificant number of court nobles have come to leave the Royal Capital after being granted territories in the South. Consequently, the room to enter the noble society of the Royal Capital has increased. My father has served as the head of the Northwest faction's fourth-ranking house for a long time, and the location of the territory is adjacent to the Arqvist territory, which possesses the Bezel Great Forest Road, and the Bechtolsheim Marquisate, the center of the Northwest. He is perfectly suited as a person to conduct political activities in the Royal Capital."
Frederick, who explained the circumstances in Arnold's stead, gave a smirk.
"In other words, Father is being sent into the heart of the Kingdom as an operative for the Northwest faction. As the heir, I too have learned territory management over these past few years and have acquired sufficient ability to serve as Acting Lord."
"Hey, you've got some nerve treating your father like an operative. And stop praising yourself."
Smiling at the easy exchange between father and son, Noein also spoke.
"Then, the opportunities for me to see my father-in-law's face will decrease for a while... that is very lonely. I feel like I might cry."
"You too. What's the fun in teasing your father-in-law... well, for those reasons, I will likely be stationed in the Royal Capital starting around next year. If there is anything you want me to influence, you can contact me after consulting with Frederick. I should be able to help to some extent."
"I understand. Then, if anything comes up, I will rely on you. Thank you very much."
For a noble, having a relative who can provide assistance from the Royal Capital is extremely convenient. To Arnold's words as a father-in-law and as a neighboring lord, Noein nodded while sincerely feeling grateful.