165 – Repayment (9)
As soon as the oath was sung, the investiture ceremony took place. Next to me, Sylverin sat with her legs crossed, eyes on the podium.
Soon after, Grand Duke Gainax stood up.
Stubborn-looking hooked nose and thick neck. Prominent cheekbones and square jaw. And a short, trimmed beard. Because of his unusually large body, his clothes seemed tight. If it weren’t for the elegant monarch’s clothes, Prince Gainax had a sturdy and strong appearance that would have made him look like a street fighter.
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Looking at him, I could understand the rumor that he was looking for a strong man as his son-in-law. In his eyes, all other men will look weak and insignificant, so he won’t be satisfied.
Dazzling sunlight poured down from the skylight on the dome, and the light was focused precisely on the knights who stood on the podium as representatives for the investiture ceremony.
The number of knights who receive the investiture ceremony as representatives is only five. The ages ranged widely, from people in their twenties to elderly people who looked like they might have grandchildren, and there was nothing in common in their appearances.
I don’t know what kind of contribution they made, but seeing as they were receiving great respect from the apprentice knights, it seemed like each of them had some pretty significant accomplishments on their backs.
The silver armor of the knights shines dazzlingly and beautifully. The cape flutters in the light wind blowing from somewhere. It was a picturesque scenery.
The Memorial Hall was so quiet and solemn that it was reminiscent of a religious ceremony.
“Redfield’s Ronaun, come up to the podium!”
When Grand Duke Gainax called his name, a knight in his thirties who had been waiting under the podium climbed the stairs and stood.
Everyone was looking up at him with eyes filled with envy and envy.
The knight who came first knelt on one knee in front of the archduke.
“Lonown of Redfield. Even in poverty and hunger, you have not lost your honesty and honor and have been an example to others. Under the blessings of the Goddess, you will grow even older, and I will also be at your back. According to the will of heaven, I will bestow upon you a knighthood and a silver sword with the blessings of the goddess.”
The knight named Rona Un took off his helmet and said.
“Now, I will hold the sword and live for the virtues of chivalry until my right arm turns white.”
And then a priest holds out a silver sword supported by silk in front of him. As he accepted the sword, the audience applauded heartily.
Soon after, the name of the next knight was called and the title was awarded.
“Sorrel of the Empty Plains, you did not give in even in desperate situations and showed your wisdom to save poor young souls. “Please use the blessings in your head to benefit the world.”
Silverine, who was watching next to me with her chin resting on her face with a bored expression, quietly whispered to me.
“I’ve heard of Sorel. “It is said that after confronting a notorious vampire who kidnaps children, he roasted them with just his tongue and brought back all his captives without shedding a single drop of blood.”
“Amazing… “It does.”
“That’s right. Victory achieved without fighting is more valuable. “It was so impressive that I couldn’t easily forget its name.”
“….”
It would be great if Sylverin would remember it like this. The world is wide and there are many great people.
They each achieved achievements that fit the virtues of chivalry and seemed to be praised for it. Sylverine narrowed her eyes and peered at my face.
“Disciple, but… “Why are you looking like that?”
To be honest, I felt a bit sick when someone like Silverine, who is stingy with praise, spoke kindly of a man named Sorel. I was even more concerned because he was a young man close to my age.
“No.”
Sylverin smiled and placed her hand on the back of my hand without saying a word, as if comforting her.
I also achieved something meritorious, but it seemed to fall a little short by the standards of the principality. What was to be bestowed upon me must have been included among those five knights. It was too much to expect, as I had previously encountered a high-ranking noble who gave me a hostile look.
The investiture ceremony, attended by five knights, ended in such a solemn atmosphere. Has the event reached its end? The priest on the platform slipped away somewhere. And he was sitting in the chair and adjusting his clothes. Everyone seemed to be preparing for the end.
However, Grand Duke Gainax stood still even though his knights left.
The moment I thought the investiture ceremony was over.
Five priests came up to the stage holding something.
Then he held it upright so that the audience could see it.
It was a platinum shield with the emblem of a lion, the symbol of the principality, engraved on it.
Immediately, Archduke Gainax’s loud cry echoed through the silence where not even the sound of breathing could be heard.
“Wiesel’s knight, Damian, respond to the call of the Grand Duchy of Ulicia.”
And for a moment, I couldn’t believe my ears. Did he hear correctly? Prince Gainax’s loud cries still echo. My heart was beating fast as if I had been struck by lightning.
The audience slowly stood up from their seats as if they had made a promise. They all stood like that and waited for the person who had been called to come forward.
I reflexively looked at Silverine. She too looked at me with her benevolent smile and nodded her head. It seems that Sylverin knew everything.
“Go, my beloved disciple.”
I even forgot to say that I would go.
As I raised her body, Sylverin, who had been holding my hand, slipped her hand away. I walked across the center of the hall. I couldn’t believe that he had really called me, so I couldn’t move easily.
A lot of people standing up are looking at me. Those eyes contained an unpretentious respect that felt undeserved to me.
In that silence, the only sound allowed was my footsteps.
And finally, I went up to the stage and faced Prince Gainax. I bowed low and formalized like the other knights did.
He studied my appearance with a benevolent expression and gave a faint smile that did not match his strong appearance.
“… Even when you were scorned, you did not hold a grudge, and even when evil consumed everything, you did not give up hope alone. “Even in places where there was no breakthrough, he used his wits to overcome crises and fought courageously even in situations where death was right in front of his eyes.”
“….”
“Thanks to this, many knights, vassals, and Princess Bibi, a bloodline of the goddess, were able to preserve their lives. You have proven yourself to be a more honorable knight than anyone else who has practiced the virtues of chivalry, and that you are worthy of everyone’s respect. Therefore, this platinum shield is yours, and your achievements will have a place in the history of the principality.”
“… “It is an honor, but it is too much for me.”
Grand Duke Gainax spoke quietly.
“…… Additionally, I want to thank you as the father of a child.”
The priests come to me and hand me a platinum shield. I took a deep breath and accepted the shield. Indeed, it was as heavy as the meaning it contained.
I heard later that among the great people who received the title of ‘Knight of the Platinum Shield’, three were Sword Masters, including Zeldan Heart, and one was an Archmage.
Incongruous with their reputation, the portraits of the sword masters in my memory were so ordinary that they looked very shabby. This is because at the time he was awarded the shield, he was a wanderer, farmer, and member of a traveling troupe with no previous history.
It was a long time later that they became famous.
***
Luna picked up a bunch of firewood and put it down in the fire pit. Then the chef who saw this said.
“Oh my gosh, how did you carry that with such a fragile body? “Wait a minute, I’ll bring the flint.”
“… Are you okay.”
Luna summoned her spirit and lit a fire with firewood as if it was no big deal. The embers spread quickly without her having to use the bellows.
When she saw the female chef with a generous figure, her eyes widened in surprise.
“Wow, it’s magic? “I heard you’re a student from Eternia.”
Perhaps because she lived a life that had nothing to do with the spirit, the chef did not recognize the spirit floating in front of her.
“… “It’s similar.”
“So? “Yeah, but I think the fire is a little strong.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the fire that had been burning like a blacksmith furnace died down even further.
“Oh my, oh my.”
The chef kept making exclamations with a surprised face.
Luna, without any sign of pride, tied her long blonde hair back, tied up her apron, and went about preparing her dish.
Then he moved the large jar with a grunt and placed it on the fire pit.
“I’m ready….”
“Okay. You have to mix the meat with medicinal ingredients and boil it over low heat for two hours, right? “You need to bring bay leaves, pepper, and rhododendron root.”
“… Is the fire adequate now?”
The chef lowered her head and carefully checked the fire in the oven and said.
“Just right. Luna, take the ingredients from the warehouse. Your body is so thin that you can’t use your strength. “I’ll fill the pot with water in the meantime.”
“… Yes.”
After dividing the roles, when Luna brought the ingredients, the water in the oak-sized pot was already boiling, not to mention full.
The chef was preparing the meat to be put into the stew, and Luna was next to him in silence, washing the longinel roots in water.
As steam filled the kitchen, the chef glanced sideways at Luna.
Palely white skin, long, thin hands without calluses. Eyes like a cat and a face like a doll. A gesture that exudes noble refinement. It looked completely out of place in this dark, meat-filled kitchen.
“But, you seem like a young lady who was raised with honor. She said she also goes to the academy….”
“….”
“Is there a reason you want to learn a job in a place like this? When Grandmother Nan Piñar introduced me to her lady, she was amazed. It’s so unsuitable for kitchen work. “He must be busy concentrating on his studies, so it’s a bit sad to see him having such a hard time after coming all the way to League Bed.”
Luna answered in her usual calm voice.
“… Are you okay.”
“Are you not able to afford the tuition? You know, if you knew how to do magic, you could get other good jobs. The senior kids are all over the place trying to get you somewhere to take them. “Even if you’re not a senior, I think you can make a good living.”
Luna lowered her head and answered timidly, probably because she was embarrassed for no reason.
“It’s not like that…” .”
“Then, if you don’t mind, may I ask the reason? “It’s because I’m so curious.”
“…… “I want to learn how to cook.”
The chef stopped preparing her meat and looked at Luna blankly.
“If you are a young lady who has grown up in honor, there will be many people under your control. “Why did you come all the way here and suffer?”
“I… “I like this.”
“It’s so weird. “What are you going to use your cooking skills for?”
“It’s a secret.”
“Hey, what is it? Is it such a big deal that you hide it like that?”
“….”
“Just tell me. If I know what it is, maybe I can help, right?”
She hesitated and shyly opened her mouth.
“Actually, I was at home with a friend…” ….”
Luna lowered her head and avoided her chef’s gaze.
“What? What?”
“When you return… Congratulations…”
Luna’s voice gradually subsided, until she was drowned out by the sound of boiling water.
“Huh? You want your friend to work with you too?”