Chapter 66: Return of the Envoy
Greon and I returned to Suctari as the evening began to set in.
The encounter with "it" at that moment was purely coincidental.
Just as we passed by the mansion's gatekeeper and were about to ascend the slope, we happened to see something resembling a cocoon of light floating in front of the dimming mansion.
"Shiro!"
"Yeah, let's go!"
We dashed up the hill on our mounts (my riding skills have improved), and there it was: "teleportation."
When we reached the front of the mansion, we were surrounded by the expected figures of the royal inspectors, Meiger and his two associates, who had emerged in a crowd from the mansion.
Jona the spy was nowhere to be seen today, perhaps not even yesterday.
"Well, well, if it isn't you. Good timing."
Meiger, with a somewhat different attitude than yesterday, turned his gaze towards us, or more specifically, towards me.
"Are you truly a reincarnator?"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I affirmed Meiger's question and then, in the presence of Carrena and others in the guest room, briefly recounted the events leading up to this moment.
He listened with an expression that gave away nothing, whether he believed or not, but he was certainly serious.
In the midst of this, we eventually found ourselves unexpectedly present for the topic of his return, a scene set in the royal capital that was not easy to move away from. Was that a good thing?
Of course, I was playing a role like a guardsman, standing at the very edge of the audience hall.
In the grand hall of the mansion, known as the audience chamber, Carrena rose from her seat, walked over to Meiger, lifted the hem of her skirt, folded one leg back, and bent her waist to greet him with a formal bow.
"Carrena Foro Orbania-do, by the official decree of the King, you are summoned to the Kingdom's Assembly to be convened in accordance with the Festival of the Millennia, on the first day of the Second Lunar Month."
The moment Meiger got straight to the point, Sebastian and the other senior members seemed to stir.
This was an order to hasten to the capital to receive instructions on personnel matters, which, if it implied...
"However, before that, I bear a private message from Vice Minister Valden, Marquis of Walden. This is an unofficial communication and should be kept strictly confidential, needless to say."
From within his garments, Meiger took out a paper with the royal crest inscribed on it.
"In recognition of the late Earl Orbania's daughter, Carrena Foro Orbania, we hereby recognize her as the heir to House Orbania, granting her the title of Viscountess Orbania."
The room fell silent. What did this mean?
However, after a moment, Carrena made a graceful curtsey.
"I humbly accept the message from the Vice Minister and thank him for his guidance."
Her face was flushed, her eyes glistening.
"To receive this royal decree, I shall prepare for my audience at once... Envoy, I offer my heartfelt gratitude."
Sebastian, Zagu, and the others cheered, hugging and celebrating.
Meiger watched the scene with an expression of "Oh well," but he didn't say anything further.
Afterward, the setting changed, and a modest dinner party was held. Seated across from Carrena, Meiger began to share, in confidence, the events that had transpired in the capital.
Last night, upon their immediate return to the royal capital, Meiger and his group had reported to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Their report had stirred considerable confusion among bureaucrats who were deliberating over how to reward nobles for their contributions, which included the confiscation of the Orbania family's lands.
Originally, Meiger had been expected to present a formal investigation result that aligned with the established course: dismissing the Orbania family's claims as unreliable. So, the sudden shift to reporting that the Orbania family's claim was valid, acknowledging Carrena's status as a qualified lord after their success in the labyrinth, was baffling and initially met with reprimands.
But circumstances had changed around midday.
The Minister of Internal Affairs had received a request for a reevaluation of rewards and punishments in the Shikperel region, citing evidence of multiple irregularities in tax declarations by Viscount Brell of Douras, through a close advisor of the king.
Gen-san, was that you? It must be referring to this morning's incident, but this is too swift. And such influence!
Furthermore, the Commercial Guild of the capital had submitted a petition regarding the interests in the Shikperel region. The initial proposal of reducing Carrena to a mere knight status and making Viscount Brell the custodian of the region's interests had been abandoned.
Instead, they chose a more nuanced political resolution: Carrena would be demoted from Countess to Viscountess, a gesture to address her family's past failures. Viscount Brell would be recognized as an equal Viscount, allowing both families to retain their prestige.
Enjoying the meal in a corner seat, I finally grasped the situation with explanations from Igri seated next to me and the insightful commentary of Professor Lina.
"Furthermore, regarding your contribution to this labyrinth conquest," Meiger continued.
"We are considering expanding your fief. Currently, the villages and towns on the border of the Shikperel region, inhabited by pioneers seeking refuge from monsters and thieves, have requested the protection of the kingdom. There may be an opportunity for you to utilize the power of your noble house, which has achieved the labyrinth conquest, and the administrative policies we discussed recently..."
I knew very little about politics, but seeing Carrena's delighted expression, I could tell that things had worked out well.
The duties that had once bound me under a slave contract seemed truly over this time.
And so, having enjoyed an exquisite dinner that I could barely remember in the morning, I found myself abruptly awakened from a hangover by an unexpected visitor the next morning.