Translator: Cinder Translations
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Since the news of the restoration of the Grayman family's power as sword nobles spread, a storm of emotions began brewing beneath the calm surface in Alden. Officials and military leaders were all abuzz with excitement, driven not only by a great desire for social advancement but also by feelings of suspicion, anxiety, and even unease.
What title will I be granted? A viscount? A baron? Even a knight's title would be fine!
What if the lord doesn't notice my usual performance? No merits, but I have put in effort too.
Will someone else, who hasn't worked as hard as I have, end up with a better title or territory? Should I express dissatisfaction then?
Of course, the most unanimous question on everyone's mind was:
Why hasn't there been any news from Earl Grayman for so many days?
All these emotions resulted in a flurry of rumors.
Finally, the spring breeze brought good news: Earl Grayman was to summon everyone to announce the rewards for the meritorious.
Alden was in a frenzy!
On the day of the bestowal, the hall of the lord's manor was packed with the upper echelons of Alden Town, including naval commanders from far-off Frand Port, except for Tirpitz, who was still commanding the royal fleet in the south.
From the army, Baron Andrew, the commander of the Fourth Battalion, did not attend. On one hand, he was stationed in Emden with his own troops; on the other, he was already a sword noble with his own territory, as a vassal of the Ganard family.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
Paul, seated in the lord's chair, shouted.
"You must have been anxiously waiting for these days! Now, you will finally receive what you deserve!"
Everyone answered in unison: "We leave it to the earl's judgment!"
Everyone was serious, and their eyes were "clear."
At such a decisive moment, one must appear to be completely selfless and content.
Paul instructed his people to hang up a map, the very one he had seen with Bryce that night.
"Bryce Alder!"
The earl called out the name of the first person to be honored.
This surprised some people. The head of the civil officials was Wackley Ford, and the head of the military was Owen Schroeder. Why was Bryce, who was only a battalion commander, the first to be called?
However, considering Bryce's advantage over the older Ford in terms of military achievements and over Schroeder in terms of his longer service to the Grayman family, it wasn't entirely unexpected for him to be honored first.
Bryce walked up with his head held high, knelt on one knee at the steps of the lord's chair, and assumed a solemn expression.
Paul announced loudly, "I hereby grant you the title of Baron of Bailan Castle!"
"Wow!"
The hall erupted in excitement. Bailan Castle used to be the residence of an earl, and its fertile land was indeed a generous reward.
Bryce looked up at his lord and said, "Thank you, my lord! The Alder family will forever be loyal to you and your legitimate heirs."
"Hmm!" Paul nodded solemnly.
Just when everyone thought Bryce was about to withdraw, he remained kneeling, not getting up.
Some people grew resentful. Wasn't being made Baron enough? This was blocking the earl from rewarding the rest of them.
Paul asked with a look of "puzzlement," "Bryce, do you have something else to say?"
Bryce replied loudly, "My lord, I have a request that I hope you will grant."
Damn it! I knew this guy wanted to grab more benefits! That was what many people thought.
Not satisfied with being Baron of Bailan Castle? Really, you can't judge a book by its cover, always looking so honest and simple...
"Earl, I am honored to accept the title of Baron of Bailan Castle, but I request that the land of Bailan Castle remain under the administration of the Administrative Office!"
What? Did I hear that right?
The people in the hall were stunned, staring at Bryce in disbelief.
Except for the experienced Ford and Schroeder, who noticed a fleeting smile on the earl's face, everyone else was in shock.
The lord's decision to first honor Bryce might have other reasons? The two exchanged glances.
Paul asked loudly, "Bryce, why? Being a lord is something many people dream of!"
Bryce stood up and answered proudly, "My lord, first of all, due to my own limitations and responsibilities, as a commander of your regular army, I must remain in the army and cannot personally manage a territory. If I abandon my duties and go to manage my own territory, would that not be disloyal to you? Furthermore, I have no reliable subordinates to manage it on my behalf. Since the Administrative Office already has a functioning team, why not entrust it to them? Just like the Byerldine of the Ganard family, which has prospered under the management of the Administrative Office, as everyone can see. And also…"
Paul asked, "And also what?"
Bryce's voice lowered, "I swear to the Lord of Light that I am absolutely loyal to you, but… but… I cannot guarantee that my descendants will be loyal to your descendants. If something like the Byerldine rebellion occurs, the reputation of the Alder family would be ruined. That is too terrifying. Therefore, I formally request that you only grant me the title of lord!"
Many people in the hall broke out in cold sweat after hearing Bryce's speech.
Come on! You've even brought up loyalty! What are we supposed to do now?
Paul squinted, stroking his faint beard as if deep in thought.
After a long while, he slowly said, "Alright, Bryce, I agree to your request!"
What? The earl agreed? Well… I suppose there's no reason for the earl not to agree.
"Alas!" Paul sighed, "Your family has been loyal to the Grayman family for three generations. Even though you do not accept administrative power over the land, you must accept economic benefits. Here's what I'll do: All public farmland in the Bailan Castle region that was previously under the Administrative Office will be granted to you!"
"This… my lord…" Bryce seemed to want to say more.
Paul furrowed his brow and said with some "anger," "What? If you don't accept it, I'll be unhappy!"
"Alright, thank you for your reward, my lord!"
Bryce once again knelt and thanked him. Only then did Paul show a happy smile.
"Wackley Ford!"
Paul called out the name of the head of the Administrative Office.
Old Ford stepped forward and knelt on one knee. Paul quickly asked him to stand up.
"Although you inherited your title of baron from a relative, you are only a robe noble. Now, I will promote you to a viscount."
"You may not have military achievements, but managing the Administrative Office involves a lot of work, and your contributions are significant. Therefore, I will also grant you a territory—Redrock Town!"
"Thank you, my lord!" Ford thanked him and then raised his head, saying, "But I also request that my territory continue to be managed by the Administrative Office!"
What? Another one?
People in the hall groaned internally again!
Ford continued to ramble on, but the core of his request was similar to Bryce's.
The military leaders began to grumble internally, feeling that their high-mindedness had left them in a difficult position.
The Administrative Office officials, however, remained calm and watched the scene. They had already resigned themselves to only getting a robe noble position, and Ford's request had extinguished any lingering hopes they had.
TL Note: Man! That was satisfying...
(End of the Chapter)
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