Chapter 86

It was the end of the Sacred Year 513, and the first day of the Sacred Year 514.

Today is also my 14th birthday.

Normally, a 14th birthday wouldn't be celebrated grandly, but since I have decided to establish a new house, I will be celebrated as an adult a year early.

Being 15 is just the standard for adulthood, but there are also people who become adults and get married at 12, so it's not strange for me to become an adult at 14.

However, I didn't know about the early adulthood myself.

From the morning, an envoy from His Majesty visited and delivered a congratulatory speech, informing me that my investiture as a viscount would take place on February 15th.

By noon, a celebratory party was being held, and by the time it started, my older brother Jimnis had rushed over with my two older sisters, Elizabette and Krishnas.

"Christoph, congratulations. You're an adult a year early."

Jimnis patted my shoulder vigorously, congratulating me on my adulthood.

It hurts, you know.

"Christoph is now a full-fledged adult, so we're drinking today! Will you join me?"

Elizabette hugged me and offered me a drink.

Is she already drunk?

Elizabette seems to be a bit of a lightweight.

And the party hasn't even started yet.

"Congratulations on your adulthood. I'm a bit jealous that you've surpassed me."

Krishnas patted my head, treating me like a child.

Please stop poking my cheeks.

"Christoph, congratulations on your adulthood. I thought we would spend next year together at the Royal Magic Academy, so I'm very disappointed. But I'm happy that everyone knows how excellent you are."

Antoinette, also known as Anne, hugged me and congratulated me with a shy look.

She's so cute, and when I pat her head, she smiles happily.

She's really adorable!

Then Carla, Peron, Clara, and Pritz also came to celebrate.

And they brought their parents.

Since most of the guests have gathered, it's time for my father to give a speech.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for gathering here for my son Christoph. This time, Christoph will graduate from the Royal Magic Academy in just one year—"

I let my father's long speech wash over me as the banquet began.

Then the speeches from the guests started.

The speeches began with the higher-ranking nobles.

The speeches from the nobles I don't know, the aunts and uncles, and the young gentlemen and ladies of my age continued.

Actually, there are more young gentlemen than young ladies of my age.

There's a reason for this, and it's related to my decision to establish a new house.

First, let me explain about establishing a new house. What does a new house need? That's right, it needs vassals.

In other words, various people who want to serve in my new house, such as those living in noble houses or soldiers in the kingdom, have come.

The other reason is my two older sisters.

Elizabette is 18 this year and is of marriageable age, but she hasn't decided on a partner yet. The same goes for Krishnas, who is 15 this year.

As for Anne, the third daughter, she is 11, so if she is of a similar age to me, she could be a suitable marriage partner.

The three beautiful sisters of the Brützels Margrave family are in the spotlight.

My father, because my grandmother (my great-grandmother) was a free citizen, doesn't require a high family background for the three of them.

Jimnis, the eldest son, has a fiancée from a marquess family, and I have a betrothal to Princess Dorothy, so my father doesn't seem to require a high family background for the three of them.

However, since Elizabette is of a certain age, if things continue this way, my father might use his authority to decide a fiancé for her.

"I am Lloyd von Adachi. My daughter Carla will be in your care. She is a bit of a handful, but please take care of her."

My first impression of Carla's father is that he is very humble.

However, his speech sounds like he's suggesting that Carla will join my household.

In any case, the speeches from the guests are received by the three of us: me, the main character, and my parents, my father and mother.

Carla's family is a viscount, the same rank as my new house, but because they are part of the Brützels Margrave family, they are very polite to me.

"I am Landson von Hekart. I am deeply grateful for the kindness shown to my son Pritz and my daughter Clara. This Landson cannot be happier."

Landson looks nothing like Pritz's father; he has a large, muscular build and a beard.

I wonder if the good genes of Clara and Pritz will be passed down?

The Hekart family is a knightly family, but they have a gold mine in their territory, so they are economically strong. The development of their territory is also going well, and the population is increasing year by year.

If they become close to the Brützels Margrave family, they might even see a baronial title in the future.

I wonder how Clara and Pritz would react if they found out their family name is the same as in our world?

Clara might say, "Oh, really?" and Pritz might be flustered.

"I am Leonard Cook. I have met Christoph before. This time, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to bring my son Peron. I will serve with all my heart."

Leonard's speech made it seem like he was going to serve me, but I could feel his sincerity.

Peron's father is still a dapper gentleman.

With his charming smile, he could win over any of the ladies.

I've only been in the capital for a year, and I don't go out much because I have a bodyguard, so I don't know much about the capital, but I think the food here is not very good.

However, Leonard is the owner and head chef of the only restaurant in the capital that serves good food, "Restaurant Cook."

The speeches from the guests were over, and I could finally start eating.

"There are so many people. No wonder the Brützels Margrave family is known as the one that even flying birds would burn to a crisp."

What a metaphor!

There must be a better way to say it.

"Hey, Clara. I met your father for the first time, and now I can't imagine what Pritz will be like in the future."

"Hehe, my father is a true warrior. We take after our mother."

It's hard to imagine a person with that build as a mage, but I remember that Clara's mother was a former court magician.

It's good that all her genes came from her mother.

"By the way, where is Princess Dorothy?"

"It's impossible. If the princess attended every noble's birthday, there would be no end to it."

The engagement announcement will be made when I receive the viscount title, and I can't be treated specially now.

However, tomorrow, the whole family will go to the castle to greet His Majesty, and I will be able to see Princess Dorothy.

"Christoph, are you resting here by the wall? Oh, you're with a beautiful lady. I apologize for the intrusion."

His skin is tanned to a brown color, he is about 2 meters tall, but his body is slender.

At first glance, he looks like a dark elf, but he is actually a dwarf.

I know it's hard to believe, but he is a pure-blooded dwarf.

"…Egnazio, are you enjoying yourself?"

Yes, his name is Egnazio von Desirium, the third son of the Desirium baronial family and a male of my age who came to this party.

"Everyone is here for Christoph, but I am enjoying the many beautiful ladies."

"That's good to hear."

"I think it's a bit unfortunate for the ladies, but shouldn't the guest of honor, Christoph, be the one to approach the ladies? They are all trying their best to win his heart."

"It's impossible for them to approach Christoph at this time."

"Hmm, does that mean the rumors are true?"

"Rumors?"

"Think about Christoph's actions last month."

Ah, with Princess Dorothy...

What? It's become a rumor?

It's a bit... no, quite embarrassing.

"…If Christoph can't entertain the ladies, I'll do it for him. Christoph, I'll owe you one. Hehehe."

Egnazio is a second-year student at the Royal Knight School, the same age as me.

He is rumored to be one of the strongest students since the school's founding and is already being courted by the royal knight corps and powerful noble families.

However, Egnazio's true strength goes beyond that.

There is a secret about Egnazio that makes me want to have him as a vassal.

"It's amazing that he is expected to become the strongest knight despite his slender build."

Clara's cheeks are slightly red as she watches Egnazio's back.

Can I see this side of Clara here?

Since Clara is of a certain age, it's not strange for her to fall for a handsome and promising man like Egnazio.

By the way... Pritz, how long have you been there?

You have no presence at all!

"Pritz, where are Carla and Peron?"

"Um, they're over there."

That's it!

You should try to assert your presence more!

Looking in the direction Pritz pointed, I saw Carla and Peron standing next to their fathers, who were having a friendly conversation.

Both of them seemed to be looking down, and while Peron looked as usual, Carla seemed to lack her usual energy.