Chapter 36

"Hey, it's been a while, hasn't it? Kid."

Two days after I arrived in the capital and was ennobled by His Majesty for the matter of slaying the ancient dragon, today was set for Eirich's wedding at the Brandt household.

Actually, Eirich is officially a member of the Brandt family now.

In this world, a wedding ceremony for nobles, unless they are royalty or major nobles, involves only the two of them going to a church and reporting to the priest to get their marriage recognized.

After that, they just need to submit documents to the government office.

So today was more of a wedding reception to introduce the couple to their surroundings.

In fact, it has been about three years since Eirich and his soon-to-be sister-in-law, Miriam, met.

After seeing Eirich work for two years as a junior official, starting at the age of seventeen, Lord Rotherger decided that he could entrust his only daughter to him and began to solidify the foundation during that time.

The reason for such a troublesome process is due to the complex relationships among nobles and the jealousy from other relatives.

The Brandt family has only one daughter, and the only way to pass on the lineage is through a son-in-law.

When such information spreads, all sorts of people, including those who claim to be relatives, will pressure from all sides, saying, "We have a potential son-in-law like this..."

Even if the candidate is not suitable, they will still recommend them.

To outright reject them would cause friction, so they have to at least hear them out.

Being a guardian is quite a challenging role.

It might be similar to a politician from my previous life, struggling with petitions.

In the midst of all this, Rotherger chose Eirich.

Naturally, there are many who are not pleased with this decision.

The delay in the official wedding was also due to the time it took to adjust such troublesome interference.

"However, the number of people who openly complain has decreased now,"

According to Rotherger, my presence, having slain the dragon and received the Order of the Twin Dragons and the title of baron, has a significant impact.

Previously, Eirich was criticized as a "poor knight's fifth son," but now he is praised as "the brother of the dragon slayer, a hero, and a brilliant son-in-law."

Although it's an unpleasant situation, I can at least support Eirich, so I'll take it as a positive.

"Fortunately, I didn't have to forcefully interfere in the matter of Miriam's son-in-law... I still have some luck, I think."

"It's a good thing I'm from a knight's family."

"If it were a baron's family, even the Minister of Finance, Lookner, might have gotten involved."

"If we had sent someone other than Eirich, he would have been furious that the hero of the dragon slayer couldn't be connected."

"Formally, he can't be angry, but it's unbearable for us to be told that."

This is the honest opinion of the guardian, Viscount Monjella, who came to the Brandt residence the day before the ceremony and was complaining to Rotherger, which I somehow ended up hearing.

"Even Baron Bauwmaister is not immune to such issues," he said, with a lowered tone of warning.

Ultimately, the decision on the son-in-law is made by the head of the Brandt family, Rotherger.

However, in some cases, the guardian can forcefully push through a son-in-law, which happens quite often.

This time, he was relieved that he didn't have to do that.

"It's a perfect day for a party, isn't it?"

"In the case of the Brandts, I think it's more about the alcohol than the weather..."

"You've become quite outspoken, Baron."

The party was held at the Brandt residence and in the garden, with about three hundred guests.

This number is apparently standard for a lower noble.

Relatives, friends, colleagues, and superiors from work.

Additionally, since the Brandts have Viscount Monjella as their guardian, a few middle or higher-ranking nobles from the same faction are also invited.

It seems to be about half and half whether the person themselves or their heir comes as a representative.

An hour before the party, the Brandt lady and the maids were busy preparing, and I was talking to Brandtak in the garden where the venue was set up.

By the way, the Margrave of Breihreider also likes Eirich, who is similar to a civil servant.

Brandtak is attending the party as his representative.

"Has it really been two days?"

"Let's not get into the details. But, you're a baron now, aren't you?"

"I'm the most surprised by that."

"That means you've achieved something significant."

Brandtak nodded in agreement, as if he was convincing himself.

"But you've also done a lot, Brandtak..."

"I'm just an add-on, you know?"

"But you have the right to receive ten percent of the proceeds from the ancient dragon's bones and magic stones."

If Brandtak hadn't protected the magic airship, my achievements would have been severely compromised.

Moreover, Alterio advised His Majesty that it was appropriate for Brandtak to receive ten percent of the reward, and His Majesty agreed.

So, Brandtak has the right to receive 150 platinum coins.

"So, 150 platinum coins. Do you really not want half of it?"

"I'm already forty-eight. It's enough for my retirement and alcohol. Besides, I have a decent amount of assets myself."

As he said this, Brandtak mentioned the amount of his assets, which left me in shock.

"I made a fortune during my adventurer days."

With a top-tier mage like Brandtak, the cunning Alterio, and even a dragon, they must have made a lot of money, I thought.

Furthermore, my master was apparently part of the party for a while under the guise of training new adventurers.

It must have been an incredibly powerful party.

"The other party members are also serving various nobles and living their second lives. So, I have no complaints about this share."

As he said this, Brandtak took the bag of 150 platinum coins from me and casually threw it into his magic bag.

"I have some good drinking money now."

"Do you plan to buy a whole cellar?"

"It would be the same type of alcohol if I did that."

While we were talking, the time for the party to start was steadily approaching.

Tables were set up in the house and garden, and a variety of luxurious dishes and drinks were laid out.

It's fitting for a noble's wedding reception, and since higher-ranking nobles are also invited, it's to be expected.

"Nobles have it tough, don't they?"

"A noble who skimps on weddings, funerals, and other ceremonies is looked down upon."

They usually live frugally and save money to use for important occasions, behaving appropriately as nobles.

Lower-ranking nobles generally live this way.

"It's tough for the guests too."

Brandtak's gaze fell on a pile of gifts in a room connected to the garden.

There were no bags of cash, but there were high-quality items that a couple might use in their daily life, as well as clothes and jewelry.

Indeed, a guardian cannot show up empty-handed when invited by a ward, and bringing a cheap gift would be embarrassing, so the financial burden is significant.

The cost is determined by long-standing customs, and they are forced to make a painful expenditure to match it.

"But, something's missing..."

"What's missing?"

"Something that would cause a big problem if it's not there."

As I tilted my head at Brandtak's words, Eirich, who had just finished changing into formal attire, appeared.

"It's been a while, Brandtak."

"Yeah, our lord really wanted to come, but..."

"Margrave Breihreider has his reasons."

"Also, there's the balance with the Brandts' guardian."

Indeed, it would be unbalanced for the guardian of the Brandts to be outshone by a margrave attending as a guest for the son-in-law.

I could understand it, but it made me realize even more how troublesome the nobility can be.

"By the way, has the gift from the Bauwmaister family arrived?"

"It hasn't, even after I sent multiple letters urging them to send it..."

"Come on, really? If our lord finds out about this..."

Brandtak, who is usually nonchalant, looked anxious at this moment.

"What do you mean?"

"Eirich and the kid's father haven't sent the dowry."

In noble marriages, the family receiving the bride usually pays a dowry to the bride's family, and the bride brings a dowry and necessary items for married life from her family.

The amount is generally determined by the status of both families, but it's complicated and troublesome, so I won't go into detail now.

Additionally, when a man marries into a family, the family receiving him usually pays a dowry to his family, and it's customary for the man's family to send a gift in return.

However, it seems that the Bauwmaister family has not sent a gift yet.

"Is that awkward?"

"Of course. Such rudeness cannot be tolerated."

Eirich would be greatly embarrassed, and from Brandtak's reaction, it's clear that the guardian, Margrave Breihreider, would also be embarrassed.

I didn't expect the Bauwmaister family to be so oblivious.

They must be the poorest noble family at the southernmost tip of the kingdom.

"Maybe it's because they're far away. Maybe the gift hasn't arrived yet?"

"No, that's not possible."

In such cases, bulky items are not sent from a distance, and it's customary for a family member to bring gold coins or jewels.

It's unlikely that the father would come himself, but it's common for a vassal or an independent brother to come.

It's common, but they haven't come yet.

"This is a problem."

Eirich didn't expect such a situation to arise.

Moreover, even though the Bauwmaister family is usually poor, they are nobles and should not be stingy with such ceremonial matters.

What could have happened?

As I was thinking about this, two young men appeared before us.

They were Paul, the third son, and Helmut, the fourth son of the Bauwmaister family, invited by Eirich.

Both had given up their inheritance rights and were serving in the capital's guard, aged twenty-six and twenty-four, respectively, and both were still single.

If they had wives, they would have come with them.

"Congratulations on your marriage, Eirich."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you, Paul, Helmut."

I had hardly spoken to these two brothers before, but they were congratulating Eirich, though their expressions were not entirely pleasant.

"Is something wrong, brothers?"

"Vendelin, actually, we have a problem..."

"Right now, the capital is abuzz with your story, but this is so serious that I can't even think about it."

To be honest, I was hesitant to speak to them since we hadn't talked much before, but it seemed they didn't have any particular grudge against me.

When we lived at home, the age difference made it difficult to find a good time to talk.

And they had a concern.

"Actually, we received this letter from home."

Paul took out a letter, and Eirich began to read it.

He read it seriously for a while but soon sighed.

"Eirich."

"Trouble..."

Eirich showed me the letter, and the content was shocking.

In summary, they didn't expect Eirich to marry into a knight's family of equal status, and the money they had saved was mostly used for the eldest son, Kurt, to get married.

Honestly, they don't have any money to give.

Moreover, they don't have anyone who can bring the gift to the capital.

So, they asked us