Chapter 42

"Armstrong, Blantarc, and Baron Baumyaster. You have all done well in the mission to slay the Grade Grand."

Ten days after defeating Grade Grand, we, who had participated in the mission, were once again granted an audience with His Majesty.

"Thanks to you, the Palkenia Plains will become a promising granary."

His Majesty's expression was in good spirits.

The land, which had been impossible to develop due to the old giant dragon for many years, could finally be developed.

Moreover, the extermination of the remaining monsters was progressing, and most of the areas had already been cleared of all monsters.

Indeed, the power of Grade Grand, who had dominated the Palkenia Plains, was great.

Now, they can no longer act in groups and are being hunted down one-sidedly by soldiers and adventurers.

There were about two hundred casualties, but perhaps this was inevitable.

"I plan to provide generous compensation to the families of those who have sacrificed. It may seem hypocritical, but it's better than doing nothing."

"I, Armstrong, am deeply impressed by Your Majesty's benevolence."

Indeed, it is hypocritical, but it's better than doing nothing.

Besides, being a soldier or adventurer is such a job.

Especially for adventurers, over a thousand sacrifices are made each year.

There are other jobs available, so if they fail in their pursuit of gold and honor by risking their lives, it's unreasonable to complain afterward.

Many adventurers, who had calmly assessed their own abilities, did not participate in this operation.

Moreover, the number of victims is relatively low considering the scale of the deployment.

This is because His Majesty ordered the church to send as many healers as possible.

From the clerics who can use holy healing magic to the lay healers who can use water healing magic, the church used its powerful connections to gather a large number of healers for the mission.

This is because, as the development of the Palkenia Plains progresses, a certain percentage of churches will be established there.

The number of posts will increase with the establishment of churches and parishes, so while it is officially an order from His Majesty, the church was actually eager to accept the request.

The people on the ground were seriously treating the wounded, but it seems that even the higher-ups had their own considerations, which is the same in any world.

"I'm sorry I can't give you a reward."

"We received a large sum of money last time."

That's true, but we also received the proceeds from the sale of Grade Grand.

From frozen blood, scales, skin, meat, organs, and bones.

We kept them fresh by putting them in magical bags immediately after killing it, so they sold for a high price.

Moreover, it had a huge magic stone inside, which the kingdom bought for four hundred platinum coins.

Of course, when combined with the materials from the monsters we obtained in the following week, Armstrong and Blantarc divided it into three equal parts, which amounted to four hundred and fifty platinum coins and fifty gold coins per person.

Indeed, all the materials from dragons are expensive.

If the ancient dragon from last time had been alive instead of undead, the purchase price would have been even higher.

"It's just too much money to understand."

For that reason, I thought there was no need for a reward.

Compared to my salary of 258,746 yen (tax included) in my previous life, even a few platinum coins are more than enough.

Platinum coins are something that most people in this country never see in their lifetime.

Even my father, who is a noble, has never seen a platinum coin in the family's territory.

"However, honor is necessary. I will bestow the Order of the Twin Dragons on the three of you."

It had been over two hundred years since anyone had received it, but I received it after a long time, and then I received another one within half a month.

It looks beautiful, made of gold and emerald, but I feel that it has lost its significance, perhaps because my senses have become numb.

In fact, Armstrong and Blantarc were receiving the medal from His Majesty with unusually tense expressions.

"Then, there is the matter of titles. I will elevate Armstrong to a viscount and Baumyaster to a baron."

Armstrong is the second son of a count's family.

As a second son, he cannot inherit the title, but as the head royal mage, he had received a baron title from His Majesty.

Like me, he has no territory and only a pension, but his title has been elevated to viscount, and mine from a minor baron to a baron.

The pension for a viscount is two platinum coins, and for a baron, one platinum coin.

It's a considerable income.

Indeed, there seems to be a significant gap between a minor baron and a baron.

Unlike me, who is a fake noble, ordinary nobles living in the capital must maintain a mansion suitable for their status, hire a suitable number of private soldiers and servants for security, and have various social obligations.

They also need to support their dependents and, as in the case of Ehrich's wedding, provide appropriate gifts for ceremonies and funerals.

The amount of money that goes out also increases accordingly.

Indeed, I can understand Ehrich's comment that even high-ranking nobles are usually quite frugal.

Moreover, while medals are usually just for honor, it seems that the Order of the Twin Dragons is different.

It had been over two hundred years since anyone had received it, so the responsible official had forgotten to explain it, but the Order of the Twin Dragons comes with a lifetime honor pension.

The amount is three platinum coins per year.

Since I have two, it's six platinum coins per year.

"Is the reward already given? It's the highest honor."

"Compared to the materials from the dragons, it's a modest amount."

Compared to the profits from selling the materials from the two dragon slayings, it seems like a small amount, but dragons are rarely slain, perhaps once every fifty years.

It's not common for such large sums of money to move around.

"Blantarc, at his request, will receive a different reward through the Margrave of Breihreiter."

Blantarc is a vassal of the Margrave of Breihreiter, and his participation in the mission was ordered by His Majesty through the Margrave.

So, even His Majesty cannot grant a title at will.

Blantarc himself said he didn't need it, so he will receive jewels and treasures through the Margrave.

If he received nothing, it might be rumored that His Majesty did not even recognize his contributions.

Moreover, it seems that even vassals can receive medals like the Order of the Twin Dragons.

Blantarc is receiving it normally.

In this way, the difference between direct vassals and indirect vassals is quite complicated.

"This time, I am satisfied to have discovered young talent. I would be pleased if you continue to strive and serve the kingdom. I look forward to it, Baron Baumyaster."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

More than that expectation, I wish I could spend a peaceful summer vacation.

I bowed to His Majesty and earnestly wished for that.

"More, please!"

"You're eating a lot."

"I was hungry, and I haven't had a decent meal in the past half month."

After the audience at the royal castle, I immediately returned to the Blant house and had a late lunch.

I ate the stew, pasta, and salad made by the maid, asking for seconds.

Next to me, Louise spoke with a somewhat exasperated look.

"We spent a week preparing for the army's departure at the garrison in the suburbs, three days traveling to the center of the Palkenia Plains where Grade Grand was seated without being noticed by other monsters, a week culling the stronger monsters among the remaining ones, and three days returning. Ah... my summer vacation..."

Since arriving in the capital, I have hardly been able to act on my own will.

I wanted to enjoy sightseeing in the capital, but most of my impression of the capital is of the formal audience at the royal palace, the dusty and sweaty garrison in the suburbs, and the tasteless but plentiful meals served there.

Then, the fierce battle with a dragon, which resembled a monster from a tokusatsu show.

To top it off, a burly old man engaged in a heated battle that even a famous manga would be envious of, which didn't seem like something a mage would do.

I never thought a mage would punch, kick, or throw a dragon by the tail, even through armor.

Moreover, I am participating in monster hunts that are usually only done by adults, just because I am a noble.

To be honest, compared to the dragon, these monsters were weaker.

However, there were many of them, and under Master Armstrong's orders, we continued to cull the stronger individuals to minimize casualties among the soldiers and adventurers involved in the sweep operation.

For a week of the sweep operation, we, treated as a guerrilla unit, killed monsters with three grubby men, cooked our own meals, and took turns sleeping.

Considering my experience as an adventurer, I think it was a good experience, but the fact that I am the only one who can cook decently among the three of us is a problem.

The meals served at the army's garrison, which were at least plentiful, seemed normal by comparison.

By the way, what did Master Armstrong and Blantarc do during their active adventurer days?

Thinking about this, Blantarc explained the reason.

"All the cooking and preparation were left to Alteorio. I was fine as long as I had alcohol."

Indeed, Alteorio was the backbone of the party.

He became a successful merchant after retiring.

However, I think Blantarc should stop drinking with just salty jerky and other snacks.

It's surprising that his liver hasn't failed or that he hasn't developed adult diseases.

As for Master Armstrong, it was even worse.

On his turn, he would just bleed out the monster's meat, cut it into pieces, and cook it over an open fire.

It was wild and interesting on the first day, but it got tiring after a while.

Moreover, I wonder what Master Armstrong, who is a noble, usually eats.

"Bleeding out the meat, sprinkling salt, and cooking it over a fire makes it incredibly nutritious."

Indeed, he is not someone who seems like a noble.

He was so dirty from monster hunts that he looked like a bandit, and if I met him on a mountain path at night, I might even prepare to die.

"Monk, you can cook?"

"Yes, it tastes good. From now on, I will leave the cooking to the boy."

I managed to make soup and congee with rice, which was better than the others.

Moreover, I was subtly pushed to take the last turn for cooking.

As the youngest, I could only nod obediently.

"Summer vacation covered in sweat, dust, and blood..."

"Eina, don't say that..."

Indeed, it's true, which makes me even more angry.

Moreover, we only have three more days in the capital, including today.

While there is still summer vacation, staying in the capital for the entire vacation would be a bother to Ehrich, and it feels like the number of annoying people has increased.

Right now, I can hear someone shouting, "My ultimate spear technique, the Great Wheel!" in front of the Blant house.

It seems like there is a slight breeze, but do I have to hire this person?

Eina coldly replied, "Just ignore him."

"I have to go buy souvenirs and stuff."

"I'm not buying souvenirs. I'm going to enjoy the capital as much as possible in the remaining three days."

"You're really determined..."

Souvenirs are necessary for close friends and family who live outside the capital.

El has close friends at the cram school, so she plans to choose them.

Eina and Louise still live with their families, and their relationships with their families are not bad.

I have no intention of seeing my family from my hometown, and all my friends are here in the capital, so I don't need to buy souvenirs.

At most, I might buy some as a courtesy for the cram school teachers and principal.

However, Rottger has already prepared those, so it's not necessary.

"Anyway, I'm going out! To sightsee in the capital!"

"You're really determined. Vel, you could just use teleportation magic to come here anytime."

El seemed to be looking at me with a somewhat exasperated expression, but I can't afford to worry about that.

I need to enjoy the capital first.

Moreover, I can indeed use magic to come to the capital anytime.

But what's important now is how to enjoy this moment.

I don't need the king or nobles anymore.

"Wait, Vendelin."

As I was about to leave the Blant house in a hurry, Rottger stopped me.

"I'm very sorry, but the headquarters of the Holy Church has informed us that the preparation for the full baptism is complete."

"Damn!"

I had promised Cardinal Hohenheim during my first audience with His Majesty to receive the full baptism at the headquarters of the Holy Church to enhance my prestige.

Moreover, the original plan had been postponed due to the sudden mission to slay Grade Grand, so I couldn't ignore it.

I can't afford to make the church my enemy in this world.

"Full baptism... Will El and the others come?"

"I'll pass."

El immediately declined.

She probably doesn't like formalities.

I don't like them either.

"El will carry our luggage."

"I can't even return the remaining silver coin."

"For a new sword. Considering the souvenirs, the debt repayment is..."

El's debt to me is being covered by Louise.

Although we received sufficient rewards for the mission, it seems that the two women didn't consider saving.

Unable to repay the full amount, she was sentenced to carrying our luggage as interest.

"Baked goods last, right?"

"Right. There are many specialties, and if they're heavy, El can carry them."

"I'm more worried about how many stores we'll have to visit..."

El and the others plan to shop at the souvenir shops lined up in the lower town.

On the other hand, I am heading to the headquarters of the Holy Church for the uninteresting full baptism.

"Welcome, Baron Baumyaster. Oh, you've become a baron."

"It's all thanks to the guidance of God."

"God has bestowed good grace upon Baron Baumyaster."

Upon arriving at the headquarters of the Holy Church, which is almost in the center of the capital, I was greeted by Cardinal Hohenheim and over a dozen high priests and bishops waiting at the entrance.

However, this is the headquarters of the only religion worshipped in the Kingdom of Helmut and the Holy Empire of Arkart.

In the Holy Empire of Arkart, the Protestant faith is the state religion, so the relationship between the headquarters of the Holy Church is quite poor, as if they are different religions.

The grounds of the headquarters of the Holy Church are vast, and the buildings are clearly built with a significant amount of money.

The cathedral where ceremonies such as baptisms are held has a ceiling covered with a huge stained glass window, making me realize that there is no more profitable business than religion.

Moreover, such conversations are probably part of the standard greeting.

I, a devout Catholic, express my gratitude to God for allowing me to slay two dragons, and Cardinal Hohenheim and the others congratulate me, saying, "It's good that you have God's grace."

I don't really think that I was able to slay the dragons thanks to God.

They probably don't think I'm seriously thanking God either.

I'm still a child, but we should get along as adults.

Mutual give and take is the real purpose of today.

"Baron Baumyaster, who can use such powerful holy light, must be greatly loved by God."

"I only thank God for His love."

In my previous life, I was non-religious, and even in my current life, I have only been to church a few times outside of baptism.

I have hardly ever prayed to God.

It seems that this holy magic has nothing to do with faith.

If faith were a requirement, it would be strange for so few clerics to be able to use holy magic.

Well, it's also true that the church secures people who can use holy magic with its abundant funds.

Holy magic is useful for dealing with undead like Liches, and many of the healing spells of the holy attribute are powerful.

High-level holy healers can easily reattach severed limbs, cure diseases like cancer, and even revive someone whose heart has stopped for a few hours.

My holy magic is limited to powerful holy light, and I can only use water-based healing spells.

However, water-based healing spells are almost the same as holy-based ones.

If you can use holy healing, you can't use water-based healing, and vice versa, so I can only use water-based healing.

My master said I could heal a severed limb, but I've never had such a serious injury, and I've never had to use it on anyone.

Moreover, El and the others have never had serious injuries.

At most, they've had minor scratches, so I've never had the opportunity to use it in practice.

Actually, I thought about practicing during the expedition to the Palkenia Plains, but while Blantarc might have, Master Armstrong never got injured.

He boasts that he has never even had a cold in his life.

"Master Armstrong never