Chapter 60

At Sora's ennoblement ceremony, where he received the title of Viscount, many nobles and their children were in attendance. However, among them was no sign of his father, the Earl of Kleinzelt. It was likely that Sora's plans had been relayed to his capable vassals. It was only natural that he would not show his face at such a celebratory event for an enemy.

Wary of assassination, Sora had not visited the Kleinzelt residence since the duel, instead staying at inns in the capital or at the residence of the Duke of Belts. As a result, he had not seen the Earl of Kleinzelt. Since the duel, Sora had been acting alongside Lazzette, Cole, and Zes, but had not been attacked once. He had expected the pig lord to send assassins immediately, but was taken aback by the lack of action. However, after receiving information that the high priest himself had met with the Earl of Kleinzelt, Sora heightened his vigilance.

Was he waiting for the right moment, or was he planning something? In any case, with the high priest's involvement, the church had become an enemy. Sora had received several contacts from the mages, but it was clear that they were not ready to change their stance.

Sora respectfully accepted the title of Viscount and left the palace.

"You've officially become a lord, haven't you?"

Lazzette, walking diagonally behind Sora, called out to him.

"Yeah. But it's not over. It's just beginning."

At the exit of the palace grounds, Zes, Sania, Lulu, and Cole were waiting.

"Is this a welcome? I feel a bit embarrassed."

When Sora said this, everyone burst out laughing. With applause and words of congratulations, Sora smiled genuinely.

"I want to touch Sania's ears as a celebration for becoming a viscount."

"Has it just begun? Then you'll have to wait."

Using Sora's words, which she had apparently heard with her sharp hearing, Sania rebutted and covered her ears with both hands, taking a half-step back.

"Can I do whatever I want when I become an earl?"

Sora made a suggestive gesture by opening and closing his hand. Just then, Chaff Trynen and his guards arrived, frowning.

"Viscount Kleinzelt! Just because you've been granted a title doesn't mean you can toy with young girls—"

"I get it, I get it. I understand even your exaggerated misunderstanding, so don't start lecturing me."

"Exaggerated...! What are you talking about!?"

Sora calmed the red-faced Chaff, and Lazzette and the others chuckled. Chaff was quite a noisy hostage, but as a nominal advisor, his behavior might not be so wrong.

"Since the team is all together, let's head to our territory."

Sora and the others got into the carriage, while Chaff and Zes mounted their horses. After confirming that Chaff's guards, who had been inserted by Trynen, were also on horseback, they set off. The carriage wheels rolled over the cobblestones of the capital, and many people saw Sora off.

"…It's the fat pig family of Kleinzelt, and a newly ennobled viscount at that. Why is he so popular!?"

"Chaff, be quiet."

"I can't accept it!"

Sora brushed off the noisy Chaff, and the people laughed and waved goodbye. Sora waved back, and in the meantime, Lazzette explained his tireless promotional efforts to Chaff.

When they reached the edge of the capital, Chaff's duel companions, led by the deputy commander of the royal guard, were there to see them off.

"We heard you were leaving today, so we all came to see you off."

The deputy commander stepped forward. Chaff dismounted and expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you. I was able to fight thanks to you. In the future, we may fight together on the battlefield. Let's train ourselves to be a force for the kingdom."

"It is an honor to have fought under your command, Chaff. Please be careful on your journey. I would like to greet Viscount Sora Kleinzelt. Could we see his face?"

After greeting Chaff, the deputy commander called out to Sora in the carriage. Sora poked his head out and the deputy commander bowed.

"To be honest, I never thought we would lose that duel."

Sora chuckled, finding the deputy commander's honesty amusing. The deputy commander's words, which might have been considered disrespectful to the newly ennobled viscount, made the earnest Chaff flustered, but Sora calmed him and urged him to continue.

"Once we actually lost, we had no choice but to accept it. We were superior in physical strength and skill, but we were far inferior in spirit. Viscount Sora Kleinzelt was a magnificent commander for the guards. I am proud to have fought against you."

The deputy commander and the others bowed in unison, saying thank you. Their perfect timing, even at such a moment, was a testament to the training of the royal guard.

"Someone once said, 'heart, technique, and body.' You're not a complete person until you have all three. So, I can't act superior. Let's both keep working hard. That's all I can say."

With a casual "See you," Sora returned to the carriage. They left the capital, waving goodbye to the deputy commander and his men. As they passed through the outer wall of the capital, they were met by a group of monsters in travel gear. Chaff's guards, who did not know them, drew their weapons and prepared for battle. Chaff immediately ordered them to stand down.

"Viscount Kleinzelt, they're here to see you off."

Called by Chaff, Sora appeared from the driver's seat.

"Lord Sora, at least say hello."

"Mr. Gorge, you need to use the proper title. It's Viscount, officially."

"Lord Sora!"

"No, that's not right."

Sora watched the ridiculous banter of the monster group with a wry smile.

"Gorge, what about your guard duties?"

Seeing Chaff's growing frustration with the endless banter, Sora moved the conversation forward. Gorge and the others exchanged glances.

"…Well, we were fired."

"Huh? Why were you fired after showing such skill? You should have been promoted."

Sora tilted his head in confusion, and Gorge scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

"They said that someone who is so proud of Lord Sora that they would risk their life can't be part of the royal guard, which is dedicated to protecting the king."

Sora's eyes widened, but he understood and his cheeks twitched.

"I'm sorry. That was unexpected."

The king, who did not have his own standing army, had given Gorge and the others to Sora to bind him with a favor. Understanding this, Sora smiled in a troubled manner, along with Gorge and the others, at the unexpected ennoblement gift from the king.

"Anyway, can we be of use to you?"

"I appreciate it."

Sora extended his slender hand. Gorge and the others smiled and shook it.

After that, a certain play became popular in the capital's theaters. It was the story of a young nobleman from an earl's family who, after being challenged to a duel, struggled to make monsters his allies and won the duel. The story goes that the Flame Squad, as the monsters were called, continued to wield their battered wooden swords to support the young man's legacy even after his early death.

Revised on January 10

Revised on January 16