Chapter 10:
Ennoblement
CAIN WAS SITTING ON THE SOFA IN A DRAWING ROOM inside the palace. He was by himself, waiting for his audience with the king. A maid was waiting outside the room.
Cain wasn’t sure what he, a ten-year-old child, was doing here. Upon arrival, several butlers and maids appeared. They removed his clothes, measured him, and made him put on a brand-new set of noble attire for his audience with the king. He couldn’t just meet the king while wearing the same clothes he wore during his trip to the capital.
The reason for this audience was clear. Cain had slain thirty orcs and saved Her Highness and Miss Silk. However, the knights should have already explained everything, so Cain wasn’t sure why his presence was necessary. As Cain struggled to make sense of his situation, a knock sounded at the door as a butler entered.
“Master Cain, I’m here to take you to the audience chamber.”
“U-um… I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do once I’m there…”
This was Cain’s first time coming to the capital. While he knew he would have an audience with the king as part of the social gathering later in the year, he wasn’t expecting to have to do it now, by himself. He wasn’t sure what the proper social etiquette for the situation was.
“It is indeed rare to have an audience with the king at ten years of age. Once you enter the audience chamber, continue straight, kneel at the edge of the carpet, place your right hand over your heart, and bow your head. You’ll be told what to do next, so it should be fine. And don’t worry: The prime minister will do most of the talking.”
Cain thanked the butler for his detailed explanation.
“Follow me.”
“Okay.”
Cain followed the butler through the palace. There were paintings and suits of armor and other works of art decorating the corridor. They all seemed very expensive and were proof of the prosperity of the kingdom. They continued down the corridor, stopping in front of a large door. Cain was told to stand there and wait for the door to open.
A few minutes later, the door opened from the inside. Cain walked straight forward, as instructed. There were aristocrats lined up to his left and right. Garm was present as well, in a position close to the throne. Cain continued walking until he reached the edge of the carpet, where he kneeled and bowed his head.
The king spoke. “Raise your head.”
Cain did as he was instructed. The king was sitting on the throne in front of him. The Queen and his children were standing next to him, including the third princess, Telestia. Telestia was smiling at Cain.
The king certainly looked the part. He was wearing imposing, gold-embroidered clothing and he had a crown on his head. He was blonde and had a beard. He appeared to be in his forties, but he was in good shape and had a well-defined body. He exuded dignity.
Someone with white hair that appeared to be in their fifties stepped forward from next to the king. He was likely the prime minister that the butler had mentioned earlier.
“Her Highness Princess Telestia and Miss Silk von Santana were attacked by a horde of over fifty orcs. This horde included Variant orcs such as orc generals.”
The prime minister’s statement immediately caused buzz amidst the listening aristocrats.
“First, there was silence. Then, at that moment, Cain von Silford himself leaped into the jaws of death and single-handedly slew over thirty orcs, including the Variants. After the battle, he healed the wounded knights with recovery magic and even brought the proud fallen knights back to the capital.”
The statement that a young boy slew more than thirty orcs by himself, including Variants, caused even more stir amidst the aristocrats. Everyone present understood you typically needed a large force to deal with a horde led by Variants.
“We will now honor him for his deeds. Your Majesty.” The prime minister took a step back. The king nodded and began to speak.
“Cain von Silford. You did well. If not for you, Telestia and Miss Silk would likely not be here today. I hereby confer Cain von Silford the title of Baron.”
The gathered nobles began to clamor even louder than before. It was to be expected; it wasn’t easy to become the head of a noble family. It required a significant amount of effort and results to receive a new independent title via conferment. It was rare for even a single title to be given out over the span of a year.
One of the clamoring nobles stepped forward. His rotund belly shook as he walked towards the king. “P-please wait, Your Majesty. Regardless of the circumstances, conferring a title to a ten-year-old simply isn’t proper. He is still but a child.”
The man was against the conferment.
To be honest, I’m against it too, Cain thought. A baron? Out of nowhere like this? This is my first time hearing about it…
“…Silence, Marquess Corgino. Unless, of course, you too are capable of leaping into the jaws of death and annihilating over thirty orcs, including Variants.”
“Mgh… Well, I can’t…but that doesn’t make this right.” Marquess Corgino refused to back down, which soured the king’s mood.
“Cain von Silford is the third son. He is not the current heir of Silford. I refuse to allow someone of his talents to waste away. My decision is final. I will not repeat myself, Corgino. Stand down!”
“Y-yes, Your Majesty.”
Marquess Corgino, after being reprimanded by the king, returned to his position amidst the aristocrats. He made sure to glare at Cain while doing so.
“Cain von Silford. You will accept this title, yes?”
The king stared directly at Cain with a serious expression. Cain glanced at the prime minister standing next to the king. The prime minister nodded at him wordlessly. Cain then looked at his father, Garm, who was standing on the other side. Garm seemed to have been informed in advance about this situation, as he also nodded. Cain took a deep breath and responded.
“I-I will gladly accept this honor.” Cain didn’t have the courage to refuse, given the current atmosphere.
“This concludes the audience. Your Majesty, the royal family, please exit the chamber.”
Following the prime minister’s words, the king left, followed by the royal family.
“I will explain the details in another location. You will be taken there. Wait for me,” the prime minister said to Cain. With a bow, Cain left the chamber as well. He was escorted by a maid to a room with a table and enough chairs for about ten people.
He wasn’t in the mood to just sit and wait. He paced around in the room by himself before the door opened and Garm entered.
“I kept you waiting, Cain. I didn’t expect you to receive a conferment. The prime minister informed me in advance, which surprised me, but I didn’t expect them to arrange a mansion for you here in the capital as well,” Garm said with a smile, patting Cain on the head. “You are my third son, but you will be the first to grow up and make a name for yourself.”
Receiving a noble conferment was indeed a rare event, and it made Garm proud to be Cain’s father. As the two talked about the future, the door opened, and several people entered.
The group was led by the king. Behind him was the queen, the prime minister, Telestia, Silk, and someone who was likely Silk’s father. Silk waved at Cain with a smile. The top brass of the kingdom were all gathered here in this room. Cain didn’t have the guts to wave back at her.
The king sat down first in the large seat in the middle.
“This is no longer the audience chamber. Sit.” At the king’s words, everyone sat down. Cain sat across from the king.
“Everyone’s here. Cain, first, allow me to thank you. I heard everything from Telestia.” The king bowed his head. The queen followed his lead and bowed her head as well.
“Allow me to thank you as well, Cain. I’m Silk’s father, Eric von Santana Maalbeek. Thank you, truly. It is thanks to you that Silk is here with us today.”
Duke Eric also bowed his head towards Cain. All of the preeminent aristocrats of the kingdom, including the king, had just bowed their heads to Cain, who was still only ten years old.
Cain was not the only one surprised. Even Garm couldn’t believe this situation.
“Your Majesties, Your Grace, please raise your heads. Someone was under attack, so I tried to save them. That’s all.”
The three of them raised their heads at Cain’s words.
“Thank you. However, rather than as a king, I wished to thank you as a father. Now then, let us speak of the future.”
Everyone present nodded at the king’s words.
“I have to ask, is it really a good idea to confer a title upon Cain, since he is still but ten years old?” Garm asked the king.
There were cases in the past where a child inherited an aristocratic title before coming of age, but they were typically due to extenuating circumstances, such as their parents retiring or passing away. There had not been a single instance of a minor receiving a conferment as an independent aristocrat in the history of the kingdom.
The king smiled as he looked at Cain. “I am firm on this matter, Garm. I heard about what happened from Telestia. Although he is but ten, his swordsmanship and magical abilities stand at the top. He can even use Item Box. Given his abilities and his age, he must be blessed by the gods. Our kingdom is not so foolish as to allow such talent to get away from us.”
The king’s smile caused shivers to go down Cain’s back.
“You may have received a noble title, but you are indeed still ten years old. We will not force any responsibilities upon you. Barons typically serve as governors of cities, but you have yet to attend school. We will provide you with a stipend, as you do need to maintain your estate. If you have questions related to aristocracy, you should consult Garm.”
“Thank you. I’ll do my best, and I’ll rely on my father when I have questions.”
Cain had studied about this world, and including his knowledge from his previous life, he assumed he knew more than most people. When it came to governing a city, though, he couldn’t guarantee he would do a good job. Cain was relieved to hear he’d be exempt from such duties.
“There is something more important we have to talk about,” said the king with a serious expression. He looked over at Duke Eric and the two of them nodded.