121. From This Day, A Legend Begins, Isn’t It?

The next day, the Maugaria Kingdom Commendation Ceremony began.

It was certain that Kyle would receive some reward, but not knowing what it would be from the previous day’s meeting made me a bit uneasy.

Due to the emergency nature of the ceremony, it was being held at Margrave Veil Road’s castle instead of the capital.

We were gathered in an impressive audience hall, befitting Margrave Veil Road’s castle.

“I didn’t hear that the ceremony would be this grand.”

“As an official ceremony hosted by His Majesty the King, I think it’s rather small-scale?”

Kyle replied in a low voice to my muttering.

Kyle was dressed in luxurious noble attire.

He looked extremely splendid.

“Yeah, it suits you.”

“Thank you. …But…”

Kyle looked down at his outfit.

“It’s the outfit instructed by His Majesty… but I think it’s a bit too grand for my status.”

“Really? You look cool.”

“But with this, it’s like…”

Doon-doon.

Kyle’s words were cut off by the sound of a bell echoing.

Kyle’s father appeared on the stage and slowly raised his hand.

“The Maugaria Kingdom Commendation Ceremony will now begin. Everyone, stand at attention.”

I glanced behind me.

The ceremony was larger than I had heard, with a huge crowd in attendance. It seemed that neighboring nobles had also been gathered.

Sunlight streamed in through the stained glass, creating a solemn and tense atmosphere.

Until now, I used to scoff at this kind of formality.

But, thinking about what Kyle’s father had said, that it was a stage set to instill awe in the residents by the lord, I somewhat understood its necessity.

Van… No, His Majesty the King Maugaria stood up from his chair on the stage.

After the formal greetings and customary proceedings were over, we finally got to the main event.

“This time, in recognition of the great achievement of developing a vast swamp, establishing a town as a base in previously unexplored frontier lands, organizing roads, and initiating several industries, I grant a reward to Kyle Gandarl Veil Road. Step forward.”

“Yes!”

Kyle straightened his back and stepped forward in front of the king.

“Uuu… Kyle-sama… You are so admirable, so admirable!”

Persia was moved to tears.

“When I heard about your feats in the swamp, I regretted not breaking Alphard’s arms and legs to accompany you…”

Scary!

“I want to thank God for letting me witness this important moment!”

“Azul would be happy, so do visit the church.”

I responded quietly to Persia, just to keep her occupied.

“Kyle Gandarl Veil Road! I appoint you as the new Frontier Count!”

Van’s declaration caused a stir among the invited nobles.

One noble who seemed the most powerful hurriedly sought permission to speak.

“Your Majesty! I have never heard of the title Frontier Count! That is…!”

“I just created it. It ranks below Margrave but is equivalent to Marquis.”

“What!? That’s absurd! Even if it were newly created, shouldn’t it rank below Baron!?”

Since he’s daring to complain directly to Van, this noble must have a high status.

I had heard that Margraves in this country were treated as equivalent to Dukes. Since the title of Duke is usually reserved for royalty, Marquis is the highest title a non-royal can attain.

Saying that the Frontier Count is equivalent to Marquis means that Kyle has essentially been granted the highest rank.

No wonder there’s a fuss.

“Kyle has always been a candidate to succeed Orthros. It’s not strange for him to become a Count.”

“Well, that is…”

“Even so, I tried to consider your feelings. Or should I make Kyle the new Margrave?”

“No! That would…”

The haughty noble was easily talked down by Van.

“Since becoming king, I have promoted frontier development and focused on defeating monsters that are enemies of mankind! Kyle is now a crucial figure in pushing that forward!”

Oh! Van is so cool!

“Ah… Kyle-sama… how wonderful!”

I understand Persia’s feelings, but she’s getting a bit annoying.

When I looked closely, even Alphard, though silent, had a similar expression.

“Kyle! I bestow upon you the title of Frontier Count of Elixir!”

Kyle’s face twitched slightly, but he quickly composed himself.

“I humbly accept the honor.”

“I deliberated long and hard on the family name, but it suits you, having been saved by Elixir.”

“I am grateful for your special consideration.”

Elixir is another name for Elixier.

Van really thought this through.

Being named directly by the king is the highest honor. He has truly been recognized.

“Details will be communicated to all lords later, but I’ll tell you first. The current Margrave Veil Road territory will be divided into east and west. The western side will be the territory of the Frontier Count of Elixir.”

With Van’s words, the nobles suddenly calmed down, and more of them started to smile.

I whispered a question to Alphard, who seemed to know the circumstances.

“Why did the nobles suddenly become more welcoming?”

“They’ve been envious of the vast territory of Margrave Veil Road.”

“The Margrave’s territory is about half of the entire kingdom, right?”

“Yes. Although most of it was troublesome, untouched land until the Golden Dawn was established.”

Even now, most of it remains a dangerous frontier. Especially the western side around Golden Dawn, which is really hazardous land!

While I was internally fuming at the nobles who had quickly changed their attitudes, Van continued his speech.

“Frontier Count of Elixir. Do you wish to keep the name of the town you will now reside in as your base, Golden Dawn, or do you want to change it?”

A lord’s name is associated with a town, and the name of the capital-like place is given that name.

For the Margrave Veil Road, it’s Gandarl, so the town he lives in is named Gandarl.

By the way, if you move to another town, the name of the town has to be changed too.

When one has to live in another town for an extended period, they apparently use villas to cover it up.

“I don’t intend to change it. I am proud of Golden Dawn, the first settlement I acquired.”

“Very well. From today, you are Kyle Golden Dawn von Elixir, Frontier Count! Serve the kingdom… and mankind!”

“I swear loyalty to His Majesty the King!”

As Kyle bowed deeply, thunderous applause echoed.

While many seemed to celebrate more the weakening of the Beilroad Margrave’s power than Kyle himself, the birth of a new noble was a joyous event, and everyone was offering their congratulations.

“Kyle-sama! You are so admirable! So admirable!”

Persia is crying too much!

And Alphard is also crying a lot!

I don’t know the details, but they must have had a long relationship with Kyle since he was a child, so their joy is even greater.

It wasn’t just those two.

Myrna, Raidoc, the three sisters of Casper, Jitaro, Leafan, Shururu, Jabil-sensei, Ryuuko, and everyone, was sincerely congratulating Kyle.

I too clapped until my hands were sore, celebrating Kyle.

Kyle Golden Dawn von Elixir, Frontier Count.

This was the day my proud younger brother was reborn.

And it was also the day a legend began.

— End of Volume Four —