Bab 46: Chapter 29 ─ Ordinary Day
The day finally arrived. Count Hamilton informed me that the king wanted to reward me today. He said the reward was just to receive the title of knight, but if I managed to make a good impression, I could get more rewards since he really loves his daughters.
After getting up, I found Alice sleeping in my bed. Obviously, it was a very favorable situation for me but not for Mary, who came in to wake me up and found Alice sleeping. After their catfight, I changed clothes and left the room.
There, I encountered a certain person whose existence I had forgotten. Why? Because I like to tease him.
Russell is a middle-aged man with brown hair and a scruffy beard. Before becoming my slave, he was a bandit whom I saved because I am very kind. But after past events, he earned my trust, and now I will go with him to the palace. He was a key piece in defeating those strange creatures and capturing the pirates, so he can ask to have the title of slave removed.
"You've taken a long time. What were you doing?"
"Sleeping. I've been tired because our arrival has been so boring, I haven't even trained."
"The academy dungeon doesn't help me. Although Mary gets happy, so it works."
Russell sighed in disappointment.
"That's why I told you not to neglect your training just to laze around."
"Hah? Who do you think you are to give me orders? My father?"
(Which you are not.)
This was one of our usual fights, either because I was bored or really wanted to provoke him.
"Don't try to be smart. Remember that you're just a mere slave."
"Mary and the others treat me with respect and as a person. You're the only one who treats me as a slave."
"That's because you are one. If you weren't, you'd just be another random guy with a weird sword."
"Don't make fun of my Tokishima! It's a gift from my master."
Russell and I proceeded to exchange blows. While I stuck my fingers in his nose and he choked me, an old butler arrived. But he wasn't just any butler; he was mine.
Cedric Zora Valkenheim is a man with a status similar to Russell's. He is a slave who works for me, but I treat him with respect. I also discovered that he is not human, but I don't understand why he hides it.
Cedric looked at us both as if we were children hitting each other.
"Should I come back later?"
I took my hands off his neck and then pushed him, stood up, and acted as if nothing had happened.
"No, it's nothing. What's up?"
"Yes, Count Hamilton has prepared the carriage, and he will go with you."
"I see, I'll say goodbye to the others."
I looked at Russell and shouted at him.
"Hey, move your butt, we're leaving."
"Tch. I'll make sure to teach you some manners."
We went down the stairs and headed straight to the living room where everyone was hanging out.
"I'm leaving. According to the count, I might take a few hours or return in the morning."
"What will you do in the meantime?"
Mary raised her hand energetically.
"Rose-chan and I are going for a walk."
"Indeed, we are. But actually, I'm just buying some things a friend asked for a meeting she wants to have."
"I'll go with you."
Julie came out of the shadows with that smile.
"Eh? No way. You're staying."
"I'm sorry to correct you, Mary-san. But Rosette-sama is a high-status noble, and someone like that can't walk the streets without a maid."
"Much less you, who are a magnet for trouble."
"You really make me angry," exclaimed Mary, showing a vein on her forehead.
Alice, who was resting on a sofa, said, "I want to go to the library. I've been very bored, and I'll take the elf and the one who's afraid to go out with me."
"Understood, I'll get ready."
"Eh? Me too?" replied Luvia from the box.
Shannon, who was listening, approached Alice.
"Sorry, but would you mind if I accompany you?"
"Why do you want to go?"
Shannon, a bit embarrassed, said, "I want to find some details about buildings to open a business, and they told me that's in the library. I'm usually shy in places like that."
"I understand. I don't mind."
That leaves all the girls busy, but I still told the old butler, "Cedric, what will you do?"
"Everyone has the day off. Don't you want to?"
"I feel fine staying here. Besides, I can learn from the other servants to serve you better in the future."
"I see. Well, in that case…"
I approached the door and said goodbye to everyone.
"See you later. Hey, useless, let's go."
"Don't call me useless."
Today will be a great day.
◇◇◇
A couple of hours after Regulus's departure, Mary and the others left together, each going their separate ways.
A man was watching them and communicated with someone through a small magic stone.
"They're out."
"Yes."
"Let's proceed as planned."
◇◇◇
The royal castle in the capital was an enormous place. Every corner and hallway was decorated with things that only someone rich would have. Words to express its beauty fail me. But if I could describe it in the closest way possible, it would be like a pot bathed in pure gold.
"I sense this broom would be worth a fortune if I stole it."
"Don't say nonsense. They'd kill us because of you."
"I was just joking, sourpuss."
"Your jokes are bad."
"Please calm down, young ones. We've arrived."
"Oh? What a surprise."
We stopped in front of a red door, and in front of us was a familiar face.
"It's Gram."
A man with brown hair and an expression similar to that of someone constipated all day greeted us.
"Good afternoon, Count. And good afternoon to you."
Gram Zora Rutherford was his name. After greeting him, he informed us, "The audience with His Majesty will begin shortly. They're currently discussing matters unrelated to us. Please wait a bit."
We were about to relax when a voice came from behind us.
"What are you doing out here, Gram? Oh? Who are these people?"
A huge man whose armor only covered his arms and legs presented himself to us. His skin was bronze, and his hair and eyes were dark brown.
"Commander Tyler, it's a pleasure to see you've finally returned."
"Does that mean Ellenberg has returned?"
"No, Roxy hasn't returned yet, but she will soon, she told me."
"Oh, sorry for the delay."
"I'm the commander of the Crimson Knights squad. Nicks Zora Tyler. Everyone thinks my surname is my name, so feel free to call me Tyler."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Commander Tyler."
The commander was a man who seemed intimidating but was very gentle and pleasant, like a stray cat.
"Gram, who are they?"
"Sorry for not introducing them. You already know Count Hamilton. The smaller one is Regulus, and the old man beside him is called Russell. They are the guests to receive recognition for what happened a few days ago in Crommond County and for the third princess."
"I see", replied the commander after stroking his beard. "I knew they were coming, but I didn't expect them to be more normal than I anticipated. In any case, welcome to the capital. Remember your manners with the king. I also came for your ceremony since I have to give a report to the king afterward."
"What is the report about, if I may ask?" I asked, a little uneasy.
"It's a secret~."
The way he said it disturbed me because it sounded like he was trying to imitate a cute girl despite being an old man.
The large door opened, and a maid called Gram. Upon returning, he informed us, "It's time to enter. Count, come with us, and you two wait a moment before entering."
"See you inside."
"Good luck."
They left, and I was left alone with Russell. We stared at the door and both said, "It's time."
We took a step and entered the place.
◇◇◇
"Hahahaha, I can't believe it!"
"I'll never forget this in my life."
After leaving the audience with the king, we came to a bar to celebrate. There were four of us present: me, Russell, Gram, and Tyler. Tyler wanted to celebrate our achievement and brought us to this first-class bar.
Russell managed to have his slave title removed, and I was made a knight. And that's the problem.
"I can't believe they made you an honorary knight. Hahaha."
After entering the royal hall, I tripped over my own feet. Then, I accidentally knocked down the knights holding the flags because I entered a frenzy of embarrassment. I kept making more blunders and even bit my tongue when the king asked my name. When he was about to knight me, he paused for a moment and made me an honorary knight.
What is an honorary knight? It's someone who can act as an apprentice knight but has no real importance. Basically, it's like a rich kid wanting to be a knight, and their parents say yes, but deep down, they don't want them to be one. It's a genuine insult to me!
"Guh. I want to die."
"Hahaha. I'd die too if I were you, hahaha."
Since we arrived at this bar, Russell has spent the whole time making fun of me. Everyone thought I was his apprentice, which is embarrassing. After coming to this bar, Tyler struck up a conversation with us to get to know us better. The reason for this was, "It's rare for Count Hamilton to be accompanied by swordsmen or adventurers who aren't known to me," and that caught his attention.
I don't know if that's good or not, but I wanted to forget about this whole day.
"Don't feel bad, Regulus-kun," Tyler said after finishing his beer. "Believe it or not, I started as a low-ranking knight, the lowest of all. No one had faith in me, but I made it, and now look at me."
"Were you an honorary knight?" I asked.
"No, of course not, that would be a disgrace to me."
I got more depressed and started to cry.
"It was a joke. Sorry, don't cry."
I was depressed, Tyler was bragging, and Russell seemed to be enjoying the moment of his life.
"I have to go to the bathroom," Gram said suddenly, standing up and leaving the place.
Hey, the bathroom is the other way. Are you a dog or something?
◇◇◇
After leaving the bar, Gram looked up.
"Come out. I could sense your presence since before we entered the bar."
Three mysterious men emerged from the shadows.
"Oh? You discovered us?"
"It doesn't matter; you won't achieve anything by warning."
"Why?"
"We have a small secret bomb hidden, and we'll detonate it if you do anything."
"I didn't want you, but since you're here, we have to work."
Gram took a step and walked towards them, but they surrounded him and took him somewhere.
◇◇◇
After Gram left, a mysterious figure entered and sat at a nearby table. Immediately after sitting down, the hooded figure received a bread knife that grazed his ear. He took off his hood, revealing a middle-aged man who was staring at the knife.
"Don't play dumb. I know who you are."
The man turned around and saw Regulus looking at him as if he knew who he was. Regulus was drunk and didn't realize he was about to make a mistake.
_______________
The fanservice is for Shannon, it's time to enjoy what little time he has left.
https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/7636739
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Siegburn
Siegburn We are halfway through the volume, dear readers.
Finally, the characters are completed and it's time to go to action.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone