Ch.213Status (3)

“Your Majesty!!”

“You’re coming sooner than I expected.”

Naturally, the nobles’ reaction to the sale of titles was extremely intense. So much so that they were knocking on the palace gates without prior appointments.

It couldn’t be helped. The justification for nobles maintaining their privileges lies in their nobility—their titles.

No matter how ancient and distinguished their lineages might be, the reason those families became noble in the first place was because of their titles. If titles were handed out indiscriminately, the nobility of other aristocratic families would risk losing its luster.

“We seek audience with the monarch of Lotaring and Caroling.”

“Yes, have you come about the matter of title sales?”

Of course, no matter how angry they were, they wouldn’t completely disregard proper etiquette.

All the nobles present knew that doing so could lead to troublesome consequences, given the king’s character and fondness for finding fault.

“What is the meaning of this?! Selling titles to commoners!”

“Allowing just anyone to hold titles—this clearly contradicts what you promised!!”

While “just anyone” wasn’t quite accurate considering the substantial price being charged for these titles, such details didn’t matter to the nobles. What mattered to them was that these people were commoners.

“Promised? What do you mean?”

“When you informed us about establishing the Senate, didn’t you say you had no desire to abolish the nobility?”

“Ah… you mean what I said when giving examples of when I might exercise my veto power.”

Indeed, I had said something like that.

When the nobles were anxious about the extent of my veto powers, I had used the example of abolishing the class system that officially eliminates noble status.

But… why suddenly bring that up here?

“I fail to understand what you’re getting at. What connection is there between prohibiting the abolition of noble status and selling titles?”

“If nobility becomes commonplace, won’t all nobles lose their rarity and dignity, effectively ceasing to be nobles?”

Tsk… they’re quick-witted.

Well, it’s only natural. The nobility is a collection of people with unparalleled instincts for self-preservation.

Anyway, if I acknowledge this point, it would invalidate the title sales, so I need to play dumb for now.

“What nonsense is this? It’s not as if I’m tossing titles to beggars on the street, and besides, the dignity of nobility doesn’t lie in its scarcity, does it?”

“However—”

“I don’t want to hear it. You seem to have already reached your conclusion and are trying to fit the facts to match it. By your logic that abundance equals cheapness, people would be the cheapest things in this world, since they are the most common. Would you agree with that?”

They couldn’t possibly agree.

That “people” includes not only them but me as well.

If they were to acknowledge that people are cheap, it could be interpreted as not only smearing their own faces but also insulting me, so they seem unable to respond hastily.

Honestly, my logic is so exaggerated that it can hardly be called a proper argument, but I’m not trying to persuade them anyway, so it doesn’t matter. It’s enough just to silence them.

“…The sale of titles is unacceptable.”

“Unacceptable? Didn’t the Emperor of the Holy Empire sell titles not long ago, and didn’t His Highness the Brave Duke, my grandfather, also sell titles?”

“That was during wartime. To sell titles in peacetime, especially during Your Majesty’s prosperous reign, and to commoners no less!”

“So if it’s wartime, it doesn’t count? Besides, bestowing a title upon someone is the right of the title’s owner. Whether for service or money, the compensation is entirely at the owner’s discretion. The same goes for who the titles are sold to.”

Strictly speaking, my words aren’t wrong.

How to handle a title is up to the person who owns it. Whether to give it as a reward for service or to sell it for money.

“That… is correct. But isn’t there a complete lack of consistency regarding titles based on the size of the territory?”

“Consistency? What do you mean?”

“There’s a baronetcy attached to a plot of farmland barely large enough to support a single household!”

“Ah… so that’s what you meant. You all know very well that the size of a territory has nothing to do with its title, don’t you? If it did, His Highness the Brave Duke of Burgon Duchy could have declared himself king immediately after gaining independence from the Kingdom of Caroling.”

“…”

My arguments are full of excessive leaps in logic and unreasonable assertions.

By now, the nobles seem to have realized I won’t budge, and they just stare at me in silence with fearful eyes, as if looking at some inhuman entity that cannot be reasoned with.

“Your Majesty, would it be possible for us existing nobles to participate in the purchase of titles?”

“That’s impossible. I intend to open this sale exclusively to commoners.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

As a last resort, they want to buy up the titles being released to the market… Hah, as if I would allow that.

Of course, I could make more money if the auction prices went up, but while making money is a secondary benefit, the main purpose is to increase the middle class in the name of nobility. If I allowed that, I wouldn’t achieve my primary goal.

“Hmm… are all your questions answered? If so, since you’ve come all this way, how about joining me for a meal? I pride myself on being able to offer something more delicious than anything else.”

“…We appreciate your kindness, Your Majesty.”

Indeed, disbanding private armies and severely restricting feudal rights was the right choice.

In the past, they would have looked at me with defiant expressions and stormed out by now, but look how docile those once-arrogant nobles have become. Most satisfying.

……….

“Seven thousand ducats! Any more bids?”

“Huh…”

Meanwhile, Hugh, who was participating in the title auction, gasps in surprise at the unexpected price.

“Seven thousand…”

This won’t do. It’s too expensive.

With that money, one could buy a small castle, or even hire several mercenary companies to form an army.

Although it would grant a baronetcy… one can’t pay such a fortune for a piece of land that could only feed three or four peasant families.

Of course, it’s not an amount I couldn’t pay if I pushed myself, but… damn it, this is too much.

‘An auction, things have gotten complicated.’

It seems there are many people like me who want to escape commoner status through this opportunity. Wealthy individuals who normally hide their assets for fear of being targeted by nobles have suddenly emerged from everywhere as if they’d never been hiding.

At first, I thought they were just nobodies who were too afraid of the nobility to be worth noticing… but what is this? They have too much money.

“No more bids. The Baronetcy of Anax is sold for seven thousand ducats. Moving on to the next title!”

‘At least there are many titles left, fortunately.’

While it’s extremely difficult to purchase titles with territories in good locations, it seems possible to acquire a title if location isn’t a consideration. No, not just possible—it’s certain.

There are that many titles available. Honestly, about half of the commoners present here could obtain noble titles.

Considering the money I’ve earned from guild investments, the inheritance from my father, and the salary I’ve received as a council chairman and commoner representative, it’s impossible that I would be in the lower 50%.

Even if the location isn’t ideal, I should be able to obtain a baronetcy.

…Since what matters to me is the title rather than well-located land, I should aim for a baronetcy even if the location isn’t ideal.

“The next baronetcy is Les Bâtis, located 67km northeast of Dijon, or 41 mille passus! The area is 2km², approximately 4 centuriae!”

Although the system of units has changed due to reforms, most people are still familiar with the old system, so the auctioneer explains using a mix of units.

“Woooooow!!”

And the effect was considerable.

The commoners, instantly recognizing the value of this baronetcy, exclaim in admiration at the extraordinary property. They look ready to pounce as soon as the auction begins.

‘…This one’s gone too.’

A baronetcy close to Dijon can only be expensive, never cheap. This one will fetch an enormous price as well.

Sigh… I hope not all the remaining properties are like this?

No, that can’t be the case. Since those who have already acquired titles aren’t allowed to participate in additional auctions, if I wait patiently, I’ll definitely be able to obtain a title. Think positively.

“Five thousand ducats!”

“Six thousand!”

“Seven thousand!”

‘…The price is rising remarkably fast.’

Having already given up on participating in the auction for such an overwhelming property, I’m just observing the situation, and the speed at which the price is rising is no joke. It has already surpassed the 7,000 ducats of the previous baronetcy.

At this rate, it will easily exceed 10,000.

It’s not an incomprehensible price, but… everyone’s gone mad, absolutely mad.

“Eight thousand!”

‘…How vulgar.’

I didn’t realize it until just now, but by not participating in the madness and watching from a distance, I can see the frenzy in the hall at a glance.

And that scene of frenzy is… how should I put it… extremely vulgar.

The titles that should be noble, that everyone should admire and look up to, are being scraped off for yellow lumps of metal, losing their luster.

…Is this really the title I wanted?

I desired a title, but not like this…

‘…Let’s not think too deeply about it.’

What does it matter? For a commoner, a title is something unattainable without a miracle.

For my future, and for the lives of my children, a title is absolutely necessary. In this society, it’s difficult to live properly as a human being without status.