Chapter 423: Two Titles (4)

The succession ceremony was set to take place in the Great Hall. As the mansion’s main room, boasting an impressive size and splendor, it was more than suitable for a succession ceremony.

Its spaciousness also allowed for plenty of table placement. This meant we could immediately hold a celebratory banquet after the ceremony, and banquets were crucial affairs.

“I suppose I should call you ‘Lord Baron’ now, not ‘Young Master’.”

“Don’t be like that. Becoming a baron doesn’t make me a different person.”

Sipping the champagne a maid handed me, I looked around the Great Hall and spotted Erich having a warm conversation with the nanny.

He’d been radiating gloom all over until we arrived at the territory, but now he seemed calm, as if he’d finally accepted the inevitable. Or perhaps seeing Nanny had improved his mood.

“You look like a different person to my eyes. It feels like just yesterday you were terrorizing the knights with tree branches, and now you’re becoming a titled noble.”

“Come on, how long ago are you talking about?”

Erich laughed awkwardly as Nanny dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, seemingly overcome with emotion.

I didn’t know when that was, either. If it wasn’t even in my memories, then it must’ve been when this body was still tiny. Wasn’t it a bit much to dig up something that old?

Still, I guess it just showed how long Nanny has been watching over Erich and me. It was a bit harsh to summon embarrassing history we didn’t even remember, but it didn’t feel all that bad.

“To think you’d become the Baron of Hardiner… I never imagined you’d be neighbors with the young master.”

Ah.

I quietly averted my gaze as soon as I saw the nanny’s beaming smile.

Though she didn’t say it directly, I could instinctively feel that Nanny had made a small but critical misunderstanding because Erich chose the Barony of Hardiner. She was mistakenly thinking Erich chose Hardiner because his relationship with Sarah had progressed.

I gently closed my eyes, feeling sorry. Sure, Sarah might be one of the reasons Erich chose Hardiner, but not in the way Nanny thought.

I’d better keep my mouth shut.

I couldn’t possibly reveal the truth. Sarah was frail and had only us brothers as acquaintances, with Erich being the object of her long-held affection.

From the nanny’s perspective, she must think her precious daughter’s love had finally been reciprocated. I couldn’t reveal the cruel truth on this joyous day. The shock might make her collapse.

I’m sorry, nanny. Please understand my kind silence.

I’ll try to do something in the remaining year…

There was about a year until Erich’s graduation. I’ll do whatever it takes to bring them together in that time.

I was actually planning to step back after having done what I could, but I just couldn’t back down after seeing Nanny’s innocent joy. It was time to repay Nanny for her care.

I’m going all in.

Either I died of frustration, or Erich went on board. It’d only be one of the two.

After all the vassals and servants of the county gathered in the Great Hall, I stepped up on the platform with my family.

The chattering and light drinking gradually ceased. It was out of respect for the county’s sole master. Plus, causing a disturbance during the change of that master would be unbecoming of subordinates.

“It’s been a while since we’ve gathered like this.”

Father spoke after briefly scanning the crowd.

“Frequent meetings would suggest neglect of duties, so this is a welcome occasion.”

Soft laughter spread through the silence. It was Father’s attempt at a joke, but also praise for the vassals and servants dedicated to the county.

A superior acknowledging and encouraging his subordinates’ efforts? It was bound to be a great comfort for those grinding away day after day.

“Thanks to your dedication, I was able to reign as the lord of Tailglehen. Your loyalty has truly been the pillar supporting House Krasius, allowing us to serve the Imperial Family without worry.”

Father’s praise and encouragement continued. He said that House Krasius could remain as it was because of those supporting it from below, and that the glory of Krasius was built on the dedication of its vassals and servants. This recognition came directly from the head of the family and the count himself.

Some might think these were just formalities, but considering there were people who didn’t even bother with such formalities, Father was above average as a superior.

“Indeed. It is because of you all that I have been able to lead this county until now.”

Father paused briefly and placed his hands on Erich’s and my shoulders.

“Therefore, believing in your eternal dedication, I wish to step down.”

With those words, Father pulled out the seal from his breast pocket.

“Erich Krasius, rightful member of House Krasius, hear me.”

“Erich Krasius receives the master’s command.”

At Father’s order, Erich knelt and bowed his head. One receiving the grace of title succession from the family head couldn’t remain stiffly standing.

“The Baron of Hardiner is one of the pillars supporting the County of Tailglehen, and you, as a member of House Krasius who has dedicated yourself to the family, are worthy of succeeding the Barony of Hardiner.”

Then, he personally handed the seal to Erich.

“Erich Krasius. Will you fulfill your duties as the Baron of Hardiner?”

“I swear before Enen and the Great Emperor that I shall fulfill my duties until the end of my days.”

“Very well. From now on, you shall be Baron Erich Krasius of Hardiner. You must show loyalty to your brother and the Imperial Family above, and care for your subjects below.”

Father’s proclamation announced the birth of a new titled noble. The vassals and servants began to applaud at this declaration.

As the applause grew louder, I could see Erich’s expression gradually approaching enlightenment.

Hang in there.

Understanding his feelings, I sent a small mental encouragement. Erich was no longer just a young master, but a full-fledged titled noble. From now on, he’d have to work hard not just on family or territory matters, but on imperial-level affairs as well.

So hang in there, Erich. Fortunately, you probably won’t have to deal much with the affairs of minor lords under a great lord.

“Carl Krasius of Wiridia, rightful heir of House Krasius, hear me.”

…Besides, no matter how much you struggle, it probably won’t be as much as me.

“Carl Krasius of Wiridia receives the master’s command.”

I knelt before Father in the once again in the now silent atmosphere.

“The Count of Tailglehen is one of the thirty Imperial Counts protecting the Imperial Family, a sword and shield leading the charge for His Majesty the Emperor. As the heir of House Krasius who has dedicated himself to the Empire, you are worthy of succeeding the County of Tailglehen.”

I bowed my head further, waiting for the next words. Now, Father would ask if I would fulfill my duties as the Count of Tailglehen, and I would swear before Enen and the Great Emperor like Erich did, and that would be it—

“Moreover, you have fulfilled your duties as a noble even before becoming a count, which the heavenly Enen and the Great Emperor surely know.”

Suddenly, a different sentence came out.

What’s this?

It was confusing. For someone who knew how terrified civil servants were when faced with situations outside the manual, Father was doing something quite upsetting.

But I didn’t show it. Father had already placed the count’s seal before me and was patting my shoulder.

“As the head of House Krasius, I will pass everything on to you, my heir. Will you accept it?”

“…I will do my utmost to pass on the glory of the previous generation to the next.”

Father nodded, seemingly satisfied with my words. Glancing aside, I saw Mother applauding with a faint smile.

Soon, Erich, the head butler, the head maid, and all the other vassals and servants celebrated the birth of the new Imperial Count with thunderous applause.

…

At least I avoided the youngest-ever record.

Countess Horfeld suddenly came to mind.

The celebratory banquet flowed as smoothly as the neatly concluded succession ceremony.

The attendees were mostly vassals from various parts of the county, and even someone like me, far removed from social circles, knew their faces well enough. It would be strange for the heir who’d become the lord to be unfamiliar with the vassals.

If anything, the vassals flocked more to Erich, who had newly received a title, than to me who was ‘obviously’ going to become count. They probably wanted to get acquainted with the count’s brother who’d become the second or third most important person in the county. Thanks to that, we could peacefully end the banquet with Erich as the sacrifice.

If only he could go to the Imperial Palace in my place, too.

I caught myself thinking that while looking up at the Imperial Palace. Of course, Erich would’ve cursed me out if he heard, but I meant it. Maybe he’d enjoy seeing the Imperial Palace?

But I was the Imperial Count and not Erich, so I ended up at the Imperial Palace. How long had it been since I left the capital? And now, I was about to see the Emperor again.

“Your Lordship, you may enter.”

“Ah, yes. Understood.”

I passed through the main gate after being inspected by the newly appointed Imperial Knight Commander. The only consolation was that this commander was also the flexible Commander Gara, but it wasn’t much comfort considering I was about to meet the Emperor.

It’d be better if the commander was FM and the Emperor was lax. What was the point of an easy gatekeeper when the boss was waiting inside the Imperial Palace—?

What the hell is that?

I stopped in my tracks. On my way to the Solar Palace where the Emperor resided, I witnessed a bizarre sight.

Cock-a-doodle-doo—!

A small animal was running while making loud cries.

“It went that way!”

“Don’t let it get hurt! Herd it towards the open space!”

And the knights were fiercely chasing after it.

I almost lost my mind. I never imagined I’d see the grotesque sight of some animal breaking through the encirclement of the elite Imperial Knights in my life. No, more than that, I never thought something like this would be in the Imperial Palace.

Those pitifully flapping wings, a comb swaying left and right, and small eyes rolling around.

It’s a chicken.

Why… is there a chicken in the Imperial Palace?

Is it Dog Days today? No, that doesn’t exist in this world.

“Ah, Your Lordship!”

Then, one of the knights chasing the chicken recognized me.

It was the former Imperial Knight Commander.

What the actual fuck…?

Seriously, what is this?