episode_0086

As evening time approached, I left Laura and Iris at the hotel and headed to Alicia’s mansion.

Today, like last time, people sent directly by Alicia came to pick me up, and I wore a new dress they had prepared.

This dress had a similar design to the last dress, but it was less exposed, so it was fortunate that it was able to cover up all the kiss marks and teeth marks that Laura left behind.

Today, I was not just invited to a meal, but I was attending an official event as a guest of honor.

Although the term VIP does not suit a commoner like me, I was recognized as someone worthy of it.

In the invitation, Alicia referred to me with an unfamiliar title: the hero who saved Rizerka.

Suddenly, Maxian, the mayor of Rizerka, dies, and his evil crimes are revealed to the world. It seems that the public wants to appease the fluctuating public sentiment through a hero.

I don’t like being used politically, but considering the reward I will be given, I think I can turn a blind eye to it for once.

Many carriages were already parked at Alicia’s mansion, and instead of going inside, the nobles who got off from there were gathered in small groups outside and talking.

I felt increasingly burdened, but I confidently got off the carriage thinking that they were alive thanks to me.

“Rebecca, welcome your second visit.”

“Thank you for your hospitality, Alicia.”

I politely greeted Alicia, who came out to greet me, according to etiquette.

All eyes around me were focused on me, and most of them looked at me with curious eyes.

There were looks that looked down on or ignored me as a commoner, but fortunately there were no hostile looks.

Even if they don’t like it, they seem to acknowledge the fact that I protected their power.

Maybe it’s because Alicia and Elena spoke positively about me.

“Today, you are not just a guest, but you have been invited as an honored guest of Rizerka, so don’t feel pressured and enjoy yourself.”

“I am worried that I am going beyond the topic since I am an honored guest.”

“You saved the people of Rizerka. That alone is enough to qualify you as a VIP. Now, go inside and see the gift I have prepared for you.”

I followed Alicia into the spacious banquet hall inside the mansion.

There were many guests at the banquet hall, and some of them I knew.

“Rebecca!”

The first person to greet me was Veronica.

I don’t know when my sister arrived in Rizerka, but as soon as I saw her face, I was so happy that I ran to hug her without even realizing it.

“I’m so glad you’re safe.”

“I think it’s thanks to Veronica praying for me.”

“My husband and I wanted to help in some way, but we couldn’t find the right time, so I felt so sorry…”

“I am satisfied with just having avenged Veronica, so please do not regret it.”

“You are a really good friend.”

Veronica held my hand tightly and smiled a wonderful smile that made people’s hearts flutter.

I was half mesmerized by my sister and immediately came to my senses.

I don’t want to instill a sense of crisis in Alon or cause misunderstandings with other nobles.

“I heard everything about what happened from my sister. It was really hard. I told you to be careful of Maxian, but you are such an amazing person that you defeated that demon.”

“It was thanks to the help and sacrifice of my colleagues.”

“Yes, I heard that some people died while helping you. They say he was unintentionally tainted by evil, but in the end he proved his repentance by dying.”

“Yes, I heard that he was originally Elena’s bodyguard, but was tricked by Maxian into becoming that way.”

“I see. There is no need to talk about dark stories anymore on such a beautiful day. Rebecca, thank you so much for protecting my hometown. Next to saving my wife, I will consider it a blessing for my entire life.”

Alon bowed his head and expressed his gratitude to me.

Then Alicia, who had been listening to our conversation next to me, grinned.

“Alon, I never thought the day would come when you would bow down to the commoners. This is ridiculous when you think about when you were young.”

“I never imagined that my older sister would become such a magnanimous adult that she would invite commoners as honored guests.”

“That is basic to becoming a lord. That’s why you couldn’t become the successor.”

“Do you really have to make fun of me until a day like this?”

“Of course. Come on, Rebecca. I have nothing more to say to my stupid brother, so let’s go somewhere else. And Veronica, thank you for always loving my immature little brother.”

Alicia winked at Veronica and took me somewhere else.

And then I made eye contact with Elena, who was wearing a bright dress.

Elena, who I thought was just a younger sister, now looked quite dignified and mature.

I guess people like to decorate themselves.

“Ah, it’s Rebecca! Rebecca! Heehee!”

What I just said about looking classy and mature is a cancellation.

It’s just a puppy, a puppy. No matter how I look at it, it seems like I was born with the wrong race.

Elena hugged me, buried her face in my chest, and then raised her head.

It’s so cute that I want to kiss it, but I can’t, and it’s almost painful.

“Hmm, Elena. I clearly told you to save face as a noble. You really… no. It’s a nice day, so I’ll just let it pass.”

“Thank you, Alicia! By the way, Rebecca, you look kind of tired today. Are you okay?”

“Trigram, it’s okay. I’m not tired at all.”

I lied, stuttering over my words due to Elena’s pure concern.

In fact, I still felt a foreign body in my lower abdomen, the sensation there was still sensitive, and I was exhausted in many ways.

However, it is ridiculous to refuse to attend an event like this, so I am holding on somehow.

“Really? I want you to always be healthy and happy. Because he saved the city and avenged his family.”

“Elena…”

“Oh, don’t worry. Because I will become a strong person like Alicia and Veronica. And when I officially become a baron, I will take responsibility and work properly.”

“I believe that Elena can be a really good mayor. Still, if you have any difficulties, please contact me at any time. I will do my best to help you.”

“Really? thank you! But why do you take my side so well? In fact, we’ve only met for a few days, and I unilaterally asked for it. But…”

“That’s right, we are friends. Friends’ feelings for each other are more important than the time they met.”

I whispered to Elena in a very low voice so that other nobles could not hear.

Then Elena’s face turned red and she laughed.

Baby, you’re cute. I really want to make you my little brother.

“Rebecca, it’s so nice to hear you call me a friend. But I’m sad because there’s nothing I can do for you.”

“Don’t think like that. That’s because Alicia promised to give compensation on behalf of Elena. For me, it’s enough for Elena to live happily ever after.”

“Are you the person who initially wanted compensation from me?”

“That was then and now is now. Huh? Alicia is calling me. I’ll just go now.”

After kissing the back of Elena’s hand, I hurried away.

It was best to avoid questions that were unfavorable to me, and if I talked further with Elena here, it could cause misunderstandings, so I had no choice.

It’s good that Elena follows me well, but it’s quite difficult for her to have any more feelings for me.

“I’m glad that Elena feels better whenever she sees you. I hope you can meet Elena often in the future.”

“I will try my best.”

“I’m not looking forward to it. Well then it’s time to give you a real gift.”

Alicia called me at the right time and took me to the center of the banquet hall.

Then the eyes of all the guests invited today focused on me.

Everyone had a wine glass in their hands, and Alicia personally gave me my glass.

Then she began speaking to the guests.

“The reason we invited you here today is to take the time to express our gratitude to Rebecca, the hero who saved Rizerka. Rebecca risked her life to protect us all, even though she had no connection to Rizerka. I pay tribute to her righteousness and sacrificial spirit.”

Alicia held out a wine glass to me, and I lightly clinked my wine glass against it, making a clear sound.

Then the guests raised their wine glasses and shouted my name several times.

I was a little embarrassed at first, but once I got used to it, I felt like I was naturally more confident.

Have I ever received praise and admiration from so many people in my life?

I feel so good that I feel like crying.

“Now, to recognize Rebecca’s hard work, let’s take the time to award her a reward. First of all, under my authority as the sole successor to the Rizerka region, I appoint Rebecca as an honorary knight of Rizerka. Rebecca, please get down on one knee in front of me.”

“Yes, Alicia.”

I willingly bowed down to the reward I already knew.

I originally started with Franca, but I had no idea I would receive it from Rizerca.

In any case, honorary knighthood can be received multiple times from multiple territories, so it doesn’t really matter which one comes first.

However, seeing Veronica, who was nearby, looking very disappointed, it may be a matter of pride for the nobles.

“In the name of Alicia Paraine, we hereby award an honorary knighthood to Rebecca, the hero of Rizerka. Will you accept Rebecca?”

“I will humbly accept it.”

“I hope to become a brave honorary knight who protects the weak, practices justice, and does not tolerate injustice. You are now Honorary Knight Rebecca.”

Alicia ended the ceremony simply by tapping me on both shoulders and once on the head with the honorary magic rifle instead of the sword.

I was so happy on the inside that I almost wanted to dance, but I stood up with as much grace as I could and took the magic rifle that Alicia handed me.

Although it was an item that could actually be fired, it was completely plated with pure gold and had jewels studded here and there, making it a waste to use in actual combat.

“An honorary knight needs armor appropriate for his status. I am providing you with special heavy magic armor.”

I was sobered by the word weight.

The heavy magic armor brought to the banquet hall on a cart was the same model as the one mainly used by the Franca Knights and the Rizerka Knights.

I was looking forward to receiving magic armor as a reward, but it feels like a dream to have something heavy and not lightweight in my hands.

This time too, Veronica looked dissatisfied, and she seemed upset because Alicia hit her twice.

It was quite cute to see Veronica, who always looks great, pouting.

“I will also hand over ownership of Maxian’s villa to you.”

I was given a large key by Alicia.

Hmm… I honestly don’t like this very much.

Regardless of what Maxian had done there, I felt very uneasy that the demonic parasites he had left behind or monsters or tentacle creatures infected with them might appear somewhere.

I don’t want to go in there unless the entire area around it is disinfected with fire.

I need to search the villa to see if there are any good items left and then sell them right away.

“Finally, I will give you financial compensation.”

I received a coin pouch of luxurious material and design from Alicia.

I wanted to open it right away, but I couldn’t because I was watching.

When I roughly touched it, it seemed like there were about three or four of them. It was probably saltification, right?

Although gold bars have increased one’s wealth, a few salt coins are still worth a lot of money.

In addition, if you add the value of the magic rifle, heavy magic armor, and villa, you can see that you have received a level of financial compensation that is more than enough.

And above all, the status of an honorary knight will provide great convenience when traveling in the future.

“Rebecca, once again, you have done a great job for all of us. So let me raise this cup high for you. For the hero of Rizerka!”

Alicia raised her wine glass above her head as she said those words, and everyone at the banquet followed suit.

And I heard people everywhere chanting my name and praising me as a hero.

Now I didn’t feel ashamed at all, I was just proud.

When I also raised my glass, the cheers got louder.

Even if this is a formal celebration, if I’m in a good mood, that’s enough.

‘Anyway, it’s a pity that Laura and Iris couldn’t come. The same goes for Lucybell. Everyone fought hard. I’ll have to arrange a place myself later.’

As I left the spotlight, I thought about the people who were not there.

Even though I told Laura and Iris that I would free them from slavery, they refused until the end.

In the explanation of the Absolute Bondage skill, it was strongly proven that it was not a lie that no matter what happens, you cannot be liberated.

Since these two people are not receiving social treatment, I think I should do better.

“Rebecca, congratulations on becoming an honorary knight. Now you too have become a proper knight.”

“Hey… Veronica? Is it okay to say that when others see it?”

I was startled by Veronica, who came next to me and started talking easily, so I looked closely at the people around me.

Then Veronica smiled and touched my cheek.

“An honorary knight is not a noble, but is a status that receives treatment equivalent to a noble. So, if we recognize each other as friends, it doesn’t matter.”

“That’s really good news.”

“There’s no need to be too formal with your husband, so try to get closer to each other.”

“Ah, yes. By the way, when did you come to Rizerka?”

“It arrived yesterday. I had a lot of work to do, so I couldn’t even tell you the news. But it’s amazing that the work was completed before I even arrived.”

“Somehow it happened like that. Things progressed faster than I expected.”

“Anyway, I’m glad you’re safe. And thank you for taking revenge for me.”

Veronica gave me a warm hug.

My sister’s body temperature made me feel very comfortable.

“Okay, then, let’s drink together and have fun today.”

“Sister, it’s good to play, but let’s do it in moderation?”

“Of course. Rest assured that there will be no untoward incident. Yes, I can stay with Elena. You act like a model adult in front of him. Then let’s go quickly!”

I was led by Veronica’s hand and had a blessed day, meeting all kinds of people, tasting delicious food and alcohol.