episode_0106

106. The Noble Without a Surname

A hypocritical old man—strict with others, lenient with himself.

Especially one who commits corruption without even a shred of caution—such a man was the worst of the worst.

Had this been Erika under normal circumstances, she would’ve beaten his head in with a club after pinning every conceivable charge on him.

But today, she was even grateful for their corruption.

Erika adored Kain.

Because the venue for his baronetcy ceremony was magnificent.

It was only natural for one to desire a grand, beautiful setting for a once-in-a-lifetime event like a wedding.

Erika felt a similar sense of satisfaction.

With joy in her heart, she raised the ceremonial sword.

Lustrous pure gold and intricate craftsmanship.

Glittering jewels and a blade gleaming with polish.

But the sword lacked a properly secured edge.

After lifting the sword, Erika rose from the splendid throne of the Zarmark sovereign.

And for the first time in ages—not as a nickname, but in earnest—she called him by his true name.

**“Kain, come forth.”**

*-Bow*

In response, Kain silently inclined his head slightly.

He walked forward slowly and stood before Erika.

His expression showed neither joy nor bewilderment.

His face remained utterly blank, devoid of emotion.

*‘Is it too shabby? Should we have held it somewhere more extravagant? Decorated it, cleaned it… Prepared for a full month until it was perfect?!’*

Erika grew restless.

Beneath the surface, her heart wavered—hard to believe this was the same woman who had just subdued the arrogant old men with ease.

Like a lover who forgot an anniversary, she maintained a cold exterior while her insides churned with anxiety.

But there was no turning back now.

True to her political nature, Erika maintained a solemn, expressionless face.

She extended the ornate ceremonial sword.

**“What is your name?”**

**“Kneel and lower your head!”**

Kain had no knowledge of such formalities.

From beside him, his savior Alice whispered instructions.

Kain nodded impassively and followed her guidance.

He knelt on one knee before Erika and bowed his head.

**“What is your name?”**

**“It’s Kain.”**

As if nothing had happened, Erika smoothly repeated the same question.

This time, thankfully, Kain answered correctly.

Erika exhaled a sigh of relief in her mind.

She touched the flat of the ceremonial sword to Kain’s left shoulder.

**“Do you swear to uphold the conduct and dignity of a noble as a baronet?”**

**“…I swear.”**

This time, she placed the blade upon his right shoulder.

**“Do you swear, as my subordinate, to demonstrate your abilities without reserve?”**

**“…I swear.”**

Finally, she rested the sword atop his head.

Now was not the time for questions, but for Erika’s speech—where she would justify why he was worthy of the baronetcy by listing his achievements and convincing the audience.

But…

**“Haa… There are so many feats, it’s exhausting just to list them.”**

There were far too many.

During the Penrose incident: electric bulbs, stoves, pencils, printing types, hot air balloons.

In the Blackdown Union: pianos, canned food, chicken coops, poultry feed, pizza, cement, gunpowder cannons, fried chicken, beef stew.

And now, during the age of warlords: constructing a 1-kilometer bridge and inventing the *singijeon* artillery.

If titles were awarded based on merit alone, Kain could easily have become a duke.

She listed each of his accomplishments one by one in her speech.

It was like a wife proudly bragging about her brilliant husband.

But few would dare imagine a regional noble—practically a monarch—falling for a commoner.

The sheer number of achievements flowing from Erika’s mouth alone was staggering.

Awe-inspiring feats that left jaws on the floor.

Now, if nothing else, everyone understood why Erika treasured him so abnormally.

Adela crossed her arms and smirked.

**“Wow… So ‘Heaven-Sent Genius’ wasn’t just an empty title, huh?”**

**“Our master! Freaking amazing! I’m his one and only disciple!”**

**“As expected of you, sir. Every single accomplishment benefits the people…”**

**“I must be the only one who’s ever smacked the back of that noble’s head! Gotta make it a drinking story.”**

The little runt Amelie, the administrative prodigy Alice, and the soldier Isobel all marveled.

**“Damn! That softie’s made a ton of stuff, huh.”**

**“Hehe, thanks to that lucky charm, we’ve made a fortune.”**

**“…As expected, my husb—no… comrade.”**

**“Hahaha! Exactly! For Jet’s sworn friend, nothing less would suffice!”**

**“I should thank the heavens over and over. If only my archery had been better in that war…”**

Vivian, Adele, Luna, Jet, and Penrose were much the same.

Jet, in particular, had a strong reaction, recalling how their paths had crossed during the Redmain conquest.

Meanwhile, among the military officers, Lien’s eyes sparkled.

**“Incredible… As expected of my training academy classmate. That’s the kind of man who earns nobility…!”**

Kain’s former classmate—once a dirt-poor commoner, now a general.

Though small in stature like Erika, he clenched his calloused fists tightly.

Praise rained down upon Kain.

Yet the man himself, responsible for such staggering achievements, showed no reaction.

At most, he flinched slightly at the voices of Vivian, Adele, and Luna…

Erika removed the ceremonial sword from Kain’s head.

After sliding it halfway into its sheath, she asked him a final question.

**“Baronet Kain. What shall your surname be?”**

The last tradition.

In the Empire, only nobles bore surnames.

Normally, the granting noble would bestow one, but…

Erika treasured Kain so dearly that she made an exception—allowing him to choose his own.

*‘Of course, it hardly matters. One day, you’ll inherit the Grace name regardless.’*

No—perhaps it was just her own twisted thoughts surfacing.

A rising desire to ravish Kain on the bed until he was a ruined mess.

Once she was pregnant and wedded him, his status would inevitably elevate him to Grace.

*‘It won’t be long now. Between the baronetcy and how far we’ve progressed physically, all that’s left is to stroll hand in hand, admire the sunset, and offer him a ring when I propose…’*

Lost in romantic delusions, Erika barely noticed as Kain hesitated before speaking.

**“I… can’t decide yet.”**

**“Is that so?”**

**“Yes.”**

A noble without a surname.

Rare, but not unheard of.

Sometimes, those who wished to use their given name as their surname would petition their liege—and on occasion, it was permitted.

But it didn’t matter.

He’d bear the Grace name eventually, regardless.

Erika nodded and sheathed the ceremonial sword fully.

*-Click*

The half-drawn blade slid home completely.

Then, looking down at Kain, she smiled.

**“Not as grand as you expected, hm?”**

**“…….”**

**“Congratulations on your nobility.”**

She patted his shoulder encouragingly.

An anticlimactic end to the ceremony.

But its repercussions would be beyond imagination.

Though an honorary noble, it was no exaggeration to say he now belonged to a different class entirely.

As a baronet, he couldn’t arbitrarily execute citizens, but imprisonment was within his rights.

With luck, he might even govern a small estate.

Yet Kain showed no joy.

If anything, his face remained devoid of emotion as he bowed silently.

**“I’d like to rest now…”**

**“Ah… Of course.”**

With that, he trudged out of the Zarmark conference hall.

Erika could only stare blankly at his retreating figure.

Her pupils trembled slightly as she turned to her subordinates.

**“Did I… do something wrong?”**

**“Not at all.”**

Alice assured her everything had gone perfectly.

But seeing Kain—so listless, so unlike himself—left Erika deeply unsettled.

**“Is he sick? Or maybe…”**

**“Calm down, delinquent.”**

Before Erika’s dignity eroded further, Adele stepped in.

Having just endured a week of tedious debates with the trembling old men, Adele exhaled, craving a smoke.

**“I’ll go talk to him.”**

**“But—”**

**“I haven’t known him as long as you. Sometimes, people find it easier to confide in someone they’re not too close with.”**

Erika let out a stifled groan.

After a reluctant nod, Adele followed Kain’s trail.

────────────────────

I’m pathetic.

Today, I truly felt it firsthand.

Shuffling along with feeble steps, I berated myself.

**“Even Vivian, Adele… even Luna congratulated me…”**

After Luna and I started dating, I immediately cut off all my other flings.

Out of respect for my girlfriend.

Yet, barely a day after our breakup…

I avoided them all because it felt awkward.

Except when leaving, I couldn’t even hold a proper conversation with them.

Having unilaterally drawn the line, it felt embarrassingly desperate to suddenly reconnect post-breakup.

Meanwhile, what about them?

Vivian and Adele clearly tried bridging the gap, making efforts to talk.

During the baronetcy ceremony, Luna even congratulated me sincerely.

Every time I saw how effortlessly they moved on, I just felt more worthless.

**“Sigh…”**

It’s exhausting.

It’s not like I meant to ignore them—it was just too uncomfortable to talk normally.

I know how this goes.

It’s an endless loop.

I know the solution is laughably simple: just shamelessly forget the past and act like nothing happened.

**“But I have some dignity…”**

Yet if I cling to pride, we’re back to square one.

Maybe I should hole up in my room and sort things out.

I’m so tired today.