The next day, we were busy with the preparation of the upcoming ceremony that would be happening the day after.
Today, Gus’s team, Sicily, and Maria came over to my house.
They wanted to see me wearing the clothes I’d be wearing for the bestowal ceremony.
“Hehh, since you’re tall, have a well-trained and firm build, and have a good-looking face, you look good in anything.”
“Shin-kun… looks very cool…”
“Like this, I’m quite envious. Because I have a very delicate build.”
“Your Highness… As for that…”
“What you said sounds nothing more than sarcasm to me degozaru.”
“Shin also looks more adult-like wearing formal clothes…”
“The small little baby back then… is finally all grown up.”
While I was being a dress-up doll for the maids, my friends and family were sitting on the sofa and chatting happily.
Even though I’m feeling really exhausted over here!
“Marika-san… Isn’t this one good already?”
“What are you talking about, Shin-sama. As someone part of the House of Walford, and is going to be hailed as the new Hero, it is unacceptable for you to not look your best!”
When Marika-san said these words, the other maids nodded their heads intensely in agreement. No, I think it would be more embarrassing to be wearing formal clothes…
In the end, after changing clothes to this and that, I ended up wearing a pale blue shirt and bottom, and a scarf wrapped around my neck as a finishing touch. As for the coat, it was decorated stunningly with silver thread embroidery. The size was swiftly adjusted to fit according to my body measurements. Even when it comes to something like this, the maids are still high-spec.
Afterwards, I listened to what Maria and Gus’s team wanted as accessories.
Maria said a necklace would be nice.
Gus also said a necklace would be nice. However, Maria wanted a necklace with a thin chain and a cute pendant. As for Gus, he wanted a thicker chain and a silver axe pendant, or so it seemed.
As for Julius, he wanted a leather bracelet accessory with a silver charm. He said a necklace might get in the way during combat, while a ring might make it harder to wield a sword.
…Isn’t he a student… of the Advanced Magic Academy?
The most surprising request was from Thor, he wanted a silver ring. In addition to wearing a ring, with Thor’s small figure… I wonder if there’s a gap in appearance?
“Actually, because I’m quite fond of silver accessories, I have a couple of them.”
“Since a long time ago, you’ve always liked things exactly opposite of your appearance. If I’m not mistaken, you really wanted to be a Knight when you were younger?”
“Even now, I still admire them. However, I’ve given up because it’s impossible for my physique.”
“And so when it comes to accessories, you really like silver ones…”
“Isn’t it fine that way? Doesn’t it look cool?”
“Indeed, it does look kind of cool. I was also thinking of getting a silver ring. But it was kind of surprising for Thor to also want one.”
“Why is that!”
Because he looked like he was sulking, I didn’t tell him that it differed too much from his image. Well, since the person himself said it was fine, let’s just drop the matter.
Since everyone had already decided the accessories they wanted, we immediately set off to Bean’s Workshop using ‘Gate.’ At the back of the Bean’s Workshop, hidden from public eye, I opened the Gate.
When we called out to Harold-san, who mainly stayed inside the workshop, he reported that the funding from the Kingdom had arrived. As for regarding the re-enhancement of the replacement sword, I had received an OK from grandma. Also, they wanted to purchase the new idea, and the payment would be paid in a lump sum. It was decided that the price would be ten percent of what the Kingdom paid to the Bean’s Workshop.
This idea came about while Mark, Tony, and I, the three of us, were having a conversation. However, because Mark was part of the workshop, he declined the payment. And so, it was decided that the payment would be split 50/50 between Tony and myself.
The decision of purchasing it came about yesterday, and we immediately told Tony about it.
The Kingdom ordered five percent of the total amount of weapons they had to be replaced… and it was assumed that the weapons would be delivered over time. When Tony heard about the huge amount of money, his face turned blue and he fainted, or so it seemed.
Well, yeah, if that amount of money was received just by having a casual conversation, it’s normal to freak out. I freaked out as well.
Because of the large transaction he had made, when we told uncle that we came by today to purchase some accessories, he gave them to us free of charge.
He also offered to refund the amount I paid yesterday, but I declined. It was because, it was only appropriate to use my own money to buy a present.
However, I’d accept my own for free.
Because as of now, I have yet to receive the money!
Everyone bought the accessories they wanted, and after enchanting them with defense magic, we disbanded for today. It was finally time for the Bestowal Ceremony.
* * *
That afternoon, after class was over, it was decided that we would not be holding any Research Society meeting for today, and so I went home. When I got home, there was a carriage from the Palace waiting for me. It was the similar to the carriage I rode in during the entrance ceremony. As usual, although the ride was good, riding it still felt uncomfortable!
Grandpa and grandma were also going with me. Incidentally, the both of them were also invited to the Bestowal Ceremony, so we decided to go together.
Until now, I had never been to the Royal Palace. Even though the people who lived in the Palace often came to my house.
The Royal Palace was, a steeple with a spire on top, something generally seen in dream-like countries… It had that kind of feeling. Naturally, the scale of it was larger than those.
The person in-charge guided us to a waiting room, and asked us to wait there.
Since the person we were waiting for was Uncle Dis, I didn’t feel nervous. However, after thinking of the troublesome things that would follow, I started to feel depressed.
Finally, the person in-charge came back and called for us.
And so, we were guided to the Throne Room. Then…
“The brave Hero who rescued the Kingdom! The new Hero! Shin Walford-sama has arrived!”
Because of the way I was called, I was tempted to turn around. However, before I knew it, I had Knights on both my left and right, and I was unable to run away!
…I honestly wouldn’t try to run away though.
Both Knights placed their hands on the door, and solemnly opened it.
And a resounding applause occurred.
Because I had never thought I would be welcomed in this manner, I froze for a moment, and then I somehow began to walk.
As I was taught, I halted right before the throne, and knelt.
“The King of Earlshide Kingdom! His Majesty, Diseum von Earlside is entering!”
Uncle Dis had appeared. I understood this when the people in the surrounding started to kneel.
“Everybody, please be at ease.”
Although the people around started to stand up, but I remained kneeling just as I was taught.
“Shin Walford. On this occasion, your achievement is indeed impressive.”
“I… I am honored to receive your praise.”
“In respect of your achievement, I hereby confer to you the medal of the ‘First Order.'”
“I respectfully accept it.”
I stood up, and await for Uncle Dis to give me the conferred medal. Eventually rising from the throne, he handed me the conferred medal.
“It was indeed superb.”
“I-I am gladdened by your praise.”
Even though the opponent was Uncle Dis, it was still very difficult! I wonder if it’ll end soon? While I was thinking so, Uncle Dis began to talk.
“Everyone present, hear ye. Shin Walford is, the grandson of our bosom friend, Magi Merlin Walford. We have taken care of him since he was young, and he is someone We consider as a nephew. Because he is ignorant of the ways of the world, We have invited him to our Kingdom, but it is not for the benefits of our Kingdom! This was the promise We made to Magi-dono when We invited him to attend our Kingdom’s Advance Magic Academy. We promise not to use him for political means or for military purposes! If this promise is broken, the family of Heroes will leave this Kingdom. This is something everyone must never ever forget!”
…He really did announce it. Uncle Dis was absolutely serious—!
The surroundings started getting noisy, and they seemed to have approved it.
Haa… With this, was it finally over?
“Then, with this, we announce it to be the end of the medal ceremony.”
I-it’s finally oveeerr!
“After this, there will be a party in the large hall of the Royal Palace. Everyone is welcome to participate.”
It still has yet to end!
* * *
Random Message
Hello everyone,
First of all, I would like to apologize for the lateness of this release, please go ahead and throw your rotten tomatoes and eggs to my internet service provider for accidentally disabling the service. [I’m joking, don’t actually do it!] I told them I would be gone for February, but there was a miscommunication, and they thought I would be gone this month. Well, that’s that.
Also, due to overwhelming upvotes on Joe’s comment about creating an “audio book,” I did make a 2 minute or so sample and sent it to him. He said he was editing it, so if you want to listen to the sample, he’s the man to look for.
I will continue practicing and hopefully one day, I will successfully make one…
Sincerely,
Cat