Chapter 157 (1/2)

“P-Prime Minister! What is the meaning of this!?”

The loli bitch raised her voice in front of the King.

“I created these condition only after receiving His Majesty’s approval. Now that the official procedures have begun, they cannot be changed. The title of baron shall now be bestowed upon this man and he shall be required to uphold the honour and integrity of his position. He must live his life in accordance with these conditions.”

“That’s….”

“Your Majesty, are you satisfied with these conditions?”

“Yes….”

The old man bowed to the King.

Beside me, I could see the loli bitch trying to restrain herself.

I wonder if the Prime Minister and the FitzClarence family are at odds with each other. This is a common occurrence in medieval fantasy novels. A large noble family is in constant conflict with a corrupt and powerful official from the government. The worst thing I could do would be get caught in between them.

“Y-Your Majesty!”

The loli bitch suddenly spoke up.

Fight, loli bitch.

You can do it, loli bitch.

Preserve my happy life with Sophia-chan.

Have I ever cheered her on in the past? I’d honestly like to openly cheer her on, but I’m sure if I speak now it would just cause me more problems. This time is reserved for the nobles. I commoner like me shouldn’t speak.

Or, if my suspicions are correct, it may be exactly what that old man wants.

“The conditions the Prime Minister are ridiculous! They’re impossible to meet!”

“Viscount FitzClarence, you will refrain from such childish outbursts in front of His Majesty. You are a nobleman with the title of viscount. You should be more than capable of helping this man meet all of the conditions I’ve laid out. Or did you have His Majesty make these arrangements with no intention of putting any effort in yourself?”

“S-Still, it’s just too much! It r-really is impossible! First off, why is the Prime Minister the one creating the conditions!? You say I’m acting childish but only a child asks for the impossible!”

You know, Ester-chan….

This might be too much even for the daughter of one of the Great Noble families.

“If you’re finished, I’d like to continue.”

The old man said this while staring down Ester-chan.

“His Majesty is already being quite generous by even allowing a foreigner to have a chance at joining the nobility. There are several others – some of which, many would consider more deserving than this man – that desire that position being granted to him. Even if we put that aside, this man is a strange foreigner we know nothing about. We don’t know where he was born or who his family is. It was already an unreasonable request to grant such a person the title of baron. You are a member of the FitzClarence family so I’m sure you can understand.”

“Even so, I-I can’t accept those conditions!”

“You should be on your knees thanking His Majesty for his grand generosity. Instead, you’re just making a disgrace of yourself and embarrassing your family. If this man is as great as you claim, he should have no problem meeting each of these conditions. Or do you not believe in him?”

“….”

The loli bitch is too weak.

He calls her belief in my abilities into doubt and she immediately falls silent. Besides, what the old man says is right. Ester-chan basically forced herself, and me, to the front of a long line. It would probably be best for me to politely bow and apologize.

I wonder what kind of father allows his daughter to get herself into situations like this.

I guess I really don’t have to wonder.

It says a lot that in all the time I’ve known Ester-chan I’ve never seen her father.

“Viscount FitzClarence, this matter has already been decided. I’m amazed that you, the daughter of a noble family in the Penny Empire, don’t seem to understand how serious your request was. I’m actually impressed that you’d come here when you clearly know so little.”

“That’s….”

Ester-chan was unable to argue against any of his points. When we were with Drill-chan, Ester-chan acted like a proud, powerful noble, but I guess she’s not quite ready to deal with someone like him.

The King, who had remained silent so far, finally spoke.

“Everyone, be silent.”

While the loli bitch was being insulted by the old man, it seems like he’s come to a decision.

Silence filled the great hall.

But then Ester-chan spoke once more.

And this time it was to the King directly.

“Y-Your Majesty! Please…please wait!”

“Viscount FitzClarence, your King has demanded silence!”

“Ku….”

The Prime Minister acted like Ester-chan had committed some terrible offense, but the King barely even noticed her objection. Still, the Prime Minister’s words seemed to have an effect on Ester-chan and she held back whatever she was going to say.

I’m sure the King earned a lot of hatred from the nobles after agreeing to the loli bitch’s request. That’s only natural. I wonder if Ester-chan’s dad played any part in the King’s decision.

“Your name, I believe it is Tanaka.”

“Yes!”

“Raise your head.”

“Yes!”

God, I feel so helpless.

I can’t do anything now but nod and follow his instructions. Especially after seeing everything that’s happened so far. I know everything has already been decided. I’ve been caught up in the loli bitch’s plans and the old man’s plans, and now I’m stuck.

“As the thirty-ninth king of the great Penny Empire, I grant you the title of Baron.”

“Yes!”

Something so momentous is happening and all I can do is say ‘Yes!’

“The conditions that have been set for you may be challenging, but I’m expecting you to put up a good fight.”

“…thank you.”

Like this, I was granted the title of baron.

That entire audience was about me but I feel like I was the only one that didn’t really understand what just happened.

***

We were now in the waiting room with Christina.

“It’s absurd! W-What’s with that condition!? Why was he the one in charge of making the conditions anyway!?”

Ester-chan was venting to nobody in particular.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this angry.

Because it’s now just the three of us, she’s returned to normal. She must really have a hard time dealing with the Prime Minister.

“Ester-san, I’d like to ask you something. Is that okay?”

“…sure.”

“What kind of place is this ‘Radius Grassland?'”

“W-Well, that’s….”

It looked like this was hard for the loli bitch to talk about. Her eyes were even getting watery.

Or maybe that’s how her eyes always are.

“Is it very far away?”

“T-That’s not the issue. It’s actually next to my territory.”