Baron was a title directly above ordinary knights.
«What the hell...?»
«Baron!»
The prime minister's statement stunned the nobles, and rightly so.
«This is unprecedented! Give a barbarian a hereditary title!»
A Baron could inherit his title; not forever, just to his son and grandson. In some ways he considered himself better than an honorary baron, whose title was only retained for the time being.
It's not that I deliberately dedicated myself to nobility, I didn't expect to earn a title.
To be honest, I was shocked. In the game, companions above marquis could complete related quests and accumulate achievement points to become nobles. This route had as many cons as benefits. You were a noble, but you were actually closer to the vassal of a pair, so there were restrictions on the game. So what about the restrictions?
Since commoners and nobles cannot refuse the king's orders anyway, isn't it practically non-existent? Hmm, that seems to be the case, but...
That's when the prime minister shouted: «Everyone still!».
«But...»
«These are the words of His Majesty».
The confusion that didn't seem like it would calm down so easily was calmed down with that single sentence. That was the weight of the king's name in this country.
«You will be informed of the date on which the title will be granted as soon as it is decided».
Anyway, with that my granting of rewards ended. The prime minister didn't even ask me if I would accept the title. He probably never thought otherwise. I had no intention of rejecting it. This was not a simple game. In other words, becoming a noble came with all kinds of comforts and new moves.
«Portyan Miriant of the Nartel Clan, one step forward!»
After my turn, the process of announcing rewards based on achievements continued for a while. At that point, my teammates also stepped up on their turn and received decent rewards. Missha, Ainar, and Mr. Bear each received ten million stones as a reward and had the option to choose between a rank 5 essence and equivalent equipment. Raven also received the right to learn palace magic instead of an ordinary reward at her request.
In Erwen's case, it was a rank 4 essence or equivalent item, the greatest reward among my comrades. She was recognized as the second contributor in the battle against the Corpse Collector, in addition to compensation as a member of a grieving family. Although she was unable to attend this event, today was just the announcement and the actual reward would be given later, so that was not a problem.
«Mr. Yandel, is Erwen still in her holy land?»
«It seems like the funeral is over, but he must still have a lot on his mind».
«I see...» Raven asked if there was any news from Erwen and then interrupted herself. I asked him if he had anything to say, but got no answer.
After a long time had passed like this, the long reward process ended and the banquet began. «What an incredible day. Everyone, please enjoy this event with the protagonists of the new era with a happy heart!»
As there were so many people, the banquet was held in two different spaces, the large interior room where the rewards were held and the exterior garden where all kinds of delicacies were arranged. It was not forced, but most of the explorers enjoyed the outdoor banquet. That was the atmosphere. The interior was quiet and classical music played. Because more than half of the nobles chose to enjoy the banquet there, it was uncomfortable for the explorers to stay.
«Mr. Yandel, what are you going to do?»
«Of course I'm going out». We also choose the exterior.
«If we stay here we can expand our network.»
Since my Baron title was confirmed anyway, networking didn't necessarily have to be done today. I didn't want it to take place today either.
«Yandel! Yandel is here!»
«Hey? What is a nobleman doing here?»
«Hahaha! Yandel wouldn't do that!»
Being given a title might evoke a sense of distance, because the explorers greeted me warmly when I left. Thank goodness I did. No matter how I thought about it, my relationships with these guys seemed more valuable to me than with those noble bastards.
«Everyone only looks at you. Why don't you say a few words? "We've heard more than enough inside, but I think it will sound different when you say so»", Kyle said from my side.
So a short toast, huh? I wondered what would be best.
Go like a barbarian.
I didn't have to think much. Was needed? We had heard enough rhetorical praise.
«Good job everyone!» This should be enough for today. «Now, let's drink and enjoy!»
My toast ended super fast. The barbarians, who by nature preferred short words, shouted in response: «Behell-ahhhhhhhh!».
The explorers did the same.
«And to think that the day will come when I can drink inside the royal palace!».
«Yandel is becoming a Baron, what worries you?! Let's enjoy!»
«Woahhhhhhh!»
The explorers put aside their discomfort at being in the palace and began to enjoy the banquet to their heart's content. This also applied to us.
«Wow, Bjorn! Try this a little! I don't know what kind of meat it is, but the bones are crispy and delicious!».
«Uh, you're not supposed to eat the bone...»
«Hey? Because?»
«It's nothing. As long as it's delicious for you».
The greasy food was a different kind of tasty from Missha's home-cooked meals. Drinks fell easily, and there were numerous comrades to drink with and chat about past difficult experiences.
This looks like a after-dinner party or something.
A pleasant time typical of a banquet followed. The atmosphere darkened every time there was talk of a deceased comrade, but after a brief moment of silence, everyone regained their spirits. Time passed like this and dusk was approaching.
«It seems like you're having a good time». Melter came out, who was enjoying the banquet with the nobles inside.
«Have you had fun inside?».
«Of course not. I had to hold back so as not to run away from there».
«It seems like you're having a hard time too». He could understand Melter's stance on enjoying the banquet with the nobles inside. He led a clan, after all. He was sure that he did not want to miss the opportunity to interact with the nobility, because one day he might need their help. «While you're here, grab a bottle».
«A bottle...?»
«Why bother using a glass?»
«Haha, if I had known it would be like this, I would have gone out sooner. But where are your teammates?»
«Except Abman, everyone was bored and went somewhere else».
«Really? I thought that barbaric girl would be different».
«Oh, she can't drink that much.» To be exact, he did know how to drink, but after getting drunk with the environment and drinking continuous bottles, he fainted.
«Yandel, here's an empty bottle. You're not drunk yet, are you?».
«Of course not».
Now that Melter was here, I continued drinking with the warriors around me. This was one of the pros of having Bjorn Yandel's body. He drank alcohol incredibly well.
While drinking for the first time in this body, Missha returned. «Ugh, the smell of alcohol...»
«Oh, Missha. Have you had a good time?»
«Yeah. There's something like a performance out there. It's fun. It would have been great if you had come too...»
«There will be more of that later. But where is Raven?»
«She is drunk and saying difficult things with a magician.»
Saying difficult things while drunk? You should definitely avoid magicians. «I'm going to walk for a while». I excused myself from Melter, got up from the drinking party, and walked through the garden with Missha. It wasn't as much as the warriors' drinking party, but everyone here was having a good time. The nobles also mixed here and there.
«Oh? I can't even imagine an army of thousands of corpses.»
«Me neither. That must have been so scary. You're amazing».
Just as I was the star of the count's banquet, the nobles showed their interest in explorers first. Well, not everyone had heavy butts like titled nobles. The young collateral-line nobles were really no different from the middle-class commoners.
Hey? But why didn't anyone come to us?
It was strange, but I soon understood it. How could anyone approach dozens of tough, screaming warriors?
«Bjorn, should we sit down and rest a little?»
«That would be nice...» He wasn't that drunk but due to the side effect of the last battle, it was difficult to walk for long.
«...Why are you sitting on the floor? Sit next to me.»
«I think it will break».
Missha sat on the bench and I sat on the grass, and we spent time quietly. Was it because he had drunk so much? The noises of the noisy banquet sounded like background music from afar and thoughts of all kinds passed through my head.
«Yandel! You are Sir Bjorn Yandel who received the title of Baron, right?»
As I entertained myself in the comfortable silence, some nobles recognized me and approached me. But Sir Yandel? Were they already treating me like a nobleman? I didn't want them to interrupt this moment, so I rejected them with appropriate excuses, but I couldn't use that method on everyone.
«Haha, so you've been here». This was an untitled aristocrat, someone with whom having an awkward relationship could bring trouble in the future... Dwalkie's half-brother.
«...Baron Martoin.»
«The truth is that I came to see you a couple of times before, but I didn't go near you because you seemed to be having a good time». Excuses. It was obvious that I couldn't get through the warriors to come see me.
«Thank you for your consideration».
«Haha, it's nothing. You are the protagonist of this banquet, after all».
After a formal greeting, I had a brief conversation with Baron Martoin. It was a more fruitful conversation than I thought. Apparently, when they became noble commoners there had to be tensions, but I was going to be a different case.
«Because?»
«Because yours is a title granted by the king. An explorer who is closely watched by the king? Who would dare touch you? Everyone will be eager to become your friend».
The king, huh? I always felt that way, but every time a conversation about the king arose, I felt uncomfortable, including what the chief said.
Anyway, if this is true...
Getting in a good mood, I greeted the butler who was sitting next to the baron. «Anyway, long time no see, butler».
The butler's face turned white at my greeting. Well, he would be scared since the barbarian who used to smash heads and chew bones now had great fame and power. «P-please e-excuse my behavior at the time...»
When I smiled at him, the butler trembled and apologized. It didn't feel particularly refreshing.
Now I feel like I'm bullying a weak child.
Even a sandbag needed to have a moderate impact to make it fun. I stopped making fun of the butler and continued talking to Baron Martoin. Naturally, the name Dwalkie came up.
«Anyway, where is my brother?»
The baron brought up his brother, to whom he did not take a second look at the time, as if he wanted to approach me. Missha and I froze at the same time.
But what the hell...? Are you kidding me?
«Where... did he go...?»
When I asked again while barely controlling my expression, the butler's face paled even more. One thing I learned from this was that this guy knew the situation. «My Lord, as I said before, Riol Warb Dwalkie is...»
The baron knew it too. Only he forgot.
«Oh, right. My memory is not what it used to be at my age. Haha». The baron laughed out loud in shame. My insides, which were fine even after bottles of alcohol, boiled. Was that why?
Squeeze.
When I came to, Missha squeezed my arm tightly with a worried face. I tapped her on the back of her hand to say, «Don't worry», and pulled her back. I was no longer someone who had nothing. There were too many things to be responsible for.
«Yes I understand. Don't worry. As you get older, you may develop problems with your head».
«...Hey? Oh, I guess you can put it that way. Hahaha».
I extended my hand and asked the baron to shake it. «I have to go somewhere, so I have to go. It has been a pleasure meeting you».
«Really? What a pity. Until next time». Baron Martoin responded to my handshake and spoke in a tone of disappointment. He asked me one last time: «Ah, but where are you going?».
I took off the hand with which I shook the baron's as if I wanted to remove the dust that was on it and I responded: «Oh, suddenly I want to wash my hands».
Dirty things should be washed.
Baron Martoin was stupid. «...Is that so? Anyway, I'll call you another time, so don't refuse. Now that you are a noble, there is much to learn».
The baron dismissed me indifferently. Maybe the problem was with me. Normally you wouldn't imagine a barbarian making a sarcastic comment like this.
It could be one of the few disadvantages of a barbarian.
«You were very patient». Missha stroked my hair like she was proud.
I slowly got up and also headed inside. I could ask any magician who passed by to wash my hands, but I also wanted to use the bathroom.
«Are you sure I don't need to go with you?»
«...Do you think I'm a girl?»
I separated from Missha and went to the bathroom with the help of a guide. As I left again, I was about to return to the banquet when someone who recognized me approached me.
«Oh, there you are». It was Count Ferdehilt, the organizer of the banquet I attended last time. He had said something strange to me while giving me the winning prize, number 7777 of the Garphas Necklace.
«I'll call you separately when you're more prepared».
Until today, he had not called me even once.
«You talk like you're looking for me.»
«That's because it was. Why don't we go there and have a drink? It won't take long».
«If you say so.» As he was a man with a power that could not compare to that of Baron Martoin, I obediently followed him inside.
«Here.» When I sat down at the table, the count poured me a glass and I drank it in one gulp.
«My team is waiting for me. Can I hear your business with me?»
«Haha, of course». Fortunately, the count seemed to understand and get to the point without displeasure. «Arabella, my youngest daughter. You met her once, correct?»
This doesn't seem right to me...
«What do you think? Isn't she pretty?» Indeed, the count put his arm around his daughter's shoulder and pushed her in front of me.
«I'm Arabella...» The count's daughter, who seemed to be in her early twenties, shuddered when she saw me.
Ha, I never thought this would happen to me.
«What do you think?» My brain stopped working in the unprecedented situation and I couldn't say anything. To him, I assumed he seemed to be contemplating it. «Oh, if you already have a wife, don't worry. You can take her as a concubine».
«...Concubine?»
«Oh, didn't you know that?» The count laughed at my murmur and said: «It is the duty of a nobleman to produce many descendants to help this country. If you become a noble, you can have three concubines».
Duty, shit. I felt like going to the bathroom again.