Chapter 168

“Ideal and Unprecedented in History”

Translated by Dawn

 

“Ideal and Unprecedented in History”

“Well, both of you are considered among the top nobles in this country! What’s the meaning of engaging in a childish brawl in public?!”

“”M-My sincere apologies…””

Yeah, I think you could already grasp the situation, but let me explain anyway. I currently have the two heads of the most prominent noble families in the country seated before me, receiving a lecture.

When someone who held the highest position in the country acted in such a manner, it reflected poorly on other individuals and was especially detrimental for a ruler. That was why I decided to give them a lecture…

“”……””

“……T-to begin with, the feud between Grand Duchess Marishia and Duchess Margherita, as I heard from Vista earlier, is clearly a misunderstanding on Duchess Margherita’s part.”

“Ah, please… scold me more…”

“……”

Both of them look at me with sparkling eyes, as if they had just found their purpose. Duchess Margherita even wore a blissful expression, exuding an enchanting aura.

Upon closer observation, I noticed that the other nobles, for some reason, were directing envious glances toward the two being scolded. Some of them even blush, much like Duchess Margherita.

“H-Hold on a second. V-Vista, what’s going on? Why is everyone reacting like this?”

“W-Well, you see…”

According to Vista’s explanation, I recalled discussing the low birthrate of males in the Saverdales Duchy. Due to this circumstance, males were highly valued and nurtured. Perhaps as a result, most males in the Saverdales Duchy were delicate and refined.

And it seemed that the ideal image Saverdales women seek in men was someone who could scold them properly if they did something wrong—a sort of “father figure.”

To put it more bluntly, it turns out that Saverdales women are generally “fathercon.” …They have a father complex, in other words.

“So, um… Rolando-sama scolding Alicia and Duchess Margherita seemed to align with the ideal male figure envisioned by the women here. That’s why, um…”

“…I didn’t consider that possibility. Who would normally consider a country where having a father complex is an ideal?”

“F-Father complex? I don’t quite understand, but in this country, that’s the norm.”

With Vista declaring it like that, there was nothing I could do. I had no choice but to acknowledge and adjust my understanding. Secretly, I clicked my tongue in frustration.

However, it was too late to change the situation. The attitudes and atmosphere of the women around me were clearly different before and after I scolded Marishia and the others. They looked at me like they had found their prey, their eyes filled with various emotions—desire, expectation, and a sense of reliance—all carrying a wicked undertone.

“Anyway, let’s start over! How long are you going to keep kneeling? Get up and let’s begin with the first thing which is  ‘Raise your head’! Duchess Marishia, take your seat, and Duchess Margherita, return to your original position!”

“”Y-Yes!””

In any case, I thought it was necessary to bring the situation back on track after all these digressions. I had the two of them who were kneeling stand up, and we started again from the beginning.

“Ra-Raise your head.”

“…”

From there, the atmosphere was awkward, but the audience resumed their attention. Wait, weren’t you all listening attentively before?

Then, the discussion moved to the rewards I was supposed to receive for defeating the Manticore. However, another problem arose at that moment.

To confirm once again, the rewards I was supposed to receive for the Manticore’s defeat were as follows:

Refusal of bestowing titles and territories Payment of a large sum of one thousand gold coins as a reward Handling of any future issues resulting from this achievement (backing)

As soon as Vista, the Prime Minister read out these three rewards, the nobles present began voicing their dissatisfaction.

“This is not a reward worthy of the hero who saved the country!”

“What is the Duchess thinking?”

“Poor Rolando-kun…”

“Such tyranny should not be allowed! I strongly protest!”

Although they seemed like virtuous nobles protesting the inadequate reward for the hero who saved the country, their true feelings of disappointment were clearly evident. Frankly, it was ridiculous.

Most likely, they wanted to approach me, who had received a noble title, with marriage proposals for their daughters or granddaughters, but unfortunately, I see through such intentions…

Furthermore, these nobles—or rather, these women—might have their own ambitions as nobles, but above all, their desire to please me was clearly displayed in their attitude.

There was a clear difference in their behavior before and after I scolded Marishia and Margherita. Yes, it was unmistakable.

“Silence!”

Amidst the continuing protests, Marishia’s clear voice resounded. Her dignified voice and resolute attitude instantly silenced the surroundings.

“The reward for this matter has already been discussed and decided in advance between the person in question, Rolando-sama, and me. Do you understand what it means to raise objections now?”

With just those few words, the nobles who had understood her intentions fell silent. This was a decision that had been predetermined, and raising objections would be equivalent to defying Marishia, the Grand Duchess.

This was a legitimate contract between the client who issued the request and the person who accepted it. Both parties had firmly agreed on the terms of the contract. There was no place for a third party to object, and such complaints were nothing more than interference.

However, even though there were no direct protests, Alicia, sensing their discontent, sighed and spoke quietly.

“However, there is some merit to what everyone is saying. Therefore, I would like to make some changes to the reward.”

As Marishia suddenly made that statement without my consent, the nobles began to buzz in confusion. Wait, Alicia-san? I didn’t hear anything like that, did I?

I narrowed my eyes and looked at Alicia, who blatantly avoided my gaze. Hey, wait a minute. She didn’t just say it on a whim, did she? I tried conveying that question with my eyes, and she once again averted her gaze. Most likely, she said it on a whim.

“First, let me explain the process behind determining the reward for this occasion.”

From there, the explanation of the process and details of the reward were provided, and once everyone present understood the content, a new reward was announced by Marishia.

“As for the reward money, it was originally set at one thousand gold coins, but we will increase it to five thousand coins.”

At Marishia’s words, the whole assembly let out sounds of admiration. Money was not something one could have too much of, but what was I supposed to do with an amount of gold that even a commoner wouldn’t be able to spend in their lifetime? Were they expecting me to become a great merchant with this money as my starting capital?

“Next, as mentioned earlier, regarding the bestowal of titles and territories, we will respect the individual’s wishes and refrain from granting them.”

Upon hearing the following statement, the assembly once again expressed their disappointment. Well, I’m relieved to be spared from the troublesome entanglements of the nobility.

And finally, the content that was announced last would envelop everyone in the greatest surprise of the day.

“Lastly, to honor the hero who saved our country, we will bestow upon you the Mithril First Class Medal from our nation!”

“Huh?”

And thus, at that moment, a multiple holder of the Mithril First Class Medal, a feat unprecedented in history, was born.