Edel's Soap Opera (8)
Garen's words caught Owen off guard.
He hadn't expected such sudden praise.
"Understood."
Responding to the summons, Owen watched as Garen, as if he'd been waiting for it, pulled a brooch from his pocket.
"I'd like to present this to you, Sir Leire."
It was a blue ribbon, adorned in the center with gold and jewels.
Owen stared at it in confusion.
At least in his past life, he'd never seen anything like it.
"What is this brooch, my lord?"
"As an outsider, you wouldn't know. This is the insignia proving membership in Edel’s proud Blue Ribbon Knights."
At the mention of the Blue Ribbon Knights, gasps of admiration erupted around them.
"The knights? Already?"
"Incredible. To offer such treatment right away..."
Watching the surprised reactions from all sides, Owen felt awkward.
Why on earth would I join some knight order I've never even heard of?
He was a busy man.
He declined politely at once.
"A surprising offer, but I fear I'm too lacking to fulfill the duties of the order."
Yet Garen smiled as if he'd anticipated the refusal.
"No need to worry. It's purely an honorary position. In fact, you'll enjoy many privileges in Edel, Sir Leire."
In truth, the Blue Ribbon Knights were knights in name only, far from any serious combat organization.
The members were all prominent figures from Edel and nearby cities; the order was really just a social club for their gatherings.
Moreover, Blue Ribbon Knights received stipends for maintaining dignity, attendants, and lodging while in Edel.
It was akin to being recognized as a guest of honor by the family head himself.
Thanks to that, wearing the blue ribbon brooch in Edel and surrounding cities let you strut around with your shoulders back anywhere.
Garen explained all this roughly as he offered the brooch.
"Will you accept the Albert family's goodwill?"
Owen couldn't refuse anymore.
If unreasonable demands came later, he could always step down.
"Thank you. I consider it a great honor for the Leire family."
As Owen bowed, Garen pinned the blue ribbon brooch on him.
Applause poured in from around them.
Clap clap clap clap!
These nobles, ever attuned to power, had impeccable timing for applause.
In the midst of the commotion, Garen leaned in close and whispered to Owen.
"The lady strongly recommended this."
"Ah..."
Owen understood immediately.
The lady was, of course, Hanna.
Throwing in a parting gift at the end.
He could feel that dark elf trying hard to stay on good terms.
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Two days later.
The news reached Bris swiftly.
In his office, Surpuk Duke leaped to his feet in shock upon hearing the detailed report.
"What! That rascal Owen solved the Edel problem?!"
"Yes, my lord."
Russell Count, who brought the report, answered calmly.
To him, Owen's exploits were bittersweet.
But his report described Owen's actions without exaggeration or omission.
That was Russell's character—and the reason he earned Surpuk Duke's trust.
"Incredible!"
This time, Surpuk Duke was genuinely impressed.
He'd been watching the young talent, but he never imagined Owen would suddenly resolve the headache that was Edel.
"Owen said he was off to find a mage—I never thought he'd end up in Edel."
"The mage he sought was Bellatel, who apparently lived near Edel. He got caught up in the events afterward, as detailed in the report."
"Heh, knowing the great mage Bellatel is surprise enough. What is that guy?"
"He's said to be arriving in Bris soon together."
Surpuk Duke stroked his beard, frowning.
"What trick did he pull? Bellatel's too proud—he won't even come when I summon him."
"I wouldn't know. Ask him when he arrives."
"Heh heh..."
Surpuk Duke let out a hollow chuckle, rereading the report obsessively.
He'd already gone through it once, but the contents pleased him that much.
He'd been in a bind with orcs stirring in the east and trouble brewing in the west's Edel.
Then Owen popped up in Edel and fixed it.
"Feels like a nagging toothache's finally gone."
"...I'll inform you of any new developments."
As Russell Count departed, Surpuk Duke didn't stop him.
Because what came next was for discussion without him.
"Russell smartly made himself scarce."
Surpuk Duke addressed Bobert Count beside him.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. We're talking rewards for Owen. The report says Edel’s young head already gave him a Blue Ribbon Knights position."
"Probably wants to build ties. They're around the same age, so maybe took a liking."
"Right. But that kid in Edel went that far—how can I, your liege and the East’s overlord, be stingy?"
"Indeed. With such merit, even a lavish reward won't draw complaints."
"This one's big. Preventing Edel’s annexation to the emperor’s direct territory lets us focus on the eastern orcs."
"Have you something in mind?"
"Mm, guess we gotta use him bigger than before. Can't keep him stuck managing dragon stables. To do that..."
Soon, Surpuk Duke and Bobert Count began murmuring over reward options.
Nothing was finalized, but they clearly planned something grander than Garen’s offer.
In just a few days, Owen fully sensed his changed status.
After Garen welcomed him into the Blue Ribbon Knights, everyone’s attitudes shifted.
Prominent figures tried every trick to make his acquaintance, delaying his departure with Bellatel as he turned them down repeatedly.
Three days later, he finally set out.
As he and Bellatel exited Edel’s gates, the on-duty soldiers saluted in unison.
"We await your return, Sir Leire!"
Probably ordered to, but the uniformed soldiers’ crisp movements were quite the sight.
Nearby citizens recoiled in surprise.
They all stared at Owen riding out on horseback.
"Still just a boy..."
"Hush. Word is he earned great merit and the family head’s recognition."
"Not your average talent."
"Right. Youngest member of the Blue Ribbon Knights."
Thus, Owen’s name began spreading in Edel.
Still far from the East’s famed heroes, but impressive for his age.
Naturally, Ben, riding a mule beside him, puffed out his chest proudly.
"Ehehehehe! Our young master’s somethin’ else, ain’t he!"
Ben, who’d only farmed in the boonies.
Seeing his young master rise like this made his grin split ear to ear.
Bellatel, mounted nearby, smirked.
"Heh, your servant’s over the moon."
But he too felt Owen’s elevated position.
The soldiers had saluted Owen, not him.
The old mage fades; the rising star draws eyes.
Not that it bothered him.
Bellatel had long transcended worldly fame.
He just hated hassle—that’s why he’d refused Seymour Lady’s pleas to stay in Edel till the end.
Still, watching Owen was entertaining.
Not many lads this clever and spirited.
When they first met, he’d regretted getting drunk and face-planting in horse dung.
It led to treating a dark elf curse victim in Bris, saved by Duke Glendower back then.
But now, Bellatel quietly enjoyed traveling with Owen.
Wonder what’ll happen next.
That thought sparked a reminder.
"Oh right!"
"Yes, Sir Bellatel?"
"Owen, Karaku’s probably received our 'gift' by now."
"Ah... Well, I only set them free."
It was about the dark elves.
Owen had released the captured group as promised.
But when they woke in some wild hills from the seal, Karaku and the orcs would pounce.
Owen could only wish them luck.
Red-eyed with vengeance, how merciful would those orcs be?
"Don’t play coy. Karaku’ll thank you for this."
"Wasn’t seeking repayment. Just handled it properly."
"Don’t underestimate him for being an old orc. He’s far bigger than you think."
Owen knew that well.
Famous even in his past life.
A top chieftain candidate—yet hiding in the Empire? Baffling.
Lost a power struggle? No, Karaku’s one of orc history’s finest generals, famously ambitionless...
Seeing Owen lost in thought, Bellatel added,
"Karaku’s gratitude won’t disappoint."
"Sooner the better, then."
Orcs were on the move in the Eastern Plains.
Edel silenced, but their threat remained.
The East needed full strength against the new wave.
Four days’ travel brought Owen to Bris.
"Whoa..."
Not home, but the towering walls felt welcoming after so long.
Yet he tilted his head at the crowd milling before the walls.
"Dragon match?"
One-on-one bouts often happened there.
But no—this lacked the usual tense standoff.
Closer now, he realized they were waiting for someone.
Ben peered beside him, puzzled.
"Young master, looks like some bigwig’s comin’ through."
"Seems so? Like when the prince visited before."
Less pomp than the prince’s, but similar crowd size.
Owen nodded to himself.
"Drawing Bris’s attention like this means no ordinary guest. Sir Bellatel, did you announce your visit?"
"Me? No."
He’d suspected, but Bellatel shook his head.
"Then some other VIP. Better not intrude—let’s hurry through."
"Fine by me. Never liked crowds anyway."
"Makes sense. A recluse like you wouldn’t draw a mob."
Ben looked worried.
"Young master, why not loop around? Don’t seem like ordinary folk... Worry they’ll chew us out for gettin’ in the way."
Owen agreed.
He was just a minor knight.
Blocking a count or marquis? Disaster.
"Good idea. Sir Bellatel, all right with you?"
"Suits me fine. And in Bris, if Surpuk wants a word, tell him I refuse—handle it yourself!"
"Got it."
With Bellatel’s okay, they hugged the wide roadside.
Planning to skirt the crowd off the main path.
Undignified, but savvy when needed.
"Heh heh, should be fine now."
Ben relaxed, munching roadside snacks on his mule.
But something odd happened.
The crowd’s eyes at the gates followed Owen’s group veering off the road.
"Huh?"
Owen felt awkward.
Ben nearly dropped his snack in panic.
The weight of countless stares was intense.
"Young master, did we do somethin’ wrong? Why they starin’ like that..."
Owen was just as clueless.
"Nah, you didn’t do anything..."
Then someone bellowed.
"It’s himmmm!"
That sparked cheers from the crowd.
"Woooaaah!"
"He’s hereee!"
Owen panicked too.
What was "him," what arrived?
The excited mob surged, making Owen consider wheeling his horse to flee.
He’d withstood orc hordes, yet cowed by citizens.
But the next cheers halted him.
"Yes! It’s Sir Leire!"
"Waaaah! Owen Leire!"
The throng called his name fervently.
Rushing citizens stretched hands to shake the mounted Owen’s.
He could only gape.
"Wh-what? Is there another Owen Leire besides me?"
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