Birthday Banquet Preparations (4): The Delegation's Test

I stepped out of the mansion to welcome the delegation.

The expansive grounds of my estate were filled with the carriage transporting the Ice Crystal Stone and the horses of the knights who had escorted it and the delegation.

Soon, the members of the delegation approached me. Retainers of the margrave and knights of the White Night Knights lined up neatly before me.

"We pay our respects to the son of the lion!"

The delegation placed one hand over their hearts and knelt in unison before me.

"I commend you all for your hard work."

I had already been officially named the margrave's heir at the winter ceremony. Their attitude toward me was thus exceedingly deferential.

I gave them a moment to unload their baggage. Then I led them to the mansion's dining hall and treated them to a meal.

The head chef had put in quite the effort for the delegation. As we ate, we exchanged brief words.

Though simple, it was a conversation between the margrave's delegation and his official heir—refined, dignified, and perfectly in line with noble etiquette.

Once the mood had ripened nicely...

A familiar face from the margrave's estate, a retainer who sat closest to me at the table, spoke again as the delegation's representative.

"You look as impressive as ever, Young Master. I've heard you're progressing well with your studies at the Pantheon."

"You're too kind, Lord Mason."

Unlike the Essemont nobles who had showered me with flattery at the ceremony, this viscount named Mason had long served at Wilhelm's side as his steadfast advisor.

He was, in a word, one of Essemont's key stewards. A loyal retainer who had helped develop the margraviate even further after the great war against the demonkin.

As Eirin told me, he's a man of unyielding integrity and meticulous in his work.

In essence, Wilhelm's right-hand man. No pushover by any means.

His gaze sharpened as he appraised ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me for a moment.

He's probably checking if that ceremony performance was all an act.

His eyes scanned my attire. My neatly combed hair and clean-shaven face from this morning, along with the family uniform tailored by Otto père et fils—everything was impeccable.

Mason nodded with evident satisfaction.

"Perfect. The capital's nobles subtly look down on us Essemont folk as provincial bumpkins. But seeing your striking figure, Viscount Yulian, they won't think that at all. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠They'll likely regret not arranging a match with one of their daughters sooner. Heh heh."

"I see. But no need to worry. I'll make sure no one dares call Essemont's people bumpkins from here on out."

Mason's eyes lit up with interest.

"Indeed. It seems your resolve is as strong as ever, Viscount. That proposal of yours to lead the delegation at His Majesty's birthday banquet... There was much discussion about it back at the margrave's estate."

This wasn't just any birthday celebration. High nobles and envoys representing the great lords gathered in the capital to present lavish tributes to the emperor.

It was also a ceremony reaffirming the unwavering loyalty between the emperor and his vassals.

"Precisely because of that, leading the delegation carries great weight. You're essentially standing in for the margrave himself to affirm Essemont's loyalty. Which is why His Lordship..."

Mason trailed off, but I could guess the rest.

An envoy spoke for the lord's will itself.

So my offer to lead might seem like the whim of a spoiled young master who hadn't shaken off his scoundrel habits.

Wilhelm must have sent this loyal retainer to gauge my true intentions directly.

Mason pondered for a moment before brightening.

"But just like at the ceremony, your upright bearing speaks volumes. And we've already received reports of your diligent studies and training at the Pantheon since the semester began."

The unprecedented ordination as a Jedin holy priest. The golden wings assignment, and his subsequent exploits. Even his recent top ranking in the golden wings' combat evaluation—all reported back to the margraviate.

Mason glanced at Uriel, who was seated with us.

"This isn't mere flattery or bootlicking. We've verified Lady Uriel's reports ourselves. His Lordship is immensely proud of you, Viscount Yulian."

As a loyal steward of the margraviate, he undoubtedly had connections in the capital.

With his meticulous nature, he'd have cross-verified Uriel's reports thoroughly.

"It seems those reports held no falsehoods."

And with that, he'd confirmed my sincerity right here.

"It'll be a fine chance to show off the margraviate's official heir before His Majesty and the nobles. Heh heh."

In other words, I was more than qualified to lead the delegation.

A tough one, but my hard work at the Pantheon has paid off.

With Mason's cautious vetting complete, a system alert appeared, as if to confirm it.

Our conversation with Mason shifted to the next topic.

***

Mason's expression grew more serious than before.

"And Viscount Yulian, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you've already received the letter via your butler Roberto about the situation in Essemont and the Eternal Frozen Land."

"I'm aware. It seems His Lordship is quite worried."

At my words, the knights seated with us exchanged sharp glances.

Elite knights of the White Night Knights and Uriel's direct superiors, they hadn't let their vigilance slip even during the meal.

I addressed them.

"If possible, I'd like to hear the details directly from the White Night Knights."

"Understood, Viscount Yulian. I'll report, Lord Rot."

The knight named Rot briefed me once more on Essemont's situation.

A month ago, the Kaotic Gates in the Eternal Frozen Land had grown unnaturally active.

Not only had their numbers increased, but so had their grades. Some gates were even starting to territorialize.

In short, more monsters threatening Essemont were appearing.

"The White Night Knights and Essemont forces are the continent's elite. We've held them off without major losses so far. But with the demon aura around the Eternal Frozen Land intensifying... Sudden gates are forming within Essemont itself more frequently. The damages are accumulating."

It was clear Iseland was heading toward doom. The only silver lining was the Eternal Frozen Land's proximity to the margraviate.

With Grand Master Wilhelm Margrave, the White Night Knights, and Essemont's elite troops, the north would hold for a while.

It's my foundation. It can't fall.

Of course, in the bad ending of Demon King Slayer, Essemont falls too. But I'd prevent that.

Uriel's face darkened gravely at Rot's words.

As a White Night Knight and 5th tier aura user, she should have been fighting monsters alongside them if not for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠this scoundrel Yulian's orders.

No matter the Roia Hall training grounds, they can't leave a White Night Knight idling at some academy.

That's why I'd written to Wilhelm in my last letter: No more guards needed.

"We've also heard you'll return Uriel to the White Night Knights. His Lordship ordered us to confirm that as well."

"That's right, Lord Rot. The White Night Knights can ill afford to spare an aura user. It's the proper course."

"Agreed. However, as the official heir of House Reinhardt, His Lordship worries for your safety."

"No need. I'm capable of protecting myself now."

I'd mentioned it explicitly in the letter: My realm had reached 3rd tier, and I could already wield the Lion Heart Sword's first chapter ultimate art, White Night.

Uriel would have reported the same, so no doubts on authenticity. But Grandfather's overprotectiveness was something else.

"He ordered us to verify that personally too. Forgive the rudeness. Could you spare a moment after the meal...?"

"No rudeness. And I can demonstrate right now. I'll circulate my mana—please confirm."

Interest flickered in Rot's eyes. His disciplined knight's gaze hadn't softened since arrival.

Compared to Roia Hall's Instructor Darren or golden wings' Instructor Mithers, his sharpness was no less.

My honed senses told me: Rot was beyond a 5th tier aura user—a 6th tier Aura Expert.

"If that's your will, Viscount."

He bowed politely. I focused all my senses inward. Mana surged swiftly through my mana roads.

Concentrated in my mana heart, it refined into a majestic three-fold rotation. I met Rot's gaze.

Through my piercing eyes and the subtle mana leaking from my body, he confirmed my realm.

"Undeniably... 3rd tier. No... truly 3rd tier?"

He spoke in astonishment. The other knights beside him and Uriel stared in shock. Rot continued.

"The refined mana is beyond a typical 3rd tier. Its pressure alone rivals 4th tier."

Mason's eyes widened at Rot's words.

"I'm just a mana-less commoner. But if Lord Rot says so..."

"Indeed, Lord Mason. More than enough for the first chapter's ultimate art, White Night."

"Oh! Music to my ears. For the warrior House Reinhardt, the growth of its sole heir is a blessing for all Essemont."

With confirmation from Rot—an elite White Night Knight and Aura Expert—even Wilhelm couldn't object to Uriel's return. Mason nodded in agreement.

Rot added,

"Of course, Uriel at your age is already a 5th tier aura user. But Viscount, you only underwent mana awakening this winter. That's barely two months. Compared to White Night aura users like Uriel, who gripped wooden swords from infancy... This growth is frankly unbelievable."

"Blood will tell. As the heir to Wilhelm and Lady Agnes."

"His Lordship will be overjoyed."

Mason let out a thoughtful hum. Reverence briefly filled the eyes of Rot and Mason.

As Wilhelm's faithful retainers, they'd no doubt seethed daily at the scoundrel heir. But now? My feats since possession were proof enough to earn their awe.

Yet I wasn't satisfied.

Still just 3rd tier. At minimum, I need aura by summer break.

Wielding aura required sword talent like Uriel's and lifelong training from infancy—nearly twenty years.

But I had only half a year left. The weight of my future tasks felt heavier before them.

Still, I spoke calmly.

"Nothing special. I'm merely on par with my 2nd-year classmates. More importantly, you've traveled hard from Essemont. Rest up for the remainder of the day."

I gave the delegation time to rest. And I personally inspected the Ice Crystal Stone they'd brought.

Thus passed a busy weekend.

The new week dawned. Come Monday morning, I headed to Cecilia's workshop.