I Regressed to My Ruined Family Chapter 213

＃After returning, the family was ruined (214)

“His Excellency the Duke is entering!”

A loud voice and the sound of a trumpet rang out through the auditorium. Soon after, Ethan appeared with the Dragon Slayer. Envious eyes flocked towards him.

Loyalty is not free.

Of course, there are members who live their whole lives for the glory of their family without any selflessness, but it was natural that nine out of ten people wanted something in return. Today could be said to be the day when loyalty is paid in return. A day when you are given a new means of power beyond just a salary.

“Everyone please take a seat.”

The retainers sat down. Ethan said, making eye contact with everyone sitting at the head table.

“Over the past year, Ardan has developed so quickly that it is difficult to recall what it was like before.”

“There may be many reasons, but no one would deny that efforts were made to cut down the vassals.”

“Today’s award ceremony is an event to recognize his achievements. “First of all, I will award you four earldoms.”

Four candidates for the count came to the front of the podium.

“Elena Ardan. My sister, she was the administrator of the territory for the past year, and she handled the affairs as the duke’s plenipotentiary representative in times of emergency and was in charge of the operation and development of the territory… I cannot help but point out her contribution as the reason why the administration of the vast duchy was unified. will be. “In recognition of her contribution, I will bestow the title of countess on Elena Ardan.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency the Duke.”

Elena bowed her head politely. Privately, they are related by blood, but publicly, they are a relationship between the head of the family and a vassal. As the eyes of the vassal group were focused on this position, it was natural to go to the engineering school.

Ethan handed me the brooch.

A brooch made of expensive precious metals such as deep sea stone, blood ore, and diamond Ephrian.

It was not simply made of precious precious metals. This is because a magical circuit was added to it, giving it the mysterious function of relieving fatigue and rejuvenating energy.

From expensive raw materials to delicately crafted magical circuits. The price of the brooch in which all this effort was invested would have been close to twenty platinum coins.

This was something like a medal of sorts. In fact, those who received the title of earl were people who were close to the founding contributors and could naturally be said to be worthy of receiving such an item.

“Originally, I should have given him a last name, but I don’t want him yet, so I’ll just give him a title for now.”

“thank you.”

“However, if you want to be given a different last name, please speak up at any time.”

The original title conferment ceremony did not end with simply being granted a title. Receiving the title of heir to nobility was the same as creating a family. Of course, a family needs a name.

This meant that a different surname was needed instead of the surname Ardan. However, due to his opposition, it was agreed that only the title would be awarded for now.

I was planning on giving it a proper last name someday if I wanted to. No matter how great the family Ardan was, it was much better for him to be the head of an independent count family than to be simply one of the blood relatives.

It feels like a snake’s head is better than a dragon’s tail.

After the first award ceremony.

The next person whose name was called was Gailen.

“Gaylan Halaim. “As an administrator who developed a card game that everyone here knows, and as a talented person who developed the city… I will nominate him as a count and bestow him with the surname of ‘Jordan.’”

Jordan. It was the language used in the desert kingdom of Deacon for the word oasis.

There was a history of going through quite a bit of trouble to find a castle that was different from the existing nobles of Heidern. Because it was impossible to show off a nobleman with the same surname.

At that, Gailen quietly repeated the word Jordan. It seemed that I quite liked the castle given the sparkling eyes.

“Count Jordan, please continue to work hard for Ardan.”

“yes! “I will do my best, prepared to die from overwork!”

“I didn’t mean to die.”

“haha! “What I meant was that I was prepared to endure Jordan’s death as long as His Excellency gave the order.”

Ethan chuckled.

Guylan.

He was born as the third son of a count and could not inherit the title, so he took a different route. Although he may be loyal in his own way, he is not the type to truly sacrifice his life.

That was still the case today.

If you really wanted me to die, I would immediately leave the duchy and run away.

However, the reason he said such a thing was to express his intention to give absolute loyalty externally.

There was no reason not to accept it.

“understood.”

Gailen’s eyes sparkle.

The eyes were like windows that projected the mind. A passionate ambition was burning beneath his eyes. It means that you want something more than just a title.

It wasn’t greed. In the first place, at the appointment ceremony of the heir to the nobility, not only castles but also fiefdoms were granted.

Besides, wasn’t Gailen the former administrator of the County of Pernes? If possible, you would like to be granted a former county territory that was carefully managed.

“As for the territory, I will grant the former County of Pernes.”

“…Thank you, my lord!”

An ambitious and capable subordinate. To keep the reins of this character in check, the solution was simple. Whenever you solve a problem well, give it what it wants.

There has already been tremendous profit from card games.

There was no reason not to give Gailen what he wanted. Granting the territory of the duchy did not mean that the land would leave Ardan.

What followed next.

It was Ilya’s award ceremony.

“As the exclusive mage of the Duchy of Illia, she contributed greatly to the production of weapons and alchemy, made a contribution to defeating enemies with her outstanding magic skills, and served as a bridgehead in exchanges with the elves as a diplomat… Accordingly, she was also given the title of countess. I will grant it. Giving the surname ‘Aster’….”

Blue star.

It was the meaning contained in the last name.

“I will continue to treat you well, Count Aster.”

“…I will ask you to take care of me.”

The last person was Sylvia.

Numerous curious gazes flocked to her as she stepped forward to the podium wearing simple formal attire. Some people seemed to have noticed her identity, but nine out of ten had no idea who she was.

“Sylvia is a loyalist among loyalists who has been with me since I was in the Barony of Kargath, and as the head of the intelligence group Black Moon, she not only faithfully coordinates the duchy’s information system…” As the exploits

continued, the buzz began to gradually grow louder. did. It had to be that way. According to what the duke said, there was only one person who could guess the identity of the silver-haired woman standing on the platform.

“No way…”

“Lawrence was a woman?”

“Nonsense… No way…”

Among them, some of the maids showed blank eyes. Have you ever dreamed of a love that cannot come true?

It was a little unfortunate, but it was better to reveal the truth now. The longer it was late, the more complicated the way to resolve the ramifications of this matter would inevitably become.

Fortunately, the situation was able to end with only a small disturbance. This was because the vassal corps consisted entirely of members who had just begun receiving titles. This means that there is no such thing as a faction and there is no foundation for hostility against each other.

“Accordingly, we will give Sylvia the last name ‘Delphine.’ “Please continue to treat me well, Count Delphine.”

“…I will serve you faithfully.”

Sylvia answered with a calmer expression than expected. Receiving the title of earl was the most encouraging event in her life, but perhaps because she received the news a few days ago, her peace of mind did not collapse.

On the contrary, since I had received a generous reward, I was only filled with the thought of doing my best to help my lord.

“This concludes the ceremony for awarding the title of earldom. Next… we will proceed with the awarding ceremony for the Viscount. Irina, please come forward.”

Irina stood up at those words. For an instant, all eyes focused on her. The reason was simple. Not only did she have a more beautiful appearance than anyone else, but her ears were more pointed than anyone else.

Those who were aware of her were not very surprised, but those who were not aware of her could not help but widen their eyes. Elves were one of the races known for their hostile relationship with humans.

‘…Elf?’

‘Is he an elf who is close to the leader in the Dominion?’

An elf will receive a title.

It could be said to be a very strange sight. This was something that happened once in a hundred years or so.

“High elf Irina. She moved the location of the World Tree, making the farmland throughout the duchy fertile, and was one of the greatest contributors to achieving self-sufficiency in food production through constant exchange with the granary city….” The achievements

continued. The main point was simple. Only High Elves were able to grow the World Tree, and considering that, it was safe to say that she was a great talent. He is a person of great strategic value.

It was for that reason that titles were given. Even people who have prejudices against elves, if they see an elf with a title, they will clearly know that the elf is protected under the name of Ardan.

The award ceremony continued.

Nerian, the knight commander, and Myers, the deputy knight commander, were awarded the title of Viscount in recognition of their contribution to the growth of the dragon slayer group and their contribution to raising Ardan’s name in the continental swordsmanship competition.

Erkan, who successfully developed the granary city, and Hans, who had been active in both sunny and shaded areas, were also granted the title of Viscount.

Now, the rank of Viscount has been awarded to Black Socialist Decal, a member of Black Moon.

After the four earldoms and six viscountries were assigned. Finally, the conferment of ten baronies and semi-nobility took place. Up to the rank of baron, each person’s name was called out and a brooch was given on the podium to briefly praise them for their contributions, but it was different for semi-nobles.

First of all, the number of people was very large, and it was not enough for the duke to praise each and every achievement necessary to achieve semi-nobility.

The solution was simple.

At the semi-noble award ceremony, ten people each came forward and briefly shook hands before being awarded titles. The names of those who became semi-nobles varied.

Handmaids, blacksmiths, administrators, various officials, merchants, informants, etc. Even though they may not have made groundbreaking contributions to develop the territory, they have faithfully performed their work to the point where they would feel uncomfortable if they were not stationed in various places.

This was the criterion for selecting semi-nobles.

‘It’s finally over.’

By the time the quite long ceremony was over. Ethan’s head moved between the windows of the main auditorium. It was because he felt eyes looking at him.

It’s also a very familiar gaze.