I thought Princess Marianne was strong after our interactions, but it seems that was just an act.
“I apologize for showing such an unladylike sight. I’m alright now. Um… thank you.”
“No, it’s fine if you’re alright. You must be exhausted.”
Princess Yuriana said that to me after pulling away, but her teary eyes showed how truly terrified she was. It’s understandable, considering she faced a High Human with such defiance.
“Yuri, are you okay?”
“Yes. Thank you, Prim Eon. If you two hadn’t been here, I probably wouldn’t have even considered meeting him.”
She trusts me that much, but surely she was still scared. I offered some words of comfort, but she’s still trembling.
“By the way, Prim, when did you hear about the contents of His Majesty’s letter?”
Prim seemed to sense the mood and changed the subject. Well, given the content, it wasn’t entirely unrelated.
“So you still don’t remember, do you? I suppose it’s understandable, with your mind full of Meena, but you should really listen carefully when important matters are discussed.”
Hearing that, I vaguely recalled. I remembered thinking about how I needed to greet Meena’s parents when that discussion came up. I admit, my focus was elsewhere, so I barely remember any details.
Grand Hunter’s Master and Count Sofia actually returned around the evening of the day before yesterday. They were also entrusted with a letter for Princess Yuriana, but neither Grand Hunter’s Master nor Count Sofia knew that Princess Yuriana was currently in Feel. However, it seems the letter was given to her with the expectation that she would be visiting Feel on her way back from Valentia. After greeting Marquis Frederica, she went to Viscount Archlight’s mansion, where Count Sofia personally handed her the letter. We were called in yesterday, and by then, Princess Yuriana had already finished reading the letter, so she told us about it after our conversation. The meeting with Princess Marianne was set for today because Princess Yuriana hadn’t made up her mind yesterday, which is understandable.
“My apologies. So, what’s the reward for me?”
The letter apparently touched upon the reward for me, albeit briefly. Honestly, I’m not particularly interested in rewards, but I feel the need to change the subject, so this will do for now.
“You saved Feel and defeated many An and Catastrophe Species, so they wish to bestow a Knightly Title upon you. If so, you would need to register with the Order’s Guild. As Lord Yamato is also an Ancient Hunter, you will be registered as an Outside Order.”
A knightly title is a temporary peerage, not quite the same as nobility. And if I can register as an Outside Order, I wouldn’t need to take on Order duties except in emergencies. However, I would be able to use Knight Magic, which might be a good thing. I’d be completely affiliated with Amister, but I have no complaints about Amister, and it would clarify my position.
“I thought about this yesterday too, but even as an Outside Order, if Yamato registers with the Order’s Guild, wouldn’t that mean you’d instantly become an O-rank Order?”
“No, wait a minute. Why would you say that?”
“Forgotten? The condition for becoming an O-rank Order is having evolved into an Ancient Class, remember?”
That’s right! I completely forgot, even though Marquis Frederica told me yesterday!
“I… I mean, but didn’t you say you can’t be promoted from T-rank for a year after registering? And I have so few achievements as a Hunter, let alone an Order member, so even if I meet the conditions, there’s no way I’d be an O-rank Order, right?”
Order Ranks can be jumped, but becoming an O-rank Order immediately upon registration is simply impossible.
“That seems to be the case for Inside Orders, but for Outside Orders, there are those like you, Lord Yamato, who have been bestowed a Knightly Title as a reward and permitted to register. Those individuals become G-rank Orders immediately upon registration, so it’s not impossible for you to become an O-rank Order right away.”
Princess Yuriana delivered entirely unwelcome news. Apparently, most of those G-rank Outside Orders are High Hunters, but only a few have been ennobled. However, it’s unlikely they lacked High Hunter experience, and since it’s a reward from His Majesty the King, it seems they can be registered as G-rank Orders immediately. In that case, there’s a real possibility that I might become an O-rank Order instantly.
“Is that what you dislike?”
“It’s not that I dislike it, and I do want to try using Knight Magic. But by the time I arrived at Helios Orb, I was already a High Human. In terms of experience, I’m definitely inferior to a regular High Class.”
“Ah, that’s right. So, you’re uncomfortable with becoming an O-rank Order, the highest rank, when you’re in your current state?”
“To put it plainly, yes.”
That’s right, I was already a High Human when I arrived at Helios Orb. In other words, I didn’t level up by using magic or hunting. I believe the Engraving Magic and the training my father and the others put me through, which felt close to death, are related, but even so, my practical experience can be considered less than that of a typical High Class.
“In that case, according to regulations, G-rank, or rather, considering your power, Lord Yamato, at least a P-rank Order would be appropriate. Of course, your father will be the one to decide, so I don’t know what will happen.”
Indeed, the King is in a higher position than the Grand Order’s Master, so if the King decides, it cannot be overturned.
“Also, it’s not finalized yet, but His Majesty seems to be considering allowing you to marry either Yuri or Mana.”
…Seriously? In a way, that’s the most troublesome reward.
“I’m happy about that! My father doesn’t know about this yet, but he said if we wish for it, he’ll allow it!”
The princess beamed with joy, her face blooming like a flower. Ever since I saved her, she’s been saying she’ll be my wife. If the King is thinking this way, it’s almost a done deal for Princess Yuriana, isn’t it?
“Yuri is like a sister to me too, so if possible, I’d like to grant her wish. Therefore, Yamato, Meena, and Flam are all in agreement, you know.”
And it seems the periphery is already being secured.
“I understand what you’re saying, but I can’t decide that here. If I can meet His Majesty, I’ll ask him then, and we’ll see. However, if everyone permits it, I wouldn’t be against accepting.”
I’ve come to understand the marriage customs of Helios Orb a little better since accepting Meena. Besides, it’s not without its calculations. If I accept Princess Yuriana, I might avoid being pushed into marrying a princess from another country, and nobles won’t be able to easily exploit me under the guise of being a guest.
“Well, let’s head back. We’ve been here long enough, and I need to report as well.”
“Right. Grand Hunter’s Master is going to the Royal Capital tomorrow, and I need to write a letter to ask him to deliver my correspondence as well.”
“I’ve written about Prim Eon in my letter too. I was wondering what to do, but since you were so worried, Eon, I thought I should let you know.”
If there’s any uncertainty regarding my marriage with Princess Yuriana, it’s likely this. I heard from Count Sofia that there’s a plan in the Royal Capital to accept Prim and Apricot if they express a desire for asylum. So I don’t think there’s a problem, and Prim likely accepted Princess Yuriana with this in mind, so there might be some calculation on both sides. Still, it’s also true that Prim genuinely dotes on Princess Yuriana, so that aspect probably weighs heavier. Count Sofia hasn’t informed Prim or Apricot about this because there’s a high possibility of war with Retisencia, and it was judged that starting trouble with Valentia at that time would not be wise. Of course, I might face punishment later, but I’m truly grateful that he kept quiet knowing the risks. Prim was also grateful, and she’ll likely write about it in her letter, but I should do something to show my gratitude too.
