Something unbelievable has happened.
I never dreamed I would be granted not only a peerage and territory, but also the right of succession to the Celestial Emperor’s throne…
Regarding the territory, I had intended to help because Rika is a Marquis. And if a vampire daughter was born between Hilda and me, she would inherit the throne of Torencia, so I planned to help in that case as well.
However, I never imagined I would actually be in charge of managing a territory myself. What’s more, in a truly wicked turn of events, Mana and Yuri are also to be granted territories, making this a truly outrageous situation.
It seems they want Mana to have children quickly, so the priority is given to that rather than territory. However, Yuri has been granted Feel and Prada Village, which is quite troublesome.
Yuri is still a minor, so normally he wouldn’t become a lord. However, if one is suddenly ennobled or has to take over abruptly, one can become a lord even as a minor.
In fact, Rika inherited the Marquis of Amatista at the age of 12.
She apparently struggled considerably, but her mother, Elisabeth, supported her as a guardian, and King Aiver also provided assistance. She did say it became easier after she came of age.
Furthermore, the matter of children has become extremely complicated.
If a vampire daughter is born between Hilda and myself, she will be granted the right of succession to the throne of Torencia, and given the numerous precedents, she will likely ascend to the throne.
I was told this when I got engaged to Hilda, so it’s still acceptable.
However, now that I, Mana, and Yuri are to be granted the peerage of Heavenly Noble, any child born between Mana and myself will become the heir to the Lapislazurite Heavenly Noble family. Any child born between Yuri and myself will become the heir to the Esmeralda Heavenly Noble family and will also be granted the right of succession to the Celestial Emperor’s throne.
Moreover, any child born between Rika and myself is already confirmed to be the heir to the Marquis of Amatista family.
On top of that, we also need an heir for the Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble family, which I will be claiming, making this truly a difficult situation.
While primogeniture is the basic rule, there’s also the issue that the eldest child doesn’t necessarily inherit.
According to Gaia’s precognitive dreams, Mana will be the first to bear my child, so there’s no problem with the heir to the Lapislazurite Heavenly Noble family.
Furthermore, Prim and Rika, as well as Flam, have also been found to be pregnant, so the Marquis of Amatista family is also secure.
Therefore, either my child with Prim or my child with Flam will likely become the heir to the Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble family, but both are very hesitant.
Prim stated it was too soon to introduce the bloodline of the Beast King of Valiente into the Celestial Emperor’s family, and Flam said it was too presumptuous for the child of a village girl to become a successor to the Celestial Emperor’s family.
“There’s always the final resort of the head of the family’s designation, so you don’t have to worry about that,” said Emperor Reinhardt, who seemed completely unfazed by the introduction of the Beast King’s bloodline into the Celestial Emperor’s family or a village girl’s daughter becoming Celestial Emperor.
This is also related to the birth rate issue of the Helios Orb, and the fact that royalty and nobility alike frequently marry commoners is a significant background factor.
In fact, His Highness Maruca is a commoner, and the mother of Yuri, His Highness Southern Carnation, is also said to be a commoner.
Well, whatever actually happens, let’s postpone it until then.
There’s no point in thinking about it now.
After hearing about the ennoblement at Amagi Castle, I stopped by the Hunter’s Guild.
The reason, of course, is to sell the monsters we hunted in the Krater Labyrinth.
Since many monsters provide magic stones and materials, it’s faster and easier to have them submitted through the Hunter’s Guild.
“Another nonsensical number. And not just Royal Crawlers, but even Imperial Crawlers. These are Catastrophe Species whose names haven’t been identified for years, so why do you have two of them?”
“I can only say they were there.”
“You know they aren’t the kind of monsters one actively hunts just because they’re there, right?”
Head Hunter’s Master Sierra gave me a look of exasperation, but she’s used to it and began issuing instructions to her staff one after another.
“The monsters over here will be presented to the Royal Family whole. For these, only the magic stones are needed, correct?”
“We’ve confirmed with His Majesty, so that’s fine.”
Given the high-rank monsters, especially the An and Catastrophe Species, the number of magic stones and materials to be presented is considerable.
The highlight among them is, as expected, the Imperial Crawler.
However, we only managed to hunt two Imperial Crawlers, so one will go to the Royal Family and the other will be used by us.
I imagine the fabric woven from the Imperial Crawler’s silk will be called Imperial Silk, and Emperor Reinhardt intends to tailor the Celestial Emperor’s mantle with it, so one portion might not be enough.
Incidentally, the Three Kings and Three Dukes are discussing tailoring mantles with the Royal Silk from the Royal Crawler.
“Yamato, are both of the Dreadnought’s magic stones okay to be presented?”
“Yes. They will be processed into the Celestial Globe of Royal Authority.”
“I see.”
This time, we hunted several A-rank monsters as well, but the only ones we hunted multiple of were the Dreadnought and Pentaceratops.
There will be three countries with Celestial Globes designated as Royal Authority: the Amister Heavenly Empire, the Torencia Phantom Kingdom, and the Grand Levee Bridge Duchy. For these, Celestial Magic Stones using the magic stones of the Orc Empress, Dreadnought, and Rud, respectively, will be used.
Amister will be O-rank, Torencia A-rank, and Grand Levee M-rank magic stones. However, for the same reason as the mantles, there’s a distinction needed due to the scale and status of the countries.
The crowns, symbols of royal authority, and mantles are currently being diligently produced by the Crafter’s Guild.
There’s less than a month left, but with the full force of the Crafter’s Guild dedicated to production, Alfred, the Grand Crafter’s Master and Ed’s father, was boasting that they could complete it within two weeks at the latest.
It was also hinted that the materials from the monsters we hunted could be used, and that they were waiting for our return while carefully selecting materials for the mantles.
“Yes, the procedures are complete. We will also arrange for the donated items.”
“Please do.”
We’ve sold over 300 monsters, but we still have over 500 remaining.
Feel could probably only handle about 100, so this time I think I’ll go to Memoria and the capital of Count Bernstein’s Territory, Sincero.
Apparently, Carol’s younger brother was born while we were in the Krater Labyrinth, so I should go and congratulate them as well.
Count Bernstein’s Territory borders Retisencia, and Polar, where Trial Hearts is stationed, is the northernmost town in the territory.
The capital, Sincero, is about a day’s walk from Polar. Count Donato Bernstein, the head of the territory, has also traveled to Polar and commanded a defensive battle.
During the winter, attacks from Retisencia were blocked by snow, but it seems the snow has mostly melted, and there are rumors of troop mobilization. Thus, I’ve heard that not only Polar but also the city of Sincero is enveloped in tension.
Therefore, the next Grand Order’s Master, Rex, and the next Associate Order’s Master, Miranda, have apparently gone to check on the situation several times.
We are also concerned about Sincero and Polar, and we have visited them before to register Gate Crystals so that Carol can return home anytime. We can reach them quickly using Traveling.
Since it’s late today, if we go, it will be tomorrow or later.
Side: Carol
Today, we have arrived in Sincero, the capital of Count Bernstein’s Territory, where I was born and raised.
While one reason is to sell some of the monsters we hunted in the Krater Labyrinth to the Hunter’s Guild, the main reason is to meet my newborn brother.
Until my brother was born, I was the only legitimate child, so there was a possibility that I, as a Hunter and married to Raus, would inherit the Count’s title. However, with the birth of my brother, the Count’s title can be passed down to him, and since he is a boy, he can marry several wives and increase the number of heirs.
Although it will be at least 20 years from now, I intend to do everything I can for my brother who will inherit the title.
“Welcome. Although it is a time of emergency and we cannot offer grand hospitality, we welcome you.”
“The pleasure is ours. We apologize for intruding during such a difficult time.”
Count Bernstein’s Territory is under strict guard due to its border with Retisencia.
Ideally, I believe Mother Melissa should stay at Float or Feel’s別邸 until my brother grows up. My father and mothers also recommended this.
However, Mother Melissa stated that it would reflect poorly on the reputation of the Count of Bernstein’s wife to flee from mere Retisencia out of self-preservation, and that it would affect the morale of the Orders and Hunters.
“I am also enraged when Retisencia shows their backs. I can understand Melissa’s feelings.”
Well, Mother Melissa is a B-rank Order from the Outside, so I can understand her feelings.
“It has been since you all departed for Valentia that we have had a calm conversation.”
“That is right. Ah, though it’s late, this is a gift for the childbirth.”
“Thank you, you are too kind.”
Yamato, as representative, handed the childbirth gift to my father. It includes ingredients such as high-rank monster meat, including Dragoon and Saur species, a baby crib enhanced with a barrier Celestial Magic Stone, Light Silk cloth, and some P-rank monster materials.
“This…!”
“My, oh my!”
“I’ve never seen Light Silk cloth before…”
As expected, the Light Silk cloth surprised you.
Light Silk cloth is woven from the threads of the P-R Rank Monster, Grand Silk Crawler, hence it rarely appears on the market.
From what I heard at Float, it was about seven years ago. Yesterday, I requested the dismantling of four of them at the Float Hunter’s Guild. After returning to Alka, I had Sister Flam, Ludia, Marina, and Fiana weave them using the Craft Magic ‘Weaving’, and they gave them all to me as a childbirth gift.
The Light Silk cloth prepared is still in the bolt due to the rush, but even so, several dresses can be made from it, so the quantity should be sufficient.
“Are you not concerned about this much?”
“Yes. We’ve been in the Krater Labyrinth for this past week and hunted a large quantity. More importantly, why are you speaking to me so formally?”
I also hunted Grand Silk Crawlers, but the Ancient Class members hunted them at an incredible pace with the aim of using them themselves. More than that, as Yamato-dono questioned, why is Father speaking to Yamato-dono formally?
“I have heard that not only His Highness Manalease and His Highness Yuriana, but also His Highness Yamato have been bestowed the new peerage of Heavenly Noble and possess the right of succession to the Celestial Emperor’s throne. As your rank is higher, it is only natural to speak with respect, is it not?”
Ah, so that’s the reason.
Indeed, it has been decided that Yamato, like Lord Mana and Lord Yuri, will be granted the peerage of Heavenly Noble and also possess the right of succession to the Celestial Emperor’s throne. It is to be bestowed at Emperor Reinhardt’s coronation ceremony, so he will only officially hold it then. However, this has already been conveyed to the nobles, including the matter of the right of succession to the Celestial Emperor’s throne.
“No, while that is true, I am merely a supplement to the heirs, same as the ducal families. Furthermore, His Majesty has also evolved into an Ancient Elf, so I don’t think even Mana or Yuri, let alone myself, will become Celestial Emperor.”
“That is certainly true, but that is that.”
As Yamato-dono says, I also believe Yamato-dono will not ascend to the Celestial Emperor’s throne.
The purpose is indeed to increase the number of Celestial Emperor’s successors.
“Excuse me. Donato-sama, preparations are complete.”
“Understood. Then, I will guide you.”
“We look forward to it.”
As we were talking, the butler came to inform us that preparations were complete.
The reason we came today is to meet my newborn brother.
However, as he is just born, he cannot be moved from Mother Melissa’s room.
Therefore, my father and mothers entertained us until Mother Melissa’s preparations were complete.
“Welcome home, Carol.”
“I am home, Mother Melissa. Congratulations on your safe delivery.”
“Thank you.”
Upon entering Mother Melissa’s room, she greeted me while holding the baby. She was wearing a loose-fitting yet well-made dress, likely due to being immediately after childbirth.
“This is your brother.”
Although he is only three days old, he is very cute. It seems my brother is an elf, just like me.
“He’s adorable.”
“Indeed. Is he an elf?”
“Yes. He is a Vampire half-elf.”
A Vampire half-elf? No, Father is an elf, and Mother Melissa is a vampire. Since the child born is a boy, it’s natural for him to be a half-elf.
“He’s a Vampire half-elf. It’s unusual for him to be a boy, though.”
Half-breeds are born at a rate of about one in every 100 people, so it’s not rare, but it’s not uncommon either. However, when it comes to a Yokai Race half-breed, the story changes.
The Yokai Race is a female-only species, and children born, except for half-breeds, are born of the same species as their mother. Therefore, it is natural for the boy born to Mother Melissa to be a half-elf. Nevertheless, it is extremely rare for a Yokai to give birth to a boy, and it is said that male Yokai half-breeds are born only about one in several thousand. Edward, the Fairy half-Dwarf, is also a male Yokai half-breed, so he is the same as my brother in that regard.
“By the way, what is his name?”
“Vint.”
“Vint, is it? This child will inherit the Count of Bernstein, won’t he?”
“That is the plan.”
Vint Bernstein, is it? It’s a good name. Vint will have to bear hardships for me as well, but that is the fate of nobility, so he must do his best. Of course, I will also cooperate as much as I can.
