When Laurentz’s name was mentioned, not only the King but everyone else let out a groan.
“He was already on the list of candidates for Court Mage. It wasn’t official, but his abilities were recognized. Is that correct?”
“That is correct, Your Majesty. He wanted to consult with his parents and friends before making a decision, but given his great contribution in the recent incident shortly thereafter, the Mage Association is in a difficult position. No, rather than in a difficult position, it is a joyous occasion, but it was in an unexpected manner, yes.”
“He fought Leonard and was his subordinate, defeating the rebels who tried to kill my son. Furthermore, he cooperated with Jared and others to rescue Olivier and resolve the situation. Kirsi is a witness to the events at the academy. As a parent, I also wish to repay a benefactor of my son.”
Not a single person raised an objection.
Amidst this, one person raised their hand.
“May I also speak?”
“Of course. Please give your opinion as a Court Mage. Rujek.”
“Then, without hesitation,” said Rujek Bajand, the twelfth seat of the Court Mages, known as “Steadfast,” and stated his opinion.
“I believe Laurentz Herring should be made a Court Mage based on his achievements in this incident. Since Jared Murphy is already to become a Court Mage, he has also achieved an unparalleled feat for the kingdom by saving the prince’s life. He should be appropriately recognized.”
The man in his late thirties, with striking blue hair and eyes, had unique tattoos peeking out from his clothing. Anyone who knew would immediately recognize their magical nature.
Though he held the lowest rank of twelfth seat, he was entrusted with the protection of the Royal Palace and enjoyed the King’s deep trust. He was a mage specializing in barrier magic, befitting his epithet “Steadfast,” and few had ever broken through his barriers. One of them was Liz Murphy, a former Court Mage.
“…Indeed. I wish to do so as well.”
“Unlike Luzer Fischer, if he was already named as a candidate for Court Mage, then his character and abilities are both beyond reproach, and both have been proven in this incident. Therefore, if we can obtain the consent of the individual, ah, he is a minor, so of himself and Count Herring, making him a Court Mage seems appropriate. Indeed, there is no other way to repay him.”
“May I also add something regarding Lord Laurentz?”
“You may, Cassandra. Please do.”
“Thank you. Lord Laurentz is still a student, and if he were to officially take on the full duties of a Court Mage immediately, we would have to make an exception for his graduation from the academy. However, for someone who hasn’t even been a student for a full year, wouldn’t that be a bit harsh?”
“Then what do you propose?”
“How about appointing him as the Prince’s guard? In the future, he could take on a role in protecting the Royal Family different from Lord Rujek, and perhaps guide any future children of the Royal Family who possess magical power.”
Though the Prince was attending the academy under a false name and identity, his guards were few. If a Court Mage were to serve as his guard, it would be reassuring, and the Prince would likely feel safer with Laurentz, his friend.
The academy’s evaluation reported him as serious and diligent, and good at looking after other students, so Cassandra’s proposal was by no means a bad one.
“Dennis, what does the Mage Association think?”
“Duke Hagenthorf’s proposal is excellent. The Mage Association was hoping for a position that would allow us to respond quickly to matters requiring mages, such as domestic magical beast disturbances… however, this can be handled by the newly established Royal Magic Knights, so there is no problem.”
Dennis seemed to have been considering entrusting a unit to Laurentz, but the Duchess’s proposal also appeared attractive.
“Understood. Then, at a later date, we will make a decision regarding Laurentz Herring, also taking into account the results of his consciousness survey. Next, regarding the troublesome Pfeil. Harald.”
“Yes. I have already spoken to him regarding his reward, but he said he does not wish for anything.”
“That is also a problem…”
“I thought so too, and after persistently inquiring, he said there are two things he desires.”
“Tell me.”
The King inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. No matter how young the boy from an assassination organization was, he had saved the kingdom from peril. It would be problematic if he refused a reward.
“The first is that Ernesta Kaif, Jared Murphy’s secretary officer, who was manipulated by Avril Gallagher, daughter of Leonard Gallagher, will not be held responsible in any way. Also, at that time, her home was destroyed, so he requests its restoration.”
“……We had no intention of holding Ernesta Kaif responsible in the first place. Very well. Have the destroyed mansion repaired immediately. She is also a victim, and it is a necessary expense. What is the second request?”
“He wishes to become a citizen of the Wethered Kingdom. With tax exemption.”
“……Becoming a citizen is fine, but what does he intend to do by becoming a citizen?”
“He would not say. He did not explain the reason.”
The King, unable to fully comprehend Pfeil’s wish, tilted his head, considering that while tax exemption might be difficult, he pondered if not requiring a reward in exchange for tax exemption was acceptable. Personally, if excluding a single person’s taxes was equivalent to no reward, then it was acceptable. Considering that he might become a citizen of his kingdom and perhaps, in the future, be appointed a Court Mage, it seemed a small price to pay.
However, there were some stiff-necked nobles present. If they were to say taxes are taxes, then that would be the end of it.
“I believe it is acceptable.”
The most stiff-necked of these nobles, Duke Knaizel, declared Pfeil’s wish to be acceptable, and it would be decided on the spot. However, caution was necessary.
“What do you mean?”
“Putting aside his affiliation with Waalthe, considering we can bring in a force equivalent to a Court Mage as a citizen of our country, tax exemption is acceptable. If he does not require repayment for compensation, then considering only the present, it is cheap. If, in the future, he seeks something from the country and gains a position, we can negotiate then. Fortunately, he has Lord Murphy as a deterrent. Eventually, the recent rebellion will become known to the public and other countries. In some cases, there may be those who plot ill against the Wethered Kingdom. Therefore, an increase in our military strength is something to be welcomed.”
“If Dominic says so, then regarding the reward for Pfeil, we shall grant his wishes. Are there any objections?”
As expected, there were no objections. If Dominic, the most senior member of the Duke’s family, who was known for his stubbornness, agreed, there was no need to object.
“Then, the final matter. Regarding the reward for Jared, who was once captured by the enemy but defeated Lucas Gallagher and Leonard Gallagher. As mentioned earlier, he had already been decided to become a Court Mage. However, with these accomplishments, let us officially appoint Jared Murphy as a Court Mage here and now. His seat number and position will be decided at a later date.”
“However, considering the achievements he has accomplished so far, already being recognized as a Court Mage, I believe I am not the only one who feels this is somewhat insufficient.”
Many, not just the King, nodded at Dominic’s point.
“Of course, he must also be rewarded. Harald, what does he say?”
“It is difficult to say, but he requests nothing. He stated that they interfered and tried to harm him, and kidnapped Olivier, so he fought them.”
“He truly has no ambitions.”
The King was astonished. Though he had met Jared multiple times under false pretenses and was casually called “Uncle” by him, he knew that despite his youth, he was selfless.
He was greedy for power and knowledge as a mage, but that was all. He seemed to lack the typical desires of wanting this or that at his age.
Perhaps it was because of his strained relationship with his father since childhood that he had few opportunities to make childish demands.
“Although Jared himself has no requests, he has one favor to ask, acknowledging that it may be difficult, if possible.”
“Speak.”
“There were some girls who came to Jared’s aid when he was captured during the recent incident. They knew their parents were committing evil deeds, but they were unable to defy them, and unable to abandon them, they suffered, yet they tried to save Jared. He said he wishes to repay these benefactors.”
“In other words?”
“He requested that, as much as possible, Milina and Shia of the Ronmayer family, Diana of the Ewing Ducal Family, Mayella of the Silent family, and Lurua of the Agrath Viscounty not be held responsible for their actions, and if possible, their families not be disbanded.”
Jared’s request divided opinions.
Not holding the five girls accountable was acceptable. However, the plea to spare the Silent Viscounty and the Agrath Viscounty from disbandment split the voices in two.
Some argued that if the families of three of the girls, who were of Ducal and Marquis standing, were not to be disbanded, then the Count’s and Viscount’s families, who were of the same standing, should also be allowed to remain.
Others argued that if the King had decided that families of Count rank or lower who had aided in the rebellion were to be disbanded, then they should be disbanded without exception.
The voices advocating for disbandment were more prevalent among the Marquis’s families.
Duke Knaizel, known for his stiff-necked nature, was surprisingly in favor of not disbanding. He argued that to strengthen the young Court Mage’s loyalty to the country and the King, his wishes should be granted. He stated that since Jared himself was making the request acknowledging its difficulty, it was precisely for that reason that it should be granted.
Among the Marquis’s families who opposed it, some believed that if they were not disbanded, the girls who had become acquainted with Jared might become consorts. The Ducal families, and everyone in the Ducal families, wanted to bring in young men like Jared, Laurentz, and Luzer, who possessed the strength to become Court Mages.
While the Ducal families sought to gain favor and strengthen their ties by becoming allies, the Marquis’s families were actively trying to eliminate rivals. In particular, the five girls connected to the promising Jared were a cause for concern, and the idea of eliminating those who might hinder them in order to gain an advantage for their own lineage was present to some extent.
Part of this concern was the possibility that since Jared deeply loved Olivier and his cousin Yeny Daum was only a nominal fiancée, it would be difficult to forcefully assign him consorts.
Those remaining silent were Duke Alway, whose daughter was already Jared’s fiancée; Duke Rüdiger, whose daughter served as his secretary officer; Marquis Sinclair, who was present solely as a man of arms; and the Court Mages.
As a result, this matter was left to the King’s discretion and would be decided through a direct meeting between the King and Jared.
