After the meeting at the castle, we spent some relaxing time together at the inn room that King Traage had prepared for us. I was lying on the futon, reading, while Sera drank fruit juice. Gerard was polishing his beloved sword. The heroes, by the way, were in a separate room. Efil, with little Kuro on her shoulder, had borrowed the kitchen and started preparing dinner.
“Come to think of it, Sera and Gerard, do you not have family names?”
“Why the sudden question?”
“When I met King Traage, he introduced himself, including his family name Fujiwara. It made me wonder… In this world, only nobles and royalty have family names, right? Sera, you are the Demon King’s daughter, essentially royalty of the demon race. And Gerard, you were a Knight Commander in your past life. Why do you only have given names?”
I had confirmed both of their statuses when we made our contract. I was sure neither of them had family names.
“Ah, that’s what you’re asking.”
“Hmm, how should I explain it… Your Majesty, are you familiar with the ‘Naming’ skill?”
“Broadly. I only glanced at the description on the skill screen, but it allows one to grant family names, correct?”
The Naming skill, as its name suggests, is a skill to bestow names. Initially, one can change the names of items they possess up to the same skill level. As the skill level increases, it becomes possible to change the names of other people’s items with their consent. Further along, it can even change magical names and even personal names. However, changed names are displayed in blue on the status screen. Appraisal Eye will also display the original name, so it’s generally not a widely used skill.
“Indeed. At the ceremonies for welcoming new nobles, there are always high-ranking officials with the ‘Naming’ skill. These officials are responsible for bestowing family names upon those becoming nobles. I don’t know the specifics, but I believe it must be an A-Rank skill or higher.”
“A-Rank, huh. Even if you focus solely on the Naming skill, it’s quite difficult unless you’re blessed with talent and growth potential for skill points.”
“That’s also why the families of officials who inherit the Naming skill struggle to raise it to A-Rank. Raising a successor is also part of their job.”
“Demons are a bit more casual about it. Acquiring a non-combat skill like Naming up to A-Rank is something only an oddball would do. And yet, so many demons aspire to become nobles, which leads to a lot of conflict between races over rare Naming skill users. So, the rule is simple: anyone who obtains a family name with the Naming skill becomes a noble! That’s basically it. And it’s first-come, first-served, one person per skill user.”
“Is that why the Demon King is often of demon origin…? Besides, if you forcibly mass-produce skill users, there’d be no stopping them.”
Are demons some kind of battle race?
“Is that so? I thought it was a rule that would suit Kelvin’s preferences. Well, it’s just knowledge I gained from books, so it might be different from reality. After all, it’s been a long time.”
“However, if you did that in the human world, it would be completely out of bounds. Family names are only granted during ceremonies held twice a year in each country. Even if you have the skill to do so, using it without the country’s permission is forbidden. The names of those who have been granted family names are properly managed by the country, so you can’t arbitrarily claim to be a noble.”
I see, I see. Hm? Now that I think about it, that pig prince from Trisen who provoked me in Pars didn’t have a family name. Why was that?
“Hey, do newborns in noble families have family names from birth?”
“No, they need to be granted a family name again. Depending on the family, it’s generally conferred at the ceremony when they come of age and become independent.”
So that pig guy wasn’t independent yet. Well, perhaps things are different for princes.
“I understand. Yes, for now, I understand the rules. Back to the original topic, are Sera and Gerard not nobles?”
“Rather than nobles, I suppose we were royalty. My father was the Demon King, after all… When he sent me away, he knocked me out, so I don’t know why my family name disappeared.”
“…It’s possible the demon who performed the naming ceremony was ordered by the Demon King to revoke the family name. It would make one stand out, wouldn’t it? It’s also possible with the permission of the namer and their blood relatives.”
When Demon King Gustav sealed Sera, he protected her from other demons with sealing chains and disguised her appearance with a fake hairpin. It wouldn’t be strange for him to order the removal of her family name.
“Ah, indeed. To a villain, a noble traveling alone is just a prime target.”
“I’d just blast them away, so I’m fine?”
No, that’s not what I meant.
“I was originally from a farming family, but when I was appointed Knight Commander, I was made a noble through the kindness of King Alcal. However, I was reborn as a Black Spirit Knight. Perhaps it disappeared when I became a monster.”
“So, in cases other than revocation, it can also disappear.”
“Well, for now, I’m just Sera. And this reliable shield is just Gerard. Isn’t that fine?”
Sera said with a smile, lying face down on the futon and swinging her legs. It’s a secret that I was momentarily captivated by it.
*Knock knock.*
The sound of a gentle knock on the door could be heard. It was Efil.
“Master, the meal is ready. I have been thoroughly taught the method of cooking rice and Japanese recipes by the castle chef dispatched by His Majesty the King.”
“Well done, Efil! My hazy cooking methods were proving difficult. With this, my white rice life in Pars is secured!”
“You’re the MVP!” I couldn’t help but lift Efil’s small body and twirl around the room. No, even as someone weak within the party, I can do this much, you know? I surprisingly have more physical strength than some adventurers!
“Waaah! M-Master, I’m getting dizzy!”
“Hahaha, isn’t it great! It’s a happy occasion!”
“B-But, it’s embarrassing~!”
We continued spinning.
“Oh, to see Efil’s true form again.”
“Huh? That’s her true form? Hmm, it certainly seems different from her usual cool demeanor.”
“Since she became a maid, she’s become conscious of her appearance. This cute side is her true self.”
“Ah, a-aw… Master, s-stop! Heel!”
“Am I a dog?!”
Efil’s lovely screams continued for a while.
～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～
“That voice… Kelvin, what is he doing?”
Incidentally, the heroes were assigned separate rooms, and Touya had his own room due to Setsuna’s strong request.
