“Glen Niedford, you are dismissed as Order’s Master for your recent failure. Your Knightly Title will be revoked, and your Order’s Rank will be demoted. Your new assignment will be Count Bernstein’s Territory, but you will have no authority whatsoever. You are also forbidden from using your High Class status.”
“…Yes.”
Four hours after capturing Recon Barklight, the former Order’s Master, at the orphanage, Mana and the others returned from Float.
Tolman, as well as several members of the Royal Order, accompanied them.
Tolman delivered the punishment to Order’s Master Glen Niedford.
Dismissal as Order’s Master, revocation of Knightly Title, and demotion of Order’s Rank were expected, but being assigned as a regular Order member to Count Bernstein’s Territory, specifically to the front lines near the border where Retisencia’s military and former Hunters frequently attacked, was a severe punishment.
It felt like they were planning to wear him out completely.
“Furthermore, Sub-Order’s Master Jezal Torbiles has been expelled from the Order’s Guild and sentenced to execution. The same applies to the former Order’s Master, Recon Barklight. All the thugs who followed Recon were Normal Class, so they will be made into criminal slaves and forced to work in the mines.”
This was only natural.
They were the kind of people who had dirty secrets, and they had been doing whatever they pleased.
“Marquis Frederica, Madame Elisabeth, His Majesty has entrusted me with his apologies to you both.”
“Apologies, Your Highness?”
“Yes. The recent misconduct within the Order, though it coincided with the incident concerning Feel, was partly due to the delayed response from the Royal Family and the Order’s Guild. Even setting aside the birds being attacked by monsters, it can be considered our oversight.”
I have nothing to say about this.
However, Mana and Yuri insisted it was the Royal Family’s responsibility, and Mina also mentioned that the Order’s Guild wasn’t entirely blameless, so His Majesty and Tolman understood that.
“No, the reason is also that I, who was in charge in the absence of the Lord, lacked the power. I could have reported it sooner and requested action.”
A Dark Elf woman, who resembled Rika, bowed to Tolman.
She was Rika’s mother, Madame Elisabeth Amatista.
She resembled Rika considerably, as expected of a mother and daughter, but she had short hair and a more stylish appearance.
“Let’s consider this a mutual matter. But more importantly, the residents are becoming increasingly anxious due to this incident. We wish to focus on this, but as you know, I have only recently been appointed Provincial Governor of Feel and have been away from it for a while, so I cannot remain in Memoria any longer.”
“Indeed. However, the journey to Valentia was the Holy Mother Dragon’s will, so that cannot be helped.”
Initially, the plan was to go to Valentia after sending Rika to Feel.
Rika, as the Lord of Memoria and Provincial Governor of Feel, could not easily leave the country, which led to this decision. However, since Gaia had invited Rika along with all of my wives and fiancées, Rika also decided to accompany them to Valentia after obtaining permission from Count Sofia and Viscount Archlight, who also served as Provincial Governors of Feel.
Considering the reports from Float and the investiture ceremony, I will have been away from Feel for over a month. Therefore, I need to return to Feel as soon as possible.
“That is true, but that is a separate matter. I will entrust Memoria to my mother, but could the Headquarters lend us their assistance until a new Order’s Master and Sub-Order’s Master are appointed?”
With the Order’s Master dismissed, including the revocation of his Knightly Title, and the Sub-Order’s Master expelled from the Order’s Guild and sentenced to execution, the command structure of the Order’s Guild Memoria Branch is in disarray, and morale is at rock bottom.
Under such circumstances, maintaining public order is impossible, and even if it were possible, it would be ineffective.
“Of course. I am aware of Chris’ case, and fortunately, thanks to H.R.H. Yuriana, he is recovering and will likely be appointed soon. Whether he will become Order’s Master or Sub-Order’s Master will require consultation with His Majesty.”
Chris, who came to Memoria as an investigator, has already been designated as the next Sub-Order’s Master.
However, due to the recent scandal, not only the Sub-Order’s Master but also the Order’s Master has been dismissed, leaving both positions vacant.
The Order’s Master would surely be held accountable, so there should be candidates for the new Order’s Master position, but unlike Chris, they were not designated in advance, so it’s unlikely to happen immediately.
“However, the appointment of the Order’s Master and Sub-Order’s Master for the Memoria Branch will be given top priority. Until then, I will remain in Memoria and take command.”
Wow, the Grand Order’s Master will be here until the new appointments are made.
“The Grand Order’s Master?!”
“Yes. This is also an apology for the misconduct of the Royal Family and the Order’s Guild. Furthermore, I have been stationed in the Royal Capital for the past few decades, so this will be a good change of pace.”
Tolman laughed heartily, but he looked young, yet he was already over 80 years old.
High Class individuals rarely age, so I had completely forgotten.
“However, I expect I will have to pass on the position of Grand Order’s Master in the not-too-distant future.”
Huh?
What does that mean?
The Grand Order’s Master was supposed to be the Order with the highest level and the strongest.
In Amister, there’s a law that limits the position to 30 years at most, but the Order’s Guild is an exception, and I heard that the Grand Order’s Master has remained unchanged for nearly 40 years.
And Tolman is going to pass on his position soon?
“What do you mean by that?”
“Muse is level 56, so perhaps Muse will become the Grand Order’s Master?”
“No, Muse has already been assigned to the Feel Branch and married Rex. However, Rex accompanied His Majesty to Feel recently to bestow the Arc Order’s Coat, and he has reached level 53 while investigating the Mylight Mountains.”
I heard that Muse was assigned to Feel and married Rex at the same time, but they were already married.
Also, Rex has already reached level 53.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I did not accompany him, but His Majesty said so. Naturally, with the new equipment, many other High Orders have also leveled up, so in the near future, the number of Orders who surpass me will be more than I can count on both hands.”
Tolman’s happy smile was memorable.
But is it really that happy to have Orders surpass you?
I feel like I couldn’t wholeheartedly welcome it, considering that my own position would also be threatened.
“Perhaps that’s because Yamato is a guest.”
“That’s right. In fact, I’ve heard of such knights in other countries, but the situation is different with the Order’s Guild.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. As Yamato knows, the Grand Order’s Master has not had a successor for nearly 40 years. This means that no one in the past 40 years has been able to surpass Tolman’s level.”
Since level is a factor, that makes sense.
“Dianos was appointed Associate Order’s Master five years ago, and he is considered the closest to becoming Grand Order’s Master. However, even Dianos is only level 54 and has not surpassed Tolman. But Muse is level 56, and Rex has also reached level 53 in a short period. This is proof that Yamato’s hypothesis is correct, and it means that even High Class individuals like us have become able to level up more easily.”
Ah, looking at it that way, that’s true.
Until now, weapons made of Magic Silver and Adamantine Steel could not withstand the magic of High Class individuals, so High Class individuals could not unleash their magic to its full potential.
However, now that there are no restrictions on weapons, High Class individuals can use their magic to its fullest.
Furthermore, many High Class individuals use Unique Magic, so there’s no question about their handling of magic.
Therefore, the possibility of Orders surpassing the Grand Order’s Master’s level of 55 is indeed not low.
“But Tolman-sama can also level up, can’t he? Given the difference in initial levels, wouldn’t it be difficult to easily surpass the Grand Order’s Master?”
“That is likely true. Also, I don’t think Tolman would easily allow younger individuals to surpass him. Would he?”
“Of course. I will not lose to the young ones yet.”
Mana answered Ludia’s question, and Tolman grinned defiantly.
Tolman has been busier than ever lately, with the machinations of Retisencia, the vigilance towards Valentia, and the budget adjustments for new equipment.
It is said that he hasn’t even had time to test-fire his weapons yet.
While the incident in Memoria is a significant blow to the Order’s Guild, for Tolman, it means freedom from the constrained administrative work on Float and time for weapon testing.
Moreover, the Order’s Guild has its past trust, so as long as they diligently carry out their duties, their credibility will soon be regained.
“In that case, let’s head to Rika’s mansion.”
“Let’s do that. Yamato also needs to greet Elisabeth.”
“I’ve already introduced myself, but it wasn’t the right time.”
Yes, as Mana and Rika said, I had already greeted Elisabeth earlier.
However, dealing with the Order’s Masters took priority, and it wasn’t the right atmosphere for a marriage proposal, so we only managed brief introductions.
Therefore, I plan to go to Rika’s mansion and formally pay my respects there.
I actually wanted to stay for a few more days, but due to the circumstances requiring me to return to Feel soon, I plan to sell some monsters from the Solpre Labyrinth at the Hunter’s Guild tomorrow and leave Memoria immediately afterward.
I also came up with a new idea regarding Beast Carriages since I arrived in Memoria, so I need to have Fiana revise the blueprints in Valentia.
Before that, I have to greet Elisabeth, so I’m incredibly nervous, but I have to do my best.
