Chapter 23 – Royal Audience

Weeks after the battle in Urus, peace had returned to the city. The streets were safer, and the rumors about the “phantom” had all but faded following Ada’s public coronation as its defender.

However, the promised reward had been delayed… until at last the summons arrived: a direct audience with the King of Cegris.

Ren Sinclair and Ada Schubert traveled by carriage to Mérius, the kingdom’s capital. The city—brimming with life—welcomed them with bustling streets packed with citizens and merchants, the daily clamor blending with the calm of a realm at peace.

Upon arriving at the opulent castle of King Dominico Legarde, they were greeted by the royal guard with the solemnity befitting the court.

The throne room stood imposing. Tapestries bearing the royal crest hung from the walls, and gilded shields reflected the glow of the chandeliers. Two rows of guards, as rigid as statues, flanked the central aisle.

A herald’s voice rang clear:

“Ada Schubert, Defender of Urus, and Ren Sinclair of House Sinclair!”

The two stepped forward until they stood before the throne. The king, seated above, regarded them with a measured smile—his sharp gaze weighing every word before it was spoken.

“Welcome. I’ve heard much about your recent… achievements.”

Ada bowed respectfully.

“It is an honor to serve Cegris, Your Majesty.”

Ren remained silent, quietly gauging every movement of the monarch.

The king shifted on his throne.

“Forgive my bluntness, but I’ll be brief. The reason for your summons is simple.”

“It appears that Monteverde… suffered a fatal heart attack while my men were informing him of certain… irregularities in his finances.”

Ren kept his expression neutral, though a shadow of satisfaction flickered in the back of his mind.

I told you you wouldn’t escape your punishment… Fortunately, ‘Touch of Death’ leaves no trace. A gift worthy of Shion’s power.

Ada showed no reaction, but both of them knew the truth behind his “mysterious death.”

“With his passing, Urus is left without a regent,” the king continued. “And it would be unwise to leave such a seat vacant. Curiously… not a single noble has stepped forward to claim it.”

“Therefore, by the recommendation of the citizens, the Adventurer’s Guild, and several nobles, I have decided to grant you the title of Countess of Urus, Ada Schubert.”

A murmur swept through the hall. Ada gave a solemn nod.

“Your Majesty honors me with this decision. I will serve Urus and Cegris with all my strength.”

“As for you, Ren Sinclair,” the monarch went on, “you are to be granted the title of Viscount, a position originally intended for Schubert. My report states that you aided citizens and tended to the wounded during the battle.”

Ren stepped forward.

“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s generosity… but I would like to transfer the title to someone else.”

The king raised an eyebrow.

“Oh? How unusual. Few refuse a noble title.”

“You see, Your Majesty… my mother, Emilia Sinclair, has dedicated her life to this kingdom. If anyone deserves such recognition, it’s her.”

An even louder murmur rose among the courtiers. The king studied him for a moment before nodding.

“Interesting… It shall be as you request. Emilia Sinclair will receive the title and its rights, along with a payment from the guild of fifty thousand gold coins.”

“I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s generosity,” Ren replied with a bow.

A guard brought forth the documents and the chests of gold. Ada and Ren departed in silence, leaving behind the solemn echoes of the throne room.

The castle’s corridors stretched long and still, the afternoon light filtering through tall windows. Outside, the bustle of Mérius sounded distant, as though the city had no idea of the decisions just made.

Crossing the drawbridge, a cool breeze swept across their faces. Ada was the first to break the silence.

“I didn’t expect you to give up a title like that,” she said, glancing at him from the corner of her eye.

Ren allowed himself a faint smile.

“These titles mean nothing to me… they’d only tie me to the king. I’d rather see my mother—who lost everything—regain the glory of her bloodline. It’ll place her above my father, but…”

He paused briefly.

“…it’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”

Ada’s gaze softened.

“So that’s why you send all your money to Lumius…”

“In my previous life, I never had a family. But the Sinclairs…”—Ren lowered his voice—“they’re my family now. I want to repay my mother for everything she’s done for me.”

Ada’s smile warmed.

“Do you want to go back to Lumius, then? I’d love to meet her.”

“Yeah, that would be nice… going home after so long. But…”

“But?”

“How about we take a stroll through Mérius first? It’s a rare chance to explore the capital… and we’re not on any missions at the moment.”

Ada arched an eyebrow playfully.

“Is this a date?”

Ren sighed and looked away.

“Let’s call it one. We deserve a little time to relax…”

And so, they stowed their belongings in the carriage and ventured into the bustling streets of the capital—ready to wander without hurry, like two travelers who, for once, could leave their battles behind.

Meanwhile, in her home, Yura Aseina knelt before a small altar. Upon it rested lit candles, fresh fruit, and a pendant shaped like a snowflake. It wasn’t much… but it was the only thing she could call “her mother’s altar,” for the remains of Yukino Aseina lay far away, in the nation of Yukihana.

“Mother…” she whispered, eyes closed. “It’s been nearly ten years since you passed, and at last I’ve met people dear to me… I wish I could tell you about them.”

She opened her eyes, the candle flames reflected in her icy gaze.

“But first, I must honor your legacy. I will restore the Aseina name.”

Her hands tightened against her knees.

“And above all… I will deal with the traitor who murdered you in cold blood.”

The image of Shirogane Tsukihara’s face returned with sharp, painful clarity.

“I swear you will pay…”

A biting chill spread from her body, sweeping through the room like a frozen gale. The candles were snuffed out in an instant, and the walls groaned under a thin layer of frost.

It was a hatred she had carried for years… but she was no longer a child.

Now she had new allies. Freeing Yukihana was no longer an impossible dream.

It was a promise.