While the knights and guards were looking at the fortress-like wall, which was built at an unknown time, a hole opened up in one corner and a child came out of it.
　The guards are alarmed by the child's sudden appearance and raise their swords.

"Everyone, this is Viscount Silford. Put your swords down.

　Dime immediately recognized Cain and told the guards to lower their swords. At his words, the guards relaxed their tension and lowered their swords to be civil.

'Viscount Cain, what in the world is this fortress ......?'

　Dime asks Cain as he looks up at the fortress.

'We knew that this whole corner was the Dark Guild's stronghold, so we just surrounded it so they couldn't escape,' Cain said with a smile, and the guards gasped.

　How much magic could this fortress do in an instant? The guards had no idea.

'So the culprits are ......'

Of course we've got them all, main culprit and client. The others are stuck in here, so we'll get them one by one.

I will. You guys, grab the guy in the middle.

　At Dime's words, the knights and guards streamed in through the hole that Cain had made.
　Cain stood side by side with Dime, waiting for Dalmatia to come out.

'And yet, ...... I should say it's still Lord Apostle, ...... oops, excuse me. Lord Cain never ceases to amaze me. ......

　Dime muttered as he looked up at the towering, fortress-like walls.

'I came out to tell His Majesty that I would 'capture' him, so I didn't kill anyone. Some of them are a bit mentally challenged, but I don't see any problem.

Even so, I didn't expect to find the Dark Guild's headquarters this easily, which I hadn't been able to find before: ......

I've got a good squire for that.

　Cain smiled and replied to Dime. Dime shuddered at his words.
　The captives are pulled along with the knights tied to them. Those from the Dark Guild were taken away while muttering, "Why is the wall suddenly ...... in this place?".
　Then those who were executives and the captain of the Churchland's guards came out last, accompanied by the knights.
　A mature man, Dalmatia, a mature man dressed in a tight-fitting butler's uniform, came out from behind them together.

''Master Cain, the handover has been successfully completed.

Thank you, Dalmatia. I hope I've managed to save face. You were right to have Dalmatia come to King's Landing.

No, no, no, no, no. You can do this with the help of Mr. Cain.

　Dime breaks out in a cold sweat next to the two smiling men facing each other.

(This butler man is not just any man ...... not at all squeamish or unsure of his abilities. I wonder what kind of man Sir Cain has in his service ......)

　Because there were so many of their captors, they couldn't get into the simple prison set up on the back of the wagon, and the members of the Dark Guild, with their bodies tied behind them, were taken away.
　They decided to return to the mansion after being told by the dime that it was still late at night and an audience would be held the next day.
　Dalmatia spoke with Coran for a bit before returning to Drintoll by herself.



　He got ready to go to the royal castle in the morning. The nobleman's clothes that Silvia brought out for me were a bit flashy, trimmed in gold thread, unlike usual.

''Why can't I wear my usual clothes?''

　Sylvia shook her head at Cain's words and smiled.

'I was expecting to have an audience today, so I thought it might be a good idea to get you some formal wear.

　Thinking of the black-hearted kings at Sylvia's words, Cain sleeved up the ceremonial dress that was handed to him.
　As they headed to the royal castle in the carriage, the lower nobles had already gathered in the audience room.
　They all didn't uniformly hear the reason for being gathered and waited for the senior nobles to enter while gossiping.
　Gradually, the senior nobles above the count entered, leaving only the royal family.
　Music was played in the hall by a band, and after a signal for the royal family to enter, the king and Hinata appeared.
　The king took his seat on the throne and Hinata sat on a chair prepared beside him.
　When he was ready, Prime Minister Magna stepped forward.
　He coughed one cough and began to explain.

"Last night, the headquarters of the Dark Guild was found and dozens of men, including knights and guards, attacked the city.

　The words elicited gasps of surprise from the nobles in line. Delighted voices rose from all over the hall.
　Not all of them, of course. Some of them must be guilty.
　Then, waiting for the voices to die down, Prime Minister Magna continued.

The reason for this is that yesterday, when the church officials and the saint were conducting a soup kitchen in the slums, they were attacked and the saint's life was in danger. She managed to recover, and as you can see, she is already making a full recovery. And this time, Viscount Silford, who was in charge of finding and capturing the Dark Guild Headquarters ......, step forward.

　Cain was surprised when he was abruptly dumped into the conversation, but he went down on one knee and bowed his head in front of the king.
　After confirming that Cain had bowed, Prime Minister Magna continued to speak.

The capture of the Dark Guild was swiftly carried out, and thanks to this, a large number of evidence has been recovered. The fact that the capture of the Dark Guild was carried out without any injuries to the knights and guards is worthy of praise. I'll give you a reward from His Majesty. Your Majesty will grant the reward.

　The king, who nodded to make sure that Prime Minister Magna took a step back, opened his mouth.

''Viscount Silford, you have done an excellent job of capturing the Dark Guild, which is said to be the darkness of this royal city. The fact that the saintly lady has made a full recovery is also thanks to you. And the fact that no one was injured in this country, including the most important knights and guards, was brilliant. Viscount Cain von Silford Drintle, I would like to elevate you to the rank of Earl. Continue to rule the city of Drintle.

　Cain's eyes widen in surprise when he suddenly hears that he's going to be elevated to the rank of count. He hadn't heard anything about it beforehand. There's no way around it.
　Then he took a breath and bowed his head again.

''Cain von Silford Drintle, I am grateful to accept your further efforts for the Kingdom of Esfort.

　The nobles lined up in the hall gave a grand shout. In the lower nobility, a viscount would be a high ranking noble, but his power and financial resources are completely different from those of the higher nobles. Although he is the head of the family, a child of only ten years old has been elevated to the rank of Earl, a high nobleman. You can't help but be surprised.
　The king's voice is loud with astonishment, and then he opens his mouth. Then he opens his mouth.

This time, however, the reason for the attack on the saintly lady was when you were out of guard duty. You deserve to be punished for being absent from your seat while on guard duty as an imperial order. Therefore, Earl Silford, I had hoped to exempt you from the taxation of Drintle for the time being, but from next year, you will pay the prescribed tax. That is the punishment for you.

　The king had discussed this punishment with the vizier in advance. He thought that whatever punishment was meted out would not be a problem for Cain. If that was the case, he decided to take the fruit for the kingdom. Even if he was stripped of his noble name, Cain might gladly become an adventurer and leave the country. There was no way they could let Cain, an apostle of God, go unchecked. If that was the case, the country's budget would be enriched if it developed and the tax revenue was paid from a territory of over 10,000 people.
　Cain bowed his head, "I'm sorry," he replied, bowing deeply.
　However, there are still senior nobles who do not enjoy being a count.
　It's a good idea to have a good time.

''Your Majesty, please wait!　Why would a person who is being punished be elevated to the rank of senior nobleman? Moreover, he is only ten years old and he is only ruling a small town of a few thousand people. I disagree with your promotion. Moreover, I can't believe that he would be named a senior nobleman.

　Even the Marquis of Corzino's faction said, "Yes!　'Funny,' said a voice.
　The king wrinkled his brow at the words.

'Don't you know, Marquis Corzino, my lord?　Drintru has been extensively redeveloped and already has a population of over 10,000. And it's not only the Earl of Silford who will be punished for this. So do you. I heard that you summoned the Earl of Silford, who was guarding the Lady's house by order of the Emperor, for some absurd reason. And while you were busy, she was attacked. It is only natural that you will be punished. The Marquis of Corzino, you must pay a fine of ten white gold coins to the state. Stand back.

No, no, not at ......, I get it. ......

　Ten platinum coins is equivalent to 100 million yen. It's not an amount of money that can be easily paid out.
　The Marquis of Corzino bowed his head and returned to his original position with a face that looked like he had bitten down on a bitter bug.
　It's a good idea to have a good time with your friends and family.

The Prime Minister continued, "And I have one more piece of news. Your Majesty, please take good care of me.''

　The king nodded and opened his mouth at the words of Prime Minister Magna.

''I have one more piece of news. The Earl of Cain von Silford Drintle there, the third princess of Telestia, the second daughter of the Duke of Santana, Miss Silk, and the eldest daughter of the Duke of Liebert's family, the honorary Viscount Tijfana von Liebert, from the royal family - to be betrothed. I announce that.

　The king's words were greeted with an extraordinarily loud cheer. There is no one who would not be surprised to hear that the newly minted head of the count, who is only 10 years old, will be given a bride by the royal family and by the duke family. Moreover, Tifana is also the commander of the Kingsguard, which is said to be the strongest in this country, so it is even more so.
　Cain himself was not informed and his eyes widened in surprise.
　The Marquis of Corzino, who had a regretful look on his face, also opened his eyes in surprise, as expected, and his mouth is crunching.
　The Duke of Eric, who is in attendance, is still smiling as ever.

'The engagement will be unveiled in twenty days.

　That's all the king said, and he closed his mouth. Then Prime Minister Magna stepped forward.

'This audience is now over. Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please leave, Your Lady.

　The king nodded and disappeared into the back with Hinata, who was silent throughout.
　After that, the senior nobles left while talking about what they had just said. It must have been such a big surprise.
　Some of the nobles who were aiming at Cain were sighing.
　They wanted to send their own daughters, but there was no way they could compete with the royal family with the dukes.
　Cain also left, but there was no way he could just go back to the mansion, so he was ushered into the usual reception room by a maid.
　While I waited alone, I passed the time with a cup of tea.
　Then the King, Prime Minister Magna, Duke Eric and his father Garum entered the room.
　The king sits in the center of the room with a sullen look on his face. He must have been happy to finally announce his engagement.

─ This is a relief. You have done a great job this time, Cain,'' he said. Terestia also asked me when you were going to announce it. It's just as well that I couldn't give him a wife unless I made him a high ranking nobleman.

　He replied with a smile, stroking his beard.

''It was a surprise to me too, since it was announced so suddenly. I wasn't even aware that the promotion hadn't heard of it.

　Garum didn't seem to have heard it either, and he was indeed surprised. Still, he was smiling, probably because he was happy that his child had been elevated.
　He was briefed on all the things that were going to happen, and after an hour or so, he was released.
　Cain returned to the mansion in his carriage, limp from mental exhaustion.

　When he entered the mansion, he found Coran, his maids, and all the squires lined up. All eyes were on Cain, including the dragon displayed behind them.

'I'm back. I have something to talk to you about: ....... Today's audience made me an earl ....... Also, the engagement was officially announced. The wedding will take place in 20 days. I'll be busy from now on, but I hope you'll take care of me.

「「「「「 Congratulations to Mr. Cain, the Earl on his promotion: 」」」」」

　The squires all bowed together.
　After thanking the squires, Cain went into his office.
　It was now Coran and Sylvia, and he took a breath while drinking the tea that Sylvia had brewed for him.

''I didn't expect you to become a senior nobleman so quickly. ...... As expected of Cain-sama,''

　Coran and Silvia are happy as if it were their own affairs, and Coran and Silvia have big smiles on their faces. Moreover, Corran, as a butler and a family commander, has to guard the mansion of the royal capital in Cain's absence. When it came time to become the baron's steward, he was chosen to be Cain's steward over his rivals in an open competition. The head of that family has already been elevated to the rank of count. There was no reason not to be happy.

I want you to slow down a bit from now on. ......

　Coran opens his mouth to Cain, who is hanging on for a term.

'We'll have to deal with ...... this first. ......

　In the corner of the gaze Corran sent, there were two piles of letters from nobles who wished to marry Cain.

　Cain looked at the pile of letters out of the corner of his eye and fell down on his desk.