The upper management was exhausted by Cain's lack of self-reliance, but preparations for the announcement of the engagement had been steadily underway.
　And tomorrow was the day when the engagement announcement party would finally be held.
　Including Garum, who was in the Gracia territory, the nobles are entering the royal capital one after another.
　This is because it has become customary for all the country's nobles to gather when the royal family is involved in an engagement announcement.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to be wearing.

'I wonder if they have to make it for every ceremony every time: ......

　Corran quieted Cain, who was complaining.

''As expected, it's a royal engagement announcement. All the nobles in the country will be gathered. I'm now an earl, and I'll have to wear an appropriate outfit to look good. ...... Moreover, you'll be meeting with Lady Tijuana's parents today.

'Yeah, I know, but I'm just saying: ......

　With the arrival of Tifana's parents, who had never met before, in the royal capital, they were now scheduled to go to greet and meet with her.
　After putting on his new clothes, Cain climbed into the carriage, although he was anxious to meet Tijuana's parents for the first time.
　The carriage with Cain in it arrived at the royal castle not long after.
　Tijuana has a mansion as a duke in the royal capital, but the other side has specified that today's meeting will be at the royal castle.
　Thinking of Tijuana's parents, whom I was meeting for the first time, I followed the maid as she guided me.
　Shortly afterwards, a maid knocked on the door of one of the reception rooms.

'The Earl of Silford is here to see you, sir.

"Enter.

　A voice came from the other side of the door, a little low. After confirming the voice, the maid opens the door and stands beside it.
　Inside were Tifana, Edin, and between them, two men and two women who were no older than Tifana and Edin.
　Cain was ushered in and sat down face to face with them.
　Being an elf, his ears were long and his light green hair was swept back, which was probably his father. His appearance was not that different from Edin's, but the intensity of his eyes was noticeable. And even among the elves, who were often slender, they were so well trained that their muscles were pushing up their clothes.
　And next to her sat a slender woman who still looked to be in her twenties, with silver hair growing to her waist.

''I'm the Earl of Cain von Silford Drintle. This is the first time I've met the Duke of Liebert.''

　Cain greeted and bowed to them.

'Sir Cain, would you please look up and give me a good look?

　The Duke of Lathan, sitting opposite him, called out to him. Cain looked up as he said.
　Duke Lathan didn't speak and continued to exchange glances with Cain.
　There was a silent space for two minutes, and suddenly Duke Lathan nodded with his cheeks relaxed.

''I was worried because I heard from Tifana that you were younger than me, but you chose a good partner.

　The Duke of Lathan smiled at Tifana. Then he turned to Cain and opened his mouth.

''Sir Cain, you are much loved by the gods. As Tifana's counterpart, I can't complain. Just so. ......

　Hearing those words, Edin put his hand to his forehead and muttered, "I knew it, .......

'As a father - I still want to see how good you are.

　The smile on his face was the expression he had seen when he first met Tifana on the training ground.
　Cain couldn't help but look at Tifana's face and remember.
(Tifana is a brainiac ...... maybe ......)

　Someone tapped the Duke of Lathan, who was already smiling before the battle, on the head from behind.

''Totally ...... you, you should start by introducing yourself first. Here.

　A beautiful woman who was sitting next to him, still looking young, paid attention to the Duke of Lathan.
　As if remembering, Duke Lathan clapped his hands.

''Well, I'm sorry about this. I'm Lathan von Liebert. Next to me is my wife, Tina.'

'This is Tina von Liebert. Lady Cain, mother of Edin and Tijuana.

　A smiling Tina greeted him with a look that no one would notice even if she was called Tifana's sister, and she smiled.
　As expected of her age, she had a mature s*xiness that was different from Tifana's, and Cain couldn't help but feel his cheeks coloring a little.
　After each person's greeting was over, they decided to get down to business.

''When I originally got the letter from Tifana, I even thought, 'You finally found it.' I'm not going to disagree with you. Even if you're not his rightful wife. ...... But when I heard that the other man was a pre-adult boy, and that he was stronger than Tijuana, I was intrigued.

　Edin gives advice to Duke Lathan as he speaks with a smile.

''Cain-kun, ah, no, Sir Cain will also go through with the adventurer's application this time, and will rise to S-rank, so there's no problem in terms of ability. As for his personality, of course, I've heard about the state of the territory from Lord Lixetu. I think it's an impeccable quality property.

'I can't believe I found such a pretty girl, and if I were younger I'd want to take her place.

'Hey!　Tina!

I'm just kidding!

　Cain also loosens his cheeks while listening to the conversation between Duke Lathan and Tina.

It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to be able to get a good impression of a noblewoman at this point in your life, because Tijuana has always lived by the sword. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this ......

　As I thought, Tina also seemed to be worried that her daughter had grown up with the goal of becoming a knight all the way up to the point where she was said to be the strongest in the country.

''His Majesty has already approved of it, and even for me, I don't have any problems with it.

'Yes!　Cain and I have simulated battles several times a week, so we're in love.

　The misunderstood Duke Lathan pulls a face in spite of Tiffana, who says proudly.

''-- Isn't it indeed too early to say that?　It is still before the engagement, and Sir Cain would not be of age.

　Realizing that he was mistaken, Cain quickly denies it.

''Wait a minute. It's a mock battle, a mock battle!''

　Huffing at Cain's words, the Duke of Lathan scratched his head in embarrassment as he realized his mistake.

''Already!　You!

　Tina, who was thinking the same thing, also laughed and tapped Lathan on the shoulder.

''I see. ....... Alright, shall I also have a mock battle with Sir Cain (let's try it)?

　With a big smile on his face, the Duke of Lathan speaks to Cain.

''--Yes .......''

　Cain nodded at the Duke of Lathan's smile, though his face was drawn up.

　They all left the reception area and made their way to the training area for the Kingsguard Knights.
　They headed ahead to tell the Kingsguard knights that Tiffana was training to make room for them. The Kingsguard knights seemed to take a break to observe and sat down at a distance.
　Once Duke Lathan and Cain rented the changing room of the Kingsguard and finished changing clothes before heading to the training grounds.
　On the way, they met the person in charge of dismantling the demons that Cain had delivered.

''Ah, Master Cain, I have finished dismantling the demons that have just been delivered, may I ask you to bring out the rest?

　Since Duke Lathan was accompanying him, he declined, but Lathan controlled him with his hand.

''Hou, the demon that Lord Cain defeated? I'm sure you'll want to see it. Good, I'll go with you.

...... Got it.

　The three of them went to the demon material storage area, and at the designated location, Cain took out the demons from the item box.
　The deliveries had already been made in several parts, and the only remaining items were ten earth dragons (earth dragons) and an SSS-class rock dragon (rock dragon).
　Cain first laid out ten Earth Dragons on the ground.
　The sight made even Duke Lathan salivate, as expected of the Duke of Lethan, it would be a spectacular sight if the A-ranked demons were lined up like this.
　Then he went a little to the side and Cain brought out the last demon.
　The item box brings out a rock dragon (rock dragon) that is over 20 meters long, 10 meters tall, and headless, and the item box puts the last detached head to the side.

''This, this is ......

　Even as expected of Duke Lathan, he had never seen a demon of this size before.
　It was strange to have the opportunity to see a demon that was ranked SSS rank, which could be considered a natural disaster grade.

''This is a rock dragon (rock dragon) that is designated as an SSS rank. If this demon comes out, we'll see if we can defeat it even if all the country's armies come out .......

　The knight in charge of the demolition also explains to Duke Lathan as he looks up at the size of the rocky mountain.

''This, is this demon by Sir Cain ...... perhaps ...... alone?

I'm sure you've heard that.

　Duke Lathan listens to the explanation from the Knight of the Kingsguard and his eyes widen.
　Then he meets his gaze with Cain. Cain nodded, although he looked embarrassed.
　Seeing his appearance, Lathan laughed grandly.

''Hahahaha!　So much for Sir Cain, who is willing to be my son-in-law!　That's more than I imagined!　I don't need to deal with them. --But I'd like to try my hand at a good opponent.

　After all, Duke Lathan was a battle fanatic just like Tifana.
　Leaving the materials storage area, the two went to the training ground.
　When they went to the training ground, Lathan was already smiling. Edin and Tina nodded their heads at the sight of him.
　The two of them faced the vacant space with their wooden swords about ten meters apart.

''Sir Cain, I'll borrow your chest. ''Then.''

　In an instant, the Duke of Lathan applied a physical enhancement (boost) and at once closed the distance of ten meters and flashed his sword at the top.
　It's a good idea to have a good time with your friends.
　As expected of an expert, the sword muscles are sharper than Tijuana's, and magic power is flowing down to the wooden sword, and Cain has a surprised look on his face.
　Cain felt that he was definitely stronger than Tifana, who was said to be the strongest in the country.

''As I thought, Sir Cain, you are as good as you can be.

　Smiling, the Duke of Lethan moved away once and cast a spell. The wind swirled around Duke Lathan, just as it did with Tifana.

''This is where it starts. Let's go!''

　The Duke of Lathan approaches Cain with a speed that is different from what he was doing earlier.
(He's stronger than Tiffana, after all.)

　His entire body was visibly wrapped in magic power, and he could see the magic power passing through to the tip of his sword.
　Cain, too, chanted "Strengthen Your Thinking Ability (Clock Up)" and conversely approached the Duke of Lathan.
　If Cain, whose status is unmeasurable, gets serious, it will be over in an instant.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get the best out of it.

''Is this as far as ......?''

　At Cain's words, Duke Lathan released his magic, removed his hand from the wooden sword and raised his hands in a pose of surrender.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

I'm not going to be able to get to the bottom of it. It's just that I can't see it. You can't expect me to be able to do anything about it. --You can't be too careful.

　The Duke of Lathan suddenly tried to grab onto Cain.
　In an instant, Cain took his right hand, entered his pocket and threw Duke Lathan away with a single backpack. It's all thanks to his body art skills.
　Thanks to the fact that he pulled his arm back the moment he threw it, Duke Lathan is now in a state where he's on his ass.

''I guess this wasn't good either. ...... As expected, I really surrender.

　The Duke of Lathan stands up, laughing and brushing the dirt from his clothes.

''I have no complaints. I can leave Tijuana in good hands. Sir Cain, please take care of her.''

　Duke Lathan bowed deeply to Cain.
　Surprised by his appearance, Cain bowed his head as well.

''It's nice to meet you too.''

　They raised their heads, shook hands, and went back to where Tina, Edin and the others were watching.