As expected—or rather, as feared—we’ve been made to wait for quite some time. It must be getting close to an hour by now. I understand that he’s busy, but if we were going to be kept waiting this long, couldn’t this have just been scheduled for another day?

And then there’s the surveillance from the next room, which is frankly unwelcome. At first, I didn’t think much of it, assuming someone was simply present next door. But when I focused on their presence, I realized that they hadn’t moved from the wall closest to our room. There’s even a peephole—no doubt about it.

Well, complaining won’t make the wait any shorter. Just as I was seriously considering asking the maid if we could leave or peering back through the surveillance peephole in retaliation, a knock echoed through the room.

“Come in.”

I responded immediately, and the vice-commander stepped inside with a “Pardon the wait.”

“I apologize for keeping you waiting. His Majesty is finally ready to see you.”

The mere fact that he’s offering an apology already makes him far more likable than those arrogant nobles from House Lagroi. Then again, maybe it just feels that way because I met the worst kind of noble so recently.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

I swallow the words, If you’d taken any longer, we would’ve left, and obediently follow him. It seems we had already been led quite far inside, as our destination was just around the corner.

Standing at attention on either side of a massive door were knights clad in especially ornate armor. The vice-commander exchanged nods with the guards, and they turned around to open the door.

“Presenting Adventurers Mizumoto Shu and Rio!”

With a voice that carried well, the announcement was made, and the doors slowly swung open.

“Stop at the first step and kneel.”

Before the doors had even fully opened, the vice-commander muttered a last-minute instruction on proper etiquette.

...You can’t just spring that on me now and expect me to do it perfectly. And after kneeling, what am I supposed to do next?

There was no room to ask such questions, however, as the doors continued to open. At the vice-commander’s urging, I took the lead and stepped into the chamber.

The first thing that caught my eye was the figure seated on the magnificent throne directly ahead. His commanding presence was fitting for an emperor. On either side behind him stood knights in armor and figures in robes who appeared to be mages. Along the sides of the chamber, leading from the doors to the throne, were rows of elaborately dressed individuals—no doubt nobles.

Yep, this is unmistakably an audience chamber.

Looking around too much would make me seem like some country bumpkin, so I kept my gaze fixed straight ahead and walked forward. Upon reaching the designated step, I knelt and bowed my head.

Now then, the royal family of the Arclight Kingdom turned out to be awful, but what about the Großenhag Empire? Not that I have high expectations.

“Raise your heads.”

Following the command, I lifted my gaze, allowing me to see the emperor more closely. He had a lean but well-toned physique, balanced in proportion. His beard, tinged white, suggested he was of considerable age.

“You may answer directly. Slaying the Sea Emperor Turtle was a great feat. The empire is grateful for your service.”

Answer directly, huh? That means I can respond without formal intermediaries. In that case, the only appropriate reply is—

“Your words do me great honor.”

The emperor nodded in satisfaction, stroking his beard as he let out a contemplative “Hmm...”

“For saving the port city of Reblos, it is only fitting that you be rewarded.”

Oh? I had expected mere words of gratitude, but we’re skipping straight to the rewards, huh? Honestly, I can’t think of anything I particularly want.

“...Very well. I shall grant you the title of Baron of the Empire.”

The emperor spoke as if the idea had just come to him after a moment of thought.

Baron, huh.

Baron potatoes are delicious, but is your kind of baron any good?

“...What’s wrong? If you remain silent, I cannot know your thoughts.”

He urged for a response, but throwing out a noble title without any explanation seemed a bit hasty.

“What exactly does it mean to be granted the rank of Baron? We travel frequently, but we’re not well-versed in such systems.”

“Hah, I see. Alcaine, explain it to them.”

“Understood.”

One of the robed figures standing behind the emperor stepped forward. He had blue hair streaked with white and an intellectual air. Looking down at us with a cold gaze, he let out a small sigh—one he likely thought the emperor wouldn’t notice.

“To put it in terms a commoner would understand, receiving the title of Baron means becoming a noble in service to the empire.”

Listening to the explanation, I realized it matched what Linford had once mentioned. To be precise, it was an honorary barony rather than a standard one. Even so, it came with an estate in the imperial capital and an annual pension. The robed man went on, listing various supposed benefits in a haughty tone.

“That is all. Do you understand?”

“...I think I get the gist of it.”

They’re obviously trying to tie us to the empire. But I should confirm the details just in case. With all these high-ranking figures around and the oppressive atmosphere, it would be dangerous to leave things vague. Playing dumb later with ‘I didn’t know’ wouldn’t fly.

“Are there any drawbacks? We travel from country to country, and once we leave the empire, we may not return.”

It was just a question born of curiosity, but the robed official’s expression instantly stiffened.

“...What? ...What are you saying? Surely you are not thinking of refusing? That would be most disrespectful.”

Huh? All I said was that we might not come back, but somehow things just took a sharp turn toward an ominous direction...