My father took a deep breath, then said his wish out loud.

    "Then... I humbly ask that the Claubia forest region, which the House of Rovenne has protected for generations, be ceded to the royal family as a royal domain and that our family be appointed as its magistrate."

    A look of astonishment covered everyone''s expression when they heard him.

    It was only natural.

    Ceding a region to the royal family as a royal domain, and to be appointed as its magistrate meant being demoted from Viscount to Baron. Anyone would be surprised if they heard someone asking for a demotion in their big moment.

    There was a stark difference between a viscount’s household and a baron''s.

    Baronial territories had restrictions on the autonomy of their governance. Baronial houses that cannot independently sustain their domains due to economic reasons share the rights to rule it with the royal family or their patron marquises. In return, they received tax reductions, financial aid, and personnel support to maintain their lands.

    In essence, the involvement of public funds in administration weakened the authority of a noble house.

    Naturally, the fallen barons who were stripped of their lands, or demoted due to misconduct or financial failures, especially those reduced to mere magistrates of confiscated domains, were subjects of ridicule in noble society.

    Just as His Majesty, too, was rendered speechless, Andrew raised his voice in anger.

    “W-What are you saying, Viscount Rovenne?! Have you lost your mind?!

    ...With all due respect, I had been skeptical of the emergence of a remarkable figure from a place I had never heard of before, so I conducted a thorough investigation into your family.

    Since its founding 707 years ago by Alsace Rovenne, your family has quietly but sincerely developed your land, and not once have you been on the brink of demotion. But now you''re throwing away all the hard work of your ancestors?! You, or any of the past heads before you, had been a man of integrity with an on point tax filing as I looked through your tax history.

    Your relation with your patron Marquis is just as amicable as it could be, and the retention rate of your fiefdom''s population is spectacular even by just glancing at the overall history of the kingdom.

    And even your magnificent city walls, which seem out of place in such a remote area, stands as a testament to your family’s centuries-long dedication to protecting your people from monsters by investing your personal wealth. The more I investigated, the more ashamed I felt of my own ignorance for doubting you.

    *Sigh* It is because of noble families like yours, who are earnest, dependable, and care deeply for their people, that our kingdom has been able to dominate this continent for so long. Now that your generations of effort are finally going to bear fruit, and you have stepped into the wider world, I honestly wish to commend you, and support you in your future endeavors, and yet...... Yet, you are—"

    Andrew-san choked up after that, his eyes blurring with tears.

    He didn''t really benefit from making such a speech, yet his concern seemed genuine.

    He had been the first one to rebuke my sister, and relentlessly too, for her preposterous strategy, so I had my doubts, but maybe neither side was in the wrong. He was just one of those straightforward people, a rare breed among the shifty high nobility.

    “...If my actions have brought a new light on our Rovenne house, then I certainly can stand proudly before my ancestor''s grave... Of course, I deeply cherished our land, which had been developed by the blood and sweat of our ancestors, but... when has time ever listened to anyone.”

    Narrowing his eyes in a nostalgic expression, my father began his explanation.

    ◆◆◆

    The Claubia forest mountain area was a wonder of nature, harboring in itself the flora and fauna as well as other creatures from the antiquity era. Even some extinct species that couldn''t be found anywhere else could be found in this region.

    Our Rovenne family has lived off the blessings of that forest, and was able to sustain our lands and people to this day because of it. I believe that the forest is an irreplaceable treasure of this kingdom, one that must be preserved for future generations.

    “Pfft! Gahaha! I certainly understand you now, Bellwood. Kukuku. I had always questioned how Allen was raised... Your and Cecilia''s parenting is now clear to me."

    As the king eased the tension in the room, my father reverted to his lackadaisical demeanor I knew well. His chest, which had been puffed out with resolve, deflated as he scratched his head awkwardly.

    “Truth be told, the only decision I’ve made is to leave the future of the Rovenne family to my children. This idea wasn’t mine— it came from my heir, Grim. I tried to stop him, but he instead doubled down, remarking ‘A loss of title is nothing for the Rovenne family if we can preserve this forest for future generations.''

    What could I have said against his words then? My current words, too, came from him. I never imagined that I’d have the chance to present it directly to Your Majesty.”

    Hearing this, the king’s eyes gleamed with interest.

    “Oh?... Andrew, have you heard anything about Grim, the Rovenne family''s successor?”

    Andrew, looking as if he had bitten something bitter, reluctantly answered.

    “...A young man devoted to his people with promising qualities... or so I’ve been told.”

    "Hahaha. He should''ve known better than anyone else that should the proposal be accepted, he would be the one drawing the short end of the stick. *Just* a promising young man, huh, Bellwood?"

    My father replied offhandedly.

    "...Well, he just loves our fief and its people."

    "I see. It''s certainly a noteworthy quality for a noble. What do you think about your eldest brother, Allen?"

    I found myself confused when the conversation turned to me.

    Honestly, my perception of him was quite weak due to our age difference. I just know that he loved spoiling me since childhood. I think... he was definitely someone capable based on my previous world''s standards.

    However, I have experienced enough to know that any excessive remark from me would be dissected and spread around with its narrative twisted.

    "...As far as I remember, my brother is a nice guy, always trying to spoil me. Anything more, and the question would be better suited for, err, Schord since he''s the teacher of us four siblings. Oh, and father too."

    Since I couldn''t find any words to properly describe him, I tossed the matter to Schord.

    If I’ve learned anything, it was that Schord was the magic lamp solution to all of my troubles! Yup, definitely... should be so, anyway yeah!

    You know what to do, right, O'' Great Schord?! Be my lucky break here!

    Just as I made such a prayer in my heart, everyone''s attention shifted to Schord.

    Schord lowered his head, keeping quiet.

    "You may speak. Give me your frank opinion."

    Once His Majesty gave his permission, Schord... he spectacularly returned the ball to my court.

    T/N - Truly the deus ex machina of this novel, or atleast, maybe for Allen—Schord. And on this short note, Merry Christmas everyone! Though I would add like to add more, I guess let''s leave the later greetings for new year, not the creative type so can''t exhaust my arsenal here, haha. But, have a good long holidays~

    P.s. - Will be updating missing two chapters tomorrow (Tuesday). A bit of hiccup from last week continued to persist as it appears.