Back at the audience chamber.
It had only been a few days, yet the chamber had already been restored to its forr grandeur.
The collapsed walls from the clash of magic and divine power, and the sword marks left by Havel were nowhere to be seen—it was as pristine as the first ti I saw it.
It couldn’t have been restored so quickly by palace workers alone; the lingering traces of mana were far too dense.
They must have used so form of magic for the restoration.
While I stared blankly at the floor, pondering what kind of magic had been used—
“…Thus, the innocence of Theodore Lindelheit is recognized, as is the folly of the Imperial Court.”
The opening remarks of the event, combining the recognition of our achievents, Carla’s reinstatent, and my confernt of a title, ca to a close.
Rodrigo, who had deliberately left the Empress’s seat empty, spoke again. The Emperor, looking even more gaunt than when I first saw him, continued.
“The reinstatent of the Lindelheit Dukedom, 30 years of Imperial support, the removal of the slave brand for Carla Lindelheit, who will be the new head of the family, and as a token of our pledge not to repeat such mistakes, we grant the Amnesty Scepter.”
At Rodrigo’s nod, the chamberlain retrieved a long box and opened it.
Inside was an elegant crimson cloth, which, when unfolded, revealed a dazzling golden staff.
The staff Carla had been using—the one I had first bought her—was also gold, but beyond its color and elongated shape, the resemblance ended.
That staff, though the best off-the-shelf equipnt money could buy, was gaudy and ostentatious, earning it the nickna “Golden Flash Staff.”
In contrast, the Amnesty Scepter exuded a natural, subdued nobility, as though it were a masterpiece of art.
To think they’d present a genuine luxury staff made of gold after seeing Carla use the “Golden Flash.”
While I couldn’t yet gauge its performance as a staff, its value as a decorative item was indisputable.
Of course, its true purpose lay elsewhere.
“This staff symbolizes amnesty. Except in cases of treason, any cri committed—even accusations of being a cultist—will be pardoned by the Imperial Court’s authority. Please, do not refuse this gift.”
“Ah…”
Carla stared at the Amnesty Scepter with wide eyes.
Emotions flickered across her ruby-like pupils, appearing and disappearing countless tis.
Well, it was understandable.
The restoration of the Lindelheit Dukedom and Carla’s liberation from slavery were anticipated outcos.
But 30 years of Imperial support? A scepter granting immunity from all but treason? Even with generous assumptions, I hadn’t expected rewards this extensive.
And this wasn’t limited to Carla. Every mber of our group would receive sothing, but starting with such an impressive reward was surprising.
Whether it was publicizing Fiona’s identity or positioning as a hero, the Empire seed determined to go all in.
There were likely several reasons—public image managent, currying favor with and Carla, showcasing the Empire’s strength, and so on.
Well, as long as it would benefit us, there was no need to overthink their intentions.
All we needed to do was accept it graciously and use it wisely.
Yet, for so reason, Carla hesitated, gazing at the Amnesty Scepter with a contemplative expression instead of taking it.
…Why?
With 30 years of support, restoring the Lindelheit family’s glory would be no challenge. And with the Amnesty Scepter, she could handle any unforeseen issues.
Carla surely understood that simply accepting it would achieve all these things…
As murmurs arose around us, Carla, wearing a resolute expression, bowed deeply.
“I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s grace… but if I may be so bold, I wish to make a request.”
“If it will alleviate your grievances, I shall grant it without hesitation. Speak.”
Rodrigo, clearly intent on fostering goodwill, agreed readily.
But what Carla said next was sothing no one in the chamber had anticipated.
“Once again, I thank Your Majesty for your generosity. But I humbly request that you reconsider the reward pertaining to my status.”
“…What?”
A stunned silence filled the audience chamber.
No one had expected Carla to refuse to be freed from slavery.
…Not even I.
Of all things, I thought she would at least cast off the label of “slave.” After all, she couldn’t achieve her lifelong goal of restoring Lindelheit while bearing such a status.
Though she often said she embodied all of Lindelheit, this was different.
Without freeing herself from slavery, she couldn’t inherit the achievents, honor, wealth, or lineage passed down through the generations.
Granted, the lineage might not break, but to forsake all that history was unthinkable.
Even if the Lindelheit Dukedom was reinstated and received 30 years of support, having a slave as its head would render it aningless.
Rejecting this reward was tantamount to rejecting all rewards except for the Amnesty Scepter.
And since slaves couldn’t legally own property, the scepter would ultimately revert to . Essentially, she was rejecting everything.
By refusing a token of reconciliation, Carla was effectively declaring she couldn’t forgive the Levantin Empire and had no intention of improving relations.
Judging by the wary glances at Rodrigo, many interpreted it that way.
The Emperor, his expression hardening, spoke.
“This decision was made after considerable deliberation… Why do you refuse it?”
Indeed. Why? I was just as curious.
In the hushed atmosphere, Carla’s lips parted, and her lodic voice echoed.
“I am deeply humbled, Your Majesty, but I have already dedicated everything to my master. Restoring my family’s honor is important, but I cannot betray my loyalty.”
“Loyalty… Loyalty, you say…”
Rodrigo repeated the word with a bitter smile.
Despite unwavering loyalty to the Empire, the Lindelheit family had been abandoned due to intrigue. anwhile, the Empress, who was supposed to be the Emperor’s steadfast partner, betrayed him.
His thoughts must be complicated.
anwhile, the most shocked expression in the room belonged to Havel, probably wondering if Fiona’s “Carla brainwashing theory” was true.
Not that he believed it even when it wasn’t ntioned…
Anyway, we couldn’t linger in sentintality forever. Before long, Rodrigo nodded.
“As the ruler of the Empire, how could I deny such a heartfelt intention? Especially when it cos from the daughter of Lindelheit. Very well. You shall retain your status, and the Amnesty Scepter will be granted to your master. Will this suffice?”
“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”
Carla bowed deeply.
The chamberlain standing beside her walked toward , offering the box containing the Amnesty Scepter. I accepted it with a respectful deanor.
The ceremony continued. Iona and Helena received various rewards, and Elisha was officially recognized as innocent and granted quasi-noble status within the Levantin Empire.
As I felt the luxurious texture of the box in my hands, I kept pondering—over and over again.
Finally, Rodrigo, having completed the comndations for the others, spoke to mark the main event of the day: the confernt of my title.
“Yandel. You have defeated countless cultists and monsters, cleared dungeons, and returned their power to its rightful owner. In the Kingdom of Crasius, alongside Iona Francesca, you vanquished high-ranking mbers of the cults of the Evil Gods and an undead army. You rescued Solaris from encirclent by the Greenskin army, unraveled the web of conspiracies shadowing this Empire, and crushed the minion of the Evil God hidden in its highest ranks, thereby shattering their vile sches. In recognition of your achievents, I hereby bestow upon you the title of Count.”
And I had made my decision.
“Furthermore, given the unparalleled assistance you have rendered to the Empire, I grant you the right, as per custom, to declare your own na. Speak your new na.”
I raised my head slightly and articulated the words I had been contemplating monts before.
“Yandel Lindelheit. That will be my new na, Your Majesty.”
“What…?”
Rodrigo looked more bewildered than he had when Carla refused to be freed from slavery. The reactions of others present were no different.
Even Carla seed to struggle to comprehend what she’d just heard, her lips parting soundlessly like a fish out of water.
This was the reaction I had expected. While choosing your own family na was allowed, it wasn’t a free-for-all.
Naturally, nas that insulted the Imperial family or existing noble houses were forbidden.
Additionally, most title recipients opted to establish their own family na rather than co-opt soone else’s.
Yet here I was, choosing the na of the fallen Lindelheit house—a na Carla had just relinquished her claim to.
It wasn’t surprising that it ca across as absurd, perhaps even mocking.
Still, I wouldn’t change my decision. It was already made.
Rodrigo, who had been montarily stunned, let out a faint chuckle before asking,
“You aren’t rely saying you wish to adopt the na Lindelheit, are you? Have I understood correctly?”
“Indeed, Your Majesty. I wish to claim everything the Lindelheit Dukedom once possessed. I am even willing to forgo all other rewards for this purpose.”
“I see. May I ask why?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
Why had Carla chosen to remain a slave?
Certainly, her mindset had been shaped by her upbringing and circumstances as a slave. But her behavior since becoming my slave lingered in my mind.
Statents like, ‘Even if you marry soday, please don’t sell . I’m fine being just a trinket, as long as I can stay by your side,’ and her absolute obedience, striving to et my preferences with every effort she could muster.
Reflecting on her past, Carla had been betrayed by the Empire she loyally served, abandoned by the vassal lords she trusted implicitly, shunned by the eternal friend she once relied on, and ignored by the Academy professors who once praised her exceptional talent.
In a single mont, she lost every support she had.
The fear of being discarded must have haunted her ever since.
If she were to shed her slave status, it might inevitably create distance between us. Perhaps she feared that, as my forr slave, suddenly becoming a duke would place her above , which I might resent.
Thus, Carla chose to abandon the restoration of the Lindelheit na in favor of preserving the status quo.
Not because she truly desired it, but because fear drove her to give up.
This was only my interpretation, but after spending so much ti with her, I felt certain it was true.
Gathering that certainty within myself, I looked at Carla.
Formalities and etiquette no longer mattered. All that mattered was conveying my feelings completely.
Her hair, resembling threads spun from gold, frad ruby-red eyes that evoked the image of a rabbit caught before a predator.
Just as on the day we first t, Carla exuded delicate beauty, as if she were a finely crafted ornant, yet she carried an air of fragility.
I offered her a small smile.
“Carla has given her all as my slave. …Thus, I believe it is my duty to respond to her devotion by granting her everything she has ever wanted.”
A radiant smile, one of pure happiness, finally blossod on Carla’s face.
They say every relationship has its own form.
If so, this must be the way Carla and I express our love for each other.
And I didn’t doubt that truth for even a mont.
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