## Chapter 1000 – Noble Kim Kat
Even with a transcendent body, I can’t do anything about the sweat on my back.
I killed time thinking like that. The event would probably start soon. They wouldn’t have us standing around for no reason.
“…”
But the king’s platform is right in front of me.
Isn’t this dangerous?
They didn’t even check for weapons. Usually, when you have an audience with the king or attend an event like this, they search for weapons, right?
They’re usually thorough about this kind of thing.
Maybe this is the Great King’s confidence that he can handle anything. The vassals would gladly throw their lives away for the king’s confidence.
Anyway, the Great King.
What kind of man is he?
I’m curious.
Just then.
ㅡBoom-pah-pah!!! Boom-pah!!! Boom-pah!!!
ㅡBoom-pah-pah!!! Boom-pah!!! Boom-pah!!!
ㅡBoom-pah-pah!!! Boom-pah!!! Boom-pah!!!
The performance was so grand it felt like it would explode. It wasn’t like some legendary monster band, the Bremen Town Musicians, but this melody was so violent… I saw it was the royal orchestra.
They advanced and took their places in front, continuing their performance. It was decent music in its own way. As the performance went on, people who seemed to be royal officials came and stood in front of the platform.
“Silence!!!”
A man dressed in rather fine clothes shouted, and the venue instantly fell silent. After confirming the silence, he began to speak.
“We will now begin the ceremony!!!”
He spoke strongly, using informal language to everyone in the venue, and then went on and on about what kind of ceremony this was and what a great king Karga was for providing this opportunity, continuing his tedious praise.
To summarize, the Karga royal family were descendants of a great clan who gathered the survivors and rebuilt civilization after the Idol War, and the Karga Kingdom was able to prosper this much thanks to their heroic rule.
Well, yeah.
This kind of speech is a natural procedure.
I killed time by listening to only the key points, as if cultivating my knowledge.
And.
“The Great King, who is greater than any human!!! Enters!!!”
ㅡThump!
With the signal, majestic music began to play.
At the same time, I knelt on one knee and bowed my head as I had learned. As I subtly looked around, I saw that the knights and mages were all doing the same.
Good.
Now, I just need to wait until the king tells me to rise. The king is so great that everyone who greets him must kneel and bow their heads. They can only rise when permitted.
That’s roughly the etiquette for the event.
It’s a bit different inside the palace, but this is all I need to know.
How long had it been?
“Raise your heads, soldiers!!!”
A booming voice rang out, and I immediately jumped to my feet and stood at attention. Then, according to etiquette, I shifted to a parade rest position and slightly raised my head to look at the owner of the voice standing on the platform.
“Long live the Karga Kingdom!!!”
Then, the royal official standing at the front shouted loudly.
“Long live the Karga Kingdom!!!”
“Long live the Karga Kingdom!!!”
“Long live the Karga Kingdom!!!”
Everyone in the venue then shouted cheers in unison. The palace was literally shaking with the loud voices. Anyway, shouting exactly three times in a row is the etiquette. I also shouted the cheers three times.
That was when our cheers ended.
“Long live the Karga Kingdom! Long live the Karga Kingdom! Long live the Karga Kingdom!”
The Great King Karga received it like a skilled musician and shouted cheers three times himself. This is truly overwhelming.
I was finally able to see him properly.
“You are the indomitable warriors who brought down the rampaging ancient Valkyrie!!!”
A voice full of courage.
At first, I thought he was a king who came from a great general. But the man standing on the platform was not that kind of man.
He was a middle-aged man in his 40s with an impressive platinum blonde hair and a dignified appearance.
His body seemed to be quite trained, but it wasn’t like that of a professional serial killer. It was a body trained moderately for health, not for actual fighting. After all, the king would never have to fight himself.
Was that why he looked to be in his 40s? Well, yeah. The king would hardly have time to focus on mana training and reach a high level. Being a king is also one of the busiest jobs. He was probably maintaining his youth with elixirs. I heard he was about 70 years old.
Nevertheless, I could feel an overwhelming aura from him.
Anyway, the Sword Master I had seen before was standing next to the Great King. He must be full of confidence with such a transcendent being as his bodyguard.
ㅡ…
I made eye contact with her, but there was no particular feeling. She looked at me for a moment, but soon turned her attention to guarding the surroundings.
Now that I see it, that auntie seems to be living her life taking on the task of protecting the royal family. Is she really the strongest of the transcendent beings? She’s perfect as the royal guard captain.
But to have such a transcendent being.
If such a person set their mind to it, all the royal family’s bloodline would be chopped to pieces. There’s no way to stop them, and it’s incredibly difficult to control them.
“Excellent. Very excellent!!!”
I erased my thoughts and focused on the Great King.
“This Great King is very pleased to have warriors like you!!!”
ㅡClap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
He spoke very powerfully and applauded, praising us.
“My proud knighthood!!! How brave and strong are these invincible and honorable knights!!! This Great King has surely heard your fighting spirit!!!”
When the Great King said that, a tremendous roar erupted from the knighthood, and words of gratitude poured out.
The Great King seemed very satisfied with that and turned his gaze to the mages.
“Ah, the high mages of the Magic Tower!!! The geniuses who stand above the era!!! This Great King has surely heard that you engaged in battle in a manner befitting your reputation and supported the knights!!!”
The mages also showed a similar reaction to the knights and paid their respects. Wow, but his voice is really loud. It was literally a volume befitting the dignity of the Great King.
Next was the turn of the paladins who were positioned behind us.
“Holy warriors!!! It was very unfortunate that you brought down the holy Valkyrie with your own hands, but nevertheless, this Great King has surely heard of your nobility for not abandoning your duty and responsibility!!!”
The paladins solemnly expressed their gratitude for the praise. In fact, it would be quite embarrassing to receive praise when they hadn’t really done anything. All they did was build a human pyramid and make placards.
So, is it our turn now?
“Warriors who brought down the Valkyrie!!! Paladin Kim Kat, directly under the Saintess of the Bronze Heaven Society, Karin Vestatt of the prestigious Vestatt family! And Liztina Livebet of the Livebet family! This Great King has surely heard of your great achievements as well!!!”
As soon as the Great King’s words ended.
“We are honored and deeply honored, Great King!!!”
The three of us shouted at the same time.
“Among them, Paladin Kim Kat!!!”
“Yes!!”
Is he going to appoint me now?
“I heard that you showed a martial prowess comparable to that of the Iron-Blooded Invincible Kingdom Knights and defeated the Valkyrie! That is truly a great achievement!!!”
“It was possible because everyone fought together!!! It is by no means my achievement alone!!!”
“Nevertheless, it does not change the fact that you have done a very great job! Great achievements must have great rewards!!!”
As the Great King shouted heartily, vassals who had been preparing something approached me with a luxurious box and scroll.
“We will bestow the title of Baron upon Paladin Kim Kat!!!”
So, he was going to bestow a title!
This was expected. It wasn’t certain, but Kadia had hinted that he might bestow a title. I had a good time talking about it with my women.
“We are honored and deeply honored, Great King!!!”
I immediately knelt on one knee and bowed my head, shouting loudly as per etiquette.
The title of Baron.
If you become a noble, you can own land. And since you are a privileged class in the literal sense, you can exercise legal privileges anywhere in the kingdom.
Of course, I have no intention of doing anything shitty just because I received a noble title, but it is clear that it will be very convenient to do something at least.
The name of Paladin has a sacred authority in the literal sense. Most people respect and cooperate with them. The title bestowed directly by the Great King is similar. Unlike other nobles whose titles are hereditary, it was bestowed directly by the Great King, so it also has great authority.
Whatever it is, I have a title that I can use conveniently in the future.
But if you become a lord, various complicated things happen, but he wouldn’t give land to a paladin belonging to the Order, would he? That’s enough.
“Is there anyone who objects to the birth of Baron Kim Kat!!!”
ㅡThump!
As the Great King shouted, the Sword Master next to him slammed the end of her scabbard on the ground, making a sound.
“No, Great King!!!”
“No, Great King!!!”
“No, Great King!!!”
Soon, such sounds erupted from the surroundings. I heard the words to rise and got up from my seat, expressing my gratitude once again.
“Receive it, Baron Kim Kat.”
As I was doing that, the vassals approached and handed me the box and scroll.
“By the will of the Great King, you are now a Baron.”
“Act accordingly.”
Perhaps because they are vassals of the Great King, they are basically informal.
“I understand.”
I bowed according to etiquette and accepted them.
Baron Kim Kat from today?
I’ve certainly made a name for myself.
After that, it was a series of specifically praising other forces and saying that he would give such and such awards. Knights, mages, paladins. He praises the knights properly because they are directly under him, and speaks well to other forces in order to maintain a good relationship. Since the compensation from the Mercudia Kingdom has come in, he distributes them all.
It goes without saying, but I received money and treasures in addition to the title. The two older sisters behind me did as well.
The event was almost over like that.
Finally, it really ended with the Great King reciting something similar to a farewell speech. It’s like, I didn’t feel like the Great King was personally interested in me at all. Rather, I think that’s a relief.
Anyway, the Great King left his seat with the orchestra’s performance, and the event ended.
At the same time, the nobles sitting in the audience stood up from their seats and approached this side to find their family, acquaintances, and friends who had received awards.
The knights and mages also stood in their places and announced their positions by calling out the names of their close ones.
“Wow, you finally got it?”
“Hehehe, I knew it. Yes. They’re giving you a title or something. A barony bestowed directly by the Great King. This is quite precious.”
The women who were right behind me came and said.
“From now on, call me Baron!”
“You’re really full of it.”
“Yes. My lovely Baron?”
Karin smiled and slapped my shoulder with her palm, and Liztina said that as if trying to match my mood. I immediately handed the box and scroll to them. They smiled and enjoyed reading what was written on the scroll.
“Kat!!!”
As I was doing that, my women approached from over there.
“I’m a Baron!!!”
“I heard!”
It’s a good day.
“So, the blackie is finally a noble?”
“Yes! Commoner Winia!”
“Ugh, you’re really full of it. I’m a former noble, you know?”
“I know. I know. I’m just kidding.”
Winia also looked very happy.
I’m happy too.
Yeah, I’m finally getting power, women, and even a title.
“Kat. Now Kat has been recognized for his power by the king of a country. I’m so proud… I feel like I’m going to cry.”
Claudia said in an emotional voice. But the nuance is a bit different from being directly recognized by the king.
“Hehehe, don’t cry.”
Still, I’ve come this far.
“Of course, the king’s recognition is not important to me at all. After all, I am the one who recognizes me. Still, it feels good in its own way.”
“That’s all that matters.”
Then, Aria called me in a soft voice.
“Half-God Baron Father. It would be better to go back for now. It’s too complicated here.”
“Half-God Baron!!!”
What a good resonance!!
“Let’s share the joy when we get back.”
“Ah, yeah. Let’s do that. It’s too complicated here.”
Wow, but Half-God Baron.
It’s kind of like Asura Baron, so it’s cool.
“Kat, you’re really Half-God Baron now!!!”
“It’s such a happy title!!”
Anyway, it was when I was about to go back.
“Ah, you were here.”
“I found the Paladin!”
Some men came in a group and acted like they knew me.
Who are these guys?
“Who are you?”
“Ah, I’m late to introduce myself.”
When I asked one of them right away, he took off his hat and said.
“I am Sejal Ibern, belonging to the Kingdom Baron Union.”
“Baron Union?”
What’s that again?
“Baron Burcado, Baron Sochilia, and Baron Hylen and Baron Kyulabar. You must have heard of all of their names. It is a union of barons formed with them as the main axis. We already knew that the Paladin did not yet have a title. We were waiting, thinking that the Great King might bestow a title this time.”
What?
“I came to recommend you to join. The Baron Union is a very historic and traditional organization. 80% of the kingdom’s barons are joining. So, we need to talk… Can you spare some time?”
Hylen?