I nearly short-circuited at the announcement that so easily surpassed my expectations. The nobles also buzzed noisily—it was a genuinely shocking reward. In the midst of that, watching the Finance Minister’s face crumple was quite entertaining. But what surprised me was that he only crumpled his expression and didn’t foam at the mouth in opposition.

Granting me the right to decide the knightly order’s name meant the order would be carved into Beren’s history under whatever name I chose. It was also intended to honor me as a noble. But more than that, I couldn’t help focusing entirely on what kind of estate I’d be granted.

If it were Rosenheim, that would be hitting the jackpot.

"However, we couldn’t find common ground due to differences of opinion among the ministers about which estate to grant. So I’ll ask Sir Streit. Which estate among the royal demesne do you want?"

...Had I just misheard?

Which estate did I want?

Only the Altringen royal family could decide the treatment of royal demesne estates—why were they asking me?

The hall was wrapped in such silence that it felt as if the breathing of the listening nobles had stopped for a moment. Just in case, I examined the ministers’ faces, and they were watching with interest to see what choice I’d make. My father-in-law in particular seemed to trust that I’d give the right answer.

I realized this was a politically orchestrated question.

The Altringen royal family was testing me.

To confirm whether I was suitable material as a lord.

I don’t know why every single thing that comes my way is another test, but the estate I wanted most was, without question, Rosenheim. However, Rosenheim is right next to Breisburg, was once ruled by a baron’s family, and is far too large a prize to be given to a duchy knight.

Obviously, asking for Rosenheim would provoke tremendous opposition. Unfortunately, Rosenheim wasn’t the correct answer. My intuition was warning me. So I needed to face reality objectively and coolly. It was true my achievements were great, but they were ultimately accomplishments limited to a local conflict.

I acknowledged that receiving Rosenheim would be difficult unless my performance had been on the level of saving the nation. It was clearly a foregone conclusion that I’d be granted an estate. The evidence was that the Finance Minister had only crumpled his face without objecting. So finding the appropriate line was what mattered.

What did the Grand Duke and the central government want from me?

"Count Euznirk spoke highly of you."

As I continued to deliberate, the Grand Duke slipped me a hint. Damn, I knew it. They must have focused not just on my command ability but also on my friendship with the Euznirk family. Then the answer was clear. The correct answer was a region adjacent not only to Euz but also to Essenbach, another border territory.

"How about Feuzen, the northern town of Rosenheim?"

The Grand Duke’s smile deepened.

That old fox’s disposition is conspiracy (neutral). And amusement was mixed in. The estate they had internally decided on was definitely Feuzen. But deliberately making excuses about the ministers failing to agree and then telling me to choose was a way to confirm what choice I would make.

As proof, my father-in-law nodded with satisfaction, while the Judicial and Administrative Ministers wore slightly surprised expressions, as if my answer were unexpected. The Finance Minister seemed to grow even more displeased the moment he heard my correct answer. That gentleman must have been waiting for me to stumble.

"What’s your reason for choosing Feuzen?"

"Because it’s the optimal region to serve as the base for the newly established knightly order. Also, being adjacent to two border territories, I can provide swift support in emergencies."

Feuzen is a town close to Euz and Essenbach, which border Burgundy, and it’s well suited for supporting the frontier. Rather than come across as a noble coveting estates, I put forward the justification that I would stabilize Beren’s borders and protect the frontier as the base of the newly established knightly order.

That was the picture the Grand Duke wanted.

Among the nobles who didn’t know the inside story, positive evaluations kept coming.

"Indeed, if that’s the intention, I think it’s fine."

"If a capable commander supports the border, won’t Breisburg become that much safer?"

"An understandable justification. Sir Streit is certainly a loyal knight of Beren."

At the nobles’ positive reactions, the faces of those in the opposing faction twisted even further. However, their leader, the Finance Minister, kept his mouth shut; moreover, the justification I’d put forward was too reasonable to oppose openly.

If I’d pointed to Rosenheim, they would have swarmed like hornets. They would have painted me as a greedy knight and pressed the argument that the War Minister’s family was growing too powerful. But having dealt with those noble bastards so much, I’d learned what kind of justification was appropriate. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Your devotion and loyalty in thinking of Beren will stand as an example. Hearing no objections, in the name of the Altringen royal family, I grant Feuzen to Wolfgang Ritter von Streit. You must fulfill the vassalage contract."

Unlike the knighting ceremony, this time I received a new sword from Grand Duke Karlus before the watching nobles. Though it was a ceremonial sword that couldn’t be used in actual combat, the blade was tantamount to a symbol representing the lord of Feuzen. Following the procedure that came next, I made my loyalty oath.

And without fail, a court clergyman presided over the vassalage contract.

"The vassal shall fulfill the duty of loyalty to the lord for the designated period, and the lord promises compensation for loyalty to the vassal. Thus we announce this sacred contract has been concluded in the Lord’s name."

The final step of the ceremony was completed when I kissed the ring the Grand Duke extended. I’d learned the vassalage contract procedure from Hilda out of curiosity after the knighting ceremony, so thank goodness I’d reviewed it in advance. Returning to my seat, I received congratulations from Michael and the nobles of the War Minister family’s faction.

I was still bewildered. Hilda felt the same.

However, since the merit awards ceremony was still in progress, our reactions had to be cut short.

Fiel was called next.

"The Steinhof family has long fulfilled its responsibility as a renowned swordsmanship family protecting Beren. That Adolf’s grandson has grown up and accomplished such great feats proves that the Lord is watching over Beren’s destiny. I appoint Fiel von Steinhof as decurion."

"I swear to serve Beren and Altringen wholeheartedly."

Fiel had now risen to the position of decurion as well, becoming equal in rank to Eisenach. Normally August should have been recognized for his achievements and rewarded here too, but he was a free knight, not a duchy knight. Since he was scheduled to enter into a vassalage contract with me, I would have to give him that reward myself.

In any case, as centurion, knightly order commander, and lord of Feuzen, I’d become a full-fledged upper knight. Lord knights were the highest rank a knight could rise to, and among knights, those above me in rank could now be counted on one hand. The Grand Duke’s Guard Commander or the Imperial Knights Commander? Oh, there was the cavalry commander too.

"This concludes the merit awards ceremony."

After the knights and nobles who had participated in the war received satisfying rewards and withdrew, the merit awards procedure was completely finished. The Grand Duke left the hall with the Crown Prince and Queen. And I was buried in a storm of congratulations from the nobles, since I was effectively the highest achiever.

"Congratulations, Sir Streit!"

"Congratulations on becoming lord of Feuzen!"

Oh my, everyone.

Please, one at a time.

I was so overwhelmed my head was spinning.

"Lady of the estate, please attend our gathering."

"What? Lady of the estate? Me?"

"You’ll become the wife of the lord of Feuzen, won’t you? Hoho."

Though we hadn’t held a formal wedding yet, Hilda was bewildered at already being called lady of the estate. It meant she’d become a noble of an entirely different status. The treatment of a noble granted an estate would change 180 degrees. The Streit family’s prestige would grow even greater.

No matter how high a central noble’s title, the reality is they can’t compare to a knight with an estate. Though Grand Duke Karlus had granted me an estate as part of border defense, he had also elevated my status considerably. Except for my father-in-law, I no longer needed to bow my head before the ministers.

Now, except for the Grand Duke, no one could give me orders lightly.

Naturally, my father-in-law’s summons would take priority over the Grand Duke’s.

"Bwahahaha. As expected of my son-in-law. You magnificently passed His Highness’s final test."

"Sigh, Father-in-law. You could have given me a hint."

"Sorry about that. I was also very curious what answer my son-in-law would give."

My father-in-law had been in on it too.

My guess had been right after all.

He explained what had happened at yesterday’s ministerial council.