The Goddess Granted Me the [Hatching] Skill and Somehow I Became the Strongest Tamer, Commanding Mythical and Divine Beasts - 150

Chapter 150: Ennoblement Ceremony

Three months had flown by since the new year began. It felt like just the other day that I’d spent the holidays with Celia, Carol, and my familiars.

The biting cold had eased up, giving way to a season of slightly chilly winds that carried the scent of flowers.

With spring marking the start of new lives, the capital brimmed with energy, drawing even more people to Belladonna than usual, all of them looking like they were having a great time.

In the midst of that, the throne room of Stesia Castle at the heart of the capital now held all the nobles of the kingdom gathered together.

Today was the annual event where the high nobles assembled in full force, and the king would lay out the kingdom’s policies for the coming year.

For a while, King Kings IV spoke about the current state of affairs, relations with other countries, and plans going forward, and we listened quietly to his words.

It went without saying that no one could let their gaze wander while the king was addressing us, but even so, I sensed a few people around me stealing glances my way, probably curious about my presence here.

“That concludes this year’s policies. See to it that you govern your territories properly.”

As King Kings IV wrapped up, I felt my moment approaching and grew tense.

“Next, there are two more important announcements.”

King Kings IV paused for a beat and scanned the room. Then his eyes met mine, and he spoke.

“Klaus. Step forward.”

“Yes.”

I stepped out of line and knelt before him.

Princess Olivia stood just behind and to the side of King Kings IV, watching me with a face tight with worry.

We’d spent these past few months together, and since today marked the culmination of all that, she seemed anxious on my behalf.

Her concern touched me, warming my chest and easing my nerves a bit.

“As most of you know, this young man’s name is Klaus. Since arriving in Belladonna last year, he became a national adventurer and went on to drive economic growth, fend off monster threats, and thwart schemes from foreign powers.”

King Kings IV restated my profile, which nearly everyone in the room already knew.

Lords who usually stayed in their remote territories might not hear much news like this, so it made sense to spread the word.

“Therefore, in the name of King Kings IV, I commend Klaus’s achievements and hereby grant him the family name of Luminous and the rank of baron.”

I unfastened the ceremonial sword at my waist and offered it to King Kings IV.

“I swear to wield my sword for Your Majesty, for the kingdom, and for the people.”

King Kings IV took it, drew the blade from its sheath, and rested it on my right shoulder.

Then he sheathed it again, gripped the scabbard with his right hand, and extended it toward me.

As proof of the king’s approval, I accepted the ceremonial sword.

“””””Ooooooh!!””””

“In this moment, a new noble is born to Stesia. Those who welcome him, show it with your applause.”

—Clap clap clap clap—

At King Kings IV’s call, applause echoed through the hall.

Everyone clapped hard, filling the audience chamber with a thunderous roar. Amid it all, only I noticed Princess Olivia quietly dabbing at the corners of her eyes with a delicate hand. I’d first thought of her as cool and rational, almost distant, but after spending time together, she’d warmed up, treating me like a little brother with her gentle way of talking.

Among those applauding were Dwight, Marguerite, Douglas, Xavier, and Nicholas—my former guardians.

They beamed with happy smiles, fully embracing my entry into the nobility.

“There’s one more special matter.”

At King Kings IV’s words as king, everyone abruptly stopped clapping. He’d announced from the start that there would be two items, so they were braced for something even bigger than the birth of a new noble.

The doors at the back opened, and Charlotte entered.

They’d long known about me becoming a noble, but most had no clue what came next.

Some nobles wore grim expressions. They were probably jumping to conclusions now that Charlotte had appeared.

“Lord Klaus.”

She came to stand beside me and handed over the creature she cradled so carefully.

Once she’d passed it to me, Charlotte moved to stand next to Douglas off to the side.

King Kings IV addressed everyone.

“What Klaus now holds is that legendary divine dragon.”

His unexpected words sparked an immediate uproar.

“The divine dragon’s name is Neige. It is Klaus’s new familiar and the White Dragon that will serve as the kingdom’s newest guardian.”

At King Kings IV’s declaration, all eyes locked onto Neige.

“Kyupi?”

As King Kings IV’s words sank in bit by bit, the nobles’ faces lit up with excitement.

“Who would’ve thought that after the Red Dragon, even the White Dragon would become a guardian of the realm?”

“The divine dragon said to rule over all dragons—a mere boy of seventeen tames it? It’s like Rint reborn! No, greater than that!”

“Either way, our lead over the neighboring countries just widened in a flash. The era of Stesia’s unchallenged dominance is here!”

Everyone fixed hot, intense stares on me… or rather, on Neige.

Neige, clueless about it all, met my eyes and tilted its head with a little “Kyupi?”

Now that it had been introduced, it couldn’t just do nothing.

“Neige, say hello to everyone.”

At my words, Neige fluttered its wings and hovered into the center of the room, stopping there.

Then it spun around in a full circle on the spot,

“Kyupi♪”

spreading its arms and legs wide in the cutest show-off pose.

“So that’s the power of the legendary divine dragon!”

“How utterly divine it is!”

“I know it’s irreverent, but I just want to pet it all over.”

For the most part, their reactions matched those of King Kings IV and my former guardians.

Neige’s charm drove everyone wild.

“Raise your voices in celebration of our new guardian dragon!”

At King Kings IV’s command, cheers erupted from the whole room.

The volume of that applause dwarfed what I’d gotten for my own ennoblement, leaving me—the supposed star of the show—just a touch deflated as Neige stole the spotlight.