The Goddess Granted Me the [Hatching] Skill and Somehow I Became the Strongest Tamer, Commanding Mythical and Divine Beasts - 43

Chapter 43: National Adventurer Award Ceremony

The ceiling with its stained-glass windows cast rainbow-colored light into the building.

On the left side stood people wearing necklaces adorned with designs of swords and staffs, while on the right side stood people wearing polished silver armor.

In the center, chairs were arranged, and those of us in formal attire, including myself, sat there with tense expressions.

“Now, we will begin the National Adventurer Award Ceremony. Those whose names are called, please come forward.”

At the podium stood a man with an imposing appearance. His name was Marguerite de Lisch. He was the head of the Lisch family and the highest official of the National Adventurer Organization.

“Ritz. We recognize your contributions in the dismantling of the smuggling organization during the National Adventurer exam, and we hereby declare you successful.”

“Ha! I swear to uphold the dignity of a National Adventurer from now on.”

When Ritz declared this, a beautiful woman standing next to Marguerite placed the adventurer’s necklace around his neck.

—Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap—

Applause erupted around us. On the second floor of the entrance, there was a lounge where nobles sat elegantly, sipping wine while watching us.

Their gazes were varied—some appraising, some proud, and others watching intently with arms crossed.

“Additionally, Ritz’s guardians will be the House of Knight Baron Lomb, House of Trimulia, and House of Point.”

When Ritz raised his head, the proud individuals waved at him. They must have been his guardians.

(It’s like a public spectacle.)

Originally, the National Adventurer qualification ceremony was held separately, and we had already received our necklaces. This ceremony, however, was more of a display of power under the guise of an award.

Becoming a National Adventurer requires recommendations from at least three high-ranking citizens of the country. If the recommended adventurer passes the exam, the recommenders become their guardians.

National Adventurers are a popular profession with influence and supported by citizens. For the high-ranking citizens who become guardians, it is a good opportunity to show off how connected they are to such talented individuals.

Names continued to be called, and the successful candidates were presented with their adventurer necklaces by their guardians, smiling proudly at them.

Casually glancing over at the left side, where the active National Adventurers were lined up, I noticed a girl yawning out of boredom. She had beast ears and red eyes, and looked around my age. Her name was Carol, a National Adventurer who passed the exam three years ago.

While the other National Adventurers maintained serious expressions, she seemed unaffected, almost dozing off.

Her carefree attitude made me relax, and I smiled slightly when—

“Klaus.”

Marguerite called my name.

I stood up and walked to the podium, meeting his solemn gaze.

Thinking back, Marguerite had helped me greatly during the National Adventurer exam.

He had gathered my recommenders and cleared away people who were causing trouble.

I was able to stand here today because of his support.

As I stood at the podium waiting for the award, I noticed that the surroundings had gone silent.

Until just a moment ago, nobles and adventurers alike had carried a relaxed air, but now, everyone was quiet, watching me intently.

I felt uneasy about the silence when—

“Klaus. For your excellent performance in protecting your charge and defeating the Elder Lich alone, we acknowledge your success in the National Adventurer exam.”

There was a stir among the crowd, a murmur that I could hear.

“Ha! I will strive to act honorably as a National Adventurer from now on!”

I returned the same words Ritz had said earlier.

As I bowed, I overheard whispers from the surrounding nobles. I couldn’t understand what they were saying, but I felt a nervous sweat running down my back, wondering if I had made a mistake.

“Furthermore, Klaus’s guardians will be the House of Beck, House of Hall, House of Martin, House of Boyle, and Lebrant.”

A loud murmur erupted throughout the room.

“The Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, the Military Minister, and the Tamer Guild—are they really backing him?”

“All those influential figures are surrounding him?”

“Did he really defeat the Elder Lich?”

“I heard he’s controlling a rare monster as a familiar… He managed to hide that information well…”

I could hear bits of conversation about me, and from their tone, I could sense mixed emotions.

“Quiet down!”

As the National Adventurers urged the crowd to settle, silence returned, but everyone continued to watch me.

When the woman standing by the podium placed the adventurer’s necklace around my neck—

—Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap—

The applause was louder than ever.

I looked up and surveyed the entrance. Three men were seated there.

I had met them before the ceremony. They were my guardians.

The three of them stood up and waved at me. I waved back at them.

By doing this, I was showing the crowd that my relationship with my guardians was a good one.

Though we didn’t have any personal connections, these were high-ranking nobles, and I hoped to maintain a good relationship with them in the future.

As I stopped waving and continued to think, Marguerite spoke:

“This concludes the award ceremony.”

With his words, the ceremony came to an end, and we successful candidates exited.

…Blaze was not among them.