The gentle voice calmed the Snow Woman's excitement slightly, and the Hero's previously vacant eyes gradually focused.
She happily grasped the Snow Woman's hand, returning the congratulations she had received earlier.
"Congratulations, Sister Snow Woman!"
During their previous conversations, she could hear the Snow Woman's envy of a formal identity, even though a "Knight" was not a formally ennobled title. This identity was still a dream for many, and for a Demon, it was a rare and honorable glory.
But after hearing the Hero's ecstatic congratulations, the Snow Woman instead calmed down, a hint of hesitation showing in her expression.
The Count noticed the Snow Woman's reaction and nodded imperceptibly, continuing.
"Of course, you don't need to make a decision now. If you don't plan to settle at the border, I am authorized to grant you formal recognition by the Kingdom and reserve a suitable residence for you here.
"However, once you leave the border, whether you can integrate locally will depend on your efforts and the cooperation of the local Church."
"…That will be enough, thank you, Border Count." The Snow Woman bowed deeply to the Count.
Is Sister Snow Woman not planning to live at the border?
The Hero looked at the Snow Woman, somewhat puzzled, but had no time to speak before the Count turned his gaze to her, causing her face to freeze.
"Miss Hero, now is not the time to worry about others. Have you thought about the matter just now?"
Seeing the Hero's reaction, the Count said with an amused expression, while the Sergeant beside him appeared unfazed.
[Should I invite Grandpa over?]
"Oh, right, there's one more thing." While the Hero hesitated, wavering, the Count added.
"Since this matter has already been reported to the Capital, they seem to take it very seriously. Soon, someone from [] should come to attend your ennobling ceremony."
[The Royal Family member is——]
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
[Status (if Prince 9-10 then Prince Regent)]
[Ceremony Scale (thresholds 50, 100, 200)]
2d100+30=d100(80)+d100(67)+30=177
"So, your ennobling ceremony—might need to be more grand."
Hearing the Count's addition, the Hero's pupils further dilated, causing the Sergeant beside her to almost think her curse had acted up again.
"The Royal Family… Princess…"
The Hero was dizzy, processing the words the Count had spoken, evidently not keen to accept this development.
"Yes, she is—" The Count nodded and said.
2. Most Favored Princess♛
[Literary—Military (add 20 when going to the border)]
D100+20=d100(22)+20=42
"Yes, the Royal Family has already learned of your feat in slaying the Corrupted Phoenix, and Princess Highness is very interested in you.
"Although I understand your desire to simplify the ceremony, now that the Royal Family is attending, the ceremony's standards must be elevated accordingly."
The Count smiled slightly with a touch of helplessness.
"Moreover, due to the Royal Family's involvement, your Noble Title cannot be too high. After all, I am merely a Border Count, and while welcoming the Royal Family can be done with flair, exercising power must be somewhat restrained."
The Count spoke candidly of the various political considerations, causing the Sergeant beside him to shake his head involuntarily.
'Even if you tell Miss Hero all this…'
Seeing the Hero's increasingly unfocused eyes, the Count didn't demand any more, continuing.
"So, as compensation—"
1. Black Card charges +3
2. Equipment crafted from Corrupted Phoenix materials
3. Use of the Sergeant
4. Access to the Count's family treasury +1♛
9. Invitation to the Sea Kingdom
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
"As compensation, after tonight's Victory Banquet and before the arrival of the Fourteenth Princess, feel free to pick something you like from my family's treasury, as a personal gift from me to you."
Note: If D11 then re-D10
The Hero came back to her senses, instinctively about to refuse, but upon meeting the Count's sincere gaze, she eventually nodded silently.
"Also, the Victory Banquet is about to begin soon, Miss Hero, as the main protagonist, you are required to—"
9. Not need to do anything
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure♛
Note: Critical Success means effects outstanding, Extreme Failure means interference
[The Extreme Failure at the Victory Banquet will occur before♛—during—after]
"Still, still have to speak…" The Hero began to sweat bullets.
"Don't worry, while you're required to give a speech, it's not left entirely up to you, the literati will help you prepare a speech." The Count chuckled.
Although briefly vacant again, the Hero managed to nod slightly, indicating she understood.
"Excuse me, what kind of person is this Fourteenth Princess?"
Seeing the Count nod with satisfaction, the Hero hesitated but eventually couldn't resist asking.
For most Nobles, the Royal Family was a rare sight, and if they didn't live in the Capital, it was even more so.
And for the Hero, who was not even a Noble and was directly expelled from her home before any social debut, the Royal Family almost existed only in rumor and story.
If asked which was rarer between Legendary Monsters and the Royal Family, she would likely say the latter.
Hearing that a member of the Royal Family would attend her ennobling ceremony, in addition to her nerves, she couldn't help but be curious about the Fourteenth Princess.
Plus, she had already decided to invite her grandfather to attend this ceremony, naturally hoping everything would proceed smoothly, so she wanted to avoid any potential mistakes.
Although her grandfather also had Hunting Knowledge watching over, never mind the congregation of strong individuals at the border, the Hero herself had personally captured a Hunting Knowledge, which undoubtedly gave her some confidence.
If possible, she hoped to help her grandfather be free of the burden that had troubled him for half his life as soon as possible.
"Indeed, it's not a bad idea to learn beforehand, although it's somewhat inappropriate to discuss it here. I'll have someone organize the information and send it to you later." The Count chuckled.
[The Princess's character (Good—Bad)]
D100+30=d100(1)+30=31