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"Based on this document... the treason incident at the time is judged to be a plot by the Imperial spy organization. Of course...!"
The Grand Duke could not give a definite answer here as it was such a serious matter.
"In reality... a thorough investigation must be conducted..."
"Enough."
"Your Majesty?"
"Most of the people involved would have been punished during the last search for spies and collaborators."
"That is correct, Your Majesty."
"But there must still be some people left. If that document is correct, how many people should be punished in connection with the Laon Duchy incident? Including me, who made the final decision."
"Your Majesty!"
The military Grand Duke hastily bowed down and slammed his head on the ground.
The commander of the Royal Guard and the other Grand Dukes immediately followed suit.
The Royal Guards lined up on both sides also put down their weapons and bowed down, their heads touching the ground.
"Your Majesty!"
From the mouth of the king of the kingdom that encompasses the entire continent came the words that he himself should be included among those to be punished.
Duke Iven Meridiem opened his mouth.
"Please reconsider, Your Majesty. At the time, you were deceived by the machinations of spies and it was difficult to make the right judgment. This would not have happened if it were now."
Count Edward Naone also chimed in.
"This was all due to the meticulous schemes of the Marino Empire's spy organization."
Ha.
King Alonso sighed deeply.
"Everyone, rise."
The ministers and Royal Guards who had their heads buried in the ground rose at the king's bombshell statement.
"To eliminate a founding meritorious family with my own hands. It is a regrettable thing."
"It was unavoidable."
"That's right. Just looking at this data, you can see how much effort the spy organization put into their schemes."
After a moment of silence, King Alonso spoke again.
"If the four of you are not busy, stay in the royal palace for a few days. Based on this data, we will quickly reveal the whole story and decide what to do with those involved, as well as the Laon Duchy, who were unfairly accused."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Mons, what are you doing here?"
"Ah, Young Master."
"What Young Master? You're about to become a Duke."
"Ah, no. Young Master. Nothing has been decided yet, and even if the Duke title is revived, I plan to stay by your side for the time being."
In the game 'Elton Academy,' there are two types of noble titles.
Titles bestowed upon individuals and titles bestowed in the name of a family, passed down through generations.
Baron and Count fall under the former.
In this case, the titles are not inherited, so they make every effort to ensure that their children also receive noble titles.
Even if inheritance is not officially allowed, the starting point is different for children born in noble families.
They are much more likely to be granted noble titles compared to those born as commoners.
However, sometimes things can slip.
But the case of the Duke title is completely different.
Just as the throne is inherited through direct lineage.
The Duke title is also inherited by one of the direct descendants.
The reason why everyone is wary of Latia Meridiem, the eldest daughter of the Meridiem Duchy, is also here.
She is the confirmed next head of the family and the one who will inherit the continent's No. 1 Duke title.
The case of the Marquis is a bit unique.
Like Baron or Count, it is a title bestowed upon individuals, but if they take on important duties such as guarding the border and settle in that area, they can pass on the Marquis title to their children, and the Marquis title is maintained.
Recently, there was a person who gave up such tremendous privileges and came to the capital to help Davian.
The 5th Royal Guard Commander, Marquis Espin Ellaina, is just such a case.
"What do you mean stay by my side? You have to rebuild your family. Duke Mondress Laon."
If the Laon Duchy's charge of treason is cleared and they regain their status.
The title will be inherited by Mons, the last remaining direct descendant of the Duchy.
"I'll see you graduate first, Young Master. I have to rebuild the family someday, but for now, I'm satisfied with just clearing the disgrace."
"That's reassuring. A Duke's attendant."
"It wouldn't be strange for anyone to attend to you, Young Master, not just a Duke."
Davian chuckled.
"By the way, if you're going to rebuild the family and continue the lineage, you need to find someone to marry, right?"
"Lineage... I haven't thought about it, but if I regain the name of the Laon Duchy, I should have children. I can't end the honor of the family that I regained with such difficulty in my generation."
"How about Sarah?"
Mons turned his head in surprise and stammered.
"Sa, Sarah? She's completely on our side now, but isn't she a former spy from the Marino Empire? Besides, who can handle that tomboy, self-absorbed, and that huge personality..."
"I saw it?"
"Yes?"
"I saw it. You guys kissing."
"Ah..."
Davian patted Mons on the shoulder.
"Why not? You look good together."
"Well... um. I'll think about marriage more slowly."
"Should I tell Sarah what you just said? It'll be a disaster."
Mons urgently grabbed Davian's shoulders.
"Don't! ...Master."
"Mons."
"Yes?"
"Shall we have a sparring match for the first time in a while?"
"Sparring? How can I be your opponent, Master? No, is there anyone who can be your opponent? You're the demon king slayer."
"Why, I just want to cross swords with you. You're my first swordsmanship teacher."
"Ah..."
Mons was the one who immediately taught Davian how to draw sword paths, skipping all the swordsmanship basics that would take years.
Swish.
Davian drew the sword he was wearing on his waist.
"Draw your sword. Let me taste the swordsmanship of a founding meritorious Duke family."
Swish.
"I won't go easy on you."
"Good."
Clang!
The swords of the two young men reflected the bright moonlight.
"Mondress Laon. Do you swear to unite your strength for the eternal well-being of the Alcancia Kingdom as the second most powerful force next to the royal family?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Do you swear not to forget that the power given to you exists not to rule over the people of Alcancia, but for them?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Do you swear to fight for the people first when the kingdom is in danger, and to serve the people from behind in times of peace?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
King Alonso held a sword adorned with gold.
Thud.
He placed the sword on Mons' left shoulder, who was kneeling.
"In the name of Alonso Alcancia, King of Alcancia."
This time, he placed the sword on his right shoulder.
"I bestow the Duke title upon Mondress Laon, the last direct descendant of the founding meritorious Laon Duchy. No one will be able to covet the power of the Laon Duchy, and its glory will last forever through blood."
Hot tears streamed down Mons' cheeks.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
A few days later.
The backyard of Davian's residence.
"Mo, Mons oppa is a Duke?"
Bellum stared at Mons with a blank expression.
Davian nodded.
"That's right."
"So, the last remaining survivor of the Laon Duchy, who was framed for treason...? Ah, no, who was falsely accused of treason?"
"That's right."
"But why are you still doing this here?"
The place Bellum was staring blankly at.
Duke Mondress Laon was repairing the back fence of Davian's residence, which was destroyed during the demon invasion.
"I don't know either. He said he'd stay here until I graduate."
"Well, I guess that's because he's attached to it. But why is he applying mud to the bricks now?"
"I don't know. I told him to call workers, but he said it's a waste of money and he'll do it himself?"
Bellum still couldn't close her mouth and shook her head.
"What's going on... And why is Sarah unnie applying mud over there? Her clothes are all covered in dirt? She didn't used to do such dirty work, did she?"
Davian shrugged.
"Mons is fixing the fence outside in this cold weather, so she said how can she stay indoors?"
"Huh? What does that mean? Sarah unnie isn't that kind of person?"
Davian chuckled.
Not that kind of person.
She is that kind of person.
The kind of person who adapts to changes in the surrounding environment faster than anyone else.
I don't know if it was just a kiss caught up in the atmosphere, or if they officially became a couple.
Anyway, that Mons has returned as a Duke.
I don't know what Mons thinks.
But Sarah will never let Mons go.
Because there was such a big incident.
This winter vacation passed particularly quickly.
Elton City devoted all its efforts to restoring the city that had been destroyed by the war with the demons.
Elton Academy, which had suffered more casualties than expected due to the battle with the demons, also focused on dealing with the situation.
Most students postponed their planned vacation schedules and joined in the city's reconstruction.
It wasn't an obligation, but it was a place where they had lived and worked together for years after entering the Academy.
Especially for upperclassmen, Elton City is like a second hometown.
Rumors that war with the Marino Empire seemed imminent swept across the continent.
Various rumors about the Marino Empire swept across the continent.
Some were true, and some were absurd rumors.
Anyway, these rumors were enough to terrify the people of Alcancia.
Analysts put forward opinions that were largely divided into two categories.
The positive side, which said that the Marino Empire is a strong opponent because of its size, but there is not enough of a gap to the point where they cannot even defend their homeland.
The negative side, which said that once the Marino Empire officially invades, the entire continent will be caught up in the war, and in the worst case, the Alcancia Kingdom will be destroyed and the entire Pax continent will become a colony of the Marino Empire.
Time passed in confusion, and before long, a warm spring was approaching.
March.
The season when the new semester of Elton Academy begins.
As always, the 7th graders left the Academy with a grand graduation ceremony and took up major positions throughout the continent.
New students entered the Academy with excited hearts.
At the same time as the opening ceremony, all current students moved up a grade.
The new semester season repeats itself every year.
But.
There was also something that didn't repeat itself.
The faculty meeting room.
"Directly from the royal family?"
"That's right."
"Early graduation. Isn't that something that has never happened in the history of Elton Academy?"
"It seems that they are going to bestow a title on Davian. It must mean that the war is really imminent."
Leo Martien, the head of the swordsmanship department, nodded.
"He can't receive a title while he is still a student at Elton Academy."
Chancellor Hugo Moulton replied.
"That's right. That's why they sent a letter asking if we could graduate Davian early. A letter with the king's seal on it."
Professor Kinesis gave his opinion.
"It is true that Davian Naone has the skills to do whatever he wants, whether it's early graduation or anything else. But we must be careful with this decision. It is also an unprecedented case. It could set a bad precedent."
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