Cain is now sitting on a sofa in the reception room of the royal castle.
The room is empty. Outside the door, maids who work in the castle are waiting.
He cannot understand why a five-year-old child is being made to wait in this room.
Earlier, several butlers and maids appeared, stripped him of his clothes, measured his body size, and had him change into new noble attire.
Apparently, it is not appropriate to meet the king in travel noble attire.
This audience, indeed, he did defeat thirty orcs and save the princess and Silk. The knights must have already reported the details, so what more is there to talk about now?
As he is thinking about these things, there is a knock, and a butler in a butler's uniform enters.
"Master Cain, the preparations for the audience are complete. Please get ready."
"Um, I don't even know how to conduct an audience."
"Indeed, it is rare for a five-year-old to have an audience. When you enter the audience chamber, walk straight ahead and kneel on one knee at the seam of the carpet, place your hand on your chest, and bow your head. After that, I will call you, so I think it will be fine."
"Thank you."
Cain is grateful to the butler who explained it to him so politely.
"Shall we go then?"
"Yes, thank you very much."
They proceed down the corridor and stop in front of a large door. The door opens, and he steps forward. On either side, people who appear to be nobles are lined up. Of course, his father Galm is also among them.
He walks to the seam of the carpet and kneels, bowing his head.
"Raise your head."
The king's voice comes from the front. Cain raises his head as instructed. The king is seated on the throne in front, and around him stand the queen and her children. Of course, the third princess, Therestia, is also there, smiling at Cain.
The king, who is seated on the throne, is wearing grand attire befitting a king and a crown. He has blonde hair and looks to be in his forties, but he appears to be well-built and has a beard.
A man in his fifties with white hair steps out from the side. He is the prime minister, whom Cain heard about earlier.
"This time, Princess Therestia and Silk von Santana were attacked by a group of fifty orcs."
The nobles in the audience chamber begin to murmur at this news.
"At that time, Cain von Silford, who is here, plunged into the danger himself and defeated thirty orcs alone. After the defeat, he healed the injured knights with magic and brought the fallen knights back to the capital."
Upon hearing that he defeated thirty orcs alone, the nobles begin to murmur even more loudly.
"For this, we will bestow an award. Your Majesty, please."
The prime minister finishes his explanation, and the king nods.
"Cain von Silford, your bravery this time was remarkable. Without you, neither Therestia nor Silk would have been saved. Therefore, I confer upon Cain von Silford the title of baron. Additionally, I grant you ten platinum coins and a mansion in the capital."
The nobles begin to murmur again, even more loudly than before.
One of the nobles steps forward, shaking his fat body.
"Your Majesty, please wait. It is simply impossible to confer a knighthood on a five-year-old. He is still just a child."
One person is opposing. To be honest, I also oppose it. I don't even know what a noble head of house does.
"Silence, Duke Cordino. Can you plunge into danger and defeat thirty orcs alone?"
"Even so..."
The duke continues to oppose.
"Cain von Silford is the third son. He is not the current heir of the Silford family. What will you do if such an excellent child is left in the wild? This decision will not change. Step back!"
Duke Cordino steps back into the line of nobles, glaring at Cain.
"Cain von Silford, will you accept?"
The king looks straight at Cain.
The king's gaze is intimidating. Cain looks at the prime minister standing beside him. The prime minister nods silently. Cain also looks at Galm standing on the other side. He also nods silently.
Cain takes a deep breath and answers.
"Um, I gratefully... accept."
In this atmosphere, a five-year-old Cain could not refuse.
"This audience is now concluded. Please exit, Your Majesty."
After these words, the king exits, followed by the royal family.
"The details will be explained in another room. Wait there, and I will guide you."
Cain exits as instructed by the prime minister. The room he is led to by a maid has a table and enough chairs for about ten people.
While waiting in the room, the first person to arrive is his father, Galm.
"Cain, I kept you waiting. I didn't expect you to be conferred a knighthood. The mansion in the capital was also unexpected. I thought you were the third son, but you've become the first to advance."
He says this while patting Cain's head.
As they are talking, the door opens, and several people enter.
The first to enter is the king, followed by the queen, the prime minister, Princess Therestia, Silk, and a man who appears to be Silk's father.
Silk waves at Cain with a smile.
In this situation, with the country's top officials all gathered, it is impossible for Cain to turn away.
The king sits in the chair at the far end of the room.
"Everyone, this is not an audience. Please sit."
After these words, everyone begins to sit down.
Cain sits across from the king.
"Alright, everyone is here. Cain, first of all, thank you very much this time. I've heard from Therestia."
The king bows his head. The queen follows suit.
"Cain, let me also express my gratitude. I am Eric von Santana Marbique, Silk's father. Thank you very much. Thanks to you, Silk was saved."
The duke also bows. The king and the duke are bowing to a five-year-old Cain.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, Duke, please raise your heads. I just helped because there were people being attacked."
The king, the queen, and the duke raise their heads.
"Thank you. However, I will express my gratitude not as a king but as a parent. Let's talk, shall we?"
Everyone nods.
"Still, is it appropriate to confer a knighthood on a five-year-old?"
Cain's father, Galm, asks the king.
"It's fine, Galm. I've heard from Therestia. At five years old, he is already a master of magic and swordsmanship and possesses an item box. At five years old, he has such skills. He must also have a blessing. Our country is not so naive as to leave such an excellent child unattended."
The king smiles at Cain, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.
"Even so, at five years old, there's nothing to do with a knighthood. He hasn't even started school yet. The salary will be paid according to regulations. There are also maintenance costs for the mansion. If you have any questions about noble affairs, ask Galm."
"Thank you. I will discuss it with my father."
"More importantly, there is something important to discuss."
The king's face becomes serious. He and Duke Eric look at each other and nod.
"Cain, if you don't mind, would you take our Therestia and Eric's Silk as your betrothed? Of course, the formal marriage will be after you come of age, but for now, as betrothed."
"!!!!!!!!!"
Galm is stunned. Cain is also stunned.
Therestia and Silk are both blushing.
"Um, why... why, Your Majesty?"
"Cain, don't you remember? In the carriage, at the inn along the way."
Cain tries to recall what happened in the carriage. Indeed, in the carriage, the princess and Silk were sitting next to him with their arms linked.
At the inn, he gave in to Princess Therestia's firm stance and slept in the same room, in separate beds. Cain thought it was fine since they were in separate beds and he was only five.
"If it becomes known that the unmarried princess and the unmarried daughter of a duke slept in the same room at an inn and sat with their arms linked in the carriage, they can't be married to anyone else now. Or are you dissatisfied with our daughters?"
The king asks Cain. The silent pressure from the king and the duke is overwhelming.
Cain did not realize how strict the royal family could be. Not knowing what to do, Cain turns to the prime minister, who only nods silently.
"......I accept. However, please prioritize the feelings of Princess Therestia and Silk."
Cain is exhausted just from saying these words.
"I have your word. Did you hear that, Therestia and Silk? Is this acceptable to both of you?"
Both of them, blushing, cover their mouths, tears in their eyes, and nod.
And so, at the age of five, Cain became betrothed to two girls.