Two of the knights who were attacked rushed into the castle's knight barracks.
"We have an urgent report. Please inform the captain or the vice-captain."
"The captain is not in the capital right now. The vice-captain should be here, so I'll contact him."
One of the knights in the barracks went inside.
In the office, Daim von Gazart, the vice-captain of the Royal Guard, was present. The knight who had been guarding the princess began to report.
"What! Fifty orcs? And Princess Theresa and Silk are safe?"
Daim, who was wearing his knight's uniform and processing paperwork in the office, slammed his hand on the desk and stood up.
"Yes, we initially faced them with ten guards and managed to defeat twenty. However, four of us died, and the rest were injured, reaching a critical point when help arrived."
The guard continued his story.
"Then, a boy around five years old came to our rescue. He is the third son of the Count of Galm, and he introduced himself as Cain. This Cain single-handedly exterminated the remaining thirty orcs with magic and a sword, at a speed we couldn't even follow with our eyes."
"A five-year-old? Not the Count of Galm himself?"
"There is no mistake. Cain exterminated the orcs. After that, the Count of Galm joined us, and we all returned to the capital together."
"Are the injured knights alright?"
"When Cain cast a spell, everyone who was still alive was fully healed."
"To think a five-year-old can use offensive magic, sword skills, and healing magic... This must be reported to the castle immediately. I have received your report. Rest for now."
The knight who came to report left.
"I'm going to report to the castle."
Daim informed the staff and hurried out of the office.
◇◇◇
This is the reception room inside the castle.
In the reception room, four people were seated around a table: Rex Terra Esfort, the lord of the castle; Magna von Terahart, the Duke and Chancellor; Eric von Santana Marveik, the Duke; and Daim, the vice-captain of the knights.
Daim began to recount the story he had heard from the Royal Guard.
"I apologize for the sudden gathering. The carriage carrying Princess Theresa and Silk was attacked by fifty orcs."
"What!? Are they safe!?"
Rex and Eric, who were listening, slammed their hands on the table and stood up.
"Yes. Ten Royal Guards were with them, and they managed to defeat twenty orcs, but four of us died, and the rest were injured and in a critical state when the third son of the Count of Galm, Cain, came to our aid. Cain single-handedly exterminated the remaining thirty orcs."
"Wh-What!?"
"Wasn't the Count of Galm's son supposed to be attending school in the capital?"
The Chancellor asked.
"No, the one who came to our aid and exterminated the orcs is the five-year-old third son who was supposed to attend the debutante ball this year."
"To think a five-year-old has such skills, is it true?"
"I asked the knights who accompanied the Count of Galm, and they said Cain is a genius who can wield advanced magic at the age of five."
"A five-year-old using advanced magic... It's unbelievable."
"And that's not all. After exterminating the orcs, Cain healed all the knights with healing magic and stored the fifty orc corpses and the fallen knights in an item box before heading to the capital."
"Does he have an item box?"
Everyone in the room was shocked.
"Eric, do you think someone with such combat skills, healing magic, and an item box at the age of five would just appear?"
King Rex asked Eric.
"I've never seen anyone like that. Moreover, Cain is the third son, so he has no right of succession. I'd want him as a son-in-law. Especially since Silk was saved too."
Daim added, "Princess Theresa and Silk are already infatuated with Cain. They are sitting in his carriage, holding his arms, and even slept in the same room."
"..."
Rex and Eric's temples were twitching.
"To think a five-year-old is already a smooth talker... What do you think, Daim?"
"No... I haven't received that much information."
Daim, feeling the cold gaze of the king, was sweating.
"Magna, what do you think we should do?"
"Cain is the third son, so he has no right of succession. How about we grant him a knighthood and let him stand on his own? It would be good to ensure he can marry anyone in the future. Moreover, I heard he is attending the debutante ball this year and will return to his territory afterward. We could give him a mansion in the capital and have him live here, so we can gradually get to know his character. Fortunately, the other siblings of the Count of Galm already live in the capital, so there should be no issues."
"Agreed."
Rex and Eric nodded in agreement.
At that moment, a knock was heard at the door.
"Your Majesty, Princess Theresa and Silk have arrived at the castle. What should we do?"
"Bring them here immediately. Both of them."
A short while later, Princess Theresa and Silk entered the reception room.
"Father, I apologize for causing you worry."
Both bowed their heads.
"It's alright. Theresa, it's a relief that both of you are safe."
Afterward, they heard the story from both of them, but it didn't differ much from what Daim had said. They seemed to have idealized Cain a bit. In their eyes, Cain had already become a prince on a white horse, and they spoke about him with great joy.
Rex and Eric sighed.
"So, I heard from the report that both Theresa and Silk were very close to the one who saved them, Cain."
At these words, both girls blushed and looked down.
"From the looks of it, you both seem to like him."
Chancellor Magna stroked his beard and replied.
"How about we make one of you Cain's fiancée?"
Rex asked the two girls.
"「I want to be his fiancée.」"
Saying it simultaneously, they looked at each other and blushed even more.
Rex and Eric sighed again.
"Is Cain really that good of a boy?"
"Eric, is this alright?"
Rex and Eric nodded at each other.
"However, for this reward, the highest we can grant is a barony. If he is to marry both Theresa and Silk, he would need to be at least a count to avoid being demoted. He is only five, so let's give him some work to do in the future."
Rex, Eric, and Magna shared a sly smile.
"Alright, when Cain is ready, we will hold an audience. Prepare for it."
At that moment, the decision to grant Cain a knighthood and a betrothal was made in his absence.