The day of the debut in the capital city had arrived.
Galm, Sara, and I were the ones leaving the mansion.
Sebastian, the butler, was driving the carriage.
Reine was staying at home as she was not involved in the debut.
"Reine, listen to Maria, okay?"
Sara told Reine.
"I know. I wanted to see Cain's debut, but I was satisfied to some extent because I watched him change clothes."
Reine had been in the room the whole time he was changing, and Sylvia was there too.
"What will Master Cain do without a dedicated maid to help him change?"
She said, while looking at him with sparkling eyes the whole time.
"Then we're off."
Galm got into the carriage.
"Reine, we're going. Sylvia, I'm leaving it to you."
"Safe travels."
Sara and Cain also got into the carriage and left.
"Cain, you became a baron at the last audience. It's rare for someone your age to be ennobled and independent. You'll likely attract attention today. Be careful, especially with parents introducing their daughters. Your engagement to the princess and Silk is still a secret."
"I understand, Father. I'll handle it well."
"Your thinking is beyond your five years, really."
Galm was also amazed.
"We're almost at the castle."
Sebastian, the driver, called out.
"It's finally here. I'm a bit nervous."
They arrived at the castle.
In the waiting hall, there were already quite a few nobles and children.
There were about thirty children, and with their parents, around a hundred people were in the hall. The parents seemed to be divided into groups, drinking wine and talking. Those must be the faction groups.
There was also the Duke of Cordino, who glared at me during the ennoblement. He had a bratty-looking child with him, and two other children behind him.
We entered the hall and went around to greet people. The royal family hadn't arrived yet, so we went to Duke Eric. Silk was also there, waving at us with a smile.
I couldn't help but wave back, and Duke Eric noticed.
Duke Eric looked back and forth between Silk and me, and smiled.
"Duke Eric, thank you for your help the other day. Let me introduce you again. This is my third son, Cain."
Galm introduced me. We had talked after the audience, but that conversation was a secret, so we were acting as if it was our first meeting.
"I am Cain von Silford, the third son of the Margrave of Silford. It's a pleasure to meet you."
I straightened my posture and greeted him. How was that? Perfect, right?
"Ah, Baron Cain, the hero. I am Duke Eric von Santana Marveik. Thank you again for saving Silk."
Duke Eric greeted me with a smile.
"This is my second daughter, Silk. I hope you'll get along well."
Duke Eric winked and brought Silk forward.
"I am Silk von Santana. Thank you for saving me, Baron Cain."
Silk was wearing a light pink dress, and her long hair was styled in a cute princess-like manner.
"Silk, the dress suits you very well. You look very cute."
I'm a high school student plus five years old, so I can only think that a five-year-old is cute. But it seemed to have a great effect, as Silk's face turned bright red.
"Really, Baron Cain? It really suits me?"
"Yes, it suits you very well. You look beautiful, Silk."
"Baron Cain, your blue outfit is also very beautiful. It suits you very well."
As we were in our own little world, Duke Eric cleared his throat loudly.
"Margrave Galm, is it really okay for Baron Cain, who is only five, to be so adept at handling women? I'm worried about the future."
It sounded sarcastic. I'm not going to lust after a five-year-old!
"Well, my older sister Reine is quite a handful, so I guess he's just used to it."
We both laughed.
"Then, we'll see you later."
He went to a different group. Silk waved at me, so I waved back.
"Cain, are you too good at handling women?"
Galm asked me quietly.
"Reine gets in a good mood when I flatter her. I try to be careful and read people's faces."
"Really not like a five-year-old."
Galm chuckled.
As we greeted the nobles Galm knew, the conversation inevitably turned to the recent ennoblement and the orc extermination. There were also questions about whether I preferred older or younger girls. Just as Galm had said, it seemed that as parents, they wanted to marry their daughters to the heir of a high-ranking noble or an ennobled noble. Being ennobled at five might mean I'm considered talented. Well, I did carry out a spectacular extermination, so it's not surprising.
I responded to their questions with non-committal answers as we went around greeting people.
After a while, the music started. After a moment of silence, the king, queen, and Princess Therestia came out. The king sat in the central chair, the queen next to him, and Princess Therestia on the other side. They were on a slightly raised platform, and Princess Therestia, in a white dress with a tiara, looked very cute. She seemed to be wearing light makeup.
The other children were also staring in amazement.
Then the king began his speech.
"Thank you all for gathering from afar. The children here have all received their baptism at the age of five this year. I hope they will work hard every day to develop the country in the future. Let's raise a toast."
The guests held their glasses. Of course, the children had juice.
"To the future."
"Cheers!"
After the toast, everyone went to greet the king with their children.
I left that to Galm. I didn't really want to talk to the king that much. Who knows what he might be planning.
"Let's go to the king now."
Galm called out, and we went to the king.
"Your Majesty, Princess Therestia, congratulations. This is my third son, Cain."
"I am Baron Cain von Silford. Thank you for inviting me today."
Galm and Cain greeted the king.
"Galm, Cain, thank you for coming. Enjoy yourself today."
"Baron Cain, your outfit today is also very beautiful. It suits you well."
Princess Therestia said.
"Princess Therestia, you also look very beautiful. When you came out, it was like an angel appeared."
Princess Therestia's face turned bright red.
"Galm, how do you raise such a precocious child? Look at Therestia."
Therestia's face was bright red, and she was gradually covering her cheeks with her hands and wriggling.
The king and Galm could only chuckle.
"By the way, Your Majesty, I have something to present today. May I take it out of my item box?"
Cain asked the king for permission.
"Of course, go ahead."
The king nodded.
Cain took out a set from his item box. It was Reversi. As a gift to the royal family, it cost one gold coin.
"This is a new entertainment item developed in collaboration with the Salakhan Trading Company in the capital. It's called 'Reversi.' We have registered it with the Commercial God and plan to sell it in the future. I would like to present it to you before the sale."
"Ah, an entertainment item. Cain, come to the reception room after this ceremony. I want to hear more about it. Is that okay?"
There was a silent pressure.
I just wanted to present a gift, but it seemed like it might become a hassle.
"I understand. I will come after the ceremony."
I replied, sweating.
The next person was waiting, so we moved to the side. Therestia was still blushing and daydreaming.
"Cain, you've been doing all sorts of things without telling me."
Galm looked exasperated.
"The other day, when Mother and Reine went shopping, we met someone from the trading company who came to the debut in the Silford territory. We consulted and made it. I still have a few more, so I'll give them to you later."
"Really, after magic, sword skills, and the item box, now you're into business. You really are something."
"I was told that I would receive a salary as a baron, but considering the maintenance of the manor I received, it might not be enough. Since I don't have the credibility to do business myself, I decided to receive an idea fee and let them sell it."
"Alright, alright. Since you've been ennobled, you're a proper noble now. Take responsibility and do it yourself. I'm going to go around and talk to people, so go and chat with the children for a while."
"Cain, don't get caught up with strange kids."
With that, Galm and Sara left.
Finally, I was free. Now, I'll gather some information.