After this "competition of eaters" ended, Fran again called Prime Minister Raymond to him. He stood between two tables that were larger than the rest. There was a very serious atmosphere in the air.
- Thank you for participating in the thanksgiving evening.
- Yeah.
“Thanks to you, even Lady Nemea has grown in the eyes of her subjects.
Looks like Raymond has achieved his goal. Apparently, he really wanted to make Mea look like a real princess in public, in order to improve her public image.
Although combat power has always earned respect in the Land of Half-Beasts, in Raymond's opinion, it will be easier to appeal to the feeling of beautiful subjects.
- But it seems that now they love you even more … In any case, my duty has been fulfilled.
Fran didn't really try. Maybe she's just too cute by nature?
“In addition, I would like to reiterate my gratitude to you for the support you have given us in this war. Thank you.
- Come on. I could not do otherwise.
- Haha. I only convey the words of His Majesty.
"The King of Beasts himself?"
- Not so long ago a letter fell into my hands. In it, His Majesty asked us not to let you go without a reward.
- Awards?
- Yes, as a war hero, it is unacceptable to leave you without a reward.
Is that really true? And this is despite the fact that Fran did not enter the battle at someone's request, but of her own free will. We had no reward in our thoughts. But since the name of the heroine who saved the whole country has already spread everywhere, apparently, it would be bad form to confine herself to only words of gratitude.
Oh, again I understand everything through the prism of my life on Earth. In the light novel about reincarnations, it often happened that the protagonist, who showed himself well, received a title of nobility for his efforts.
Of course, I would not mind if Fran gets the title, but something tells me that she herself is not going to become a noblewoman. There is little sense even from land holdings - she is not able to manage them. And even being an aristocrat, it is difficult to continue pursuing the craft of an adventurer.
- In our opinion, for invaluable assistance in the war, you should be entitled to the title of Baroness and hand over land holdings.
Yes, yes, I knew it! Things are bad, even if it's not what we want, rejection will surely ruin our relationship.
But when my thought processes began to search with might and main for a way out of this difficult situation, I heard something that I had never expected.
“But in a letter from His Majesty it was said that you probably would not be happy with any title. So he ordered us to refuse such offers.
Whoa! Well done, king!
- Yeah. I do not need him.
- You are not even attracted by the opportunity to welcome your land to the people of the Black Cat?
- Come on. The lord of Gringord said he would take good care of them. I cannot become a noblewoman, my high status will cause inconvenience to everyone around me. Therefore, I don't need a title.
- That's how, clear, clear.
Oh, how easily she parried it, I would also say something like that. Oh, how glad I am to see Fran growing up and growing above himself.
- Well, then let us tell you about your award … Gvisa, I entrust it to you.
- Yes, with pleasure.
There and then a certain half-beast-dog appeared that had previously been waiting in the wings behind Raymond. Judging by the fact that Raymond pushed his chair to the side so he could sit down, one could guess about his significant position.
- I'm the finance minister, Gvisa.
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Wow, even bigger than I thought! Yes, it looks serious. And it doesn't seem like he was accommodating. His face gave the impression of a wise, but completely unfriendly person. Interestingly, at least sometimes his facial expression changes? What's he going to tell us anyway?
- To begin with, I want to capture the points of view of both sides.
- Points of view?
- Yes. So, Mrs. Fran. In this war, you, having received neither an order from the leadership of our country, nor instructions from the leadership of the guild, entered the battle as a volunteer. Am I missing anything?
- Yeah.
- In this case, you are entitled to the same payment as any other volunteer, in accordance with the charter.
It seems that the Land of Half-Beasts has adopted a reward system for volunteers during wartime. So Fran's law is entitled to the same remuneration as any other local volunteer.
By the way, what do they do with those who helped without engaging in battle? Let us also fought with demonic beasts, but, for example, what about traveling healers who took care of the wounded on sleepless nights? Or merchants who provided free material support? They all contributed to the victory.
In addition, despite the fact that the princess herself witnessed this, their contribution to the victory is still not taken into account. Of course, no one forbade Fran to do what she did, but a lot of mercenaries and adventurers were on the defensive in strategically less important places, and they are unlikely to react with understanding to her initiative. Unhappy, they spread rumors that Fran's role in the war was deliberately exaggerated.
That is, if you thank Fran in a special way, it is unlikely that the other volunteers will accept it calmly. Or you will have to deal with the reward for each volunteer separately.
I mean, many of them worked hard for the victory, who would refuse a decent payoff?
- Yeah. I don't need special treatment.
Fran nodded back. Of course, we did not fight for the award from the very beginning, and as a result of the battles we have already received a lot of useful things. I think that we should not be judged on a par with those who really worked seriously to win.
Well, since we would not like to quarrel with the country, it is not worth giving up a small reward. While I was pondering this subject, Raymond continued his speech in an impatient tone.
- With all this, our country cannot neglect your merits. I hope you understand this.
It seemed that he had no patience anymore and wanted Fran to finally agree.
- Here's how. But, if we reduce Fran's achievements to the level of the rest, then we will no longer wait for volunteers.
They seem to realize that Fran's achievement stands out sharply from the rest. But due to laws and other circumstances, it seems that they could not deal with her in any special way.
- In general, there is a proposal. Fortunately, you have accompanied Lady Nimea all this time. So why don't we arrange everything so that you, on the orders of Lady Nimea, were holding back an entire army of Demon Beasts?
- In terms of?
Seeing the bewilderment on Fran's face, Gvisa explained what he meant.
- I'll explain. Firstly, if you accept this offer, then your achievement will partly become the achievement of Lady Nemea, this is his only drawback. Secondly, for our country, this option would be better in the context of foreign policy. That is, we will be able to introduce entry restrictions for countries hostile to us. At this point, you can no longer worry so much about the kingdom of Bashar.
- I realized.
- The advantage for you is that your feat, having become widespread, has the potential to have a positive effect on the status of the entire genus of the Black Cat.
This means that if Fran's feat is elevated to heroic proportions, it will simultaneously become the feat of Mea, who has been there all this time. Also, if the genus of the Black Cat spreads the story of Fran's feat throughout the country, then the attitude towards the genus of the Black Cat will improve.
“Plus, given that we're going to frame this as a special order from the princess, the rest of the volunteers shouldn't feel hurt. So we can reward you as we see fit.
Here it is. Indeed, if it was Nimea's order, then it might be a good excuse for a special reward. Probably, then the salvation of a member of the royal family can be added to the list of feats.
Although Fran fought for her fellow Black Cat comrades, the fact that she did it on Nimea's orders doesn't give her much trouble. On the contrary, now Fran's feat has spread to the scale of the country, and in the end it will benefit both Fran and the Black Cat family.
- Teacher? Fran turned to me.
- So, what should we do … - I thought.
It probably depends on what the award is. Well, no matter what we choose, we ought to find out what they have prepared for us, and for us.