Chapter 407: I Want to Praise Everyone

The next day, I went to convey what I had discussed with Panamera to Rosso. Since Rosso inherently has a frank personality, I wasn’t worried, but an unexpected response came back.

“Oh, that is a fine idea. Since we have the magnificent military result of repelling a Hydra this time, let us hold a grander commendation ceremony than usual. Once His Majesty arrives, we can formally commend Count Panamera, Viscount Van, and Knight Commander Dee again.”

Rosso made this positive proposal. Originally, the plan was to issue a notice today and gather the residents of Tribute for a commendation as early as tomorrow, but it seems he is willing to add Arte and the others to it as well. In other words, when we tried to hold an additional commendation ceremony among our inner circle, the administration offered to host it on a grand scale. Honestly, rather than Panamera or myself giving the commendations, it would probably make them happier to be commended by Rosso, a Marquis, himself.

“Thank you very much!”

I gladly thanked Rosso for his proposal. Smiling at that, Panamera nodded and answered.

“Since we are doing this, let us make the rewards elaborate as well.”

“Oh. Elaborate rewards… Usually, I believe it is most often money for those who do not hold a peerage.”

When Rosso expressed his doubt with a puzzled look, Panamera formed a smile and looked over here.

“I have just the thing.”

The thing she was looking at while saying “just the thing” was unmistakably me. Don’t tell me it’s going to be something like, “The prize is Van-kun.” What should I do? I might end up being married off.

Seeing Panamera’s smile, I was left trembling in fear.

With one thing and another, we finished various preparations in a day and a half, and somehow managed to welcome the time for the commendation. Well, working a little bit isn’t a problem. Since I was the one who brought it up, I actually have a strong desire to do various things for everyone who has taken care of me.

That being said, the time spent on preparations was simply too short. You could say I worked by cutting out everything except my sleeping hours. By the way, I did manage to get eight hours of sleep. Personally, that is the optimal amount of sleep. Sleep is important.

Now then, many people had gathered in the plaza of Tribute. Rosso hadn’t made his appearance yet, but most of the residents were probably already assembled. Not only them, but Panamera’s Chivalric Order, the Seatoh Village Chivalric Order, adventurers, and others were also lined up, showing a liveliness akin to a large festival.

Since a notice had gone out that there would be a ceremony today to award commendations for repelling the Hydra, everyone was waiting restlessly. Some had probably seen the Hydra’s head at the port the day before yesterday. However, since it was a rare material, it had been stored at Rosso’s mansion, so there must have been many people who hadn’t seen it yet.

At this commendation ceremony showing such unusual excitement, a large carriage with a canopy made its appearance. It was clearly an abnormal size, built unnaturally so that the inside couldn’t be seen from the surroundings. The moment they saw that bizarre carriage, the residents began to make a commotion.

“Ooh…!”

“Is that…”

In front of the buzzing, noisy residents, Rosso made his appearance following the carriage. When Rosso appeared, accompanied by royal guard knights, everyone fell silent. Slowly looking around at the happily waiting residents, Rosso sent a glance to a knight standing nearby. At that, the knight gave a large nod and spoke.

“Now then, in the name of His Excellency Lord Rosso, we will announce the commendations for this occasion! First, we shall honor the contributors in the repelling of the Sea King, the Hydra, which has previously destroyed towns facing the sea several times in our country!”

As the knight declared that, a round of applause erupted from the residents. Ooh, they are getting hyped. Even just watching makes it feel like a festival.

In that lively venue, another knight finally removed the canopy portion of the carriage. Then, the Hydra’s head resting on the carriage was revealed. The moment it was, voices of shock from the residents echoed all around.

I had thought this when I saw it on the sea and on the deck, but seeing it placed smack down in the middle of the plaza made it look even more massive. Even without moving, it has incredible presence. If just the head causes this much surprise, they would surely lose their legs if they saw the Hydra’s main body.

As I watched while thinking such things, Rosso checked our direction and then spoke.

“Now then, we shall begin with the foremost merit in repelling the Hydra. The foremost merit goes to the Knight Commander of the Seatoh Chivalric Order, Dee!”

When Rosso said that, Dee walked up and stood right next to the Hydra’s head. His figure standing beside the Hydra’s head with a dignified attitude looked just like a hero out of a story. Naturally, huge cheers erupted from the residents. Smiling at that sight, Rosso praised Dee’s great achievement in a loud voice.

“Sir Dee severed the Hydra’s head with a single swing of his greatsword! Let alone repelling the Hydra, also known as the Sea King, the monumental feat of severing one of its heads is unprecedented! That fearsome swordsmanship will surely become renowned as the strongest blade in our kingdom! Therefore, as a reward, Sir Dee is granted platinum coins and a top-tier sword!”

As Rosso declared that, a mix of surprise and cheers, about half and half, could be heard from the residents. Meanwhile, Dee was looking over at me with sparkling eyes.

“Don’t worry. I will make it.”

When I answered while waving my hand, Dee rejoiced by thrusting the greatsword slung on his back toward the sky. Seeing that figure, the plaza was enveloped in massive cheers.