Chapter 354 - 354 Kingdom’s Meeting

Glaring at Marcus and grinding his teeth, Reigen, was visibly annoyed with the lack of respect in Marcus' tone, but there was little he could do.

If he made a scene over someone's tone in front of this many people, it would only hurt his standing. And while he had not been told that Marcus and Irene were the same person, like the siblings that were close to Mrazivý, he did know that the person known as Irene Geist was a powerful spirit.

'Damn it. If only I had known about this beforehand, I could have been the one to make a deal. Instead, it was Mrazivý that somehow brought this spirit in and has gained father's favor.'

"Well, I have much to do and many nobles to greet. Goodbye for now Lady Irene Geist." Reigen said, having already gotten what he wanted from meeting Marcus.

He had been hoping somehow to bring this spirit onto his side, but by their actions it was apparent they had no intention of helping him.

"Ah, and Charles, you wanted to talk to your sister. Feel free to take five minutes I will be fine without you for that long." Reigen said to the knight who was on his left.

After that he began moving towards a crowd of nobles, aiming to shore up his support for the throne.

"It is good to see you again Adriana, I believe it has been around six months since I saw you at fathers seventieth birthday." The knight Charles said to Adriana.

'So, he is Adriana's older brother.'

Looking at the knight that had been by Reigen's side, Marcus remembered that Adrian had told him that he was a personal knight to one of the kingdom's royal family, and that he was the pride of her family.

'Oh, level forty-seven. He is certainly stronger than most of the personal knights I have seen for the royal family.'

Normally Marcus would have held back on appraising someone, especially if they held a high status, since they might have a skill or item that alerted them, and some people with really good instincts could sense when the skill was being used on them

However, in this instance Marcus could not help his curiosity and he figured that if he got caught, he could apologize and have Adrianna smooth things over.

Luckily though it seemed that Charles had not noticed and now Marcus had a better read on him. 

'Even Soith's knights were quite a bit weaker each only being level forty. That means either the king values Reigen more, or he was able to somehow use his political sway to get Charles assigned to him.'

While Marcus was analyzing the situation, Charles was being introduced to everyone in the group, and when he got to Clarisa, said, "So you are my sister's talented pupil. It is a pleasure to meet you, after hearing so many good things. In fact, I heard that you have come into possession of a set of top tier mithril swords. If you would not mind meeting me after today's meeting is over, I would love to look at them, and in return you could look at our family's heirloom."

Seeing what Charles was trying to do, Marcus interjected and said, "Actually I am the one made those swords that Clarisa has, so if you would not mind, I would like to join you. That way I can give you some insights into the weapon's function and design. Also, as a forgemaster I would love to look at your family's heirloom, Clarisa has told me about it, and I am very interested."

Looking at Marcus a frown formed on Charles' face, and he was uncertain of what to do.

Normally if you were going to be looking at a weapon, having its maker there to explain all of its functions would be ideal.

However, in this situation, Charles cared little about examining the weapons themselves and had actually been ordered to try and get Clarisa to join his master's side, since a knight wielding top tier mithril weapons was not common and such a person would normally be on the track for great success.

'If Lady Geist is there, his highness will have a much more difficult time recruiting Clarisa. Now how do I get her to back off.'

Racking his brains, Charles tried to think of a way to have only Clarisa join him, but before he could the person in question jumped at the chance to have Marcus along, wanting some tips about using her weapons.

"Very well then, once today's meeting has concluded we can all get together. But now I must take my leave and return to my master." Charles said, doing his best to contain his displeasure.

He then walked off dreading having to tell Prince Reigen that he had failed to secure a meeting alone with the young knight Clarisa.

With Charles' and by extension Prince Reigen's plan thwarted, Marcus continued to talk with his friends, until there were only fifteen minutes before the meeting proper started.

When that time had come Marcus went and found his seat that was in the section for those of the baronet or baronetess rank.

'It is a bit far away, but that is to be expected from the second lowest ranking title.'

Using his enhanced vison skill, Marcus zoomed in on the front of the room where a large stage had been set up for the king and members of the royal family.

'Ah here they come.'

Soon the royals began entering and taking their seats, with the king heading up to a podium which had a voice amplifying magic tool on it.

"Good morning, everyone. It is that time once again for our kingdom's triennial meeting. I am glad to see that so many of you made it here again so that we can discuss the important business of the kingdom, and make sure that it continues to prosper. Now without further ado let us get started."

After saying that the king pulled out a device Marcus had seen once before when he received his title of baronetess.

Except while unlike the one that viceroy of River Landing had, the device in the king's hand was much more refined looking and had a gold pattern on it that formed a crown.

"To begin let us start with the conferment of titles to our next generation of talented knights."

After saying that the king did some strokes on the tablet like device in his hands, and on the screens that had been set up in the great hall a long list of names appeared, and an automated voice began reading them out.

Then, in what Marcus could only liken to a graduation ceremony where all of the students went up to grab their diplomas, a large group of new knights who were already formed into an orderly group began walking up and receiving their titles from the king.

Of course, it was much more streamlined then when Marcus had received his title as there were hundreds of new knights receiving theirs.

"I grant you Clarisa hall, the title of knight. From this day forward you are Dame Clarisa Hall."

Smiling Marcus looked at his friend and somehow as she was walking off the stage their eyes met, and Marcus gave her a thumbs up.

Then after nearly two hours of awarding titles to the new knights of the kingdom, the king announced the next order of business.

"Now would the representatives of new noble houses please come forward, starting with those at the rank of Baronet and Baronetess."