The Lord: In Another World, I Have a Summoning Card !-Chapter 45: The Baron Rank

Amid his deep thoughts, a soft knock on the door interrupted him.

"Come in," he said calmly, without raising his voice.

Gabriel, his personal aide, entered with a slight bow, then said in a polite tone,"Sir, the knights from the garrison have arrived. They are waiting at the main gate."

Arthur nodded and slowly rose from his seat, adjusting the collar of his coat.

"Good. Bring them in at once, and ask the servants to prepare a reception befitting their rank." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

In the castle courtyard, at the main gate, stood three imposing knights, their presence elevated by the gleaming armor they wore, reflecting the faint sunlight filtering through the gray clouds.

On their chests, finely engraved royal insignias stood out, signifying high rank and special duties.

The man in the center appeared younger than his companions—at most, in his early thirties—but his straight posture, sharp gaze, and meticulously tailored clothing all marked him as the leader.

In his hands, he held a small box covered with velvet fabric, its colors blending between deep blue and royal red, clearly indicating that it held something of significance.

As Arthur approached the courtyard, the knights exchanged brief glances. They bore expressions of both curiosity and respect. One of them whispered, barely audible:

"Is that the Arthur all the reports have mentioned?"

The other responded with a silent nod, as if Arthur’s very presence was answer enough.

Arthur stopped at the designated reception spot, standing tall, placing a hand over his chest in a formal aristocratic salute. His expression was carefully composed, balancing politeness with pride.

"Welcome, royal knights. I hope you’ll forgive my delay in receiving you."

He spoke in a composed, dignified tone, a faint smile slipping through his words—softening the moment without diminishing his stature.

The eldest knight stepped forward, then bowed respectfully and spoke in a deep, courteous voice:

"We thank you for the warm reception, Lord Arthur. We come bearing a message of appreciation from the command of the Royal Garrison, in recognition of your efforts in defending the kingdom’s borders. We have heard much about you, my lord... but to witness a young commander achieving such feats—it is a rare thing, even among all the nobles who answered the call to defend the realm against foreign invasion."

Then the younger knight, distinguished by his appearance, stepped forward with marked composure.

He seemed to be the true leader, carrying in his eyes a steady gaze and in his posture the poise of a seasoned general.

He returned Arthur’s salute with military precision, then took a step forward and elegantly opened the box he had been holding, his movements deliberate and refined.

Inside lay a luxurious golden medal, encrusted with a small crimson ruby that shimmered faintly in the daylight, as if flickering with the memory of an ancient victory.

The younger knight—who clearly appeared to be the commander—stepped forward again, repeating the formal salute with instinctive precision before speaking:

"Lord Arthur ... we come under direct orders from the High Command to honor your bravery and dedication. Your commands were executed with excellence, and as a result, this fortress still stands—and many lives were preserved thanks to your wisdom."

He took another step, then withdrew an ornate scroll bearing the seal of the royal family from within a second box.

The box was opened before him with a graceful motion, revealing a golden medal inlaid with a small ruby. It shimmered in the light as if it held the glow of a glorious past battle.

The commander looked directly at Arthur." lord Arthur, we have come to honor your heroic efforts in battle. Your orders were carried out flawlessly, and thanks to your courage and strategy, the fortress remained safe."

The commander stepped forward, holding a scroll sealed with a golden crest bearing the emblem of the royal House of Alon. As soon as Arthur saw the seal, he understood the message’s significance and knelt at once, placing a hand over his heart, awaiting the proclamation.

The commander’s voice rose slightly, carrying a formal and unmistakable tone:

"Knight Arthur ... In the name of the Royal Throne, on behalf of the noble House of Alon, and as the King’s Consul in the North, I hereby proclaim a royal decree: You are to be promoted to the rank of Baron, pending the assignment of a suitable fief within the Crown’s lands."

Arthur did not raise his head. He remained kneeling on one knee, his right hand pressed firmly against his chest. With a voice low and filled with the reverence of the moment and sincere gratitude, he said:

"It is a great honor... I offer my deepest thanks to His Majesty for this noble trust, and my heartfelt gratitude to Your Excellency for delivering such an honor."

This promotion was neither ordinary nor easily earned. Many knights—and even the lesser sons of nobility who were not heirs—spent their lives in a tireless struggle to alter their fate, often without ever crossing the threshold that separates the lower ranks from the recognized circles of nobility.

As for those born of common blood, with no deep-rooted lineage or ancient ties to noble houses, their dreams of ascension were often nothing more than illusions, no matter how great their efforts. Individual talent alone, however exceptional, was rarely enough unless paired with backing or extraordinary circumstances.

Of course, those possessing rare gifts—such as innate magical prowess or unmatched martial skill—were considered rare exceptions for whom traditions could be broken and the rules rewritten.

In truth, although the rank of Baron is the lowest among noble titles, barely above that of an unrecognized knight, it marks a transformative leap into the formal aristocracy.

It opens the doors to the Council of Decision, grants the right to claim a fief within the Crown’s lands, and perhaps more, should one prove worthy.

The consul folded his scroll behind his back, then spoke in a calm tone laced with solemn authority:

"You have earned this honor well, Lord Baron. The fortress stood firm under your command not by chance, but through courage and clear vision. Thus, this medal is but the beginning of a new path that lies before you."

The young consul responded in a calm voice, his tone befitting the occasion:

"Gratitude is not something you ask for, but something given to you, Lord Baron. What you accomplished on the battlefield was not merely the fulfillment of duty, but a shining example of loyalty and leadership excellence. The castle held strong, and the soldiers stood firm, because you were their leader. Therefore, the leadership believes that the least we can offer you is this medal and this land."

After the formal announcement ceremony concluded, Arthur lowered his head respectfully and then turned to his guests, speaking in a light but welcoming tone:

"You honor us with your presence, and it would not be appropriate to receive the royal representatives in the open air. Please, come inside the castle, where we can talk at our leisure and enjoy some of what we have prepared in celebration of your arrival."

Arthur gestured with his hand, and a group of soldiers quietly moved toward the castle’s side entrance, while the guards stood on either side in disciplined formation, offering respectful salutes.

The royal delegation, led by the consul, entered, and Arthur personally escorted them to one of the formal halls inside the castle.

An elegant table had been set in one corner of the hall, adorned with silver cups and a plate of rare fruit for the season.

After the consul and his guests were seated, Arthur approached with confident steps, holding two small, intricately carved wooden boxes in his hands. He presented them to the consul, speaking politely:"A modest gift from our humble castle, Lord Consul. It contains a gift from House Verner and some items you might appreciate, things we acquired from the spoils of previous battles. I believe they suit your station more than they suit being forgotten in our vaults."

The consul slowly opened the box, inspecting its contents with a discerning eye, then nodded his head with a slight smile:"Refined taste, Lord Arthur... And if this shows anything, it is that true nobility runs in the blood; it is not acquired, but born with a person."

Arthur smiled politely, then straightened in his seat and said, his tone becoming more serious as he looked directly at the consul:"If you allow me, I have an inquiry regarding the fief that was recently granted to me. What are the next steps in this matter? Does the kingdom determine the location, or am I permitted to view potential sites and choose from among them?"

The consul gently set the box aside, then replied:"A valid question. In normal circumstances, the new baron would be given a map of the available lands, those which are suitable in terms of stability, population, and resources. An official delegation would accompany him to complete the transfer."

The consul sighed softly, as though what he was about to say needed special attention, then continued in a cautious tone:"The current situation, both internally and externally, does not allow for the royal protocols to proceed as usual. The kingdom is going through a delicate phase, with rising pressures within the court, especially with the increasing number of nobles and their conflicting interests, as well as the ongoing threat from the orcs on the borders. For this reason, granting fiefs may face some delays."

He paused for a moment, as if giving Arthur time to absorb what had been said, then continued:"Perhaps the news has not reached you yet, Lord Arthur, but the main army has recently achieved a series of notable successes. The orc fronts have suffered several heavy blows, and we have managed to regain the initiative. With this change, voices have begun to rise within the court, calling for the revival of the previous campaign, which was halted following the orc’s surprise attack, and a shift from a defensive to an offensive strategy to reclaim the lost lands."

Then, he raised his gaze to Arthur steadily, his voice growing more serious:"These lands are not just borders of the kingdom; they are strategic areas of great value, always rich and fertile. But now, they are under the control of orc hordes. If you show your official willingness to join the next campaign, and work under the command of the main army led by Duke Kriman, it could open a door for you to a fief in those lands, which will be far superior and with much greater potential than what the kingdom might grant you with your current achievements."