Train Elementary Level Spell, Magic Arrow to the Absolute Limit ~The Exiled Noble Student Not Giving up, Train to Become the Strongest~

usty cog and gave a stiff smile.

“I-I-I-I… I-I-I-It’s our turn, huh, Albert! Please don’t be w-worri-worried! Aha, ahaha! Smile, smile!”

“…At the very least, I’m not as nervous as you… Come on, let’s go.”

 After I gave his back a push, Lihilt walked down the deep red carpet with stiff, tense movements.
I leisurely followed behind him.

Lihilt was chosen as the foremost contributor to this war.

As part of the detached squad, he was recognized for the strenuous efforts he made during the first and second battles, defeating a massive amount of lizardmen in the third battle, and crushing the Crest Master in the fourth, as well as reporting the death of Alencia, the Supreme Commander. 

He made plentiful accomplishments on the battlefield.

However—There was more than met the eye to everything.

Before this ceremony was held, Lihilt spoke to me.

“I heard this from my noble friends, but it seems like I, a baron, was chosen from process of elimination.”

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“Process of elimination?”

“I mean, a baron wouldn’t usually be chosen as the foremost contributor, you know?

“…That’s true…”

That was common sense for nobility.

“Parentage” was always taken into account when someone was being awarded for their honorable war services.

“But this time seemed to be a special case.
There weren’t any prominent kingdom people that accomplished anything, and picking somebody else would only cause offense to everyone else.
I’m a baron separated from noble politics, and picking me wouldn’t cause any bitterness.
Also, my court rank is low, so they don’t have to pay me much in compensation.”

“…This all leaves a bad taste in my mouth…”

“No, no! It’s more than enough for me! A chance is a chance, after all! The fact that I was chosen doesn’t change! I believe things are changing for me.
I did say I was gonna be a duke in the end, no matter what!”

After laughing, Lihilt bowed his head to me and spoke.

“I’m really sorry, though.
I was acknowledged just because I’m the squad captain, even though practically everything was all because of Albert.”

I shook my head.

“Don’t worry about it.
This was a team effort; It’s fine if the team captain gets the credit.”

“If you reveal you’re from the Luminous family, then wouldn’t you get acknowledged, regardless if I’m captain or not? You aren’t gonna do that?”

“I’m the one who asked you not to reveal it.”

I requested that Lihilt keep my lineage a secret.
The reason was obvious—I was banished from the Luminous household.

I’m just Albert.

That’s all I needed to be.

I didn’t want to participate in this ceremony either, but Lihilt said I was a huge contributor and strongly recommended me, so it was decided that I’d be awarded and I was forced to attend against my will.

The reason I didn’t want to participate was because there were nobles around.

The nobles intently stared at us as we walked down the red carpet.

“…Who is that man? A commoner?”

“He has a refined way of walking for a commoner…”

I heard people whisper this and that.

Nobles were quick on the uptake when it came to information about the royal court.
There might be someone who was interested in me—There might be someone who remembered my past self.

In other words, there was a high chance that my true identity could be discovered.

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If possible, I didn’t want to get involved with any of them… I looked at the carpet while walking, praying that no one would realize.

Lihilt and I kneeled before the king.

The high official raised his voice.

“Baron Lihilt Strahm! Your achievements during this war are hereby recognized.
The Gambrus Zone, which is a territory under the direct control of the king, shall be lent to you as your territory.
In addition to that, you shall be promoted from baron to viscount!”

“Thank you very much!”

Lihilt really seemed happy when he said that.

He went from a baron without a territory to a viscount with one—a massive promotion.
I was glad that Lihilt, who did his best and had a good personality, was acknowledged.

“Next, squad member Albert! You shall be awarded a medal for your achievements on the battlefield!”

“Thank you very much.”

After I responded, a female official fastened a medal onto my chest.

Now then, all that’s next is to go back to the line and disappear.
Rumors come and go like the wind.
Eventually, people would probably forget about someone like me.

The king spoke.

“…Albert.
Could you show me your face?”

My face?

I didn’t really understand his intentions, but it was an order from the king—there was no way I could disobey. 

I turned my face to the king.

The king stared at me intently, and he muttered to himself.

“…You really do look alike…”

At that moment, I felt a freezing chill go down my spine.

Then, I remembered—

I remembered the fact that Alencia was favored by the king. 

The king had spent a considerable amount of time with Alencia, and his death weighed on his mind.

Then that meant—

The king spoke.

“Albert.
I apologize if this is a misunderstanding, but—are you someone related to Marquis Luminous?”