He was informed by Celestine about the reward for the subjugation of Sabnock.
That evening, Rest proposed a discussion to Albert Rosemary, who had returned to the manor for the first time in a while, snatching a brief moment from his grueling schedule.
"Yes, that's exactly right. I've already approved it."
Albert's office.
When Rest went over the details of the day's events, the man who was to become his father-in-law gave him a clear answer.
"Through discussions with His Majesty the King, it has been decided that you, Rest, will be granted a domain and a noble title. The investiture ceremony will be held in three days."
"Three days… That's quite sudden."
"Preparations to subdue Marquis Eiger are complete. You and several others will be ennobled, and in that same flow, Marquis Eiger's rebellion will be officially declared. The plan is to announce the subjugation campaign."
Albert explained the details.
"The knight order, the court magicians, and the nobles of the royalist faction will each contribute troops. House Rosemary will also be sending a magic corps, and I'd like you to take command of it on the front lines."
"Command…? I've never done anything like that before."
"Of course, I'll assign you an aide. Diebl will serve as the de facto commander issuing orders, so I want you to focus on fighting as a mage, Rest."
Albert clasped both hands together on his desk and smiled, his expression somehow teasing, mocking.
"The time has come to put that bottomless mana you used to defeat Sabnock to good use. His Majesty the King has great expectations for your performance, you know?"
"Ah… um… I'm sorry for acting on my own."
Rest offered his apology, at least.
Challenging Sabnock to battle had been necessary to protect those dear to him, but at the same time, he felt that he had been imprudent.
Had he caused trouble for Albert by acting on his own?
"Well, that's... fine, more or less. You're the one who'll have to deal with the hardships from here on."
"Hardships...?"
"Yes. The Kingdom of Aiwood doesn't have the luxury of leaving a fighter like you idle. Subjugating Marquis Eiger, developing the Sabnock Plains, fighting the barbarians of the north... you're going to be dragged into all sorts of battles from now on."
"............"
The beginning of days far removed from any sort of peace.
Only now did Rest truly grasp the weight that would be placed upon him.
From this point forward, he would attract even more attention than when his marriage into House Rosemary had been decided, and he would be tested time and again.
There was even a possibility that someone might try to frame him.
He was no longer a commoner. As a noble, he had to shoulder a burden befitting his station.
"The royal palace intends to elevate you as a hero, drawing people's eyes away from the crises plaguing the nation. It will no doubt be difficult, but this too is a noble's duty... noblesse oblige. As the son-in-law of House Rosemary, you must face it head-on."
"...Understood. If it leads to the growth of House Rosemary, then I'll do it."
"Yes. Also... once your decoration is conferred, you will simultaneously become the head of a noble house. It will take the form of a branch family of House Rosemary, but what will you call it?"
"What do you mean, what will I call it...? Isn't 'Rosemary' fine?"
"It's not that it isn't, but... you're being granted one-third of the plains as your domain. If the name remains the same, the name of 'Rosemary' within the kingdom will become too powerful. Even as a branch family, I'd like to keep it clear that it is its own separate house."
"............"
Rest didn't quite understand, but this too was presumably a consideration befitting his status as a noble.
It was about ensuring that the power behind the name "Rosemary" wouldn't grow so great as to threaten the royal family.
(In truth, I'm planning to inherit House Rosemary as well, so just changing the name alone doesn't really accomplish anything...)
There was no practical meaning to it, but appearances mattered.
That, too, seemed to be an unspoken understanding within noble society.
"Anything is fine—just come up with something. There's a noble directory in the estate's archive, so make sure the family name doesn't overlap with any other house."
"Understood... Would it be alright if I consulted Viola and Primula about this?"
The two of them were currently bathing and not present here.
Including Yuri, that made three girls in total. They were enjoying a nice bath time together—how enviable.
"Of course. Have it decided by the time of the investiture ceremony."
Albert wrapped up the conversation.
With that, the meeting with his father-in-law was concluded.
Rest bowed his head and started to leave the office.
"Rest."
Just as his hand found the doorknob, Albert suddenly spoke up.
"You are a commoner, yet you were taken in by House Rosemary, and now the royal family has set its sights on you, preparing to raise you up as a hero. That heavy responsibility will surely surpass what I bore when I was chosen as a husband, married into this family, and became head of the court magicians."
"..........."
"To obtain glory and achievements means to shoulder the responsibilities that come with them. There will be plenty of worries and hardships ahead... but do not forget that you have many allies, myself included."
"...I am grateful for your concern."
Rest turned back once more and bowed to the man who would become his father-in-law.
Though Rest had not been blessed at birth... in this family, he was truly blessed.
He felt as though the weight that had been pressing on him until just moments ago had lightened, if only slightly.
"Excuse me."
This time, Rest truly left the office.