CH 25

Chapter 25 I Understand the Importance of Outward Appearance

Knock knock.

Hmm…?

Knock knock.

…… What?

「Jink-sama, are you awake?」

…… Oh, it’s morning already, huh?

「Yeah, I just woke up.」

「I am sorry to disturb you when you are resting. A messenger from the palace is here to see you. Please let me know when you are ready.」

…… From the palace?

Is it about the audience?

「Got it. I’m getting ready, so wait a minute.」

I’m going to have an audience as an S rank adventurer, so my usual equipment shouldn’t be a problem.

…… Actually, I don’t have clothes for nobles.

I’ve already cashed in all of them in Rosalta because they would just get in my way.

After roughly washing my face and brushing my teeth, I quickly changed clothes and checked the enchanted equipment and weapons in the item box.

It would be bad to make the messenger wait too long, so I have to hurry….

「Sorry for making you wait.」

It took me longer than usual because I hadn’t set my hair in a while.

「I apologize for rushing you. ……This way, please.」

When I followed the maid, I was led into the reception room.

Forli Graham (58)

Level: 12 (46/120)

Job: Noble (Quall Kingdom – Viscount)

HP: 120/120

MP: 41/41

Skills: Wind Magic 5, Stenography 12, Beautiful Writing 55, Etiquette 31

Others:

Others: Undersecretary of the Palace, Aptitude list

He’s a domestic affairs official to the fullest, isn’t he?

And as expected of Etiquette 31… everything he does is overflowing with refinement….

Even though he’s a Viscount, he’s far more refined than the Duke Nonlad’s family….

「Nice to meet you, Jink-sama. I am Viscount Forli Graham. Today I bring a letter from the King of the Quall Kingdom.」

「Nice to meet you, Viscount Graham. Thank you for your hard work. Let me take a look at the letter.」

Hmm… in short, it’s an invitation to meet the king.

Judging from the signature, the letter was handwritten by the king.

""

The audience isn’t an order, but a gentle invitation, and the date can be decided according to my own convenience….

It’s quite a special treatment.

「I have read it. I am invited to meet His Majesty the King, but… I am ashamed to say that I don’t have any appropriate attire for such an audience. Is it okay to use this outfit?」

No matter how much space I had in my item box, I couldn’t afford to bring any unnecessary glittering clothes.

I asked Esther to exchange them all for money.

I regret a little that I should have kept at least one set.

All I have now are spare clothes, pajamas, and a set of cheap, slightly worn-out equipment (from the perspective of a high-ranking noble, but they are expensive from my wallet’s point of view…) that I’ve been wearing since I was in Rosalta.

I’m an S rank and there shouldn’t be any problems since I’m invited as an adventurer, but it’ll be troublesome if they criticize it later, so I’m going to ask first.

If I can afford it, I’ll at least buy a high-class robe, the formal attire of a magician, that is worthy of the <S rank>.

「Jink-sama is an adventurer, so it is not unnatural for you to come to the castle dressed as an adventurer. No one would blame you.」

…… Well, setting aside his feelings, the one who wants to meet me is the King himself, so he can’t stop me and tell me that my clothes look unsightly.

「I’m glad to hear that. It said that I could decide the date, but would it be okay if I come tomorrow?」

It’s quite sudden, but I want to get the troublesome things over with as soon as possible, and it said anytime was fine.

「Understood. I will pick you up tomorrow at the same time.」

「Thank you very much. I will be in your care tomorrow.」

After bowing deeply, Viscount Graham left.

I was nervous and my shoulders were stiff, so I used <Heal> on myself.

…… Maybe if corporate slaves came to this world, wouldn’t they be able to work longer?

Ah, recovery magic is rare, so I guess it’s impossible.

Wait… if there’s even one corporate slave healer who always self-heals when tired, they would be forced to heal the general corporate slaves endlessly, right!?

…… Let’s stop thinking stupid things and study etiquette.

It’s an audience with the King, so if something happens, I’ll cause trouble for the people of the <General Public Faction>.

Yesterday, I devoted myself to training enchantment and studying etiquette.

If I only trained in enchantment, my stomach would be full of MP potions, and if I only studied etiquette, which is tedious, I would fall asleep in the middle of it, so I repeated them alternately.

Both skill levels have risen, and I’ve learned the Quall Kingdom’s manners, so I’ll probably be able to manage somehow.

After all, I’m a former duke’s heir.

「Good morning, Jink-sama. I’ve come to pick you up.」

「Good morning, Viscount Graham. Thank you for picking me up.」

「Jink-kun, good luck!」

「Take care, Master!」

「Chris, Nina, thank you. I’m a little nervous, but I’ll do my best.」

After about 15 minutes ride in the carriage, we arrived at the royal palace.

As expected of the palace of the Quall Kingdom.

Even though the design is modest, I can tell that each and every material used is of the highest quality.

I have already experienced in Rosalta that nothing good will happen if I show any openings to royalty and nobles, so I straightened my back as I walk gracefully.

Actually, the underwear, socks, and bracelets I’m using are enchanted with <Etiquette> skill, so considering the skill level, I think I look quite refined.

""

The ability to increase my abilities as needed… I once again realized how convenient and terrifying <Enchantment> is.

I passed a dozen nobles on the way and some of them had surprised expressions on their faces, so I think the buff on <Etiquette> is a success.

「This is the audience room. Please leave your weapons with the gatekeeper or put them away in the item box.」

I can put them in the item box, huh?

…… Well, even if they tried to confiscate all the weapons in the item box, they wouldn’t know if it was everything, so they probably decided to allow the weapons to be put in the item box.

There are strong guards, so I guess there’s no problem…

In addition to the sword, I also stored several hidden daggers in the item box.

Now, I’m unarmed.

I’m a little uneasy, but it would be bad if I hide them poorly and get caught.

「Your Majesty, I have brought the S rank adventurer Jink-sama!」

「Let him through!」

It’s finally here….

Jink (14)

Level: 62 (504/620)

Job: Adventurer (S)

HP: 620/620

MP: 351/425

Skills: Swordsmanship 51, Spearmanship 1, Body Strengthening 60, Water Magic 24, Recovery Magic 22, Enchantment 27, Alchemy 5, Etiquette 5, Appraisal 10 (Max)

Gift: Item Box (Extra Large)

Others: Title <Nonland’s Outcast>, Aptitude list