The Distinguished Mr. Rose Chapter 92: Chapter 91: A Dubious Proposal

Read chapter 92 of The Distinguished Mr. Rose by QuiteTheSlacker on NovelPedia.

Chapter 91: A Dubious Proposal After a couple more formal proceedings were held, the courtroom quickly dismissed and the members all headed off to continue their prior duties. Lucius’s ceremony wasn’t as eventful as he expected; rather than a parade or some kind of public spectacle, Sir Ganelon signed a few papers, shoved (rather rudely) a shiny crystal emblem representing Lucius’s new status into his hands, and then summarily waved him off. With that, Lucius had officially become a Peer. >[Congratulations! You have succeeded in becoming a Peer of Francia, the very first in your server. As a reward, a new passive title shall be granted to you: Otherworldly Peer]< Effect: Increases your holiness stat and the effectiveness of all holy related spells or attacks by 1.5x. Hoho, the system even granted him a new title to celebrate his promotion! How very kind. It would have been quite the useful thing too... if not for the fact that Lucius had not a single point in the aforementioned stat. Anything times zero was, still, zero. Regardless, the gentleman was rather satisfied with the outcome of this whole affair, and with nothing else to do, he rejoined with Mister Renaud and the two returned to Roland’s side. The man greeted them, lifting his helm’s visor to reveal a wide smile. “So, how does it feel, Sir Lucius?” he said, patting him on the back. “You are officially our equal in rank. With this, our fight against Ganelon is certain to end in our victory.” Lucius chuckled and gently lifted the man’s arm away. “I am ever the same, my friend. Titles and fanciful insignias change not that I am a dandy soul to my core.” While the two of them were busy delighting in their pleasantries, a certain sibling pair had finally reunited after many long years. Mister Renaud stood awkwardly before Lady Bradamante and scratched his head. Neither of them spoke for a time, although it didn’t appear to be out of hostility. They simply didn’t know what to say, what to talk about. All this time spent far apart, only to have the distance suddenly closed within days… was it any wonder they still felt uncomfortable? Yet even so, there was a connection between them that couldn’t be seen. Lucius and the others dared not interfere lest it be broken; and eventually, Bradamante stepped forth and made the first move. “It’s, um, good to see you,” she said, muttering in a low tone. “You look better.” “Am I?” Renaud asked with a wry smile. “Well, you haven’t cursed me once yet so you’re off to a good start.” “Mm, and you no longer shy away as if the mere sight of me is an embarrassment.” “I had every reason to when you decided to become Ganelon’s little pawn.” Bradamante narrowed her eyes. “You know what he’s done to our family.” “He helped us.” “No, he ruined us. He sent father off to die to the demons just so he could inherit the house.” “Is that what he told you?” She clenched her fists. “What didn’t he tell me, between all the gloating? Everything that’s happened to us, the reason why mother died, every bit of misfortune that’s fallen to our family—he made certain that I wouldn’t forget.” “Yes, that does sound like him.” “Then why, Renaud? What compelled you to follow his orders?” Lucius could feel quite clearly just how much she despised the High Tribunal; and yet, unbeknownst to her, the true culprit for her family’s tragedies was none other than the lord she once served. “Allow me to ask a question, then,” Renaud said, his voice frigid like ice. “Why did you become a paladin?” Bradamante crossed her arms and glared at him. “Because I wanted to help people, to make an actual difference unlike our house that only cared about its own wealth.” “Then why did you serve in the holy war?” For that, Bradamante had no answer. “I suppose it is a happy ending for you, is it not? You met your current husband there, as well as prevented more lives from perishing. Truly, an exemplary display of Chivalry. Our Lord would be proud.” Ruggiero stepped in to defend Bradamante, bu