novelraw Chapter 360 - 225: Northern Province’s First Viscount (Part 2)
Chapter 360 - 225: Northern Province’s First Viscount (Part 2)
Steve nodded and softly explained to Thor.
"Understood!"
"This time, how many merit points have I gained?"
Thor nodded, not too surprised.
Even if a Behemoth King was exiled and a Tier Seven Behemoth was killed, it doesn’t mean that humanity can swallow the entire Beastman Tribe in one go.
In fact, they can only take less than one-tenth of it.
Because further beyond lies the Holy Mountain, the place where the God of Titans fell, and also the sacred mountain of the Behemoths. Even if capturing it were possible, the losses would be unimaginable.
The Three Great Kingdoms naturally understand what can be achieved.
"Sir, your merit points are calculated to be around 2,700!"
"You wouldn’t believe it, back in Loren City, when your merit points appeared, the entire Loren City was in an uproar."
"That’s 2,700 merit points, sir, you can apply for a promotion to Viscount now, and still have half of the merit points remaining."
Hearing Thor’s words, Steve’s face flushed with excitement, and he spoke with enthusiasm.
"2,700 points, huh?"
Yet compared to Steve’s excitement, Thor’s brows furrowed slightly.
One has to know, he killed quite a few Tier Three Beastmen, and even so, his merit points still did not exceed 3,000.
Merit points are far more difficult to obtain than he imagined.
Of course, Thor understood this was mainly because he relied on defensive points to block the Beastmen.
Had he solely relied on his own strength to block them, perhaps his merit points could have doubled or even more based on the current level.
But achieving that would be much more difficult.
At that time, even with his strength, he might not have been able to hold on.
And that was relying on defensive points; without them, even now, he estimates that it would not be possible.
After all, the massive Beastman Tribe still makes one’s scalp tingle just thinking about it.
"Yes, that esteemed person asked you if you plan to exchange the merits for Viscount ennoblement, or do you intend to keep them?"
Steve did not notice Thor’s expression as his voice sounded again.
"Ennoble to Viscount!"
"In a few days, accompany me to Loren City."
After a slight hesitation, Thor spoke softly.
With more than two thousand merit points, Thor’s first thought was naturally to be ennobled to Viscount.
As for the exchange.
Undeniably, Tulip Kingdom’s exchange list contains many tempting items, and two thousand merit points could redeem quite a few things.
But in comparison, the noble title is currently the most important aspect.
There is little more than a year left until the kingdom war; by raising his nobility status as much as possible, he could gain greater autonomy during the kingdom war. Although a Baron already has some degree of autonomy, it’s only a little; comparatively, a Viscount is undoubtedly better.
Moreover, being promoted to Viscount will make operating within the Northern Province more convenient.
After all, there are quite a number of Barons throughout the Northern Province, but there isn’t a single Viscount yet.
In a world with a complete order, the status of nobility still plays a significant role.
"Understood!"
Steve nodded excitedly.
In the following days, Thor handled some matters in the Eagle Territory and then proceeded to Loren City with the Knight Order.
Baron and Viscount, as lower-ranking nobles.
The ennoblement does not require going to the Royal Capital; it can be done in Loren City.
The ceremony is similar to when Baron ennoblement took place.
After staying in Loren City for seven days.
The ennoblement ceremony for nobility began once more.
At this moment, as before, the entire Loren City couldn’t help but be in an uproar.
Viscount, for the first time in twenty years, a Viscount was born in the Northern Province.
The impact on the entire Northern Province, or rather, the implications for the nobility of the entire Northern Province, is unprecedentedly significant.
For a time, countless people couldn’t help but gather in Loren City.
The number of people was even more than when Thor was ennobled as Baron.
After all, there are over fifty Barons born in the entire Northern Province, so having three more is not too surprising.
But at this moment, it is a Viscount above Baron, which naturally draws unprecedented attention.
The night gradually passed.
When the morning sunlight spread.
Thor, like when he was first ennobled as Baron, rode a white horse and slowly approached the administrative center.
The square in front of the administrative center was already packed with people.
Many Free People and Pioneer Lords gathered there.
Under the shining sun, the statue of the Goddess of Life emitted a soft and gentle glow.
At its base, a massive red carpet extended into the distance.
Ennobling nobility is, without a doubt, the most grand affair.
And compared to Baron ennoblement, Viscount ennoblement is even more ceremonious.
Flowers filled the entire ground.
The orchestra played rousing music.
Magic Crystal Cannons fired into the sky along with Thor’s arrival, and thousands of white doves were released.
Thor stepped onto the red carpet without needing to dismount but continued on horseback, receiving countless gazes.
In the distance, the three Court Counts had already changed to five, not only Marquis Reman was present, but the other two Marquises who returned from the Northern Territory. At this moment, all eight figures watched Thor with smiles.
When Thor reached the center of the red carpet, he extended his left hand, clenched his fist, and placed it over his heart.
One of the five Court Counts opened the Holy Scripture in his hand.
"Young Knight, under the witness of the Goddess of Life, you have perfectly adhered to the Eight Knightly Virtues and the Nine Major Rules."
"Your brilliance is as dazzling as in the sunlight."
"Your virtues make even the Goddess of Life praise you, and the Kingdom appreciates your contributions and will officially ennoble you as Viscount."
"Do you accept the ennoblement?"
A gentle voice sounded.
Suddenly, everything around fell silent.
The air became solemn.
"I accept!"
"I will continue to uphold my virtues with my Knight’s Sword, I will let the Kingdom’s glory shine on every land, I will ensure my subjects enjoy the divine light of the Goddess of Life..."
In solemnity, Thor unsheathed his Knight’s Sword, his deep and resonant voice slowly spreading.
Under the bright light, at this moment he seemed to be cloaked in a holy radiance.
At this moment, countless people looked toward the figure on a white horse amidst the red carpet, their hearts couldn’t help but surge with emotion.
Viscount, he’s a Viscount, the Northern Province has finally produced its first Viscount.
Does that mean they also have a chance to become Viscounts?
While their hearts were surging.
Marquis Reman stepped forward to present the noble badge to Thor.
The ennoblement of the Viscount thus drew to a close.
From today onward, Thor of Dressrosa is a Viscount.
His status in the Tulip Kingdom Nobility has ascended another step.
Of course, compared to before, there is no substantial change.
A Baron’s ennoblement is a leap, but the transition from Baron to Viscount isn’t, as a Viscount still counts as lower-ranking nobility.
Nonetheless, having the status of Viscount signifies a significant step forward, and its role in the Kingdom War is quite considerable.
(I planned to write this in two Chapters, but found it too bland, so I merged it into one, though it might be a bit dry. My apologies, tomorrow the kingdom war begins, entering a new Chapter.)