Chapter: 284
The bomb dropped all of a sudden.
Well, to call this a bomb is a stretch, but it was definitely a surprise.
[Implementation of welfare system for dispatched personnel starting from March 1378. A pilot program will operate in the Imperial Household, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aiming for application across all departments and agencies of the Empire by June 1380.]
As I pondered what gift to get for Marcilio’s birthday, the notice from the Imperial Household spread like wildfire through the communication network. Considering the Imperial Household is essentially the royal secretary and mouthpiece, this was essentially a command from the Emperor, specifically from the Crown Prince.
“What the heck?”
The problem here is that it’s totally unexpected, and the intention behind this command is unclear. Welfare for dispatched personnel? Starting with the Imperial Household and the Finance Ministry?
Well, since it has “welfare” in the name, it can’t be bad, right? And since the Finance Ministry is included, I guess I’m in too. If we’re weighing good versus bad news, this leans more towards the good side.
“But why?”
But just like I thought, not knowing the intention is the issue here. The motto of the Krasius Empire is that public servants should be pushed to their limits for the comfort of the nation and its people. This has been handed down from the first Emperor, the Great Amanca, and nobody can dispute it.
Even the current Emperor and Crown Prince seem like they’re reincarnations of the Great Amanca, grinding themselves down as if they were just cogs in the imperial machine.
But a royal family that creates welfare policies that let the lower ranks breathe easier? Of their own volition, without any petitions or pleas? Without any strings attached?
“That’s impossible.”
Absolutely impossible. The royal family isn’t one to engage in losses. Even if they seem generous by giving out something, they always take back something of equal value—it’s in their nature.
On the flip side, while they don’t assign labor without compensation, it’s their thoroughness that makes me distrustful. My experiences tell me the royal family’s intentions aren’t pure.
So yeah, there’s got to be an ulterior motive. There’s something I don’t know.
[For every 3-week dispatch, 2 days of leave will be provided. This leave can be utilized from the day of return and is treated as top-priority for approval.]
…But with this, I might actually be okay with whatever their hidden agenda is.
“Two days for every three weeks.”
As I checked the details of the welfare program, my hands trembled with excitement. If this applies to my Academy dispatch, it means I’d get more than ten days of leave this semester.
Wow, ten days? And on top of that, it’s priority-approved leave that won’t get delayed? Isn’t this the best? Sure, all those past experiences warned me that it might be a poisoned chalice, but whatever, I’ll take a well-maintained chalice!
If I just keep my mouth shut, I’ll have confirmed leave of ten days in a semester. If I can hold out from my second year’s first semester to third year’s second semester, that’s at least 40 days of leave!
“That’s great.”
This is so good! I think I can afford to pause my prayers for the Crown Prince’s longevity today.
*
In the end, I accepted Marcilio’s request after much contemplation. It felt a bit humiliating to process such a minor request in the name of the royal family, but thinking positively, I couldn’t let a small matter get between us and make things awkward.
Yeah, let’s look on the bright side. If this program boosts morale among the bureaucrats, it’s a long-term benefit. You can’t overwork talent in a short span if you want them to last. I need to smooth things over with the Executive Manager for the long haul.
After all, what circumstances would demand the Executive Manager to be dispatched, unless it’s yet another Academy incident? It’s just about making a commitment for two—just two years. That’s something I can handle.
“A beloved husband, aren’t you?”
As I rubbed the back of my neck, a chuckle escaped me. A heavyweight in the Empire that the Father King can’t treat casually, someone who’s a recluse, only spending time in the Magic Tower without caring about political influence or human relationships.
But now, this Executive Manager is in love and actively moving, even willing to engage in strange acts for the one they love. It’s clear they’re receiving a profound and burdensome love.
But at the same time, it also worries me. No matter how mixed-blood the Marcilio is, they carry the blood of a long-lived species, which inevitably leads me to think the Executive Manager is destined to leave us first. Considering Marcilio’s mother followed the late Count Servette right after his death, I can’t help but worry that today’s love might turn into tomorrow’s poison.
“That’s troubling.”
They’ve supported the Empire for a hundred years and should continue for hundreds more. While it’s unavoidable for them to return to Enen’s embrace when their lifespan is up, I can’t tolerate a premature death after suffering for too long.
So, isn’t it best for the Executive Manager to stock up on all sorts of elixirs for the Empire’s sake? I don’t wish for them to live like Marcilio—I’d just be satisfied if they could stick around for about 150 years.
But hey, they’re aware of my worries. They might even already have plans in place. So, if they can reach 150, can we push for 300?
“Three hundred, huh.”
A grin inevitably formed. The Empire’s history spans 300 years, and now the burden of the next 300 years rests on the Executive Manager’s shoulders.
Just imagining it is both funny—no, delightful news. With my son, grandson, great-grandson, and so forth under the Executive Manager’s loyalty, the Empire’s future would indeed shine bright. Of course, this thought might be utterly grandiose.
…
It seems that 300 years might actually be achievable. Marcilio’s love is heavy enough to make delusions into reality.
“Your Majesty, this is—”
“It is exactly as the Crown Prince has seen.”
Called urgently to the Emperor’s office, I arrived only to be handed a single sheet of paper.
Yet the content of that paper barely held any value.
“I hear Marcilio is heading to the Academy.”
The Emperor spoke with an even tone, but I could sense confusion and complexity in his expression and posture. It’s rare for him to show emotions like this.
But I can understand it. Anyone would have the same reaction upon seeing this document.
“The Academy.”
What on earth does this mean? The Crown Prince is going to the Academy? If I hadn’t been in front of the Emperor, I might have crumpled to the ground in disbelief.
I know they send a wizard from the Magic Tower every year to teach Academy students. This dispatch itself was initiated at the royal family’s behest, so it’s not surprising. If capable wizards from the Magic Tower are teaching the future leaders of the Empire, that’s a blessing for both the Empire and the royal family.
But this isn’t quite right. The royal family wanted a teacher to instruct the future, not a monster that would instill fear in the future’s pillars. It’s equivalent to sending someone superior to the Academy’s Principal as an instructor.
“Marcilio seems quite attached to his students. A remarkable wizard should emerge within ten years.”
At a loss for words, I remained silent, while the Emperor quietly added, “That’s a student?”
I couldn’t agree with such a claim. No matter how I look at it, Marcilio going to the Academy has to involve some other reason, like being the heir of House Krasius, or the head of the Information Department, or even as the Academy Supervisor.
“Moreover, if Marcilio stays at the Academy, distinguished guests from the three kingdoms will have an unparalleled experience. As their host, this is certainly a joy.”
“Yes, indeed.”
But as I heard the Emperor’s words, I could only bow my head. If the Emperor thinks that way, then it is the truth.
If the document has already reached the Emperor’s hands, Marcilio’s dispatch is practically set in stone. The royal family could intervene and block it, but if they were to do so against Marcilio’s wishes, it would only lead to discord with the Duke. This is perplexing, but not something worth stopping.
Besides, it seems the Emperor intends to leverage this opportunity to exert greater pressure on the three kingdoms. If Marcilio stays at the Academy along with the Executive Manager, then it would certainly burden the three kingdoms. Regardless of their reasons for enrolling, the distinguished guests from the kingdoms couldn’t act lightly.
Furthermore, Marcilio’s presence at the Academy is meant purely for education. Even if it’s nominal, it’s a given that a master moves for their students. If the three kingdoms raise a complaint about this, it should be easy to pacify the situation.
‘…At least that’s what I think.’
I felt troubled. The Emperor seems to go positive, focusing on happy thoughts to cope with the extraordinary developments.
He’s outlining the advantages and points of usefulness while mentally discarding the upheaval, political ramifications, or diplomatic issues that might arise from Marcilio’s actions. It’s almost as if without doing so, he wouldn’t be able to keep his sanity.
‘Is it even possible for one person to experience all of this?’
Thinking back, the Emperor’s reign has been anything but peaceful. Since his ascension, he became known as the Empire’s first collateral emperor, so how could it not be eventful?
The collateral emperor inherited an Empire filled with decay, famine, and the looming threat of religious power. Even among the Dukes, the Gold Duke had twelve wives and expanded his family, while minor skirmishes with the kingdoms occurred regularly along the borders.
Overcoming all that, as he set the Empire back on the track, he was struck by the Great Subjugation War and then the succession struggles that dragged on for a long time.
“Awful.”
With such a sequence of calamities, you’d think things would calm down, yet the Executive Manager is at the center of a raging storm causing all manner of chaos nowadays. I can totally understand why the Emperor’s mental state might be at a breaking point.
“Marcilio’s prolonged absence is unprecedented, so the Crown Prince should prepare accordingly.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
It’s truly unfortunate.
*
My ears are ringing.
“Take me with you! Take me with youuuuu!”
I want to ignore them, but they’re squirming in such a pitiful way that I can’t look away.
“It’s too much to have four people at the Academy! You’re leaving me and Penelia out!”
And their arguments are quite plausible, so I can’t be too harsh.
“It’s unfair! Just so unfair!”
“I didn’t know either…”
“Not knowing doesn’t mean it didn’t happen!”
That’s true…
Stumped by their rather logical statement, I fell silent again. Why is it that they only speak sense at times like this?
“If you’re going with Sister Beatrix to the Academy, then take me and Penelia too!”
In the chaos, I couldn’t help but be touched by how they didn’t forget the Second Manager. You guys really are friends, aren’t you?
…
“Damn it.”
This is dizzying. I never imagined Marcilio would be dispatched to the Academy as a lecturer…
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