Chapter 570
Before charging into the Ministry of Finance, I decided to contact the Minister first. It’s better to avoid just barging in and ending up facing the irritable Minister buried in work, only to be chased out while hearing all sorts of rude remarks.
– The Minister is busy, but the Master has plenty of time.
“Ah, yes…”
The Minister’s response was short and succinct. It was clear he would kick me out if I just showed up, but stated outright that he’d make time for me if I brought Pedi along.
I was already considering using Pedi as a power play, but his demand caught me off guard. It made me feel like a dad ready to sell his son just to gain favor.
“Pedi, let’s go meet the Master.”
“Auu!”
Thanks to the Minister frequently visiting the mansion to play with Pedi, he flashed a big grin at the mention of the title “Master.”
Thank goodness for that. I was worried that the Minister’s annoying personality might have a negative effect on Pedi.
‘He’s a human; he can’t do anything weird to my kid.’
The Minister barely qualifies as a person, I guess.
– Woof!
‘Oh.’
While I was getting ready to head out with Pedi in my arms, Titi showed up, gripping Pedi’s knee pads in her mouth.
Good job, Titi. You’re getting bigger and not just in size and fur but in awareness too. If there are any spiritual beings on this continent, Titi would definitely be among them.
“Auu!”
– Woof, woof!
Now perched calmly in my arms, Pedi was flailing his hands toward Titi, as if to invite him along.
Titi even placed her front paws on my body and leaned in closer to Pedi.
Hmm…
“Do you want to come along?”
– Woof!
After petting Titi’s panting head, I took a step forward.
If we chat about work, both the Minister and I might momentarily forget about Pedi. In the meantime, he could trip or get hurt, but with Titi looking after him, I felt more at ease. Titi is the one who plays with Pedi the best around this mansion.
Of course, excluding me. I can’t let my pet overshadow me as a father.
Three seconds after entering the Minister’s office…
“Take it.”
The Minister pointed at a blank sheet of paper on his desk with his chin.
“What is this?”
“It’s a gift from His Majesty the Emperor. Just write whatever you need and submit it.”
Hastily, I grabbed the paper and examined it closely.
Nothing was written on it, but the edges were adorned in gold, and there was a crazy seal of the Emperor embossed on the bottom right.
‘What the hell.’
I had prepared myself for a fierce battle for the budget, even dragging Pedi into it, but this utterly absurd item left me momentarily dazed.
‘This is a blank check.’
A sheet of paper with no numbers, relying on authority for trust, a versatile item that gives freely as you write.
It was obviously a blank check. Even the Gold Dukes would be shocked to see something like this born in the hands of the Emperor.
“Well, it’s been decades since I started working at the Ministry of Finance, but I’ve never seen anything like this.”
The Minister also seemed taken aback by the emergence of something that shattered common sense, chuckling to himself while shaking his head.
“Can I really just write whatever I want?”
“In the end, it’ll pass through my hands. If you put down a ridiculously high number, just erase a couple of zeros at the back.”
It’s not 100% freedom, but it put me at ease. If it were a truly free item, I’d be too terrified to scribble anything down.
“Well then, that’s it for work chat.”
Rising from his seat and cracking his neck, the Minister approached me with a ghastly grin.
“Leave Pedi behind and scram.”
“No way!”
The crazy statement hit me like a ton of bricks, rivaling the shock of the blank check. Hearing that come from someone with his size and demeanor made him sound like a human trafficker.
– Grrrr…!
Even Titi, who’s faced the Minister multiple times, flinched and went on the defensive.
“Auu! Auu!”
Only Pedi smiled brightly at the Master who adored him.
Our adorable Pedi. It’s heartwarming that he doesn’t shy away from people, but there are trustworthy people and those who aren’t…
‘…He’ll figure it out when he gets older.’
Thinking that, I carefully handed Pedi over to the Minister.
After all, I was the one who originally made the Minister his guardian. It would be silly of me to now say, “Don’t get too friendly with that crazy old geezer.”
“Hm? You seem to have gained a bit of weight?”
“Babies grow quickly, you know. He’ll probably be heavier by tomorrow.”
“Well, that’s true.”
The Minister, grinning like a fool, rummaged through his pants pocket and pulled something out.
It was a small lion-shaped stuffed toy.
‘What on earth is that?’
It seemed entirely out of character for the Minister, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
A blank check, remarks about human trafficking, and now this cute little stuffed toy. I felt like I’d been hit on the head three times in a short span.
“Auu! Aau! Wuuuu!”
“Hoho, did you like it?”
“Auu!”
However, Pedi seemed entranced by the new toy, eyes sparkling as he reached out for it.
Our Pedi… he really loves animals… The signs were there ever since he played well with Titi…
“Here, it’s a gift.”
“Byeow!”
Seeing Pedi’s bright smile, I made a pledge. When we get back to the mansion, I’ll create an entire zoo with stuffed animals.
I’ll even have them custom-made from animals that don’t exist on this continent—
– Knock, knock
“Minister of Finance, are you in there?”
A voice rang out from outside, belonging to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
When the Minister’s gaze turned to me at the unexpected visitor, I nodded subtly, signaling that it was okay. I was done with my business, so it didn’t matter if someone else came in.
“Yes, come in.”
“Excuse me.”
The Foreign Minister quietly slid the door open and walked in, his eyes round with surprise at the bustling sight inside the Minister’s office.
“Oh, we have a delightful guest here already.”
“It’s been a while, Minister of Foreign Affairs.”
As I shook hands with the Foreign Minister, I bowed my head slightly.
Since I became the head of the Inspection Department, the Foreign Minister had been treating me with respect, but considering his age, experience, and rank, the Foreign Minister was still above me. So a slight bow seemed polite.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
As the Foreign Minister held Pedi in his arms, he laughed at the sight of Titi sprawled on my feet.
This was definitely not a normal scene. Which Minister’s office has a baby and a pet running around?
“It’s fine. I just finished up and was about to leave.”
“Then leave Pedi here.”
“No way.”
Stop trying to steal my son.
“Seeing as you’re already here, why not listen together? It’s something the Inspection Department head should know as well.”
“Excuse me?”
I bristled at his unremarkable suggestion. The Foreign Minister personally coming to the Finance Minister’s office must mean it’s something urgent, and I’m supposed to know too?
“…Can I not just step out?”
“Whether you hear it first or later, it doesn’t matter, but if you really want to leave, then do so.”
“Damn it.”
My gloomy sigh had the Foreign Minister bursting into laughter again.
Laughing at others’ misfortune, that cruel person.
“To cut to the chase, the Holy Kingdom’s next Saint is starting a pilgrimage.”
But as the Foreign Minister continued, my gloomy mood vanished in an instant.
“W-What? At a time like this?”
Even the Minister, who’d been fondling Pedi’s cheeks, frowned at the Foreign Minister’s words. The pilgrimage of the next Saint is not something to be taken lightly.
“Consequently, the Foreign Ministry is in a tizzy. Who would have guessed the next Saint would engage in external activities at such a time?”
With the council having caused the believers to rampage, if the next Saint starts wandering outside the Holy Kingdom, who knows what might happen?
At a time like this, he could rally the supporters of the council or maybe even challenge the Pope’s authority by amassing the opposing faction. With the title of Saint, they have sufficient clout and authority to do just that.
“He’s supposed to start his pilgrimage from the eastern continent, but adding up all the holy sites outside the Empire amounts to only half of those within the Empire. He’ll be here before long.”
“The escort costs will be quite significant.”
In the end, it simply meant they’d need money, which made the Minister scowl even more. Protection for not just anyone, but the next Saint during a pilgrimage requires substantial manpower and budget.
“…Ugh…”
“Oh.”
“Oh dear.”
As the serious expression settled on the Minister, even Pedi started to whine softly.
“Waaaaah!”
“Why would you show such a terrible thing to a kid who should only be seeing beautiful things!”
In a panic, I snatched Pedi away from the Minister’s grasp. Showing an innocent child that kind of horrific news was practically child abuse.
“Well, I didn’t mean for that to happen…”
The Minister, suddenly responsible for making the child cry, waved his hands, trying to prove his innocence, but once the waterworks started, it wasn’t easily stopped.
It wasn’t until three hours later that Pedi was back in the Minister’s arms.
*
Ultimately, I got permission from my mentor for the pilgrimage. During the process, he clutched his neck and groaned, but I took it as just a small growing pain for the sect.
“However, take a Cardinal with you. I can’t send you out alone, I’m too worried about it.”
Of course, not all of my suggestions were accepted. My mentor adamantly argued that he absolutely could not allow the next Saint to wander alone; he might as well join me.
Conceding to that strong will, I accepted some of my mentor’s suggestions. The important part is that I’m the one undertaking the pilgrimage, not who I’m with.
“Then I’ll rely on you during the pilgrimage, Sister Alexandria.”
“Yes, Brother. I’ll do my best to assist you.”
And thus, Sister Alexandria was chosen to accompany me on my journey across the continent.
At first, I had considered swapping her out for someone else. It pained me for her, being pulled out of her busy schedule just to travel the continent because of me.
“The Saint’s Assistant will travel with you to select saints and blessed candidates across the continent. Since it’s something that needs to be done eventually, now is the perfect time to redirect attention away from the council.”
I came to understand that it was simply job-related. Organizing canonizations and blessings on a continental scale would likely tone down the fervor of the council.
‘A continental scale, huh.’
A soft smile crept onto my face. Now it truly hit me that I’ll be wandering the continent.
‘How delightful!’
I might just get to see some familiar faces.
Friends from the Empire, Armain, and Yuben.
I couldn’t stop smiling at the thought that, if fortune smiled upon me, I might cross paths with them.
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