Chapter 411
Half of the Empire is directly governed by the great Imperial Family, while the other half is managed by nobles who have received the Emperor’s grace. So much so that it’s said the Imperial Family’s direct territories are vast. There’s even a joke that you could form a legion from the local governors managing the Imperial Family’s territories.
I too lived as one of those numerous local governors. I was granted the surname Gelvain by the Imperial Family and named Alfred by my parents—a mere bureaucrat.
Bureaucrat. That was my identity. Someone too far from nobility to even be embarrassed to call myself noble, but I lived with pride as a bureaucrat. That was me, Alfred Gelvain.
‘It was a decent life.’
I lived as a quietly dedicated bureaucrat instead of a brilliant noble, yet I have no regrets. Thanks to the grace of His Majesty, I even rose to the position of chief local governor of a region.
Although I had to step down from that position when the Wyridia region was granted to a noble, I wasn’t resentful, just a bit disappointed. I had truly done all I could as chief local governor, and I rose as high as I could go. It was an honorable exit from the peak of the field.
Of course, since my departure wasn’t due to any fault of my own, there’s a chance I might receive a new position while waiting. But I can’t guarantee how long that waiting period will be, since there are no vacancies for chief local governors. So I thought it best to step back completely. It’s harmful to the younger generation if someone like me just hangs around without a position after having enjoyed benefits.
Yeah, I was trying to step down.
‘What the heck is going on?’
What is this?
I was confused. I couldn’t understand my current situation—kneeling before the Count of Wyridia, who is also the Minister of the Inspection Department.
“Alfred Gelvain. You have managed the Wyridia region admirably, earning the trust of the Imperial Family, and it surely pleases His Majesty.”
I stared blankly at the floor as the Count of Wyridia brandished a sword above my head. I was startled when he summoned me and drew his sword, but now, embarrassment filled my chest.
“Wyridia was once a borderland adjacent to hostile forces. Therefore, during the Great Purge War five years ago, it suffered considerable damage, but thanks to your abilities, those wounds have healed.”
Though his words made my face heat up, I did not deny them. Wyridia, as the northern outskirts, had gone through its share of misfortunes, and during that Great Purge War five years ago, despair loomed over us. Overcoming that hardship and normalizing Wyridia was my pride and my life’s achievement.
“Therefore, I hereby declare as a legitimate great lord ruling Wyridia.”
With those words, the Count of Wyridia lightly tapped my head and shoulders with the sword that had been hovering above me.
“I, Carl Krasius of Wyridia, will make Alfred Gelvain a Viscount Kisele. At the same time, I appoint Viscount Kisele as the steward of Wyridia, and I expect you to give your all for Wyridia.”
The ongoing declaration filled me with increasing bewilderment.
A viscount? A steward? These words made no sense to me. It was too much honor for a mere bureaucrat, such an embarrassing title to bear. After all, this was our first meeting.
“Y-Your Excellency, this command is too overwhelming. A viscount for me?”
I found myself trembling, my words stuttering before I could even stop them.
But I didn’t have the luxury to care about such trivial worries. Right now, figuring out the true intentions of the Count of Wyridia was my top priority.
‘What the heck is going on?’
But no matter how hard I thought about it, I couldn’t comprehend the motives. Surely, the Count of Wyridia wasn’t toying with a retiring local governor like me, nor would he have any reason to.
The problem was, unless he was mocking me, there couldn’t be any real reason behind this. Maybe it’s the first time I wished it were some twisted noble’s prank.
“Considering your dedication to Wyridia, it is certainly not excessive. Who else in this Empire is as knowledgeable about Wyridia’s matters as you?”
As I scrambled to gather my thoughts, the Count of Wyridia gently patted my shoulder and spoke softly.
“When the great Emperor Amanca received divine guidance and established the Empire, he judged others entirely based on their abilities and achievements—not on their background or connections. I too, as a noble of the Empire, follow that beautiful intent of the Emperor.”
Saying that, he placed something into my hand—a seal.
‘A seal?’
It was a seal, but not the plain one I had used as a local governor. It was quite a decorative seal.
“What I grant you is certainly not excessive. It is a reward for your years of dedication to the Imperial Family and Wyridia, and I believe His Majesty would agree.”
With those words, my hands began to tremble once again, but for a different reason.
I thought I had done enough. I thought I had risen as high as I could. I figured it was time for an honorable retirement while watching my children succeed.
However, the noble man before me denied that. He insisted I still had things to do, that there was still room for me to rise further, that my life had not yet reached its end.
‘Dedication, a reward.’
An overwhelming emotion welled up inside me. My life was being acknowledged by someone I had never met before. Even His Majesty recognized it.
Slowly, I turned my gaze to the seal in my hand. By accepting this seal, I would become a noble. My children would no longer be the children of a bureaucrat but of a noble.
All of this for my life’s sake.
“…I shall serve you until my last breath, Your Excellency.”
And now, the life I should pursue is no longer that of a quietly dedicated bureaucrat but a noble burning with life.
“Don’t talk in such ominous terms. As you age, isn’t it time to retire and rest?”
At the Count’s words, laced with humor, I bowed my head even further.
With such grace, how could I dare to rest?
There was no urgent need, so I returned home at the Count’s encouragement. The place was more luxurious compared to the residences of commoners, yet it couldn’t begin to compare to a noble’s mansion.
‘It’s a house built at a high price.’
A chuckle escaped me. I had invested most of my savings as a local governor to build this house. I intended it as my comfortable retirement home.
But surprisingly, overnight I gained something far greater than this. A viscountcy with an accompanying territory, a castle at the heart of the viscounty, and a mansion set up for smooth operations as a steward. Such things couldn’t be obtained even with hundreds or thousands of houses like this one.
‘I should use this as a villa.’
Thinking that, I entered my home leisurely. Though it had become my least valuable property among my wealth, it still held the most warmth.
“Hmm? Father, you’re home already?”
As I stepped inside the mansion, my daughter Rana greeted me.
The one among my children with the most brilliance, and therefore, my proud daughter who vowed to follow the path of a local governor just like me.
…
“Rana.”
“Yes? What’s wrong?”
“Don’t go to the capital; work in Wyridia instead.”
“What?”
At my words, Rana blinked in surprise, looking as if she didn’t understand what I meant at all.
I understood. When Rana decided to follow my path as a local governor, I had told her to go to the capital and take the exams without fail. Starting there would indeed be advantageous for future appointments. Not to mention it would help broaden her network.
But then again, obsessing over appointments and connections was ultimately for the sake of advancement. If you’re going to become a local governor, wouldn’t it be more fulfilling to climb as high as possible?
‘Advancement would be easier in Wyridia.’
Yet, the Count appointed me a viscount on our first meeting. There were no other conditions; it was simply a matter of using worthy individuals as he saw fit.
If that’s the case, there’s no reason to head to the distant capital filled with competition. Showing your abilities beside the Count would be far more beneficial for her career.
“B-But father? I like Wyridia, and I have many friends here, so it’s nice, but why…?”
After blinking for a while, Rana cautiously asked. Thankfully, she didn’t seem to have any resentment about staying in Wyridia.
“The reason to go to the capital has vanished.”
“Yes?”
“Look at this.”
I pulled out the viscount’s seal from my pocket and showed it to Rana.
That day, neither Rana nor any of my other family members would ever forget the expressions on their faces.
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