Chapter 531
In life, there are meet-ups and farewells; starts and finishes exist side by side.
Even with the most loathed person, one can part ways with a smile in the end, and even the closest friends must say their goodbyes. That’s just how life rolls.
Over the past three years at the Academy, I learned these life lessons. Although it was merely a tiny fraction of the time I’ve lived and will live, the memories left an indelible mark and unforgettable teachings on my heart.
“I will never step outside the system again.”
Turns out, working as a Civil Servant in the center is the real deal, not the provinces.
People don’t just live in the capital or big cities for kicks. If you have to roll around, it’s better to do it in a larger area than a tiny one. Hence, everyone scrambles to get to the center.
And that includes me. Before my dispatch to the Academy, I didn’t appreciate the value of the system, but after three years of this ultra-long dispatch, I realized just how beautiful the system was.
“Let’s live and die within the system from now on.”
I tossed the ball back to Titi while letting out a small sigh.
Honestly, going on long-term dispatch as an Executive Manager is bonkers. But it was all due to the miracle of foreign royalty studying abroad, so I had no choice. Even the ministers at the level of Judicial Minister didn’t budge an inch.
And in just a few days, I too will officially become a Judicial Minister. Once that happens, I can roll around within the system until my soul separates from my body, but there’s no chance I’ll need to go on business trips outside. I’m not some Foreign Affairs Minister having to wander overseas during emergencies.
“…Is this something I should be happy about?”
A wave of self-doubt washed over me for a moment. Rolling around inside or outside of the system isn’t fundamentally different, and comforting myself with the thought that “it’s better inside” feels a bit pathetic. It’s like a slave boasting about the golden shackles on their ankles.
But hey, if those shackles are made of gold, I suppose it’s something to brag about, right?
I firmly believe that’s the case. If not, I’d go insane mentally.
—Splat!
“Good dog.”
Titi returned with the ball again, barking robustly as if to encourage me. Such a good kid, knowing how to comfort her owner.
But it’s a bit of a mixed feeling. The one who first clamped the shackles onto my ankles was the situation, and it was the situation that gave me Titi.
“It’s not like I’m being given both poison and medicine.”
Of course, compared to the Emperor, who throws nothing but poison at me, the situation is an angel.
At least I’ve received plenty from the situation in various ways.
*
“Ah, come on.”
I couldn’t help but marvel as I checked the report from the Imperial Knight Commander.
[ The combat skills of Charles Olid, the designated Royal Educator, are at the level of an ordinary knight. However, his ability to understand the gap between himself and his opponent and skillfully dodge their attacks is not lacking even when compared to veteran instructors of the Imperial Knight Corps. ]
That’s quite a hefty compliment for someone as stoic as the Knight Commander.
‘A tremendous talent has been lying in wait.’
As I read the overly detailed report—disguised praise—my chuckle bubbled up.
Just a few days ago, the Commander had viewed this young man named Charles with some disdain. He shook his head, insisting it made no sense for a fresh Academy grad to take on the honorable position of Royal Educator, arguing that he should start from the bottom for the sake of experience.
However, considering the reputation of the minister who had written the recommendation, he had verified Charles’ abilities, and upon recognizing them, he flipped his stance so fast it was comical. It was impossible not to smile at such a rapid change.
‘If the Commander is this impressed, his capability must be solid.’
After all, the Imperial Knight Commander is bound to be conservative because of the nature of the job. The one ultimately responsible for the safety of the empire and guarding the palace shouldn’t be too lenient; otherwise, that’d be a disaster. Even the past Commanders were somewhat flexible but never neglected their duties.
For such a rigid Commander to support a young man’s appointment as Royal Educator? That speaks volumes about his talent.
‘What a fascinating turn of events.’
Indeed, it’s astonishing and hard to believe. This prodigy was just a student at the Academy a few days ago.
And it’s equally mind-blowing that the minister managed to unearth such a hidden gem.
‘Surely he can’t be believing in any promises.’
Reflecting on this twisted determination, I recalled a hazy past—specifically, the time when the minister casually hoped for retirement. Each time he applied, I found it a hassle to reject him, so I jokingly said I would consider it if he found me a replacement talent of a hundred.
Could he have genuinely taken that seriously?
‘No way.’
I shook my head lightly, dismissing that thought. No matter how obsessed he was with retiring, he couldn’t be that naïve.
In the first place, if he were to bring in a hundred talents, we’d need to churn out one more—including him—so why would he let someone go?
‘It must be a fixation borne of the belief that he can’t die alone.’
Then a surprisingly plausible theory began to take shape in my mind.
Having chosen the bureaucratic path instead of being a student, the minister spent his youth in the administration—a rare chance lost. Therefore, he probably desires to see young nobles not walk the same path he did. When considering the minister’s somewhat twisted personality, this theory makes a lot of sense.
‘But then, who cares?’
For me, it’s good news, regardless of whether it’s a product of his twisted personality. Whether he’s snatching up talents with ulterior motives or not doesn’t matter to me.
The talented young people who got those recommendations will happily become bureaucrats, and the minister will indulge his dark desires, while I simply enjoy the rising talents. It’s a perfect world where everyone’s happy.
The only downside is that this year marks the end of the minister’s supervisory duties, meaning there will be no more new young talents on the way. I rather enjoyed these past three years.
Yet, if I were to indiscriminately hand out recommendations, there’s no telling if they’d come close to being as good as those chosen by the minister.
‘Being able to choose from up close made all the difference.’
The minister resided at the Academy, keeping tabs on the students. It wasn’t just hearsay; he verified their abilities firsthand. There’s no better way to assess talent than that.
“Should the next supervisor be sent to the Academy as well?”
I muttered, a statement that would make any black-haired official jump in shock, but what can I say? The minister performed his supervisory duties remarkably well under such sudden pressure.
However, it felt like a waste to let the new official who would soon become the official chief supervisory minister out into the world when he should rather stay internal. That would be wasting talent.
…
‘What if I just send him during his honeymoon period?’
Suddenly, a devilish whisper stirred deep within my chest. The minister will be busy with his honeymoon and child-rearing, so wouldn’t it be advantageous to briefly shuffle some manpower outside, especially if I couldn’t manage them?
But that whisper ended up mere whispers in the air. If I went through with that, the histories of the Empire might write about “The Tailglehen Rebellion.” Perhaps it might even become known as the “Tailglehen Revolution.”
Yeah, let’s not send the minister outside. Keeping him nearby and utilizing him efficiently is the best way to go about it.
—At least, that was what I thought before reading the next report.
“Oh dear.”
My brows furrowed sharply at the report I received from the Special Service Agency. This wasn’t something I could brush aside lightly, so I put down my teacup.
[ Crown Prince Leon is critically ill. He likely won’t make it past February next year. ]
I already knew that Leon, the sole heir to the throne, was on the brink of death. That’s why the minister had gone behind the scenes and formed a secret alliance with Ainter.
So, this information in itself wasn’t surprising. On the contrary, it could even be seen as a positive report, indicating that the Empire needs to take action.
[ Grand Marshal Nerkaff is on a patrol mainly in the southern region of the Armein Kingdom. ]
[ Marquis Iskerthal, commander of the Southern Grand Army, has resigned. Currently, he is training private soldiers on his territory. ]
Yet, the subsequent sentence was anything but positive.
In the context of Leon’s situation, the intelligence of Armein is either equivalent or superior to that of the Empire. To put it plainly, anything I know, so does the King of Armein.
However, with the Crown Prince Leon on the brink of death, the Grand Marshal is currently patrolling the southern region, which is linked to Leon? It’s obvious he’s preparing for a massive military operation.
‘Resignation, huh.’
Moreover, the Southern Grand Army’s commander, who should lead the charge against Armein if they get involved with Leon, suddenly resigns? Considering the unwritten rule that commanders facing significant events shouldn’t be swapped out,
‘He must be leading the charge.’
Armein isn’t merely sending out a few troops from the Southern Grand Army; it’s highly probable they’re organizing a campaign centered around the former commander, Marquis Iskerthal.
What a headache. Having a former Grand Army commander lead a campaign signifies how high Armein is riding on this situation. They might want to flaunt their commitment to intervening in Leon’s affairs as well.
At least, this isn’t an act meant to intimidate the Empire. In this matter, both the Empire and Armein are in the same boat.
‘They must be scouting out for Quoronos.’
Quickly, I conjured the map of the continent in my mind and recalled which country Armein would be vigilant against.
Quoronos Kingdom. The rising power that invaded the Leon Kingdom when it lost to the Empire in a past war, seizing territory.
No matter how I think about it, they fit the bill. If Armein is that wary of a country, and if they both decide to move, it’s because they are in a tight spot.
‘Guess there’s no other option.’
Letting out a small sigh, I organized the report from the Special Service Agency. If Armein is moving high-ranking officials, the Empire needs to send someone of equal caliber in response.
Looking strictly at ranks, my father-in-law is the Grand Commander, but sending him in such cases would be pushing it; considering his honor and reputation, there’s also the continent’s greatest sword—the Judicial Minister. His name surely carries weight among knights, and it could serve as an effective pressure card on Armein and the Leon Kingdom, as well as the likely intervening Quoronos Kingdom.
‘Sorry, minister.’
Well, at least it’s a relief that they expect Leon’s death around February. That way, the minister should be able to hold his third wedding ceremony without disruptions.
Probably.
‘…Having someone too capable might be a problem.’
It’s a regrettable situation for the minister, but he tends to deliver good results no matter where he’s placed, which makes him too useful.
As an Emperor, he’s truly a commendable vassal, yet at this point, it feels like I might as well feel sorry for him.
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