Chapter: 805
Reinhardt Krasius of Tailglehen. The previous patriarch of the Krasius family and my grandfather.
But he passed away when Erich was just born, making him a mysterious figure who hasn’t even left a trace in my original memories.
‘His abilities were among the best of all past patriarchs.’
Of course, it’s not that I don’t have memories as a grandson; I have certainly reviewed enough records about my grandfather as the current patriarch. In fact, it’s impossible to ignore the records about him, despite my attempts to avoid them, as they exist everywhere in the Empire and within the family.
The time when my grandfather was the patriarch was marked by the emperors’ flashy trolling, which led to a decline in imperial authority, making the situation quite precarious for the emperors and the Counts, who shared a fate of intertwined struggles with them. During such times, my grandfather was the loyal minister striving to strengthen the imperial power, actively supporting the situation as a capable minister. There’s no way all of this wouldn’t be recorded.
In any case, my grandfather thrived as a Count who safeguarded the shaky imperial power, acting as a shield against rebellious elements, and a sword that crushed dissidents under the orders of the Empire. He was a dignified nobleman, a capable lord, a powerful warrior, and a loyal minister all at once.
However, unfortunately, he was not a good person as a family head.
‘He wasn’t as clumsy with expressions as my father.’
According to the testimonies of the vassals and servants of the Krasius family who remembered my grandfather’s era, he was a real cold-blooded guy. Not just damp and soft on the inside while appearing rough on the outside, but someone who was just as chilly inside as he was outwardly.
Thanks to that, the Krasius family during my grandfather’s time was said to be rigid and icy. The head of the household viewed not only himself but the entire family as mere tools. Wives were seen as tokens for political marriages, and children were viewed as future strategic tools.
Naturally, my grandfather actively pursued political marriages, resulting in several wives and a total of seven children, including my father as the eldest son. Three sons and three daughters besides my father. That means I have uncles and aunts.
…
‘I’ve already surpassed my grandfather’s life.’
It feels a bit peculiar. Even my grandfather, who viewed everything as a tool, had seven children throughout his life, while I’ve already seen eight children and have six wives. I’ve become a genuine monster who exceeds the thorough political monster he was.
“Just prepare for now. Move when I give the signal.”
– Yes, Your Excellency.
But now, what’s important isn’t that I’ve become a grandson who surpassed my grandfather, but that I have to come into contact with one of my aunts for not-so-good reasons.
Even though I’m not particularly close to my uncles and aunts, I don’t have a bad relationship with them either. There’s definitely a blood connection, even if there’s no acquaintance.
Yet, that connection comes through my father, not through me. Whatever decision I make, I can’t help but be mindful of my father.
‘What should I do?’
Sighing softly while looking at the dimmed communication device, I realized that if the minister’s secretary is preparing an inspection, it’s not something to be taken lightly. If it were something that could be smoothed over, the secretary would have already dealt with it on his own, without needing to raise an inspection. Often, a simple verbal warning or holding onto some leverage is enough instead of executing an actual inspection.
However, the secretary reported directly to me. It wasn’t just a verbal warning or a tacit approval; an inspection must be conducted on the Narzen family. Even knowing that it is my aunt’s household, the secretary made that judgment call.
It’s also a tough call for the secretary. So if I trust him and give him full authority, then moving forward, I must accept this decision, too.
‘Bloodline or order.’
This is maddening. There’s a solid obligation to choose one way or the other.
‘Sticking to principles might be the best approach.’
Generally speaking, conducting inspections based on principles is reasonable, and responding to benefits is appropriate. The former sets forth clear standards, while the latter establishes the proper norms expected of a noble.
On the other hand, moving based on blood ties or personal connections could very well undermine that solid standard. If it doesn’t apply to everyone, it ceases to be a criterion and becomes an atrocity. The authority of inspections that needs to embody reverence and fear, fairness and trust, would get wrecked.
In the end, it’s an ambiguous situation where I can’t carry out inspections or smooth things over.
– Karl?
“I’m sorry for contacting you suddenly. Do you have a moment?”
So, after much thought, I decided to reach out to my father.
Whatever I choose, discussing it with my father is essential. Even if I end up getting scolded by him, at the very least, I need to talk to him.
That way, he’ll also have a better excuse to face my aunt.
The meeting place was set not in the territory of Count Tailglehen, but at a calm and trustworthy lake. There are too many prying eyes and ears in the Count’s residence.
And perhaps because it’s cold, luckily, there wasn’t anyone else around besides me and my father at the lake.
“Don’t go too far, stay nearby.”
– Woof woof!
But since this is a serious and important conversation, I brought Titi. I wanted to assign her the role of a fierce watchdog that would bark at any outsiders who approached.
With this, the vast lake was occupied only by me, my father, and Titi. What we would discuss here surely wouldn’t leak out. That’s the one silver lining amidst the misfortune.
“I had my suspicions since you called me suddenly.”
As I watched Titi run around after heeded my words, my father opened his mouth first.
“It seems we’re going to have quite an important discussion.”
And those words were accompanied by an awkward and remorseful tone.
Even though I was the one who suggested meeting, and I chose this location, I couldn’t bring myself to speak. I knew my father had deep feelings for family, how could I say something like, ‘I plan to inspect my aunt’s household’?
“Um, Father.”
Asking another person over without stating the purpose would be rude even among family.
Moreover, this matter becomes increasingly uncomfortable and awkward the longer I delay. It’s better to get to the point swiftly for the sake of my father, my aunt, and the inspection office.
“I’m talking about the Narzen family.”
At my mention, my father jerked slightly.
Thanks to that, the guilt only swelled inside me. I had almost forgotten about the Narzen family, while my father immediately reacted knowing it was the household where his sister resided.
“Is there a small disturbance there, so I feel an inspection should be carried out?”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, it seems so.”
And then my father and I both silently gazed at the lake.
What could we say? Everyone knows the sinister implications that inspections have in this Empire. I, as a minister, don’t need to say anything, and my father previously dabbled in the inspection office even for a time.
“Your youngest aunt’s name is Elin Krasius. But now you should call her Elin Narzen.”
“I’ve heard she’s the wife of the sub-lord. She’s set to become the next lady of the Narzen family…”
“That’s correct. The same applies to your other uncles and aunts. Your grandfather didn’t use his children carelessly.”
I simply nodded at his voice tinged with bitterness.
Political marriages are done among roughly equal relations. Thanks to this, my uncles and aunts who made political ties with their families are able to hold decent positions within decent families. Squandering a valuable political card on a weak family is nothing but waste.
However, from the word “carelessly” spoken by my father, I could imagine the pain he and my siblings had endured. Just how mechanized must have those political marriages been?
“It’s an embarrassing past to talk about, but we feared and disliked your grandfather. Because of that, once I inherited the family, your uncles and aunts, and grandmother left the Krasius household.”
“If, since you inherited, wouldn’t it have been okay for them to remain?”
“They had no fond memories left. They even judged it better to rely on families formed through political ties than to remain.”
I couldn’t help but sigh at those sad words. Choosing a family maintained through political ties instead of love—just how dreadful must the Krasius household have been?
“Indeed, since then, we’ve had no exchanges whatsoever. We only know they are alive and are treated well in their respective families.”
“At least that’s fortunate.”
“However, that treatment didn’t come about casually.”
Having said that, my father looked at me with a mixture of regret, bitterness, and guilt.
“Their connection to the Krasius family was for profit. Treating your uncles and aunts was proof of their bond established with Krasius. Yet, if my wounded siblings turn their backs on Krasius, what would happen if the eldest son, which is me, also turns my back on them?”
“You must have received some disdain.”
It was an anticipated future. Political marriages between families are ultimately for profit, for the benefit of the other families. But if connections with the family have been severed? What kind of treatment would a family receive without love or benefit?
“Correct. Therefore, I acted not just as the eldest, but as the patriarch of Krasius. Even if I didn’t contact my younger siblings, I helped the families established through political ties as the patriarch.”
“Is it okay now?”
I felt anxious for no good reason. Now the head of the Krasius household was not my father, but me. Yet, I had completely forgotten that the Narzen family was my aunt’s household. Not to mention the other families.
“Fortunately, it seems that your very existence brings strength to those families.”
It was comforting to hear, and I let out a sigh of relief,
“And now it’s time for you to make your choice.”
I fell silent again.
“Karl.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Don’t have me in mind. Do as you want.”
“Yes?”
I was taken aback by his unexpectedly firm advice.
My father felt affection and guilt toward my uncles and aunts. Even if they don’t contact him, he still reached out to help.
As if it’s something entirely natural. Like bearing the burden of being someone who carries the name Krasius.
“I am not in a position to ask anything from you. Even if I ask you to conduct a firm inspection or request lenient judgment, all blame will fall on you. You would have to endure the fear of being mercilessly severing blood ties, or the sarcasm of wrapping it in blood.”
“It’s fine. Isn’t that what inspections are for?”
“That blame and hatred are things you must accept wholly based on your choices. It’s weighty to accept it just because you listened to your retired father.”
Then my father patted my shoulder.
“So, do as you wish. Don’t worry about me; walk the path you think is right. I’ve fulfilled my duty to my younger siblings over the years, now it’s time for me to fulfill my duty as a father.”
With an extremely faint and fragile smile.
“…I will handle things fairly so that no one gets wronged.”
At my response, my father merely nodded.
He knew this was my best as well. He knew it was the path I had chosen.
‘Please let it be a misunderstanding or a false accusation.’
A not-so-great example, but I hope Narzen was framed like Yuris.
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