Chapter: 824
Before heading to northern Hauzentz, I got permission from the Emperor, the owner of the imperial direct territory. Even if it was a decision influenced by someone else’s authority, as long as I got the okay, that’s all that matters, right? No big deal if the process seems a bit off, as long as the outcome is good.
However, just because I had the Emperor’s blessing didn’t mean I zoomed off immediately. The Emperor might be the owner in title, but he doesn’t even live in northern Hauzentz. The actual person in charge of managing it is someone else.
That’s where the local governors come in, and among them, there’s a chief governor responsible for the area. I made sure to inform the chief governor of northern Hauzentz that I’d be going on my honeymoon.
Unfortunately, the chief governor seemed to be busy with other matters, and his assistant received the message instead.
‘Doesn’t really matter, does it?’
It’s just a notification anyway; whether the chief governor or his assistant gets it doesn’t make a difference. I’m sure the assistant reported to the chief governor afterward.
So, after hugging Ferentz and bidding farewell to the other ladies and children, I took one last look at the sights of northern Hauzentz before teleporting over.
“It’s truly an honor to meet Count and Countess!”
The moment I stepped out of the teleportation magic circle, a person who appeared to be the chief governor greeted us.
“Is this the chief governor?”
“Yes, your grace! I am Winston Mullen, the chief governor managing this northern Hauzentz!”
Winston, the chief governor, bowed deeply at almost a 90-degree angle, and I patted his shoulder to help him up.
Though I had told him I was coming today, I hadn’t specified the exact time. Given how eagerly he welcomed us, it seemed he’d been waiting for us since early morning.
“Relax. You’re the one who has the Emperor’s confidence to manage this region. My wife and I are here for personal reasons, not official duties; we’re just guests. Why should the host bow to guests?”
“Y-Your grace! How can you say such things? It is true I owe an immense debt to His Majesty, but in the noble territory of the royal family, how could I act like the owner?”
Winston trembled at my patting.
I understood Winston’s feelings well enough. Even with the title of chief, he was merely an agent. Like a spare part, he could be replaced tomorrow depending on the Emperor’s whims.
Yet, the reason I emphasized our personal visit was simple. I wanted to clarify that we had come for fun, not in an official capacity. I wanted to firmly establish that we were here as guests, not as inspectors.
‘Not that it’ll have much effect.’
Seeing Winston still in a shaky state made me smirk helplessly.
I had clearly informed the assistant that we were visiting for our honeymoon. Judging by Winston coming out to greet us, it seemed my message was conveyed correctly.
However, rather than relaxing at the mention of a honeymoon, Winston was visibly shaken, terrified at our visit. How pitiful.
“I hear this area is flourishing under the diligent management of fine local governors. His Majesty is surely pleased with your efforts and dedication.”
I calmed Winston with a compliment thrown together on the spot. At least I needed to say something like, “Your superiors think fondly of you,” to ease the tension.
Fortunately, it wasn’t entirely baseless flattery. This region is the Emperor’s hot button. To entrust such a place means the Emperor must trust the one managing it, and managing it smoothly for years means he’s certainly met the Emperor’s expectations.
The chief governor aptly managing the Emperor’s hot button. While he might not have spoken it out loud, the Emperor would likely be pleased with that feat.
“Your words are too kind!”
Winston’s tension eased a bit from my instant compliment.
Sorry, buddy. Once I get back home, I’ll praise you to the Emperor. I’ll tell him you’re a diligent, polite, and capable fellow. With praise like that, stepping into the Commoners’ Council might not be a far-off dream.
“Well, I should take my leave then. You must be busy with work, so no sense wasting time here.”
After firmly engraving the name Winston Mullen in my mind, I patted his shoulder once more.
We exchanged some pleasantries and managed to ease the atmosphere a little. Now, we could separate to do our own things.
“Your grace, since you’ve taken precious time to come all the way to northern Hauzentz, I hope this becomes a memorable trip! If you don’t mind, I’d like to share some of the renowned spots in northern Hauzentz with you. May I?”
However, Winston didn’t seem too keen on just letting it slide; he cautiously opened his mouth to share sightseeing information.
“Just the thought is appreciated. I’ve done some homework myself, and the joy of traveling is in the experiences lived—”
“It’s all good! We’ve been here before!”
At that statement, both Winston and I jumped in surprise.
“Wife, you’ve been here before…?”
“Yes, previously during the Eiselons,”
“Now that I think about it, receiving recommendations from locals would also be a good idea. If you could share, I’d appreciate it.”
I quickly covered Erich’s mouth, managing a smile as Winston rapidly nodded in agreement.
Even amidst the chaos, I felt proud and relieved that I just covered her mouth and not her lips. There’s no way I could cover her lips in public.
‘What are you doing talking about that here?’
But internally, I sighed several times.
Bringing up the Eiselons in front of a visibly frightened Winston was practically a threat. “This is the place we came to when we dealt with the Eiselons. Why are we here again?” That’s likely how he’d interpret it.
…
‘I do know what it was like when I came here back then.’
In truth, I probably knew this area better than Erich. The Eiselon purge was one of the major operations of the Information Department, alongside dealing with the second prince.
Thanks to that, I had thoroughly investigated what the Hauzentz region had to offer, popular spots, and where the paths led. If the Eiselons attempted to flee, I would have needed to chase them down immediately. To embellish, I even knew how many families lived in Hauzentz, and how many dogs and cows roamed about.
Yet, in consideration of Winston’s mental health, I had planned to pretend I didn’t know anything. But since this turned around, I might as well explore openly. Besides, having someone who has lived in the area for a few years was bound to provide useful information, and combining my knowledge with Winston’s could yield a great tourist map.
It’s amusing how knowledge gained from eliminating the Eiselons is morphing into a tourist map. The world is a strange place.
The tourist information provided by Winston was mostly in line with what I already knew. The only differences were a few tourist spots that had gained popularity recently and some local delicacies.
That’s actually a relief. Unexpected surprises would mean reworking my well-laid plans, but if everything went as expected, I’d be fine.
“It feels nice to be back here! Maybe it’s because we’re not here for work, that it feels different?”
“Please, tone it down a bit.”
I mumbled bitterly at Erich’s delightfully cheerful remark.
It’s fine when it’s just the two of us, but when we’re out like this, I really hope she keeps it down. Bringing up work from the Inspection Department just creates discomfort. At this rate, Winston might drop dead standing up.
Though Winston did head back to the government office for work, who knows how many of his eyes and ears could be scattered throughout Hauzentz. It’d only make sense to keep any awkward topics at bay.
“What does it matter? I’m not wrong, am I? And if the governor is confident, he won’t care what I say!”
‘You really think so?’
I desperately suppressed my twitching hands.
Erich was no longer just a co-worker who sighed too often; she was my wife, and the mother of Ferentz. For her dignity and authority, I should avoid actions like covering her lips.
But I’m scared. I’m scared of just how much longer I can endure. I hope Erich stays in my reason and doesn’t break through.
“Oh, there it is!”
Whether it’s lucky or unfortunate, my turbulent thoughts quickly came to an end. After walking a bit, we finally arrived at our first tourist spot.
‘Hauzentz Circle.’
It’s the busiest area dubbed the greatest in Hauzentz, encompassing not only northern Hauzentz but even the southern Hauzentz ruled by the Eiselons. A bustling marketplace filled with shops, renowned for having anything not found here existing beyond borders.
Stepping into this place felt like walking into a huge shopping mall one might find in my previous life. Its scale is so grand that it’s one of the top three commerce centers in the Empire.
“It seems larger than before?”
“It’s Eiselon’s imprint, but it’d be a shame to get rid of it. Since it’s now royal property, it should be expanded even more.”
There’s a crazy commercial hub here, and the reason it established itself in a place that was just a marquisate is simple.
The former Eiselon lord, who ruled back in the day, let his rampage and misdeeds run amok. He actively utilized the Emperor’s family ties and built intricate logistics networks by connecting with local and international merchants. Of course, they secured their own territory as the logistics hub.
They probably never imagined that territory would be ripped away as a direct territory. What a joy!
“Every time I see this, I can’t help but marvel at how character and ability are unrelated.”
“I agree.”
I nodded reflexively at Erich’s remark. The founder of this Circle, former Eiselon Lord, Gallant Eiselon of Hauzentz. If someone were to ask, “Is that guy a bastard?” hardly anyone would deny it, but if they then asked if he was incompetent, no one could affirm that either.
Honestly, he was quite capable. Even if he was a rotten apple, he adeptly banded factions under the leadership of the utterly incompetent second prince. If it were that bad, it wouldn’t have taken the Crown Prince’s ascension for a while to put Eiselon in check.
The reason he didn’t just wipe out the marquis house and let the Empire wobble was that the Eiselons’ influence was deep and entrenched.
“How did our once-glorious Eiselon, hailed as number one in the Empire, end up like this!”
As Eiselon faced the Emperor with suffocating tension, they crumbled due to the drunken rash remarks made by an Eiselon sub-lord.
I still think that idiot deserves my deepest gratitude. How incredibly foolish must he have been to underestimate the royal family and brazenly flaunt Eiselon’s superiority?
‘You’ll go down in history.’
It won’t be for good reasons, but you’ll be remembered, nonetheless.
The moment we stepped into Hauzentz Mall—no, Hauzentz Circle, it felt like stepping into another world. The atmosphere shifted dramatically with just one entrance.
‘Whoa.’
Once a center of logistics for the continent and Empire, now under the Emperor’s watchful gaze as a directly managed territory. Thanks to its impressive title, Hauzentz Circle has practically transformed into a different world.
“Typical of sword-wielding folks! Their heads are as solid as metal!”
“What? You think you’ll get less hurt if you get whacked? Your limbs look so skinny, it seems they could snap just by tapping them!”
It was a place where the sentiments of nations with minimal ties to the Empire could be palpably felt.
‘Is this the continent?’
Who knew we’d witness those folks from your country facing off against the Empire? Certainly, the Empire claims to embrace everything, asserting it exists because of everything.
Not just materially, but even feelings come under the Empire’s embrace. My heart swells with pride at the grandeur of this great Empire.
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