Chapter: 837
Currently, the only living members of the Risiragui Knights are the Vice Captain, my first father-in-law, Trixie, the former minister of the imperial household, and me. That makes five of us.
Honestly, it’s a cringe-worthy lineup. The Emperor’s father-in-law, the top hero of the Northern Campaign, a war hero who suppressed the Eastern Kingdoms thirty years ago, someone at the very pinnacle of magic who itself is a deterrent to war, and a sage who helped rebuild the Empire. And here I am, wedged in like a stray sock. The difference in achievement, experience, and authority is just too extreme.
But what’s even more embarrassing is that not just me, but out of the four who became members of the Risiragui Knights before me, none of them have any descendants. I’m the youngest, and I’m the one expected to produce the next generation!
And not just one or two, but eleven of them. And not even humans, but beasts!
‘Wait, is it twelve?’
Thinking it over, isn’t Risianne also supposed to be among the descendants? Risianne goes for walks and can talk just like the magical beasts. If the magical beasts get to be hired help, she’s more than qualified to be counted among them too.
‘A demon lord army, huh.’
The thought made me chuckle to myself. A group made up of former evil gods and former demon kings. Even a real demon lord’s army wouldn’t have such a horrific lineup.
But then, what does that make me, the one who gets to hire even worse candidates than a demon lord’s army? Am I a great deity or something? Could it be that the final boss of this world isn’t Kagan, Dorgon, or the second prince, but actually me?
‘How on earth did I end up like this?’
For a moment, I imagined a great god of evil, scattering former evil gods and demon kings throughout the kingdom to keep an eye on the citizens.
It’s horrifying. I’d have to continue on without my heart if an assassin plunged a holy sword into my chest.
“Damn pickpocket bastard.”
I let out a frustrated sigh, muttering to myself.
This whole mess is due to that overly open-minded thug, targeting not just humans but even beasts! If it weren’t for that jerk, I wouldn’t be forced to consider producing any heirs whatsoever.
As I pondered it, I could almost justify handing down a death sentence to that pickpocket. However, treating a petty crime like that due to personal feelings would be cruel.
Instead, if I hear that guy got caught pickpocketing again, maybe I could at least chop off a wrist. That should be doable.
“Titi!”
– Bark?
“Can you call your friends over? All the talking ones.”
– Woof!
Titi, who was chewing on a piece of dog gum, dashed out the door with enthusiasm.
As of today, my name will once again be forever etched in history. As the knight who appointed a “beast descendant” unprecedented in the history of the Kefellofen Empire, or perhaps in all countries.
Honestly, it’s still pretty complicated. Giving a title or position to my pet? No matter how you spin it, it feels like a twisted attempt by a power-hungry noble to showcase their authority. Like saying, ‘I can give my pet an immense title if I want to!’
‘It’s terrifying.’
I’m scared of what will come after I’m gone. What will be said about this path chosen under the pressure of the Emperor? “Count Tailglehen was a power-crazed noble,” I can already imagine wailing in the afterlife.
“Master. You called for us?”
In the midst of deciding if I should record every conversation I had with the Emperor and the secret orders I received, Jangsaeng peeked through the crack of the door.
I didn’t expect him to come so soon after just calling. Since the runaway incident, he has definitely become more diligent.
“Yeah, come in. I have something to say.”
“Is it about a walk?”
“It’s related to the walk, but don’t worry, it’s not being canceled.”
As I spoke, Jangsaeng entered the room with a calm expression.
The very fact he was worried about the walk shows that this policy of allowing walks has clearly brought joy to the magical beasts. I shouldn’t have waited so long to allow it.
“Master, we’ve come too.”
“Called… um…?”
“What’s the matter? It’s not about canceling the walk, right?”
Eventually, the other magical beasts burst in noisily.
I was satisfied by their quick gathering. The sooner they arrived, the sooner I could wrap things up. If I report that I appointed them as my descendants to the Emperor, then this strange task would be over.
“Daddy, we also came!”
“We came too! We did!”
“Surprise!”
‘Oh.’
But what was unexpected was that not only the magical beasts and Risianne but also the kids came in a swarm.
‘What do I do now?’
Thinking about it, if I called them all at once instead of summoning them one by one, of course, the kids would come running too. I can’t believe I didn’t foresee such an obvious outcome.
It’s a dilemma. I can’t just send back the kids who came wanting to play with daddy, nor can I return the magical beasts to where they belong.
What should I really do? Should I hold some kind of descendant appointment ceremony in front of the kids? But I would really rather not gain a title like “the one who appointed beasts as descendants” in front of them.
“Everyone go back. We need to have an important talk with the master, and once we’re done, we’ll leave.”
‘Oh.’
However, it seems Jangsaeng, as if sensing my worries, boldly addressed the kids.
I was touched. A pet that acts as a spokesperson for its owner, how wonderful can that be?
“Shut it! You’ll ruin everything!”
“Jangsaeng, you traitor! You’re not playing with us!”
“Gahhh!”
Of course, being impressive and being helpful are two different things. Jangsaeng’s efforts to stand in front of the kids only served as a display, begging for attention.
But still, I’m grateful. I will remember your dedication and sacrifice.
*
Daddy called all the talking ones.
It seems like daddy was going to play with the talking ones without us. So we followed him too. We also want to play with daddy and the talking ones!
“Hey kids. Daddy is going to do something important with the magical beasts, and you need to quietly watch, okay?”
“Uh-huh! We’ll be quiet!”
“Quiet! Quiet!”
“Quiet~”
“Okay. That’s good enough.”
Daddy gently patted our heads and then turned to the talking ones.
“Just chime in at appropriate moments.”
“Master, you should at least let us know what you’re planning to do.”
“I can’t explain everything because it’s complicated. Just answer what I ask.”
Again, with his hands on Jangsaeng, Daddy took the sword from the wall.
I know that! That’s daddy’s sword! It’s super heavy and dangerous! So me, my siblings, and even my sister can’t touch it! Only daddy can!
“Uhm, Master?”
“With the grace of Enen’s mercy and under the Great Emperor’s protection, granted the authority to rule over all things in this world, I stand as a servant of His Majesty the Emperor, a noble formed within the honorable Imperial Assembly, and a lord of Tailglehen and Wieridia, bearing the glorious name of Risiragui.”
“Wow…”
Daddy just said something awesome and went off by accident.
No, daddy told us to stay quiet! We have to be quiet now!
“As part of the numerous honors granted to me, I gratefully appoint you as my loyal servant, my shield, and my sword.”
‘Wowww.’
This time, I was quietly surprised.
Daddy, you’re cool! You’re normally cool, but you’re even cooler this time!
‘This official title!’
I may not understand much, but this title is awesome!
“Will you take up the sword and punish the Empire’s enemies, and shield against those who threaten the citizens?”
“…I will.”
“Good. From now on, your name will be Jangsaeng, Knight of the Empire.”
Jangsaeng Knight! That’s cool!
*
After finishing the appointment ceremony, a wave of exhaustion and self-loathing washed over me.
Holding an appointment ceremony for a beast? At least Risianne looks human, but being so small, it only makes things more pitiful.
‘Damn this life.’
But even worse is an aristocrat holding an appointment ceremony with a sword against beasts and dolls. If I were seven instead of twenty-seven, I might understand, but no sane person would act like this.
But what can I do? The kids who came rushing in, excited to be with daddy, looked at me with eager eyes. If I simply said, “You guys are going to become my descendants now; stay strong,” and sent them away, I could only imagine their disappointment.
As evidence of that, while conducting the appointment ceremony, Pedi’s eyes sparkled especially bright. All the kids were curious about this new experience, but Pedi looked closer to admiration.
Maybe that’s why, during the ceremony, I unconsciously messed up. There was no need to attach a title to Jangsaeng, who was just an ordinary servant.
‘Is it okay?’
In fact, if we were being rigorous, appointing a beast as a servant is itself a pretty twisted thing to do.
Right, so let’s just keep calling him a Knight. People will be focused on the fact that a beast has been appointed, not that it’s being called “Knight.”
“Minister!”
“Yeah?”
While I was absentmindedly fiddling with the sword I used during the ceremony, Eri burst in through the door.
“Minister, do you have time?!”
“Well, I have more than enough time these days.”
She jumped straight into the main topic, and I answered bluntly.
Although there’s been a small event caused by one prejudiced pickpocket, there’s plenty of time on my hands. I’ve been formally relieved from my duties.
“Then let’s go to Iones together!”
“Huh?”
Her sudden request made my head tilt instinctively.
Iones. Eri’s hometown located in the western part of the Empire, ruled by my fifth father-in-law. Following the fall of Aeshylon, it’s become a territory contended between the first and second nobles, making it quite prosperous.
Of course, stripping away all the grand descriptors, the plain fact that it’s Eri’s hometown gives it considerable significance. It wouldn’t be strange if Eri wanted to visit her hometown suddenly.
“But why now, when we didn’t visit during our travels?”
However, the timing seemed a bit peculiar. Just recently, we’ve been having fun traveling domestically. Why would she suddenly want to go to her hometown right now?
“It’s because my grandmother’s 90th birthday is coming up! We’re having a birthday banquet!”
“Let’s go right away.”
If that’s the case, then I’ll make time somehow. Getting to 90 years old isn’t common for knights or magicians; it’s already impressive, and Eri’s grandmother is just a common noblewoman. For someone like her to reach 90, it’s only right for me to attend as her granddaughter’s husband.
“Oh, and she asked if Ferentz could come too.”
“Of course, he should go with us.”
It’s a big deal for the Marzalo family; if Ferentz doesn’t go, who else will? Although he carries the Crasius surname, half of his blood comes from the Marzalo line.
Imagine Ferentz not attending his great-grandmother’s 90th birthday? Unthinkable.
‘Who knows when he’ll get to see his great-grandmother again?’
It’s an irreverent thought, but if I let this chance pass, who knows when Ferentz would have another opportunity to see his great-grandmother again?
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