Episode 171
“Oh Cleo. Come in.”
Unlike the king, who seemed to be familiar with the person and even seemed happy to see him, the swordsman raised his eyebrows at the unfamiliar voice he heard for the first time and turned around without realizing it.
The first sight he saw through the open door of the main hall was one that made his eyes twitch.
Gorgeous royal food brought in by court ladies.
The court ladies who brought in the luxurious food that you would see at a banquet were also wearing masculine outfits, with their inner skin showing through the light, thin fabric, so the swordsman frowned.
“Your Majesty. What the hell is this….”
“Ah. I told you, it’s a memorial service. Should I call it a memorial service? Then, today is the last of the 27th rites, so please be lenient. Hahaha.”
At those words, the swordsman’s frown narrowed imperceptibly.
27 Festival. A memorial service held to honor the souls of the dead for three days in a row to the nine great gods of heaven.
Of course, no memorial service in any country in the world has ever enjoyed alcohol and food like this.
The swordsman tried not to show his disappointment and tried to change the subject.
“I believe this is your first time seeing him?”
The official with a good impression, who had ordered the court ladies to prepare the food and placed the liquor taken from his sleeve next to it, was momentarily shocked.
“Ah, he was originally a secretary at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but he has a knack for understanding people’s hearts, so this time he was selected as chamberlain. The king will also be able to ask Cleo to do most things from now on.”
“A lowly person meets the Grand Duke.”
There was nothing wrong with the chamberlain’s attitude of bowing his head politely, but perhaps because of the current situation, the swordsman instinctively felt annoyed by him.
“After the 27th anniversary today, please pay special attention to His Majesty’s health. Take care to reduce the amount of medicinal alcohol consumed.”
Although it took the form of words addressed to the chamberlain, they were actually words addressed to the king.
But maybe you don’t have any sense?
“How can I change His Majesty’s will? I just follow orders.”
The chamberlain gave an answer that got on my nerves.
“You’re worried too much, Wangsa. Should I control it myself?”
Even the king showed some discomfort.
It is right to give advice as a subject, but it is not right to force something even when the monarch refuses, so the Duke of Geom had no choice but to bow his head while sighing inwardly.
“I apologize, Your Majesty.”
“No. I don’t know how you feel about Jim. However, Jim is no longer a child that you must protect, so please refrain from worrying too much.”
“I will keep this in mind, Your Majesty.”
“Okay. The conversation got sidetracked. What brought you all the way here?”
“Yes. It’s no different…”
The swordsman avoided the uncomfortable topic and got straight to the point.
“I have come to inquire about your decision regarding Chiron Wolves, who lies prostrate in front of the royal palace. I am worried that if he dies there, even false rumors about the royal family will spread.”
“Ah, you mean that opportunist? I was already trying to draw a conclusion. Since the royal family’s stability has not yet been restored, I guess we have no choice but to accept it even if it’s unpleasant, right?”
Fortunately, the king seemed to have come to the same conclusion.
“I plan to demote the title, leave only a small territory on the outskirts, and limit military power. And considering the hidden wealth, I think it would be enough to have at least an elder from the royal magic tower accompany him.”
“…That’s a wise decision.”
The swordsman heaves a sigh of relief at the thought that the king’s firearms have not faded.
“Haha. Now, if you’re done with your hard business, let’s have a drink. You didn’t mean to just talk about business between us, right?”
I was forced to drink at the king’s urging.
‘When was the last time I drank in broad daylight?’
The alcohol was particularly bitter today.
…
_
_
“Why are you telling me that?”
“Cleo is having a meeting with Your Majesty, so the only place I can ask is Your Excellency.”
“I don’t know who it is, but Your Majesty’s business comes first. Wouldn’t it be okay to just notify you to contact me again later?”
“Well, that’s it…”
The swordman’s frown, who was already uncomfortable with the official’s embarrassed attitude, narrowed even further.
“Is it impossible to communicate like that?”
“Yes. This is a transmission from Count Logan McLane.”
Wiggle.
“Ah, Logan. Ha… okay, lead the way.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency.”
He was not very pleased that his disciple’s influence on the royal family still remained, so he could no longer see the official groveling.
A new world opened by putting a blemish on the reputation I had built up all my life.
The feeling that the world might be slightly different from the future he had imagined weighed heavily on his heart.
[It’s been a while, Logan.]
“…Master? Why are you receiving this message?”
Logan looked at the face reflected in the communication port and looked embarrassed.
[Your Majesty seems to be busy with business right now. Just tell me.]
Even the teacher didn’t seem to be in a good mood.
“…What’s wrong?”
[No, no. Not yet.]
“Not yet?”
Logan’s complexion hardens at his teacher’s subtle choice of words.
[…No need to worry. Didn’t he use the royal communication because he had some business to run? [Go ahead and talk about your business.] Since
his teacher was talking like this, it would be unreasonable to continue asking questions, so Logan thought that his teacher would take care of it and got straight to the point.
“There is a person among my vassals whom I would like to give a title to. Since I have already used up all the awards I received as a reward for meritorious work, I was going to ask His Majesty if it would be possible to give him a baronetcy.”
Given Logan’s current position, that’s not that difficult.
However, the swordsman’s expression, which was already not good, became even more grim at those words.
[…You mean title? If you deviate from Logan’s principles and start abusing your authority…]
“That would also be corruption, I know. But it will be the first and last time. I promise you. I am short-thinking and will give you a gift suitable for a vassal who has put in the most effort in a place that cannot be seen. “I was unable to provide compensation. I am trying to make up for that mistake even if it is late. Please, Master.”
Logan bowed down to express his sincerity as much as possible.
The swordsman, who had been sighing repeatedly while looking at that scene, opened his mouth again after a while, as if he had given up.
[…Then I guess I’m not asking for more territory or other compensation.]
“Of course.”
[Ha, yeah. Let me tell you that much. But take note, Logan. This will be the last time a title is awarded without reason.]
“I will keep that in mind.”
[okay. I will send you news soon.]
“Thank you, Master.”
The communication was cut off without any response from the swordsman.
Even if you don’t like his request, his attitude is definitely different from usual.
‘I think something’s really going on.’
It was the moment when Logan, who had been thinking about his teacher’s worried appearance for a moment, was about to leave the communication room.
“Ugh. Confucius, why are you doing this for me? For this ugly me… Ugh.”
Dwayne, whose face was a mess of emotion, rushed into the communications room.
In the end, Logan had no choice but to struggle for a long time to force himself away from the furry administrator’s intense hug, which was followed by sobs.
And Dwayne’s appointment to the baronetcy was handed over to McLane in just a week.
* * *
“…For his great contribution to this cause, I hereby ennoble commoner Dwayne Pilsner to the rank of Baronet. King Rogers von Grandia.”
“Wow!”
As soon as Logan read the edict, thunderous cheers erupted.
All the officials, attendants, and soldiers gathered in the administrative department.
Cheers erupted from everyone surrounding Dwayne.
Most of those watching had smiles on their faces, as if the furry administrator had not made a big mistake.
“Thank you. Thank you, Confucius.”
The cheering party, who had sobbed and expressed their emotions a week ago, began to shed tears again.
Logan, startled, took a step back without realizing it, then smiled and patted Dwayne on the shoulder.
and.
“My brother has become a nobleman!”
“Don’t ignore us again! Ugh!”
Starting with the shouts of the remaining two members of the fat trio.
“Congratulations Baron Dwayne!”
“Baron Dwayne Pilsner! Congratulations!”
With congratulatory messages pouring in from all over, Dwayne had no choice but to roll around the residence as the crowd was so noisy that he couldn’t even see the large figure.
“Now, did you say Fabian and Lokman? You’ll be able to take care of those new officials, right?”
Dwayne, who seemed to have not yet sorted out his emotions, continued sobbing with a strange expression, whether he was crying or laughing.
“But it’s true that they are more capable than me. I really, really… thank you.”
“I don’t need someone with great ability, but someone I can trust. I don’t know much about administration. Please help me a little more. Don’t plan on retiring, okay?”
“Yes, yes! Confucius. I will do my best as long as I have the strength left to read the documents!”
okay.
From now on, you will have to do all the paperwork.
There is not much time left before I can get out of administration again.
Just thinking about it made Logan smile happily.
Dwayne’s award of the title had a bigger impact than expected.
The morale of not only the parties involved, but also existing administrators and newly elected officials, was raised to the extreme.
– In our McLane domain, civil servants can become nobles if they prove their loyalty and ability.
The administrative department’s document processing speed was much faster, and the officials’ faces still looked tired, but at the same time, their eyes were strangely shining.
‘I don’t know how long it will last.’
Moreover, the number of applications for management positions that have not yet been closed has increased several times.
At least for McLane, who has a lot of work to do right now, it was a very positive thing.
* * *
“What are all those people scurrying around over there?”
“Ah, these are management applicants.”
“Administrative applicants? Civil servants?”
“Yes, Heinkel.”
“So many people flock to select officials? Isn’t that something that requires a bit of smartness?”
“I heard that as the territory became famous, talented people came from all over. I heard that even knights often ask for appointment…”
“Oh really?”
Heinkel’s eyes lit up after hearing the soldier’s words.
Then he immediately took steps and went to the official residence.
“Your Majesty!”
“Oh, Lord Heinkel. What’s going on?”
“I heard that 1,000 people a day are flocking to elect management positions.”
“Huh? Were you also interested in administrative officials?”
“No. If there are that many people who know how to read and have advanced education, I think if we recruit soldiers now, a lot more people will apply.”
It was a plausible story.
Becoming a soldier for McLane, who has emerged as the most powerful person in the kingdom.
Since it was a time when there was no war, it was obvious that the number of applicants would explode.
“Oh, that’s not the case, I was just thinking about recruiting soldiers. The existing soldiers alone cannot meet the minimum number of troops required for the expanded territory. Would you please take charge
of it yourself?” It was enough to expand the existing vigilante force to use crossbows.
However, it is also imperative to select and train as many people who have the potential to become knights in the future.
As for Logan, this old vassal is motivated and wants to do it. There was no reason to refuse if he would take on the task.
Heinkel nodded with a big smile at those words.
“Yes. of course. The selection criteria will be the sensory test that Confucius mentioned before.”
“Yes. Please do so. Even if it’s strange…”
“Absolutely not. It seemed like the guys who were selected based on that criteria were gathering force much faster than the other guys.”
“…Yes?!”
Heinkel’s words shocked Logan.
“…Can you feel that? “
What I thought only I could do.
A knight who lost the Force can do that?
” Yes. Well… after losing the Force, I think I actually became more sensitive to what I lost.”
That’s true?
How?
‘After losing the Force, I became more sensitive? I’ve never heard anything like that even in my past life?’
Heinkel smiled shyly, not knowing that Logan was inwardly embarrassed.
“Anyway, that makes me feel more rewarded. Because I can clearly see those who have the potential to become knights.”
“Ah… yes…”
“Then, I will organize the exact number of people needed and the training schedule in a report later.” ”
Yes, yes. Of course. By the way, Lord Heinkel. Can you tell me about that feeling in more detail?”
Only then did Heinkel realize that Logan’s expression had changed slightly and he tilted his head.
“Yes. That’s not difficult.”
Heinkel told Logan in detail about his changed senses after his body was damaged by injury.
‘Hmm. I wonder if this is possible.’
Logan was caught in the chain of thoughts created by Heinkel’s words and could not get out of it.
He did not doubt Heinkel’s words.
It had already been proven that he had confirmed what only Logan had been feeling for a long time.
However, in the process, This.
His words.
Something strongly stimulated Logan’s subconscious.
‘In the first place, it is an unusual case for a knight to survive after losing the Force. Moreover, Lord Heinkel’s case was seriously injured by an Auror. Even more unusual. …Yes, Auror!’
Aura, the power of destruction that disrupts the Force from its source.
And the sense awakened after losing the Force due to Aura.
The last scene I saw ,
‘When I died in my past life…’
And the transcendence I gained when I returned. A sense of enemy.
If we can find that commonality…
At that moment, the golden light began to flicker at Logan’s fingertips.
As the night deepened, the light began to gradually increase its deep golden color. An
auspicious force that was clearly different from the existing force. It was light.
