Translator: AkazaTL
Pr/Ed: Sol IX
***
Chapter 80 : Ga of Thrones (1)
“It has already been close to a month since the seat of the ‘Owner’ of Zodiac beca vacant. Shouldn't we decide on the person who will inherit the next throne now?”
My words instantly caused a large wave to ripple through the entire eting hall.
Co to think of it, this agenda was extrely natural, an issue where the answer should have been decided long ago rather.
Nevertheless, the reason the royalty was surprised like this was because the subject of the remark was none other than .
No one in this seat had thought that I would bring up this agenda at this ti.
“It is a matter of course that the person who will inherit the next throne should co from those who have their nas listed in the royal family. Also, as far as this matter is concerned, I intend to follow your opinions entirely.”
Unexpected words popped out of my mouth one after another.
The wave those words caused only grew bigger and bigger.
‘He will follow our opinions entirely? That arrogant Grand Duke?’
While all the royalty were looking at with their mouths wide open, I continued speaking in a calm voice.
“Although everyone in this seat must possess excellent virtue and noble character, one cannot be responsible for a country with character and virtue alone. Before listening to your opinions, I will ntion the people whom I have thought of after much consideration, who are not lacking to inherit the throne.”
The first figure I reached out and pointed to was a tall young man sitting on the left side of the eting room.
“Young Lord Albert Celsran of the Celsran Duke Family.”
The place I pointed to next was a man sitting in the center of the eting room, who was just about to enter the threshold of middle age.
“Marquis Mackin Batavia, the Head of the Batavia Marquis Family.”
And lastly.
“Young Lord Friedrich Rosbach of the Rosbach Duke Family.”
The place my hand headed to for the third ti was a young boy with an unusually white complexion and large eyes that left an impression, who was holding his father’s hand tightly.
“I do not doubt that these three people are indeed the ones who possess the ability and will be fitting to beco the owner of Zodiac. I hope you will gather your opinions on one of these three people.”
With a young man in his 20s, a middle-aged man in his 40s, and a boy who had just turned 14, my nomination ca to an end.
“One week. I will hold a seat to listen to your opinions again in this place one week later. I hope you will have sufficient ti for deliberation until then. I say it once again, but I will follow your opinions entirely in this montous matter.”
Starting from the three people nominated by , an uncontrollable wave of excitent spread out.
We are choosing the successor to the throne with our own hands?
Of course, since they had to choose from the candidate group nominated by , it was not a completely autonomous vote.
However, the ones who would finally decide who would ascend to the throne were themselves.
At the sweet scent of power they were slling for the first ti in nearly a month, the hearts of the gathered royalty pounded continuously.
“And I have one more thing to tell you.”
But the words that would surprise them the most were from now on.
“As soon as the person who will ascend to the throne is decided, I intend to return to my territory and be faithful to my original duties. Therefore, I earnestly ask you once again to please make a careful decision without regrets.”
“……!”
The royalty, who heard words they had not expected even in their dreams, were busy looking at each other's faces with their mouths wide open.
“Then since I will take my leave now, I hope you share good opinions.”
With these words as the last, I left the eting room.
However, the shock my remark brought remained intact and shook everyone in the eting hall for a while.
***
Grand Duke Reichart returns to his territory.
The stir the sudden declaration brought hit the entire capital.
Surprisingly, this fact spread through the entire capital at a speed faster than the news of the demise of the late King Alpencius III.
“Did you hear that? They say the Grand Duke plans to return to his territory as soon as the successor to the throne is decided.”
“Is it true? He got this country in his hands after that difficult war, but he’s going to throw it all away and return to that harsh northern territory?”
“Still, seeing that he intends to maintain the command system of the Knight Order, doesn't it an he intends to hold military power tightly in his hands?”
“Well, that must be so. If he lets go of even military power while leaving the capital, the noble bastards like wolves who are eagerly waiting will try to tear him apart right away.”
“Sigh, I thought this country would finally be run by human hands for a change. It all beca vain.”
However, even while the entire capital was boiling like this.
“You worked hard.”
“You overpraise . Your Excellency!”
I was just concentrating on my work as usual.
Even now, I was checking the progress of the assignnt I had given to Dorian.
“You wouldn't have had much ti, but you managed to do it. The content is also very excellent.”
“Yo-You overpraise .”
Even though he perfectly completed the howork I gave him, Dorian’s expression looked sowhat anxious.
“I am satisfied overall. But there are a few things I want to ask regarding the details.”
Especially every ti I flipped through the plan here and there and threw a question, the anxiety seed to grow bigger and bigger.
Of course, it wasn't that he couldn't answer my questions.
It was just that rather than speaking his own thoughts, it looked closer to reciting a model answer he had morized as is.
“……I am asking just in case, is there perhaps soone who helped you when writing this plan?”
“Actually…… I received help from the teacher I serve.”
“Teacher? Is there soone from whom you receive teachings personally?”
Well, I already knew everything though.
I feigned ignorance and threw the question.
“Yes, actually, there is a teacher who has been giving teachings regarding administration and overall managent since about 5 years ago. Sohow a connection was made and I asked for teachings…….”
As the subject of the conversation flowed towards his teacher, Dorian began to unravel his connection with his teacher with a serious expression.
Although my eyes were shining with a light different from usual.
Dorian, filled with enthusiasm to make his teacher’s excellent ability known, did not notice this.
“Hmm, I see. Seeing the skill that drafted this plan or the skill of the disciple who is clever to no end, I don't really need to hear about the academic level of the person you are studying under.”
“You overpraise . Your Excellency!”
“What is your teacher’s na?”
“Sheldrick, it is Sheldrick Apelheir.”
“Then, why don't you bring your teacher here once when he has ti?”
Dorian, who was boasting about his teacher with a proud expression, was startled by the unexpected remark that burst out of my mouth.
Even if he was impressed by the proposal, a person in power with authority capable of dropping a flying bird with a finger.
Is saying he will invite a re scholar buried in the countryside?
“It's not like I said sothing impossible, so why are you so surprised?”
“N-No, Your Excellency. Of course, it is an honor, but since your words are so sudden…….”
“I am saying this because I am indebted to your teacher in this matter. Anyway, I did not say it in vain, so ask for his intention and bring him here once. I will treat him to a cup of good tea.”
“I-I will convey your words. Your Excellency!”
“Ah, but he shouldn't co too late. Because I am a person who will leave this place in a short while.”
I spoke with a nonchalant expression, but Dorian’s expression upon hearing this changed quite seriously.
“Your Excellency, if you forgive my rudeness, may I ask you just one question?”
“Speak.”
“Right now, a rumor is circulating in the entire capital that Your Excellency will return to your territory as soon as the successor to the throne is decided.”
Dorian, who swallowed dry saliva once, opened his mouth again as if he had made up his mind.
“Your Excellency, that rumor isn't true, is it?”
“Where did you hear that story?”
“I heard it through a colleague on my way to this official residence. That you said so yourself in the Royal Audience Chamber today…….”
“Right. I said so myself. Did I look like a liar who doesn't keep the words he said himself in your eyes?”
“N-No. I absolutely do not an that. It’s just…… just…….”
As I admitted it without hesitation, Dorian, who examined my expression with a bewildered look for a mont, soon spoke with a determined expression.
“Your Excellency! You must not go!”
Even while speaking himself, Dorian could not know with what courage he brought up these words.
For himself, who was rely an Administrative Clerk of the Ministry of Interior, to run his mouth regarding the Grand Duke’s residence.
He also knew that it was presumptuous and he could receive punishnt.
“This country needs Your Excellency. Please reconsider that decision, Your Excellency!”
But he could not endure without saying these words right now.
Dorian shouted with sincerity.
“Thank you for saying so. But I don't know how many people think like you.”
Fortunately, I did not punish Dorian’s remark as exceeding his authority.
I buried my body in the chair and spoke with a smile I rarely showed.
“If you are curious about my intentions, try your best to bring your teacher here. Then I will at least give you a hint.”
“Did you say…… to bring my teacher?”
“The thirsty person should dig the well. There is no free lunch in the world, much less did you intend to hear such top-class information with just an empty mouth?”
Dorian could not understand at all.
The Grand Duke, who was famous for treating high-ranking ministers prickly.
Why on earth is he showing this much interest in his teacher who is rely a scholar?
“Then, try showing your ability.”
“Your Excellency…….”
“You may leave now.”
Eventually, Dorian left my office with a blank expression.
He could not guess the Grand Duke’s inner thoughts at all.
“……!”
However, soon Dorian hurried his steps with a resolute expression.
Like the Grand Duke said, there wasn't that much ti.
And his teacher was famous for being a hobody.
***
Now that 24 hours have passed since my surprise declaration.
The political scene of the capital was truly turning breathlessly centered on the 3 candidates for successor to the throne nominated by the Grand Duke.
Since the successor to the throne was to be decided by the will of the royalty, in order to make the candidate they supported the successor, they had to win over even one more person to their side.
Of course, being the seasoned people they were, they did not have the naive belief that I would completely wash my hands of state affairs.
However,
‘Even that guy must have a face, so he won't be able to completely ignore the words he spat out with his own mouth.’
No matter how much of a Grand Duke he was, he wouldn't be able to completely pass off the remark he made as a slip of the tongue.
Eventually, it must be true that the residence where the Grand Duke stays will change from the capital to Reichart.
Although military power would still be held in his hands and his influence would be maintained to so extent.
Still, still…….
‘Just the fact that the guy whose face I hate to see is leaving the capital is sothing!’
Wasn't a capital without the Grand Duke sothing they had dread of so much for the past month or so!
Just the fact that they didn't have to see made the high society of Abysin like heaven.
Since the seat of the King, which could be called the flower of that paradise, had approached right before their eyes, it was no wonder they were making such a fuss.
“It will be difficult right now as the Grand Duke’s influence remains, but as soon as the situation improves, we will take care of you generously.”
“As expected, if it's the flower of dostic affairs, isn't it the Ministry of Finance? The Marquis said he had been eyeing Baron Bashong’s excellent financial career from early on.”
“Lord Maman, your son becos an adult next year, right? Shouldn't you give your son at least one thick coming-of-age gift? To do that, you must make a good choice.”
While all kinds of trickery and lobbying were coming and going under the surface and over the surface like that.
“Your Excellency! Duke Rosbach has requested an audience.”
“Show him inside.”
Duke Rosbach, the father of ‘Friedrich Rosbach,’ the youngest among the 3 candidates nominated by , visited my office.
“Your Excellency, I beg of you. Please exclude my lacking son from the candidates for successor to the throne!”
Asking to be removed from the candidates for successor.
“Lord Rosbach. Please calm your excitent and speak composedly.”
“I beg of you please!”
Whether he thought his sincerity wasn't conveyed, eventually Duke Rosbach knelt.
No, the man who thought kneeling wasn't enough, volunteered to jump into a tiger’s mouth to save his son and shouted while shedding tears.
“Please, save my son, save Friedrich.”
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