Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy - Chapter 998



998 – The New Century – 5

The once peaceful Duchy of Servette has been transformed into a venue for international events.

Trixie, the greatest wizard of the continent beyond the empire, has declared that she will make an important announcement. It is only natural that the nobles and wizards of the empire, as well as the most renowned wizards of the continent, will gather.

The Emperor, who happened to know of Tricky’s grand announcement, also allowed the entry of foreign magicians, so today, if only for a day, it could be said that it was not the castle of the Imperial Duke, but an exhibition hall for the continental people.

‘That’s amazing.’

Looking down at the bustling garden from the top of the castle, I couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

It is not a mansion, nor is it the castle of a marquis or count, but a duke’s castle. The garden of the duke’s castle, which boasts the largest area in the empire, excluding the imperial palace, is filled with people.

Perhaps that’s why I felt a slight fear. Half of them looked like wizards, no matter how you looked at them. Is it okay to announce Tricky’s retirement in front of wizards who were Tricky’s biggest fans? If I, a prosecutor, were to take over, wouldn’t there be a riot?

‘It’ll be okay since the rooftop position will remain intact.’

I stared blankly at the garden and then calmed my mind.

Yes, what Tricky is stepping down from is the title of Duke of Servet. She is stepping down from the authority of the noble Tricky, not the authority of the wizard Tricky. The position of the Magic Tower Pillar, the symbol and center of the continent’s magic community, is still Tricky’s, so the wizards will be shaken, but they won’t cry.

I believe it will be so. I believe in the reason and wisdom of wizards.

‘ah.’

As I continued to look at the crowd in the garden with that thought in mind, I saw a very familiar face and a bitter smile came to my face.

Duke Killanas, the chairman of the Magic Council of the United Kingdom of Juven. Even the person who competes for the second-in-command position in the continent’s magic community came all the way to the empire to hear Tricky’s important announcement.

It felt strange. That gentleman had definitely been in the country during the Academy Expo, but he had come all the way from the other side of the continent this time too.

I am grateful but also burdened. How can a country’s official and chairman be so easily─

‘The chairman is stateless, isn’t he?’

The Speaker of the Magic Council belatedly remembered that he had been stateless during his term.

I see. Since he is a stateless person, he can easily cross the border. Somehow, I don’t see any vice-chairmen, and only the chairman is there.

“Your Majesty.”

As I was spending time alone with strange thoughts, I turned my head when I heard Count Sicilla’s voice.

“His Majesty the Emperor will be arriving shortly.”

“Already? You didn’t have to come so soon.”

“He said that he wanted to honor the position of a benefactor and pillar who has supported the empire for 100 years by retiring as soon as possible.”

“I see.”

Count Sicilla nodded obediently, his expression a mixture of emotion and pride.

The Emperor’s words cannot be a lie. Even that situation was not easy for Tricky to handle, so it must be true that the Emperor considers Tricky a pillar and a benefactor.

Just because of that alone, did he come early? Absolutely not. If it was simply out of gratitude and a sense of indebtedness to Trixie, he would be the type of person who would put in the effort to give a congratulatory speech and a gift, not someone who would take time out of work to visit early.

‘They rush in like devils when they see an opening.’

I ended up sighing inside.

The decisive reason for that b*stard’s early arrival is me. When the Emperor visits, the castle’s master and the host of the event have to come out to greet him, which means that Tricky and I have to be there to greet the Emperor.

The strong will to enjoy my expression while receiving my own.

‘Let’s wait and see.’

A gentleman’s revenge is never too late, even if it takes ten years.

One day, I will definitely return this shame and disgrace. If it goes into a long-term war anyway, I will win since I will live for hundreds of years.

***

Arrived at the Duchy of Servette with the Empress.

As expected, a considerable crowd filled the castle. If I may exaggerate a bit, it was almost like a New Year’s greeting ceremony.

Even if you look at the diversity of the people who attended, it surpasses the New Year’s greeting ceremony. At least the New Year’s greeting ceremony does not have foreign guests.

‘It’s perfect for the ending.’

Senior magicians who have stepped down from all positions and are living in the wilderness, key figures who have firmly maintained their positions and led the magic world, and even magicians from other countries who have shined across borders. This is truly the perfect crowd to decorate the last event of the Magonggong.

Of course, even if Duke Majong steps down from the position of Duke of Servet, the name Majong will remain forever. Just because we no longer move forward into the future, doesn’t mean that the past we have walked up to now will disappear?

Also, even if the Duke of Servet changes, the Matapju will not change. Wouldn’t that place alone change in the next 100 or 200 years?

‘Now I have to keep my mouth shut and just watch.’

Anyway, after greeting the Duke of Killanas from Juve, I moved to the VIP area under the guidance of the Count.

While receiving guidance from the count himself. While receiving assistance from none other than the count himself.

“count.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty. Go ahead.”

“You have enjoyed everything a subject can enjoy. Now, even if I wanted to give you honor, I have nothing to give you.”

As I whispered in the count’s ear, his shoulders began to tremble.

Perhaps the Count was also overwhelmed with emotion. It is difficult for those who have devoted their entire lives to the royal family and the empire to reach the top in one field, but the Count reached the top in all areas before he even turned thirty.

As a bureaucrat, I became a minister, as a warrior, I became the greatest swordsman on the continent, and as a knight, I became a member of the Knights of Lisizarione. But now that I have become a duke, where else can I go? Is the only way left for me to step down from the minister position and become a member of the Imperial Diet, and then the chairman of the Diet?

‘If you’re going to be chairman anyway, it would be better to be a minister for the rest of your life.’

From noble mtl dot com

There are 29 imperial counts who can become chairman, excluding the counts. I think it would be in the national interest for the counts to remain ministers for their entire lives.

“Then, Count. I’ll see you later. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Thank you for your encouragement, Your Majesty.”

For a moment, I imagined the Count serving Eimanka 18, then sent him away.

The main characters of this event are the Duke of Majong and the Count. It would be impolite to keep the main characters for too long, even though they are guests.

“I think it was a good idea to leave Charlotte behind.”

And when the count had withdrawn, the empress whispered quietly:

“I think so too. It’s better for just the two of us to come to a place like this.”

He nodded toward the empress.

Normally, the Crown Princess would accompany such an event, but currently, all sorts of magicians have gathered at the Duke of Servet Castle due to the Magi. The curious Crown Princess would wander around and make contact with magicians, and the guests’ attention would be focused on her.

That’s a difficult thing. The main character is the one who should be receiving attention. The role of the guest is to brighten up the place and raise the level of the event, not to receive attention instead.

“I’m just worried that the Crown Princess might be upset if she finds out about this later.”

“Haha, no matter how upset you are, if Your Majesty and the Lord Father play with you with all their heart, it will soon be resolved.”

“Yeah. That’s true.”

It wasn’t a wrong thing to say, it just made me laugh.

If the Crown Princess is complaining that you went out to play without her, you can just play with her passionately for a few hours. If she is upset because she can’t play, you can console her by playing with her.

“empress.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Now, the Crown Princess’s maternal grandfather and godfather have become dukes together.”

Strictly speaking, there is one duke and one duke’s deputy, but that doesn’t matter. I intend to treat the count no differently from the duke.

“This is truly a solid piece of work.”

The Empress’s smile grew deeper at my words.

Yes. It is truly a very solid thing. Unlike me, the Crown Princess has been born with a solid foundation and is becoming more solid as time goes by. I am so happy to see this.

The retirement ceremony has begun.

However, officially, this was not a retirement ceremony, but a place for the grand announcement of Ma Jong-gong. Because of this, rather than mentioning retirement right away, other stories came up first.

Most of the people gathered here must have come expecting an announcement that would bring about a change in the magical world, so how disconcerting and disappointing would they be if they were to suddenly announce retirement?

“─So, during this magical meeting, we plan to continue with a more in-depth discussion on the sustainability and stability of levitation magic.”

The Magi continued to speak with considerable sincerity, as if they knew about it, and when the magic meeting was mentioned, the magicians responded with thunderous applause.

The Magical Conference. A place where all the magicians of the continent, not just one country, gather once every ten years to discuss the results of their research.

‘On that spot, the majonggong finally became a majong.’

Exactly 90 years ago, in the year 1294 of the Holy Calendar. Magong-gong, who attended the magic conference, subdued all the magicians with logic and skill, and completely trampled on the pride of Juven, who boasted that they were superior to the empire in magic.

It is a monumental event called the ‘Judgment of the Demon King’. Juven, who was thoroughly defeated at the Magic Conference, still bows his head to the Demon King, so the Magic Conference is an event of utmost importance and significance to the magicians of the continent.

But Magong-gong declared that they would discuss a specific topic in depth right then and there. It was only natural that the wizards would cheer.

Especially if the topic is levitation magic, which has been gaining attention due to the construction of Stefan’s glory.

“And finally, I have something to say.”

The applause that had been pouring down continuously suddenly stopped at Ma Jong-gong’s words.

“You all took the time out of your busy schedules to make time for me, so I don’t think I can waste your time by talking at length.”

Instead, a gentler smile than ever appeared on Ma Jong-gong’s face.

“I, Beatrix Catovan of Servet, descendant of Duke Robert Catovan of Servet, hereby renounce all titles, including the title of Duke of Servet, effective immediately.”

Despite her gentle smile, her speech was fierce.

“…yes?”

“Your Majesty. What did you just say…”

“All titles? Do you mean all titles? Not just the titles excluding the Duke of Servette, but all of them?”

“Ah, no! What the heck is this…!”

Naturally, this strong declaration created all sorts of noise.

It’s a natural reaction. If I had heard that without knowing anything, I would have been shocked.

“This is a decision for Katoban in a narrow sense, and for the Empire and the Continent in a broad sense. I hope you understand.”

The person involved, Ma Jong-gong, drove the wedge in with an unwavering expression and voice.

This is a matter that has already been decided, so I have absolutely no intention of changing anything. Even if you guys get upset, nothing will change.

“Your Majesty! If it’s not rude! Please allow me to say something!”

But despite this strong declaration, a wizard appeared, raising his hand and asking to speak.

As expected, they are wizards. They are very strong and courageous.

“I want to talk.”

“I understand that the princesses have just turned five! But if Your Majesty steps down, will the weight of the ducal throne be transferred to a five-year-old?”

‘Ugh.’

It was a valid question, but I bit my lip desperately to keep from laughing.

“I know you must be very surprised, but I appreciate you worrying about my daughters. It must be a very heavy burden for them to bear.”

“Well, then…!”

“But don’t worry, I’ve found someone to carry the load for you until the children grow up.”

ah.

I’m going crazy. The clown hurts so much.

“The final order given by Beatrix, the head of the Duke of Catoban and Lord of the Duchy of Servette. A bridge between me and the next Duke until the new Duke of Servette ascends the throne.”

While Ma Jong-gong continued speaking, a familiar figure came up onto the stage.

“Following the example of Duke Snowgeom, I have appointed a deputy for Duke Servet. His name is Count Teilglehen, Saint Karl Crassius of Teilglehen, my husband and father of the next Duke.”

I was truly impressed by the meticulousness of the Magong Duke, who even kindly gave him the title of ‘Seong’.

It is enough to justify his status as the husband of the Duke of Majong and the biological father of the princesses who will become the next Duke, and he is also a living adult. Who could dare to refute such an overwhelming claim?

‘Congratulations.’

Before I knew it, I was applauding the count who was standing next to Magonggong.

One person underground, ten thousand people above ground. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart.

‘Please take good care of me, Silent Prince.’

At the same time, I made a request that wasn’t really a request.

The Silent Duke, Saint Charles Serbe Crassius of Tailglehen.

We look forward to even more noble devotion and loyalty to the Empire in the future.