Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy - Chapter 999



999 – The New Century – 6

As it turned out, I ended up being crowned the Duke of Wales before Tricky’s retirement ceremony was even over.

If everything went as planned, after Tricky’s retirement announcement, there would be a speech from the Emperor, followed by speeches from the Dukes. After the speeches from the Imperial leadership, those attending the retirement ceremony would all applaud and bless Tricky’s end, so Tricky, who has suffered for over 100 years, would step down from the Duke’s position with honor.

It was definitely meant to be. It had to be.

‘I didn’t want it to continue this ambiguously.’

I stood next to Trixie with a calm expression on my face, but I couldn’t count how many times I sighed on the inside.

Announcing the coronation of the Duke before the Emperor’s speech began. How did things get so messed up? The attention that should have been given to Tricky was focused on me.

‘I wonder if this is what the Navy felt like.’

Without realizing it, I turned my gaze to the wizard who had asked a reasonable question, “Is a 5-year-old child going to be the next Duke?”

I didn’t want to know, but thanks to that wizard, I came to understand the feelings of the Navy. Just before the Pirate King was executed, a citizen asked where the Pirate King’s treasure was. Because of that citizen, the era of great pirates began.

Because of that wizard, my retirement ceremony was skipped and a proxy coronation ceremony was held. What a pity.

“Sorry.”

So, while waving to the guests who were giving a standing ovation to the Duke of Servette, he apologized to Trixie in a small voice.

Trixie apologizes for ruining her last day as the Duke of Servette. She apologizes for getting applause from her husband instead of encouragement from the guests for his hard work.

‘Damn it.’

I think that the other guests have been applauding because of the emperor.

“Haha, it’s okay. I knew this would happen.”

“huh?”

“If I were to step down, there would naturally be questions about the next duke. Then someone would ask about the vacant duke position, and I would have to say that I would appoint a deputy duke just to reassure the guests.”

I blinked blankly at the sight of Tricky laughing.

That is not wrong. If you think about it logically, it is right for the topic to flow that way. The position of a duke is the most noble position, except for the emperor, so how could such a noble position be left vacant?

So it’s only natural that the guests are horrified by Tricky’s retirement and are discussing her next move. It’s only right to immediately reveal the existence of the deputy to appease the horrified guests.

‘It’s so obvious.’

After a while, a bitter smile appeared.

I was arrogant. Of course, it was expected that the guests would be upset, but I thought that I would be able to finish the retirement ceremony and proceed smoothly to the coronation ceremony.

How arrogant is this thought? How can we control people gathered from all over the empire and the continent?

“knife.”

While I was blaming myself for being dull due to the unprecedented situation of becoming the Duke’s deputy, Trixie opened her mouth again.

“The main character today is not me who has reigned for 100 years. I have already received enough applause and awe.”

As she said that, Trixie took a few steps back and gently pushed my back.

“So today is the day when a new duke who will reign for 20, maybe 30 years takes center stage.”

“I’m not a duke, I’m a proxy─”

“People will think I’m a peacock, but does that matter?”

He looked at Tricky bitterly at her firm words, then turned his gaze straight ahead again.

Standing on the podium, he could see all the guests. Not only the nobles and high-ranking officials of the empire, but also the wizards who were renowned across the continent.

Even now, the Emperor and the other dukes are looked down on just a little bit, just a little bit.

‘You’re good at hitting.’

I met eyes with the Emperor, who was still clapping.

And as soon as our eyes met, a smile spread across the emperor’s face.

‘You little shit.’

I looked at the emperor for a moment and then walked away.

A little closer to the guests. So that my voice can be heard a little better.

“I am Karl Crassius of Tailglehen, the designated deputy of Duke Servet, who was just introduced.”

I began to speak in the most calm and composed voice possible.

“I am Count Teilglengen, not the acting Duke, as I have not yet received Your Majesty’s permission. Therefore, as Count Teilglengen, I would like to express my gratitude to those gathered here.”

He gave a subtle nod and expressed his gratitude to the guests who brightened up the event.

Since I am a count and not a duke, there are countless guests who deserve my respect. It is enough to speak confidently after becoming a duke.

“We have witnessed the last footsteps of one who was the pillar, the benefactor, and the shield of the empire. The journey of the sorceress Beatrix will continue, but the journey of Duke Beatrix of Servette has come to an end today.”

At those words, the guests’ eyes turned to Trixie, who was at the back.

“Beatrix’s ancestor, the first Duke of Servet, who completed this great journey, expressed his concern about the tyranny and corruption of Aphel and willingly did righteousness. He questioned the legitimacy of the emperor and the whereabouts of the Mandate of Heaven in the Aphel system, and joined Emperor Aimanka and became his wise advisor.”

But he came back to me again because I wasn’t finished talking.

“Also, the first Duke of Hablem, a colleague of the Duke of Seolgeom, led the soldiers of Kpelopen and put pressure on Apels. The first Duke of Wolken, the Duke of Bloodsword, opened the way by destroying all enemies that threatened the Great Emperor. The first Duke of Chenes, the Duke of Justice, led the internal affairs splendidly so that the Great Emperor could focus on the war. The first Duke of Boyar, the Duke of Cheonghae, led the nobles of Apels and embraced the Great Emperor, showing that the will of heaven was in Kpelopen.”

Anyway, he continued speaking while receiving the guests’ attention.

How great was the founder of Katoban, who passed the title of Duke to Trixie. How capable were the first Dukes who stood shoulder to shoulder with the founder.

“The blood of the five great vassals has continued to this day, even after 300 years. Above all, the empire had five strong pillars and shields.”

It was an unexpected compliment, but it was a necessary procedure.

If I become the Duke of Servet’s deputy, doesn’t that mean I have to stand alongside that great rank? It’s right to pave the way for my place in advance, and I have to look good to my seniors who have already taken the place.

“But today. This immature man has received the undeserved recognition of His Majesty the Duke of Majong, and has become the representative of the will of the Duke of Seolgeom, and stands side by side with the descendants of the great servants. Although I am the husband of the Duke of Majong, we all know that this decision was not made out of marital love.”

With those words, I turned to Tricky and bowed my head. Tricky also bowed her head to me with a smile on her face.

The words I am about to utter are words that will confirm everything. Words that will close the past era and open a new era.

“I pledge to you that I am not Beatrix’s husband, but rather the designated successor of the Duke of Magong. Like Duke Seolgeom, I will become an advisor to His Majesty and protect the empire, and I will successfully pass on the will of the Catoban that has continued for 300 years to the next Duke of Servet.”

100 years. It means the end of a literal century and the beginning of a new century.

Not just me and Trixie, but everyone here must have figured it out. Once this moment passes, there’s no going back.

“your majesty.”

“Speak.”

“I, the head of the House of Crassius, the husband of the House of Catoban, and the prospective Duke of Servette, would like to ask Your Majesty, will you allow me to take on the name of Servette?”

That this conversation will go down in history.

That may be why. This time, all eyes and ears were turned to the Emperor. The retirement of the Duke of Magong and the enthronement of the Duke of Servet. In order for this to become a reality, the Emperor’s permission, even if only formally, was needed.

“I hereby declare, as the XVII Eimanca, descendant of the Great Eimanca, the rightful and sole ruler of the Kpelopen Empire, that I grant the name of Servet to Karl Crassius, head of the Crassius family.”

The emperor himself answered leisurely, as if this attention was natural.

When I see things like this, I can tell that the Emperor is truly the Emperor. If only he had shown just 10% of his current attitude in normal times, how great it would be.

“I look forward to your future devotion. Saint Charles Serbet Crassius of Tailglehen.”

“I will be a representative who will not be ashamed before the royal family and Servette.”

I wish you had just shown some leisurely behavior instead of clapping earlier.

Although the order was a bit messed up, the retirement ceremony and proxy coronation declaration ceremony ended up going well.

The Emperor and the four dukes paid tribute to Trixie for her hundred years of dedication, and offered words of encouragement, congratulations, and expectations to the new comrade who would bear the name of Servette. If the speeches of the dignified guests were conducted properly, it would be a good ending.

“Jokka! Chukka! Jae, come with us!”

“Your words are too kind. How can a deputy be on the same level as a duke?”

“If we’re going to fight, we’re going to fight! If anyone wants to fight, they should come with us!”

However, the after-party started off badly.

The wise man who sticks right next to me and keeps smiling. He was already a person who had a lot of interest in me, but by officially becoming my deputy, he drew too much aggro.

There’s a good chance he’ll stay by my side until the end of the banquet. He won’t even go out for another drink himself, but will be ordering around by his attendants in the same spot.

“What’s better than that! Jae Lee’s new name is Bada!?”

‘ah.’

The bright voice that followed immediately took my breath away.

From noble mtl dot com

Name. Yeah, name. That damn name.

‘I did get it.’

A name given to a duke by the emperor. A title that follows that duke for life. Unfortunately, I, who am only a deputy, ended up receiving the name.

Of course, I didn’t receive it officially. Since Hyunmyeonggong said that I should receive it ‘now’, other people don’t know whether I received the name or not. Maybe they aren’t even sure whether I will receive it or not.

“Cheer up from now on. Silent Duke.”

But that b*stard Emperor. He came up to me right before the banquet started and whispered in my ear to confirm the kill.

‘What on earth is a silent ball?’

My teeth chatter. Unlike other intuitive names, why am I like that? The meaning varies so much depending on the interpretation.

‘Are you telling me to keep my mouth shut and just work no matter what?’

Unfortunately, there’s a very good chance that’s what it means.

If it’s the emperor’s twisted personality, then it’s almost 99%.

‘Fuck.’

Soon, he closed his eyes in deep thought.

Silent Duke, Saint Charles Servetus Crassius of Tailglehen. What a magnificent name that makes your heart swell.