805 – Blood Is Eternal – 2

Reinhard Crasius of Tyglehen. The previous head of the Crasius family and my grandfather.

However, he is an unknown person who passed away when Erich was just born, and is not even left in this body’s original memories.

‘His ability was second to none among all the heads of the family.’

Of course, as his grandson, he only has memories of his grandfather, but as the current head of the family, he was able to fully review the records of the previous head of the family. In fact, even if I tried to ignore my grandfather’s records, I couldn’t ignore them because they existed throughout the empire and in my family.

The time when my grandfather was the head of the family was a time when the imperial power fell due to the emperors’ extravagant trolling, and the position of the imperial whites, who were a community of destiny with the emperor, was also difficult. In such a situation, Jobunim was the loyal subject who worked to strengthen the imperial power and the subject who actively helped the situation. There can be no record.

In any case, my grandfather played a very active role as an imperial bag to help the situation, as a shield to protect the shaky imperial authority, and as a sword to crush those who were insubordinate according to the dictates of the situation. He was a dignified nobleman, a capable lord, a powerful warrior, and a loyal subject.

Unfortunately, he was not a very good person as a head of a family.

‘I wasn’t as good at expressing myself as my father.’

According to the records of the Crasius family and the testimony of family vassals and employees who remember my grandfather’s time, my grandfather was truly cold-blooded. He was not only blunt on the outside but soft on the inside; he was a cold person both on the outside and the inside.

Thanks to this, it is said that the Crasius family during my grandfather’s time was hard and cold. Because the head of the family viewed his entire family, including himself, as tools. Because the head of the family saw the wives as a sign of political strategy and the children as future political tools.

And of course, my grandfather, who actively engaged in arranged marriages, had several wives and a total of seven children, including his father.

Besides his eldest and firstborn father, he had three sons and three daughters. People who are uncles and aunts to me.

…

‘I’ve already surpassed my grandfather’s lifetime.’

It feels a little strange. Even my grandfather, who saw everything as a tool, had seven children in his lifetime, and I have already seen eight children and have six wives. It has become a real monster that has surpassed the monster of thorough politics.

“Just get ready. When I give you the signal, you’ll move.”

– Yes, sir.

However, the important thing now is not that he became a grandson who surpassed his grandfather, but that he came into contact with one of his aunts for a rather bad reason.

Even though I am not close to my uncles and aunts, it does not mean that I have a bad relationship with them. Even though we don’t know each other, we are definitely connected by blood.

And it’s not a bloodline through me, but a bloodline through my father. No matter what decision I make, I have no choice but to look at my father’s opinion.

‘What should I do with this?’

I sighed softly as I looked at the communication port that had lost its light.

This means that if the minister’s secretary prepares for an inspection, it is not an issue that can be ignored. If it was something that could be reasonably flexible, the secretary would have gotten over it right away. Rather than carrying out an inspection, it is often sufficient to simply give a verbal warning or keep it as if identifying a weak spot.

However, the secretary reported directly to me. Rather than a simple verbal warning or acquiescence, the Narzen Count family must be inspected directly. I made that decision even though I knew that my aunt was from the same family.

It must have been quite difficult for the secretary as well. So, if I trust my secretary and entrust her with full authority—if I plan to do so in the future—I must also accept this judgment.

‘Bloodline or order?’

I’ll be amazed. There is a right to choose either way.

‘Following the principles is the best.’

First of all, it is acceptable for inspections to operate according to principles, and it is appropriate to operate according to profit. The former sets clear standards above all else, and the latter sets standards that are natural to nobles.

On the other hand, if you act based on blood or personal feelings, that firm standard will collapse. If it is not a standard that applies to everyone, it is not a standard but an atrocity. The authority of the inspection, which should have respect, fear, fairness, and trust, is damaged.

In the end, it was an ambiguous situation to proceed with the inspection or to clear it up on my own terms.

– A knife?

“Sorry for contacting you so suddenly.” Do you have time?”

So, after much thought, I contacted my father.

Whatever you choose, consulting with your father is essential. Even if I end up receiving resentment from my father, I have to at least talk to him.

Only then will my father have the dignity to see my aunt.

The meeting place was not the County of Tylglehen, but a lake of safety and trust. If you go to the count’s castle, there are many eyes to see and ears to hear.

And maybe because it was cold, fortunately there was no one else in the lake other than me and my father.

“Don’t go far, just play nearby.”

– Woof!

However, we had to have a serious and important conversation, so we brought Titi. To be assigned the role of a watchdog that barks fiercely when an outsider approaches.

With this, there were only me, my father, and Titi in the vast lake. The conversation we will have here will never leak out. It can be said to be a fortunate thing among misfortunes.

“I guessed it from the moment you suddenly asked to see me.”

While watching Titi run away as soon as she heard my request, my father spoke first.

“It looks like a pretty important conversation is going to take place.”

It’s also difficult to answer with words of apology.

Even though I had asked to see my father first and even though I had chosen this place, I could not bring myself to open my mouth. I know that my father has a deep affection for his family, but how can I say, ‘I plan to inquire into my aunt’s family?’ Should I say the same thing?

“Me, father.”

Of course, it is not polite even among family members to call someone over and not tell them about your business.

Moreover, the later this is said, the more uncomfortable and embarrassing it becomes for both parties. It is for the sake of my father, aunt, and Gamchalseong that I speak as quickly as possible.

“Count Narzen.”

My father’s shoulders trembled at my words.

Thanks to this, my guilt grew even greater. This nephew had forgotten about the Count Narzen family for a moment, but your father reacted right away when he found out that it was the family where your sister was located.

“There was a small commotion there, so it looks like we will have to conduct an inspection.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. That happened.”

Eventually, neither I nor my father said anything, just looking at the lake.

What can I say? Everyone knows that the meaning of inspection in this empire is extremely heinous. Not only am I the minister, but my father also worked in the inspection department for a short time.

“Your youngest aunt’s name is Elin Crasius. Although now you should call her Elin Narzen.”

“I heard that she is the wife of Lord Soga. She is scheduled to be the next mistress of the Narzen family…”

“That’s right. The same goes for your other uncles and aunts. Your grandfather did not waste his children.”

I just nodded at the bitterness in his voice.

Political strategy is something that is done between equals. Perhaps thanks to this, the uncles and aunts who entered into arranged marriages with each family were able to gain a decent position in a decent family. Because spending valuable strategic cards on a weak family is just a waste.

However, I was able to guess the pain my father and my younger siblings went through from the word heoturu that my father just said. Just how many mechanical marriages have come and gone?

“It is a shameful past to tell you, but we feared and hated our father. Thanks to that, after I inherited the family, your uncles, aunts, and grandmothers left Crasius.”

“Well, if your father took over, wouldn’t it be okay for you to remain in the family?”

“I didn’t have any good memories to leave behind. To the point where I decided it would be better to be indebted to a family that was politically connected.”

These were such sad words that I couldn’t help but sigh. How hell must Crasius have been to choose a family that was connected by politics rather than love.

“Actually, we haven’t had any interactions since then. All I know is that he is alive and that he is treated with the utmost respect by each family.”

“It’s a good thing.”

“However, that treatment did not just happen.”

After saying that, my father looked at me with an expression filled with regret, bitterness, and guilt.

“The reason they joined hands with Crasius was for gain. The way they treat your uncles and aunts is because they are evidence of their bond with Crasius. However, the younger brothers, who still have scars, are ignoring Crasius, and even I, the eldest, are afraid of them. What happens if you turn away?”

“You must have been looked down upon.”

It is a future that can be predicted. Arranged marriages between families are ultimately for profit and to benefit the other family. But the connection between the other family and the arranged marriage partner was lost? It is obvious how a person who has neither love nor benefit will be treated.

“Yes. That is why I acted as the head of the Crasius family, not as the eldest child. Although I did not have contact with my younger siblings, as the head of the family, I helped the families that were politically connected.”

“Are you okay now?”

I became anxious for no reason. At this point, Crasius ‘commander is me, not his father his his. But I also forgot that the Count Narzen family was his aunt’s family. Not to mention other families.

“Fortunately, your presence itself seemed to be a source of strength to those families.”

It was such a fortunate story that I sighed with relief,

“Now it’s time for you to make a choice.”

I closed my mouth again.

“Knife.”

“Yes, father.”

“Do not mind this father; do whatever you want.”

“Yes?”

I was taken aback because the advice was firmer than I expected.

My father had feelings of affection and guilt towards his uncles and aunts. Even though his younger siblings did not even contact his eldest, he was the first to help.

As if that were natural. As if it were the karma of the person who bore the name of Crasius.

“I am not qualified to ask you for a favor. Even if I ask for a firm inspection or a merciful ruling, you will bear all the karma. The fear of even blood being cruelly cut off. The sarcasm of covering it up with blood .”

“It’s okay. Isn’t the inspection a place that is usually criticized?”

“That resentment and hatred are things you must receive solely through your own choice. They are too heavy things to receive in return for listening to your retired father.”

Eventually, my father patted my shoulder.

“So do whatever you want. Don’t worry about your father, and just follow the path you think is right. I have done my duty to her younger siblings over the years, so shouldn’t I do my father’s duty now?”

With a very faint and delicate smile.

“…We will handle it fairly and prevent those who have been wronged.”

My father just nodded in response to my answer.

Because you know this is my best. Because you know that this is the path I chose.

‘Please, I hope it was an innocent accusation or a misunderstanding.’

It’s a bad example, but I hope Narzen was framed like Jorun.