811 – Buds Under an Old Tree – 1

Inspection of 14 families, including the Count Narzen family. Extensive inspections across the judiciary and courts resulted in untimely personnel appointments.

‘This is a New Year’s gift.’

Normally, the list of promotions and position transfers for the following year comes out around late November to early December. That’s why those who have been thwarted in promotion or failed to move to a key position spend the end of the year drinking, but this year, the judicial community made a toast of cheer rather than a toast of bitterness.

The families that suffered the sword dance this time were families called famous families. The positions held by family members were numerous and important, but those positions were all vacant? Do you even need to fill the position urgently instead of normal retirement?

It is said that the office and residence of the Minister of Justice were kept quiet at night. Opportunities for promotion and transfer to important positions, which were thought to be wasted, are now in the hands of the Minister of Justice.

‘This is the first inspection that has not received this much attention.’

I checked the final inspection report with a grin.

When Gamchal wakes up, blood flows. Thanks to this, when an inspection is in progress, my every move attracts attention. Calculating how far the shattering will go, and worrying about whether sparks might fly towards you.

However, this inspection was different from previous ones. To be honest, corruption in the judicial world is a far cry from that of ordinary nobles. Because handling money together requires expertise. On the contrary, if money is stolen by those in the judiciary, there is little to be gained together.

Perhaps that’s why the general nobles just looked on and giggled at this large-scale judicial inspection. I thought those b*stards would end up like that.

‘The same judicial nobles were also driven by greed rather than fear.’

The judicial community, which was supposed to be shaken, was just happy about the opportunity for an untimely surprise promotion.

Honestly, I felt a little bitter. I was serious about this inspection… I pulled out my sword, prepared to harm my youngest aunt and cousins…

“Even if we excluded Narzen, no one would have known.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. A bitter murmur echoed through the office.

I hate those in the judicial world who are faithful to their desires. I hate the mean things that don’t recognize my struggles.

Still, I am glad that the end of the year ended quietly and my youngest aunt and cousins were released in good health…

The New Year’s wedding ceremony was held in an atmosphere no different from previous years. To create this peaceful atmosphere, I, the Minister of Justice, and the Emperor conducted inspections at the speed of light.

“Lie down! Sister!”

“Are you going that way?”

“Wow!”

“Joa!”

As a repayment, the princess could be seen walking around the venue of her New Year’s wedding holding the prince in her arms.

She is proud. If the inspection was still in progress, the atmosphere at the New Year’s celebration would have been somewhat heavy. If that had been the case, the princess and the prince would not have been able to walk around happily. Adults’ efforts kept children’s smiles.

“It’s time!”

“Dyaboo!”

“Your Majesty. It is dangerous to run.”

Eventually, the Crown Princess spots me and Odo comes running to me. When he approached the crown princess and carefully picked her up, the crown princess and the prince burst into laughter.

Looking at it this way, the prince has grown a lot in just one year. Walking seems to be too much, but crawling and speaking simple words are sufficient.

“Oh, you’ve grown a lot in just a few days.”

“Jinjjang!?”

“Yes. You’ve become a little heavier than before.”

The weight feels more noticeable than when I held it before. Even considering that the prince is in the arms of his wife, it is quite heavy. As expected, children at this age grow differently every day.

“Then, Your Highness, shall I drop you off again?”

“No! Hug me inside! I want to show you where Carolusu Hantae is!”

“I understand.”

I slightly smiled at the princess’s small wish her

The wives dispersed to exchange greetings with their respective families or fellow nobles. Since I was left alone and had nothing to do anyway, it would be okay to become a temporary guide for the princess and the prince.

Moreover, if the princess is holding the prince, other nobles will not dare approach her. It is an honor for a noble to become acquainted with a member of the royal family, but if that member of the royal family is a small child, one has no choice but to be cautious. It would be difficult if I were to be hated by saying harsh words that offended my little heart.

“Your Majesty. There is my maternal grandfather.”

After wandering around for a while, I found Jeon Seung-gong’s back. As if he was bothered by the nobles who flocked to him, he was hiding in a corner.

“Oeharabuji! I want to see it!”

“Aww!”

Jeon Seung-gong, who was showing the back of his head to us, must have heard the children’s enthusiastic cries and turned around.

And as soon as she saw the princess and the prince, she smiled an extremely gentle smile. A grandfather’s love for his grandchildren was no different from that of a duke.

‘…Hmm?’

As I approached Jeon Seung-gong with light steps, I flinched. I didn’t realize it because it was hidden by a pillar, but my first father-in-law was also there─

“Ah, the minister is here too.”

‘What?’

The golden ball that was hidden on the body of my first father-in-law also caught my eye.

A miraculous situation where three of the five dukes were gathered in a corner. Just looking at it, my heart started pounding because it was an unusual situation.

‘…Shall I run away?’

Should I let go of the Crown Princess and run now?

No, if you sacrifice the Crown Princess as her sacrifice her, the number of hits you will receive will increase to five for your iniquity. Besides, it would be impossible to run away from the moment you were already in the eyes of the three.

“You too, listen while you’re here.”

“Oh, yes.”

I nodded bitterly at my father-in-law’s call.

***

The old era has passed and a new era has arrived.

It’s a truth I’ve felt since I handed over real power to my son, but I’ve felt it even more keenly recently. The era of old people like me is long gone.

‘His Majesty also stepped down.’

Your Majesty, who led the empire and ruled the continent for 30 years. Since His Majesty has stepped down from the throne, how can we deny that a new era has come? How can a symbol of an old era like me maintain its position?

To my shame, I held the position of Duke for longer than His Majesty Sang-tae, and I am also older than His Majesty Sang-tae. In fact, if he was going to step down, it was right to step down right away. It has been continued until now that he will only hold his position until the turmoil over the succession dispute is over and until our Marr gets married.

So much so that he became the official oldest among the dukes.

‘Now it’s time for me to step down.’

Complete retirement beyond handing over real power, beyond actual retirement. Officially unemployed, even passing down titles to children.

Rather, it feels too late. Still, it was a good help to show my youngest grandchild that his maternal grandfather was a duke.

“I think I should step down now.”

So, while the New Year’s celebration was held, I hinted at my decision to retire. Of course, before making a formal request to His Majesty, I first asked the same duke, Duke Jeonseung. The duke’s retirement should be discussed among the dukes.

There’s no need to tell your son in advance. You’re already practically carrying out the duke’s duties. Even if I completely step away, nothing will change. At most, it would be necessary to attend a gathering of titled nobles, such as a New Year’s wedding.

“Are you thinking of retiring?”

Anyway, Jeon Seung-gong was silent for a moment at my remarks, and then calmly opened his mouth.

“It’s really a shame, but I won’t listen to you trying to stop me.”

“It is the result of careful consideration. It is right for me to step down now.”

“It’s right. I don’t think it’s a matter of right and wrong, but if that’s your will, I’ll respect it.”

Fortunately, Jeon Seung-gong did not dissuade or criticize me, but simply understood my meaning.

It’s something to be grateful for. It would have been difficult if a fellow comrade expressed disapproval. Ignoring the difficulty and enforcing my will is not accepting a new era, but the stubbornness of an old man.

While discussing his retirement with Duke Jeon Seung, even Golden Ball, who was passing by, joined in.

“You too, listen while you’re here.”

“Oh, yes.”

Just then, Her Majesty the Crown Princess and the youngest son-in-law who was taking care of Her Majesty the Crown Prince came.

It wasn’t intentional, but it’s a good combination. In addition to the three dukes, there is also a son-in-law who is the closest person to His Majesty. It is rather too much to discuss the retirement of an old duke.

When I repeated what I had said to Jeon Seung-gong and Geumgong-gong, my son-in-law was shocked.

“Now, father-in-law. You’re retiring. Haven’t you corrected yourself yet?”

In the meantime, seeing him desperately lowering his voice, it seems like his instinct to keep confidentiality rose even while he was shocked.

I am satisfied. A minister who carries out inspection under orders from His Majesty must value reason over personal feelings. If this guy had made such a fuss, he would have spent his last days as duke scolding his son-in-law.

“Just to correct you. Are you saying that even though you know my age? To add a little bit of exaggeration, my age is 100.”

“You’re exaggerating…”

“Even if you exaggerate several times more than me, do you think you will even reach fifty, let alone one hundred? In the first place, His Majesty Sang-tae also stepped down, so it is not right for me to still occupy his position. A new era must be led by new people.”

At those words, the son-in-law looked at Jeon Seung-gong and the Golden Ball.

This shameful guy. Is this the case for all dukes to step down?

“Minister. I have no intention of retiring yet, so don’t look at me like that.”

“Me too, Carl.”

“S-sorry. “I stopped without realizing it.”

The son-in-law quickly lowered his head at the two dukes’ jokes.

Thanks to this, his twitching fists loosened again. He apologized quickly, so let’s move on from the rudeness just now.

“Anyway, there is no change in my intention. There was a lot to watch out for until the end, so I stayed where I was, but the situation in the empire is no longer so urgent that it needs the help of just one duke Rather, there is no chance other than this.”

A succession dispute between His Majesty the current Emperor and the deceased Second Prince. The disturbance of northern nomads. Marriage of Mar, the youngest child, etc. As a duke, everything I wanted to see to the end has come to an end. If you have more greed than this, you can go beyond holding the throne until you die and dare to dream of immortality.

That’s a terrible, ugly thing that I don’t even want to imagine. I don’t want to end my life, a journey that could have ended beautifully for the Barenti family and the empire, in that way.

“…I never thought I would see another Duke Ulken other than my father-in-law.”

“This is something Richard will be upset to hear. He has been my successor for decades. There is no other Duke as prepared as him.”

As I continued to give firm answers, my son-in-law sighed and nodded. As if he won’t stop me anymore.

In fact, nothing will change even if this guy keeps trying to stop me. I said I would retire, so what are you going to do?

From now on, I will live as Oliver, not as Iron Blood Ball. I will spend my days watching the tricks of our cute grandson, Pedi, and listening to the cooing of Nar, who will be born soon.

‘That’s the privilege of the elderly.’

Playing with young children and laughing together. There is no more wonderful right than this.