854 – Elite Army, Elite Officers – 1

Even though the weather is gradually getting warmer, our children choose to go outside rather than play inside the mansion.

The reason was simple. We had to go outside the mansion to see the small and precious Injeolmi. We couldn’t summon Jenny, who had suffered from giving birth, to our mansion, which was an unfamiliar space. Even though it was inconvenient, it was right for us to move.

Actually, our children tend to dislike hot or cold weather, but the majesty of the 14 Injeolmi cakes overcame even that dislike. They were definitely playing hard in the cool mansion last summer. It’s really amazing.

– Squeak, squeak…

– Kkieeeeeng…

– Kkiuung…

“Dude! You little shits, move!”

“Oh, I see. You’ve grown so much.”

And today, as usual, when I visited Luciano’s mansion, some of the 14 Injeolmi were walking around.

Of course, it was nothing more than a pitiful cry and a trembling step. It was such a trivial step that it had to be called a baby walk.

But what does it matter whether it’s pitiful or insignificant? What’s important is that those little guys are becoming independent entities. Individuals that can play with our children.

‘You’re growing up well.’

A satisfied smile naturally formed on my face. Last week, things that couldn’t even open their eyes began to open their eyes in competition with each other. Since that day, things that had been just wriggling around in Jenny’s arms have been barking at the children.

Those guys are starting to walk now? Soon they will leave Jenny’s arms and run to the children. It will be a beautiful sight to see little rice cakes attacking little people.

Just imagining it made the corners of my mouth start to quiver violently. Unlike humans, animals grow faster, so if I just wait a little, that day will come. I think it will probably be a good two weeks.

“dismissal.”

“Ah, sir.”

The Injeolmi who was taking such careful steps, while looking at the Injeolmi still in Jenny’s arms, turned her head at Luciano’s voice.

“It is truly an honor that Your Majesty visits the mansion of a lowly knight every day. As your host, it would be my duty to welcome Your Majesty every time, but I regret that I cannot do so.”

“Don’t say such things. If a bureaucrat doesn’t understand the hardships of another bureaucrat, who will? Rather, it’s just a shame to come and disturb the king’s rest even on a holiday.”

This is true. It would be even stranger if a bureaucrat on duty greeted me every day. Besides, for Luciano, this holiday is a sweet holiday after a hard weekday. I feel sorry for Luciano who helps his superiors even on such days.

What is even more unfortunate is that this holiday visit was not my intention at all. If it had been my intention, it would have been a disaster that I could have stopped at my own will, but what can I do when my children want to go to Luciano’s mansion every day? The weak father has no choice but to give in.

‘sorry.’

I looked at Luciano with a bitter heart. Luciano, who was also a father of a child, seemed to know my feelings and responded with slightly moist eyes.

The subtle empathy of fathers with young children. It is a lofty and noble empathy that cannot be hindered by minor differences in status.

“…But when those kids start calling me a puppy instead of a pup, then they won’t come by every day.”

“It’s really a shame to hear that. I was happy that Helen’s friends came to visit me every day.”

Although he said that, Luciano’s complexion brightened slightly.

I understand. If Helen wants to meet her friends, she can just send her to our mansion. On the other hand, Luciano, unlike Helen, who can meet her friends in other ways, will be helpless if our children visit every day. There is no other way.

‘Just hold on a little longer.’

That’s why I turned my gaze to Titi.

Titi lies quietly next to Jenny, looking at her pups with happiness. The pups are still not fully mobile, so we are keeping them here, but we plan to return them to our mansion in a few weeks.

If Titi is in our mansion, the children will have no reason to come to Luciano’s mansion. The pups who are able to move around can come to our house like Helen.

‘Just a little bit will do.’

It’s a win-win situation where I don’t have to go out every day braving the heat, and Luciano’s mansion doesn’t have to greet its superiors every day.

I hold on today just for that day that will come someday.

Shortly after returning to the mansion with the children, an unexpected guest visited the mansion.

A guest who I never expected to see suddenly. However, rather than being embarrassed, I was extremely happy to see him.

“It’s been a while, Carl. How have you been?”

Jeon Seung-gong himself descended into the mansion.

“Of course, Your Majesty. There are times when I feel a little out of my mind, but I still have a good time thanks to my family.”

“That’s fortunate. Yes, when you’re with your family, even the little things in life become enjoyable.”

I felt sorry for Jeon Seung-gong who burst into laughter.

Jeon Seung-gong has left his territory and is serving as the deputy commander of the imperial army in the system. He had no choice but to be separated from his family all of a sudden, and since his daughter in the system is the empress, he cannot meet her easily.

It is a problem that both the Empress and the Duke of Jeonseung are busy, but if the relatives of the Empress come into excessive contact with the Empress, the nobles will look at it with a suspicious eye. Even for the Duke of Jeonseung, it is right to be careful.

“Don’t make that face. I feel bad for bringing it up first.”

“Oh, yes. I will be careful.”

“This is true. I came to congratulate you, but I ended up just harassing you.”

Instead of feeling embarrassed, Jeon Seung-gong’s words filled my head with doubt.

Congratulations. Have I been congratulated lately? If I had to pick one, it would be Titi giving birth to a baby, but there’s no way Jeon Seung-gong would come here for something like that.

“I heard from Your Majesty. You have stepped down from your position as minister. Although you are planning to return after your vacation, it is a momentary moment for you, Karl, who has worked hard for so long, to end your life as a bureaucrat. It is something to be congratulated.”

‘ah.’

I understand. The Emperor said that my temporary retirement would be conducted privately, but Jeon Seung-gong is the Emperor’s father-in-law and close associate. If Jeon Seung-gong is like that, he should know about this private retirement.

…

‘It was quite a while ago?’

However, this temporary retirement is secretly a thing of the past. It is not an event that happened years ago, but isn’t it a bit ambiguous to be congratulated now?

“Thank you, Your Excellency. I am glad to receive your congratulations, as it makes me feel like my short career as a bureaucrat was not in vain.”

Of course, now instead of questioning, I first expressed my gratitude. After all, the Duke himself came to offer words of wisdom. It was an honor to be honored, whether publicly or privately.

“Don’t go around saying things like that. If your life as a bureaucrat is in vain, who can say that their life was worth living?”

Jeon Seung-gong, who let out a small laugh, was silent for a moment and then quietly continued speaking.

“Actually, I’ve been busy lately, so I’ve only just heard the news about Karl. It’s embarrassing to congratulate you so late, but it’s better than not doing it at all, so I came.”

“Your Majesty, I am very grateful to you.”

I bowed my head deeply because it was such a regrettable reason.

I heard the news late because I was busy with work. What could be a more heartbreaking reason? If that is the case, I will understand even if I hear the news of retirement when I return.

“No. It’s not just me and Karl, how can it be that we’re finding out about this so late? I’ve been neglecting my surroundings because I’ve been so busy with work.”

“Your Majesty, you are the dependable second-in-command of a million-strong imperial army. There are countless people who are only looking at your back, so how can you say such a thing?”

“It’s solid. Now, I guess the expression ‘tired’ would be appropriate.”

He closed his mouth slightly at the answer mixed with laughter.

It’s not normal. Something is different from the usual battle. It’s hard to predict, but it’s like the calm before a big storm.

“Kun Carl.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Go ahead.”

“I’m also thinking about slowly stepping back like the Iron Blooded One.”

“yes?”

A loud scream came out of my mouth, so I quickly covered my mouth with my hand.

Even though it is a reception room where only me and Jeon Seung-gong are present, a servant passing by can hear my voice. If a story like ‘While Count Tylglehen was talking to Jeon Seung-gong, there was a loud noise’ spread within the mansion, family, or institution, there would be nothing more troublesome than that.

No, aside from that, I have never even thought about Jeon Seung-gong retiring. He may be young, but he is still active and has no shortcomings.

“Oh, don’t worry, I’m not stepping down from the Duke position. I’m just stepping down from my position as Deputy Commander.”

“Your Majesty, that is shocking enough.”

He is the one who led the great imperial army without a hitch on behalf of the Emperor, the commander-in-chief, and won two wars with the North. No one is more suitable for the position than Jeon Seung-gong, and no one would want to be Jeon Seung-gong’s successor.

Besides, Jeon Seung-gong is the emperor’s father-in-law and the crown princess’s maternal grandfather. Now, all that’s left is to enjoy the power, but…

‘dominance.’

I closed my eyes in deep thought, as if I knew what Jeon Seung-gong was thinking.

Victorious in two wars. A triumphant general who gave the North to the Livnoman Empire. One of the five dukes and the emperor’s father-in-law.

These enormous titles are actually encouraging Jeon Seung-gong to retire. If you think about it, when he was the emperor, didn’t he secretly keep Jeon Seung-gong in check, who was his brother-in-law? The current emperor shows no signs of keeping Jeon Seung-gong in check, but that may make Jeon Seung-gong feel even more burdened.

Of course, I have many titles like Jeon Seung-gong. Maybe even more dazzling than Jeon Seung-gong.

‘I’m young.’

However, I am younger than the Emperor. In the eyes of others, I am clearly inferior to the Emperor.

On the other hand, Jeon Seung-gong is not only the emperor’s older brother but also his father-in-law. He is more likely to be seen as the emperor’s superior rather than his subordinate.

“It’s easier to talk to Karl. There’s no need for long explanations.”

“You are too kind.”

He smiled bitterly at Jeon Seung-gong’s words and replied.

A famous general who devoted his entire life to the empire and worked hard to lead even unfavorable wars to victory. Such a loyal subject wants to use even his last days for the empire. He wants to step down from his glorious position for the sake of the stability and order of the emperor and the empire.

As an acquaintance, should I dissuade him or support him? Should I try to stop the person who was like a second father from retiring, or should I support him in his difficult decision?

‘I’m going crazy.’

In the meantime, it is sad that it is something that Count Teilglehen, the Imperial Inspector General, must unconditionally support, rather than Karl Crassius, who is an acquaintance of Jeon Seung-gong.

Considering the Emperor’s authority, Jeon Seung-gong’s retirement is a beautiful thing. It is even more so if it is Jeon Seung-gong’s voluntary retirement and not due to the Emperor’s pressure.

“Anyway, after I decided to retire, I started seeing things I hadn’t seen before. That’s why I came here to spend some quality time with Carl, after a long time. Are you disappointed rather than just congratulating me?”

“How could that be? It is always a pleasure to meet Your Majesty.”

Then Jeon Seung-gong laughed again.

He let out a calm, bitter-looking smile.