886 – The Happiness of a Marquis – 1

The war involving six countries ended just before the continent was set ablaze.

As someone who had once served in the military, I could not help but sigh in relief. The war between Ryuton and Bazen was a great event that had ruined the reputation of the empire, so if things had gone a little wrong, a world war could have broken out involving all the nations of the continent.

If only the Minister of Foreign Affairs had been more rational than angry, and the Empire’s damaged authority had been restored thanks to the ceasefire pledge, then I would have been flying around the continent, cutting down the sky. Not even with tactical nuclear weapons.

And immediately after the empire’s authority and diplomatic capabilities were announced to the entire continent, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately announced the establishment of a pan-continental treaty organization. For the peace of the continent, for the unity of all nations, they must truly become one. The plan is for all nations to sit at one table and lead the continent through dialogue.

“Hey you little punk! You knew this! You kept your mouth shut about this until the end!?”

There were instances where even the nobility of the same empire was shaken by the new order declared by the Imperial Foreign Ministry, but it was only minor growing pains on the way to the New World.

Anyway, it’s growing pains. It’s a sacrifice that must be made for the empire and the continent to become more advanced. Of course.

‘I don’t have to eat for the next three days.’

When I recalled the desperate anger and screams of the Minister of Finance, the corners of my mouth naturally went up.

I am satisfied. The new world dreamed of by the Minister of Foreign Affairs has just released its PV, but I have already encountered the best results.

The firm hegemony of the Empire? Kicking the ladder with the great powers? Who cares about that? If the Minister of Finance suffers, that’s enough. After all, I’m not even part of the Finance Ministry.

‘How does a person work in the Treasury?’

It is a sad and pitiful thing. Isn’t money the cause and power that moves this world, and the embodiment of greed and conflict? To put such an ugly thing on the shoulders of a mere human being. If it were me, I would bite my tongue and die.

Of course, before I bit my tongue, I became independent from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Inspection. I feel like I am shedding tears at the grace of His Majesty.

“Oh, dad.”

“Our Pedi, are you ready?”

“Yeah! I brought Jang Saeng too!”

While they were farming on the outskirts of the palace, they were performing a surprise worship service. Pedi came running towards them, holding Jang-saeng in his arms.

Why? I just told her to bring a toy or doll to play with since I had to go out, but I never thought she would bring Jang-saeng in her arms.

‘He doesn’t even rebel anymore.’

Even Jang-saeng was in Pedi’s arms with an indifferent expression, as if he was used to this situation.

He doesn’t even protest, asking why he’s treating me like a piece of equipment and where the hell he’s taking me.

‘Have you already done it?’

Maybe he was venting his frustrations the whole time he was being captured by Pedi. But maybe he just gave up because it wasn’t working.

When I thought about it that way, Jang Saeng’s eyes looked especially moist.

“Pedya. There are a lot of animal friends where you and Dad are going. So, can we leave Jangsaeng behind?”

At my words, Jang-saeng’s ears, which had been hanging down, slowly went up,

“They tell you too?”

“That’s not it…”

“Then I’ll take Jang-saeng with me!”

Went down again.

I’m sorry. I suddenly gave you hope. Giving you expectations and then disappointing you is the cruelest thing.

“There are a lot of big animals there, like cows, horses, and sheep. If Jang-saeng goes, it won’t be scary─”

“Stop it, Master. How miserable are you going to make me?”

“sorry.”

Jang Saeng-i, who almost suddenly became a ‘former evil spirit who feels fear of ordinary livestock’, broke his silence and protested.

Yes, even I thought it was a bit of a stretch. Besides, no matter what excuse I came up with, it would be impossible to break Pedi’s will.

In the end, Jang-saeng just stayed still and ended up getting hurt.

Together with Pedi, he visited the North, or more precisely, the Marquisate of Barandi.

To celebrate the birth of the Emperor’s nephew and Ainter’s first child. To see the next Marquis of Barandiga and the only grandchild of the current Marquis of Barandiga.

‘Actually, I should have gone a long time ago.’

Although he is not a direct descendant, it is a joyous event that a noble blood relative of the imperial family is born. And not a distant descendant, but a splendid child who is the nephew of the current emperor and the cousin of the next emperor. Wouldn’t it be rude to treat him as an ordinary descendant?

Even that collateral line is destined to inherit the imperial marquisate, so it is not surprising that they receive enthusiastic cheers and congratulations from the nobles. It is normal for the Marquis Barandi to be overflowing with numerous guests.

Nevertheless, the Marquisate of Barandiga was desolate. No noble in the empire had ever seen the noble child who would become the Marquis. Not even the great lords of the north, not even me, the leader of the northern faction.

The reason was simple: it was the tradition of the northern nomads.

‘There’s nothing we can do about tradition.’

When nomads have a child, they strictly forbid any contact with outsiders until the child’s first partner and horse are chosen.

For nomads, horses are the most precious possessions and companions, and are like close friends whose souls are connected to each other. In the process of finding a soul mate, worldly adults and outsiders should not intervene.

Thanks to that, the birth of Ainter’s child was a thing of the past, but now I can finally see the child. I heard that he is already preparing to crawl.

“Me! I want to see my little brother, but I can’t let him see me! You’re all deadly!”

Time passed so quickly that the newborn baby was crawling. This meant that the Crown Princess’s suffering and patience were also very long.

It was a long time for me, who also had to listen to the Crown Princess’ complaints. If it weren’t for the tradition of the people, I would have let them meet secretly. It’s crazy for a conquering nation to ignore the tradition of a subjugated nation. How can we handle it if the North, which is in the process of assimilation, objects?

‘Did the Crown Princess say she was coming today too?’

I heard something like, the Emperor cannot leave his seat because of work, so the Empress comes with the Crown Princess.

However, I can’t remember whether it was today or tomorrow. One of the two must be correct.

‘Oh, so what?’

Actually, it doesn’t matter when you come. The host who will be welcoming the guests is not me, but the Marquis Barandi. If you’re worried, it’s the Marquis who will be welcoming the guests one after another.

“Dad! There are a lot of animals over there!”

“Yes. There are a lot.”

Meanwhile, Pedi, who was in my arms, pointed to the herds of cattle and sheep roaming the meadow.

It might not be a particularly new sight for Pedin, who had already seen Behemoth and livestock, but the northern grasslands had a different charm from Behemoth’s homeland. They were more magnificent, more expansive, and more natural. This was natural, since they were grasslands that were created by nature itself, not by Behemoth.

‘There are quite a lot.’

And although the types were fewer than the livestock raised by Behemoth, their numbers seemed to be greater.

Indeed. Is this the dignity of the only Marquis in the North? It seems that the livestock industry has developed tremendously.

“hmm?”

While Barandi and Pedi were admiring the majesty of the ranch, Jangsaeng tilted his head.

“There’s a person among them. Is he a shepherd or something?”

“person?”

I focused more on Jangsaeng’s words and looked at the herd of livestock.

People. No matter how much I look, all I can see are cows and sheep? There are horses in the corner, and there are quite a few dogs, too…?

‘ah.’

I found it too. The shepherd that Jang-saeng spoke of.

A young man with shining blond hair and pure white skin. A young man with impressive purple eyes.

‘It’s Ainter.’

Why is he standing there like that? Did he change his job to a shepherd while I wasn’t looking?

‘What the hell is Ribnoman?’

I couldn’t help but laugh. After stepping down from the throne, the Emperor raised livestock and farmed in the palace, while his younger brother, who was far from political strife, worked as a shepherd in the northern grasslands.

What on earth flows through Livnoman’s blood – no, what on earth flows through the blood of the situation? No matter how you look at it, it’s clear that he should have lived as a civil servant of the Concentrated Forces. It was Livnoman’s direct descendants who twisted his fate.

“It looks like they found us too.”

“I guess so.”

Soon, Ainter turned his head towards us, raised one arm, waved it around, and then climbed onto the back of the cow next to him and began to approach.

It is an unusual sight for someone to be the emperor’s younger brother and the marquis’ son-in-law.

‘What really happened?’

You were a typical nobleman until your wedding.

Why do you act like a natural person with 20 years of experience?

***

It’s difficult. The clown is in pain, but he can’t stop smiling.

“cadet.”

“Yeah, our Kran. What’s going on?”

“Mau.”

“You want to see a horse?”

“Whoosh!”

This child makes people happy even with just a short babble, so I can’t stop smiling.

I am happy. I feel like I have reached heaven by living these past few months. Heaven has given me the ultimate happiness.

How can you be this cute? How can you be this lovable?

‘It’s like going back to when Shati was just born.’

No, maybe I’m happier than I was then. When Shati was born, I had no knowledge of childcare and was worried that the child might get sick and do something wrong.

But not now. Thanks to the experience of raising Shati safely and the Empire’s outstanding medical technology, I can look after Krann without any worries.

‘Our cute granddaughter.’

Kran Gurth. Our granddaughter who will one day be called Kran Gurth of Barandiga.

“Father, were you playing with Krann again?”

Anyway, when our Krani said he wanted to see the horse, we were about to go out when Shati opened the door and came in.

“Oh my. Since my daughter still hasn’t recovered from the aftermath of giving birth, it’s only natural that her father should take care of her instead!”

“I can’t get out. I can ride a horse now.”

That wasn’t important, so I listened to it with one ear and let it go out the other. No matter what Shati’s current state is, the Shati in my heart is in a state where it’s difficult to take care of Kran.

“Well, it seems like you have nothing to do, so go straight to the main gate. His Majesty the Count is here.”

“Huh? Already?”

That’s why I tried to come up with a plan to escape the room with Krann in my arms, but I immediately scrapped it after hearing Shati’s words.

“We just happened to run into Ainter, and Ainter is fighting against us, but the owner still has to greet us.”

“I think my son-in-law would do better than me.”

“Come on.”

Under Shati’s pressure, Krann was carefully placed on the bed.

Our granddaughter, let’s take a break from this grandfather. But don’t cry, I’ll be back soon.

“My daughter. Can you stay with Mom while Grandpa works?”

“cadet!”

‘Hmm.’

It’s strange. Why do I feel like crying?

Is it because Kran is annoyed that he doesn’t pay any attention to his grandfather…?