894 – Dazzling Dawn – 3

This is the first time since the reign of King Myung-gong that one of the five dukes has been replaced. It is also the first time since the current emperor ascended to the throne. In a way, it can be said that this is a monumental event in which even a duke was newly enthroned to commemorate the reign of the current emperor.

That is why the banquet to celebrate the coronation of my brother as a duke was held with a huge crowd and warm support. Not only the eastern nobles who were traditionally subordinate to Duke Wolken, but also high-ranking officials from all over the empire willingly got up their heavy butts.

In fact, not showing up at a banquet like this is tantamount to declaring isolation from society. How dare you pass up the Duke’s honor. He’s the highest ranking person in the empire, aside from the Emperor.

“Congratulations, Lord Yeomyeong. It’s great to see new faces.”

“Congrats! I was wondering when the bloodthirsty king would step down! I didn’t know it would happen this year!”

As evidence, two of the empire’s representative hikikomori graced the occasion.

Golden Duke and Wise Duke. Two big shots who are busy working like vassals in their own territory. They are extremely rare to see except for large-scale events like the New Year’s greeting ceremony.

The fact that even those people attended the banquet together means that they truly welcome the new duke and give him strength. It feels like a warning that if there is anyone who looks down on the new duke, they, as fellow dukes, will take care of him.

“I didn’t know I would suddenly become a duke. It’s a heavy burden, but it’s something I have to overcome.”

“You don’t need to be respectful to us. It might have been different when you were a minor duke, but now you’re a duke standing shoulder to shoulder with us.”

“Maja! Dukes shouldn’t talk to each other and treat each other badly! We should respect each other!”

At the wise man’s shout, Tricky came to mind reflexively.

I don’t know about the other dukes, but Hyung-gong is practicing that cry better than anyone else. He even talks comfortably to Tricky, who is by far the most senior among the dukes.

…

‘Aren’t you going to do the lower part?’

Come to think of it, Trixie is being treated badly because she’s the niece-in-law of the wise duke. Is it true that they only treat Trixie as the niece-in-law and not the duke?

‘That sounds plausible.’

It was something I couldn’t even imagine a few years ago, so I couldn’t help but laugh.

Looking at it these days, it seems like Hyunmyeonggong, not Tricky, is the best among the dukes. That’s not wrong, considering he’s the most elusive.

“Please be lenient during the banquet. This has been the norm for decades, so it’s a bit difficult to change it right away.”

“That’s true. That’s true too. When I first became a duke, there were a lot of things I was unfamiliar with.”

“Hehehe, actually, me too.”

Anyway, while the three dukes were chatting away, Jeon Seung-gong was talking to his eldest father-in-law in a corner of the banquet hall.

As soon as I greeted my brother, I was captured. I wonder what kind of conversations are going on between the former duke and the current duke.

‘Don’t worry about it.’

The experience and instincts I’ve accumulated so far are calling out to me. Getting involved in such a situation is just creating trouble for myself.

For the sake of my mental health and peaceful daily life, I need to let that conversation between those two just be a conversation between two people.

‘I guess they’re just sharing gossip with each other.’

I turned my head, trying to come to that conclusion.

Among the five dukes, Jeon Seung-gong and Jang In-eun were secretly the best match. They were both unmanned and had been on the front lines, so they had a sense of kinship. In the midst of all this, one of them declared retirement and became unemployed, so it was not strange for the other to offer words of encouragement and consolation.

I ignored the fact that the person who kidnapped Jeon Seung-gong was my father-in-law. No matter how I looked at it, I erased from my mind the idea that my father-in-law was the one with the business.

Because it’s beneficial to me.

***

I attended the banquet with a light heart, but I ended up encountering a rather unexpected situation.

“Iron-blooded. Are you serious?”

As soon as I greeted the new duke, the Iron-Blooded Duke snatched me away as if he had been waiting for me. He then used his huge body to cover me and even blocked anyone from approaching.

I had a feeling that it was not a light matter, as it was an unusual action, but I never thought it would be something like this.

“I think we should call him Oliver from now on, not Iron Blood.”

“No, even though I stepped down from the Duke’s position, that’s still true.”

“I’m joking, so don’t be embarrassed. Just call me whatever you want.”

It was a bit harsh for a joke. Even though we were both Dukes, it was cruel to call the Iron Blood Duke by his name, even though he was older than me.

“Anyway, I really mean what I just said. I’m thinking about putting my name on the military academy too. What do you think?”

“Hmm.”

But what’s important now is not whether or not the name is called. The fact that the Iron Blood Lord has shown direct interest in the military academy.

“Although I was a duke in name only after handing over the real power to my son, I was still a public official until last year and then stepped down. I feel like I have a hole in my heart because I devoted my life to the empire and then became a barbarian.”

“I understand. The entire continent will remember how much the Iron Blood Lord devoted himself to the empire.”

I nodded immediately at the Iron Blood Gong’s words.

The Iron Blood Lords are loyalists who have devoted themselves to the stability of the Empire for decades. They are the shields of the Empire who resolutely punished the Eastern Kingdoms who dared to encroach on the Empire’s territory when His Majesty first ascended the throne.

He is someone who has devoted his life to the royal family and the empire. To such a person, retirement may not feel like freedom but like a release. A sad release that he has no more work to do for the empire, that his usefulness has run out.

“So, I wanted to take a new path. I’ve never been a teacher before, but I guess I can give a little advice to the juniors who will lead the Imperial Army.”

“The teachings of the Iron Blood Lord are small advice. Then who should give great advice? Should the Struggle Lord live?”

In the history of the empire, the only general who can be said to be superior to the Iron-Blooded Duke is the first Duke of Hablem, the Struggle Duke. Only someone like the Struggle Duke who led the Kpelopen Kingdom army and crushed Aphels can be said to be superior to the Iron-Blooded Duke.

To that extent, the Iron Blood Master’s ability was outstanding. But if the Iron Blood Master’s teachings were small teachings, wouldn’t all the other teachers be mediocre?

“…If the Iron Blood Lord wishes, I am willing to create a position that did not exist before. Whether it be the position of principal, or a position above that.”

That is why he was guaranteed a high position. He was in a position where he had no lack of ability, experience, or status, so giving him an ordinary teacher position would be difficult for both parties.

“But can you tell me why you suddenly made this decision? If I remember correctly, you said you planned to live quietly in the dukedom after retirement. Of course, that was a story from several years ago, but the Iron Blood Duke I know is a knight among knights who keeps his word from several years ago. If he changed his mind, it must mean there is a good reason for it.”

“Hmm.”

Iron Blood snorted at my question.

There’s definitely something there. It’s not like the Iron Blood type would change his mind simply because of a whim.

“Only Jeon Seung-gong knows this.”

“Well, don’t worry, I’ll take care of you until I die.”

At the immediate assurance, the body of the Iron Blood Knight tilted slightly,

“I feel a little sad that my daughters treat me like a retired old man.”

“What.”

He whispered an unexpected reason in my ear.

“I was prepared, but I didn’t know it would be this merciless. I don’t mind being a guard at the main gate of the military academy, but I want to become a bureaucrat who dedicates himself to the empire.”

It was such a complicated and sad reason that I was speechless.

Even that Iron Blooded General, after handing over his title, ended up being just Oliver, the old man from the neighborhood, rather than a great general.

‘I have to give him the principal position no matter what.’

In fact, there are many people who are aiming for the position of superintendent of the military academy. Even I was thinking of stepping down from the position of deputy commander after the successful establishment of the military academy and becoming superintendent of the military academy.

But if Cheolhyeolgong has such a heartbreaking story, it would be right for the first principal to be Cheolhyeolgong.

That would be better, even from a symbolic standpoint.

“It’s not confirmed, but the director of the military academy will be treated as a deputy director of the Ministry of War. Considering the case of the Imperial Academy, that’s appropriate.”

“It’s just the right level.”

Explaining the principal’s level of etiquette to the Iron Blood Lord was tantamount to promising to give him the position of principal. Perhaps because of this, the Iron Blood Lord’s expression brightened slightly compared to before.

It is truly a sad sight.

***

Duke of Yeomyeong. The first title bestowed upon a duke since I ascended to the throne.

The nineteenth Duke of Wolken, who succeeded the Iron Blood Duke as the new master of Wolken, the strong shield that protected the eastern part of the empire.

And unlike his father, the Iron Blood Duke, he is a nobleman with a literary bent who is more of an administrator than a military man.

‘He is a talent fit for the new era.’

The ability of the Dawn Duke has already been sufficiently proven. Since the Iron Blood Duke handed over the real power, he has carried out his duties without any trouble, and the eastern nobles managed by the previous Dukes of Wolken also respected and followed the Dawn Duke thoroughly during his days as a minor Duke.

Even though he is not young, he is quite mature, so he can be said to be a truly prepared talent and a duke. Thanks to this, he was able to inherit the dukedom without much confusion even after the sudden retirement of the Iron Blood Duke.

It is indeed a joyous thing. Such a perfect talent has appeared in this era. In this day and age, when the eastern border is peaceful, and we are closer to stability than war, an administrative talent has ascended to the position of Duke.

‘It’s time for the pen rather than the sword.’

Before we knew it, the southern part of the Kingdom of Leon had become a time when administrative power was more important than military power. So, thanks to the Dawning Palace bordering Leon, it would be possible to suppress Leon more easily, so I secretly hope so.

“dad!”

“Princess?”

As I was smiling happily to myself, the crown princess, dressed in a beautiful dress, came running.

“Dad! How am I!?”

“Oh, how beautiful! You look like an angel descending from heaven!”

When I told her the truth, the Crown Princess also smiled brightly.

The new era’s protagonist, the Duke of Yeomyeong, ascended to the throne. A commemorative banquet was held to celebrate this. Of course, as the emperor, I should also grace the occasion, so the crown princess dressed up beautifully and prepared to attend the banquet.

It is a proud thing. I am proud to show off such a beautiful princess in front of all the nobles─

“Hehehe, you’ll say that Pedi is pretty too?”

‘hmm?’

His brow furrowed slightly at those words.

Something, something felt a little off.