Chapter 36

"Knight Natalio. I hereby appoint you as my personal guard. I expect your bravery and loyalty."

A few days later, in the afternoon, in a secluded room of the palace, Zenjiro stood before the young knight kneeling before him, speaking with as much dignity as he could muster.

Natalio Maldonado.

That was the name of the knight kneeling before Zenjiro. He was in his mid-twenties, about the same age as Zenjiro. With his burnt brown hair and eyes, and his tanned skin, he possessed the typical colors of a Carpia Kingdom citizen. He knelt solemnly with a serious expression.

His chiseled face gave the impression of being honest and earnest, but it was rare for someone to relax their expression during a loyalty ceremony before the royal family. Judging his character from a first impression could be dangerous.

Zenjiro drew the sword entrusted to him from its leather scabbard with a swift motion. The well-maintained iron blade reflected the sunlight streaming in from the window, gleaming brightly. The blade was about 50 to 60 centimeters long, and from the length of the hilt, it appeared to be a one-handed sword. However, its substantial weight made it seem unlikely that it could be easily swung with one hand.

Zenjiro tapped the shoulders of the kneeling Natalio once each with the flat of the blade, then slowly returned it to the scabbard. Natalio, still on one knee, respectfully accepted the sword with both hands and responded.

"Yes, I swear to follow your commands, uphold righteousness, fear no difficulties, and dedicate my life to serving as your hand and foot."

Thus, the loyalty ceremony for Knight Natalio concluded without any issues.

In the room where Knight Natalio had just left, Zenjiro let out a small sigh of relief, inaudible to those around him.

It seemed he had managed to complete the task without any significant mistakes.

"Well done, Zenjiro-sama."

At the words of the thin-faced middle-aged man, Secretary Fabio, who had been standing behind him, Zenjiro almost blurted out, "There's no 'well done' for a superior," based on his former office worker's common sense, but he swallowed his feelings at the last moment.

(Dangerous, dangerous. Thanks to the 'Word Spirit,' the language flows naturally, so I tend to forget that this is a different world.)

Praising someone's efforts is something a superior does to a subordinate, and the reverse is considered impolite. This is a common sense in Japanese society.

Zenjiro recalled the correct responses he had learned in Octavia's lessons on being a royal and spoke.

"No, it's nothing. Was that appropriate?"

Turning to face the secretary, Zenjiro asked, and Secretary Fabio nodded in response.

"Yes. From now on, Lord Natalio will be a member of the Mounted Archers and also serve as your direct vassal. The annual salary for a royal vassal is twenty large silver coins, which will be a significant help to the Maldonado family. Although the funds will actually come from the royal treasury, it will be recorded as if you, Zenjiro-sama, are paying Lord Natalio. Please keep this in mind."

"Hmm, there's a special allowance?"

Zenjiro's slightly surprised voice prompted Secretary Fabio to nod without changing his expression.

"Yes. A knight's loyalty is bought with money."

"Is that how it works?"

"Of course, loyalty is not solely about money. It is the words of the lord that inspire loyalty, and the actions of the lord that sustain it. However, the foundation is always money. Without a financial base, loyalty cannot exist."

Secretary Fabio's straightforward words were brutally pragmatic but easy for Zenjiro to understand. It was a harsh reality, but knights without their own territories lived on the stipends provided by the kingdom. Bravery and loyalty were their commodities, and they needed to be valued as highly as possible.

Nodding in understanding, Zenjiro was observed by Secretary Fabio, whose expressionless face seemed almost mask-like, as he asked in a seemingly offhand manner.

"By the way, do you have any plans to hold a fief or a title, Zenjiro-sama?"

"Fief or title? What do you mean?"

Tilting his head in confusion, the queen's husband, Zenjiro, received a polite explanation from the queen's secretary.

"Yes. In our Carpia Kingdom, there are direct royal territories scattered outside the capital and its surroundings. Currently, these territories are overseen by the queen, and local governors are appointed, but as a member of the royal family, Zenjiro-sama has the right to inherit them. Of course, this right is limited to your lifetime."

It is not uncommon for kings and royal family members to hold their own territories and titles in addition to the throne and the right of succession. In fact, it is more common for kings to have their own territories. There are even complicated cases where a king of one country holds a count's title in another.

"If you continue to seclude yourself in the harem as before, it may not be necessary, but if you plan to increase your activities outside, you will need a title and a source of funds. Especially if you intend to increase the number of direct vassals like Lord Natalio, an independent source of funds is essential."

While Secretary Fabio's words were matter-of-fact and truthful, they were clearly inappropriate coming from the queen's confidant. If Zenjiro, the queen's husband, were to gain a fief and a title, even if only in name, it would mean more control slipping from Aura's hands. Even if only a portion of the revenue from the scattered territories, which are currently centralized under Aura, were to be given to Zenjiro, it would mean a reduction in the funds Aura could freely use.

For the queen's consort to hold an independent position and source of funds, and to use those funds to build an independent military force, was not a proposal that the queen's confidant should be making.

(Are they testing my response? No, even if that's the case, it's too obvious. They're probably just trying to set a boundary. In a roundabout way.)

If Zenjiro were on Aura's side, the only response to this offer would be a refusal. While the secretary's attempt to pin him down was somewhat unpleasant, Zenjiro understood that this was not the time to be stubborn and give a contrarian answer. He responded honestly.

"No, it's unnecessary. The centralization of finance and authority is an essential element for the health of an organization."

"But, Zenjiro-sama, didn't you decide to leave the harem to assist Aura-sama? With all due respect, even as the queen's consort and a recognized member of the royal family, without a title or fief, your ability to act is limited, is it not?"

The flat tone and expressionless face from which these provocative words were spoken made Zenjiro inwardly frustrated, but he responded in a controlled voice.

"Even so, that is a matter for the queen and me to discuss. It is not appropriate for you to suggest such things behind the queen's back."

Zenjiro's response, tinged with irritation, seemed to satisfy Secretary Fabio.

"...I apologize for my impertinence."

The middle-aged secretary bowed deeply, a slight smile twisting his lips.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

A few hours later, as the sunlight streaming through the window began to take on a hint of twilight, Secretary Fabio visited Aura, who was handling light duties in her office.

"Your Majesty, I have returned."

Bowing slightly, Secretary Fabio received a small nod from Aura, who remained seated at her desk, glancing at him.

"Thank you, Fabio. Alejandro, you have also worked hard. You may leave."

Behind Aura, the young, earnest-looking secretary, Alejandro Nieto, handed a bundle of dragon-skin paper to Secretary Fabio upon his master's command.

"Here are today's records, Sir Fabio."

"Understood. I will take over from here."

"Yes, thank you."

The young second secretary, after handing the bundle of dragon-skin paper to the middle-aged first secretary, bowed earnestly and left the room. As the door closed with a thud behind the young secretary, Secretary Fabio spoke to the queen, who was writing at her desk.

"How was Alejandro's work, Your Majesty?"

In response to Secretary Fabio's question, Aura stopped writing, shifted her gaze from the paper to the secretary's thin face, and answered succinctly.

"Not bad. Unlike you, he has a certain charm in his words and actions. However, his work is not yet at the level where he can be relied upon. If I were in good health, I might keep him by my side to train him, but for now, he is only a substitute."

To the queen's harsh evaluation, Secretary Fabio shrugged and replied.

"Understood. I will continue to focus on his training to meet your satisfaction."

Training the young secretaries was also part of the first secretary's responsibilities. Aura, who had known Fabio for a long time, could sense his passion for mentoring the younger generation beneath his stoic exterior and felt a bit of sympathy for the young secretaries. However, it was a fact that the young secretaries were still lacking.

"Thank you. By the way, how did it go on your end?"

Without being flustered by the sudden change of topic, the middle-aged secretary responded promptly.

"Yes. The loyalty ceremony for Lord Natalio went smoothly. Zenjiro-sama has already returned to the harem."

Relieved by the secretary's report that there were no issues, Aura let out a sigh of relief.

"I see. That's a relief. Now, tell me, what did you think of the consort?"

It had been nearly half a year since Zenjiro arrived in this world. While it might seem late to ask, it was a fact that until now, there had been no real opportunity for Zenjiro, who had been secluded in the harem, and Secretary Fabio to have a proper conversation.

Now that Zenjiro had decided to increase his activities outside the harem within his limits, it was necessary to understand the impression this stoic confidant had of the consort.

To the queen's question, the middle-aged secretary seemed to have his answer ready and responded without hesitation.

"Yes, he seems to be somewhat accustomed to maintaining a composed demeanor and speech. I believe he can handle public duties without making any fatal mistakes.

Additionally, I suggested that he accept a fief or title from the royal family, but he declined."

At the secretary's unapologetic response, Aura frowned and covered her face with her hand.

"You always use such provocative words... However, considering the consort's future activities, it might be worth considering a fief and title."

Covering her face with her hand, the queen, with a serious expression, pondered aloud, and the secretary, with a slight smile, teased her.

"That is something you and Zenjiro-sama should discuss thoroughly. After all, such matters are not for a mere secretary to meddle in, according to him."

From the secretary's words, Aura realized that Zenjiro had said as much and laughed softly in response.

"That is a cautious response, typical of the consort. It makes things easier for me. To add prestige, it might be a good idea to prepare a title for him sooner rather than later."

Zenjiro did not consider himself to be particularly cautious. He simply recognized that while he and Aura were equals in private, in public, there was a clear hierarchy. He had learned from his three years of work experience how much an organization can flounder without accurate information sharing and a clear command structure.

"As the queen's consort, the title of 'Duke of Valentina' would be appropriate."

At the provocative words of the secretary, Aura, still smiling, responded in a low, warning tone.

"Stop testing me. Don't worry, I have no intention of giving the consort that much real power. At least while I am on the throne, I will retain the titles of 'Duke of Valentina' and 'Count of Potosi.' I have no intention of giving them to anyone else."

"An astute decision."

The secretary, who received the queen's reprimand, did not show any signs of contrition and simply shrugged, evaluating the queen's decision.

'Valentina' is the kingdom's most prosperous port city, and 'Potosi' is the location of the kingdom's largest silver mine.

The royal family has five main sources of income, commonly known as the 'Five Pillars': 'land trade,' 'sea trade,' 'salt monopoly,' 'silver mine management,' and 'taxes from the lords.'

The importance of the second largest city, Valentina, as the center of 'sea trade' and 'salt monopoly,' two of the five pillars, is self-evident. No matter how much Aura trusts Zenjiro, she cannot afford to give him the title of Duke of Valentina. In the history of the Carpia Kingdom, it is the exception rather than the rule for a king to not hold the title of Duke of Valentina.

"However, as a pregnant queen, I cannot 'teleport' to the region for a while. Relying solely on the governor is also risky."

At the secretary's observation, Aura nodded with a bitter expression.

"Yes, I understand. If the consort can use 'instant teleportation,' I would like him to at least serve as an inspector, regardless of the title."

The reason the Carpia Kingdom has been able to manage its scattered territories without issues is the existence of the 'instant teleportation' magic, which can be used by members of the royal family. It takes considerable courage and skill to plan corruption or rebellion under the watch of someone who can show up for an inspection at any time.

However, in the current Carpia Kingdom, the only user of 'instant teleportation' is Queen Aura. In that sense, Zenjiro's acquisition of magic and the production of direct descendants are highly anticipated.

"Yes, that is the level of contribution we expect from him. Of course, the greatest contribution we expect from Zenjiro-sama is to have a child with the queen."

"Yes, fortunately, the pregnancy is progressing well. The morning sickness hasn't come at all today. According to Dr. Michelle, the worst of the morning sickness has already passed."

Aura, who looked the happiest today, received a response from Secretary Fabio.

"That's good to hear. By the way, you met the envoy from the twin kingdom today, didn't you? How did it go?"

Changing the topic, the secretary asked Aura.

"Yes. From what I can tell, they don't seem to have any intention of limiting the children between the queen and the consort. However, they do seem to be prepared to intervene if the consort has children with anyone else."

Aura, leaning back in her chair with a creak, rotated her head to relieve the tension before answering.

That was more or less what we expected. Nodding in agreement, Secretary Fabio asked further.

"However, if that's the case, the children of the queen and Zenjiro-sama will undoubtedly have the blood of the 'Shalow royal family' in the future. Will the twin kingdom be satisfied just because Zenjiro-sama doesn't take a concubine?"

Aura shrugged and shook her head honestly.

"I doubt it. In fact, the envoy hinted at offering a princess from a collateral line of the Shalow royal family to the consort. The premise is that any children born from that union would be taken by them."

This way, the Shalow royal family would have a royal member with the blood of the Carpia royal family, just as the Carpia royal family would have the blood of the Shalow royal family. It would be a fair trade, they would say.

Of course, that is their perspective. We have our own stance. Since it is not confirmed that Zenjiro has the blood of the Shalow royal family, accepting their terms could result in the theft of the 'time magic' bloodline. Moreover, we did not intentionally steal their bloodline, so there is no need to make unnecessary concessions.

"Where will the compromise be?"

"I don't know. It's hard to say at this point. Honestly, I expect the negotiations to continue in parallel for a while. The stakes are the 'bloodline magic,' so there are too many non-negotiable points. The only silver lining is that they also recognize that war is a last resort."

The Carpia Kingdom and the Shalow-Gilbert twin kingdom are both top-tier powers in the southern continent. Both understand that a reckless move could lead to more than just a burn. However, the stakes are not just about face or intangible benefits; they are about the core power of the nation, 'bloodline magic.' It is unlikely that a compromise will be easily reached.

"In the worst case, the issue might not be resolved in the generation of the queen and Zenjiro-sama."

"...I would prefer to avoid that. The longer this issue drags on, the more each side will see their own position as just and become less willing to compromise. I want to avoid the next generation starting a new war."

However, Aura is also a