Chapter 62

The enmity of a high-ranking person is a terrible thing, and conversely, excessive favor is a difficult thing. Fortunately, I have never received enmity to the point of being terrible, but I am currently receiving the difficult favor from the Duke in front of me. A Duke who is thinking about my marriage, how often does such a case exist in the world?

It’s much easier to deal with the Golden Duke, who is straightforward in business matters and cool in conversation. That gentleman is so consistent that if you input A, you get B. With other Dukes, you can’t predict what you’ll get when you input A.

"Recently, there’s a trend of getting married later."

"Yes, I’ve heard that too."

It’s the first time I’ve heard this.

"My daughter got married at the same age as you, Kal."

"I remember. I was quite surprised when I heard it."

"Haha, what must it have been like for me as a father?"

Duke Taejung subtly mentioned the Empress and indirectly hinted, "Your age isn’t too late, so you should think about it." Fortunately, he didn’t go any further.

But isn’t the Empress’s marriage too unique to be a comparison? The Empress married the First Prince, who was being beaten like a dog by the Second Prince faction, not for political reasons but out of love, which was a miraculous case.

Due to an unexpected marriage, the succession dispute, which was leaning towards the Second Prince’s victory, was overturned by the First Prince’s sudden rise. And, as if by a miracle, a war broke out in the north. If Duke Taejung had failed in the north, the Second Prince would have been appointed as the Crown Prince.

"I’m sorry, I’ve kept you too long."

"No, it’s an honor to spend time with Your Excellency."

Duke Taejung’s voice broke my thoughts as I was imagining a parallel world where the Second Prince was appointed as the Crown Prince, which would make me want to bite my tongue and die. More time had passed than I thought.

"Ah, Your Excellency, I have something to give you."

"Hmm? For me? You must have prepared this gift in a hurry when you came up."

Though his words suggested he didn’t understand why I prepared such a thing, he clearly looked pleased. Unexpected gifts are always welcome.

I took out a notebook from my pocket, tore out a page filled with names, and handed it to Duke Taejung. Though it might seem like a humble gift, it’s one that Duke Taejung would surely appreciate.

"There are many excellent students at the Academy. The future of the Empire is indeed bright. This must be due to the Emperor’s grace."

"That’s really good news."

Duke Taejung took the paper with satisfaction. It was a list of prospective civil servants I had compiled the day before the betrayal of the Information Minister. I had set aside the names of those who would be suitable for the military.

Although the recommendations were made without the students’ knowledge, I am confident they will be pleased. After all, it’s a direct recommendation from Duke Taejung, the head of the military. Such an opportunity is rare in a lifetime.

"Thank you, Kal. Thinking about the enthusiastic friends who will fill the Imperial Army makes my heart race."

"I feel the same way."

By occasionally recommending people suitable for the military, the next time, the military might recommend someone suitable for the Inspection Department. It’s a mutual benefit. A beautiful sight.

"I’ll take my leave now. Have a good day."

Since I’ve delivered the gift to Duke Taejung, it’s time to leave. If I stay any longer, I might be late for my return to the Academy.

"Kal, I have one last thing to say."

"I’m listening."

As I was about to open the door and leave, Duke Taejung’s voice stopped me. I turned around to see him with a small smile.

"You don’t need to worry about me. I’m just returning to my master what I shouldn’t have enjoyed."

"...Thank you, Your Excellency."

"Of course. Have a safe journey. Come see me when you return to the capital."

When I saw Duke Taejung’s face, I couldn’t bring myself to mention the Six Swords. Apart from my personal joy, the prominence of the Six Swords would inevitably undermine Duke Taejung’s authority. That’s why I couldn’t speak up until the end, but he mentioned it first, saying he was fine.

I bowed and left the deputy commander’s office. I thought today would be a day to repay a debt by gifting prospective slaves, but instead, I accumulated more debt. At this rate, I won’t be able to pay back the interest and will go bankrupt.

After seeing my benefactor, who I thought I couldn’t repay the interest to, I was greeted by some bastards who wanted me to repay the interest.

[ Ah! The beautiful 20s of Academy life! ]

A tattered banner caught my eye as soon as I opened the department head’s office door. Its presence was so strong that even if I tried to look away, I couldn’t stop seeing it.

'Is this still here?'

I clearly tore it up and threw it away. These bastards must have found it and brought it back. I should have burned it instead of tearing it.

"Ah, Department Head! You’re here?"

As I stared at the banner, the voice of the First Section Chief came from beside me. I turned to see him holding two bottles of alcohol, grinning. Is he laughing? Is he really laughing?

"We were so disappointed to have the party without you, so we decided to have it again!"

"Without me..."

According to my memory, I overturned the party before it could happen. These bastards must have had the party in my absence. Who was the party for? There’s no main character, you idiots.

"Ta-da! For the Department Head, a bottle, not a glass!"

I looked at the bottle the First Section Chief was holding out cheerfully, then quietly grabbed it and raised my gaze to his head. Would he die if I hit him with this bottle? Can I control it so he doesn’t die?

"You never know when you’ll come back. Have a drink before you go."

The Second Section Chief, who had appeared with a giggle, asked. Would he die if I stabbed his stomach with a bottle shard? How can I control it so he doesn’t die?

"Come on! Drink up!"

The Second Section Chief, holding out his glass, and the First and Third Section Chiefs, who naturally joined in, looked so happy. Glancing at the corner, I saw the Deputy Head and the Fifth Section Chief holding glasses, trying to stay out of it. They seem to be one of the few with a conscience in the Inspection Department. If they weren’t here, I might have gone crazy.

"...Alright."

I suppressed the urge to tear everything apart. If I start causing trouble now, I’ll be late for my return to the Academy. If they did this on purpose, they’re bastards, and if it was by chance, they’re fools. Which one are our kids?

While pondering the nature of these kids, I clinked glasses with them and left. If I stayed any longer, I might have collapsed from high blood pressure. They kept drinking even after I left. They probably just wanted to drink and used my return to the capital as an excuse.

'They drink all the time anyway.'

The Inspection Department is a department where drinking during work is allowed. Since it often clashes with nobles and involves sword fights, the stress is considerable, so it’s a form of consideration. It’s hard to endure without drinking.

Of course, the Inspection Department has many who are not in their right minds even when sober, so it’s an unnecessary consideration. They probably would have been fine without drinking.

Just before my return to the Academy, I received one good and one bad piece of news.

The good news was that there was no contact from the royal family. I met two Dukes in a row, so I thought the Crown Prince might have summoned me. Fortunately, the Crown Prince seems to be very busy and doesn’t have the time to call me. I felt a bit of self-loathing for being happy about this.

The bad news was that the Information Minister had gone into hiding. Since I came to the capital thanks to someone, I went to the Information Department to protest in person. But they said he was absent. Bastard, you must have sensed it and fled.

"I’ll take you to the Academy."

When I returned to the magic tower without any results, a teleportation mage greeted me. It seems Duke Masong had already spoken to him. I could quickly return to the Academy without having to look for anyone. If I had come this way when I was first dispatched, I wouldn’t have suffered from motion sickness. Unfortunately, the magic tower was very busy at that time.

"Department Head, Duke Masong had a message for you."

"What is it?"

"He said, 'I won’t interfere, so do as you please.'"

And that was the last message the mage who returned to the magic tower left. I flinched when I heard it was from Duke Masong, but it was a normal message, contrary to my fears.

I taught my student without revealing my identity, and though I can’t ignore the bond of teaching, I’m his advisor for the club Louise belongs to, so he probably wanted me to pay attention to her. It’s not a difficult request. After all, Louise is someone I take care of.

Well, it’s unusual for a teacher to fly to the Academy to personally take care of their only student. When the topic of an Academy teaching position came up, my heart sank. It’s hard to distinguish between Duke Masong’s sincere and casual words. A casual invitation to have a meal together can actually turn into a real dinner date.

'Why is today so long?'

I rubbed my neck and sighed. It feels like I’ve spent four days with each Duke, but the sun hasn’t even set. My body is fine, but my mental strength is drained.

Now, I’m starting to forget why I was dragged to the capital. Louise used Duke Masong’s unique magic? It’s not really a big deal, is it? Maybe the principal and I overreacted. The protagonist of a light novel can use strong magic. Maybe I lack a light novel sensibility.

'Shit.'

The fact that I’m having strange thoughts shows how tired I am. Maybe I should take a nap in the club room. The members probably won’t care what I do anyway.

Before I forget, I took out my communication device and called the principal to report my return and share the situation. He’s probably been worrying about the relationship between Louise and Duke Masong.

'I’m so tired.'

I want to rest. Today, I really want to rest.