Chapter 1

"Father, did you call for me?"

"Good of you to come. Friedrich, I have something to talk about..."

How many years have passed since I started living in this world?

I'm already over thirty.

As for my inner self, I must have surpassed fifty long ago.

Elise's firstborn, Friedrich, is about to turn fifteen.

Once he does, I will have to treat him as an adult.

And I have made a firm resolution.

"It's not a big deal, but next week, Friedrich will come of age, right?"

"Yes."

"At that time, I will transfer the headship of the Baumwieser Margrave family to you."

"Eh? Father, what did you just say?"

"I said, I will transfer the headship of the Baumwieser Margrave family to Friedrich."

"Father, that's not something you can just hand over like a piece of candy to a child."

"It won't be a problem. It's your family and territory eventually."

I'm not doing this because I particularly want to transfer the headship and territory to a newly adult child.

There are unavoidable circumstances for the Baumwieser Margrave family, which rose to prominence in a single generation.

"What did Roderich say?"

"He agrees. At first, you should consult with Roderich."

"Even if you say that suddenly..."

At fifteen, the responsibility of the margrave family and the headship is heavy.

Still, it's something I need to accept.

"Listen carefully, Friedrich."

I began to explain to Friedrich why I was transferring the headship so early.

"The Baumwieser Margrave family was born and rapidly rose to prominence during my generation. My influence as the head is so great that transferring the headship after my death could cause confusion."

I have many children, and many of my vassals are relatively new.

Each of them might try to use my children as pawns in the succession issue of the Baumwieser Margrave family.

Even in the historic Boureau Margrave family, intense succession disputes have occurred at inopportune times.

In the newly established Baumwieser Margrave family, it would be even more likely.

This is to prevent that.

"The current royal family is trying to develop the new continent to the south. It would be unacceptable for confusion to arise in the Baumwieser Margrave territory, which will serve as a relay point. Therefore, it would be best for the headship to be transferred smoothly to you, the legitimate heir, and for me to act as a temporary guardian."

"I see. So you will act as a guardian for a while."

"That's right."

While saying this, I actually plan to leave everything to Roderich.

Think about it.

I've been struggling with the territory since I was fifteen.

Roderich made me work on civil engineering projects like a demon, and thanks to that, the Baumwieser Margrave territory developed greatly, but it was really tough for me.

Dealing with strange nobles is also troublesome, and now that I've officially retired, I'm definitely going to return to being a free adventurer and spend time with Elise and others.

While I can still move well, I plan to enjoy life.

Of course, I haven't told anyone about this plan.

It would be too much trouble if Roderich found out.

First of all, I wasn't a company executive in my previous life.

The idea of being a guardian for a successor is something I've only heard about in stories and dramas, and I don't even know what it entails.

If I act as Friedrich's guardian, I can create an atmosphere of 'I'll get rid of you if you do anything strange!' to eliminate any potential troublemakers.

I'm just a figurehead, and that's enough.

"Will it be okay?"

"It will be fine. You are more capable than I am."

Friedrich inherited my talent and became a high-level mage.

Being Elise's child, he is also very intelligent and has the necessary education for a noble.

His ability to quickly learn anything must be inherited from his mother.

He is tall, handsome, and a person of good character.

He is also popular with women... For some reason, I'm getting a bit annoyed, even though he's my own son.

Why are we so different as father and son?

Is it because of his mother's blood?

"Experience can be gained through accumulation. Until Roderich retires, you should learn from him."

And I will be a figurehead guardian.

The rest of my life, I will live freely.

"I understand. As the second-generation Baumwieser Margrave, I will work hard to the best of my ability."

"Don't overwork yourself. You have a long road ahead."

And so, I successfully transferred the headship of the Baumwieser Margrave family to Friedrich, not by forcing it on him, but by transferring it properly.

"Then, I'll leave all of Friedrich's protection to Leon and return to being Vendelin's dedicated guard."

When I told El that I seemed to be able to retire successfully, he said he would also leave all of Friedrich's protection to his own heir, Leon, once he comes of age.

Unlike in the past, the protection of the head and heir is now handled by multiple vassals working together.

El was in charge of this, and he was giving detailed instructions to Leon, who was always by Friedrich's side.

He decided to leave everything to Leon and return to being my dedicated guard.

"I see. El, you're using my retirement to your advantage."

He plans to return to a life almost like an adventurer.

If he says he's my guard, he won't have to do any other work.

It's a good idea, I think.

"Our children have grown up, and we can return to being free adventurers."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Well, El is going to be my dedicated guard, right?"

In the future, there will be more occasions to go to places like the Demon Forest, and El won't have the time for other work.

That's why he must have transferred Friedrich's protection to Leon, right?

"The royal castle is basically safe, but it wouldn't look good for a great noble like Vel to have no guard. Besides Louise and Vilma, I think they would come along."

"Royal castle? Why do I have to go to such a place?"

If there's a specific reason, that's one thing, but there's no need to go to such a formal place.

I finally managed to escape the heavy responsibilities of the Baumwieser Margrave.

I don't want to go to such a place for no reason.

I'm going to return to being a free adventurer.

"Are you, by any chance, forgetting something?"

"Forgetting? What am I forgetting?"

"Sure enough, you have forgotten... There's no way you can have a leisurely retirement! Once the news that you've transferred the headship to Friedrich reaches the royal castle, that person will come running."

"That person?"

Sure enough, as El predicted, a few days after I informed the kingdom that I had transferred the headship to Friedrich, that person came running.

"Sir! I can finally resign from the busy position of Chief Royal Mage! The start of my free second life! It's truly wonderful!"

The master, who should be in his late fifties or early sixties in his previous life, was still as energetic as ever.

While Brantark had finally succumbed to the ravages of age and his hair had turned completely white, the master looked almost the same as when I first met him.

I could understand why Brantark had said, "He can't be killed," and "He might be cursed and his aging has stopped."

"Master, are you resigning as Chief Royal Mage?"

"Of course! After all, there's the Baumwieser Margrave! Oh, you're retiring, right? From now on, the Baumwieser Margrave will be called the Master!"

"Me?"

"Of course! I can't hold out against the ravages of age! With a successor as excellent as you, it's only natural to transfer the position of Chief Royal Mage!"

I had completely forgotten.

The next Chief Royal Mage, the most likely candidate, was me.

"Who else would it be?"

"But..."

Shit!

As Chief Royal Mage, I would have to meet important people every time I go to the castle.

I don't want to do it.

If I can, I should stir up a somewhat powerful mage who has enough magic power and can handle paperwork, and make him the successor.

It's a good idea, I think.

There's no rule that the person with the most magic power must become the Chief Royal Mage.

It's the same as in a company, where there's no guarantee that the most capable person will become the president.

Yeah, this is the cause and effect of factions and political struggles.

It's not my fault.

It's the way of the organization.

"I'll transfer it to another candidate."

There must be someone who really wants to do it.

I'll transfer it to that person.

"The king said there is no one else suitable besides the Baumwieser Margrave!"

"But, the will of the person who wants to do it is important, I think."

Sometimes, a person with average talent but a lot of enthusiasm can produce better results than a talented but unmotivated person.

After all, a person's talent is created by their position, right?

"There is no one."

"No one?"

Is there no one else who wants to be the master's successor?

"There is no one."

"That's strange. There should be at least one..."

"There really is no one."

"That's to be expected..."

El gave me a look that said, "What are you talking about..."

"After the master, and with you as a candidate, a normal person wouldn't run for the position. Even if they did, they would be constantly questioned about how they unfairly surpassed Vel to become the Chief Royal Mage."

"Elwin is right! They would be mentally broken!"

Shit!

Is there no one who is thick-skinned enough not to care about such criticism?

"Is there? Even if there is, I wouldn't let such a person become the Chief Royal Mage!"

El, you're really blunt.

"Well, there's nothing I can do... Since I came to this world, or rather, from my previous life, I've been living a life entangled in long things. Besides, looking at the master's work as Chief Royal Mage, I should only need to show up at the castle once a week. I can leave the tedious work to the other mages and live a life of leisure every day.

Thinking about it, the master rarely showed up at the castle.

I'll follow his example and only show up once a week.

I heard that the governor of Tokyo in my previous life did the same.

After all, unless there's an emergency, the Chief Royal Mage doesn't have much to do.

I won't be busy.

"Thinking about it, I've been busy as the Chief Royal Mage for a long time!"

"Really?"

"Baumwieser Margrave, is something wrong?"

"No, nothing. Hey, El?"

"Nothing."

El and I couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

The master was always friendly with us, but that wasn't part of his job as Chief Royal Mage.

He seemed to have pushed all the tedious work onto the other mages at the castle, who were left to do it...

What's amazing is that the master had no self-awareness about this.

I plan to do the same, so I won't point it out too strongly.

"Anyway, I want you to show up at the castle tomorrow!"

"Understood."

I thought I had finally escaped the tedious work, but there was nothing I could do.

The next day, I teleported to the castle with El.

"Crimt is getting old, and I want to let him do as he pleases from now on."

When I met with the king, it was clear that the master was really the king's close friend.

He wanted to relieve the master of the heavy responsibility of being the Chief Royal Mage.

I don't know if the master felt that responsibility as pressure...

In exchange, I would take on the heavy responsibility of being the Chief Royal Mage.

But the master wasn't that busy, right?

After all, the Chief Royal Mage is the last card in case of an emergency.

Since I can use 'teleportation,' showing up once a week should be enough...

While I was thinking this, the king continued and said to me,

"I, too, have grown old. Look, Baumwieser Margrave, my hair has turned quite gray, hasn't it?"

Indeed, the king's hair is mostly gray now.

Fortunately, he doesn't seem to be balding.

"The king of Helmut cannot abdicate unless he dies. But as humans age, they decline. There have been cases in the past where they became senile and could no longer make sound judgments. Therefore, we gradually transfer work and authority to the crown prince. This way, the crown prince can gain experience for when he becomes king."

In the Kingdom of Helmut, the king cannot abdicate, but he can work together with the successor to compensate for the decline due to aging.

"Therefore, Baumwieser Margrave, you will have more opportunities to interact with Wald. He seems to like you, so I would appreciate it if you could support him in various ways."

"Yes."

Gradually, the work of the crown prince will increase, and I will assist him as the Chief Royal Mage.

However, the political work will be handled by the ministers and bureaucrats.

I don't think I will have much to do.

"Please greet Wald. I've already told him."

"Understood."

I bowed to the king and headed to the crown prince's office.

According to the knight who guided me, the crown prince is increasingly confined to his office due to the increasing workload.

It seems that the king handles most of the external duties, while the crown prince handles the internal ones.

"Excuse me."

"Ah! You came! Vendelin!"

This person still seems to have no friends other than me, and he welcomed me enthusiastically when I visited his office.

"Anna will soon be marrying Arthur. From now on, let's get along as relatives."

In addition to becoming the Chief Royal Mage, Friedrich's sister Anna is about to marry the crown prince's heir, Arthur.

While I didn't ask for it, the crown prince was looking forward to it.

He probably thinks that becoming relatives will deepen our relationship.

From the perspective of a politically ambitious noble, I am enjoying the best of times.

I hear that I am being talked about behind my back.

It's said that some people have slandered me to the king.

I feel that if they had just asked, I would have been willing to step down.

However, the Chief Royal Mage is chosen based on ability, and there is no one else suitable besides me.

Regarding the marriage, the king would not have stopped Anna's marriage to Arthur, as it was a critical time for producing a mage in the royal family.

The king is said to have ignored all the slander against me.

Slander is common, and it would be endless if he took it seriously.

"Arthur and Anna get along well, so I'm sure they will make a good couple."

This was due to the crown prince's intention to have them spend more time together since childhood.

From playmates to classmates, they are now becoming a couple.

However, I wonder if it was a good thing for me to become the Chief Royal Mage.

I can regularly check on Anna's well-being.

Eina is also worried, so we will occasionally visit her together.

"Since Vendelin has become the Chief Royal Mage, we can see each other every day."

"Huh?"

I couldn't help but question his words.

Every day?

I've heard that the master only showed up at the castle once or twice a week.

Suddenly, every day?

What about days off?

Various questions came to mind.

"Master Armstrong is a bit of a special case. He may seem like he's not doing much work, but he also reported to my private room, and sometimes those reports led to great achievements. He often drank with me, too. The typical Chief Royal Mage is supposed to show up at the castle every day. They also teach magic to the other mages and educate the young mage apprentices. There's also a lot of paperwork, which the master usually pushed onto his subordinates, but in general, there is a fair amount of paperwork."

So that's how it is!

The Chief Royal Mage actually has a lot of work to do.

But I plan to follow the master's example.

Because it's troublesome.

"Since Master Armstrong has been doing it this way for a long time, I, as the next Chief Royal Mage, will also..."

It's good that the crown prince is friendly with me, but if we get too close, other nobles will complain.

They might criticize me for ingratiating myself with the crown prince after sending a legitimate wife to the royal family, and try to monopolize politics.

I thought I would only show up at the castle once a week, like the master, but for some reason, the crown prince was unusually excited.

"We are currently undertaking a large-scale redevelopment and expansion of the capital, but we are short of mages. I'm in charge of this project, and I would appreciate Vendelin's cooperation."

"Redevelopment..."

This is partly due to the increase in trade with the demons and the import of vehicles powered by magic.

Additionally, the production of affordable vehicles in the kingdom and the empire has gradually increased.

Since most of the capital's roads are not suitable for vehicle traffic, there is a plan to redevelop and expand the capital.

The crown prince, who is in charge of this project, is looking forward to working with me, his relative and one of his few friends.

"I've heard that Vendelin has contributed greatly to the development of the Baumwieser Margrave territory. It is absolutely necessary to rebuild the capital to keep up with the times for the future development of the kingdom. The previous Chief Royal Mage was not good at this kind of work, so it was difficult to ask him."

The master is good at destroying things dramatically, but not at cleaning up the aftermath or leveling the ground.

He doesn't really consider the impact on the surroundings.

If he were to use magic in the capital, many people would be inconvenienced.

Besides, there's no guarantee that the master would listen to the crown prince's request.

Even if he refused, the king, his close friend, would protect him.

"That's true..."

"I can rely on Vendelin with peace of mind. I'll have a room prepared for Vendelin to stay in the castle. I want you to devote yourself to your duties every day with peace of mind."

"Yes..."

I could have refused, but I still have the habit of not being able to say no to important people from my time as Ichimi Shinji.

I can't shake off the tendency to be a hired worker.

"Let's work together. This is a major project. Our names will surely be recorded in history."

The crown prince must be happy to have his name recorded in history.

He usually doesn't stand out.

Despite successfully retiring and passing the responsibility of the territory to Roderich and Friedrich, I ended up having a busy life as the Chief Royal Mage.

---

From the "History of Kingdom Development."

With the reconciliation with the empire, the start of trade with the demons, the opening of the monster