Ch.342Chapter 342 – Since I’ve Completed the Mission Well, I Should Receive a Reward, Right?

Every emperor of the Gelebrio Empire had a routine they followed immediately upon entering their office.

This was known as the “Morning Regular Report,” which involved receiving updates on events that had occurred throughout the empire and the world from the time the emperor left the office the previous day until the next morning.

“Minister of State. Please proceed with today’s morning report.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I shall present today’s regular report.”

The Minister of State who had entered the emperor’s office began reading from a paper containing information about events that had occurred during the previous night and other important news.

Emperor Decatro IV listened to the minister’s report while formulating plans for future state affairs.

“Finally, news from the New Continent.”

“Oh?”

His contemplation was brief. As soon as the Minister of State mentioned news from the New Continent, the emperor’s attention immediately shifted toward him.

“The New Continent, you say?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. A report has arrived from the New Continent. The great fire that swept through the New Continent has been completely suppressed, and everyone is safe except for those who were outside inspecting external facilities.”

Upon hearing this news, Emperor Decatro IV appeared somewhat surprised.

“Who was it that suppressed the great fire?”

“It was His Grace, Duke Aurelion.”

When the name Duke Aurelion came from the Minister of State’s lips, Emperor Decatro IV nodded as if this was to be expected.

“Indeed, my son-in-law has succeeded.”

“What? Then did you send Duke Aurelion there because you believed he could suppress the great fire?”

The Minister of State was quite surprised by Emperor Decatro IV’s reaction, which suggested he had anticipated this outcome.

This was because rumors had been circulating that the emperor had sent Patos to the New Continent as punishment for some offense.

“Regardless of what people say, I always believed that only my son-in-law could resolve the great fire.”

“Indeed… Your Majesty has been seeing far beyond what those of us with limited insight could comprehend.”

The Minister of State was genuinely impressed by Emperor Decatro IV’s foresight.

When thinking about suppressing a fire, most people would have considered sending mages to extinguish the flames with water magic.

But Emperor Decatro IV had sent Patos, who could fix anything, to suppress the great fire with his abilities.

“So the great fire in the New Continent has been suppressed, but are there any other issues?”

“Ah, yes. The port city protected by barriers and shields is reportedly fine, but all surrounding facilities have been completely burned down, and the cost of rebuilding will be substantial. They are currently calculating the total damages, and it seems a World Alliance Conference will need to be held after all calculations are completed.”

“As long as the port is safe, that’s what matters. Most of our assets are in the port anyway.”

Emperor Decatro IV was satisfied knowing the port city was safe. This was because the port city was built with the largest investment of funds and resources from the Gelebrio Empire.

The other facilities were only financially supported by the Gelebrio Empire, while the rest were built with materials and manpower collectively gathered from countries in the Western Continent.

“Yes, Your Majesty. The port city is completely safe, and our casualties are minimal, except for the few personnel who were inspecting external facilities.”

“For the families of those who lost their lives in the great fire, provide generous compensation from the imperial treasury, and the imperial household will take responsibility for their remaining family members.”

“Your Majesty’s benevolence is as vast as the ocean.”

“Also, I am considering bestowing a reward upon Duke Aurelion for his merit in suppressing this great fire. This will be decided in the State Council. Now then, let us begin today’s work.”

As Emperor Decatro IV announced the start of his duties, the Minister of State bowed and left the office.

It seemed that Aurelios would be very busy again today, as peaceful as ever.

◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈

After suppressing the great fire and returning to the academy, I enjoyed a brief rest before being summoned to the imperial palace again.

“What is it this time?”

Not knowing what this was about, I asked the chamberlain what was happening.

“I’ve been informed that a reward has been decided for Your Grace in recognition of your merit in suppressing the great fire in the New Continent.”

So this time they called me not for cooking, but for a reward?

“As for the reward, what exactly will be given…”

“I’m not sure myself. This reward was decided in the State Council, so I don’t know the details.”

The chamberlain guided me to the palace banquet hall, and I found myself entering somewhat bewildered.

Upon entering, I saw high-ranking nobles standing on both sides of the chair where His Majesty the Emperor was seated.

It looked like I was walking into Admiral Yi Sun-shin’s crane wing formation as a Japanese invader, but I had to remain dignified since I hadn’t done anything wrong to be brought here.

“Patos Severio Aurelion, Duke, hear this!”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.”

“You have resolved a great crisis that befell the distant New Continent with your abilities, which is truly an exemplary deed for all others. Acknowledging your merit in fearlessly throwing yourself into the raging flames without regard for your life to subdue the endless fire, I, the Emperor, commend Duke Aurelion for preventing greater damage by suppressing the great fire in the New Continent and shall bestow upon him a territory as a reward.”

Territory?

Territory?

The territory I know?

“Duke Aurelion, hear this! I, as the legitimate sovereign ruling the Gelebrio Empire, hereby bestow upon you the imperial direct territory of Archenium.”

…What? Archenium? Where the academy is located?

“However, as Archenium is bestowed upon Duke Aurelion, it shall be reclaimed by the imperial household after his death. Therefore, I hereby bestow Aurelian as a territory to be passed down through generations of the Severio family.”

Aurelian was a territory located next to Aurelios, and it was also where a vast amount of food supplies for Aurelios were cultivated.

In other words, I wouldn’t need to rack my brains to develop the territory.

It seemed His Majesty the Emperor had carefully considered which territory to bestow as a reward.

After all, if I die and only my descendants remain, they need to be able to make a living.

Archenium, like the Duke of Aurelion title, was a single-succession territory, so it would return to the imperial household after my death anyway.

This meant I only needed to concern myself with the Aurelian territory.

Besides, Archenium was a city governed by a mayor elected through voting, so I wouldn’t need to interfere with it separately.

“Now, rise, Duke Aurelion. Will you manage the territory I have bestowed upon you as well as you manage yourself?”

“Your Imperial Majesty’s grace is boundless. I shall manage the bestowed territory well and contribute to the prosperity of the empire.”

“An excellent attitude.”

With that, His Majesty the Emperor applauded, and all the surrounding high-ranking nobles followed suit.

The news that I had received a territory was also conveyed to Karen and the other wife candidates.

“I heard you received a territory?”

“Yes, they gave me a territory called Aurelian next to Aurelios. It’s primarily an agricultural area.”

“Hmm, is that so? Would you entrust the management of the territory to me?”

“The management of the territory?”

In response to Karen’s request to manage the territory, I wrote a letter of authorization granting her full authority and handed it to her.

All authority related to the management of the territory now passed to Karen.

There was nothing for me to gain by keeping it anyway, and since I know absolutely nothing about territory management, it’s more convenient to delegate such matters to someone who knows what they’re doing.

“Thank you! I’ll make sure to produce proper results with what you’ve entrusted to me!”

Was she bored? Karen seemed extremely happy to finally have something to do.

As someone who was swamped with work in my previous life, I don’t quite understand, but still.

Seeing Karen so happy, I wonder if I should have bought a territory earlier and entrusted her with work.

With the reward ceremony concluded, the beginning of my final year at Glesius Academy was approaching.

“You want me to give the welcoming speech for new students?”

“Yes. I thought about asking someone else or doing it myself, but there’s really no one better than you. Who else could give a welcoming speech but the imperial duke, the emperor’s son-in-law, and the future husband of a grand mage and celestial horse? The prestige of an institution depends on who gives such speeches. Can you do it?”

“I have to. It’s not just anyone asking, it’s you, sis.”

If someone else had asked, I would have made excuses to get out of it, but I had to accept Regina’s request.

As a result, I had to struggle quite a bit writing a welcoming speech that wasn’t in my plans, and finally, the morning of the entrance ceremony arrived.