Ch.BONUSOutside. Responsibility and Duty

‘How tiring.’

Erick Wellesley, a young man with dark blonde hair, let out a shallow sigh.

The guard knight ‘Sonia’ walking beside him immediately showed a worried expression.

“Lord Wellesley, are you alright?”

“…You don’t need to comment every time I sigh.”

“Protecting you is my duty.”

That was true.

Having a guard knight while just starting at the Foreign Affairs Department was excessive luxury, but considering his status, one guard was barely sufficient. He was the eldest son of the Wellesley family, which stood above the imperial family. It was fortunate he wasn’t addressed as “Your Highness.”

“I wonder if everyone thinks I joined the Foreign Affairs Department just to pass time. Is anyone uncomfortable with your presence?”

“Even if they had complaints, who would dare voice them? Forgive me, but I assume you anticipated this situation when entering the Foreign Affairs Department.”

“Indeed.”

Arthur hadn’t become an official because he was bored at home.

The Foreign Affairs Department oversaw external relations with small countries including the Papal State, and with non-human races. Though it might seem like an insignificant department given the Empire’s overwhelming national power, the reality was different.

In fact, conflicts with groups having different interests were becoming more frequent.

From small countries feeling threatened by the widening development gap with the Empire, to potential diplomatic issues with elves and dwarves that could become major concerns in the future.

Crushing them with force would be easier, but fortunately or unfortunately, no group would challenge the Empire ruled by the Hero King. That’s precisely what made the situation more complicated.

Challenges that couldn’t be easily overcome even with the power of the most wealthy and powerful Duke on the continent.

That was also why Arthur had been interested in diplomacy since childhood. He thought diplomacy was the field where he could gain recognition for himself.

It might seem ridiculous for the eldest son of a noble family to worry about recognition, but for Arthur himself, it was a desperate issue.

The Wellesley family wielded power on a completely different scale than ordinary nobles who simply managed their territories.

Arthur’s only goal was to avoid being seen as someone living comfortably under his father’s shadow.

That’s why he immediately sought a different path when he realized he had no talent for swordsmanship, why he completed all levels of education early by studying twelve hours a day, and why he chose to become an official.

Of course, until now it had been the effort stage, and he hadn’t yet shown anything that could be called an achievement. He had just started, so what could he do?

Yet there was one reason he felt impatient.

“I hear Spencer has already reached the Expert level. Is that right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“How fast.”

It was because of his half-brother, Spencer.

Unlike himself, who had only learned swordsmanship at a basic level, Spencer was a prodigy with obvious talent. He was even said to have an aptitude for holy power.

Though they got along well as brothers, it was inevitable that Arthur would be conscious of him. After all, his father had also risen to power through the sword. It was likely he would favor a child skilled in swordsmanship, even if just a little.

‘No, I shouldn’t be jealous. Still, I can’t help but be concerned.’

Could she have read Arthur’s troubled thoughts?

Sonia, the guard knight who had been staring at him, hesitated for a moment before adding:

“Lord Wellesley. It may be presumptuous, but I think you are quite exceptional yourself.”

“Hmm?”

“Due to the nature of my duty, I must observe your every move. You possess flexible political skills unlike a newly appointed official. I believe His Grace the Duke thinks the same.”

“What have I done to warrant talk of political skills? If you’re trying to flatter me, stop.”

Arthur dismissed it with a smile and shook his head. However, guard knight Sonia shook her head, insisting she wasn’t just trying to please him.

“Just this morning, a special envoy from the Kingdom of Lessotona, who was even royalty, suddenly approached and tried to present you with a gift. Despite the awkward situation, you handled it calmly. You didn’t embarrass him either.”

“Well.”

“And yesterday, I overheard you discussing some kind of machine with the dwarven official over drinks.”

“…I needed to discuss the new loom. Many dwarves are reluctant to research with human technicians, so persuasion was necessary.”

“That’s exactly it.”

It didn’t take long for Arthur to understand Sonia’s point.

She wanted to tell him that he was being just as helpful to his father as his sword-talented brother, if not more so, and that he shouldn’t be impatient and should have confidence.

Arthur looked at the guard knight who had spoken such kind words.

Sonia Herbert.

She was a member of the Wellington Knights who served only the Duke’s family, and also a member of one of the Empire’s most prestigious martial families.

She even had a tenuous connection to the Duke’s family. The female knight ‘Selin,’ who had served as deputy commander of the Royal Order before retiring five years ago, was her aunt.

In fact, his father had once told him about his connection with Selin.

– “It’s a colorless story now, but in the past, it was customary to be treated by local lords after slaying monsters. On those occasions, Selin and a few others would drink wine like we were emptying the cellar.

– If the lord tried to skimp on food, we’d even jeer at them. Looking back, it was embarrassing, but we didn’t feel sorry then. It wasn’t like now when anyone could cheaply obtain good alcohol.

– We were quite close. But later she tried to extort money from me.”

It was one of the anecdotes that made him realize his father was half-human, not half-god.

It was strange yet moving that Selin’s niece was now not only protecting him but also encouraging him.

How old was she again? Probably three years older…

“Lord Wellesley?”

“It’s nothing. Let’s go home.”

Arthur smiled and quickened his pace.

A few words from his guard didn’t wash away the difficulties of his official life. He was already becoming a target for various solicitations before even finishing his adaptation period.

Still, his mind did feel somewhat lighter. If he had to have a guard knight following him around, it was better to have one he could connect with.

***

The next morning.

Having woken earlier than usual, Arthur got up, thinking it was too late to go back to sleep. He headed to the study, planning to read a book.

But his father was there, still in his nightclothes.

“Father. What are you doing?”

Arthur suddenly entered the study and spoke, but his father didn’t look surprised at all. He probably sensed his presence beforehand. It wasn’t surprising, given that he had senses that far transcended those of ordinary humans.

“I’m reading a report just brought from the Civil Engineering Department.”

“Civil Engineering?”

“They say they’ve created cement that hardens within two hours when mixed with water in a certain ratio. It seems useful, but I need to be confident before making a large-scale investment… Of course, I’d need to see a demonstration to gain that confidence.”

“……”

So that’s why he was examining the report from early morning.

The fact that officials had come all the way to the Duke’s residence to deliver the report suggested it was one of his father’s projects of interest. It wasn’t difficult to guess why.

There was no doubt that it was something the Empire desperately needed right now.

However, seeing his father dedicating time to work from early morning gave him mixed feelings.

‘He’s been living like this since his youth.’

At this point, it was hard to tell if he was a hero or a machine. How could he dedicate his all without rest for so many years?

Yet his father wasn’t neglecting his family for work.

“Father. You might already know, but my guard is—”

“Selin’s niece. I assigned her, why wouldn’t I know? I specially selected her not only for her skills but also for her good reputation in many ways.”

“……”

“If you’re uncomfortable, I can replace her, but from your conversation yesterday, you seemed to have become quite friendly.”

If he cared this much for his grown son, it went without saying how he treated the rest of the family.

In fact, just yesterday he had seen both of his mothers amicably sharing a dessert made from pomegranates (which his father had air-shipped by sending a wyvern rider to the duchy). He had also seen his father sparring with his siblings who were interested in swordsmanship.

It was a thoughtfulness that was hard to believe from someone who had taken power after bloodying the Empire. It was amazing that he was still sane, though that wasn’t something he could say to his father.

Even now, he had taken his eyes off the report and was staring intently at his son.

With an expression that seemed to see through his thoughts. The words that came from his father’s mouth a moment later confirmed Arthur’s intuition.

“Don’t be impatient. You’ll be entrusted with important duties even if you do nothing.”

“Father.”

“I’d be more than satisfied if you just got along well with your siblings, yet you’ve taken on difficult tasks voluntarily. Personally, I’m truly grateful.”

“……”

…Judging by his expression, he wasn’t just saying it; he really was grateful. He probably thought it would be unbearable if the siblings fought among themselves. If the Hero King’s children fought, it wouldn’t end as just a family dispute.

His father’s gratitude for such a small matter seemed somewhat pitiful, but Arthur didn’t feel entirely negative about it.

Thanks to his father, Arthur’s own worries seemed incredibly trivial.

Yes. I’ll live diligently.

After affirming this to himself, Arthur discussed cement with his father before they moved together to have breakfast.

It was a perfectly peaceful morning.