Chapter 436: With a Fresh Start (6)

It was the first New Year’s Ball held after the new Emperor’s ascension and the Empire’s rapid territorial expansion.

As such, the scale and splendor of this New Year’s Ball were incomparable to last year’s. Although the budget had been drained by the recent abdication ceremony and coronation celebrations, holding a modest New Year’s Ball would invite whispers of ‘poor finances’ rather than praise for a ‘frugal monarch.’ There are some budgets in this world that should never be cut.

“Minister of Inspection, you’ve arrived? Coming so early, you’re as diligent as your high position demands.”

However, I’m not concerned with the Emperor’s face or the Empire’s budget. I’m only focused on dealing with the madman making such a flashy provocation right in front of me.

“Isn’t the Minister of Finance here even earlier than me? You must be getting less sleep these days.”

I quietly added, ‘Is it because you’re getting old?’ but the Minister’s smile didn’t falter.

I know the truth. No matter what I say, it won’t deal any damage to the Minister. In the current situation, he’s in a position to one-sidedly beat me.

Whatever I say will just be a laughing matter to him.

With a bitter feeling, I looked at the Minister and the Finance Ministry Directors behind him. Originally, I should have been among that group, but not anymore. I can’t fit in there now.

The Northern Faction members were standing behind me like totems. As long as they’re here, I must stand in the social arena not as a Finance Ministry Executive Manager under the Minister, but as a faction leader guiding the great lords. As a faction leader, I can’t mix with other groups while leaving my faction members behind.

Of course, I shouldn’t choose to mingle with the Finance Department along with my faction members, either. If a specific faction appears too friendly with the Finance Department, other nobles will be jealous for various reasons.

“It’s been a while, Marquis. I’ve been regretting not being able to greet you properly, but I’m delighted to see you again like this.”

“I’ve heard how demanding the Minister’s duties are, so I understand. If anything, I, with nothing to do, should have visited you first.”

Meanwhile, the Minister exchanged warm greetings with Marquis Barandiga, who was behind me.

The Minister must be grateful to Marquis Barandiga, who gave me the burden of a faction, and the Marquis must hold goodwill towards the Minister in charge of the Empire’s budget. Thanks to this, despite their lukewarm relationship, they exuded a fairly friendly atmosphere.

I have no allies.

I feel like crying. No one pities me, burdened with the enormous duty and responsibility of being a faction leader.

Many are wary and afraid of the power I’ve gained as a group. There are lifelong enemies who laugh at my rise from a mere individual to a position of responsibility.

But there’s no one to comfort or encourage me. It’s lamentable.

Still, it seems people aren’t meant to die in loneliness.

“Standing above subordinates as an official and standing in front of nobles as a noble are different matters.”

Someone appeared who understood and empathized with my pain, rather than avoiding or mocking me.

“Leading nobles isn’t an easy task. As Carl knows well, unlike officials with clear hierarchies, nobles are a complex web of vested interests and blood ties. Even with differences in rank, it’s unreasonable to command all nobles based on title alone.”

“Your words are most wise.”

While the Northern and Northern Faction members were talking, I kept nodding to the Invincible Duke, who was giving me invaluable advice in a corner.

Of course, the Invincible Duke, with his overwhelming position as a duke, can lead nobles forcefully, but there’s a difference between a forceful leader and one who considers the interests of faction members. Needless to say, the latter receives more active support and cheers from faction members.

“I know Carl is reluctant to do this. It’s also an undeniable fact that Carl took charge of the North to minimize political chaos.”

I almost nodded unconsciously again. As a subject, I should deny it, but it’s so accurate that I can’t possibly refute it.

So there was a moment of awkward silence, but the Invincible Duke chuckled as if he understood.

“So, since Carl has taken on this burden first, His Majesty will actively embrace the Northern Faction. I’ll cooperate as much as I can, so don’t try to endure alone—speak up when it’s tough.”

“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll keep that in mind.”

I smiled slightly at those words. It’s encouragement and comfort, saying that while the faction itself can’t be dissolved, they’ll accommodate us as much as possible.

Moreover, this encouragement came from the Invincible Duke, the Emperor’s father-in-law and leader of the Northern Faction. As the Duke assures, I have ample justification to ask for help when things get difficult.

“Ah, and as your senior in life, I have one piece of advice.”

“I’m all ears.”

A wave of emotion welled up from deep within my heart. I’ve already received heartwarming encouragement, and now he’s giving me advice too. As expected, the Invincible Duke’s character is—

“From now on, show off your power and display your ambition.”

“…Pardon?”

The unexpected words made even my own voice sound dumbfounded.

But it can’t be helped. If the advice was to avoid power and restrain ambition, I could understand, but instead, he’s advising the opposite. What noble in this world would give such advice to another noble? Anyone listening might think it’s a ploy to set up a political rival.

And seeing my reaction, the Invincible Duke smiled again and patted my shoulder.

“As a subject, Carl is perfect. You’ve earned great trust from the Imperial Family by not wielding power arbitrarily and showing diligence.”

It would be accurate if “great trust” were replaced with “great shackles.”

“However, Carl as a faction leader, not His Majesty’s subject, must show a different face. Faction members need to see clearly that their leader is powerful and what that leader prefers, to feel secure.”

His continued words made my head spin. Is he saying that I need to show a flashy side to my faction members as a faction leader?

“While personal frugality is a virtue, it’s problematic if a leader is too quiet. You might not understand now, but someday you will.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Needless to say, His Majesty will understand your actions as a faction leader, so don’t worry.”

I still found it hard to understand, but I just nodded. Certainly, coming from the Invincible Duke, who has lived as a duke for decades, these words can’t be without value.

Displaying power, huh.

The problem is that it’s so far removed from my life experience, and it’s a perplexing piece of advice for a social novice with limited experience in noble life.

Me as a faction leader and not an individual.

Still, I repeated the Invincible Duke’s words several times, imprinting them in my mind. Remembering the advice couldn’t hurt.

After joining the Invincible Duke, I didn’t bother interacting with other nobles. The Northern Faction and Northern Faction members had already merged, creating a bustling atmosphere. Adding other factions would make the population density too high.

So, postponing meetings with in-laws, I waited until finally, the Emperor’s New Year’s address began.

“Nobles who follow the Mandate of Heaven, kneel!”

I quietly bowed my head as I heard the voice of the Imperial Household’s Executive Manager’s proclaiming the Emperor’s procession from the platform. It seems the vacant position of Minister of the Imperial Household has been filled by the Imperial Household’s Executive Manager’s.

Well, the Imperial Household’s Executive Manager’s is certainly qualified to be a minister. Even when the 2nd Prince was in power, he was sympathetic to the then-First Prince, now Emperor, and immediately joined the Crown Prince’s faction when the First Prince became Crown Prince. He’s a man of ability, good character, and knows how to align himself well.

“Descendant of Emperor Amanca, who straightened the Mandate of Heaven with Enen’s blessing, Lord of Libnoman who protects the Mandate, and the rightful and only Emperor of Kpelopen! Khan of the Great Plains and King of Tirap, Groten, Latia, Prunian, and Galan! Duke of Itiruna, Hanten, Naigal, Raum, Reneu—“

A slight smile crept onto my face as the Emperor’s titles and positions were endlessly listed. Last year, the titles held by the Retired Emperor were shared with the Emperor, who was then the Crown Prince, but now the Emperor has no one to share them with. As such, an embarrassingly large number of titles were recited compared to last year.

I live thanks to you.

I mean it sincerely. When I look at my own business card with titles like Minister of Inspection, Count of Wiridia, Count of Tailglehen—those dazzling titles—and then look at the Emperor, I can’t help but smile.

The Emperor has the qualities of a wise ruler. What else but a wise ruler would give comfort to his suffering subjects?

“Raise your heads.”

Finally, after the parade of the Emperor’s titles and positions ended, all the nobles gathered raised their heads at the Emperor’s command.

To be honest, I don’t remember much of the New Year’s speech that followed. It wasn’t particularly important anyway.

Last year’s New Year’s Ball was conducted with tension, but perhaps due to the series of events, I’ve developed a tolerance, and this time I didn’t feel much excitement. I only harbored a small hope that the New Year’s Ball would end without any commotion.

Suddenly, I wondered if this might be the perspective the Retired Emperor held. This position brought more troublesome responsibilities of overseeing many things rather than pride in being at the top.

“—As we welcome the new year, the Imperial Family will also strive for improvement, and so we bestow upon Imperial Brother Ainter Libnoman the title of Marquis Idrafen, making him a pillar of the Imperial Family and the Empire. Though this is a non-hereditary title, his treatment will not differ from that of a regular viscount.”

However, I continued the New Year’s address while carefully hiding such emotions. I casually announced the Imperial Family’s position and conferred a title upon Ainter.

Of course, there was no commotion. It’s not particularly special for the Emperor’s siblings to receive non-hereditary viscount titles.

That young lady must be Marquis Barandiga’s daughter.

As I naturally scanned the nobles positioned below the platform, I spotted a young lady near the Minister of Inspection.

A somewhat sharp impression, unexpectedly fair skin despite being a nomad who I thought would be tanned from the sun, and silver hair contrasting with the Imperial Family’s golden locks.

Silver hair, huh.

I almost laughed. I married an Empress with silver hair, and now Ainter is set to marry a silver-haired lady. It seems we brothers have a deep connection with silver hair.

…Come to think of it, Mother had silver hair too. Is this a preference inherited from the Retired Emperor?

Her expression isn’t bad…

Since I was already looking, I observed more closely and found the young lady’s expression to be neutral. She doesn’t seem particularly displeased or frightened. At least not outwardly.

This means either the Minister has perfectly carried out my orders and the Marquis’s daughter has agreed to the marriage, or even if she has objections, she’s not the type to express them openly.

Of course, either way is fine. The former is ideal, but in an arranged marriage, the latter is also expected.

He handled it well.

So I looked at the Minister with satisfaction. After all, the Minister has successfully completed a task tied to the Imperial Family’s joyous occasion.

I should make sure to take care of his happiness too.

Since the Minister has worked hard for the Imperial Family, it’s only right for the Imperial Family to work hard for the Minister in return.

Indeed, it would be good to lend the Grand Cathedral of St. Paronas as the venue for the Minister’s wedding.