Let's Do It Right Away
“Congratulations. I’ve heard the news. It’s said that when the Empire’s new saint appears, you’ll also enjoy eternal glory as Guardian Saints.”
With a hearty laugh, Remus Byron, the Soga-jwu of Bernstpol Duchy, approached.
Schlippen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim all stared at him. Their lips twitched as if spasms were about to seize them, but they forced a smile in return.
“Thank you, Soga-jwu.”
“Honored. Hah. Hah. Hah.”
“Ha! Ha! Ha! Ah, this feels so good! Hah. Hah!”
“...What’s the matter?”
Of course, since they were peers, their reactions were immediately noticed by Remus Soga-jwu.
They hadn’t met often, but they knew each other well. And among them, there was the part where they didn’t easily show emotions.
They weren’t hostile, but they didn’t need to show too much either. All five Soga-jwu followed this simple logic faithfully.
Whenever and wherever, they smiled calmly, but their eyes sparkled with sharpness.
But this time it was different. It was nothing ordinary. They were blatantly showing off.
“What, do you mean, Soga-jwu?”
“Everyone’s faces are stiff. Even the smiles are rigid. Something bad seems to be happening.”
Bad thing. Hmm. Yes. Yes, Soga-jwu. That’s exactly the bad thing.
Guardian Saints! Uwaaaak! That Karl guy ended up making us all Guardian Saints for eternity!
— I wanted to shout that, but I couldn’t carry it out as is. Being a noble also had its downsides, and there was the question of whether the other party would understand even a little.
“Hehehe. On earth. Schlippen, you’re giving such a tremendous gift to our family.”
“Well done, Wilhelm! Very well done! Your name will shine eternally in our Fritz family!”
“Come here, my son. Today, this mother will hug you tightly. Come on, come here.”
“We must strengthen our alliance with the Adelheit family even more. Joachim.”
These were the reactions of the heads of the families mentioned regarding the Guardian Saint news of the Four Idiots.
Not just anyone, but their own parents. Laughing and chatting while saying how great it is to see their own children, how proud they are, and how they’ll be a great treasure for their families.
Were they the only ones? Other families, their vassals, their personal servants. Many nobles they had known over the years.
Even those who barely knew them clapped and cheered, saying how amazing it is and how envious it is.
But there, what’s with the complaints? It’s not about whether they heard or not, but whether they’re misunderstanding that ‘these guys are bragging about being given a great role right now?’
“Remus Soga-jwu. T-that, the Guardian Saints. We have never, in any way, hated you.”
“I heard that. So it’s even more amazing.”
“What is that―”
“It proves that Karl Adelheit Soga-jwu is a great person worthy of discussing sainthood. That he designated you as Guardian Saints is how amazing it is.”
You’re not listening to a word I’m saying. Hah. It was almost simultaneous thoughts in the Four Idiots’ heads.
“Anyway, this has greatly raised the Empire’s prestige. The current Soga-jwu and the noble titles who will one day lead their territories from their respective positions are so sincerely devoted to these people.”
“T-that sincerity is not particularly―”
“Humility is good, of course, but I won’t do it in front of you. You who joined forces with Karl Soga-jwu and even created the Alchemy Foundation are truly heroes for the continent. The gods knew that and granted miracles to the Soga-jwu. And because of that, you were led to the path of glory together, wasn’t it?”
At Remus Soga-jwu’s words, Wilhelm almost shouted ‘That’s not it! No!’ before Alexander and Joachim signaled him not to.
From the reactions of the Duchy Soga-jwu, it seemed they understood the situation elsewhere too. They would probably keep exclaiming ‘Ooooh!’ and especially the devout ones would pray.
Why Karl was so scared and avoided receiving medals or whatever, I think I understand. Some might feel good about this, but at least we weren’t.
“...Hey. Wait a second.”
To calm the flipped stomach a bit, the Four Idiots headed to the balcony for a moment. Then Alexander grabbed the other three and continued.
“We can’t just take this.”
“What sudden talk is this.”
“We should mess with Karl once! We can’t just take this?!”
“...Is there any good way?”
Should we pray hard to expect results like ‘From now on, let two lights shine behind Karl’s back’ or something?
Otherwise, in this situation, how can we mess with him without getting caught?
Joachim, Wilhelm, and even Schlippen were quite skeptical.
“Listen. I really thought about it seriously.”
But Alexander showed no sign of giving up, earnestly expressing his opinion.
“The Alchemy Foundation. Let’s expand it even bigger than now.”
“...What?”
“No, it’s already huge, why bigger? Then we won’t be able to handle it!”
“There are many supporters, and more importantly, behind us there is, you know.”
Officially, the management of this foundation is handled by the Four Idiots’ families. There are also Dukes and many families officially helping them.
And informally, the Imperial family also lent a hand. The reason it’s informal is to avoid the appearance of meddling in the nobles’ voluntary exemplary behavior.
Anyway, Alexander’s point is this. Even if we expand it bigger here, it’s enough to handle! If something goes wrong, the Imperial family will help in some way!
Then what remains here is just one thing. The answer to why we want to increase the foundation’s scale so much.
“Scattering Karl’s name all over the Empire.”
“...Eh?”
“Huh?”
“Make Karl Adelheit appear in every infant education institution in the Empire’s regions. Make him appear in various hospitals and medical support facilities. In every welfare system. Make his name flash everywhere we go. How about it?”
Insane. This is really insane. This guy, after being designated as Guardian Saint by Karl, seems to have lost his mind.
Want to dye the entire Empire Karl Adelheit? Is that easy?! Leaving aside all the problems, the reason is simply revenge psychology for making it a Guardian Saint!
“What kind of nonsense….”
“This is too stupid.”
“Is this really Alexander’s final conclusion?”
For a while, the three didn’t speak. And finally, they all opened their mouths at the same time.
“Let’s do it right away.”
*
“...?”
Shit, what? Why does it suddenly give me goosebumps? It said if you have a chill, it’s definitely not a good sign? It’s ominous, ominous! Are there surviving Gganf trying to do something weird somewhere?
“Is there any problem?”
“No. It’s fine.”
“That’s good.”
The Imperial Knights who had been stiff at first were now able to exchange such light conversation.
Privately, they were connected to the royal family. And publicly, they were the Medal of Honor recipients who had left a clear mark of their efforts for the Empire more than anyone else.
No matter how stiff the knights were, it would be absurd to show excessive caution or sharpness towards me.
“You may enter the palace.”
Today, I’ll stamp my attendance at the palace again. On earth. Is this really the life of a single Soga-jwu.
After taking a few more steps, the eyes of the Chamberlain caught sight of him coming out to greet me personally.
It’s driving me crazy. The Chamberlain is one of the Emperor’s closest aides along with the Lord Chamberlain. For such a person to come out personally to greet means the Emperor has pushed back all his schedule to meet.
“I greet Lord Chamberlain.”
“I see the light’s guest.”
“...T-that, it’s embarrassing, so don’t say that.”
“Hahaha. Sorry. Soga-jwu. Recently, your fame has become too great.”
Suddenly worried. How will the Imperial loyalist leader see me. ‘Because of you, the citizens are calling your name more than the Empire’s! You bastard! If you become a traitor, I’ll drive the carriage!’ Something like that, I hope he doesn’t say.
“Why do you look at me like that?”
“No.”
“...Let’s go. His Majesty has been waiting since a moment ago.”
Insane. He made even the Emperor wait. As expected, this man… No. He must have gone crazy.
With earnest steps, I followed behind the Chamberlain. And soon, I was able to meet the Emperor again.
“Long live the Emperor! I, Karl Adelheit, receive the imperial command and enter the palace to meet Your Majesty.”
“Come in. I was waiting for you.”
An Emperor waiting for a subject. It’s both exhilarating and scary. What on earth is it for this time.
“Sit down for now. Seeing you kneeling like that, my heart aches.”
“...”
At the Emperor’s front, to sit on a chair is something only Dukes are allowed to do, right?
Even the Lord Chamberlain, who has a similar disposition, personally guided me to the chair with a panicked look.
If I had known, I should have told the Crown Prince ‘Tell me what business you called me for.’ I should have used the brother-in-law chance at times like this.