So, Shall I Receive the Medals?
Oh! Ribbon bars! Ribbon bars! His Majesty the Emperor has some sense after all. I was about to suggest it myself, having diligently recalled my memories from my previous life, but it turns out you came out first.
Although it's not now, it was truly a trial every time there was an official event in the Empire.
How many medals were supposed to hang on my chest? Not a single lie—my left chest is at a level where it can easily block several bullets.
Thanks to that, the weight is no joke. It seems like my body's balance is slightly tilted to the left because of the medals. Is that an exaggeration? Sadly, it's true. Don't believe it? You don't believe it. It's true.
“Do you know? The very moment we're talking about ribbon bars, your expression is the brightest it has been. How surprising. Was this something you wanted so much?”
“Forgive me, Your Majesty. But it's unavoidable. In fact, I've thought a little that having so many medals is uncomfortable. Ah! That said, my words never mean to belittle the Empire's medals―”
Desperately trying to add the rest, but the Emperor waved his hand as if it was settled.
“Well, then, it's good. I'll discuss with each department to replace the medals with ribbon bars and discuss the ribbon bars.”
“Your grace is too kind.”
“Kindness? Rather, accepting it like this is even better.”
“Better? What do you mean suddenly?”
“Actually, the sight of medals dangling on your chest would be quite pitiful for others to see. Like the saying 'too many cooks spoil the broth,' if they sparkle too much, it only lowers their prestige. So, I'll have the other medals replaced with ribbon bars, except for the Medal of Honor.”
And thanks to that, even if more medals are awarded to you, there won't be any problem!
— At the Emperor's afterthought, I unconsciously let out a somewhat foolish 'Eh?'
“Your Majesty?”
“Why? Ah, is it because more medals were added to what I said earlier?”
“T, the words His Majesty said…”
“Of course, that's the main reward. However, it can't cover all your achievements. The miracle in the Holy See is the Holy See's affair, and elevating our Empire's status because of it must be calculated separately.”
“…”
“Still, since you asked so much, I'll expand the territory or not promote you. Instead, you'll receive the medals. After all, they'll be replaced with ribbon bars, so there's no problem.”
No. That's, Your Majesty? So… uh, ah! Thinking about it, it makes sense!
Promoting or expanding territory—honestly, from my perspective, I want to avoid it at all costs.
If our family had a rural territory, maybe, but with the count title already and sufficient territory, there's honestly no reason to go higher or expand more.
Is it just my thought? No, not at all? Actually, if it was promotion, it could have been done in my father's generation. In fact, discussions were held several times.
But my father refused, saying 'A warrior is just right here. If I go higher or have more land, it will eventually exceed the capacity and create more gaps.'
And that includes me. When my sister became Crown Princess, our family naturally became the next head. I became the owner of the Friedrich County.
But honestly, although my connections are good, as a noble or head, my insight or political power is average? I can only handle up to here.
That is, instead of promoting or expanding territory, it might be better to just receive the medals.
Yes. So, let's think of it as a good thing. Think. Think…
“Um, Your Majesty. If it's those medals, just one―”
“To a noble who has received a miracle and elevated the Empire's status because of it, one is a bit lacking.”
“Then, how about two?”
“What about four?”
“Three. Please, just three.”
“Four.”
“Your Majesty!”
“Four.”
Damn. This is a picture I've seen somewhere? Especially since I'm not good at using my fists and I'm the Emperor, I can't say anything more! Kyaah!
“Or, it can be five.”
“Four! Your grace is too kind!”
*
After Karl left the battlefield. The Emperor sat on his seat and laughed 'Heh heh' for a while.
The chamberlain and the palace affairs minister just quietly watched the scene without saying anything.
“Chamberlain.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“How long have you been with me?”
“If you mean the time in my service, it's over 20 years, and if you mean from the time I was Crown Prince, it's more than double that.”
“That's right. You've been by my side for so long. So, I want to ask. During all that time, has there been such a young man? No, has there been such a noble?”
The chamberlain couldn't answer. No matter how hard he tried to recall, not a single noble like the current Karl came to mind.
Everyone was driven by ambition, for their own fame. When such things happened, their eyes sparkled.
Even loyalty to the Empire or enthusiasm for the imperial family would have some reason in the corner of their hearts.
“Why the Emperor calls that young man so often, I can understand.”
No burden. More importantly, it's enjoyable. With his true feelings so open, as the Crown Prince, he could confide in his brother-in-law.
Some worry that the Crown Prince and a certain family are becoming too intertwined.
Actually, the Emperor had worried about that too. After all, it's the family of the next Emperor and the maternal family of the future crown prince.
But looking at it now, seeing the Emperor's family or the next head who will lead the maternal family, that worry feels very unfounded.
'At least, he'll be a really solid uncle to the crown prince.'
Of course, people can change at any time, so no need to be too at ease. But that will be for the next Emperors. If even such loyal subjects turn away, it would mean the Emperor's qualities are lacking.
“Palace affairs minister.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Please command.”
“Tell the War Ministry and the Justice Ministry to discuss the ribbon bars. Ah, of course, excluding the Medal of Honor. That one can never be reduced.”
“And.”
The Emperor pondered for a moment and continued.
“Find similar cases and see what medals can be awarded in such situations.”
“I will do my best to find all precedents.”
There were no ones who lived to see the stars, but there were those who helped greatly with peace with the church.
By finding out how they were treated later and what medals they received, it would be easy to know the next.
“And, instruct the Education Ministry to prepare a biography of Friedrich County’s Karl Adelheit, the acting head. It felt a bit early, but looking at it now, it seems I have to do it soon.”
Biographies for some loyal nobles had been worked on before.
But the work was started after their activities ended or after their death. It was never the case to start it while they were healthy and in their prime.
However, the palace affairs minister bowed his head without any question.
“Instruct the Education Ministry and the Interior Ministry to start immediately.”
Hearing that the Holy See is also making Karl's biography, if the Empire moves one step late, what could be more embarrassing? This Empire's noble, this imperial servant.
“Originally, the more you refuse, the more you want to take care of it. Heh heh heh!”
“…”
Somehow, after all. Our Emperor seems to really like that young man.
He liked him, but since he kept refusing this and that, at first he understood, but the things that happened were all too enormous, so it seems he forcibly gave it to him.
*
Sniff sniff. Medals? I thought he wouldn't give any! Oh no. The world!
“Why are you making such a sad face?”
When I returned home, my father and mother were in the garden, and they asked when they saw me.
So I ran to them and told them about the Emperor's antics. No, really! I said I really didn't want to receive more than this, but he gave me four!
“The Emperor's grace is truly vast and deep.”
“Karl. Do your best to be more loyal.”
“…Yes.”
Of course, the two who gave their all for this Empire were just saying they were honored by the Emperor's heart.
“Ah. Father.”
“Why?”
“T, expanding the territory or promoting.”
“Are you asking if I'm sorry?”
In the past, my father refused. But past is past. My heart can change anytime.
Moreover, if it's not me but my son's future. I might feel a little sorry. I was thinking that.
“Karl. Remember this. After you graduate and get married, the head of our Adelheit family, the owner of this Friedrich County, will be you. It's important that it's your wish, not my father's.”
“But―”
“If you refused, there must be a reason. I won't ask why. So, if you decided, push through with that determination. That's the man of Adelheit. That's the owner of Friedrich County.”
As expected. As expected, father. With words like that, it's really helpful. Honestly, I was a bit worried…
“Ah. Of course, you'll have to hear complaints from your wife.”
“…Me?”
“I also, if it's expanding territory or promoting, my wife will quickly accept it. How much did you refuse― uh. Wait. Gah!”
Uh. Is it my imagination that my father's side might be torn apart?