As I was thinking this inwardly, my father called out to me and I stopped thinking for a moment.

“Do you understand the situation?” (Ingo)

“I am assuming that Coltrezis House will not be able to remain as it is.” (Welner)

“What else?” (Ingo)

“Other than that, I am expecting that this is a good opportunity for the kingdom to recruit the knights and civil servants of the noble families that were to receive punishment, right?” (Welner)

“That’s right.” (Ingo)

Some of the noble families that would be promoted may not have enough local information on their new assignment, while others may not have the manpower to start things moving forward. Government would need to recruit as many people as possible to proceed with the reforms of the country.

From the point of view of someone who once lost the house they served, they could not throw away the opportunity for a new job, but that didn’t mean the kingdom could recruit just anyone, after all, it would depend on their work profile from their previous positions. Let’s see…

“Is working with me one of the evaluation criteria?” (Welner)

“I see, you understood that as well.” (Ingo)

“I suppose the evaluation criterion would be if they insult me for working here despite my young age or just try to flatter me thinking they might get easily hired if they did so.”

This solved the mystery as to why so many new recruits approached me for help. Their superior probably directed them to approach me for help to see their reactions.

I guess that was also one of the reasons why my rank remained as a viscount, wasn’t it? After all, it was weird that my rank didn’t go up even after contributing so much to the country as well as having so many achievements.

I doubt that the country would limit my rewards just because I was a young man, but this was probably their aim for me to become some kind of test for every other noble while also giving me financial rewards and a new position to not disappoint me.

“You’re aware of what His Majesty has said.” (Ingo)

“Is that about addressing me as ‘Zeavert’ only instead of attaching the rank of our territory?” (Welner)

The point in that conversation was that there I was not addressed as part of the “count”, which would not be strange if one would only speak of it in a superficial way. But being addressed by Royalty, there was definitely a meaning in not addressing me as part of the “count”.

His Majesty and the Crown Prince have also started training and organizing new staff and bureaucratic corps to carry out domestic reforms. Zeavert House was one of the leading candidates. In other words, there must be plans to raise father’s rank to Marquis, perhaps to make him a member of the leading aristocracy supporting the reform.

(T/N: Although Welner’s father is Minister of Ceremony, which doesn’t sound impressive, it is basically a post just below Prime Minister. Him becoming Marquis would increase his already high political power to another level. Another thing is that Welner would inherit Marquis rank in future so him not getting higher rank now is irrelevant in the Royal family’s opinion.)

“I guess it will be after some of the cleanup is done.” (Welner)

“I also can’t say when it will happen.” (Ingo)

“I see.” (Welner)

Thinking about it, there was an upcoming party hosted by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Louwen, it occurred to me that all the changes would be applied by that time and would be well received. If we were to coincide completing our work with that event, then we would not have much time to spare.

The departure to the fiefdom of Coltrezis House may be sooner than I had imagined, and that’s why I’ve been assigned the half-hearted role of helping father out. Huh…

“I’ll leave the preparations for the departure to the fiefdom of Coltrezis House to Max. Until then, please continue to help out.” (Ingo)

“Yes.” (Welner)

“I’m counting on you.” (Ingo)

Oh, it was rare to hear such a statement from my father. With that in mind, I went back to my room, but after a while, I began to feel strange like I made some kind of mistake.

“Um, Welner-sama?” (Lily)

“Is something wrong?” (Frenssen)

Lily, who was studying at the Count’s mansion today instead of the royal palace, and Frenssen, who was putting together the internal office documents of the Order, seemed to be concerned, but he didn’t say anything.

After some thought, I realized what mistake I made. In the end, I sighed and called out to Lily, “Sorry, Lily, can you please get me a cup of tea?”

“Yes, right away.” (Lily)

Another sigh escaped my mouth as Lily exited.

Frenssen turned to look at me and asked, “What happened?”

“You know, sometimes talking too much is a bad thing…” (Welner)

“Huh.” (Frenssen)

Yeah, I screwed up. My father’s questioning was clearly a test of mine. And judging from his reaction, I passed it, which meant I would be offered a place on the political reform team, no matter what I said.

If I had made some mistake, I could have returned to being a student or at least stopped from falling deeper into this rabbit hole, but I feel like I ruined that chance myself.

“It seems like I screwed up.” (Welner)

After explaining the situation, Frenssen’s reaction was to complain, but to no avail. Even Lily, who made me a cup of tea, looked annoyed. I’d rather just relax.

I took a sip, let out a big sigh, and then turned my attention to Lily.

“By the way, Lily, I’m sorry, but I need you to draw something for me. And Frenssen, please arrange it.” (Welner)

“Yes.” (Frenssen)

“Yes, what is it?” (Lily)

Let’s just do what we have to do. Yeah, I’ll do what I have to do.


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