70 – Count Fix
11Th.
If it’s short, it’s short, and if it’s long, it’s long.
Ed and his party returned to the Empire after 11 days.
He returned after completing his mission perfectly.
However, as soon as Ed returned to the empire, he was summoned to the imperial court.
It was to receive a reward from the emperor in recognition of his contributions.
“Listen to Edgar Fix. “You…”
A direct imperial official who unfolds a golden scroll and recites the emperor’s edict.
Ed was kneeling in front of him on one knee, following the emperor’s orders.
At the head table, the princess who came as the emperor’s representative was looking around with an interested expression on her face.
This is because the expressions on the faces of the officials and nobles gathered here are unusual.
‘Foot. ‘I can hear the head rolling all the way from here.’
Nobles and officials rolling their eyes here and there and calculating various numbers in their heads.
The reason they are so busy racking their brains is because the power structure of the empire is changing.
A small wind called Edgar Fix has become a huge typhoon.
“He has made a great contribution to improving relations between the two countries through his achievements, and we would like to give him a title commensurate with his achievements and abilities.”
And then, the thing has finally come.
Title award ceremony.
The first commoner to ascend to the ranks of nobility through his own abilities is born.
‘I should have done better back then!’
Geomseong was regretting this.
In the past, the declaration that he would take Ed as a male concubine lingered in his head and made him breathless.
If I had known this would happen, I should have chosen him as my son-in-law right then.
‘B-but… I was the first to recognize his abilities.’
But wouldn’t it be okay since I went there first and made my own appeal?
The guy didn’t seem particularly upset either.
Rather, it was unfortunate that the Duke’s family reached out to the commoners first.
Of course, that applies to ordinary people.
“For such reasons, Jim personally wanted to give you a new last name, but as he also heard your entrance ceremony speech, I respected your will and decided to keep the surname ‘Fix’ as is. Would.”
Meanwhile, there was talk that Ed, who was being awarded the title, would keep the last name of Fix.
The nickname Lord Fix actually became Sir Fix.
“·····I command you to protect your honor as a warrior, I command you to establish justice as the head of the family, and I command you to be the guardian of the people of the territory as the lord. “Do you swear?”
And, as the final procedure, the declaration was read.
Ed replied that he would swear, and before he knew it, he kissed the ring of the princess who was standing in front of him.
The authority of the imperial family is granted to the emperor’s agent.
“Count Fix, stand up.”
The title given to Ed was Count.
It was an incredibly unconventional greeting.
The nobles who had expected him to be a baron at best could only mutter with embarrassed faces.
‘I plan to embrace it in the royal family.’
However, astute nobles like Illiya were able to read the meaning of this title awarding ceremony.
The imperial family plans to embrace Ed as their own sword.
To begin with, Ed is from the Elena-Princess line and is a promising talent who fills the hexagon in many ways.
It was clear to see that such a large reward was given as soon as a cause was established.
“······Because of the truth you revealed, the empty land is waiting for its owner. You will carefully choose the land where your family will take root…”
And then, things started to go smoothly.
Ed came to rule over one of the three lands of the Croto, Eguwa, and Arjie families who were executed due to Ed’s revelations.
“However, I am concerned about luggage. Your outstanding abilities have already been proven many times, but running a fiefdom requires experiential wisdom that comes from the stains of life. So the burden is…”
However, instead of granting the estate to Ed, there was one condition: he had to choose his own guardian to lead him.
This was the imperial family’s intention to test Ed’s insight and political ability.
‘This is…’
‘It’s an opportunity!’
‘You must become his guardian!’
And just as the imperial family planned, the nobles’ eyes began to change.
A nobleman who wants to make a profit by solidifying his connections with Ed.
A nobleman who tries to betray Ed, who knows nothing about running a fiefdom.
Even nobles trying to approach Ed for the purpose of a marriage alliance.
Each of them was licking their tongues for different purposes and looking at Ed with greedy eyes.
In order for their family to prosper, they must capture the heart of Edgar Fix.
‘Ed son-in-law! ‘Wait!!’
Among the nobles, a battle was going on behind the scenes for the number one son-in-law, Edgar Fix.
***
I received a pretty exciting reward.
Not only did he become a count, he was also granted a fiefdom.
It was a variable that even I could not have imagined would come out so strongly in the imperial family.
“Hmm…”
It’s just that such a huge thing has happened, but I don’t feel much emotion.
Is it because my previous dozens of lives were all noble lives?
I feel like I have regained what I originally enjoyed for granted.
“Well, nothing much will change.”
However, nothing has changed significantly.
I am still an academy cadet and will spend most of my life at the academy.
Even if you are granted a territory, you rarely have to stay there.
‘The exception is during vacation.’
However, the academy has a long vacation period.
Because we value the strength gained from our own concerns rather than stereotypical teachings, we provide a two-month personal training period every quarter.
It meant that you should sharpen yourself during that period and prepare for the next semester.
‘But.’
But I have to not only discipline myself, but also take care of my territory.
As qualifications and authority grow, so do responsibilities.
“Well, it’s no loss.”
But if you ask me if this is a loss to me, it is absolutely not.
It’s just that the hassle has increased, but the influence and ripple effect that comes from one’s position is enormous.
Even if you say the same thing, there is a world of difference between speaking as a commoner and as a noble.
Since this is a world where the class system is clearly rooted in the first place, it is natural that the higher the status, the better.
“The deadline…Is about 3 months left?”
The emperor told me to choose my guardian (macro who takes care of the territory on my behalf) and the territory I would take care of until the vacation.
I want to test my insight and political skills.
You’ll want to consider whether the hunting dog you recognized is as useful as you expected, or whether it’s just plain boring.
“I can see everything inside.”
But I am a master of this game.
I have already thought about who to choose as my guardian and where to start.
However, there was no need to rush into making a choice.
I need to take this opportunity to check what stance the nobles take towards me.
‘Father Enya, things will have to be different this time.’
If it’s the same stance as last time, it’s no problem.
***
“What!? “You mean Enya slept in the male cadets’ quarters?”
“Yes. “According to our sources, this is certain.”
Meanwhile, fiery shouts were coming out from the office of the head of the Cruel family.
This is because the news that Enya had been sleeping at the house of a man who had just arrived at the head of the house and was about to rest came to the ears of the swordsman.
How could the Grand Duke’s princess, and especially her own precious and beautiful daughter, commit such an outrageous act?
“And the place where the young lady stayed is said to be Edgar Fix’s lodgings.”
─There is also.
Great job, my daughter!
“hehehehe, hehehehe.” Is that so? “Oh, how can this be!”
Duke Cruel looks angry on the outside, but he can’t stop the corners of his mouth from twitching.
Like this, he had already completely decided that Ed would be his son-in-law.
An unprecedented genius appeared in history, but it would be foolish not to bring in such a man as a member of the family.
“Eh, I guess I’ll have to give Enya some warning! “Tell Enya to come to my office right now!”
From noble mtl dot com
“Yes. “I will do as you command.”
Gram, his right-hand man, follows the orders of the Sword Saint.
He smiled slightly as he looked at his owner, who was trying hard to hide his joy.
Judging by the atmosphere going on, it seemed like he wanted to find out what her relationship with Ed was like rather than reprimanding the young lady.
‘Is that why you think so highly of Edgar Fix?’
However, if we had said that the young lady had slept in the dormitory of a male cadet other than Edgar Fix, the story would have been different.
As a princess, it was absolutely impossible for her to sleep with a male cadet in his dormitory.
If that male cadet had even touched the young lady’s body, the repercussions would be dizzying just thinking about it.
If he had been a male cadet from a humble family, he would have had to keep his mouth shut for the rest of his life after the family was devastated.
Because no one should know that the young lady’s body has been defiled.
‘But if Edgar Fix…’
You can touch it.
This is because he has already completely chosen his son-in-law.
Rather, he would have used that as an opportunity to take responsibility and make the marriage happen.
‘But Edgar Fix is not that stupid.’
However, Edgar Fix is not stupid enough to touch the princess’s body.
He had a broad perspective, was able to see through the essence, and was a 9th-level politician with good management skills.
A veteran of combat is packed into the body of a mere 18-year-old.
Probably because the master already knew that fact, the corner of his mouth twitched the moment he heard the name of Edgar Fix.
Because you can trust that he won’t do anything reckless.
It would be better if you do it by mistake.
‘Edgar Fix… Is he the most rising star of this year? Other families will also be abuzz with the news of his title.’
And Gram thought.
Not only they but other noble families will be busy with news about Edgar Fix.
“What!? Even if I become friends with him, it won’t be enough!”
And his prediction was correct.
Other nobles who saw Ed’s title succession ceremony in person or heard the news quickly responded.
However, there were people in the academy who were consistently hostile to Ed.
These are people full of inferiority complex who have nothing to boast about other than their innate status.
“Why on earth did you make an enemy of yourself! “Why, why don’t we get Edgar’s fix!”
The anti-Ed faction always filled their self-esteem by belittling Ed.
Currently, they were being scolded by their parents for what they had done.
Because they offended a rising star who was under the protection of the imperial family, the family’s position was in quite an awkward position.
Now that Ed was officially recognized as an earl, he had to somehow improve this relationship.
“Apologize right away! “You can’t make a fuss!”
Some family heads whose political movements have been restricted due to their children’s childish behavior.
While they were suffering, there were also families raising their eyebrows.
The Verdian family of Charlotte.
The head of the Verdian family, who was sick from a long illness, praised Charlotte, who had become Ed’s friend.
And in his father’s view, Ed will be a key figure in the ‘conquest of destruction’ in the future, so he advised him that it would be better to stay close to him like he is doing now.
“Isabella, do you have feelings for him?”
And in the office of the head of the Graham family, the grand duchy in the far north, an out-of-focus conversation was taking place.
This is because the flow is too bizarre to be a normal conversation between a father and a daughter.
“····Yes. He is not offended. Rather, when we are together… I feel a sense of stability.”
“Hmm… Well then, I guess I’ve finally found it. “Your partner.”
“······.”
“Take him. Devour him, just as I swallowed your mother.”
As Archduke Graham said that, a black haze radiated from his entire body.
It was so powerful that it instantly covered the inside of the office.
“Then you will be able to qualify as the head of the family. “You will become my successor.”
He said that and smiled a bizarre smile.
Isabella looked at the Archduke like that with her cold eyes.
It was a monster.
A power-mad monster who killed his own wife and became the head of the family.
‘I hate you.’
It was disgusting.
The fate of this cursed power was heartbreakingly painful.
“Isabella.”
At that time, Adrian, the head of the Graham family, called Isabella with a stern look on his face.
He said, emitting a black haze.
“Why don’t you practice hiding your facial expressions more? If you look at this father with those eyes…”
Paaat!
Suddenly the door to the office opened.
Black energy spread out the door.
Isabella hurriedly stood up and said.
“Sorry! “I’m being rude…!”
Isabella was sweating and out of breath.
As soon as the black energy extending outward stopped, Adrian’s gaze, which was curved, turned towards Isabella.
“Yes, Isabella. Be sure to keep this in mind. “Your sister’s life depends on your attitude.”
“·····Yes.”
Isabella sat down again in a polite manner.
Adrian looked at his daughter with a satisfied face and continued his next words.
“First, we should invite him to our family. “I need to check whether he is suitable as your sacrifice.”
“····Yes.”
“Then move quickly. “If it’s not for you, you never know when an opportunity like this will come… If you miss the timing and are eliminated as a candidate for the head of the family… It’s all up to you to take care of it.”
“Yes. “I will keep that in mind.”
At this moment, Isabella chose to accept her own fate.
And the person who will face catastrophe due to that fate is none other than…
‘I’m sorry, commoner. ‘I can’t help it.’
It was Edgar Fix, to whom she had decided to give her heart.
The curse of the Graham family that has been around for a long time has been extended to Ed.
Having made her fateful decision, Isabella clenched her fists with her bizarre smile.
It looked exactly like Adrian, whom she hated.
‘I will be the same.’
And at that moment, she had a premonition that one day she would become like her father, whom she hated so much.
You become a monster that devours your loved ones only to seek strong power.
Because that is the fate of the Graham family.