Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy

948 – Guarantee the freedom of creators – 4

It seems that the emperor was harboring a grudge from his last defeat.

“Khuh. A precious face has arrived.”

“Oh, Inspector General. Welcome.”

As I stepped into the office, what I saw was not only the yellow-haired emperor, but also the two ministers ranked second and third in the executive branch.

The Minister of Finance laughing and laughing, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs smiling and welcoming. These two.

‘what.’

The lineup was so breathtaking that I couldn’t say anything.

The Emperor is in the Emperor’s office? That’s normal. It’s as common as having a toilet in a bathroom.

There’s a Minister of Foreign Affairs? Since the Diplomatic Growth of the Nation has contacted the Empire, it’s not strange that the head of Imperial Foreign Affairs is sitting with the Emperor. If I had to make a comparison, it’s like a piece of toilet paper next to a toilet.

But why on earth is that person? Why on earth is the Minister of Finance?

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor. The head of House Crassius, Karl Crassius of Tylglehen, greets His Majesty the Emperor.”

First, I tried to restart my body, which had become stiff.

Now, personnel matters are more important than understanding the situation. Since 10% of the authority is in the hands of the Emperor, if you do anything that could be found fault with even the slightest, you are likely to get beaten up very viciously.

“Huh. Karl Crassius of Teylglehen? Saint Karl Crassius of Teylglehen.”

‘That damn human.’

The surprise attack by the Minister of Finance was shocking.

Sitting in a place where you shouldn’t be and even picking a fight? What a disgusting human nature.

“Haha, aren’t you saying that you will stand before His Majesty the Emperor as a nobleman and not as an adult? You are truly a loyal subject of the Empire.”

Although the Minister of Foreign Affairs did offer some support, strangely enough, even his support sounded a bit ominous.

At this particular time, he is talking about a nobleman and a loyal subject. Isn’t it scary to think about the follow-up story? There is a high probability that he will say something like, ‘As a loyal subject of the empire, take responsibility for and treat the high-ranking officials of the Holy Nation.’

“Is there really a need to separate the two names? It is enough to think of him as a great saint who is loyal to the empire.”

“Indeed. His Majesty the Emperor’s words are correct.”

“And Count. Don’t stand. Sit down.”

“Oh, yes, Your Majesty.”

Still, thanks to the Emperor’s timely intervention, I was barely able to find a seat.

To be honest, it seems like he’s trying to beat me up by making me sit down, but whatever. It’s better to be beaten up by the Emperor alone than by three people.

“Okay, now that you’re seated, please sign here.”

“yes?”

“When the Count’s biography comes out, I’m confident I’ll be the first to buy it and read it devoutly, but no one knows when it will actually come out. So I’m trying to get the protagonist’s signature in advance.”

But I didn’t know it would hit at this high a speed.

You crazy b*stard, no matter how tempting the kill is, you should take a break. It’s too much to beat me up as soon as I sit down.

“Your Majesty. I just gave the writer a small opportunity. It is the writer’s role to create a novel. Why would you want to receive the signature of a small opportunity that is not the writer?”

“The Count’s chronicle can be written even by those who are not the masters of Balcross. However, no one can write it without the Count’s permission. In that case, it would be right to consider the Count as the true owner of the chronicle.”

The two ministers nodded at the emperor’s words.

It’s terrible. One guy with power and two guys with overwhelming experience. All three of them are working together to oppress the youngest.

Is this the current state of the empire, such a miserable and petty abuse of power? The future of the empire is so bright that it seems blinding.

“…Can I do it here?”

“That’s right. Oh, and don’t forget to give it to the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, too.”

He signed silently at those words.

I was thinking of writing a proverb under my signature that said, “Live a long and healthy life until you are 120, then retire when you die,” but I held back.

After a small surprise fan signing event (with the Emperor and Ministers), normal conversation finally began.

“The Holy Church is also concerned about this matter, but is not preparing any drastic measures. It would be awkward for the church to touch upon a work that was written before the canonization.”

First of all, the government is panicking over the unprecedented situation and is not seriously considering censorship.

I let out a sigh of relief, thinking that it was the most reasonable and appropriate situation. If the church takes a moderate approach, there won’t be any trouble.

“However, this incident is unprecedented in the thousand-year history of the church. It is also a matter of the authority of the saints, so it will not be taken lightly, even if it is taken gently.”

Since this was an obvious statement, I nodded silently.

If it were the founding period of the group, it would be different, but the religious order is a group that has been founded for over a thousand years. In such a group, creating a new precedent is by no means a light matter.

This is especially true when it comes to matters related to adults who have the authority of the church and the respect of the believers.

“Secretary of the Treasury.”

“We have hastily prepared a budget to welcome the distinguished guests.”

“It must have been a tight time, but what a relief. You’ve worked hard.”

As soon as I heard the conversation that followed, I knew why the Minister of Finance was in his office.

It wasn’t just for an autograph, it was for budgetary reasons. Of course, if you were in the Emperor’s office, it would be for business reasons, but if you were the Minister of Finance, it wouldn’t be strange if it was purely for teabagging purposes.

“However, the budget should only be enough for the entry of the guests and the welcoming banquet, and the rest should be handed over to the Count.”

“To the Inspector General, are you speaking?”

“The guests have come to see the Count anyway. It is right for the Count to use it in an appropriate place.”

Then the Minister of Finance glanced at me with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

That guy. He likes being able to pass on the annoying work to me. It’s hard to get money in a hurry, but it’s also a hassle to allocate it to where it’s going to be used.

“I will obey Your Majesty’s command.”

It is certain that his voice has also strangely become brighter.

Ugly old man. Are you sure you want to beat up a young former subordinate?

‘I guess that would be nice…’

In fact, there are few things as thrilling and enjoyable as giving a slap to someone. In a way, I am also giving a slap to the minister’s secretary for a year.

I’m sorry and thank you, Secretary Minister. Thanks to you, I’m alive and not dying from overwork.

“Your Majesty, what on earth do you wish to discuss with the Inspector General that has five leaders from the religious world coming here?”

“If you include the growth of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it’s six, Minister of Finance. And the vice-minister is coming from the Ministry of City and Province.”

“It’s more gorgeous.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Foreign Affairs went out of their way to confirm the appointment by mentioning specific personnel matters in front of me.

Even if you don’t say it, I know that I have to face several growths and one negative growth.

“Anyway, I heard that the writer who was writing the biography of the Minister of the Inspectorate went to the Holy See. In fact, the moment the Minister of the Inspectorate gave permission to write the biography, shouldn’t we consider the writer, rather than the Minister, as the negotiating party? Shouldn’t censorship be applied to the work, not to the Minister’s life?”

‘oh.’

But somehow the Minister of Finance added something reasonable.

When I think about it, yes. Even though I am the main character, Allen is ultimately the one writing the story. If there is anything to discuss regarding censorship of the work, it is sufficient to discuss it thoroughly with Allen.

However, if there is something to discuss with me after handing over Allen, I will only ask for your understanding by saying, ‘Due to the circumstances of the church, I think I will have to censor your brother’s biography.’ However, the church is thinking about how to set a precedent, and is not putting much weight on censorship.

“That’s it.”

The Foreign Minister opened his mouth in response to the Minister of Finance’s reasonable and wise remarks.

“It is true that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs first discussed the matter with the writer. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the heads of all departments held discussions with the writer.”

“Oh, like that.”

A sigh escaped me without me knowing.

You’re having a Q&A with all the growths at the headquarters of the sect? And you’re doing it alone, without any allies? If it were me, I’d either die of a heart attack or pass out after biting my tongue.

“Huh. Are you talking about growth for just one writer? The heresy investigation wouldn’t be that harsh.”

“Well, the church knows that too, so they say they did it in the most gentle way possible. The next saint personally gave his blessing, and they even had tea time with His Holiness the Pope…”

The Foreign Minister, whose words were trailing off, smiled faintly.

He tried hard to open his mouth to defend his diplomatic partner, the Kyo-guk, but he said it himself and it seemed wrong.

“Anyway, as a result of the Q&A with the author, it is said that the conclusion was to hear a definitive answer from the Inspector General that there is no need for censorship.”

The honor of a dead saint must be protected by the church, but a living saint can make his own judgment.

I was convinced when I saw the Minister of Foreign Affairs add that.

‘You sold it.’

Allen sold me out. I was crushed by the beatings of the church leaders, the pressure of the next saint, and the confrontation with the new pope.

I understand. It must have been impossible for him to endure. How could a mere writer overcome the siege of the religious state? It would probably be impossible even for a political monster.

So, he was thinking and thinking about how to overcome that difficulty, and then he mentioned me. In the first place, since there is a living adult right next to him, shouldn’t he just get permission from him? So, he told me not to make a fuss about him.

‘It’s all because of the church.’

Thanks to that, I was able to close my eyes in silence.

It was Allen who sold me, but it was the church that created the environment where I had to sell to survive.

***

I sat in the rocking chair blankly and looked out the window at the scenery.

Soon, he turned his gaze to the letter of appointment he was holding in his hand.

[Appoint Allen, a citizen of the Kingdom of Balcross and a great writer, as an honorary citizen of the Holy Church, an honorary citizen of Enestye, and a member of the Knights of St. Vilonia.]

A certificate appointing me as a knight of the sect.

Evidence that you suddenly became a dual citizen.

‘What the heck is this?’

My head is still spinning. How on earth did things turn out this way?

I don’t even remember exactly what happened to me. I think I just said whatever came to mind in front of the adults.

“Thanks to your wisdom and advice, the church has found the path it should take.”

Then he gave me this. Something heavier and more burdensome than any other reward.

‘Should I return it?’

Of course, even if you try to return it, they won’t accept it. I’ve already applied for a return five times, but they were all rejected.

‘Is this Sir Allen of the Knights Templar?’

Laughter followed.

Count, I’m sorry. This is what I got in return for selling you. I feel bad about becoming a traitor who has sold out God.

…

‘A biography of a saint written by a knight.’

If I change my mind for a moment, it seems okay.

How can I bear to have the title ‘Written by a Paladin’ attached to my last masterpiece?

‘It sold well.’

No. This is more of a legitimate expression of opinion than an expression of selling.

When I thought about it that way, my heart quickly became at ease.