Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy

953 – The Era of Mass Sale – 3

Do you know what the pecking order is in the mansion?

The kids are in first place, the wives are in second place, and Titi is in third place. First of all, I am outside the rankings, and it is certain that I am below Titi.

This is truly an amazing hierarchy. I am clearly the master of the mansion and the head of the Krasius family, but how many people are higher in rank than me?

‘There is one Marie, not one Myeong.’

As the eldest, it is not particularly strange to support children and wives from below. However, Titi, who is not even my blood relative, is an exceptional dog that cannot be compared to ordinary dogs, so an incredible situation has occurred where he is ranked higher than me.

I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t complicated. I’m always getting beat up by human yellowies, so I get nervous when Titi, a golden retriever, is higher up in the hierarchy than me.

But I can’t go against reality with my own strength. The hierarchy of Titi is unwavering, and the paternal love of the higher-ranking ones is not something that can be touched by the lower-ranking ones.

“This time, it wasn’t my decision to allocate one to the Holy Church, it was Titi and Jenny’s decision. I didn’t plan on doing this either.”

At my words, the Minister of Finance looked down at me blankly.

“…This is the first time I’ve seen a boss get eaten by his pet dog, rather than a boss get eaten by his subordinate.”

Then he let out a sigh-filled speech.

It’s unfair. Honestly, it’s too much to treat Titi like an ordinary pet. You won’t see an owner who is pushed around by a pet in your life, but on the other hand, where can you see a dog like Titi?

If Titi had been the finance minister’s pet dog, the minister would have been in the same position as me. I can guarantee you that.

“Don’t forget that Titi was in His Majesty’s arms.”

And it reminded me again of Titi’s extraordinary hometown.

Titi is not a dog you meet at a normal pet shop. It is a dog that the Emperor himself raised, and it proudly occupies a piece of land in a corner of the palace. It is definitely more noble than the average noble in the empire. If you are not a noble by title, you should hit Titi in the head.

“Well, the first owner is a good one, so the second owner is worth eating.”

The minister nodded as if he was convinced by what I said, but I don’t really like the reason for his acceptance.

Since you keep saying that you got eaten, I really feel like I was betrayed by Titi. Our Titi isn’t that evil and ambitious.

“So. Even if I tell you a hundred times, it’s no use?”

“What can I do if I get permission from the manager? If the manager rejects it, it’s over.”

“I’m proud of you, you punk.”

The minister chuckled at the cruel and solid truth.

“Then take me to the manager. I made time in a hurry to pick up the puppy, so I have to go back quickly.”

“While you’re here, why don’t you have a meal before you go?”

“Speak with spit on your lips. What are you talking about when you have an expression telling me to get out right now?”

At those words, he secretly touched his face.

Certainly, the sensation felt at the tip of my fingers was more of a dull facial muscle than a smiling facial muscle. I could tell that without even looking in the mirror.

Surprisingly, the Minister of Finance is one of Titi’s ‘frequently seen good people’.

Despite the dynamic personality and threatening size of the Minister of Finance, he was Peddie’s godfather and came to the mansion often. He even played with Peddie and the other children and gave them presents whenever he came, so Titi had the impression that he was a good person.

– Woof! Woof!

Maybe that’s why Titi, who had been somewhat gloomy due to the independence of No. 7, began to wag her tail at the appearance of the minister.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. How have you been?”

– Woof!

It was such a lively welcome that the minister smiled and patted Titi on the head.

Don’t be fooled, Titi. He’s a thief trying to steal your child. He’s a villain trying to take another guy after No. 7.

“I was embarrassed to just come, so I brought you a gift. Enjoy it.”

After a while, the minister took out a bag from his bosom, rummaged through it, and handed something that looked like dog gum to Titi.

That cruel man. He tried to steal the baby by enticing it with the thought of eating Titi. This is very serious.

‘Should I stop it now?’

I am troubled. Knowing the Minister’s evil intentions, I think it would be right to stop him.

But even though it was her own decision, Titi was already feeling down due to the separation from her child. Now that Titi has regained her energy thanks to the new guests and gifts, is it right to interfere with this?

It’s a difficult question. Should we tolerate it for the sake of immediate recovery, or should we block the minister’s second attempt at distribution?

“Titi, more than that. I heard you sent one of your pups somewhere else.”

‘ah.’

Unfortunately, before the deliberations could be over, the minister struck first.

Now the power of choice is no longer mine. It is only the Minister and Titi’s business.

“I’m sorry you had a hard time making that decision. Children will eventually have to leave their parents’ embrace, but that day is always heartbreaking.”

– Squeak…

Titi’s tail, which had been biting the gum, wagged at the minister’s hypocritical consolation.

“Still, the Holy Land is one of the safest places on this continent. The priests are also very kind, so I’m sure they’ll grow up healthy and happy.”

Fortunately, the tail started wagging again thanks to the continued comfort.

It is not a wrong statement. The Holy Land is not a place to worry about any external attacks or internal troubles, and the priests residing in the Holy Land are those who have been recognized for their abilities and character. The ones who will directly take care of No. 7 are the next saints and the sainthood growth. Titi must have known this roughly, so he must have recognized No. 7’s independence.

“So, Titiya. What do you think about a place that is as safe as the Kyo-guk?”

– Huh?

The problem is that the consolation is not pure intention but a build-up.

“This system is also a glorious and safe place, not inferior to the religious state. My mansion is located in a place with guaranteed security within the system, so if you would leave your pup with me─”

– Growl…!

“I told you not to talk nonsense.”

“This isn’t working. But Titi, listen.”

The minister hurriedly tried to persuade Titi, who had entered a state of alert.

The corners of my mouth went up for no reason at that sight. The moment Titi entered the border, it was basically over.

‘That’ll take a long time.’

I, too, once became a target of Titi’s level 1 warning when my mini-injeolmis were first born because I made a mistake with my mouth. I had a hard time escaping Titi’s anger and warning at the time.

The minister also ended up following the same path as me. Of course, I don’t feel particularly sorry about it.

“This place is close to my mansion. You can come and see the pup whenever you want.”

– Growl…!

“Peddie is starting to take an interest in my house. It’s not strange for a godson to come to his godfather’s house to play. And do you think Peddie would go out alone without you?”

– Grrrrr…

“If you’re not going to live with your pup for the rest of your life, you’re going to have to part ways with him at some point. If that’s the case, it’s better for you to send him somewhere close and easy to get to.”

‘uh?’

But what is this? Surprisingly, Titi’s alertness has gradually subsided.

What the heck. Is that even possible? Titi’s fatherly love can be appeased with mere words?

‘Is it because it was right after independence?’

This would have been impossible in the past, but now No. 7 has just become independent. Having already experienced the independence of his own child, is it because he still has the determination he had when he sent No. 7 away that his defenses are so lax?

It wasn’t just me who was confused, but Titi as well. Titi rolled her eyes here and there, then quickly turned around and walked to the corner.

Then he lay down quietly with his head against the wall, as if he wanted to be alone and not be spoken to.

“I guess it wasn’t possible to convince her all at once.”

The minister let out a small sigh as he watched Titi stare at the wall, thinking alone.

“Next time, I should come with my wife.”

He then went on to mention some cowardly cheat keys.

If I bring my wife too… I’ll have no choice but to persuade Titi a little…

‘This works.’

Also, apart from the minister’s lament, I felt a sense of wonder.

Titi, who absolutely protects her puppies, has chosen to think alone instead of barking. It seems she has had a change of heart.

It seems likely that all 14 will be sold out this year or next year.

***

A few days ago, an unprecedented situation occurred when the Holy See’s growth team visited us while we were on vacation.

Fortunately, we returned before an hour had even passed and it ended with a small commotion, but my heart still aches when I think about what happened back then.

Aren’t they the same as dukes in an empire? Such growths are coming in droves. How terrible it must be.

‘Still, it’s fortunate that I didn’t come here for something important.’

I looked at the 14 pups running around the garden – no, now there were 13.

If the growth of the church had come to my mansion for some important reason, I would have collapsed from a heart attack before my heart even ached. Fortunately, however, they came to receive Jenny’s offspring.

Looking at Jenny’s face, it’s a bit disappointing, but considering her majesty of growth, it’s a good thing anyway.

So, I was watching the pups play with a slightly calmer mind.

“Hmm. They’re all cute because they resemble Titi.”

“That’s right. And since he’s small, he has a more charming charm.”

A guest more intense and tremendous than the growth has arrived.

“Hello, Minister of Finance!”

The Minister of Finance, the second-highest ranking official in the executive branch. An absolute figure to whom even the Minister of Justice, my distant superior, must bow his head and ask for a budget.

In some ways, they are more fearsome than the growths. In a nutshell, the growths are priests across the border, but isn’t the Minister of Finance a big shot who can actually influence me and the Ministry of Justice? The growths that I wonder if I will ever see again in my life and the Imperial Minister who handles the budget in real time? Naturally, the latter is more fearsome.

“I’m sorry for coming so suddenly. As the Inspector General said, I came to see Titi’s pup in person.”

“…yes?”

“What? Did that guy not say anything to Kyung?”

As I tilted my head to the words of His Excellency the Minister of Finance, the communication port in my bosom vibrated briefly.

[ The Minister of Finance and his wife will be visiting you soon. They have a lot of work to do, so they will probably come the day after tomorrow. Be mentally prepared. ]

As soon as I saw the message that came through the telecommunications port, I shed tears of joy.

Just a little bit. Could you send it a little bit faster?

And you came today, not the day after tomorrow…