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Just before returning to normal life and heading back to the capital, I glanced at Erich, who had come to see me off. This birthday was the one where I received more gifts than ever, but the only one that really stuck in my mind was the folding bed Erich gave me. It was a rather bittersweet birthday.

So, I made up my mind. I’d take charge of Erich’s future and make sure that he became a civil servant. Did he have any other dreams? Well, he should forget about them starting today.

He would be a civil servant from now on, whether he landed in administration, legislation, or judiciary, or even in the military or the imperial guard. One way or another, he’d be serving the Empire. As a member of the Krasius family, it was only natural that he should serve the Imperial family.

However, we already had family members in key positions in administration and legislation. It would be awkward if we all monopolized the top spots.

The army seems like the best option.

Yes, the military would be perfect. I could even ask the Invincible Duke to take good care of him. Besides, Erich had always had a bit of a soldier’s nature.

I’ve decided—I’d send Erich to the military and gift him a folding bed for his enlistment. No, actually, maybe a one-person tent would be better, the kind that popped up automatically with the press of a button. Wasn’t that every soldier’s dream?

“Hyung?”

I patted Erich on the shoulder, thinking I might just give him both while he looked at me with a confused expression.

“Thanks for the gift.”

I smiled broadly at him as I said it. I really meant it. It was a gift I would never forget, something I’d remember for the rest of my life no matter what happened.

Even Mother seemed moved by this brotherly moment. She approached us, leaving the slightly weary Patriarch behind.

“It seems like you really liked Erich’s gift.”

“Yes, I received something incredibly useful.”

As much as I hated to admit it, it really was useful. It was the perfect thing to place in the club room, which was practically my hideout.

That was why it was an unforgettable gift. I would remember his kindness every time I saw that folding bed or every time I lay on it. Was this what they meant by biding your time and waiting for the right moment to repay a debt?

…Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.

I could feel several pairs of eyes burning into my back. Because I had only mentioned Erich’s gift out of all the gifts I’d received, I was now feeling the subtle jealousy of six other people.

I should explain myself when we returned to my mansion. That wasn’t a heartfelt thank-you—it was more like an announcement that I planned to take over my brother’s future. Once they realized that, the jealousy would disappear.

And sure enough, the 1st Manager burst into laughter on the spot as soon as we got back to the mansion and I explained Erich’s gift.

Damn it.

I didn’t mind that she was laughing, but couldn’t she at least pretend to hold it in like everyone else? It hurt a little.

***

Since I had only requested time off for my birthday, I had to report back to work today. It felt like coming back to the office on a Monday after a wild weekend, but what could I do? I needed to retire if I ever wanted to escape the endless cycle of work and start living for the weekends.

“Executive Manager.”

“Oh, did anything happen while I was away?”

“Nothing much except for the Minister asking for you.”

The Senior Manager delivered this unsettling news as soon as I returned to the Prosecutors’ Office with the 1st Manager. But this time, I took it calmly. It was only natural to be summoned by the Minister at this time of year.

My birthday was at the end of January. In other words, my birthday arrived after a few weeks of work following the New Year’s Ball. Once my birthday was over, February was just around the corner. It might sound like I was stating the obvious, but this timing was crucial.

“Everyone seems to be in a rush.”

“Well, they’ll lose their budget if they’re late. It’s no wonder they’re in a hurry.”

It was a reasonable point, so I nodded in agreement. Moving too slowly would only mean getting beaten by other departments and being left with an empty can.

Now, with February just days away, the entire imperial civil service was about to enter its berserk mode.

“People go crazy when money’s on the line.”

At the end of the year, the Ministry of Finance allocated the budget and distributed it to each department. Once this regular budget was sent out, it rarely changed unless there was a very good reason. While many departments tried to bother the Minister for exceptions, that was the general rule.

The only real opportunity for these departments to turn things around was during the additional budget allocation period—a time of dreams and opportunities when they could secure extra funds beyond their regular budget.

It wasn’t as grand as it sounded. Basically, departments would come to the Ministry of Finance with their documents, pleading, ‘We can’t survive with what we have!’ and the Minister either approves or rejects their requests.

Actually, it is grand.

In fact, it wasn’t just grand—it was colossal. After all, a department’s entire livelihood for the year depended on this crucial period.

Right after the New Year’s Ball, civil servants rushed back to their departments and checked their regular budget lists, scrambling to gather as much justification as possible for additional funds. They spent all of January burning the midnight oil, drafting reports begging for more money. That process usually wrapped up around the end of January.

However, it wasn’t like these money-hungry civil servants would quietly wait until February. No. They were already at the Ministry of Finance starting from the end of January, bowing their heads to the Minister. And this timing happens to coincide with right after my birthday.

I wish I had been born a week later.

Yes, my birthday was pretty much just a break to prepare for this period. It was like the universe perfectly arranged it so that I could immediately get back to work after celebrating my birthday. If I’d been born a week later, though, there was a high chance my vacation would’ve been canceled altogether.

They must really be desperate if they’re asking for my help.

It was that time of year when departments across the Empire flocked to the Ministry of Finance, so extra hands were needed. From the Minister’s perspective, the Executive Manager of the Prosecutors’ Office must be a valuable asset.

Now that I think about it, it pisses me off. I was meant for the military, but here I was, stuck dealing with the Ministry of Finance’s mess.

Damn it.

As always, half of my life’s misery was thanks to the Crown Prince.

***

I’m so fed up. I want to scrap this whole additional budget ordeal and just throw a few gold coins at them to make them go away.

However, I had to endure it. Handling budget matters carelessly would only come back to haunt me with consequences that multiplied tenfold, or even a hundredfold. I couldn’t sacrifice the future just to make things easier now.

“Minister, we would greatly appreciate your assistance.”

“I’ll review it as favorably as I can.”

With that, I mechanically repeated the same line and sent the civil servant from the Prison Department on his way.

Dammit.

I rubbed my temples as soon as the civil servant left. I hadn’t expected the Prison Department to come knocking. They were usually satisfied with their regular budget.

“We’re planning a large-scale execution of death row inmates and a prison renovation.”

Who could’ve guessed they’d come with something like that? Executions and prison renovations? How was I, an outsider, supposed to know about that?

Executing death row inmates…

My head started throbbing. These were the prisoners who, unlike traitors executed immediately after sentencing, had been rotting away in the darkest corners of the prison. To execute them all at once was no trivial matter.

Usually, rulers avoided mass executions to prevent their reign from being stained with blood. So, executions were delayed or spread out as much as possible. But now, it seemed like His Majesty was willing to proceed with them and was ready to accept the inevitable criticism. The reason was obvious.

It must be part of his abdication plan.

All of this was to pave the way for the Crown Prince’s ascension. His Majesty probably didn’t want the newly crowned Emperor to bear the stigma of ordering executions early in his reign.

The abdication I’d been dreading was becoming more and more real. Of course, it just had to happen during my time in office. Just my luck. The thought of having to bow my head for days at this age was depressing.

Knock, knock—

I frowned at the knock on the door. After the Prison Department, it must be the military next, and probably that brat in person—

“Minister, it’s me. I heard you were looking for me.”

Ah.

“Come in.”

I opened my mouth, feeling a mix of relief and annoyance. This bastard was really making things confusing.

Still, after being blindsided by the Prison Department, it was at least a relief that I didn’t have to deal with that other person right away. This one was slightly better.

“You look like you’ve had a rough time. You’ve aged ten years since I last saw you.”

Then again, maybe they were both the same.

I waved my hand at the guy who walked in while spewing nonsense. Just shut up and sit down already.

“How many have come so far?”

“The department from the Ministry of Welfare, one from the Department of Marine Affairs, Department of Culture, and the Prison Department.”

“Oh.”

Oh? What a reaction—like it was none of his business.

“Next up is the one from the Military Depa—“

The door burst open before I could even finish my sentence.

Persistent brat.

The nerve of someone opening the door to the Ministry of Finance—who was second only in rank to the Minister of the Imperial Household—without knocking. However, I could guess who it was and let out a sigh.

There was this thing called knocking which was a sophisticated, polite custom, but this half-barbarian still hadn’t learned it. It was honestly embarrassing to claim to know this person.

“I’m here. I’m not late, am I?”

In fact, I would’ve preferred it if she hadn’t come at all.

***

Without any warning, the door swung open. What the—did I not even hear a knock?

It was so unexpected that I momentarily wondered if the Crown Prince had shown up. Even the Minister of the Imperial Household, who outranked the Minister, wouldn’t barge in like this. Who could pull such a bold move?

Oh.

And then I saw the face and everything made sense. Yeah, it made sense if it was her.

“I’m here. I’m not late, am I?”

“You made it on time.”

The woman laughed at the Minister’s curt reply and waved her hand enthusiastically as she noticed me.

“Oh, the kid’s here too! How’ve you been?”

“Uh, well… just fine.”

Without a care, the Commander of the Imperial Army’s Central Forces sat beside me and casually threw her arm around my shoulder while grinning broadly.

“It’s been a year! You’ve grown a lot since I last saw you. Must be that growth spurt, huh?”

“He’s well past twenty, so there’s no such thing as a growth spurt anymore.”

Despite the Minister’s perfectly valid comment, the Commander of the Imperial Army’s Central Forces just laughed it off. She gave me a few friendly slaps on the shoulder like I was still some kid. Unfortunately, from her perspective, I probably was. If she was on par with the Minister, then as a subordinate, I must look like a rookie to her.

Compared to her, I was behind in every way—age, experience, everything. Even the fact that I helped defeat Kagan didn’t mean much.

She was the one who, alongside the Minister, played a key role in the battle where Kagan was mortally wounded. It was all thanks to her efforts that the team leaders in the 4th Division of the Prosecutors’ Office even had a chance to attempt Kagan’s defeat.

“Oh, right! I heard you’re getting married soon. Congrats! How many kids are you planning to have?”

“I’m taking it slow for now…”

“Really? Well, three kids per wife should do!”

I closed my eyes in quiet resignation, imagining the birth of FC Krasius. The Minister’s eccentricity was well-known, but this woman wasn’t far behind.

Honestly, anyone capable of wounding Kagan couldn’t be considered normal. Still, being surrounded by these maniacs made me feel like I was about to lose my own sanity.