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A marquis was the second-highest rank among the five noble ranks. Although it stood just below a Duke, which might give it a feeling of being second best, a Marquis was still an incredibly powerful position that could command not only the lower nobles like viscounts and barons but even counts.

Moreover, since there had only been five dukes throughout the empire’s 300-year history, the marquis was essentially the practical ceiling for imperial nobles. In other words, it was the dream position that every imperial noble aspired to have.

And where there was ambition, there was also fierce competition.

It’s not guaranteed like the duke’s positions, after all.

There had only ever been five Dukes— the five founding heroes who played a decisive role in establishing the Empire. Their families alone may bear the title, ensuring that no matter how incompetent a duke might be, they would forever remain a duke.

And conversely, no matter how competent a marquis was, they could never become a duke. It was the Imperial family’s way of honoring those who laid the foundation of the Empire.

But there was no such thing for marquises. An incompetent Marquis could be swiftly replaced, while a talented one could rise through the ranks just as quickly. Charitably put, it was a meritocracy; frankly speaking, it was a cutthroat battlefield. At its worst, four marquis families changed in a single year.

One was pushed out recently, too.

I looked down at the white seal in my hand. Just a few years ago, this seal had an owner.

However, that owner excessively crossed the line set by the Emperor, and in the end, the seal was confiscated, reducing the number of imperial marquises from 13 to 12.

“When the Great Emperor established the Mandate of Heaven, he honored those who gathered under the banner of Kefellofen, bestowing titles befitting their stature. The Marquisate was granted to those who led vast and powerful forces.”

“It was possible because the Great Emperor’s virtue covered the world.”

I instinctively responded to the Emperor’s words, but... in truth, the empire was nothing more than a patchwork alliance in its early days of founding.

In other words, the marquises of that time were closer to allies or warlords than the Emperor’s subordinates. Of course, they were merely subjects hoping for the Emperor’s grace now.

“As the Executive Manager says, the Great Emperor’s virtue was enough to cover the world. And because his benevolence was as deep as the sea, the Great Emperor respected the authority of the marquises and limited their number to thirteen.”

That was a poetic way of saying, ‘Managing more than thirteen would have been a nightmare.’ And so, thirteen became the standard, a tradition that endured for three centuries. Thus, the imperial marquis seals also became thirteen. It was a hard limit neither to be surpassed nor decreased.

“And yet, as the Emperor who inherited his will, I have failed to uphold that number. Is this not a grievous failing of my own?”

“Your Majesty’s retrieval of the marquis seal was for the sake of the Mandate of Heaven and the empire. The Great Emperor would have been pleased to see Your Majesty’s noble decision.”

But this marquis position had been vacant for two years. Not just a temporary vacancy, but for a whole two years.

Competent and influential counts definitely eyed the position, but they restrained themselves knowing that this vacancy was left by Asilon’s destruction. Coveting the marquis position that the Emperor withdrew even by destroying his in-laws seemed quite treasonous. They might fall down while aiming for the top.

“To have a vassal like you, I am truly a fortunate Emperor. And yet, leaving one of the Great Emperor’s thirteen seats vacant for so long is a failure of my own virtue.”

Anyway, the reason the Emperor was saying this while taking out the marquis’s seal was obvious. It was to fill the thirteenth position that had been left empty for two years.

For now, there was no chance I’d become the thirteenth. The nobles were already unsettled when I received a Count title, and now receiving a marquis title as the heir to an Imperial Count family? Even nobles suppressed by imperial authority would likely have a riot. There would be many nobles grabbing my collar, asking why I was taking it.

And fortunately, this thirteenth seal already had an owner decided.

“Perhaps someone from the North could fill Asilon’s thirteenth seat.”

The Minister’s words from the assembly order came back to me.

Right, this marquis title was for the North, not for an imperial noble. More precisely, it would go to the most useful and loyal tribal chief among the northern tribes.

“The vast North will also be embraced by the empire. Then, the nomads should rightfully become imperial citizens, and the imperial family should prepare to embrace them.”

After saying that, the Emperor went silent for a moment before speaking again.

“Executive Manager.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You must represent my will and embrace the North.”

I bowed deeply at those words.

The marquis seal in my hand felt heavy. If the Emperor had handed over even the seal to me, he must have finished his own calculations. Now, I just needed to contact the tribal chief the Emperor had in mind and deliver this seal—

“I’ll leave the owner of the seal to the Executive Manager’s discretion. Pass it on to whoever you deem worthy.”

?

Huh?

My discretion?

I had to decide who would receive the imperial marquis’s seal? Not just giving it to someone designated by the Emperor?

“Y-Your Majesty. I humbly report that my judgment doesn’t even reach Your Majesty’s toes, so I dare not accept this order.”

First, I knelt and put the seal on the floor. I wasn’t sure if those words were sincere or a sudden loyalty test, but I needed to deflect for now.

I might have gone along with it if it were a count title, which had no limited seats. However, this was one of only thirteen marquis titles in the empire. Entrusting that to the discretion of a mere civil servant rather than the Emperor’s will? That’s crazy.

“I cannot see the northern tribal chiefs directly. No matter how many reports come up, they’re just words. Only the Executive Manager can see them directly and judge.”

The Emperor picked up the seal I had placed on the floor and personally put it in my hand.

“Do not be afraid. Trust your judgment. Whoever you choose will be the marquis, and I will acknowledge that choice.”

I could feel my pupils shaking at those words.

He was implying that the imperial family would support that tribal chief to make them worthy of being a marquis even if I passed the seal to someone unfit for a marquis, so I shouldn’t worry.

Shit.

It became even more burdensome. No civil servant in their right mind could stay calm after receiving this level of trust from the highest decision-maker. This level of trust was so heavy it was crushing.

“...I will certainly repay Your Majesty’s great trust.”

Of course, there was no escaping now once the situation had come to this.

Starting today, I was the Empire’s marquis-maker.

Just before leaving the office, I was also told to give count titles to a few decent tribal chiefs as well. Were count titles pebbles to be scattered around like this?

I guess they are.

After all, unlike the strictly limited Marquisate, there was no fixed number of Counts. Handing out a few more wouldn’t make much of a dent.

From today on, I was also a pebble-maker.

***After confirming the Executive Manager had left, I sat down. Maybe it was because I was getting older, but even a short face-to-face meeting was enough to make me tired.

But despite the fatigue in my body, my mind was clear. Everything was falling into place.

There’s no need to worry about the distribution of titles.

When I entrusted the marquis seal to the Executive Manager and mentioned the count titles, what showed on the Executive Manager’s face was bewilderment and burden. There was no sign of any greed or calculation.

Had he been like most nobles, he would have immediately considered how to use this authority for personal gain.

He’s a blessing to the Empire.

But the Executive Manager wasn’t like that. He didn’t think about self-interest and focused solely on the mission itself.

There were only a few nobles who could be entrusted with any task, and even fewer who focused only on the mission without any ulterior motives.

And the fact that he was so young—and already closely tied to the Crown Prince—was a stroke of fortune. We wouldn’t have our hands tied due to a lack of talent if we handled the Executive Manager properly.

The existence of a trusted confidant was important. Even I wouldn’t have made it this far without the Minister of the Imperial Household.

...Truly a great fortune.

I set my thoughts aside and was reaching for the next document when my head throbbed.

This again.

A slight frown crept across my face.

No matter how I tried to ignore it, age would not be denied. A martial artist who had reached the pinnacle could live a long life with a youthful appearance despite their age, but I was just an ordinary person who was far from a martial artist.

Moreover, I haven’t lived a particularly peaceful life, so it was inevitable that my body would take a toll.

I just need to endure a little longer.

I let out a small sigh and picked up the documents.

Yes, just a little longer. My mission would be over once we removed the troubles in the North and appointed the soon-to-be-born imperial grandchild as the Crown Prince. Only then could I pass on the throne to the Crown Prince after doing everything I could.

So, I must endure. For the Mandate of Heaven, and for the imperial family.

For the Empire and its people.

***It had been several days since I received the Emperor’s surprise gift.

At first, I felt conflicted every time I looked at the seal sleeping peacefully in my chest pocket, but I got used to it as time passed. It was to the point where I worried I might accidentally take out the marquis seal when I needed to use the Executive Manager’s official seal.

Should I just pretend to be crazy and use it?

The thought crossed my mind for a moment. Wouldn’t the Emperor take it back if I just used the marquis’s seal recklessly?

...The problem was that he might take my head along with it.

Damn it.

I sighed while massaging the back of my neck.

No, I hadn’t actually gotten used to it. Who could ever get used to carrying something so far beyond their authority? The highest title I’d ever imagined dealing with was a Countship—that was my limit.

But the Emperor had thrown the marquis seal into my hands right after burdening me with multiple countships. His trust was so heavy that I felt like crying.

At my discretion, he says.

So, I made a resolution. I had no idea which bastard would end up catching my eye, but I would immediately throw the seal at them once I found someone even remotely suitable. I’d make them the empire’s first nomad noble and nomad marquis.

They would bear it with duty and sacrifice even if they never wanted the title or even if they tried to refuse.

...Then, who should I give the count titles to?

The marquis was just one person, but I’d have to appoint at least six counts.

I think I’m about to go crazy.