Price of Management

However, if you want me to have a very strong point of blood and flesh, you can't do it. I'm not a wise man.

… hmm? Not necessarily.

Come to think of it, I'm 92 years old.

There's an old man's wisdom, and I know the future, and I've experienced death.

Thanks to you, I also have some eyes to see the world, so maybe I'm a wise person......

“Caroc.”

My brother called me because I was wandering in the sea of delusions.

“Caroc, are you there? ”

Then I woke up in a hurry.

“Yes? I'm sorry, sir. I had another thought for a moment. ”

“Tsk, wake up and listen! The royal personage is an enormous figure. Marquis Duron, who was the national treasurer last year! ”

For a moment I doubted my ears.

“Yes? Warden Duron? ”

“Yes.”

“Huh……. ”

I couldn't help but be surprised to hear that name.

I'm well aware of the late Duron.

How could I not know? He's a great man, and a man of history!

Marquis Philippe Duron.

Last Chance in the Kingdom of Leaden!

He was revered for his discerning judgment and prudent conduct as the home of the illustrious Royal Noble Priestess, Earl Duron.

Without a desire for power, he left his family to his son and stepped down from the front line. One eye on the crowd, Eric, who is amazing, asked him to come and lead the royal regime as a Chancellor.

The reigning Duron, inevitably reluctant to Erik's persistent request, has a deep and inexperienced relationship with King Erik.

Unfortunately, he is the last image of the Kingdom of Leaden and is recorded in history. It was the result of a massive invasion of the Horn Empire.

King Erik was killed in the war and King Leaden was captured by the Horn Empire.

Duke Duron defends the royal court alone, without escaping. When the Horn Empire invaded the palace, he was secretly guarding the palace treasury. As the soldiers raise their spears to catch him, he grunts.

“Even if my country falls, I must do my job as long as my people remain! It'll be over soon, so just wait! ”

He stood up and became a prisoner without resistance only after completing the last paperwork.

The young emperor of the Horn Empire, who admired the mystery, tried to equip him, but was rejected by the dagger.

“I am the Chancellor of the Kingdom of Leaden. I will never bow down to you, the King's enemy. So just kill me. ”

“Hmm, I don't like that. I'm just gonna let you live. ”

The emperor was very fond of being Lord Duron, so he just let him go. Immediately after leaving the palace, however, Duke Duron paid for failing to defend his country by committing suicide.

His willingness and loyalty have been widely known for impressing many, even after that. He's a great guy. If I were you, I'd surrender coldly and become a servant of the Horn Empire... Hmm!

Once upon a time, a great man, written in the history books, is now coming here to meet me.

Gosh... It's such an honor!

“Then, should we prepare a banquet right now? ”

“No. The baroness sent me a letter saying he wants me to spend the banquet for the people of the realm because I'm going back to visit quietly." ”

Oh, I knew it. I admire you. I admire you!

I was very excited to be able to meet him who had only heard the words.

* * *

A week later.

The reigning King Philip Duron has arrived here at Kunt Castle.

Our father, Arthur, and I came out to meet Marquis Duron with the three brothers and sisters.

It was natural for an adult who became the head of the royal family to have this much respect for the country's treasure.

“The Viceroy is here! ”

“It's an honor to meet you. ”

Duke Duron nods, smiling helplessly at our greetings.

“Thank you for welcoming this old man so much. Come on, don't do this here. Let's go. It's been a long time since I've traveled this far. ”

“Yes, we'll take you. The mansion is stocked with accommodations, meals, and baths for the Viceroy. ”

The late Duron nods at his father's words. He came by wagon comfortably, but he was still in his late 60s, so he must have had a hard journey.

Earl Duron took a bath that day and had dinner with my family. After finishing his meal, he enjoyed tea time with his father and brother and talked about it.

I was the objective of Duke Duron's visit, but my first day failed.

It is because it would be rude to visit this land and leave the lord's father and his heir, Arthur, alone.

Since he's such a magnanimous monarch, a trivial courtesy should be ignored, but Duke Duron did not lose his humility and courtesy to the end. However, his meticulousness alone was enough to earn his respect.

The next day.

It wasn't until the second day that Earl Duron and I became tyrants.

I was invited to join me for a glass of wine, and I gladly found a place to stay for the late Duron that evening.

“Finally you two can talk quietly. ”

I also nod, smiling at the words of Warden Duron.

“It is a dream that you will be wise and humble, and that you will become a tyrant with the esteemed Lord. ”

“I take it this old man didn't live in vain. ”

Duke Duron was frankly pleased with my compliments.

“Can I expect how good wine you have? ”

“Of course. I brought all the good stuff from the Royal Liquor Depot. Ah, a great pearl like Queens Blood, the king and two knights were consumed by it, but the pearl is nothing compared to it. ”

“Haha!”

I burst into laughter. Two knights would be Earl Graham of the Royal Knights and Earl Randall Spay of the Vice Principal.

I must have drunk all the wine I had enhanced by Wounded in the past year.

Later, the wine that Count Duron presented was white wine. On the outside of a beautifully polished glass bottle was a lace Britain.

“Wow, Lace Britain. ”

Race Britain was a figure about 200 years ago, the home of the Duke of Britain, a renowned monarch of the Orient Kingdom. As an alcoholic, he was a sociopath who devoted his heart to making the best wine.

After a long study, he developed the finest winemaking methods and named himself after the wine.

Wine race Britain has lost its continental reputation, and the Duke of Britain has become widely known for his wine, so he may have to laugh or cry. The Duke of Britain is still reminded of this fantastic white wine.

“It's not a bottle. ”

The Duke of Duron showed a basket underneath the table. The square basket contained about a dozen bottles of wine.

“His Majesty has sent word of a new order. What kind of magic did you cast on the wine? ”

“Hahaha, you'll see soon enough. ”

I summoned Wounded.

Wounded in the air, as always, kissed instead.

The Duke of Duron is greatly impressed by the appearance of the cute Woundee.

“Huh, this is a spirit. Can I touch it? ”

“Yes, it won't open. ”

“Haha!”

Duke Duron strokes Wounded's head with a big smile on my jokes.

Undyne was not as happy as I was when I stroked her, but she smiled.

“I'm glad to see such a cute spirit. I have six grandchildren with two sons, but they're not cute at all because they're all grown up. I wish I had a granddaughter like this. ”

Earl Duron's words seem genuine.

I had the wrong idea that if Earl Duron had a cute granddaughter like Woundee, he would have given up his retirement and not accepted his tenure. I'm glad none of his grandchildren are cute, King Erik.

“Woundee. Can you make all the wine here taste good?" ”

The cute Woundee nods and reaches for Lace Britain.

The white wine in the bottle spins.

In addition, more than a dozen bottles of wine in the basket also exerted their strength to enhance their taste. Bring me that and King Eric and the two royal knights will love it.

- It's done.

“Thank you, Woundee. ”

In my compliment, Woundee gives her head in a frenzy. I stroked her with a smile. But Woundee looks at me with a face that is still lacking. Aha! I gave Wounded a little kiss on his forehead. Then Woundee returned with great joy.

“That's so cute. ”

“It's the joy of my life. My dream is to retire someday and play around with the spirits. ”

“Haha.”

Duke Duron looks at me with a sincere envy. Such a peaceful retirement was originally his dream.

“I want to live like that. I'm so tired of living here because I'm a martyr... I think there are plenty of talented young men to replace this useless old man. ”

Duke Duron stares at me and says,

“Like you. ”

I was flawed.

As expected, King Erik has not abandoned his desire to be at peace with me.

“Would a simple merchant like me be a snake for Lord Duron? Such excessive words are burdensome. ”

“Is it gymnastics or specifications? I highly value your abilities. I am especially surprised by your proposal to down-freeze the passage between the Orient Kingdom and the Horn Empire, which is controlled by the Siege. It was an amazing strategy coming out of a 20-year-old's head. ”

“ ……. ”

“Let me ask you something. What do you think is the biggest issue with our current Kingdom of Leaden? ”

“Well…. ”

I took a shit. I was afraid that if I talked about it, I would be raised by another great talent.

However, my false attitude did not avoid the sharp sledges of the late Duron.

“Don't pretend you don't know. Imagine how many times the young king has visited this old man who waited for the day he died. ”

“…… I don't have enough talent. ”

“That's it. His Majesty doesn't have enough reliable talent. Outside, the aftermath of the martial arts is overwhelming, and inside the palace are the remains of the two dead princes and the last remnants of the post-martial arts. There are some who use excuse for your young age and immature experience. ”

This meant that King Erik had not yet taken complete control of the kingdom.

In order for him to rule the kingdom, he had to seat the talented people following him in the royal duties. Only then can the kingdom be exercised with free materials.

I decided to sigh and tell you the truth.

“My lords. I'm afraid.”

“What do you mean? ”

“I fear that my abilities will not meet your expectations, and that I will not be able to withstand storms from all sides when I stand in the midst of power. I just want to live as a merchant. I want to make money, I want to spend it on good things, I want to live a happy life. ”

“What is happiness? ”

Duke Duron suddenly asks.

“I think it's a life where I can live without worrying and satisfy myself. ”

“No.”

Earl Duron has spoken.

“It's not happiness, it's free. Living without worries is a continuum of monotony where there is no tension. It just feels so pointless. ”

“ ……. ”

“You'll regret it when you die. Did I do my best? In fact, I thought I could do more. It's only when you put all your energy and passion into your life that you feel the value of the peace you speak of. ”

I lost my words.

because he was absolutely right.

In retrospect, I lived my life as a merchant through all kinds of trials and problems. That is why I was able to face death with no regrets when I was old.

Now it turns out I was mistaken.

Now I'm not an old man over the age of 90. He is a 20-year-old boy who has been given a chance at a new life.

But I lived only thinking about the young days of my past life.

It was hard to see that I was making a lot of money right now as a result of my hard work. I only succeeded because I know the future.

When I live my life like this, do I not regret it?

Am I just afraid of living out of my previous life experience?

When I was thinking complex thoughts, the late Duron said again.

“And you said you had doubts about your abilities? Then I would rate you for living in politics for a long time. ”

I was nervous about that.

What rating would he give me in his previous life?