Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy - Chapter 927



927 – A Farmer’s Daily Life – 4

The spirit who had accepted my request disappeared, then appeared shortly afterwards with a blue turtle.

Familiar colors and familiar shapes. The King of Water Spirits.

– Long time no see. How have you been?

“Yes. There were a lot of things going on, but I was doing well.”

He bowed his head respectfully to the water spirit king who raised his right foreleg and greeted him.

From the perspective of the King of Water Spirits, he was suddenly dragged out of the World Tree where he was resting comfortably. Even though I am Constantina’s benefactor and the one who brought the spirits back to the world, it can be unpleasant to have the King come and go.

But judging from the way he greeted me so calmly, it seems he wasn’t particularly upset.

– Well, that’s good. Oh, you recently became an adult, right?

“Oh, yes. It just so happened that way.”

I answered nonchalantly, but my shoulders trembled for a moment.

What the heck. It’s news that would shake the continent while the city was still alive, but does the Spirit King know about it?

– It’s not something that can be passed over with just an excuse.

“yes?”

– Raphaela explained it in great detail. Even during the religious wars, such cases were rare. Amazing.

However, when I found out why the rumor had reached the Spirit King, my heart naturally warmed.

It seems that Tricky’s maternal grandmother was delighted with her granddaughter’s good fortune as if it were her own, and bragged about it to the dark spirits of the world. If that’s the case, then it’s understandable.

No, I am beyond convinced, I am so happy. Because my granddaughter-in-law, who is lacking in many ways, has become the pride of my grandmother.

– by the way.

The Water Spirit King, who had all sorts of spirits riding on his shell while we were talking for a moment, let out a few words and turned his gaze to the national cemetery caretaker who was standing quietly behind me.

“Oh, this is the caretaker of this national cemetery.”

I quickly opened my mouth because I thought he might misunderstand me as an acquaintance.

He said that he was someone I had seen before but didn’t remember, someone who came to see me on business, someone I brought to introduce myself, and that he was just a third party, an outsider. There was no need to worry about him.

– I see.

Then the Water Spirit King nodded indifferently. Following that, the caretaker also silently bowed his head towards the Water Spirit King and stepped back further.

If there is an important conversation, he is considerate enough to have it in two people. As expected from someone in charge of the national cemetery, he has great insight.

– Do you see each other often?

“No, it’s just something I see occasionally when I come to the national cemetery?”

– Hmm, well, it would be stranger if you saw the graveyard caretaker often.

The water spirit king nodded again and strode towards me.

Every time that happens, the spirits riding on the shell cheer and laugh out loud at the vibration. It feels like watching a moving fortress.

– So, why did you call me? I am glad to see our benefactor after such a long time, but if he came to me here and not at the World Tree, then there must be a reason.

“That’s because, in fact, I have something to ask of you, the Spirit Kings.”

– Please.

At my words, the Water Spirit King’s eyes widened into crescent moons.

– That’s a happy thing to say. If it’s a favor from a benefactor, I should do it without hesitation. I felt embarrassed because I only called you my benefactor with words and never did anything for you.

“You say you didn’t do anything for me? Didn’t you give the children blessings?”

– That’s an exception because we did it because we liked it. I think it’s embarrassing to call it pure kindness.

I let out a sigh of relief as the response was more favorable than I expected.

It is true that the Spirit Kings are friendly to me, but I thought that if I were to ask for a personal favor, it would require some persuasion and bargaining. However, the Water Spirit King declared that he would accept my request before even hearing the details.

It’s touching. When a person accumulates virtue, this is what comes back to them.

– So tell me without any burden. If you need the branches of the World Tree, I will somehow compromise with Constantina─

“Don’t worry, that’s not the case.”

I hurriedly stopped the crazy turtle from going to Jindo alone.

If we leave it alone, it looks like only the poor World Tree will suffer. I just want to borrow human power—no, spirit power.

“The owner of this tombstone is the biological mother of His Majesty the Emperor. She passed away when His Majesty the Emperor was young.”

– Hmm? This tombstone? It’s too plain for a tombstone for the emperor’s biological mother.

A bitter smile naturally formed on my face at those words. Even from the mouth of a spirit who was ignorant of human funerals, something like, ‘Is this really the tomb of the Emperor’s mother?’

“There were various circumstances. However, those circumstances cannot soothe the sorrow and sadness of those who remain.”

– That’s right. No excuse can suppress the pain of someone who has lost their family.

“So, even now, as an adult, I would like to pray to ease that sorrow and sadness.”

– Hoo.

“With the great spirit kings.”

– Huh…?

The Water Spirit King blinked at the surprise drift.

You must be confused. I understand. I was also confused when I heard about the situation from the Emperor.

But if you listen to the story of Mr. Gilbert, who lost his mother at the age of 10, you will understand.

Because I did that too.

***

A count’s prayer for his mother. A saint’s prayer for the deceased.

If we publicize this and gather nobles, we can raise the authority of the imperial family. If the blessing of the saint is given to the Emperor in front of everyone, my authority as the son of the Emperor and my legitimacy, which was lacking as the son of the Empress, will also increase.

But that wasn’t the case. I had already committed a great sin by holding a simple funeral for my mother. I don’t want to use this moment of trying to decorate my mother’s last moments again, this moment of trying to cover up her pain with happiness, for political purposes.

Because I stand before my mother as Gilbert, not as Emperor Eimanca XVII. Because I don’t want to show my mother the cold-hearted emperor.

Even though it’s been a long time since my mother passed away, I still want to be a young son in front of her.

“Ah! Harabuji!”

As I was staring blankly at my mother’s tombstone, the crown princess, who had been playing with the spirits, shouted brightly.

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“Your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty. You came first.”

“Yes. I just finished work early.”

In fact, I stopped what I was doing and came here in a hurry, but I didn’t say anything that far in advance.

Even without me saying anything, he is well aware of the Emperor’s duties and routines. He must have guessed that it was because the work was really finished quickly or that he came in a hurry.

“Come on! I’m going to stay home for a while and come see Grandma!”

“Well, that’s strange.”

The situation made the Crown Princess smile faintly and patted her head.

Since his abdication, his Majesty has been gradually becoming more gentle, but perhaps because he is in front of his mother, he appears even more gentle.

For a moment, I thought, “What if you had shown that side of yourself to your mother earlier?” But I shook it off. You must have shown your feelings to your mother in a place I don’t know about. And even if you didn’t, you must be regretting it more than anyone else. In that case, it’s not something I should dare to interfere with.

And since becoming emperor, I have come to know what state of mind the situation has been with. And what decisions have been made for this empire, the royal family, and the people.

“Has Jeon Seung-gong come too?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Since His Majesty the Emperor has said that this is a place for his family, I am honored to have been invited.”

Soon, the Emperor exchanged greetings with the Empress and his father-in-law.

My father-in-law is my mother’s relative. Although he is a relative I have never met in my lifetime, isn’t that the same for the empress? That is why I cautiously called my father-in-law as well.

I would have liked to call Brother Ewald from the Duchy of Hablem, but I couldn’t bring myself to call the person in charge of the Duchy’s affairs and the Duchy of Nuren to the court, so I gave up.

“What time is it?”

I turned my head at the princess’s shout.

The Count is one of the main characters of this gathering. Without the Count, we wouldn’t even be able to pray for our mother, so in a way, he is the most important character─

‘what.’

As soon as I saw the count, I flinched.

The count always wore black clothes. He was even said to have worn black clothes during his canonization ceremony. Now, the count appeared wearing pure white clothes.

Like a noble and sublime priest.

‘Hot.’

I almost laughed when I saw the count with a strange expression on his face, as if the clothes he was wearing were completely unfamiliar to him.

At the same time, I was grateful. The Count must have been sincere in his prayers this time, so he wore those clothes. He had even worn black at his coming of age ceremony.

“Saint Charles Crassius of Tailglehen greets His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, His Imperial Majesty the Empress, and His Imperial Majesty the Situation.”

The count, who had been walking briskly, bowed his head toward us.

Introducing himself as Saint Karl, not the head of the Crassius family or Count Tylglehen.

As the count stood before the tombstone, only silence lingered. The lively crown princess also read the mood, her eyes sparkling but her mouth tightly shut.

And the prayer that began in silence was nothing special. The count recited the prayer in a serious voice, and mentioned his mother’s accomplishments and character while she was alive, telling Enen how good and wonderful the deceased was.

It was a plain procedure, but the person performing the procedure was not plain. A living adult was directly informing Enen of his mother’s goodness.

‘mother.’

I almost cried without realizing it. I was finally able to give my mother, who had not been able to have a proper funeral because of the evil Old Ashlon family, the proper treatment she deserved.

Even if it’s a send-off with only family, it’s okay. Even if it’s a prayer led by one adult, it’s okay.

Because this prayer is much better than a funeral with only the bare minimum of formalities just because of a minor writer.

‘hmm?’

The area around the praying count began to ripple.

Soon, four beasts emerged from the air: a red eagle, a blue turtle, a green tiger, and a yellow snake.

‘Spirit King?’

Although he was taken aback by the appearance of the unexpected guest, the count continued praying regardless.

“Enen! Gracious and great Lord of Heaven! Your saints, the kings of this world, beseech you! Please take pity on your servant Seleden, the poor soul who stands before you!”

– The King of the Burning Flames asks Enen to please embrace this poor soul with warmth.

– The king of flowing water asks Enen to guide lost souls to paradise.

– The King of the Scattered Winds asks Enen to gently touch the frightened soul.

– The King of the Embracing Earth asks Enen to strengthen the souls that have arrived at their new place.

To be exact, he continued to pray with the spirit kings.

Poor souls, lost souls, frightened souls, souls who have arrived in new places.

“Ugh.”

It’s strange. It was just a polite remark, but it hit me so hard. It felt like it was going to tear my heart apart.

But I didn’t hate it. The poor soul would be warmly embraced, the lost soul would go to paradise, the frightened soul would be gently consoled, and they would settle down well in their new destination.

Yeah, I’m sure that’s true.

“Khuh… Huh…”

I covered my eyes for a moment.

I’m so glad that it’s just family time.