I Am a Low-Class Aristocrat of a Perishing Country

5 – Toward the Islands (2)

IrLP placed his hand on his forehead as if to say that something had come.

“Let’s organize the titles.”

Those were the first words she uttered with the checkpoint of the Eld Empire in front of her. Ir Elfi, she added in a weary voice.

“Only my face needs to be reflected in the checkpoint. However, even in the imperial palace, you can’t just call it ‘that side’, and even if you call it a netion piece, it’s difficult.”

“I understand. It’s a name that you won’t get a good look at if you hear it.”

It was a really unfair and crazy name value. My share is worth a name worth less than a piece of toilet paper.

“It’s a little different. In the first place, their existence itself is top-secret, so they’re treated like myths or legends in the private sector.”

According to the words of Irelpi, in the private sector, I’m treated like [I don’t know what I did, but I’m a fat old aristocrat like a goblin.]

In the end, it was the first emperor who appointed the nobility of the country. Her story was that most of my evil deeds were covered up in order to prevent the decline of the imperial family’s authority.

“It’s really dirty.”

“Yes, that way.”

If it was an Ir Elfi, it was no wonder that she willingly drew her sword at the words that insulted the imperial family.

I inferred her state of mind from the sword sleeping quietly in her scabbard.

While scolding, looking at the mountain in the distance gave confidence to his guess.

“So that’s why. From now on, I’m going to call you Nettie.”

“I’m sorry, but that’s a bit dangerous in many ways.”

I am reminded of a righteous thief girl somewhere. Ir Elfi tilted her head and corrected her.

“I don’t know English. Then I’ll use Nepi.”

“That sounds like a girl’s name.”

“You’re noisy, Nefi.”

It seems that I no longer have the right to veto. Irelpi smiled brightly as if he was feeling refreshed. It would be nice to think that she gave me a shot.

We moved towards the checkpoint. I could already see a queue waiting for my turn, but Ir Elfi ignored them all and went right up to the checkpoint.

It was a soldier with a rough appearance who greeted the Irelpi. Her frown gives off a menacing aura.

“Anyone who dares not take their turn… Ugh, Marquis Justiha!?”

The man’s eyes widened, his spine straightened, and a salute came out spontaneously. The guards, who wanted to set things right, succumbed to power.

“Thank you for recognizing me. You have suffered a lot.”

‘What is this strange but familiar tone.’

Elfi tapped her guard lightly on the shoulder. Because of the large height difference between them, it was close to the feeling of reaching out.

However, far from being cute, it looked like a platoon leader was being tapped on the shoulder by the commander of the platoon.

“Ha. Ha. Hot. No!”

“So, is there anything wrong?”

“Irregularities while on duty! I will do my best to investigate!”

“I understand. But, do you think I’m awkward?”

“No!!!”

‘Please stop, IrLP!’

I mean, keep an eye on it… You damned high-ranking person! This is why he shouldn’t grow up fine from birth and hold power.

A young and beautiful but pitiful kkondae was right in front of my eyes.

“Marquis Justiha, did you enjoy the dessert tour?”

“Huh?”

I listened to the strange story. Presumably, the journey to subdue me seemed to have been misrepresented externally as a tour of dessert.

Irelfi quickly covered the man’s mouth and whispered.

“It’s a secret, so shut it up.”

It may have been whispered that I was speaking quietly, but unlike her, my hearing was already outside the realm of humans.

Even if he hadn’t heard, the man’s pale expression would have told him everything.

‘It’s like a trauma maker.’

He and she had a few more conversations. Ir Elfi quickly approached me and led me inside the checkpoint.

“It’s done. Let’s go in now.”

I was blankly thinking about the old days, and I almost lost my words in an instant.

“Yes I see…! No. Uh, yes.”

Fortunately, Ir Elfi didn’t care and moved on, and we soon arrived at , The capital of the empire.

I can’t count how many times I’ve seen this place throughout the series. In terms of game, it was wide enough to look around in 30 minutes, but this place was real.

Seeing the countless people and streets with a new structure was a melting pot of emotion in itself.

“Do you think it’s very different from Neffi’s time?”

It must have been a natural idea since a person with the name of an aristocrat was excited like a country boy.

“Nothing has changed, but the feeling is new.”

Actually, what changed while updating the series was the development of magic tools such as communication stone. It must have been a convenience patch for the game.

“Come to think of it, I have something to tell you.”

“Huh?”

“In the imperial palace, don’t say anything to anyone except me or Your Majesty. Even if you are greeted, just ignore it. If necessary, I will handle everything.”

“That’s right. It’s not difficult.”

“Thank you.”

Illelpy rarely expressed his gratitude. But at this time, she didn’t know. Before long, she realizes that all her promises and gratitude will be in vain…

“Then let’s go to the imperial palace.”

While saying that, I got the impression that the expression of IrLP who took the lead was somewhat dark.

◇

The imperial palace I arrived with Irelpi contained the scenery I had imagined.

The first thing I noticed was a red spire with a huge golden bell hanging from it. Just in time, the three of them joined forces to ring the huge bell.

We passed the garden containing all the essence of the four seasons and headed to the main palace. A golden chain, a symbol of the Eld Empire, was weaving and sealing the gate.

When Ir-Elfi touched the golden chain, the chain uncoiled like a living snake and opened the gate.

It was definitely a variety of detailed gimmicks that could not be seen in the game. When I turned my head and looked around, I felt like I was being compensated for the time I was trapped in the Great Void.

“Don’t stay idly by and follow me carefully. The main palace is a large and complex structure, so you may get lost.”

“Oh, yes.”

Around the time when I was familiar with the interior of the imperial palace to some extent while with IrLP, I brought up a personal question that had been bothering me all along.

“Irelp.”

“Yes?”

“A while ago, when I passed through the checkpoint, did I speak rudely to the guards? Where did the dignity of a nobleman go?”

IRLP replies with a tone of course.

“Because I’m a distant boss.”

“So what about me?”

“I asked what you were saying all of a sudden, so you thought I was a selective, dignified rogue?”

“Huh? Not that far…”

I thought it was optional dignity, but nothing more and nothing less. Irelfi did not interrogate and continued to speak calmly.

“The founding noble is the most prestigious position in the empire, except for His Majesty the Emperor. Even the empress cannot claim to be higher than Neffi. Neffi should know better, right?”

“Yes, of course.”

Simply put, I meant the second-in-command of the original empire. I was genuinely surprised, but I didn’t make the mistake of showing it with my expression.

“Among the privileges the first emperor gave Neffi, there is a one-time immunity privilege, right? Even if he rebels, he can be exempted from immunity just once, in a way, invincible right.”

“There was something like that…?”

I was embarrassed by the existence of a privilege that was not even written in my diary.

According to Irelpi, the 3rd emperor dispatched the first protagonist to subdue the nobility, but my resistance was so intense that I had no choice but to seal it.

Without even using the immunity.

Therefore, it was a hopeful story that if the current emperor recognized immunity from immunity, I would still be able to live as an aristocrat.

“However, there are circumstances within the imperial family, so even if it is recognized, it will take a different form.”

“Yes. I have no intention of living as an aristocrat.”

Who wants to live with the notoriety? You’d be lucky if you didn’t hit an egg while passing by.

I want to live a normal life enjoying this world.

“Your Majesty will be happy to listen if you agree to the extent of receiving a proper noble status and launder your identity.”

“That’s a good idea.”

“Anyway, Nefi’s status is very ambiguous right now. He’s a founding noble, but he’s a sinner, so it’s not easy to judge whether he’s high or low. So, for now, I respect him, but are you dissatisfied?”

As Elfi’s eyebrows narrowed, he felt the hairs on his body stand on end. The fear that he had forgotten for a while creeps up.

“…Whether or not.”

I focused on gathering information while having conversations with Irelpi. No matter what my soul was, my current shell was an aristocrat.

As an aristocrat, there is a risk that if I show an erratic side, the credibility of my claim will decrease and my value will be lowered.

While listening to various background knowledge and cautions, we were standing in front of the huge door of the audience room.

The guard guarding the door checked Ir Elfi’s face and crest and shouted at her throat.

“The Marquis of Ireelfi Justiha knows the owner of the golden chain and the Emperor of the Eld Empire!”

The door to the audience room slid open, and the dazzling interior greeted us.

The chandelier, which is so heavy that it is surprising that it does not fall, is decorated with five-colored jewels and has a charm that attracts people. All over the walls were works of art modeled after golden chains, and the red carpet was as soft as sucking the soles of your feet.

As if I was familiar with all of these things, Illelpy walked forward with dignity without even giving a glance.

It was so burdensome that I wondered if I could go in too. However, there was no one to stop me from following Ir Elfi hesitantly.

As I was shrinking and staring at it, Ir Elfi proudly reported.

“It is announced that Iru Elpi Yustiha has returned with the emperor.”

Thump!

Ir Elfi’s eyes were on the throne in front of her as she knelt down on one knee. My pupils also followed her gaze.

At that time, I experienced a distant loss of consciousness.

I was sure it was because I met the emperor’s eyes.

I don’t know why, but as soon as she met his gaze, her heart pounded convulsively and broke into a cold sweat. Her consciousness kept getting farther and farther away, and it seemed like the new model would collapse.

If the call of the Elfie had not been heard, it would have been so.

“This is in the presence of His Majesty the Emperor. Please show your respect.”

“Ah…”

I was still dazed like an idiot. However, looking at the blue lake-like eyes of Ir Elfi, it seemed that the abnormal symptoms that had just occurred were washed away.

The one who stopped me from coming to my senses and kneeling was the emperor.

“hahahaha, that’s it. I’m not a public nobleman who is one person below and above all people. It doesn’t matter if I stay as it is.”

I answered the emperor’s generous favor with the utmost courtesy.

“In the end, isn’t it going to be one person? Since that one person is in front of me, I will gladly kneel down.”

It was a gesture that I would bow down and enter. The emperor greeted them with a chuckle as if he was very happy.

“It’s really amazing to see in person the ball of the founding aristocrat, which was only handed down in records. But how come it’s quite different from what I thought?”

The Emperor looked at me with genuine interest. While I was choosing my answer, Ir Elfi opened his mouth instead.

“Thanks for saving energy. However, His Majesty, please do not forget that this person is a dangerous person.”

“Danger? It doesn’t look like that. It’s not that there’s no force, it’s that there’s no intent to kill, so I don’t think it’s going to harm…”

‘What is this feeling?’

The emperor’s accurate insight was surprising, but what bothered me more was the sense of incongruity.

If you were facing his gaze, you seemed to be revealing your inner self.

“Marquis Justiha. I don’t think the noble duke is a threat. That’s why, in recognition of immunity from immunity, I would like to give the noble duke a new name and status.”

“Your Majesty! Aren’t you in too much of a hurry?”

The Irelph is urging. But the emperor was self-righteous and radical. It’s too convenient for me.

“Let’s see… The title is about a marquis. It’s hard to give the estate right away, but you can give the mansion. You know what? The Duke’s mansion has great historical value, so it’s very well preserved.”

“Your Majesty, that mansion…!”

“What can’t be done? The owner is back, so the owner should use it.”

“Don’t you consider that there will be multiple words?”

“There is Marquis Justiha, what should I be afraid of?”

‘I admit that much…’

I forgot my face and nodded vigorously. The Emperor reacted in a funny way to me.

Ir Elfi forgot that he was in front of the emperor and trembled with his fists clenched.

I already liked the emperor because he was so delightful.

The emperor asks, looking at Ir Elfi, who is still frozen.

“Is the reason why Marquis Justiha’s dissatisfaction is that the Prince of the founding noble is a dangerous element?”

“I have a lot to say, but if I had to argue, I would.”

“Then there is a clear answer.”

The emperor corrected his posture, sat down, and spoke with dignity. The brazen smile on his face oozes out his personality as a ruler.

It was a bonus that Illelpi’s expression was more distorted than any other I’ve ever seen.

“The imperial decree is given to the Marquis of Justiha. From this moment on, I appoint the Marquis as a watchdog for the nobility of the country. The duty of watchdog does not cover day or night, so protect the security of the empire with all your loyalty.”

It was me who had seen her daily life a lot while spending more than 15 days together. But I swear, I dare not imagine a reaction like the present one.

Ir Elfi must have forgotten even her selective dignity, she openly gnashed her teeth in the emperor’s presence and squeezed her answer.

“I am… Blessed… I’m excited…!”

As I witnessed her exerting all her endurance, I knew I was about to collapse from her dizzying heart.

‘No matter how much I wanted Ir Elfi to take the trouble… This isn’t a big deal…?’

In that way, the trauma maker and my irrational joint life began.