After receiving my appointment as the Imperial Prince Minister of Justice in the audience hall and the morning assembly was dismissed, I headed straight for the Ministry of Justice.
The Ministry of Justice building stood on the street just beyond the Ministry of Military Affairs.
Having assisted Brother Henry, it was a building I had caught glimpses of every morning on my way to work.
Word of my appointment had apparently already arrived; when I entered the Ministry of Justice grounds and stepped down from the carriage, dozens of officials were waiting for me, bowing in unison with practiced precision.
Only one middle-aged man in the center did not bow his head; instead, he stepped forward, dropped to one knee, and paid his respects.
"We have been eagerly awaiting your arrival, Your Highness the Wise Imperial Prince."
"I take it you've already heard the news."
"Of course, Your Highness."
"Then guide me to my office. We'll do the briefing there... What's your name?"
"I am Vinnie Augie. I have been appointed as the Vice Minister of Justice."
"The number two, then."
The vice minister was the post directly beneath the minister, responsible for overseeing administrative operations.
To my eye, Vinnie looked to be just past forty.
Reaching this position at that age meant he was quite the high flyer.
Guided by Vinnie, I entered the Ministry of Justice building and was led straight to the minister's office.
The office was structured similarly to the one at the Ministry of Military Affairs, allowing me to feel at home the moment I walked through the door.
I sat in the minister's chair and faced Vinnie one-on-one.
"Now then, what are my duties here at the Ministry of Justice? A rough summary of my daily schedule will do for now."
"Yes, Your Highness. The Ministry of Justice oversees all the courts throughout the Empire and also serves as the venue where trials within the imperial capital are conducted. As you know, the capital is home to many nobles, and in cases such as the recent rebellion—"
Vinnie paused mid-sentence and looked at me.
He seemed to know that I had been involved in the rebellion in Almeria six years ago.
"It is customary for those guilty of grave crimes such as rebellion or high treason to be brought to the imperial capital, where they are judged by the Ministry of Justice or directly by His Majesty himself."
"I see. In other words, this place also functions as an ordinary court on a daily basis?"
"Precisely, Your Highness."
Vinnie bowed politely.
Well, I already knew that much.
I still had the memories of my previous life, after all.
So, relying on those memories, I cut straight to the heart of the matter.
"Do you pass judgment as well?"
"On occasion."
"How much do you take in bribes?"
"...I would never—"
"Save it."
I held out a hand, cutting Vinnie off.
"I didn't ask to interrogate you. I want to know the reality of the situation. Whatever I hear in this room, I'll forget the moment I walk out. Speak truthfully."
"...As expected of Your Highness, the 'Wise' Imperial Prince."
Vinnie bowed deeply from the waist before speaking.
"I am among those who take very little. Annually... it amounts to perhaps several hundred Rien."
"Hmm."
"I have my standards, you see. Those beneath me who lack such scruples likely receive ten times that amount."
"What kind of standards?"
"I never accept bribes in murder cases."
"Why?"
"Because the plaintiff's grudge makes exposure likely, and should I become the target of their vengeance, it would be irreversible. I only take modest sums for suitable cases—disputes that could reasonably go either way."
"Hmm."
I took a piece of paper from the minister's desk and scribbled something down.
Then, I tossed the paper to Vinnie.
"This is..."
"Assuming it's five hundred a year, I'll give you ten times that—five thousand. Put a stop to that sort of thing for as long as I am here. I intend to live up to His Majesty's expectations. Lend me your strength."
"..."
Vinnie's eyes went wide, frozen in place, but before long, the meaning of my words seemed to sink in.
"Now I understand why His Majesty bestowed the title of 'Wise' upon Your Highness at the age of six and appointed you as the Imperial Prince Minister of Justice."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I am in awe of your approach. Truly magnificent."
Vinnie handed the note back to me and bowed deeply.
"I have no need for extra coin, and I shall accept no further bribes. Please, allow me to work for Your Highness's sake."
Normally, one would doubt the sincerity of such words.
――――――――――――
Name: Noah Ararat
Imperial Prince Minister of Justice
Gender: Male
Level: 1 / ∞
HP: F+F | Fire: F
MP: F+F | Water: E+S
Strength: F+E | Wind: F
Stamina: F+F | Earth: F
Intelligence: F+E | Light: F
Spirit: F+F | Dark: F
Speed: F+F
Dexterity: F+F
Luck: F+F
――――――――――――
In the corner of my vision, the "+" modifiers for MP and Intelligence on my status screen had gone up.
My unique ability caused the values after the "+" to rise as my subordinates increased.
At the very least, at this moment, I knew Vinnie genuinely wanted to work for me, just as he had declared.
☆
That night, at the Eighth Imperial Prince's mansion—Brother Oscar's estate.
While I was being briefed on various matters at the Ministry of Justice, a messenger from Brother Oscar arrived, saying he had arranged a banquet at his estate to celebrate my appointment and asking me to come.
Having no reason to refuse, I wrapped up my briefing and headed over.
Brother Oscar had set up the banquet in his garden.
With hundreds of lanterns lit, the garden was so bright it looked like broad daylight.
The main table sat in the center, while a small orchestra played a short distance away.
I was the only guest invited, but Brother Oscar had spared no expense in coin or personnel.
"Thank you, Brother. I don't even know how to thank you for celebrating on such a grand scale."
"I'm delighted as well, after all. In the fifty years of His Majesty's reign, this is only the second time an imperial prince has been appointed minister. And since it's you, Noah, we have all the more reason to celebrate... wouldn't you say?"
"Thank you."
After toasting with Brother Oscar, the servants of the Eighth Imperial Prince's estate brought out dish after dish.
They didn't place the food on the table, however.
About twenty servants, each holding a large platter with a different dish, formed a wide circle around our table.
Then, they began walking in a continuous loop.
It was a traditional imperial banquet style.
If you saw a dish you liked among the circulating platters, you called the servant over, and they would portion it onto a small plate for you.
Otherwise, they would keep circling around us, carrying and displaying the dishes the entire time.
"Still, this is truly a joyous occasion!"
"You think so?"
"Hm? What's the matter, Noah? You've got a strange look on your face. Is something bothering you?"
"I was just wondering why His Majesty suddenly started appointing imperial prince ministers one after another."
"Isn't that... simply because he dotes on you, Noah?"
Oscar said with a teasing smile.
It was certainly possible to view it that way.
Brother Henry had been appointed Minister of Military Affairs because he quelled the rebellion in my fief, Almeria.
And now, I was appointed Minister of Justice myself.
One could argue that he was showing favoritism and pampering me.
But... was that truly all there was to it?
"Is there something on your mind?"
Oscar set down his half-finished drink and looked straight at me.
"As you well know, Brother, the Empire once stood on the brink of ruin. After its restoration, the entire imperial system underwent massive reforms."
"Ah, yes. Before then, no one did anything except the Crown Prince. The other princes merely indulged in luxury and spent their days idling away. As a result, everyone aside from the Crown Prince—who had studied state affairs to succeed the throne—was utterly incompetent, which nearly destroyed the Empire."
"Because of that, under the current system, whenever an imperial prince is born, he is granted a fief and raised with a proper education."
I said, and Oscar nodded in agreement.
Having reviewed the Empire's background—the premise, so to speak—Oscar asked:
"What about it?"
"Don't you think the current situation is taking that one step further?"
"...No way!?"
Oscar jumped in sheer shock, knocking his chair over as he stood up.
The circling ring of servants holding the dishes came to a halt, and the orchestra stopped playing.
Amidst the silence, Oscar stared intently at me.
"A replacement... for the Crown Prince?"
"I don't know. It might be, or it might not. If His Majesty is merely doting on me, then there's no issue."
"...That's true."
Oscar righted his chair with the help of a servant, sat back down, and gave a faint, bitter smile.
"Surely such a thing couldn't..."
"Your Highness."
A servant dressed like a butler approached, interrupting Oscar.
The man whispered something into Oscar's ear, causing Oscar's expression to change.
After a moment, having finished his report, the butler quietly withdrew.
"What is it, Brother?"
"It's just as you said. You're incredible, Noah."
"Huh?"
"It's information from a eunuch I keep on my payroll. Apparently, in tomorrow's morning assembly, I will be appointed as the Imperial Prince Minister of Finance."
The air froze.
Both Oscar and I were left speechless.
Oscar's ministerial appointment.
That clearly exceeded the scope of merely doting on me.
"For now..."
"Huh?"
"Let's toast to celebrating your appointment, and to your sharp foresight."
Oscar said.
I shifted gears as well and raised a glass to toast with him.
☆
Around the time Oscar and Noah were holding their somewhat subdued celebration...
On the rooftop of the imperial palace, in a garden roughly twenty meters above the ground...
Within the hanging gardens that were the pride of the Empire, two elderly men stood together.
One was the supreme authority of the Empire, the Emperor.
The other was his longtime confidant, who had overseen various state affairs both in the light and from the shadows—the First Prime Minister.
The Emperor gazed up at the moon in the hanging garden, while the First Prime Minister respectfully read out a report behind him.
"—A total of one hundred and sixty-seven individuals, including Keats, have been apprehended."
"Their confession?"
"They intended to force Your Majesty to abdicate and assume the title of Retired Emperor, paving the way for the Crown Prince's accession—precisely matching the pretext we uncovered beforehand."
"I see. A reign of fifty years, forty-five years as Crown Prince... He can wait no longer, it seems."
"Keep in mind, there is not a shred of evidence that His Highness the Crown Prince was directly involved—nor will any likely be found."
In the light and from the shadows.
The First Prime Minister presented both the facts and his counsel as a confidant.
"I am well aware. That is why I shall do nothing to Albert. We will execute this Keats fellow, and that will be the end of it."
"..."
The First Prime Minister said nothing.
He never uttered an unnecessary word before the Emperor.
He always strove for impartiality and never overstepped his bounds.
That was the single greatest reason he had served as First Prime Minister for over twenty-five of the Emperor's fifty-year reign.
"What of the matter regarding leaking Oscar's appointment?"
"Just moments ago, I dispatched the eunuch who regularly receives pocket money from His Highness. It appears His Highness had already deduced the situation."
"Oh?"
"I am told Prince Noah was present as well."
"Oho..."
The gloomy expression on the Emperor's face brightened.
"Does that mean Noah saw through my intentions?"
"Indeed. Such was the report from the eunuch assigned to the Eighth Imperial Prince's estate."
"Heh, as expected. Impressive as always, Noah."
The Emperor smiled excitedly, looking just like a doting father who adored his child.
However, that lasted for only a fleeting moment.
With no children present and alone with his confidant, the Emperor's face immediately reverted to his usual imperial countenance.
"Gilbert is unfit, Albert is unfit..."
"..."
"Who will it be? Who is worthy to succeed me? Henry? Oscar? Noah?"
"..."
"It matters not who. Let them overcome the trials I set before them."
As a father, the Emperor was lenient.
Yet above all else, he was a man who possessed the unyielding strictness of a sovereign.