Christoph, who had quelled the disturbance at the branch, immediately returned to his office in the castle to confirm the matter of the notification.
While he instructed his retainers to confirm the notification, he troubled over how to deal with Remeshov.
In the meantime, the retainer who had gone to confirm the status of the notification returned after investigating the rumors currently circulating among the nobles to some extent.
Although further investigation would be necessary to grasp the situation accurately, knowing the perceptions of even a few people was sufficient.
Upon hearing his retainer’s report, Christoph found the results to be as he had expected.
After contemplating what to do, Christoph decided to set a general policy before meeting with his father, the King.
Since some time had passed since his return to the castle, it was unlikely he could secure a meeting today.
He decided to meet the following day, after confirming his father the King’s schedule.
***
The next day.
At his family’s breakfast table, he officially arranged to meet the King after inquiring about an available time.
Although they were father and son, since their discussion involved administrative matters, their roles were strictly that of superior and subordinate.
Official matters were clearly distinguished from family time.
Christoph was grateful as he also did not wish to discuss work during family time.
“So? What is this you wanted to talk about?” Assar asked directly, without any unnecessary preamble.
Since Christoph had mentioned the Crown Branch during breakfast, Assar likely had some understanding.
Moreover, yesterday’s disturbance had undoubtedly been reported to the King.
“Yes. It concerns yesterday’s incident, and I have some proposals for improvement.”
“I’m listening.”
At Assar’s brief response, Christoph nodded once before continuing.
“First, I’ll discuss the disposition of Count Remeshov later. However, I believe that if the root cause is not addressed, similar incidents will occur again.”
“Oh?”
“Regarding the notification about the Teleport Gate at the Crown Branch, it seems it has not been accurately conveyed to the nobles.”
Assar frowned at Christoph’s words.
“What do you mean?”
“It seems they misunderstand that while ordinary people cannot use the Teleport Gate, those with positions and responsibilities can.”
In short, they believe that nobles can use it, but commoners cannot.
The Smit Country, which desperately needed the Teleport Gate for the delivery of goods from the Crown, had swallowed whole the conditions presented by the Crown side.
Those conditions stipulated that only those permitted by the Crown and those permitted by the Smit Country could use the Teleport Gate.
This alone would be a normal condition, but the stipulation that only permitted individuals could use it was the tricky part.
To use the Teleport Gate, a magic tool card was required.
To issue this card, permission from the Crown side was absolutely necessary.
In other words, if the Crown continued to refuse, there would be no one in the Smit Country who could use the Teleport Gate.
Furthermore, no one currently possessed such a card.
This was an untenable situation for normal interstate trade, as merchants from the Crown side were using the Teleport Gate for transporting goods.
Of course, there was a reason for this situation.
Assar let out a deep sigh upon hearing the current rumors circulating among the nobles.
“Is that what’s being said… What are the civil officials doing?”
Multiple civil officials had attended the negotiations with the Crown.
It was impossible for the King alone to manage all aspects of the negotiation.
“Whether they are intentionally ignoring it or have noticed the rumors spreading among the nobles, it’s undeniable that it’s being neglected.”
“…This is a headache.”
“I agree. Well, regardless of the civil officials’ actions, we must address the current situation. I request that you issue another notification in the King’s name.”
“Indeed. That would be for the best.”
Assar nodded at Christoph’s proposal.
The current notification had been issued in Christoph’s name.
However, by issuing it in Assar’s name, the intention was to re-disseminate the information and, by having the King issue it, to emphasize its importance.
“From what you’ve told me, I can somewhat guess the cause of yesterday’s incident, but what about the punishment?”
Following agreement on the notification matter, the discussion turned to Remeshov’s disposition.
Although Christoph was about to bring it up, Assar spoke first.
“Regarding Count Remeshov, he will be made a resident official.”
“A resident official?!”
Typically, a resident official refers to someone like a diplomat stationed abroad.
They are responsible for conveying their country’s intentions to other nations and hold a high-ranking position.
For Remeshov, a mid-ranking noble, this could be considered a promotion.
However, Assar, showing surprise, pondered for a moment before smirking.
“I see, so that’s how it is. It might indeed be a suitable punishment for this incident.”
Assar, having fully understood Christoph’s intent, had a retainer bring forth a document.
This was an order form that could be issued by the King, and no one within the country could refuse its instruction.
Christoph, receiving the order form with the King’s signature and seal on the spot, concluded his meeting with Assar and headed to his own office.
***
On his way to his office, Christoph summoned Remeshov and waited while organizing documents.
Without much delay, Remeshov arrived.
Given yesterday’s events, he was likely anticipating being summoned.
His somber expression suggested he already knew he was to be punished.
Sensing that no preamble was necessary, Christoph got straight to the point.
“Since you seem to understand the reason for this summons, I will immediately deliver the disposition for yesterday’s incident.”
At Christoph’s words, Remeshov silently bowed in a gesture of respect.
He clearly understood that while Christoph was delivering the verdict, the decision ultimately belonged to the King.
Having prepared the order form he had just received from the King, Christoph read its contents aloud.
“Count Remeshov. You are hereby appointed to the post of resident official.”
“Yes! …Huh?”
Hearing this command, Remeshov blinked in surprise and looked at Christoph as if taken aback.
He had not connected the order to become a resident official with the punishment for the current matter.
Towards the bewildered Remeshov, Christoph continued speaking with a composed expression.
“Your assignment will be to the city of Amamiya Tower.”
Upon hearing this, Remeshov finally understood the situation.
After his face contorted for a brief moment, he quickly regained his composure and bowed his head.
“…I accept.”
It had been a considerable number of years since the Smit Country began trading with Razek Amamiya.
However, until now, no resident official had been established between the two countries.
The Smit Country had the Crown Branch, so strictly speaking, there was no embassy-like entity between the two nations.
Razek Amamiya did not mind this.
After all, if necessary, they could quickly come to this country using the Teleport Gate.
Indeed, civil officials from Razek Amamiya had visited on several occasions using the Teleport Gate.
However, the Smit Country, unable to freely use the Teleport Gate, had no choice but to communicate through the Crown Branch.
Placing a resident official at the Tower would resolve this issue, but traveling without the Teleport Gate took many days, which meant no one was willing to become a resident official.
In essence, according to the current perception in the Smit Country, being appointed as a resident official in Razek Amamiya was almost equivalent to a demotion.
While they recognized the importance of relations with Razek Amamiya, the geographical location led them to shy away from the resident official position.
For Remeshov, who had caused a disturbance at the Crown Branch, this could be considered an appropriate punishment in a sense.
As a result, there was a possibility that Remeshov might take on his duties with a corrupted attitude, but in that case, even more severe punishments could be imposed.
Remeshov found himself in a position where he absolutely had to achieve results as the resident official for Razek Amamiya.
Opinions were divided on whether Remeshov’s disturbance at the branch was fortunate or unfortunate for him.
Even the King, who had made the appointment, did not yet anticipate that Remeshov’s appointment as resident official would significantly determine the future relationship between the two countries.
You might ask why there wasn’t one before, but there wasn’t.
Even in the Florece Kingdom, where the former King moved freely, there was no form of embassy.
The issue of distance was significant, and since direct military confrontation was almost unthinkable, there was no immediate recognition of the need for such entities.
