Chapter 432: We Forgot to Count Viggo!

This time, it was a formal audience with His Majesty, the Emperor of the Fars Empire, so the utmost seriousness was required.

Charlot summoned all his subordinates and silently counted them. Then he pulled Golden Ram Herolf aside and whispered, “Why are there only nine Saint ranks?”

Golden Ram Herolf glanced over and whispered back, “We forgot to count Viggo!”

“Perhaps you think the Nineteenth Rank doesn’t qualify as a Saint rank…”

Charlot quickly denied it, “I don’t! I wouldn’t dare. The Nineteenth Rank is still a Saint rank!”

Standing apart from the group, Cresto, the top-tier Saint of the Twenty-Third Rank from the Radiant Holy Mountain, towered over them all. Beside him were the Seven Twenty-Second Rank powerhouses: the elderly Black Dragon, Argon the Elephantman, Silverback Gorilla Choudrou, Golden Ram Herolf, and the former Royal Knight Order vice-captains Aspuros and Regulus. Finally, there was Charlot’s eldest son, Gareth Mecklenburg.

Together, they made a formidable group of elites. However, Viggo, the Nineteenth Rank Flame Combat Energy Knight, seemed rather out of place.

It was no wonder Charlot forgot to include him when counting the Saint ranks.

Viggo, looking dignified in his newly tailored formal attire, hadn’t expected that aligning himself with Charlot, initially out of desperation, would eventually elevate him to the status of one of the Empire's rising stars and the trusted confidant of Earl Mecklenburg.

Furthermore, Charlot was not only the son-in-law of His Majesty, the Emperor of Bretagne, but also closely tied to the Crown Prince. Most importantly, Charlot’s fiefdom, South Seraph, allowed Viggo to continue protecting its people.

Viggo had never felt so content.

Charlot, feeling somewhat guilty, glanced at this Saint rank subordinate and resolved to treat him better in the future.

...

Apart from his nine Saint-ranked followers, Charlot’s original retinue had also gathered, including even Dolores Soumet, who had somehow managed to join them. She should have been attending to her duties as a noble scion of the prominent Soumet family.

Alongside her were Anastasia, Dubin Alger, Yellow Bear, Belisa, and the quick-handed scribe Italio Calvino. The only one absent was Cruse, who was stationed far away in Cappadocia and couldn’t conveniently return. All other key figures of the West Wind Knight Order had assembled in Strasbourg.

Dubin’s face was brimming with excitement. Having once thought his career in the city patrol guards was destined for mediocrity, he never imagined that following Charlot would lead to such meteoric success.

Now serving as the head overseer of the Lukavaro District’s city patrol guards, Dubin had risen from a Forty-Seventh Class Level Three Sergeant to a Thirty-Fifth Class Level Three Gunnery Sergeant—a jump of twelve ranks. The speed of his promotion was unprecedented, even compared to Charlot’s “rapidly arranged” advancements in the past.

Though Dubin’s merits and Charlot’s immense influence had played significant roles, the Thirty-Fifth Class Level Three rank was still relatively low, making such upward mobility easier to navigate.

...

Charlot led the West Wind Knight Order’s core members to the palace to meet His Majesty. After receiving commendations, Charlot was also granted a new political position: Chief of the Central Government Office.

Though he had already been involved in its administration since the rebellion, this appointment legitimized his authority. Previously, his status had been unofficial because the elder Earl of Bretagne had not yet ascended to the throne. With the Emperor's decree, everything was now in order.

At the same time, Annie Mecklenburg was appointed as Minister of the Military Enforcement Department. From this point on, it seemed likely that the Central Government Office would soon be dominated by the Mecklenburg name.

...

After receiving the commendations, Charlot departed the palace. The new Emperor, only two days into his reign, had countless affairs to manage, and Charlot preferred not to add to the chaos.

Leading his subordinates back to No. 1 Falcon Street, Charlot began issuing a series of appointments. Belisa was named Chief Overseer of the Lukavaro District’s city patrol guards, replacing Dolores Soumet. Dubin Alger was to be her deputy. Anastasia was appointed Director of the Lukavaro District’s Administrative Bureau, while Dolores was reassigned as a Machubi logistics officer.

These titles were largely nominal, as all of them would eventually accompany Charlot to South Seraph to serve as local officials. They would not remain stationed in Strasbourg. After all, the city patrol guards across the regions had long been hollow institutions, and this situation was unlikely to change.

Currently, Charlot’s list of political positions was much shorter than before, as many of his prior roles had been automatically rescinded. Now, his formal titles were as follows: Chief of the Central Government Office, Commander of the West Wind Knight Order, Fars Empire's Special Envoy for Warfare to the Ingrima Empire, Cultural Envoy to the Lionheart Empire, Consul-General to Saint Michael City and Cappadocia City, Fifth-Class Noble of the Empire, and Earl Charlot Mecklenburg.

With such an impressive array of titles, his accolades could almost fill an entire room.

...

After signing a stack of official documents, Charlot instructed his aides to buy all available food and wine from nearby restaurants. A grand banquet was held to celebrate.

Though it couldn’t compare to the palace’s evening feasts or a noble’s grand ball, the atmosphere was one of pure joy, as everyone in attendance was a host, not merely a guest.

They were all members of the West Wind Knight Order and had reaped the benefits of their association with Charlot. Many of the early adventurers who followed him had managed to buy homes in Strasbourg and even in other cities. Some had accumulated significant wealth, with weekly wages alone providing them with a comfortable lifestyle.

Charlot had never been stingy with his subordinates. While he might occasionally forget things…

Charlot himself didn’t join in the revelry. Preferring quiet to chaos, he sipped champagne alone in his office. Now, as Earl Charlot Mecklenburg, he could drink champagne freely while contemplating the imminent war.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Shortly after, Homonsa entered—a female adventurer who had been among his earliest companions.

Charlot asked, “Not down there enjoying the festivities?”

Homonsa smiled softly. “I always thought you’d find a chance to kill me.”

Charlot smirked. “Is this about the Silver Rhino? You don’t need to worry anymore. No one remembers Grand Duke Ferdinand.”

Homonsa lowered her voice. “I came to you for two reasons. First, I’ve ascended to the rank of Transcendent. Thank you for the resources you provided.”

Charlot nodded. “Congratulations.”

Homonsa had once stumbled upon the Firequell Silver Rhino, an alchemical pistol used to assassinate Grand Duke Ferdinand. Charlot had promised her the materials needed to achieve Transcendence, and he had kept his word. It was no small surprise to see her succeed.

“The second reason,” Homonsa continued, “is that I’m getting married. Dubin proposed to me recently, and I accepted. I hope you’ll attend our wedding.”

Charlot was taken aback but then smiled. “Congratulations to you both!”

“I’ll be there and will bring a gift.”

Ordinary people have their ordinary lives.

Not everyone lives the extraordinary life of a story’s protagonist. Some live quietly and simply, yet contentedly.

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