When I was working as a civil servant, I was found out to be a muscle-brained knight by the princess knight and got sent to the front lines - Episode 173

Episode 173

Jez and Erin, who started dating during their first-year winter break, were getting along extremely well at first. Even Victor, who should have had no interest in romantic matters, noticed, “Huh? Aren’t Jez and Erin getting along well?” Their relationship was undeniably positive.

During the martial arts tournament held in the third semester, the two of them, having enjoyed a sweet and sour youth cheering event, performed exceptionally well. With Erin’s support, lunchboxes, and recovery magic ensuring Jez was in top condition, he progressed smoothly through the rounds and won the tournament. He even achieved a complete victory over the student council president and second prince, Prince Levius.

…At this rate, how could this guy possibly become a civil servant after graduation? And will Erin, with such a good relationship with him, just fade away naturally? Surely it won’t turn out that he’s a completely different person!

Despite the author’s own anxiety, both Jez and Erin’s school and personal lives were going smoothly. However, an event at the start of their second year would gradually disrupt their well-oiled gears.

・　・　・

“Am I being considered for the position of personal knight?”

During the spring break of the Royal Academy. Erin, who had maintained the top position in her grade throughout the year while also having a fulfilling private life, was indeed leading a flawless student life.

Returning home to the main residence of the Sailor family in the capital during spring break, Erin was approached by her father, William, and her mother, Katarina, who had returned from Zelinia with serious news. When she went to the reception room, she found the current King Ramses Tashman there.

Surprised by the completely unexpected visitor, Erin calmly greeted the king. Seeing her composed behavior, Ramses’ evaluation of William’s daughter only improved further.

According to what Erin heard from William and King Ramses, Erin’s father, Governor William Saylor of Zelinia, was to be appointed as the kingdom’s Prime Minister starting this spring. Although this appointment was somewhat expected, the decisive factor was William’s handling of the incident in Capricia last summer and its aftermath, which solidified his evaluation. The kingdom’s council actively supported this decision, resulting in William becoming Prime Minister about a year or two earlier than anticipated.

Additionally, at this timing, the third princess, René Tashman, was set to start attending the middle school from spring. Her half-sisters, the first and second princesses, were already married off to other countries. The first prince was already in the military, and the second prince had gone abroad for further studies after graduating from the Royal Academy.

Thus, it was desirable for the third princess, René, to stay in the country and engage in military or related work after reaching adulthood, if possible. Moreover, it was a fortunate coincidence for the royal family that René possessed overwhelming martial talent. At the age of nearly thirteen, she was already nearly unmatched among her peers.

Depending on circumstances, if her talent was genuine, she could even become a commander. Taking this into account, the royal family had been actively searching for someone who could support René since last year. Erin was the one who perfectly matched all the required elements: not inferior in martial prowess, stable in personality, skilled in recovery magic, of a similar age, and the daughter of the newly Prime Minister trusted by Ramses.

When Erin first heard about this, she was quite troubled but decided to meet Princess René. Thus, Erin and René met. And after some twists and turns, they formed a strong bond of trust.

・　・　・

When Jez and Erin moved up to their second year, Erin became quite occupied with matters related to the royal family and Princess René, which constrained her time significantly. Erin managed to find time to meet with Jez and ensure they spent time together, but there were still unavoidable conflicts.

Moreover, it didn’t help that Jez was overly understanding. To Erin, Jez was already mature. He showed understanding toward her situation and genuinely supported her career, thinking it would be beneficial for her. Erin ended up becoming overly dependent on this, and Jez’s too-casual attitude and lack of attachment did not help either.

By the end of their second year, the frequency of their meetings at school had significantly decreased. In fact, Erin didn’t even know for a while that Jez had chosen the bureaucrat course in his third year.

As a result, their relationship had become rather vague during their time at school, and it only worsened after graduation. Erin  lived in the capital until Princess René graduated and managed to barely maintain her relationship with Jez. But after René’s graduation, with military training and assignment to the 7th Legion in the south, their relationship completely came to an end.

And before anyone knew it, eight years had passed since graduating from the Royal Academy. 

By the way, after Erin became busy with matters related to Princess René starting in their second year, Jez spent his time primarily doing foolish things with Victor, studying for bureaucratic exams, and socializing with people from the north. He lived a fulfilling life in his own way.

After graduation, Jez went through a one-year training period at various government departments before being assigned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In his third year, at the age of 21, while on a regional administrative training in the northern front, he was caught up in a major upheaval and fought valiantly. He then earned the nickname “Northern War Devil.”

In his fourth year, at the age of 22, due to the request of a certain cardinal, he went on a long-term business trip to the Divina Papal State to fetch the unruly Saintess. It’s worth noting that Eva Robbins, the Minister of Internal Affairs, played a significant role in this trip to protect Jez. He had become too famous as the Northern War Devil.

During this long-term trip, Jez was away from the country for about a year, causing the rumors of the Northern War Devil to remain just that—rumors. After returning from the Divina Papal State, the following years were relatively peaceful. Jez appeared to be walking a legitimate bureaucratic career path.

By his seventh year, at the age of 25, while serving as a mentor to the new recruit, Cynthia Clark, Jez was engaged in regular bureaucratic duties. However, in his eighth year at the age of 26, Jez’s name was once again on everyone’s lips across the country due to the Southern Uprising. Subsequently, during the capital city siege incident, he became a Dragon Slayer (civil servant) by defeating a dragon.

Moreover, after being transported to another world and returning, he was suddenly proposed to by his ex-girlfriend. It was indeed a tumultuous turn of events for him. Even Jez couldn’t help but be a bit overwhelmed by everything happening so fast.

・　・　・

“Jez. Let’s get married.”

Erin’s sudden proposal left Jez stunned, as he had just returned from the other world. The abruptness of the situation left him in shock.

However, it would be a poor move to try to avoid the situation awkwardly. Despite the suddenness, seeing Erin’s determined expression made it clear how much she cared for him.

Sometimes, momentum is important. Jez didn’t dislike Erin; in fact, he still had fond feelings for her. With Princess René, Lily, Lucretia, Victor, Miriam, Jamil, the Al-Faz Squad, and Archbishop Solennis present, Jez thought it was truly rare for Erin to behave this way in front of so many people. Just as he was about to respond to her, a messenger hurriedly entered the ancient ruins’ square.

The messenger, after confirming the presence of Princess René, Erin, Saintess Lucretia, and Archbishop Edelmar Solennis, and showing a hint of surprise upon noticing Jez, announced:

“Messenger!! This is a top-priority message from King Ramses!! Following the death of the Pope in the Divina Papal State, an internal conflict has erupted!! The Lorentzi faction and the Calidius faction have clashed militarily. The Calidius faction, having taken control of the Holy Capital Sancturia, has elected a new Pope. In response, the Lorentzi faction has also elected a new Pope, based in the eastern Paradis!”

The content of the messenger’s announcement left everyone dumbfounded. Lucretia and Edelmar, in particular, had very serious expressions. Despite the tense atmosphere, the messenger continued:

“Furthermore, the new Pope of the Calidius faction has excommunicated ‘Jez Norman’ on charges of causing a dimensional quake and world collapse. He declared him an enemy of the gods, issuing a command for his eradication.”

Jez, who had just thought “this doesn’t concern me” moments ago, was now disheartened by the sudden nomination. Additionally:

“On the other hand, the new Pope Seraphina XIII of the Lorentzi faction has officially declared the excommunication of ‘Jez Norman’ as unjust, recognizing him as the hero who saved the world. She has canonized Lord Norman as a ‘Saint’! Moreover, she has declared the Calidius faction, which has taken over the Holy Capital, as heretical and has requested military support from the Tashman Kingdom to eliminate them.”

Jez looked up at the sky in disbelief. 

“What is Seraphina doing? Coming back from another world and dealing with this is just awful.” 

Observing Jez’s distressed state, the messenger, with a somewhat sympathetic expression, continued:

“Based on this information, the Tashman Kingdom has officially decided to support Pope Seraphina XIII as the legitimate new Pope. Therefore, we urgently need to dispatch reinforcements. Lord Norman, this is a direct order from King Ramses. He said you would be informed if you had returned.”

Thinking the timing was too perfect, Jez shook his head and straightened his posture, awaiting the next words.

“Lord Jez Norman, Commander of the 11th Legion, you are to swiftly organize the 11th Legion and proceed to support Pope Seraphina XIII of the Divina Papal State.”

End of Part 4, The Memories of Youth Arc

To be continued in Part 5, The Great Schism Arc

・　・　・

Next chapter: Author’s notes & character profiles at the end of Part 4.

(Note: Schism means a division into two groups caused by a disagreement about ideas, especially in a religious organization)