1216 Episode 14: Updating and Appreciating

"Jilbert Butler, 18 years old. I came to introduce Count Arlingham. Here's your letter of introduction."

Dare to act calmly, calmly and steadfastly.

While saying so to myself, I offered a referral to the guard guarding the door. There was already a large crowd beyond the wide-open door.

The guard, who matched me with the letter of introduction, briefly checked my position and background, and then went inside. Fold the returned letter of introduction into its original shape, and as I walk to the center of the Great Hall in a regular fashion, I choose the position where I can see the most around, and stop there. Don't be suspicious, minimize your gaze, and eliminate signs to minimize your presence.... until just two years ago, the technology we used to steal was used in a completely different way here.

However, I still feel the gaze from those gathered in the great hall, which can be called the venue.

Until the person who dived in the next door appeared, I also stepped on the surroundings as they did while holding my gaze in an unnoticed manner.

There were only seven people in sight, some of whom I had seen in the castle. As far as I could tell, the upper level of the castle, its aides, and squire. Others, judging by their clothes, would be senior aristocrats. There are people in their early twenties to nearly thirty years old, but among them, I will still catch my eye.

The other applicants appeared and finally took a quiet breath out of my attention. Even if I turned my neck slowly and looked around the venue again, no one in my teenage years was the same as me.

Some of the men who came in later were famous traders and aristocrats, but at most they were young and in their early twenties.

"Nicholas Duckworth, who has been Prime Minister for a long time, stepped down."

Yes, it was only a week ago that information spread in the castle.

It was only a matter of time before the seat was vacated, as it was rumored that it was about time to replace the Prime Minister, who continued to be quite old. It is also a good opportunity at a time when generations are changing. Next month, the last of the top tier will also be established.

There were speculations among the employees that the Prime Minister's successor would be elected from the upper echelons in order. However, the announcement of the retirement and the change of office resulted in unexpected results.

Chancellor Nicholas did not nominate, nominate, or accept his successor.... no, the selection itself is not unusual in history. Without someone to go out and choose from, the way to gather and choose candidates is more definitely a decision than being swayed by poor emotions.

Candidates are usually qualified as "Outstanding Special Ability" or "Nominees from the Upper Level or Upper Level". Of course, consciousness, skill, and interpersonal defense skills as prime ministers are also required, but the specific limitations are twofold. However, in addition to that, the third condition presented by Prime Minister Nicholas was controversial in the castle at that time.

Seeking a competent young man to serve as Chancellor for all eternity

Originally appointed as prime minister from the elderly, it is a judgment like that of prime minister Nicholas, who dusted himself until the harm of old age occurred to his body.

Most nodded to the intention of entrusting the successor to a younger person and wanting him to be appointed forever, because they suffered the heavy responsibility of the Prime Minister when they were old. However, some executives seemed to oppose the idea that only "inexperienced personnel" would be gathered.

Well, of course. As far as the rumors go, they're not all younger. That condition alone has wiped out the ambition of further progress in running for Chancellor.... for me, it was only a convenient condition. Rather, I think God is on my side.

A year ago, I broke through a narrow gate to get employment as a castle servant. It was not so difficult for me to dive into the gate if I was a seventeen-year-old new adult who was easy to accept as an apprentice servant of the castle.

It was also thanks to the introduction of the owner of the mansion who was taken care of until then, and the recommendation letter. Although a junior aristocrat, Rikishi was a nobleman who could live in the castle. I think that just because I was able to work this way safely, I was able to stand up as a nominee, but I still can't thank you enough.

From the merits of the letter of recommendation, he was able to dive into the mansion of one of the aristocrats who lived in the castle as a servant among his servants, as he hoped. Even the maids were largely unchanged from the chores and porters, but it was sufficient if they were given even the slightest opportunity to make contact with the owner of the mansion.

If the master likes it, they will introduce it to customers and boast about it. I was praised for being "young, but I often turn my head", and I understood over and over again that being young is a subject of evaluation. Thanks to my proud master, I was able to reach one of the upper levels.

"What do you mean," "I have a proper referral letter" "and the year is seventeen." "

I narrowed my brow slightly as my voice suddenly resounded.

The candidates who had come in earlier were just like the others, but the man who slipped in just before the last door was closed stood out more than me. Even now, the ugliness of yelling at the guards with one hand at the referral letter is attracting the attention of the entire hall.

As the two corresponding guards glanced at each other, the man thrust a letter of introduction back in front of them. Although I stand out enough when I am young at age alone, he stands out for me. A man with black eyes on his yellow tea hair is not uncommon in the Kingdom of Freesia or in the castle, but he is dressed too harshly.

The bottom hem of the top is stained with mud, and when it reaches the underwear, the mud sticks to the knee. Still, do you care a little about body taste? I can see that the waist cloth is brand new, but even at a distance, the clothes are dry all over. There was mud stain on the cheeks, and I didn't wipe my hands, so I made some stains as soon as I wrote the letter at the corner.

"Are you saying that even a stablesman like me is not worthy of standing for election?"

“Instead, you may see your superiors in the upcoming exams. And yet you don't look like that. I'll see His Majesty just in case."

"Just in case... I'm also a good candidate... Please take a good look!" This is the nomination letter of the upper-class Count Arlingham. "

That's not the problem.

Even though you may meet the higher ranks and royalty who are the center of the country in the future, such a dress alone is disrespectful.

I quietly put my arms around the stables thinking whether I had been working earlier or if I hadn't gotten enough time today. Hopefully, the attention of the youngest, if he had an evil eye, would have faded, but I was concerned about the name of the nominator released from his mouth.

Count Arlingham, one of the senior executives who wrote me a letter of recommendation after consulting with me to take the Chancellor's test. It was quite easy for people to get loved, and it was easy to incorporate because people like to talk about their struggles.

From what I heard, it seems that the stables also received a letter of recommendation from Count Arlingham in the same way.

Two teenagers, no, maybe they're still in there just because they don't know. Apparently, I got a letter of recommendation from someone in the upper echelons, especially someone who was too nice. Hopefully I won't be seen in the same line as him after this.

In his case, whether he didn't have time to get dressed, whether he couldn't take a break from work, whether he couldn't get dressed from the beginning, whether he was running out of money, or... whether he was interrupted in any way from above.

However, neglecting my master was ultimately my own strength. At least the degree to which you wipe your clothes and hair and face stains and get dressed is within your skill set. Even a young man who has just started a squire apprenticeship like me can be given clothes and leisure time if he is introduced to his master.

If his servant should become prime minister, he could easily receive this kind of help if he thought that it would be in his own interest that he should have been his master. It is a selection that does not know where to score or judge, and it is only a minimum preparation such as getting dressed.... well, that's why...

It would be as good as me to fake it up to my age.

I had no choice. No matter how talented you are, you will never be hired as a servant in a castle unless you are an adult. The honorable castle is not a playground for children. It may be a strong recommendation from the higher ranks, but it is difficult to recommend it from the lower nobility.

It goes without saying that children are out of scope, especially if they are young enough to hold the post of Prime Minister. Knowingly misrepresenting one's background is also a crime, but it's not a big deal. In any case, there is no one in this world who knows my background, my age, or any proof of that. She is the only one who knows everything about me.

"Please, I have a letter of recommendation. Please, I finally got it!" Instead of failing the exam, I couldn't even take it, so I had to face my family..... "

"Anyway, unless you dress up once, we are also responsible." If you meet the upper level in this manner, you will not only be dropped from the examination, but you will also be guilty of disrespect...! "

As soon as the shouting man's position became too desperate, he grabbed the guard's shoulders with both hands and stepped forward.

When the guard advising in the most earnest opinion grabbed the man before he was qualified as prime minister and pulled out his hand... one of the guards beside the door walked over to them.

Is the person who wears the hood deeper a man based on his height? Slowly, but surely, the man was there before I arrived. Entering between the guards and the stables, she whispered something to the guards, who obviously changed their attitude and shut their mouths.

I don't know what you told me. However, next, one of the guards ran somewhere. The guard who was attached to the stables nodded and lowered his voice from the man in the hood to the stables.

"... please come inside. I'll provide water and towels, so at least get your outfit ready now."

Really? As the man in the stables loudly thanked the guards, the man in the hood returned to the side of the door as if nothing had happened.

From the man who held the guard's hand and revealed his gratitude, everyone's gaze, including mine, shifted to the man in the hood. Obviously, it was he who accompanied me.

At least those guards know who the man is, hiding his hood from top to bottom. Who is the man wrapped in a hood, not even his face, not even his clothes? At least someone with a position to accompany and move the guards.

The man, who was exposed to many gazes, was holding his arms together in the same posture as before without saying anything.

Soon after, the guards came back with buckets of water and towels. At least it's much better than being dirty in the mud. The man who was led to the corner of the Great Hall to get dressed while being guided by the guards missed the corner of my sight, and I continued to think only of the man in the hood.

There are a limited number of men with the authority to hide and command freely in the Great Hall of the Royal Palace, which is the examination venue. It would be better if you were really involved in the examination.

If this is really one of the candidates, it can be the most powerful candidate, such as someone with the authority to be young. I hear a lot of stories about testing formally, but it's already decided behind the scenes. It doesn't matter if it's one of the test tubes at the upper levels, or the knight in charge of the escort, or... no, it doesn't matter now.

Along the way, I shake my head and consciously close my eyes for a few seconds before opening them. Breathe silently and keep your priorities in order.

Whether he is really a candidate or a test tube or a security guard, what I do remains the same. All we can do now is think and act that all humans are judged, identified, and watched.

Now, I will guide you to the examination venue.

If you are elected Prime Minister here, everything will come true.