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Vol 05 Chapter 159: Code of Law

About a month later…

I turned to face the gathered plebeians and nobles. Right beside me stood an object with the silhouette of a tall board, draped with a red curtain.

I glanced around at the assembled crowd before grabbing the curtain. I could feel their gazes fixated on my hand.

I couldn’t help but feel nervous.

It’s a bit late to get nervous for something like this…

I pulled the curtain away in one swift motion. A bronze plate, gleaming with a reddish-brown hue, was revealed.

A thunderous applause erupted.

「Long live His Majesty the King! Long live His Majesty the King!」

This is our country’s first codified law. Since it consists of thirteen articles, we call it the Thirteen Articles Code for convenience.

「Your Majesty! Our great king! We, the plebeians, swear eternal loyalty to you from now on!」

A representative of the plebeians shouted. Following that, a chorus of cheers and ‘Long live’ calls arose.

「Thank you. I will do my utmost to live up to your loyalty. Property and personal freedom are absolutely inviolable. As my duty as king, I will protect your rights.」

As I said this, the applause and cheers grew even louder.

「Your Majesty! I have a proposal.」

One of the plebeians stepped forward.

「What is it? Do you have something to say?」

「We plebeians will continue to fight as soldiers for Your Majesty… However, we do not feel that this is enough to express our gratitude for this magnificent code of law. Even so, we have no other treasures to offer you.」

The plebeian bowed deeply to me, reciting the lines as scripted.

「Therefore… we plebeians would like to bestow upon Your Majesty the title of ‘Father of the Country.’」

‘Father of the Country.’ No king in King Rosais’ Country… no, in any country on the Adernian Peninsula, has ever held this title.

Because it is a title of immense weight.

On the Adernian Peninsula, there is a custom known as ‘patria potestas,’ the principle that the ‘father,’ who rules the household, is the highest authority.

The father’s authority extends not only to his wife but also to his children and his slaves. On the Adernian Peninsula, the father’s orders are absolute, and no one can defy them under any circumstances.

After all, the father has the power to punish his wife, children, and slaves as he sees fit.

This authority is also recognized in the Thirteen Articles Code. However, capital punishment or confiscation of property is not permitted. Those powers are guaranteed by the Subject Rights Chart.

Given the premise of ‘patria potestas,’ the title ‘Father of the Country’ carries immense authority.

To be the Father of the Country means that the citizens are considered my children. In other words, my patria potestas would extend over all the citizens of King Rosais’ Country.

Of course, this is merely a symbolic gesture. It doesn’t mean the citizens will literally think of me as their father, nor does it mean I can do whatever I please.

Nevertheless, as long as I hold the title of Father, the citizens will have to respect me as such.

It is a gift worth more than any amount of gold. Naturally…

「That title is too heavy for me. I will accept your sentiment, but nothing more.」

I shook my head.

Then, several nobles, led by Bartolo, came up onto the platform. Ron and the others were there as well.

「Your Majesty, we too have a request. Please accept the title of ‘Father of the Country.’ We wish to serve you with the loyalty befitting a father.」

This was to show that the offering of the ‘Father of the Country’ title was not just the will of the plebeians, but also of the nobles.

However, I shook my head again.

「I am truly grateful for your offer. But, that title is still too grand for me.」

When I refused again, Raymond walked up to me and knelt down.

「Your Majesty, I also have a request. Please accept the title of ‘Father of the Country.’ You are the son of Mares, the god of war, and the adopted son of the Griffon. It is thanks to your achievements that our country has developed into one of the major powers on the Adernian Peninsula. There is no one more suitable for this title than you. Please, we implore you.」

If you all insist this much, I have no choice but to accept!! It’s not that I want it or anything, but since you all desperately want me to accept it… I’ll reluctantly accept it. It’s not like I’m happy about it or anything!!

… Well, let’s end this charade here. Any more would be overkill.

「Very well. If you insist that much, I will accept the title. I will continue to work hard to be worthy of it!!」

A great cheer erupted.

…Sigh.

This is kind of ridiculous.

◇

The Thirteen Articles Code (Divine Emperor’s Code)

This is the first written law of King Rosais’ Country (Romalia Kingdom/Empire), established by King (Emperor) Almus. It features characteristics such as patria potestas, property rights, the guarantee of trials, and criminal law that emphasizes customary law equally across all social classes.

It is one of the four great legal codes of the Romalia Empire, alongside the Thunder Emperor’s Code, the Sage Emperor’s Code, and the Holy Emperor’s Constitution (Romalia Empire Constitution).

◇

「How about that! Dad has become the Father of the Country!」

I lifted Fiona into my arms. She giggled gleefully.

My beloved daughter Fiona and my dear son Ankus are each two years old, having reached twenty months of age.

「Daddy, amazing? Amazing!」

「That’s right! Daddy is amazing!」

Fiona can already speak in broken words and eat a variety of solid foods. And guess what!

She can walk a little bit now!

Isn’t that impressive? As expected of my daughter. She’s a genius.

「Yeah, that’s normal.」

Julia said with a wry smile.

But still, she can walk, you know? Isn’t that amazing?

「Me too! Me too!」

Something was tugging on my toga. Looking down, I saw Ankus pulling on it.

「Ankus, huh. Hold on a second. Fiona, it’s your brother’s turn now.」

「No! No!!」

Fiona grabbed my hair and started squirming. She didn’t want to leave my side.

Being a popular dad is tough!

「Alright, how about five more times? One! Two!!」

I lifted Fiona up high five times. She laughed happily.

I can tell she had gotten a bit heavier recently.

Fiona resembles Julia and has a very cute face.

Probably the cutest in the world. I wonder how beautiful she will become when she grows up…

「I will never let her marry.」

「There you go again…」

Julia sighed.

No, I’m not serious, okay?

On the Adernian Peninsula, an unmarried woman is not considered fully mature. I don’t think marriage is the only path to happiness for a woman, but it’s clear that an old maid’s life would be filled with hardship.

She will get married. Of course, I will thoroughly vet the suitor.

「Five! Alright, time to switch. Julia, can you take her?」

I handed Fiona over to Julia. Fiona didn’t struggle much and quietly settled into Julia’s arms.

I lifted Ankus, who was pouting below.

「There, there, don’t sulk so much.」

「Me too! Do it to me too!」

「Alright, alright. Five times, okay?」

I lifted Ankus high, just like I did with Fiona.

Ankus has the same gray hair as me. His eyes are the same sky-blue color as Tetra’s.

He has a clingy nature, much like Tetra. The difference is that Tetra doesn’t show her emotions on her face, while Ankus is very expressive.

In that sense, he might resemble me…

Do I show my emotions that much?

「At least right now, you look happy. More so than when you received the title ‘Father of the Country.’」

Tetra pointed out.

What’s the problem? I should be allowed to be a little carefree when I am with my kids.

Honestly, the title ‘Father of the Country’ doesn’t make me happy. Politically, it is necessary and undoubtedly convenient, but emotionally, it means nothing to me.

I find more joy in spending time with my children and wives.

「Ankus, that’s five times. Now it’s Fiona’s turn.」

「No! No!!」

Ankus started crying and wailing.

Maybe he needs to learn a bit more patience… No, maybe now is the only time he can afford to be spoiled.

He’s my child, after all. He can’t live freely as he wishes. Eventually, he will have to serve his little brother, the crown prince once Julia gives birth to him, and shoulder the responsibilities of this country. For now, this is the only time he can be a little selfish.

In truth, I want my children to choose their own paths in life. But I cannot give them that freedom.

I am truly sorry.

「Alright, three more times then.」

「Almus, you’re spoiling Ankus too much.」

Tetra said this and forcefully took Ankus from me. She cupped his tear-streaked cheeks in her hands.

「Ankus, you mustn’t trouble your father with your whims. Understand?」

「Yes…」

Do you really need to be so stern?

「No. If you spoil him, it will become a habit. The world is full of things that don’t go as one wishes. We mustn’t let him misunderstand that.」

… Well, if that’s your approach, I won’t argue.

Julia and Tetra probably spend more time with the children than I do anyway.

◇

「Iarl, the reason I’ve called you today is about your marriage.」

「…Oh, right, we did have such a discussion.」

Iarl gave a wry smile. I almost forgot about it until recently as well.

A series of events kept us occupied, causing the matter to be left unresolved.

Originally, Iarl’s marriage was meant to appease the Dibel Family, but they have been obedient to me even without Iarl getting married.

With the necessity diminished, the matter was forgotten.

It wasn’t until recently, when a prominent member of the Dibel Family reminded me, that I finally remembered.

We still need to maintain a good relationship with the Dibel Family, and Iarl needs to settle down soon. Even though the urgency has decreased, it’s still necessary for him to marry.

「You don’t have anyone you fancy, right?」

「No, I don’t…」

Iarl looked dejected. It seems he never experienced love in his life.

Poor guy…

「Well, anyway, you’ll start meeting potential brides tomorrow. Find a good match.」

「Understood, Your Majesty. I’ll do my best.」

◇

Three months later, in February of the new year, Iarl married a girl from the Dibel Family.

With this, the Dibel Family is fully in my grasp. Now, only the Aris Family remains.