Chapter 52

[Translator Angel Dust]

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Chapter 52

Whats all this?

As I was leaving the morning lecture, four guys suddenly grabbed me.

Then they dragged me to the lounge and soon handed me some white papers.

Whats this all about? If its some kind of draft for re-enlistment, Ill tear it all up.

What are you saying? Even if were crazy, we wouldnt re-enlist!

Yeah, yeah, Karl. Thats crossing the line.

Well, thats true. Sorry. Even I think re-enlistment is going too far.

What is this, then?

You read it.

Its definitely not a loss.

Its a gain. Definitely.

Karl, wouldnt you like it too?

Seriously, what is this about? If you start talking, where does it end, guys?

With a sigh, I began to carefully examine the papers they handed me.

Hmm

Tap

Hey, you guys.

Yes, Karl?

Has your familys allowance been cut off or something?

What?

What are you talking about?!

No. If thats not the case, then why would you guys go to such lengths?

I shook the papers they handed me forward.

Exactly, they were patent applications.

If thats not it, then why are you doing this?

The four guys handed me patent applications. And the contents were about Bungeoppang and hotteok.

Starting with the names, shapes, colors, methods of making them, and even the tools and molds used to make them. They seemed to have prepared everything that could be patented and were eager to seize it all.

Why not, Karl. Its obvious.

And whats that obvious reason?

My question prompted Shulifen to confidently declare with his arms crossed.

Because its almost winter!

Thats right.

We thought about selling them during the festival, but these sell even better in the cold! Why? Because theyre warm! Theyre easy to eat while staying warm! Sweet and delicious!

Thats true.

If we could spread this throughout the empire, this will quickly become the peoples favorite snack! The probability of that is very high!

Sometimes I wonder if those bastards are in a situation similar to mine. How do they know that Bungeoppang and hotteok sell well in winter and become a national snack? Seeing them so confident makes me unable to erase such doubts.

So we talked about it among ourselves, Karl.

Continuing Shulifens words, Wilhelm opened his mouth with a somewhat serious tone.

Well patent this, get a fair value, and advertise it throughout the empire. If it goes as well as we expect, we could make a lot of money just by sitting back. Theres no better winter snack.

Yeah, thats true. But why are you discussing this in front of me?

Its a natural question. Youre the one who came up with the idea first, Karl. It doesnt make sense for us to work on it without acknowledging you.

In response to Wilhelms words, the other three nodded in agreement, looking at me.

So, as a rightful privilege of the originator, include my name in this patent, would you? Thats what it sounds like.

Alright. Do it among yourselves. Im good.

What?

Do it among yourselves. The patent. Ill waive my rights.

I just presented the concept. Its those guys over there who took it to the highest level at the recent festival.

In other words, its the four of them over there who confirmed the possibility of success through the patent.

I know the money that can be obtained through a patent is tremendous. But theres no reason to risk my life for money. Our family doesnt even have a small rural estate, and among the counts, were at the top.

Moreover, I receive a huge pension from the empire for receiving a medal of honor.

The one who made it a great success is you guys. I just came up with the idea and helped out later.

Hey, Karl. Still!

You wont have anything to do. Just put your name on it. Well take care of the rest.

Were not trying to make you feel like an unscrupulous bastard, are we?Gtt the ltest vls at .o/(v)/e/l/bi(.)co

No, its not that I really dont need the money. You guys.

What you seem to be forgetting is that Im a medal of honor recipient.

Isnt it strange if a guy like me starts talking about making money, especially by patenting something to eat?

Look. Who am I?

Karl?

Karl Adelheit.

Returning student.

Our classmate.

Ah, damn it. How did you end up being all wrong while chatting? Oh no. Well, I guess it cant be helped. After all, when you think about it, theyre all right.

Anyway, those are correct words, but besides that.

I tap my chest. Or rather, where the medal should be. When I did, Alexander exclaimed, Oh! with admiration.

Medal of Honor recipient?

Correct. Alexander. Here, Ill give you 10 points.

Waaah!

No, its a joke, but its weird if youre so genuinely happy.

Anyway. Im a medal of honor recipient. Right?

Yeah. But?

But, its not but. Shulifen. People might misunderstand if they see a person like me applying for a patent and making money. They might say, Oh, the medal of honor recipient doesnt have money!'

Upon hearing this, Shulifen shook his head.

What does a patent have to do with not having money? In the first place, a patent is meant to secure rightful rights to concepts, frameworks, or things created by oneself.

.

Why does a guy who is so smart turn out to be a fool when he needs to be?

Shulifen is right, Karl. A patent isnt a bad thing.

Of course, thats true, Joachim. But you have to consider public perception. As a medal of honor recipient, I believe I should be more cautious than others.

It seems my persuasion has somewhat worked, as Alexander is the first to nod in agreement. Shulifen and Wilhelm follow suit, murmuring, That could be.

Still, it feels too exclusive if we keep it among ourselves.

However, Joachim still seemed to believe that I should have a stake in it.

Kids. Loyalty and conscience, whos the real hero here? Yeah, romance approved!

Im sorry if I was too harsh, Joachim. And to the rest of you.

As I looked at them, suddenly a good idea came to mind. Its something Ive been considering for a while, but the scale of it was too daunting to attempt.

The money earned from patenting. Can a portion of it be used as I suggest?

How so, Karl?

Just say the word, and Ill listen.

I want you to start a foundation.

At my words, the four of them asked, A foundation? while simultaneously looking at me.

Yes, a foundation. To be precise, it would be like the Disabled Veterans Pension Foundation.

* * *

Shulifen looked at Karl, who was enthusiastically explaining the foundation.

The Empire has a lot of support programs, of course, and its not that we dont have enough of them, but its because we have a lot of good things going for us.

In addition to the fact that it creates a social perception where the money spent by the empires citizens returns to those who fought for the empire, it also gives them a greater sense of recognition for their efforts. And not just for veterans, but for their families as well

We dont need to make it excessively large. Since various policies for veterans are already in place for war achievements and welfare, we just need to complement them appropriately.

Sometimes it seems like Karl has a different perspective on the world than the rest of us.

Even though were the same age, gender, and nobility, how does he have such a different view?

How can he be so confident? Is military service really that great? Did being a soldier help him so much?

Hey, Shulifen.

Wilhelm, who was next to me, poked my side.

What do you think about that? The Disabled Veterans Pension Foundation.

Expressing an opposing opinion might make me look like a really bad guy, wouldnt it?

Never mind that. Isnt it a bit too much to only use a portion of the money from the patent for that?

I look at Wilhelm to see what hes trying to say.

In response, Wilhelm Fritz, the son of the Marquess of Gramstad, smiles.

Since were doing it anyway, lets do it properly with the strength of our family.

The strength of our family?

Yeah. Its a good thing. Its something we should do properly as nobles.

Karls intention was simply to use what comes to him.

However, Wilhelm didnt stop there and seemed to have a broader and larger view.

Of course, its something we should do properly. Its unreasonable to just use the money that comes back to Karl for that. That would be neglecting our duty as nobles.

Actually, I thought the same way. So, I also considered using some of the money from patenting for the operation of that pension foundation.

A foundation that takes care of not only veterans but also their families comprehensively.

A voluntary effort to help them beyond what the law mandates in the empire.

What do you guys think? Alexander. Joachim.

Its common sense. Are we crazy to only use Karls share for such a thing? Do we lack conscience?

The Prince of Thierdal casts his vote in favor of the pension foundation.

[PR/N: Title might change in the future]

Taking advantage of Karls excitement to talk about the Pension Foundation, the four of them took a moment to listen.

The heirs of Marquess of Adria, Marquess of Gramstad, Brne Imperial County, and the Prince of Thierdal, have made up their minds to think positively and seriously about the foundation.

[Translator Angel Dust]

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Chapter end