Generally speaking, temporary military forces like the Free Knights Regiment are usually disbanded after a war, but due to the rather loose operation of the Fast Empire, many of these regiments continue to operate for a while longer after the war, collecting additional pay.
The Empire often turns a blind eye to this and doesn't intervene much.
The registration period for a Free Knights Regiment typically lasts one, three, or five years, depending on the scale of the war. It's not uncommon for a regiment to be in the midst of battle when their registration period ends, resulting in the suspension of pay, which can lead to mutinies and military defeats.
Renewing the registration of a regiment is such a niche task that it's often overlooked.
How powerful is one Flor?
It can extend the registration of a regiment to the maximum period allowed by imperial law!
Although no regiment has ever managed to collect pay for over twenty years during peacetime, it's still a very worthwhile favor.
Charlotte received the registration documents for the regiment and politely gave an imperial salute. There was a tacit understanding between him and the middle-aged clerk—they didn't exchange a single word, nor even a glance.
Charlotte and Dolores then left.
The middle-aged clerk clocked out as usual, following his colleagues.
After leaving the Central Government Office, Charlotte asked, "Dolores, where are you heading?"
Dolores unhesitatingly replied, "Back to the university!"
Charlotte was also planning to visit Anne at Gorgias University, so he informed Lady Nancy, and the carriage headed toward Gorgias University. Since the university and the Central Government Office are both in the Val-de-Vars District, the carriage quickly arrived.
Charlotte initially planned to part ways with Dolores at the university gate, but to his surprise, Dolores spoke into the communication tube, "Drive inside."
She noticed Charlotte's slight surprise and said, "You graduated from Sheffield University, but I graduated from Gorgias University. Isn't it normal that I have a permanent pass to my alma mater?"
Charlotte rubbed his forehead, thinking, "Is that what I'm curious about? I just don't want us to be seen together and have Anne misunderstand."
Even though the young lady from the Sumei family is just as suitable as the Brittany family for his goal of finding a wealthy partner, Charlotte still had his principles. He patiently explained, "I just think it's inconvenient."
Dolores covered her mouth with a light laugh and said, "I know you're afraid Anne will misunderstand, but she won't. When I entered university, I swore before the goddess that I would never marry."
Charlotte's expression changed slightly, and he asked, "You're a Divine Contract Holder?"
Dolores nodded. Charlotte felt a twinge of sympathy for this noblewoman from the Sumei family, but Dolores calmly said, "There's no need to pity me. I've had enough of that, just as I've had enough of the arranged marriages my family tried to impose on me."
Charlotte sighed and said, "I once wished my family would arrange a marriage for me."
"Later…"
Charlotte intentionally paused but didn't continue, leaving Dolores curious. She asked, "Even though your background isn't remarkable, you got into university and became a government official. You should be a good marriage prospect. Why didn't your family arrange a match for you?"
Charlotte replied calmly, "Because my older brother is in charge of the family."
Dolores immediately felt sympathy and began to imagine the poor younger brother being bullied by a domineering older brother and sister-in-law.
If Charlotte's older brother knew someone thought of him this way, he would feel deeply wronged. He hadn't wanted his brother involved in the family business because Charlotte was a typical playboy with a bad reputation, not out of a lack of brotherly affection.
When Charlotte agreed to give up his inheritance, his brother even sent him 550 Egus, nearly 70% of the Mecklenburg family's cash reserves, a decision that was beyond reproach.
Though the Mecklenburg family were merchants, they weren't extraordinarily wealthy, having only about one to two thousand Egus in total assets.
Charlotte's comments were mainly an effort to distance himself from his past. He carefully cultivated an image of isolation in front of everyone, and he wasn't about to change that even for Dolores.
When it comes to image management, consistency is key.
To comfort Charlotte, Dolores said, "Don't be too sad. You should know that when my family arranged marriages for me, one of the candidates was Zimourman Axell Robin, and it was after *that incident.* Do you know how desperate I felt?"
Charlotte immediately abandoned his image management, asking in shock, "After the Night Window Incident?"
Dolores rolled her eyes at him and said, "Of course, what did you think? That it was after the Imperial Rose Incident? I would have gone mad."
Charlotte tried to imagine it but found he couldn't comprehend the logic of the Old Continent's nobility.
He could picture how his mentor Menierman reacted when she discovered her ex-fiancé's true nature and broke off the engagement, and then how the elders of the Sumei family convened a meeting to decide that they should try with another cousin instead. He could also imagine Dolores's shock at the time.
But he couldn't understand the thought process of the nobles who orchestrated it.
Was this really something a rational human being could come up with?
Charlotte asked, "And then you became a Divine Contract Holder?"
Dolores nodded. "I decided then and there, as soon as I got into university, that I would become a Divine Contract Holder. I will never marry."
Charlotte completely understood. In the same situation, he might have made the same decision.
There's a common saying in the Imperial education system: the National Academy serves the royal family and the Empire, while the Imperial universities serve the gods.
Most university graduates still choose to join the government, seeking high-paying jobs. Only a few feel the "blessing" of the gods during their university years and announce their intention to become Divine Contract Holders.
In other words, they become apprentice clergy.
After graduation, they can join a legitimate religious order and obtain a clerical position.
Charlotte had once considered taking this path, but while joining a religious order granted certain privileges, it also meant giving up worldly power and adhering to strict religious rules, such as lifelong celibacy and the prohibition of personal wealth. This was far too inconvenient for him, so he abandoned the idea.
Of course, one could also graduate without joining a religious order and forge their own path, but they would still have to follow religious rules, including lifelong celibacy and the prohibition of personal wealth.
A Divine Contract Holder can also voluntarily renounce their status, but the cost is steep. They would be cursed by the gods, stripped of any supernatural abilities granted by the divine system, and left with a negative curse far worse than anything a demonic god could impose.