The Former Empress Roughly Hides Her Abilities - Chapter 4

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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【Chapter 4】

The collection authority of the Special Tax Bureau is only half-complete.

Since the inspection authority was taken away by other departments, it’s difficult to send agents to the field to identify irregularities or collect evidence.

However, high-amount taxpayers were generally from the privileged class, cunning at hiding evidence and uncooperative.

If a mere civil servant poked around based on suspicion alone, they’d be perfect targets for backlash.

That’s why the Special Tax Bureau’s collection authority had never been invoked until now.

‘It doesn’t matter.’

She didn’t need inspection authority.

Rianel had already secured evidence of the Bartello Count family’s irregularities during her time as Empress.

Unfortunately, she died before exposing it and couldn’t use it, but during the three years since Rianel’s death, the Bartello family still hadn’t repented for their wrongdoings.

Rianel had already confirmed this while going in and out of the warehouse on Mel’s errands.

‘People don’t change easily.’

“According to Article 10 of the ‘National Property Act’ established seven years ago, there’s a provision that exempts various taxes including property tax and comprehensive real estate tax for ten years when public facilities are installed and donated to the imperial family.”

The so-called donation-in-kind system.

Rianel had wanted to build facilities for commoners. However, she thought covering costs with taxes alone was inefficient.

To save time and money, she allowed the wealthy to offer buildings in the form of donations.

She gave donors the perception of real benefits by swiftly approving business and construction permits.

“So what’s your point—”

“According to this provision, I understand the Bartello family built a treatment center on the Talorgron Plains they own and received tax exemption benefits. However, upon inspection, the location only contains commercial districts including taverns and inns, with no facilities operated for public benefit.”

Cedric, befitting a Finance Ministry official, tried to exploit legal loopholes.

“Do you think buildings are built in an instant with just a word? Everything takes time! I was planning to build the treatment center gradually over time!”

“Is that so? How strange. Didn’t you submit a report four years ago stating that medical facilities were completed on that site? You even sent a relief supplies support application along with it. Where did all the supplies funded by the national treasury go?”

Where else would they go? They must have been embezzled and sold.

Since four years ago was when the Special Tax Bureau was still intact, the related documents were well preserved in the warehouse.

Cedric couldn’t refute this.

“Based on this, the exemption benefits received will be revoked, and additional penalty taxes will be imposed. Also, since false reporting and official document forgery have been revealed, there may be additional punishment.”

The banquet hall, which had been bustling just moments ago, became so quiet you could hear an ant passing by.

Cedric stood there with his mouth hanging open unsightly.

His Adam’s apple moved restlessly as if he wanted to say something. However, all that escaped through his vocal cords was a hissing sound like moving air. No language could take form.

“Furthermore, I’ve confirmed that you concealed inheritance amounts to intentionally omit inheritance tax, and failed to pay customs duties and special consumption tax by importing large quantities of smuggled liquor and avoiding customs procedures. Taxes will be imposed on these matters as well.”

From now on, even Rianel had to do calculations.

Since penalty taxes could reach up to 40%, it would be a painful amount for Cedric too.

“Does anyone here have writing materials?”

Among the people standing around like extras.

“Oh? Oh yes, here.”

Wilbrin appeared, offering memo paper and a pen, saying she always carried them.

After briefly expressing gratitude, Rianel quickly scribbled away.

Having finished her calculations, Rianel tore off the memo paper like cutting a receipt and handed it to Cedric.

“So… you’ll need to pay a total of 300,023,017 gold.”

“Th-three hundred… hundred…!”

Cedric, who received it, trembled violently and then fainted on the spot.

* * *

“Wh-what is this…?”

The banquet hall became chaotic in no time.

Because no one expected that Rianel, someone they thought only knew how to throw tantrums, would pressure someone by citing laws.

Everyone was shocked, but among them, Finance Minister Royhum’s shock was the greatest.

He had witnessed a Finance Ministry person being humiliated in front of Special Tax Bureau people he habitually looked down on and ignored.

There were personal reasons too.

Royhum had committed tax evasion using the same method as Cedric. If Cedric was caught, there was a high possibility he would be too.

Of course, he couldn’t confess such guilt.

“A lower-level official trying to pressure a superior without clear evidence! The Count was even the young lady’s direct supervisor! Who could tolerate such insubordination…!”

Royhum glared at Rianel and ground his molars.

“I will formally refer this matter to the Disciplinary Committee!”

The atmosphere turned cold in an instant.

When no one could easily speak and they stared at each other.

“Shouldn’t dispatching an inspector to clarify the facts come first?”

Someone stepped forward as if protecting Rianel.

The tall, well-built man skillfully hid Rianel behind him and faced the opponent.

“Tax collection is a legitimate authority given to the Special Tax Bureau.”

His broad back, which seemed capable of blocking anything, filled Rianel’s vision.

“This person merely exercised their given authority. I don’t understand what problem there could be with that.”

“What nonsense are you trying to spout, Bureau Director?”

“I’m merely stating facts. Of course, as the Finance Minister said, the accusation content might not match the facts, so wouldn’t it suffice to clarify this through investigation?”

His habitual smile. Principled response. His voice, unswayed by emotion, was like a model of bureaucratic attitude.

The moment she confirmed the profile of the man who was faithfully carrying out the traces she had left behind.

Rianel couldn’t regain her composure from the confusion that left her breathless.

‘You are…’

[Do you think the Emperor truly wants reform? Do you think the Emperor can protect you, Professor, even while facing backlash from the nobles?]

He had been angry since hearing the news of her marriage to the Emperor.

[The Emperor won’t be able to endure even a slight headwind. He’s someone who has only known hardship intellectually, hasn’t he? The moment nobles express opposition, he’ll be overwhelmed by fear like a shipwreck and let go of the steering wheel.]

After trying to dissuade her,

[I will remain here, Professor.]

In the end, he turned away leaving words filled with regret.

[You should have a place to return to later, shouldn’t you, Professor?]

Someone she often thought of even during her difficult palace life.

‘Asil Novantium.’

Her student.

‘Why are you here?’

She never expected to meet him as her superior.

* * *

Rianel had been malfunctioning since the moment Asil appeared. Asil couldn’t diagnose Rianel’s condition precisely, but he noticed something was wrong.

“Given how things are turning out, it seems work will intensify, so let me excuse myself first. Come, let’s go.”

He extended his hand to Rianel and left immediately.

Asil was the youngest bureau director and also the head of the Novantium Ducal family. No one could object to someone like him.

The Finance Ministry people grumbled while looking at the empty space left by the two.

“This is truly absurd!”

“How can the Empire just let this kind of insubordination slide? Really!”

Because what Asil said about ‘increased workload’ sounded like it was targeting them.

However, when people from other departments didn’t show support, they began to leave their seats one by one.

As the remaining people also stood up, the civil service banquet came to an end.

Only Mel and Wilbrin were left in the empty seats.

“This new employee… seems like a better person than I thought?”

The two were hired at the same time and were close friends privately, so they could share this much of their inner thoughts.

“…Yeah.”

Mel nodded, then immediately corrected himself.

“No, she’s several times better than someone like me.”

“What’s that supposed to mean.”

Wilbrin laughed, but Mel was being sincere.

Mel was born as the son of a poor farmer.

He was destined to spend his entire life doing farm work instead of studying, but thanks to the Former Empress, he got a chance to live a different life.

Through her policies, he received scholarship support and was able to become a civil servant by passing the administrative examination.

Mel respected the Former Empress.

Because she was the person who changed his life.

It was only natural that he joined the Special Tax Bureau following the traces she left behind.

But that was as far as Mel could go.

Like a bird with broken wings, he could only watch the Special Tax Bureau endlessly fall and endure the mockery from people in other departments.

‘But Rianel, she was different.’

[You’ve been evading taxes, haven’t you?]

Those words.

That appearance that seemed to truly show what the Special Tax Bureau was supposed to do.

‘It was so cool…’

On the other hand, he was ashamed of himself for not being able to say a single word.

“Hah…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Mel stared at the seat where Rianel had been sitting for a long time.

As if doing so would allow him to pick up the traces Rianel had left behind.

He hoped for courage.

* * *

Meanwhile.

Rianel, who had followed Asil out of the banquet hall.

“Don’t you have any complaints about this personnel transfer?”

“Pardon?”

“For instance, thinking that you deserve to be assigned to a more excellent department.”

Found herself in a situation where she needed to figure out the examiner’s intentions.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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