The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success - Chapter 132

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 132
“Grrrrgh, grrrrgh grrrgh….(I’m going to die, I’m going to die….)”
The Emperor’s entire body ached from the strain of pushing himself so hard.
“Grrrrrrrrgh….(The moment you turn twenty-five, I’ll make sure to race you exactly this hard….)”
Kiaros, who hadn’t yet come of age and had never manifested as a dragon even once, clearly had no idea how extraordinary this feat was.
“If you drop me from too low an altitude, my shadow will give away that a dragon has appeared.”
Kiaros remained fastidious even in these circumstances.
“Since we must enter in secret, please be mindful of that point.”
“Grrrrgh, grrung?(Then what am I supposed to do? You’re in the Age of Darkness—if I drop you from here, you’ll die instantly.)”
“Please return to human form now and set me down atop the Grand Temple, then position yourself elsewhere.”
It was a calm instruction, but in a way, it was utterly absurd.
The Emperor immediately transformed into human form, cradled Kiaros in his arms, and began falling from the sky in that shape.
“I hope you’ll take care not to draw attention from others. We cannot afford to become another variable in Namia’s movements.”
As they plummeted, the Emperor began pouring out words he’d been unable to say until now.
“I really can’t live like this. Didn’t I tell you to confess beforehand? Didn’t I? Why couldn’t you do it sooner and create this mess? Even if it’s difficult, even if you’re scared, you have to do it. When I was young, I just charged forward with the momentum of someone ready to chew through stone, understand?”
It was nagging that felt like one’s ears were about to fall off.
Throughout it all, Kiaros maintained an utterly solemn expression, holding the Emperor’s neck seriously with both arms, cradled like a princess as he waited for a safe landing.
“However.”
As the Grand Temple drew near, Kiaros spoke softly.
“Aren’t you curious about Namia? You must have many questions.”
At that, the Emperor, who had been continuing with his “you should have done it sooner” refrain, let out a deep sigh. Then he answered gently.
“I’m truly curious about many things, but for now, I’ve decided to entrust it to you.”
“….”
“That child saved Fron, Jayden, you, and me. Our entire family owes her a debt of gratitude… and yes, that child may be suspicious and strange. But if you care for her….”
The Emperor smiled faintly.
“…isn’t it a parent’s heart to want to give her a chance to confess?”
With those words, the Emperor and Kiaros reached the very top of the Grand Temple.
Kiaros slipped lightly from the Emperor’s embrace.
Kiaros’s eyes, wrapped in a black robe down to his hair, shone more brilliantly than ever.
“Well then, my son.”
The Emperor placed his trembling hands on Kiaros’s shoulders.
“Go on then… I’ll be up in that tree… Honestly, for a while I’m so exhausted that I can’t even enter the Grand Temple, let alone destroy it.”
Indeed, the Emperor’s legs were trembling violently.
He had broken through a four-day journey in less than two days, so the strain was considerable. Especially flight demanded an enormous amount of stamina.
“Once I catch my breath, I’ll immediately order the Southern Region’s forces deployed, so wait a moment. I’ll join you and help.”
However, that “catching his breath” seemed like it would take quite some time. Simply standing was difficult for him.
The Emperor gazed at Kiaros with concern and added:
“Look at this magnificent, handsome face… Everyone will recognize at once that you’re the Crown Prince… which means you’ll become a target immediately. What am I to do about this?”
He wanted nothing more than to assign additional guards.
However, no matter how dark the Age of Darkness was, only Kiaros could ride on a dragon’s back. Since Kiaros was insisting “absolutely as fast as possible,” this was the best option available.
“You needn’t worry about that. I’ll be on my way then. Thank you so much.”
Kiaros bowed respectfully and immediately began descending the outer staircase.
The Emperor wrung out every last ounce of his remaining strength and safely concealed himself in the tree beside him.
‘Just a little… I need to sleep just a little and wake up.’
He hadn’t let Kiaros see it, but truthfully, his consciousness was already fading. However…
‘…Huh?’
The Emperor’s brow furrowed as he observed Kiaros’s silhouette entering the building via the external stairs.
‘Did I strain my corneas too much? Why does Kiaros’s hair look black?’
With that final thought, the Emperor succumbed to sleep.
* * *
The interior of the Grand Temple was already on high alert.
“It seems an intruder has entered the External Maze.”
Biberus was issuing orders while struggling to maintain composure.
“They’re not Dragon-kin, at least. Keep the researchers in the Laboratory until we have a clear picture of the situation. Summon all the executives.”
The executives hurried to assemble.
Biberus noticed an empty seat and his brow darkened.
“Where is Aran?”
Guardians in black suits patrolled the corridors of the Gaejo Faction.
They monitored the test subjects, moved about the building, and ran errands for the executives and researchers. Most of them were typically former mercenaries with criminal records.
One executive quickly gestured to a Guardian behind him and spoke.
“I’ll send someone right away. She’s probably in the Underground Prison and didn’t hear the summons.”
All the executives of the Gaejo Faction knew that Aran frequented the Underground Prison.
The Underground Prison was where Cedric Loapi was confined.
Aran would go down there often, claiming she would ‘persuade’ him, insisting there was no finer test subject than him.
“Why is she always crawling around down there? Huh?”
Biberus, already on edge, bellowed in frustration.
“Bring her here at once! Now!”
That was when it happened.
A loud crash echoed from outside, and the ground shook violently.
* * *
Following the map Grandfather had shown me, I entered through the side gate.
A loud explosion sounded from far to the east. It seemed Grandfather was causing quite the disturbance.
‘Please… keep everyone safe. Until His Majesty arrives…’
Whether because everyone had rushed east or because I was close to the Underground Prison entrance, I encountered no one.
I smoothly made my way toward the Underground Prison entrance.
‘Phew…’
Peeking around the corner, I saw two guards standing at the Underground Prison entrance.
Honestly, it wouldn’t have been difficult to use an attack scroll and kill them.
But having never harmed anyone before, I couldn’t help but hesitate.
‘I see. Even the strongest must have a disregard for life to wield power freely.’
Becoming the strongest of the physical faction was truly not an easy feat.
‘Without field experience, I can’t help but be inexperienced.’
Back when I caught spies with Kiaros, I had planned everything out, but I was weak in actual combat. It was simply because I lacked direct physical experience.
‘Truthfully, I think my nature is better suited to sitting above and overseeing, giving orders.’
No matter how much the opponent was a member of the Gaejo Faction, I hesitated at the thought of suddenly grabbing them and resorting to violence.
I ultimately took one of the two concealment scrolls I’d received from my Grandfather and dismounted from Kibon.
Then I scratched Kibon’s neck and whispered.
“Hide your body here. Since you’re an experimental subject, you won’t die even if you’re driven back into the Maze.”
“Woof, woof.”
“When I call, come to me then. You can do that, right?”
“Woof, woof!”
If I managed to rescue Father, my plan was to immediately ride Kibon and dash away without hesitation.
I activated the concealment scroll and quietly passed between the Guards.
Then I began descending the stairs swiftly.
* * *
Though I was not currently the strongest of the physical faction, there had once been someone who was. That was Kiaros.
In particular, he had considerable expertise in dismantling criminal organizations like this.
“Don’t move.”
Upon reaching the interior of the Temple, he selected a secluded spot, grabbed the Guardian who looked the most naive, dragged them into the Restroom, and immediately pressed a dagger against their neck.
“Where are the human experimental subjects?”

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