The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success - Chapter 136

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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 136
What could Kibon’s true identity be?
Even Kiaros grew evasive whenever he spoke of Kibon—trustworthy, yet clearly harboring secrets.
‘Come to think of it, Kibon himself stopped hiding the fact that he wasn’t just an ordinary New Intern at some point.’
It must have been after entering the Imperial Palace. From that moment on, it seemed he had been preparing to confess something to me.
Given how he kept hesitating, his true identity was clearly nothing he could boast about.
But right now, none of that truly mattered.
‘Are you really feeling the same way I am?’
If so, I could truly believe his words. After all, even if Kibon were an experimental subject, it wouldn’t change anything for me.
Kibon drew closer with a hoarse voice, asking almost casually.
“Really… does it truly not matter who I am?”
“As long as you’re the Kibon Altes I know.”
Though I wondered if this was some legendary doppelgänger situation or something equally absurd.
To be certain, I spoke with absolute conviction.
“You lifted the scroll paper box for me, saved me from Oson, worked alongside me in the Scroll Department, gave me digestive aids by the handful, carried me through the city on a deep night, and together we destroyed the Imperial Palace Chapel….”
As I recounted each moment, I realized that regardless of what Kibon truly was, I would be fine.
“As long as you’re the one who promised to stay by my side, even if you were some experimental subject, I don’t care.”
It was absurd to say such things, yet in that moment, I finally understood my Father—how he could have married for love alone and surrendered everything to it.
Kibon swallowed hard, then asked.
“What if that person is the same… but the shell is different?”
Shell? What did he mean?
Was he some kind of monster experiment wearing a human shell?
‘Wait. If that’s the case, I’m honestly not sure.’
The thought of fangs and scales—traits of monsters—stirred an instinctive revulsion within me.
I frowned slightly, then spoke with visible hesitation.
“I suppose… if you’re at least humanoid… then maybe.”
Kibon seemed momentarily taken aback by my use of the word “humanoid.” I laughed awkwardly and added hastily.
“I mean, we should at least be the same species for any affection related to procreation to make sense….”
“Ah.”
Kibon whispered softly with a faint smile.
“Such affection….”
Then, his fingers—which had been cradling my cheek to wipe away tears—traced gently across my lips. My body trembled at the sudden intimacy and unfamiliar sensation.
“Is incredibly important.”
Desire rippled within his dark eyes. My breath quickened at the slow, deliberate movement of his fingers against my lips.
Most of all, his gaze fixed upon me was far too explicit.
‘Oh….’
In the empty space, my heart raced as it had when we were trapped together in the Storage.
As the tingling sensation spread from my head to my toes, my reason began to blur.
“Y-yes.”
I murmured, my eyes rolling slightly.
“Look, I’ll be lenient about this… even if you have scales or something, as long as they’re somewhere I can’t see them or you keep hiding them…”
“Scales?”
“Your shell is different, you said. If you have scales and don’t need to show me that form, I think I’d be fine with you staying like this.”
Kibon, who had been dazed for a moment, blinked before letting out a soft chuckle.
Then, with an expression of genuine delight, as if he found it absolutely hilarious, he lowered his head and began to laugh quietly.
“Ah… really…”
He spoke playfully while laughing softly.
“Well, I can transform into a form with scales…”
“Mm.”
“But I’m not old enough yet. If you wait a bit, it’ll be possible.”
“Mmm.”
“I could never show you if you wanted, but I do want to let you ride once. On the way here, it didn’t feel bad.”
“Mmmm.”
Ride? So it was a horse-shaped monster?
I tried my best not to imagine the form of a scaled horse.
There were things in this world one didn’t need to know. I was quite skilled at pretending not to know such things.
I simply wanted to think only of the memories and relationship I’d shared with Kibon all this time. With that thought, I gazed intently at him.
“…Why are you like that?”
Then Kibon stopped laughing and spoke in a subdued voice.
“You’ve had something to say since earlier, judging by your expression…”
Wow…
The Kibon before my eyes was definitely the real Kibon.
To read my expression and know immediately.
Others said they couldn’t understand what lay beneath such an expression even after years.
I nodded slowly and asked gently.
“Yeah…”
I’d really wanted to ask this question since earlier. I’d only held back because of the mood.
“Why are you speaking informally?”
As if he’d been waiting, he blinked with his words caught.
Then, with a small groan, he spoke as if making an excuse.
“That’s… I got confused because I was excited…”
“Oh, the Imperial language?”
“No, that’s not it.”
Kibon removed his hands from my face and slowly took my hand.
Then he asked again with a serious expression.
“Really, it doesn’t matter what kind of shell I have, right?”
“No, I didn’t say it doesn’t matter. Try recalling the conversation properly.”
“At least my true form is humanoid.”
I took a deep breath. At least if my true form was humanoid, I didn’t need to imagine the worst case.
I should tell him never to transform into a scaled horse for the rest of his life.
‘I really do love him.’
Either way, I loved Kibon just as much.
It was the moment I nodded vigorously.
“Huh?”
Kibon’s hair began to shift from the tips, transforming into a brilliant golden hue.
“Huh?”
His fresh, youthful eyes transformed into something elegant and refined, his irises shifting to a deep crimson.
“Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh?”
It felt as though I’d been struck on the head.
“This is… my special ability…”
Even his voice had changed!
But it was a voice I knew. A voice I knew far too well…
“I can transform into the appearance of another person.”
I stared blankly at Kiaros before me, then withdrew my hand from his grasp.
Still dazed, I composed myself and bowed respectfully.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, I greet you.”
My mind began racing rapidly.
‘Damn it.’
And only then did I realize one crucial fact.
I had never seen Kiaros and Kibon together.
Which meant Kiaros’s special ability, unknown to anyone else…
“Namia.”
At his low voice, I responded respectfully.
“Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince. You called for me?”
“Please, don’t do this.”
“No, I assure you. I have fully grasped the situation.”
Since Kiaros had explained everything so thoroughly before, simply adding the fact that ‘Kibon and Kiaros are the same person’ made all the pieces fall perfectly into place.
I recalled what he had said at our last meeting.
[Actually, Your Highness the Crown Prince, I had some suspicions about the Minister of Education. He might be connected to the Gaejo Faction…]
He was right. I was indeed connected to the Gaejo Faction.
[If Your Highness the Crown Prince finds it suspicious and wishes to investigate, I will cooperate fully. I believe that serves the peace of the Empire.]
And he had told me to investigate freely.
Kiaros had done nothing wrong. He was worthy of being the Empire’s future, as I acknowledged.
I continued speaking with proper courtesy.
“That was a rational and sharp decision. It was only natural to conceal it, given your special ability.”
Kiaros stared at me intently.
“Please, speak honestly. Will you?”
“This is the result of my sincere and truthful devotion.”
As I smiled as precisely as if drawn with a ruler, Kiaros let out a deep sigh.
Then he met my eyes again and spoke in a low voice.
“Watch carefully. Again.”
Kiaros’s golden hair darkened back to black, and the Kibon I knew appeared before me.
“So, will this form help me speak honestly?”
He opened his mouth again, choosing his words with care.
“You can truly understand me….”
The moment his familiar appearance returned, I found myself taking a deep breath.
Seeing those dark eyes tinged with tension, my smile deepened.
As my lips curved higher and higher, Kiaros flinched and trembled.
“Wow. I’m really envious.”
I laughed brightly while speaking in a measured tone.
“I’m so envious of you, our Kibon.”
“Wait, hold on….”
“While I knew nothing and watched you prancing about in front of the person involved, going ‘Oh, Dragon Brother loves Namia so, so much, tee-hee,’ that must have been incredibly entertaining for you, right?”

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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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