The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success - Chapter 143

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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 143
I had just begun my mental calculations when it happened.
Biberus, who had been bickering with my mother, spoke harshly.
“What, thinking of throwing a punch? You know that won’t work, right?”
He widened his eyes as he continued.
“I’m activating my ability right now. Even if you hit me, you’ll end up hurting twice as much.”
Wait, hold on.
Does that mean I’d feel twice the pain too? That wouldn’t do at all.
I quickly halted my calculations.
Come to think of it… the High Priest had been an experimental subject. Biberus was undoubtedly strengthened through experimentation as well.
‘That’s absurd. He reflects attacks by doubling the pain?’
In the ‘original’ form of the future I had come to know, Biberus never appeared.
If that were the case, even if Jayden had ended the war and ascended to the throne, there was a high probability he would have been protecting himself like this, waiting for his next opportunity.
‘Jayden never fully grasped the situation even in the original story… He only ended the war.’
He remained ignorant of the masterminds, their collaborators, and the very origins of the conflict.
Because I had only known the future in its original form through Jayden, I too had lacked those crucial details.
‘In many ways, Kiaros seems far more suited to be Emperor than Jayden.’
This conviction struck me once more.
Jayden had destroyed everything and ended the war, but ultimately failed to uproot the true architects of chaos, leaving behind future calamities.
‘Kiaros, on the other hand, was truly meticulous.’
He had even suspected me—someone everyone else trusted simply because I had saved the Empress.
While I contemplated the Empire’s future, Biberus and my mother remained locked in their standoff.
“You, Aran.”
As Biberus shifted slightly aside, I could see his sky-blue eyes.
A strange madness gleamed within those azure irises.
Even my mother, who had been charging forward with wild abandon, fell silent.
‘So even audacity crumbles before raw physical power.’
Biberus lifted his chin arrogantly and issued a command.
“I’ve indulged your pretty face long enough. Lead the way.”
“You dare command me now…?”
“Dare? Did you just say ‘dare’ to me? Get your head straight. I’m a successful experiment—already half Dragon-kin.”
“By that logic, all our experiments were based on Dragon-kin research, so I’m also half Dragon-kin…”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You have no abilities whatsoever. You’re just a failed experiment.”
My mother clenched her fists.
“A failure even your father and the Gaejofa Faction couldn’t salvage.”
That was when it happened.
Thundering footsteps echoed from above—rapid and heavy.
After serving so long in the Imperial Palace, I could recognize it by sound alone. Those were the footsteps of the Knight Order.
The Emperor had undoubtedly deployed the Red Knight Order to the Grand Temple.
“Get out. Now!”
Biberus grabbed Namia’s Mother by the arm and shoved her into the secret passage as if throwing her away.
With that, Namia’s Mother vanished from sight, and soon after, Biberus himself disappeared into the secret passage as well.
I swallowed a sigh inwardly. There was nothing I could do as the leader of the Gaejofa Faction escaped right before my eyes.
‘But who here could stand against that person? Even Kiaros would struggle. He reflects attacks twofold, they say….’
Subduing someone like that alone was realistically impossible. I was no match for him—a desk-bound strategist who had no business trying to apprehend such a foe.
‘But I concentrated so hard. I memorized every word of the conversation. I will definitely catch them both.’
The concealment slowly faded. I breathed heavily and made a vow to myself.
‘I’m timid and weak, so I should just plan safely and leave the action to the professionals.’
And right on cue.
“Woof woof woof!”
Kibon, who had been running from afar, finally arrived.
“Kibon?”
I heard Kibon’s footsteps coming from the direction I had entered.
I had told him to come when I called, and here he was. My heart ached at his loyalty.
He was just like the real Kibon Altes….
“Kibooooon!”
“Woof woof woof!”
Kibon wagged his tail frantically. Now this space contained only Kibon and me.
“Sigh….”
After all, the teleportation scroll could only transport me alone. I couldn’t bring Kibon with me.
I pointed to the secret passage where the two had disappeared and spoke.
“Let’s head that way for now.”
“Woof woof!”
As we entered the passage where Namia’s Mother and Biberus had vanished, a path made of steeply angled rocks spread out before us.
“Woof woof!”
In the meantime, Kibon bounded upward and was already perched on quite a high rock.
But now I had no concealment scroll.
Even if I rode on Kibon to pursue Namia’s Mother and Biberus, there was no real strategy that would help. If anything, I’d only end up at the mercy of Biberus, who had rendered even Namia’s Mother helpless.
“Kibon.”
I called out calmly, looking up at him.
“If you follow that scent, you should be able to get outside. Meet me out there. I’ll find my way out too. Understand?”
“Woof woof woof!”
Kibon nodded as if he understood, then vanished into the darkness in an instant.
And so I was left alone.
“Sigh.”
I took a moment to breathe.
Alone in this dark, damp place where Namia’s Mother and Father had been.
But I couldn’t stay here forever. In that bright world above, Kiaros would be waiting for me.
‘Though it might still feel a bit strange to interact with him as Kiaros rather than Kibon….’
I took a deep breath and activated the teleportation scroll I had been holding since earlier.
* * *
The Grand Temple, long regarded as a religious institution, was now being laid to waste.
The Red Knight Order was systematically destroying everything in their path.
And then, carrying a massive muscular man on his shoulders, someone appeared with hurried strides. It was Kiaros.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”
The knights battling monsters in the maze were all startled.
Though he wore clothes of unidentifiable black, his gleaming golden hair and crimson eyes made his identity unmistakable.
“Where is the Emperor?”
Kiaros asked calmly, and the Red Knight Commander rushed forward to answer.
“He awaits outside with the Tower Master, Your Majesty!”
“The Tower Master?”
“Yes! We extracted him from within the Grand Temple where he was engaged in battle.”
The Red Knight Commander glanced at the muscular man Kiaros was carrying as he spoke.
“That man—please, allow me to transport him. I shall carry him for you.”
“No.”
Kiaros shook his head.
“I’ve endured enough hardship getting this far. I intend to see it through to the end myself.”
His tone was solemn and resolute. The Red Knight Commander was somewhat taken aback, but he could hardly argue when the Crown Prince had spoken.
“And… do you happen to know the whereabouts of the Minister of Scrolls?”
“Pardon?”
“Ah, never mind. You wouldn’t know the Minister of Scrolls.”
The Red Knight Order had remained stationed in the Southern Region, so it was natural he wouldn’t know Namia.
How should I describe Namia anyway? A woman with silver hair and blue eyes? There was nothing particularly distinctive about her appearance.
Kiaros, lost in thought for a moment, found suitable words and rephrased his question.
“A young woman with silver hair who’s been causing a commotion while staying close to the Tower Master.”
“Ah…”
The Red Knight Commander tilted his head in confusion.
“I’ve heard no reports of such a person. However, we did receive word that a large white dog came running to the Tower Master’s side.”
Kiaros’s brow furrowed. The white dog was irrelevant, and Namia should have emerged immediately. So why hadn’t she yet…?
“Let’s head in that direction for now.”
Perhaps the teleportation scroll couldn’t pinpoint exact coordinates. In any case, if I go to where the Tower Master and Emperor are waiting, Namia should arrive soon enough.
“Commander.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“How do I look right now? I was so desperate escaping from the underground that I’m exhausted—I must look quite disheveled.”
“Ah, Your Highness! Would you ever appear disheveled?”
The Red Knight Commander was startled and waved his hands frantically.
“You look impeccably neat and composed. You show no signs of fatigue whatsoever.”
“Is that so?”
Kiaros tilted his head slightly.
“Being neat is fine, but I wish I looked a bit more worn out. What if I let my bangs down and tousled them a bit?”
“I shall obey your command.”
The Red Knight Commander loyally touched Kiaros’s golden hair briefly.
“You certainly appear to have endured considerable hardship.”
“Excellent.”
Kiaros began moving toward where the Emperor was, guided by the Red Knight Commander.

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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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