The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success - Chapter 155

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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 155
Kiaros was receiving a report from the Raven Servants.
“Here is the structural diagram of the underground facility.”
“I see.”
The underground chamber beneath the temple that Namia had explained to the Emperor had already been fully mapped out. Since Kiaros had intended to go there himself, locating it proved simple.
However, all the Guardians had already been dead long before the Emperor transformed into a dragon and destroyed the Grand Temple. It appeared some kind of mechanism had been set in place.
‘Bibeurus Awin… what a cunning bastard. He’s been planning this from long ago—to survive alone and conceal the existence of the underground facility.’
Had it not been for the Tower Master, who had been secretly investigating for so long, even Namia would never have known of the underground chamber’s existence.
Which meant that even if they had simply suspected and destroyed the Grand Temple, the Gaejofa Faction would inevitably have risen to power again in ten or twenty years.
“We referenced Cedric Loapi’s testimony for the detailed structure and personnel. There appears to be a secret passage connecting to the outside, but we haven’t found it yet.”
“But we can certainly create another one. We’ll construct a passage for ourselves to enter.”
“Understood.”
The Raven Servant listening to Kiaros’s instructions glanced briefly at his face.
Kiaros, who had been explaining the plan with cold precision, narrowed his eyes and asked.
“What?”
“Ah… no…”
This Raven Servant had been continuously stationed in the Southern Region, so it had been a very long time since he’d seen Kiaros. He spoke while studying his face carefully.
“Well, your face is… it’s glowing… and your skin has such a shine to it… did you perhaps sleep well last night…?”
“I didn’t sleep.”
“Or perhaps you rested well while you were in the Capital…?”
“I just kept rolling around in the Capital.”
“…Pardon? You… you rolled around?”
Kiaros let out a soft laugh. Then his eyes returned to the documents. When he spotted the name “Aran Sertiz” on one of them, his gaze grew darker.
That woman who kept making innocent Namia out to be a criminal.
I had to capture this woman. That way, Namia could finally rid herself of that nagging unease.
* * *
After the Emperor turned away with a smirk, I immediately spoke to Father.
“I’m going to check on things.”
“Hm? Already?”
Father tilted his head in confusion.
“Namia, didn’t His Imperial Majesty say to come once your walk is finished?”
I stared at Father intently.
Seeing that innocent gaze, I couldn’t help but sigh. It seemed this man was hopeless when it came to advancement.
“That means he’ll wait until the walk is over.”
“Then isn’t that fine?”
“No. It’s not fine.”
“R-really? Is that how it is?”
At my words, Father’s expression darkened rapidly.
“Yesterday, while you were having an audience with the Crown Prince, His Imperial Majesty came to find me himself. When I panicked, he said he’d wait until my nerves settled, so I spent an hour drinking water and doing some light exercises…”
“You… did exercises… in front of His Imperial Majesty…”
“I, well, I thought I needed to relax quickly…”
It seemed I had relaxed far too much.
I shook my head and clicked my tongue.
“What is this mess of social skills? How did the teacher manage back then?”
“Hmm, so that’s why I couldn’t take a leadership position even at that small school…”
“That does seem likely. But why did the Emperor come looking for Father?”
“He asked me several questions. Let me see…”
From what I gathered, it was a routine interrogation.
After all, Father had been the subject of experiments multiple times, so his testimony was naturally necessary.
But the fact that the Emperor came himself, when he could have sent the Red Knight Order instead…
‘There was no need to show such courtesy.’
An ominous premonition struck me. From what I knew, the Emperor was a seasoned politician.
Unlike the Empress and Young Prince who showered unconditional favor without expecting anything in return, he was calculating and ruthless beneath his benevolent appearance—a cold-blooded ruler.
‘…He definitely wants something from me.’
I thought this as I headed toward the Emperor’s Chamber.
‘Is this the price—giving up my son?’
Kiaros had said the Emperor would permit us to be together, but my thoughts differed.
‘His Majesty may be a good father, but his priority will always be the Empire.’
Objectively speaking, that was the right direction.
After all, a ruler must never be swayed by emotion and must always act for the greater good.
I had always stood in the position of an ordinary citizen of the Empire. That’s why I believed the Emperor should be so objective and cold-blooded before the Empire’s future.
‘Kiaros is clearly the next Emperor material. There’s no way Jayden Young Prince could do better. Surely His Majesty wouldn’t want Kiaros to abandon the Crown Prince position just to look at me alone.’
Before my eyes, envelopes of money, laws against bribery, and the Minister’s position flickered in turn. In the midst of this, I arrived at the Emperor’s Chamber.
“You’ve come earlier than expected.”
The Emperor greeted me with a gentle smile.
Seeing that the tea table was already prepared, it seemed he had anticipated my immediate arrival.
“Please, come in.”
I bowed respectfully and took a seat before the Emperor.
Before me was a middle-aged face that made me wonder if Kiaros would look like this when he aged.
Since this was my first private audience with the Emperor, my body naturally tensed.
“I’m truly sorry for calling you so early.”
As expected. He too thought of it as ‘calling’ rather than ‘waiting’.
“But this was the only time I had to meet with the Minister. The Gaejofa matter still isn’t resolved, you see.”
“Not at all, Your Majesty. Please don’t concern yourself.”
The desk was clearly piled high with documents.
And here Father was doing gymnastics in front of such a busy man…
I laughed awkwardly to myself. Even if I were the Emperor, I don’t think I’d approve of my in-laws. A reckless Tower Master, a criminal mother, and a father with absolutely no sense of propriety…
“Kiaros visited last night. I heard everything about what the Minister did to lure out the Gaejofa leadership, and we discussed what comes next together.”
So Kiaros had dropped me off and gone straight to the Emperor last night.
‘His stamina really is something…”
Even amid all this, the fact that he’d completed his duties spoke volumes about his mental fortitude matching his physical stamina.
As I marveled anew, the Emperor spoke slowly.
“I’ve heard the general outline of matters concerning Kiaros and Namia.”
Here it comes at last. I swallowed dryly.
“I don’t know what Namia is thinking, but if you ask what takes priority in my life, truthfully it’s none of those things—it’s the Empire.”
“Yes, I think the same, Your Majesty.”
“And I’m certain of this: Kiaros is the future of the Empire.”
“Yes, I think the same, Your Majesty.”
“Of course, you yourself have no attachment to that position, but I believe Kiaros must become the Crown Prince.”
“Yes, I think the same, Your Majesty.”
I nodded obediently in agreement with every word the Emperor spoke.
I had steeled myself mentally.
“Because….”
Now then—was this where he’d say something like, “If Namia’s situation isn’t resolved, you’ll have to accept this and step down,” and hand over an envelope of money…?
“Because we can bring Namia as the Crown Prince’s bride.”
Pardon?
“No matter how I think about it, she’s too talented for a Minister’s position. The Imperial Family desperately needs talent like hers.”
I beg your pardon?
“The Gaejofa Faction is under a grave misunderstanding—that this Empire is maintained because of the Dragon-kin. But that’s not true. Just as a dragon cannot rule a human nation, this peace functions because of a well-established state system. Through civil servants fulfilling their roles in their respective positions, and so forth.”
I’m terribly sorry, what?
“To maintain and develop that system, I believe Namia’s abilities would be more than sufficient. What do you think? Speak honestly.”
“Well….”
I answered honestly for now.
“I think the same, Your Majesty….”

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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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