The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success - Chapter 172

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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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Side Story Episode 1
Side Story 1. The Strongest Dragon-kin Lost His Memory
Jayden had been troubled lately.
It was about Kiaros.
‘My older brother isn’t like he used to be.’
Kiaros was a busy man, but he had always been a kind older brother to Jayden. Simply being an older brother made him a remarkable existence, but above all, he was extraordinary as a human being.
Because of the Dragon-kin’s natural cunning, Jayden looked down on nearly all humans as beneath him, yet he could not help but harbor endless reverence for Kiaros. And for good reason—Kiaros was a perfect human who was meticulous in all matters and knew everything there was to know about scholarship.
Therefore, even during the days when Jayden behaved like a reckless fool to everyone else, he performed the role of a well-behaved child in front of Kiaros.
Just as Kiaros was the perfect older brother to him, Jayden too wished to be the perfect younger brother to Kiaros. But then.
‘Really… my older brother truly isn’t like he used to be.’
At some point, Kiaros had stopped looking at Jayden with the boundless affection he once had.
He still treated him with the same courtesy as always, but his expression had become peculiar—as though he were watching a child tell a lie.
Jayden first sought counsel from his mother, the Empress.
“Your Majesty the Empress, my older brother doesn’t seem to adore me like he used to. His expression seems somehow displeased.”
“Really? From what I can see, he’s exactly the same. Didn’t he praise your studies the other day? And he plays that dreadfully boring ball game with you endlessly, even though he finds it tedious with children.”
“But his expression is subtly different….”
“Hmm.”
“Why do you make that face?”
“You’re my son, but I must say you’re exhausting. Why are you bothering people over subtle things? If something troubles your heart, just settle it between brothers with a good fight or two! A little blood spilled between family is fine!”
The Empress was of no help whatsoever.
After brooding over it, Jayden sought counsel from his father, the Emperor.
“Your Majesty the Emperor, I have a concern. When I visit my older brother, he no longer looks at me with eyes dripping with honey like he used to.”
“Ahem, Jayden.”
The Emperor then stroked Jayden’s head and spoke.
“Is it possible you went to see him while he was with Namia?”
Jayden blinked and nodded. It was only natural—whenever Kiaros wasn’t overwhelmed with duties, he was always with Namia.
“That’s exactly it then. Would you like it if someone interrupted while you were on a date? Dear Jayden, it’s time you graduated from being an oblivious child.”
“But I’m only eight years old, you know? Shouldn’t I be allowed to lack a bit of tact?”
“If you want to see your cute nephew soon, then mind your manners. I’ve been putting effort into reading the room lately because I want to see my grandchild too.”
The Emperor was also of no help. And he left the Palace due to an inspection schedule in the Provincial Area, entrusting state affairs to Kiaros.
‘No, that’s not it. It’s different from that. It wasn’t because he was with Namia. Even during the period when Namia rejected him and they weren’t together, something was definitely strange.’
In the end, Jayden found a third person to seek help from. It was Namia.
Jayden and Namia had been meeting every day anyway. This was because Kiaros had asked Namia to provide special education for Jayden.
[Jayden, even if you’re not the Crown Prince, as a member of the Imperial Family you must understand practical affairs well. Since I’ve made a special request, it would be good for you to learn from Namia.]
[What? Practical affairs? I’ve already learned all of that. I finished all the curriculum last year.]
[No, there’s a new educational course you must specifically learn from Namia.]
Jayden, who had already mastered all practical matters such as how to read official documents and the procedures for writing them, initially questioned Kiaros’s decision.
[Really? What’s the name of the class?]
[Well… Imperial Language?]
[What? But that’s my native language?]
“Just listen to me first. Hear me out, then we can talk.”
Yet after that first lesson, Jayden approached Namia’s classes with utmost seriousness and dedication. Her instruction proved remarkably valuable.
“Well, Young Prince. Did you have a chance to read through the materials I provided earlier?”
Namia arrived at the Young Prince’s Palace precisely on time, offering a bright smile. Jayden nodded and handed over the handout.
“Yes. I read through all of it.”
【Assignment】
The Condolence Delegation faced an unexpected attack. They had prepared six defensive scrolls, but it proved insufficient to repel the assault.
The report regarding the quantity of defensive scrolls was submitted by the Scroll Management Department, with final approval authority resting with the White Knight Order Commander.
Namia withdrew a pen and spoke.
“Now, let’s look at the 【Examples】.”
The following 【Examples】 section presented a dialogue that continued from the situation described in the 【Assignment】.
White Knight Order Commander: No matter how many scrolls the experts calculated, six simply won’t cut it.
As Jayden read through the 【Examples】, Namia asked kindly.
“So, what was the White Knight Order Commander most trying to emphasize? And can you discern the underlying meaning?”
Jayden, pondering carefully, answered thoughtfully.
“Hmm… that six won’t be enough?”
“No. The White Knight Order Commander was most trying to emphasize the phrase ‘the experts calculated.'”
Namia underlined the relevant passage as she explained.
“In other words, it means ‘I bear no responsibility—it’s the Scroll Management Department’s fault for being the experts.’ Now, let’s look at the next dialogue.”
Scroll Management Department Inventory Team Leader: Our Inventory Team actually raised concerns that six would be insufficient…
Jayden studied the next sentence intently before speaking.
“Is this saying ‘we should increase it beyond six going forward’?”
“No. It’s ‘I bear no responsibility.’ However, notice he said ‘the Inventory Team raised concerns,’ not ‘I raised concerns.’ This allows us to infer that the person who actually voiced that opinion wasn’t the Team Leader himself, but someone beneath him.”
“Ah!”
Jayden’s eyes gleamed as he underlined the phrase “the Inventory Team.” The lesson continued.
Scroll Management Minister: Six scrolls, well, that was the standard during the last escort as well, so it’s simply aligned with the baseline average.
“Could this also mean ‘it’s not my responsibility’?”
“Similar. More precisely, it means ‘it’s my predecessor’s responsibility.'”
Scroll Management Minister: In any case, we’ll revisit the standards regarding six scrolls through internal discussion.
Upon reading the final sentence, Jayden tilted his head in confusion.
“Hmm? Isn’t that just a natural thing to say? Is there a hidden meaning here too?”
“Yes. It means ‘let’s drop this matter for now.'”
“Aha!”
Jayden’s pen moved busily across the page. Truly, without Namia, one could never hear such instruction anywhere else.
Beyond that, Namia taught Jayden various other bureaucratic Imperial phrases. His textbook became densely filled with his notes.
Thank you → I’ve said all I need to say.
If you’d just look here → Handle this first, at least.
If you’d give us time to discuss it internally → You’re the only one who’s ever brought this up.
He had always been confident that he understood everything, but Jayden felt as though his eyes had opened to an entirely new field of study. Kiaros’s foresight in declaring this a “necessary lesson” was truly remarkable.
When that extraordinarily valuable lesson finally concluded.
Jayden munched on a cookie while looking at Namia, then carefully broached the subject.
“Namia.”
“Yes.”
“I have something troubling me.”
Kibon noticed that class had ended and came bounding over.
These days, Jayden spent considerable time with Kibon, and within the Imperial Palace, only a child possessed the endless time and energy to play continuously with a dog in his prime years.
“Yes, Young Prince. Please, tell me. What troubles you?”
Namia asked gently with a radiant smile, cradling Kibon in Jayden’s arms. At the sight of her affectionate expression, Jayden’s own face naturally relaxed.

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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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