The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success - Chapter 45

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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 45
The Emperor pressed his forehead and shook his head slowly.
“So you’re saying that under the pretense of being rejected, you intend to cling to Namia’s side? I made it clear—now that you’ve been cast aside, you must never burden her with your presence….”
The Emperor’s measured words continued.
“If you remain at her side, Namia will surely reveal her vulnerabilities to you….”
“That is certainly not my intention, Your Majesty.”
Kiaros answered at once.
He was no fool. He understood perfectly well that if the Crown Prince attached himself to her, it would only spawn vicious rumors.
“That matter… I shall handle discreetly. Your Majesty need only manage my absence from my duties for the time being.”
“Well, that much… I was already prepared to do, given your dark period….”
The Emperor answered with reluctant acceptance.
Kiaros, satisfied with this, resumed his tea with elegant composure.
‘I’ll simply return to the Scroll Management Department—or rather, the Scroll Department.’
Fortunately, even during a dark period, I could still use my special abilities.
Using that, I could re-enter as a New Intern, and being in the same department, I might discover something.
[If the Crown Prince suspects something and investigates, I will cooperate fully. I believe that serves the peace of the Empire.]
Hadn’t Namia said exactly that?
If something seemed suspicious, investigate it.
‘Even if Namia is innocent, the Scroll Management Department itself does seem suspicious.’
According to the Tower Master, it was difficult to believe that Oson was the only spy who had infiltrated the Scroll Management Department.
There had to be other spies. Unlike Oson, they might have exercised caution and avoided dismissal.
‘I could catch them myself.’
That was why I was undertaking this covert investigation personally.
Besides, with the Emperor’s arrival, my workload had decreased, so spending time at the Scroll Management Department was perfectly acceptable.
‘There won’t be much to do there anyway.’
Entering that department as a New Intern held no fear for me.
Namia had said this clearly.
[If that New Intern, the youngest I first received, were to return by some chance… I would make sure we could clear up any misunderstandings and live together in true comfort.]
Even if I returned, she would ensure we could live comfortably together.
Then I could enter that department and leisurely root out the spies.
‘And… if Namia is innocent, I could save her.’
If spies still remained in the Scroll Management Department, they would seek to harm Namia, who had obstructed them and protected the Imperial Family.
With that thought, I had to continue staying by Namia’s side to protect her.
‘The Imperial Family must protect civil servants.’
Kiaros reasoned logically.
‘I am merely protecting the civil servant who protected me.’
There was absolutely, absolutely, absolutely no personal interest involved.
I was using my special abilities for the future of the Empire.
“Kiaros, I trust your excellence. If our son seems suspicious, we must certainly investigate. Do as you wish.”
The Emperor spoke gently.
“But there is one thing I will not tolerate—you must never cling to a woman who has refused you, nor conduct yourself shamefully. You are not to use your authority or power to impose yourself upon her and create discomfort. Do you understand? Even if your long-cherished first love has gone unfulfilled.”
The Empress, who had been watching cautiously until then, interjected with careful urgency.
“I must respectfully disagree, Your Majesty! If there is something you desire, seize it and struggle for it—obtain it by any means necessary! With that face and form of yours, if you employ them actively and without restraint, I believe you can succeed in seduction!”
Kiaros exhaled deeply within himself.
It seemed neither of them truly understood his sincere devotion to the Empire.
‘It matters not.’
Kiaros ignored the Emperor and Empress, who were regarding him with expressions of pity.
‘I act solely for the Empire.’
For the Empire’s sake, he would become Kibon Altes starting tomorrow.
And he would position himself directly beside Namia to monitor the Scroll Department.
Since he would not assign the New Intern any particular duties, the conditions were optimal.
* * *
At that very moment.
The Tower Master and I made our way toward the Scroll Management Department Office.
“Phew!”
It was past seven o’clock.
Naturally, all the staff had already left for the day.
Upon seeing security documents scattered across the desks, the Tower Master clicked his tongue.
“These madmen… No wonder the Crown Prince grinds his teeth wanting to dismantle this place. With the Department in such a state, spies slip in like water through a sieve.”
“Yes. In truth, this place has been both a spy’s paradise and a god’s workplace.”
I agreed immediately.
The Tower Master examined the parchment for scrolls, then chuckled again.
“Quite the performance you’ve put on. They claimed to use S-grade materials, but this is clearly B-grade at best, isn’t it? I’m certain the staff colluded with the suppliers behind the scenes, claiming ordinary people cannot read scrolls.”
As the Tower Master made his rounds through the office, similar discoveries continued.
“What is this? Why is the form like this? They don’t even understand the incantations properly? And this ink is expired—scrolls won’t even activate with this!”
The criticisms came without end.
Visibly distressed by his own findings, he finally burst out at me.
“You’re cursing me inwardly right now, aren’t you? Wondering why I’ve let things deteriorate this far?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
At my answer, the Tower Master sighed deeply.
Then he flicked the nameplate of the now-dismissed Minister of Education, sending it clattering to the ground, and muttered irritably.
“I know. I know the Tower Master shouldn’t be like this. The Crown Prince is right to view this Department as an eyesore.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“But I can’t help it. My daughter’s situation is grave. I haven’t had time to attend to this.”
“….”
“Do you think I’m pathetic for failing at my work because of family troubles?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
The Tower Master pressed his palm to his forehead.
I regarded him quietly for a moment, then spoke softly.
“But… I still think there’s nothing you could have done.”
That was my true heart.
“…Even knowing how pathetic I am, I still can’t help it….”
Someone would surely judge me as pathetic.
Luca once did. He’d ask why I lived that way at all.
‘But I couldn’t help it. They were family….’
How could I let go when my memories were filled with loving and being loved?
In truth, I held little hope for this world and harbored no lingering attachments.
Nothing but misfortune had ever unfolded within this Scroll Management Department Office. I’d even thought the whole world might as well collapse.
Yet here I was, a mere subordinate, striving desperately to prevent war….
‘I miss you, Father. I want to see you again.’
Without that longing, without that wish.
‘…Being alone is so lonely.’
I truly didn’t want to admit it, but that was my genuine heart.
When the Marquis and his wife shared a delicious dinner with Huan—just the three of them.
When no one came to see me at the Academy parent observation class.
When I passed the Imperial Palace Civil Service exam but had no one to boast to.
Each time, I thought of Father and swallowed my loneliness. That was the only way I could endure.
‘I’m an adult now, yet still….’
My memories of being loved had frozen at eight years old.
Like that eight-year-old child, I swallowed my tears.
‘I still need family….’
When I saw the Emperor cherishing Kiaros earlier.
My heart ached slightly then too.
Watching the Imperial Family trust and rely on one another, I felt a sudden desolation. As if I alone were an outsider.
“…I can understand that pathetic life…. In truth, I too have a missing family member….”
I suppressed my sobs and murmured.
The Tower Master stared at me, then let out a single sigh.
Then he perched on the Minister of Education’s disheveled desk and began to speak.
“I have a daughter.”

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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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