The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success - Chapter 57

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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 57
That night.
Even through my exhaustion, I was receiving a report from my Aide.
“Baron Loapi’s Residence has been transferred to auction as planned. Huan Loapi spent a long time in discussion with the Minister of Finance this afternoon.”
“Hmm.”
“An internal disciplinary committee was convened immediately, and the results are expected to be announced tomorrow.”
There was nothing to see.
It wasn’t anything else—it was embezzlement. Immediate dismissal was certain.
“Next, I’ll report on Howard Olten and the Olten Merchant Guild.”
Howard Olten.
That old man who had grabbed Namia’s wrist and insisted on marrying her.
They said he was the Eldest Son of Olten Merchant Guild.
“As you instructed, we secured testimony from New Intern Kibon Altes and prosecuted him for sexual harassment of a civil servant.”
I had already met with my Aide in Kibon’s form and provided testimony under that guise.
My Aide listened to every word with a sincere expression and kindness.
“I was worried because he’s a foreigner, but despite being a presumptuous young man, fortunately he articulated himself quite coherently.”
Hmm.
Internally, I thought he was presumptuous.
“We’ve also issued a restraining order, and accordingly, the Olten Merchant Guild has transferred him to a provincial post.”
In any case, the Howard Olten matter was resolved well.
Namia had said she would handle it herself, but I wanted to send him far away before that.
I was inwardly laughing with satisfaction when my Aide continued.
“Ah, and regarding Victor Awin, you ordered an urgent investigation.”
I let out a hollow cough.
Victor Awin. That name irritated me like a fishbone caught in my throat.
Earlier, when Luca said “Unless it’s Senior Victor Awin…,” Namia gave no response.
She simply changed the subject.
[I was trying to find you anyway. Do you have a spare room at your boarding house? How much is it?]
[Huh? A boarding house?]
[Yeah. I left home.]
[Ha. So you were listening to what I said that dawn when we were alone together.]
I understood well enough that Namia and Luca were nothing to each other.
But if Namia were to move into the same boarding house as Luca…
It seemed like I’d be hearing endless talk about “nights spent alone together at the boarding house” and all that nonsense.
That irritated me in an inexplicable way.
“Wait, that Baron Loapi’s Residence.”
“Yes.”
“It was bought with Namia’s biological father’s money anyway, wasn’t it? Prepare the documents properly and transfer it to Namia. There should be relevant provisions.”
“Understood.”
My Aide responded promptly and efficiently.
And I picked up the report.
“Then allow me to brief you on Victor Awin.”
Kiaros rested his face against his interlaced fingers, studying his Aide.
The Aide began his report in a measured, deliberate voice.
“Victor Awin, age twenty-seven, is currently on an extended business assignment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Mardam Duchy.”
“Mm.”
“His assignment period is nearly complete, so the Minister of Scrolls has already submitted a request for his early return.”
Kiaros already knew this.
He’d personally witnessed Namia drafting that damned early return request document today.
Of course, it was merely one of the countless tasks that woman had completed.
‘…Namia Loapi is insane.’
She was still working overtime.
She meticulously reviewed all those documents while simultaneously processing new work with remarkable efficiency.
‘She’s truly insane.’
Until now, I’d considered myself a workaholic, but standing before Namia, I was humbled.
[Aren’t you leaving?]
[What’s the point? No one’s waiting for me at home anyway.]
[….]
[It’s better to work in my spacious, comfortable Minister’s Office. You have no money, no status, no honor, no office—now go home.]
In the end, Kiaros simply left work first.
“He was originally an excellent student, but his parents passed away during the Imperial Palace entrance examination, causing his scores to be dismal. That’s why he entered the Scroll Management Department….”
The Aide continued his report rapidly.
“Though originally a cadet branch of the Baron family, he was adopted as the ward of Marquis Awin, a distant relative and his godfather. Since Marquis Awin had no heir and they had known each other for a long time, the adoption appears to have been arranged naturally.”
Kiaros, who had been listening quietly, asked in a low voice.
“His relationship with Namia Loapi?”
“Ah….”
“Do you think I’m being petty?”
“No, sir.”
“Does it look like I’m conducting a background investigation?”
“No, no, sir.”
“That’s right.”
“….”
The Aide’s expression grew somewhat confused.
Then, flipping through the report again, he continued.
“Victor Awin served as student council president during his Academy years, and it appears he had contact with Namia Loapi, who was four years his junior at the time.”
“And furthermore.”
“This is an urgent briefing, so that’s all for now. Ah, looking at his photograph, he’s quite handsome.”
“….”
“For Marquis Awin to personally adopt him as his ward, he must possess considerable ability as well.”
“….”
“A student council president, no less. Seems like they have a good personality too.”
“….”
“Next is the report from The Ravens.”
The Aide, oblivious to any discord, spoke cheerfully.
“They’re actively tracking down Cedric Loapi, Namia Loapi’s biological father.”
“Did you investigate the Baron and Baroness Loapi beforehand?”
“Yes.”
According to what Namia told the Empress, the Baron and Baroness Loapi possessed information about her biological father.
They had been using that to blackmail Namia.
“They spilled everything with just a little pressure. However, the organization they mentioned appears to be a Ghost Organization, so further investigation is necessary. The Ravens are already looking into it, so you should receive results soon.”
Kiaros nodded.
‘In any case, for now… I’ll have to keep coming to work at the Scroll Department in Kibon’s form.’
Just one day of work and I was already exhausted.
On top of that, Namia said this to me as I left the office:
[Today was just review work, so it must have been boring, right? Tomorrow, let’s get into the real work.]
Those words terrified me. Namia smiled brightly as she watched my wavering eyes.
[We need to prepare for the Minister of Finance’s return soon.]
…Prepare what, exactly?
And from the next day onward, I threw myself into that ‘preparation’ in earnest.
* * *
Some time has passed since I took office as Minister.
Since then, the department’s document formats have been perfectly organized. The chaotic office has become orderly.
“From now on, pay attention to security. Documents containing personal information should be shredded immediately.”
Though I’m the Minister, everyone below me except the New Intern is older than I am.
So I’ve been consistently using formal speech, but I’ve remained true to principle.
“Follow proper official document procedures. If you don’t know something, ask me or the New Intern here.”
And an important fact.
The New Intern… the New Intern was excellent at their work!
‘This is insane. They’re really good…. It’s natural talent.’
Honestly, I hadn’t expected much.
But their work speed and instincts were unparalleled.
‘This New Intern… I won’t let them go. Absolutely not.’
They still tend to excel only at understanding tasks and documents, but struggle with reading the atmosphere and context.
Even when I piled on work, there was never any resistance.
[If you command it, Minister, I’ll follow unconditionally. So don’t have such idle thoughts and just give me orders.]
Kibon has never gone back on that word even once.
Of course, their expression has gotten a bit worse, but whenever I hesitate even slightly, they raise their eyebrows as if to say ‘don’t do that.’
‘Really, who’s in charge of whom.’
When we first met, they refused my request to move boxes.
As if to make up for that, Kibon silently accomplished an enormous amount of work without a single complaint.
‘Having a competent subordinate under me is truly this satisfying.’
Commanding and directing Kibon had become as natural to me as breathing.
And with each passing day, the dark circles beneath his eyes grew more pronounced.
And then there was one more thing.
Exactly one week after I took office.
“Ahem.”
He had finally arrived. Anastasia rose first as always, greeting our visitor.
“M-Minister of Finance? W-would you like some c-coffee…?”
“Get rid of that damned coffee powder. I came to see the Minister of Scrolls.”
It was the Minister of Finance, his cheeks visibly hollowed.
“Welcome, Minister.”
I stepped forward with a radiant smile to greet him.
Kibon flinched beside me. These days, he startled every time he saw my bright smile.
“Just one week, and I’ve been waiting for you.”
Truly, I had waited with genuine anticipation.
Seeing my healthy, flushed complexion, the Minister of Finance instinctively took a step back.
Behind me, Kibon cast a pitying look toward the Minister of Finance.

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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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