The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success - Chapter 58

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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 58
After I became Minister of Education, quite a lot had actually happened.
First, Huan was dismissed for embezzlement. And Baron and Baroness Loapi both fled the Capital, pursued by debt.
Kiaros sent me a letter about it.
He’s investigating Cedric Loapi.
We secured testimony from Baron and Baroness Loapi, but it turned out to be a Ghost Organization.
He asked me to wait a little longer.
Even while in seclusion during this dark period, he seemed to be investigating diligently nonetheless.
Judging by how he’d even uncovered my father’s name precisely.
In any case, he was someone reliable with his work, so it seemed I could trust him and simply wait.
‘Also, the Baron’s Residence became mine, so I moved there instead of the Boarding House.’
I never would have thought it, but a notarized contract between my father and the Baron remained.
After going through various complicated procedures, the Baron’s Residence became my home.
‘Even so, for several years relatives lived together there, and it was always bustling….’
Now, in stark contrast to those days, no one else remained in that house but me.
And so….
‘It’s absolutely wonderful.’
I moved my belongings from the Attic Room where I’d originally stayed to the finest room, smiling contentedly.
‘It’s truly marvelous.’
Howard Olten was somehow processed and departed to the Provincial Area.
I heard later that Kibon had given some testimony.
“The thoughtful and kind Crown Prince commanded me directly to give testimony on your behalf, Minister.”
Hearing Kibon say that, I shrank back and replied.
“Good heavens, he even knew that person grabbed me in front of the Courtroom? Really… it’s unsettling.”
“…Yes?”
“He had me investigated. So he went that far….”
“That, well….”
Watching the flustered Kibon, I spoke in an enraptured tone, overcome with emotion.
“The Crown Prince is truly capable. Isn’t he?”
“…Yes?”
“He’s doing wonderfully. I do hope he continues investigating everything this thoroughly and meticulously.”
Honestly, I had been acting suspiciously. After living like a corpse all that time, I suddenly approached the Empress and made my move.
If Kiaros could detect even my level of suspicion, then surely he must be investigating the mastermind behind it with equally meticulous care!
“It’s rewarding to have saved you. I’m truly proud.”
“You find being monitored rewarding, Minister?”
“Suspicion from anyone is a very good attitude. You have much to protect.”
I genuinely didn’t mind being watched. I had nothing to hide.
Kibon’s expression grew increasingly bewildered.
But I felt exhilarated, as though I’d finally encountered Kiaros’s thoroughness firsthand.
‘Of course, knowing the future is somewhat suspicious. But I didn’t suddenly recall the original story because I did something wrong, did I?’
I widened my eyes and muttered under my breath.
“I wish you would scrutinize and monitor more thoroughly….”
Kibon flinched slightly but said nothing. Then he began to focus on the tasks I had assigned.
And no wonder—I had given him quite a lot of work.
‘His complexion has definitely deteriorated lately….’
His face had grown hollow, and he practically wore “I’m overworked” written across his features.
It was somewhat pitiful, but there was no helping it.
‘The Scroll Department’s inaugural launch. This is my first time operating exclusively under the Imperial Family.’
That meant I had to secure the initial budget from the Ministry of Finance. So I’d even had to work late nights for several days.
Still, our coordination was quite good.
For example….
“Kibon, the documents.”
This morning, the Minister of Finance arrived looking as though he’d been through considerable emotional turmoil.
Kibon, without a word of complaint, promptly produced the prepared documents.
The Minister of Finance sighed and sat across from me.
“You’ve already confirmed the results regarding your twin brother, I assume. With just the embezzlement alone, there was no way he could keep his position. I heard you’ve severed ties with him—is that correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“And… that damned Huan didn’t know a thing about the reports he’d written all this time. Were those all written by you?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Without even properly training under the Finance Ministry staff?”
“If he didn’t understand something, I had him retrieve the superior documents from that damned Huan. I prepared the reports based on those references.”
“Ha….”
The Minister of Finance’s expression grew complicated.
His face showed the discomfort of realizing that someone from another department had been handling the Finance Ministry’s work all along.
He let out a deep sigh and muttered.
“…Do you know what I’m about to ask?”
I nodded quietly.
The Minister of Finance washed his face with his hands a few times and spoke in a low voice.
“Then… I’m asking you as a favor.”
“Yes, of course.”
“Aren’t you going to confirm that you understand what I mean?”
“You’re asking me not to speak to anyone outside about the document leak, correct?”
It was only natural that the Minister of Finance would bring up the document leak.
Huan was being dismissed anyway because of the embezzlement.
And according to protocol, only the person who leaked the documents would be punished, not the person who wrote them as a substitute.
In other words, there was nothing to gain by bringing it up.
“Ahem, ahem. Personally, I acknowledge your abilities. However….”
“I understand.”
I spoke gently.
“If it becomes known that the Finance Ministry had security issues from the beginning of the major project you’re currently undertaking, you’ll face resistance from other departments, and an audit will be initiated immediately.”
“That’s right. I don’t have time to waste on pointless turf wars with other departments right now. I am a principled man, but….”
“Ahem, ahem.”
“…I apologize for the lie. Truth is, I’m results-oriented.”
I had already sensed as much. The Minister of Finance continued, looking embarrassed.
“The reports you’ve submitted so far have been excellent.”
“Ah, yes.”
“I spent several days thinking about it, and I decided it would be best to bury this matter here. Until now, it wasn’t so much a security breach as it was…actually a situation that benefited the Finance Ministry.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Thank you for honoring my request. Well then, I’ll be going….”
“….”
“…Or not?”
When I didn’t respond, the Minister of Finance furrowed his brow sharply.
I exhaled deeply and gestured to Kibon with my eyes.
Kibon quickly placed a report on the table.
“What is this?”
“We’d like to undertake a project as well….”
Every department needed achievements to be recognized.
To have achievements, one had to execute projects.
And to execute projects, one needed a budget.
“…The Scroll Department? A project?”
When we were the Scroll Management Department before, we hadn’t undertaken a single project.
So it was natural for the Minister of Finance to be surprised.
“Originally, there was a budget coming from the Magic Tower, but now that we belong to the Imperial Family, it seems the Finance Ministry will need to reorganize the budget allocation.”
I spoke demurely. I meant to request that the initial budget for the Scroll Department be set generously.
The Minister of Finance glared at the report, then picked up his quill and wrote down a number.
“Hmm. Let’s go with this much.”
“….”
As I quietly examined the number, I gestured to Kibon with my eyes.
Kibon handed another report to the Minister of Finance.
After reading the additional report, the Minister of Finance slowly revised the number.
“1.2 times. Will this be acceptable?”
“….”
I remained silent. Kibon placed another report on top.
The Minister of Finance quickly skimmed through the report and revised the number again.
“2 times. That’s as far as I’ll go. Now say ‘Ah, yes’ already.”
“….”
I didn’t respond, and Kibon placed yet another report on the stack.
The Minister of Finance furrowed his brow and spoke.
“How many projects are you planning to undertake? The budget is limited!”
“Yes, but.”
I answered calmly.
“If I fail to guard my tongue and point out the Finance Ministry’s security vulnerabilities… well, the Finance Ministry will simply need to allocate additional audit expenses, won’t it?”
The Minister of Finance clicked his tongue.
Beside me, Kibon carefully lifted a stack of reports and displayed them.
Then he quietly moved his lips.
Upon reading Kibon’s lip movements, the Minister of Finance jumped to his feet.
“Seven times? Have you lost your mind?”
“….”
Kibon then quietly placed another copy of the report on the desk.
It was silent pressure—a question of whether he intended to waste any more time.

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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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