The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success - Chapter 60

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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 60
Kibon still hadn’t emerged from the Men’s Restroom.
I waited before the door, my thoughts drifting to what lay ahead.
‘As for the original story… there shouldn’t be any incidents for a while.’
Truth be told, I had twisted the original narrative far too much.
‘Kiaros must be doing well tracking down the mastermind. Beyond monitoring the Scroll Department staff, there’s honestly nothing more I can do….’
Yet at this very moment, there was something else I needed to address.
My eyes deepened as I sank further into contemplation.
‘Perhaps it’s time I tried to save the original story’s protagonist.’
Kiaros’s half-brother and the Young Prince born of Empress Fron.
The eight-year-old child currently being called a “spoiled brat” in various circles.
‘Jayden Polariud, that is.’
Jayden’s special ability had yet to awaken.
At present, even he was unaware of what power he possessed.
‘If the Young Prince’s special ability manifests, it would be tremendously helpful in the current situation.’
Without my intervention, it would naturally awaken years later as the original story dictated….
‘But such an extraordinary ability would be such a waste to leave dormant.’
And besides….
‘It wouldn’t be the mark of a responsible adult to know a child with such potential is being abused and do nothing.’
I had known all along what hardships the protagonist endured in his childhood, yet until now, I could not intervene.
But circumstances had changed.
‘I can now make contact with the Imperial Family.’
The Empress’s expression when Jayden was mentioned remained vivid in my memory.
Infinitely sorrowful and deeply worried….
I wanted to resolve the misunderstanding between them as well.
‘In the original story, this misunderstanding would never be resolved before the Empress’s death, but now she lives.’
Carefully weaving together the threads of the original narrative, this moment proved to be the perfect timing to execute my plan.
* * *
The nosebleed stopped quickly. Kiaros gazed at his reflection in the mirror.
A pale young man with black hair—New Intern Kibon.
I had grown quite accustomed to this appearance by now.
‘Human bodies are certainly far too fragile.’
The dark period had never agreed with me.
I could go an entire month without sleep without issue, yet a mere few nights without rest and now this nosebleed.
‘Perhaps I’ve been pushing myself too hard lately. It certainly has been exhausting.’
Namia made certain to send me home at ten o’clock sharp. Yet my duties did not end there.
I had to fulfill my responsibilities as Crown Prince until morning arrived.
Though the Emperor handled all Imperial matters, tracking the mastermind fell to me.
‘But….’
Kiaros wiped beneath his nose, his thoughts wandering unbidden.
‘…Today was actually quite enjoyable.’
And I was startled by that very thought.
Enjoyable? That grueling work?
…Honestly, while working late into the night, my chest felt tight and ached.
But the exhilaration of finally extracting the answer of sevenfold from the Minister of Finance was extraordinary.
‘I’ve always orchestrated the game myself, but this is my first time supporting someone else’s game….’
Kiaros blinked. Then he slapped his own cheek.
‘Get a grip. Overwork has scrambled my mind.’
He washed his face.
‘Now I should have some breathing room.’
Namia’s first budget acquisition—the task that had consumed her attention—was finally complete.
According to Namia, there wouldn’t be work this demanding again.
[Victor will be arriving soon. Once he does, the workload will decrease significantly. Just endure a little longer.]
I wasn’t sure why that prospect didn’t feel welcoming….
In any case, once I had some time, there was something I needed to do.
‘I need to visit the Separate Palace.’
The Separate Palace was where Jayden Young Prince resided.
My younger brother, Jayden, with whom I had a significant age gap.
To me, he was always a model child—respectful and proper in his conduct.
‘Yet I don’t understand why everyone speaks of him as so ill-mannered….’
The Emperor cherished Jayden. But due to his illness, he couldn’t care for him as attentively as he once had for me.
His biological mother, the Empress, kept her distance from Jayden.
‘In any case, I’m the only one who can look after that boy.’
In my view, Jayden was a remarkably mature young man. His academic achievements reported by his tutors were excellent.
He simply had no peers his own age.
But then again, that was understandable for a royal, in my estimation.
‘I can visit after I leave work today.’
It was as I emerged from the restroom.
Namia, who had been fidgeting anxiously in the corridor, rushed toward me.
“Kibon! Are you alright?”
Kiaros was startled.
He asked, somewhat bewildered.
“Minister of Education? You weren’t waiting here, were you?”
“Yes. I was worried. I couldn’t go into the Men’s Restroom, so…”
Namia carefully examined my complexion.
“You’re really okay, right? You still look a bit pale.”
Then she stepped closer. Her blue eyes, brimming with concern, were right before me.
That was when it happened.
Thump—my heart raced.
“I’m sorry. I thought you’d be fine if I let you leave at ten.”
“Ah… yes.”
“I didn’t realize you were pushing yourself so hard. Why didn’t you mention you were frail from the start? I would have been more considerate.”
Kiaros found himself momentarily speechless, genuinely breathless from the encounter.
This was someone I crossed paths with constantly. Until just moments ago, I had thought of that face as demonic.
My body flinched at the sudden confrontation alone.
I unconsciously took a step backward.
“I’m not frail.”
“Don’t worry, frail one. I won’t hurt you. I’ll handle you delicately.”
Namia watched him retreat and raised both hands in a reassuring gesture.
“If it hurts too much, leave early. Rest for a few days. I won’t give you any work, so just take it easy and head home.”
Kiaros struggled to calm his thundering heart and forced himself to speak with composure.
“Is there truly nothing I can help you with? You always have so much work.”
“Nothing urgent. I’ve prepared plenty in advance, so I actually have some breathing room. I just have something personal I’m concerned about and want to review it.”
Namia explained with a gentle smile.
“So really, it’s fine. Get some rest. Okay?”
“Personal… matter?”
Kiaros narrowed his eyes for a moment.
Not official business, but something personal….
‘What is it? Could it be something suspicious? Is that why she’s hiding it from me?’
Even if I was crawling like a dog beneath Namia, I hadn’t forgotten my original purpose.
I was monitoring the Scroll Department, and Namia was my first target.
“Could you tell me what that is?”
Suddenly, I felt tense.
If Namia were to hide something….
But Namia answered without hesitation.
“Oh, I was originally the youngest in the Inventory Team, right? The scroll inventory provided to Jayden Young Prince’s Separate Palace has been strange for a while now.”
Kiaros’s body stiffened slightly.
“It’s been bothering me all along, but when I mentioned it to my former superiors, no one paid attention. I figured I’d investigate it this time.”
* * *
Kibon was still a novice at working. To ask his superior about additional tasks.
‘If I’m not careful, I’ll end up with extra chores. I should have pretended not to know and slipped away when he said he’d let me go….’
Though, contrary to first impressions, Kibon’s charm lay in his inability to slack off and his inflexibility.
Since it wasn’t something to hide from Kibon anyway, I spoke honestly.
“Anyway, it’s fine. I’m just resolving a personal question with a noble purpose, so you don’t need to help.”
It was when I smiled at Kibon reassuringly.
“No, sir.”
Kibon looked down at me and spoke.
“I will help you.”
“Hm?”
“Could you explain in detail?”
“Huh?”
Was this man insane?
He was bleeding from his nose, and yet he insisted on continuing to work?
I stared at Kibon with an expression of utter disbelief.
When I fell silent, Kibon spoke with unwavering resolve.
“I wish to be of service. I do not wish to rest.”
“What?”
“I wish to work.”
“What?”
Good heavens. I trembled visibly, my breath coming in sharp gasps.
So this was what it meant to encounter a legendary workaholic….
“Kibon….”
Unable to contain the surge of emotion, I seized Kibon’s hand without hesitation.
“Let us depart at once. I shall tell you what must be done.”

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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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