The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success - Chapter 82

—————

This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

—————

Chapter 82
I raised my eyebrows and spoke with deliberate precision.
“Oh, and… the Empress herself is already grinding her teeth at the Ministry of Education. Surely you’re not in a position to order me around right now, are you?”
“You really…”
The Minister of Education seemed at a loss for words.
After trembling for a long moment, he finally spat out tersely.
“You’ll regret this, Minister of Scrolls.”
The Minister of Education rose to his feet with a huff.
I watched his retreating figure and found myself grinning.
‘Wow, being a minister means I can actually provoke another minister. This is the best.’
If I were still a low-ranking official, I never could have set such a trap.
I certainly couldn’t have pulled off this act of arrogant, tactless youth either.
A role relying solely on the Imperial Family’s favor to act recklessly.
‘But this performance… it actually suits me. My chest feels so refreshed, and I’m in such a good mood.’
If the opportunity arose, I wanted to do it again.
I watched the Minister of Education’s back as he stormed out in anger.
The soundproof scroll’s duration ended at precisely the right moment.
I’d been wondering if I should use another one, but the timing was perfect, and I felt satisfied.
[So what exactly is Namia trying to catch?]
[There may be a spy in the Scroll Department. Both I and the Crown Prince anticipated this.]
I recalled yesterday’s conversation with Kiaros, my gaze turning cold.
[I’m going to use the Minister of Education to expose the internal spy within our department.]
If he were truly a loyal subject, he would inform the Emperor of this matter and offer his counsel.
The Emperor currently has no personal connection with me and is renowned for his impartiality.
‘But according to the original story, he’s absolutely not that kind of man.’
He’d likely even prepare an escape route in case he needed to distance himself from his backers.
‘Go on, Minister of Education!’
Deceive yourself with concerns for the nation’s future, and take the hand extended by the Gaejo Faction!
I’ll be the one catching the spy in our department!
* * *
The Minister of Education emerged into the corridor, huffing indignantly.
‘How dare she, how dare she to me! How dare she! I heard she was respectful to the Minister of Finance, but she shows her true colors to me like that? How insolent! She’s definitely looking down on me right now, isn’t she?’
He ground his teeth and breathed heavily.
‘If even the Crown Prince is being swayed by this low-ranking woman, then there’s truly no hope left.’
The Emperor had cherished the disgraced Empress to the end. And it seemed Kiaros was the same.
Completely captivated by such a woman…
‘Then those fools are hopeless too. You can tell from Jayden Young Prince. Despite nearly three years of our efforts, he still clung to his mother in the end.’
The Minister of Education’s eyes darkened.
‘Not because she disrespected me, but for the sake of the nation… I absolutely must crush that arrogant wretch.’
His mind began spinning rapidly.
‘If problems arise, I can simply pin everything on that woman now. I can even frame it as loyalty to the Imperial Family.’
Namia Loapi activated the soundproofing scroll without hesitation.
It was proof that the woman had two faces.
‘So she thinks only she knows how to use scrolls.’
The Minister of Education’s lips curled into a crooked smile as he suppressed his anger.
He too had a scroll tucked away in his pocket.
It was a recording scroll.
Ministers were typically issued recording scrolls in case they needed to cross-reference important meeting minutes.
They could only be used inside the Minister’s Office and had a very limited duration, but….
‘The moment she activated the soundproofing scroll, I prepared mine.’
The scroll contained a recording: 【Namia Loapi: She told me, ‘My cute, clever, adorable little Mia can do whatever she wants. Big Brother Dragon will protect her. Just marry me. I’ve even secretly prepared the wedding ceremony.’ That’s what she said.】
‘I have an escape route too. Just wait and see, Namia Loapi.’
* * *
Jayden and the Empress left after practicing scroll activation together.
When the two of them activated a scroll simultaneously, the image of a loving mother and child burst like fireworks.
Since it was happening indoors, the smoke dissipated instantly upon detonation, so there were no safety concerns.
“Um, but Minister….”
After they left, Anastasia spoke with concern.
“The, the Banquet Hall has a d, different environment from the Office…. Wouldn’t it be b, better to do a rehearsal in the B, Banquet Hall?”
Anastasia had conducted many rehearsals for such events back when she worked in the Scroll Management Department.
“The v, visual effect looks good, but if we’re n, not careful and accidentally t, touch the chandeliers or surrounding lights, it could be d, disastrous….”
No matter how quickly the fireworks dissipated, they were still fireworks.
There were naturally hazards involved. I answered with a gentle smile.
“I inquired about doing a rehearsal in the Banquet Hall, but they said it’s currently undergoing renovations.”
“Ah….”
“But I obtained the projected blueprints and created separate versions for the Office and the Banquet Hall.”
I smiled and held up two baskets.
I had made all the scrolls for this event myself.
“Given the nature of scrolls, they’re hard to distinguish, so mistakes can’t happen. I’ve made the baskets different colors, but…in any case, I’ll remind everyone to stay sharp before the event.”
It had been a truly hectic morning. Lunchtime was approaching.
But just as there was about a minute left before lunch, the area in front of the Scroll Department became noisy.
“Hmm, what’s going on?”
The staff member at the door peeked it open slightly.
Through the gap, another group of civil servants appeared.
They were clearly here looking for Victor. They each called out.
“Victor, come quick! We’ve placed a special order at your favorite restaurant and had it delivered to the Imperial Palace Garden.”
“Hurry, hurry! We’ve prepared a modest welcome-back party for you!”
Victor scratched the back of his head. Then he glanced back at me.
“Um, Minister… well, I….”
He seemed to remember that he’d said he’d have lunch with me earlier.
I hadn’t actually taken Victor’s words to heart from the beginning.
I smiled faintly and waved my hand.
“Go on, then.”
Victor splashed water on his face and laughed awkwardly.
“Phew, nothing’s going right today. I didn’t even get to have lunch with the Minister of Education.”
In the end, it meant he was going to see his friends.
Suddenly, memories of my Academy days came flooding back.
It was the day the final exams ended—Luca had taken my test paper to analyze it and complained irritably.
[Hey, why don’t you just get into a relationship instead?]
[What are you suddenly talking about?]
[There’s something weird going on between you and Victor. You know Victor’s grades are amazing, right? Don’t you want to push yourself to match that level?]
[No. And what’s weird about the atmosphere?]
[It’s really weird! Victor is famous for never showing interest in any woman. He draws such clear boundaries.]
[Well, that’s true.]
[Get ready to be confessed to soon.]
I wasn’t foolish enough not to realize that I was somewhat special to Victor.
He persistently approached me and showed his interest.
Victor would casually say things like “if I confess to you” or “if we start dating.”
He had many friends, but he never did this with any other woman.
[What are you going to do? Accept it or draw a line? Huh?]
[You know, Luca… Actually, I don’t need to worry about that.]
I answered slowly, blinking my eyes.
[When I’m with Victor, I don’t have time for either of those things…]
How could I draw a line or accept anything if I couldn’t even speak?
Worrying about it in the first place was just a waste of time.
And that remained true even now.
Victor made a whimpering sound and held up the broken pen.
“Today, something precious broke, and I’m so upset about it…”
That was when it happened.
Kibon, who had been quietly observing, spoke.
“If it were truly precious, you shouldn’t have lent it to anyone. I didn’t even ask for it.”
“No, I was just being kind…”
“If it were me.”
Kibon spoke with a cold gaze.
“I would never entrust something I cherish to someone else.”
“No, I wasn’t giving it away permanently…”
“If it were me.”
Anastasia muttered “They’re crazy with this power struggle” and brought her hand to her mouth.
Her eyes were filled with interest as she alternated her gaze between Kibon and Victor, holding her breath.

—————

This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

—————