The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success - Chapter 88

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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 88
I hastily opened the letter.
Minister of Education.
I sincerely apologize, but I’ve suddenly fallen ill and cannot attend the banquet.
Since you mentioned you were fine with entering alone, I won’t burden myself with excessive apologies.
I hope the banquet brings you joy.
‘He seemed perfectly fine just yesterday.’
Despite all of Jayden’s harsh treatment, Kibon had refused to cancel as my partner.
Yet now, to suddenly declare his absence like this—it was entirely unlike Kibon.
At the same time, I wondered just how ill he must be to do such a thing.
I immediately wrote a reply and sent it through the maid.
Don’t worry and rest well. As you said, I’m perfectly happy entering alone.
I’m concerned about how much pain you must be in. I hope you recover soon.
The staff members watching me write the letter exchanged meaningful glances.
“…So… the man who agreed to be your partner just backed out, right?”
“And that ex-boyfriend who was managing your romantic prospects is still attending?”
I nodded.
At that, the staff members rolled up their sleeves with a combative gleam in their eyes.
“Sit down right now, Minister!”
“We’ll make sure you don’t look shabby! We’ll make you the most beautiful one at that banquet!”
“We’ll make you shine even brighter than the Crown Prince!”
That day.
I experienced true professional dedication.
* * *
The banquet hall of the Imperial Palace where the Saint Cairo Banquet was being held.
The recently remodeled banquet hall was magnificent and elegant.
It was spacious and comfortable, though not crowded with people. After all, only those of high rank could attend.
Before the banquet officially began, civil servants bustled about preparing for the opening ceremony.
“I heard the Scroll Department is handling the opening ceremony?”
“That’s why I heard the Empress is attending.”
“It’s been a while since all the Imperial Family members gathered together. Even the Emperor, who was in the Western Region, came.”
The Empress, attending the banquet for the first time in a while, laughed between Jayden and Kiaros.
Glancing at the sight, the ministers who arrived early gathered and conversed.
“I heard you even mobilized the Ministry of Education this time?”
“Really? Your department members didn’t object? If they were our people, they’d feel insulted and wouldn’t stand for it.”
The Minister of Education merely smiled at the other ministers’ questions. But internally, he was seething with frustration.
The civil servants that Namia Loapi had requested as support staff were already quite upset. They openly hoped the minister would refuse.
However….
[This time, because of the Empress and the Scroll Department’s undercover investigation, Riedan was arrested. I have no choice but to make some concessions.]
[But that’s Team Leader Riedan’s mistake, not something we’re responsible for, is it?]
[Just do it!]
Small sacrifices were inevitable for the greater good.
In the end, the Ministry of Education staff who had been forcibly mobilized for this event made their displeasure obvious.
That’s why the department atmosphere had been terrible these past few days.
“Still, aren’t you excited? Hehe… A minister recognized by the Tower Master, no less. Don’t you think they’ll demonstrate incredible magical prowess?”
“Right? That young minister must be confident to have planned such an event. It feels like it might be different from the old Scroll Management Department?”
A few ministers who harbored no great objection to Namia’s appointment as minister began chatting eagerly.
“I even saw how the Minister of Finance set the initial budget for this. If someone of that stature would do such a thing, there must be something to it.”
The Minister of Finance was not present at this gathering.
True to his status as a high-ranking noble, Marquis Awin was currently conversing with the Emperor.
With the Minister of Finance—someone of such considerable power—allocating a generous initial budget to the Scroll Department, everyone had reason to gossip.
“Well, we’ll know once we see this event.”
“We don’t know much about magic anyway. It’s possible Namia Loapi was actually a decent choice for minister, at least for the Scroll Department.”
The Minister of Education ground his teeth inwardly.
If this event went well, Namia—the Tower Master’s parachute appointment—would begin to earn a different reputation.
Knowing this, wasn’t that why Namia had planned such a grand-scale event, even involving the Imperial Family?
‘But I know what that damned thing really is.’
The Minister of Education recalled Namia’s irritating demeanor when they met privately, the way she spoke without any proper deference.
‘That’s why I made this choice for the Empire. I couldn’t bear to watch such a lowly creature deceive everyone.’
Watching the staff busily preparing the event from afar, the Minister of Education gulped down his wine.
‘This is the right path. I made this choice for everyone’s sake.’
According to his plan, today’s Scroll Department event would be a disaster. Thus, Namia would have no choice but to step down from her ministerial position.
Of course, there would be some innocent casualties, but that was unavoidable. Wasn’t it a sacrifice for the greater good?
‘Today is the end. That arrogant Namia Loapi’s days of running amok are finished.’
The thought of it seemed to improve his mood slightly.
The Minister of Education managed to maintain his composure. The minister beside him spoke to him.
“Seeing that the Ministry of Education helped too… it seems the Minister of Education has taken a liking to the Scroll Department minister?”
“What….”
The Minister of Education let out a scoff as if it were ridiculous.
“I merely offered cooperation. I have no desire to even exchange words with such an uncultured woman.”
“…Pardon?”
“I cannot fathom why the Crown Prince would take a liking to someone so utterly unremarkable and insignificant.”
That was when it happened.
“The young lady of Loapi Barony has arrived!”
An attendant rang the bell and announced loudly from the entrance.
Among those gathered, many high-ranking nobles were seeing Namia for the first time. As Namia prepared to enter, she whispered something to the attendant.
“I haven’t come in the capacity of a baronial lady. Please check again.”
“Ah…. My apologies. Truly, my apologies. The Minister of Scrolls has arrived!”
All eyes turned toward the entrance. And everyone let out a soft gasp of admiration.
Namia, dressed in a shimmering gown, entered the banquet hall alone.
Her hair was elegantly pinned up, her makeup refined, and her jewelry perfectly complemented her appearance.
Combined with her impeccable posture and graceful gait, Namia’s presence was more than enough to captivate every eye in the room.
“I think I understand now.”
One of the ministers chatting beside the Minister of Education murmured.
“It seems you simply took a liking to her because she’s beautiful? The reason is quite obvious, isn’t it?”
Namia showed no signs of intimidation despite the flood of gazes directed at her.
Rather, she seemed to be enjoying the attention.
And there was a man who had momentarily stiffened upon seeing her.
“My, so that person is the new minister. She’s quite beautiful.”
“I heard the Loapi Barony had completely collapsed! So the rumors that Namia Loapi severed ties with her parents are true?”
Despite claims of being unknown to anyone, Victor Awin found himself surrounded by numerous noble ladies.
People continued to whisper around him.
“Then is she your superior?”
“Well, she’d be your temporary superior, I suppose… Surely Marquis Awin wouldn’t leave Victor to serve under her permanently, would he?”
Victor offered no response. He merely flashed them an awkward smile.
Then he quickly moved his steps toward her, who was entering alone. That was when it happened.
“Namia!”
The robust Empress called out Namia’s name in a booming voice and strode forward with casual confidence. Everyone froze and offered their respects.
“Your Majesty the Empress, we greet you.”
The muscular Empress waved her hand dismissively at the crowd and turned her attention to Namia, gripping her arm firmly as she exclaimed.
“Why are you so late! I’ve been waiting for you, and my eyes nearly fell out of my head—this banquet was about to become nothing but the sound of these people’s idle chatter!”
Not only the nobles present but even the ministers were astonished.
Their expressions screamed, ‘Could the Empress really speak so kindly to someone?’
“Anyway, you’re absolutely stunning! Hahahaha! If I had been born as some hopeless, appearance-obsessed tyrant of a man instead of myself, I’d take you as my concubine on the spot!”
“Thank you for the eerie yet sincere compliment, Your Majesty.”
Namia responded with a bright smile.
Victor was about to approach her side and strike up a conversation.
But then someone else came rushing out.

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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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