I Became a Civil Servant Who Can Use Magic

The large-scale terrorist incident that occurred in the border city of the Holy Country.

This shocking news shook the continent in an instant.

“A terrorist attack in the Holy Country… The world is truly coming to an end.”
“Indeed it is.”
“I hear the forces behind it haven’t been revealed yet?”

Due to this incident, countless people of all nationalities, statuses, and backgrounds were killed or injured.
As such, it was practically impossible to pinpoint the forces behind it.

Because all countries suffered damage.

However, the Holy Country and the Allied Nations were inwardly certain that this incident was the work of the Empire.
Of course, because it wasn’t something they had instigated themselves.

But there was no evidence.
No definitive evidence that the Empire was behind it.

They caught those who caused simple arson, incitement, and riots, but they were all just small fry. No particularly significant evidence was obtained.

The key perpetrators who killed the important figures were nowhere to be seen. There weren’t even any witnesses. It was truly a situation to make the heavens weep.

“I heard Count Arta burned to death in his mansion. Apparently, he was attacked.”
“That person… Wasn’t he a nobleman who exercised considerable influence in the Allied Nations?”
“That’s right. So there are rumors that it might be the Empire’s doing.”

By sheer coincidence, the one who suffered the greatest damage from this terrorist attack was none other than the Allied Nations.

It was because Count Arta, who had been providing military funds, died.

Moreover, due to the Holy Country becoming cautious because of this incident, even their secret contacts were suspended.

From the Allied Nations’ perspective, the losses were immense.
Because of this, many words were exchanged internally.

“It must have been the involvement of the Inspection Corps or the Imperial Guard. Otherwise… how could they assassinate him, breaking through the Suicide Squad’s protection?”
“I have similar thoughts.”
“More importantly, does he still not remember anything?”
“That’s what I heard.”
“Well, after losing his father and now his guardian… The shock must have been great.”

Besides this, there were even clashes of opinions centered around each faction, but.

“We should retaliate too. We can’t just take this lying down!”
“We should launch a large-scale offensive again on the eastern front that has been quiet recentlyㅡ”
“That’s nonsense!”
“Let’s all calm down for now. It’s not too late to decide after observing the situation further.”

For now, it ended inconclusively without any particular conclusion.

As a result, this terrorist incident ended with beating up innocent large criminal organizations.

It was because the Holy Country didn’t want to escalate the matter further.
Whatever their true intentions might be, outwardly this was the case.

“Loen! How was the assassination mission?”
“It was a perfect assassination in accordance with the principles.”
“Hey, Gilbert. I wasn’t talking to you.”

Ria, who had been bickering with Gilbert, turned her eyes back to Loen. Loen pondered for a moment before giving an answer.

“Well. It was manageable.”

In fact, Loen wondered if that could even be called an assassination.

‘In terms of my previous life, it’s like we just stuck missiles into the target and their surroundings and blew them away.’

At Loen’s ambiguous answer, Psyche, who had been quiet, pounced.

“Tell me in detail! Wearing black clothes that stick to the body, sneaking in like a shadow in the middle of the night, and stabbing a dagger into the target’s head! There must have been processes like that, right?”
“……”

Suddenly, Psyche’s gaze turned to Loen’s upper body, who was saying nothing.
Hmm, it must have been uncomfortable moving in assassination clothes.

“And I have another question! No matter how I look at it, Loen, you don’t have a suitable body type for assassination, so how did you overcome that, ack.”

Snap.
Loen, who cut off Psyche’s nonsense, told her the truth about the assassination mission.

In great detail about the assassination process that was close to a massacre.

And Psyche’s reaction upon facing the truth.

“T-that’s not assassination!!”

Psyche showed severe anxiety symptoms for a while, holding her head.
On the other hand, Ria nodded as if nothing was wrong.

“What? It’s just a normal assassination, isn’t it?”
“Is that so..”
“Originally, the Inspection Corps’ assassinations include the intention of instilling fear in enemies, so you can see that most are carried out in that way.”
“Ria is right.”

Later, while exchanging various stories, Ria suddenly leaned her face forward and whispered.

“Loen, but, are you going to keep working this hard?”
“Pardon?”

Loen tilted her head.
Suddenly?

“At this rate, aren’t you really going to get promoted to chief before me?”
“That’s not possible. I just went along on this mission because Senior Gilbert asked.”
“Is that so. Anyway! You should take it easy too now~”
“I’m also planning to..”

Loen, who was about to say she was planning to rest for a while, suddenly stopped.

‘Come to think of it, I… don’t have time to rest?’

Write and submit the mission report, immediately gather information related to Arteum,
Based on that information, find a justification to enter the Mage Tower, meet the ancient dragon and consider how to uncover secrets about Psyche.

There was a mountain of things to do one way or another.

Honestly, do you think I don’t want to rest?
I wanted to just stay in bed all day long, rolling around.

‘Should I really just close my eyes and lie in bed? Just for one day, no more?’

However, because of the original protagonist encountered in the Holy Country, it became even more impossible.
Why there of all places…

Ruda. At that time, I was flustered and just let him live.
I judged it was the best option, and I was confident that he would eventually side with the Empire.

Moreover, he is a key figure to prevent the crisis of the original work.
Getting rid of him doesn’t make sense no matter how I think about it.
Unless it’s really the worst situation…

Above all, I don’t intend to come to the forefront.
If possible, I planned to work behind the scenes and help the protagonist’s group overcome the crisis according to the flow of the original work.

Anyway,
If I recall the notebook contents and my memories, there will be a few more chances to meet him.
It’s not too late to persuade and cajole him then.

‘So for now, let’s put aside thoughts about Ruda and focus on Psyche’s matter.’

Loen, who finished thinking, got up from her seat.

“The director called for me, so I’ll be going now.”
“Eh, you should answer before you go! You’ll take it easy, right?”

Loen, who pondered for a moment, answered.

“Depending on the situation.”

Loen, who arrived in front of the Inspection Department director’s office, soon knocked on the door and entered.

As she entered the room, she saw the director, who looked visibly tired, sitting at his desk surrounded by piles of documents.

Loen involuntarily flinched as that sight seemed to overlap with her future self.

“Senior Inspector Loen, I’ve been waiting. Sit here.”
“Yes.”

The director opened his mouth while moving some documents on the desk.

“The reason I called you is to inform you of the post-evaluation results of your solo dispatch mission.”
“I see.”
“To tell you the result first, in the post-evaluation, we gave the highest grade rating.”
“..”
“Your lack of surprise remains the same as ever.”

Loen thought inwardly.
It’s not that, I just don’t know what kind of reaction I should show…

“Exceeding mission objectives, perfect handling of unexpected situations, and even clean follow-up afterwards. Thanks to you, there was no need for subsequent measures. You did very well.”
“Thank you.”

Watching Loen bow her head, the director suddenly became lost in old thoughts.

‘Seeing her arrive late on her first day of work, I thought she was an arrogant noble young lady who relied only on her family’s prestige.’

Looking back, that was clearly a misjudgment on the director’s part.

‘To have misunderstood such a talented person like this. I still have a long way to go.’

The director’s untimely self-reflection continued.

Loen, who was watching the director’s wistful gaze from across, wondered.
Why is he suddenly like this?

The director, who finished his self-reflection, met Loen’s eyes again.

“But you know. As I was reading your report, I suddenly had this question.”
“..?”

The director, interlocking his fingers, said in a confident tone.

“Are you perhaps interested in power?”
“Pardon? Not at all.”

Loen was startled.
What interest in power. Do you think I’m crazy?

The director chuckled at Loen’s answer without a hint of hesitation.

“Don’t be so wary, it’s not a question I asked with the intention of criticizing you.”
“Yes..”

The director continued, hardening his face.

“Personally, I evaluate you very highly. A prepared talent who accomplishes assigned tasks beyond what’s necessary, a loyal subject of the Empire who takes the lead in eradicating anti-imperial forces.”

Me? Isn’t that too much exaggeration..
Loen’s eyes widened.

“That’s why you need to have greater ambition.”

The director, who stood up, walked to the window and looked at the scenery outside.

“No matter how high His Majesty the Emperor’s authority is, there are always those who don’t know his grace and run wild. Those worm-like bastards who only care about their own safety.”

The director continued speaking while biting his lip, then suddenly raised his voice.

“When even such bastards covet power, how can loyal subjects like us just stand still? At times like this, people like us should rise higher! That’s what I think.”
“I see..”

The director, who sat down again, cleared his throat with an embarrassed expression.

“Ahem. I got excited for a moment… Anyway. I, who am merely a commoner by birth, have reached my limit at this position. Even Team Leader Ead would at best become a deputy director. But you’re different. Do you understand what I mean?”

Even in the Inspection Corps, which prioritizes ability, from the deputy director level and above, one can’t help but be mindful of political aspects.

Even though it’s ‘directly under the Emperor’, it can’t be completely free from power struggles.

Because of this, promotions to deputy director and above are decided considering not only individual prowess and achievements but also status and background.
That’s why the director’s limit was here.

Because he didn’t have overwhelming power enough to overcome his innate limitations.

But Loen is different.
Since she already has everything, if she wishes to rise, she can surely reach the pinnacle.
At least, that’s what the director thought.

Of course, despite this, reaching out now seems a bit premature.
After all, she was just a senior inspector now.

However, Gilbert’s words after returning from the assassination mission were the decisive factor.

If given a little more time, she will reach a level comparable to 6-star without any shortcomings.
How little?
As short as a few months, at most within a year, I think.

No more deliberation was needed.
The director made a bold decision.

“If you understand, take my hand.”

Stretch.
The director held out his hand.
Loen’s pupils shook uncontrollably.

‘While I’m grateful that he wants to push me forward, the moment I take that hand, I feel like I’ll be tied to the Inspection Corps forever..’

But thinking about the future, the support of the Inspection Department director would be an enormously powerful force.

That’s right.
It’s too attractive an offer to refuse.. is it?

Ha, shit. I don’t know. Let’s just take it for now.
Loen, who had been hesitating, finally grasped the director’s hand.

He smiled brightly and said.

“Just keep doing as you have been.”
“Understood.”
“Ah. And I forgot to say this first.”

Shocking words flowed from his mouth.

“His Majesty the Emperor has broken his years of seclusion and come out.”
“..?”
“Be thoroughly prepared.”
“Preparation?”

Looking at Loen’s bewildered expression, the director tapped the golden lion emblem on his uniform.

“You haven’t forgotten who we are, have you?”