Chapter 57
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Chapter 57
That night.
Even exhausted, Crown Prince Kiaros was receiving a report from his Aide.
"Baron Loapi's Residence has been transferred to auction as planned. Huan Loapi spent a long time in discussion with the Finance Minister this afternoon."
"Hmm."
"An internal disciplinary committee convened immediately, and the results are expected to be announced tomorrow."
There was nothing to see.
It wasn't anything else—it was embezzlement. Immediate dismissal was certain.
"Next, I'll report on Howard Alten and the Olten Merchant Guild."
Howard Alten.
That old man who'd grabbed Namia's wrist and insisted on marrying her.
The eldest son of the Olten Merchant Guild, if I recall correctly.
"As you instructed, we secured testimony from Intern Kibon Altes and prosecuted him for indecent assault of a civil servant."
I'd already met with the Aide in Kibon's form and given testimony for the record.
The Aide had listened to every word with a sincere expression and genuine courtesy.
"I was worried because he's a foreigner, but despite being rather presumptuous, the boy articulated himself quite coherently."
Hmm.
Internally, he'd thought the boy was presumptuous.
"We've also issued a restraining order, and accordingly, the Olten Merchant Guild has transferred him to a provincial post."
In any case, the Howard Alten matter had been resolved well.
Namia had said she'd handle it herself, but I wanted to send him far away before that could happen.
I was quietly pleased with myself when the Aide continued.
"Oh, and you also ordered an urgent investigation regarding Victor Awin."
Crown Prince Kiaros let out a dry cough.
Victor Awin. That name irritated me like a fish bone caught in my throat.
Earlier, when Luca Class said "Unless it's Senior Victor Awin..." Namia hadn't responded at all.
She'd simply changed the subject.
[I was going to find you anyway. Do you have a spare room at your boarding house? How much is it?]
[Huh? A boarding house?]
[Yeah. I left home.]
[Ha. So you were listening to me after all, that dawn when we were alone together.]
I understood well enough that Namia and Luca Class were nothing to each other.
But if Namia moved into the same boarding house as Luca Class...
It seemed like he'd keep bringing up "that night at the boarding house when we were alone together" endlessly.
For some reason, that irritated me.
"Wait, that Baron Loapi's Residence."
"Yes?"
"It was purchased with Namia's biological father's money anyway, wasn't it? Prepare the documents properly and transfer it to Namia. There should be relevant provisions for this."
"Understood."
The Aide responded promptly and efficiently.
And I picked up the report.
"Then allow me to brief you on Victor Awin."
Crown Prince Kiaros rested his face against his interlaced fingers, studying his Aide.
The Aide began his report in a measured, deliberate voice.
"Victor Awin, age twenty-seven, is currently on an extended business trip to the Martam Duchy's diplomatic ministry."
"Mm."
"His assignment duration is nearly complete, so the Scroll Department Minister has already submitted an early return request."
Crown Prince Kiaros was already aware of this.
He'd witnessed Namia Loapi drafting that damned return request document himself just today.
Of course, it was merely one among the countless tasks she'd undertaken.
'...Namia Loapi is insane.'
She was still working overtime.
While meticulously reviewing all those documents, she was simultaneously processing new work with remarkable efficiency.
'Truly insane.'
Until now, I'd considered myself a workaholic, but standing before her, I was humbled.
[Aren't you leaving work?]
[There's no one waiting for me at home anyway.]
[....]
[Working in my spacious, comfortable Minister's Office is far better. You, with no money, no position, no honor, no office—you should head home now.]
In the end, I simply left work first.
"Originally an excellent student, but during the Imperial Palace entrance examination, his parents passed away, causing his scores to suffer greatly. As a result, he entered the Scroll Management Department...."
The Aide continued his report swiftly.
"Though originally from a cadet branch of a noble house, he became the adopted son of Marquis Awin, a distant relative and godfather. It appears the adoption occurred because Marquis Awin had no successor and they had known each other for a long time."
Crown Prince Kiaros, who had been listening quietly, asked in a low voice.
"His relationship with Namia Loapi."
"Ah...."
"You don't think I'm conducting some sordid investigation, do you?"
"No, sir."
"Does it seem like I'm digging into his background?"
"No, no, of course not."
"Exactly."
"...."
The Aide's expression grew somewhat bewildered.
Then, flipping through the report again, he continued.
"Victor Awin served as student council president during his Academy years, and it appears he had contact with Namia Loapi, who was four years his junior at the time."
"And furthermore."
"The report is incomplete due to its urgency. Well, looking at his photograph, he's quite handsome."
"...."
"For Marquis Awin to personally adopt him as his heir, he must possess considerable ability."
"...."
"So you're the student council president, and you seem to have a good personality too."
"...."
"Next is the report from The Ravens."
The Aide spoke cheerfully, completely unaware of any awkwardness.
"They say they're actively pursuing the whereabouts of Namia Loapi's biological father, Cedric Loapi."
"Did you investigate Baron and Baroness Loapi beforehand?"
"Yes."
According to what Namia Loapi told the Empress, Baron and Baroness Loapi possessed information about her biological father.
They had been using that to blackmail Namia Loapi.
"They spilled everything with just a little pressure. However, the organization they mentioned appears to be a phantom organization, so further investigation is necessary. The Ravens are looking into it as well, so you should be able to receive results soon."
Crown Prince Kiaros nodded.
'Either way, for the time being... I'll need to keep coming to work at the Scroll Department in Kibon's form.'
I was exhausted after just one day of work.
Moreover, Namia Loapi had said this to me as I left the office:
[Today was a bit boring since we only reviewed documents, right? Tomorrow let's get down to real work.]
Those words were terrifying. Namia Loapi smiled brightly as she watched my wavering eyes.
[We need to prepare for the Finance Minister who'll be returning soon.]
...Prepare what, exactly?
And from the next day onward, I began earnestly undertaking that 'preparation'.
* * *
Some time has passed since I took office as Minister.
After that, the department's document formats were perfectly organized. The chaotic office became orderly.
"From now on, please pay attention to security. Documents containing personal information should be shredded immediately."
Even as Minister, everyone under me except the Intern was older than I was.
So I consistently used formal speech, but I remained faithful to my principles.
"Follow proper procedures for official documents. If you don't know something, ask me or the Intern here."
And an important fact.
The Intern... the Intern was excellent at their work!
'This is insane. They're really good.... It's natural talent.'
Honestly, I hadn't expected much.
But their work speed and instincts were unparalleled.
'This Intern... I won't let them go. Never.'
Still, they tended to only understand tasks and documents well, but struggled with reading the atmosphere and context.
Even when I gave them an enormous amount of work, there was never any resistance.
[If you command it, Minister, I'll follow unconditionally. So don't have such unnecessary thoughts and just give me orders.]
Kibon had never once broken that promise.
Of course, their expression wasn't great, but whenever I hesitated even slightly, they would raise their eyebrows as if to say 'don't do that'.
'Really, who's above whom here.'
When we first met, was it because they refused to help me move boxes?
As if making up for that, Kibon silently accomplished an enormous amount of work without a single complaint.
'Having a competent subordinate at my side is truly this satisfying.'
Commanding and directing Kibon had become as natural to me as breathing.
And with each passing day, the dark circles beneath his eyes only deepened.
And then there was one more thing.
Exactly one week after I took office.
"Ahem."
He had finally arrived. Anastasia rose first as always, greeting our visitor.
"F-Finance Minister? W-would you like some c-coffee...?"
"Get rid of that damned coffee powder. I came to see the Scroll Department Minister."
It was the Finance Minister, his cheeks hollowed from exhaustion.
"Welcome, Minister."
I stepped forward with a radiant smile to greet him.
Kibon's expression faltered beside me. These days, he startled every time he saw my bright smile.
"It's only been a week. I've been waiting for you."
Truly, I had waited with genuine anticipation.
Seeing my healthy, flushed complexion, the Finance Minister instinctively took a step back.
Behind me, Kibon's face conveyed nothing but pity toward the Finance Minister.
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