Chapter: 5
“‘If problems arise and diplomatic channels burst into flames, it’s your responsibility, so hang in there!’ After hearing such nonsense, I couldn’t just sit still. I hastily transferred my duties to the Senior Manager and divided urgent tasks among the managers, pushing forward with preparations for my departure to the Academy. It had already been four years of civil servant life, but this was my first time receiving such a dreadful assignment.
“By the way, with the security personnel also being pulled out from the Academy, is there anyone left to assist me?”
“None.”
“Hmm, then how much support will I get?”
“None.”
“…What about funding for activities?”
“None.”
“Then, what do I actually have?”
“Nothing.”
This situation was absolutely horrendous. I don’t know who ever said you shouldn’t spit on someone’s smiling face, but while I might not actually spit on the smiling Foreign Minister’s face, I definitely felt like punching him.
“I’m sorry. Officially, you’re just a regularly dispatched inspector. In such a situation, wouldn’t it be too obvious to provide more personnel and budget than usual?”
“But how am I supposed to operate with nothing in hand? Even in the Northern commissions, you at least get the supplies sorted!”
“Don’t worry too much. Officially, we can’t give you extra, but if something necessary comes up, we’ll find a way to support you.”
Recalling my last conversation with the Foreign Minister, I let out a series of sighs that just kept building. What kind of mindset is it to tell someone, “Don’t worry,” when they’re being dispatched into a situation that’s bound to cause anxiety?
It’s disheartening enough to be sent on an indefinite assignment as a department head, but to make matters worse, it’s in the Academy, and I’ll have no support on my long journey there. I won’t be alone—no, I’ll be utterly isolated. I really need to just slide in there and set up roots all by myself.
Of course, the Foreign Minister’s statement of “we’ll find a way to help” means he’ll twist and turn logic to stretch resources my way, but until then, I’ll have to survive on my own expenses.
“Well, at least during vacation, you can come back and take a break. This is pretty much like being an Academy student.”
“For the love of—please just shut up.”
I ground my teeth at the minister’s seemingly provocative hints. Here he is, talking about vacations. What does a civil servant care about vacation? It just means a change of workplace. His mocking smirk, as if to challenge, ‘What’re you gonna do about it?’ really churned my stomach.
Having someone like that as my direct superior—now that’s a legend all by itself. What a piece of work.
“I’ll take my leave now. Just give me the dispatch papers.”
If I can’t change my future of being stuck at the Academy, then getting away from that face as fast as possible is in my best interest. Every time I looked at the Foreign Minister, it felt like my mental stability was slipping away in real-time.
“Be careful; you don’t have any parents to cover for you if you get in trouble.”
“Ah, Your Grace!”
I yelled out at the Minister who handed me the dispatch papers while putting in one last jab.
For crying out loud, may karma catch up with that man.
“1st Division should stick to the investigations I briefed you on.”
“Got it~”
“2nd Division, make sure to separate level two documents. You know you need to finish up quickly, right?”
“Yes, yes, of course.”
“3rd and 5th Divisions don’t have much planned, so handle it as it comes.”
“Understood.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Well then… Senior Manager, good luck.”
“Yes, thank you.”
After giving my last precautions in front of the Ministry of Finance amidst my anxiety, I scanned my subordinates with nervous eyes. The Senior Manager who was caught in the crossfire of my dispatch really deserved some comfort, and the 5th Manager at least had enough common sense to figure it out. However, would the other managers keep quiet in an inspection division without a department head…?
‘Should I take the 2nd Manager with me after all?’
If all three managers joined forces, who knows what chaos would erupt? They’re the type who, despite my constant oversight, could somehow provoke Duke Gold even while I was right there!
Who would be next after Duke Gold? The Iron-Blood Duke? Then my fate would be to run to the Duke’s place, head down, and offer the managers as sacrifices. “This department head knew nothing—please just spare me!”
“…Why are you looking at me like that? It’s scary.”
It seemed the 2nd Manager felt an inexplicable fright at my gaze, shivering momentarily before reluctantly speaking up. Maybe he had a glimpse of a parallel universe where he was being sacrificed.
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
I pondered whether I should drag the 2nd Manager with me for some shared misery, but ultimately I shook my head in resignation. For the sake of not provoking tensions between us, it seemed that the inspector’s title meant I had to go solo.
Right now, I had no reason to take the 2nd Manager with me. I might’ve had more than enough reasons weighing in my favor, but the conclusion remained the same: I couldn’t take him.
‘Am I really going to just trust these dummies?’
I focused on the 2nd Manager, who seemed to be giggling. My surroundings suddenly felt dim.
“I’m going to do my utmost to avoid issues. I can’t give the Senior Manager any more troubles while he’s struggling somewhere far away.”
Noticing my change in expression, the Senior Manager finally spoke up, and I was able to nod. Sure, if I couldn’t trust the managers, I ought to at least trust the Senior Manager.
“Just make sure you notify me immediately if anything happens.”
“Absolutely. I’ll make sure of it.”
“…Alright.”
After whispering my final words to the Senior Manager, the carriage finally picked me up and headed south.
“Damn it, the road condition is terrible.”
Leaving my worries behind, the carriage began to rock up and down, sounding almost as if it were grooving to a club’s lively beat. “Driver, driver, pump this party…”
I distinctly remember them pulling money some time ago for road repairs around here, yet looking at the state of the road, it seemed like they used the funds for expanding the provincial governor’s residence instead. Damn it, once I arrive, you’re at the top of my list!
As I jotted down an unknown provincial governor’s name on my death list, the carriage bounced again as if to applaud my decision. You must be having a tough time too, navigating these awful roads!
I had forged a small bond with the carriage during my solo journey, and even if the driver was out there, speaking with him would rattle him due to our social disparity. So, really, the carriage was the only ‘friend’ in this scenario. But this type of clattering friendship wasn’t exactly comforting.
“Damn it. I wish I could just use teleportation.”
Teleportation isn’t exactly a run-of-the-mill spell, but the Empire has set up teleportation circles in key cities for easy travel. Given the importance of the Academy, it should’ve been a given to have one there as well. However, due to the unique circumstances of the Academy’s location, they’ve strictly avoided setting one up.
Back when the Kefellofen Empire was still just a kingdom, the strongest nation on the continent was the Apels Empire. The Academy now stood where the magnificent capital of that Apels Empire once thrived.
What was it again? The Apels Empire had instilled a high emphasis on education, leading to the construction of the grand Academy. And even after the Kefellofen Empire chopped off Apels’ neck, they couldn’t just demolish the Academy or build a new one elsewhere, so they decided to continue using what was there. At that time, they were in no position to be picky due to tight finances.
However, if the city where the enemy capital resides becomes too bustling and accessible, it could give rise to the Apels Revival Army taking advantage. This was why it’s said that they purposefully avoided installing teleportation circles about. Hence, the Academy had never been able to benefit from teleportation services and you had to suffer through a carriage ride to get there, unless you hired a magician capable of teleporting.
While that may have made sense back then, three hundred years later, it’s hardly relevant anymore. The Apels Revival Army was long gone, extinguished by the relentless pursuit of Kefellofen.
In truth, the reason they still haven’t set one up is simply due to cost. It’s not just anyone who can set up a teleportation circle—it requires a boatload of money to maintain too. The area around the Academy is pretty much just the Academy itself, so there’s no need for anyone to go there. Also, since the Academy itself is equipped with decent facilities, no one wants to leave…
‘Damn the Minister.’
It’s clear from the Minister’s rejection of the teleportation circle proposal just a few months back that there’s an issue here. Had I known I’d be dispatched to the Academy, I would’ve fought tooth and nail to clear that. This whole situation circles back to the Minister. I hope he suddenly drops dead somewhere!
“Sir, I can see the Academy coming into view!”
“Oh.”
I snapped back to reality upon hearing the driver’s voice. Having no one to talk to, I had lost myself in thought. I finally managed to catch a glimpse of the massive castle walls that towered in the distance. Whoa, they’re tall…
“To think it’d be this impressive even from a distance.”
“Like you probably already know, as more merchants started gathering to serve the staff and students, the scale began to grow significantly. With merchants targeting families and their families as well, the Academy transformed into more than just an educational institution; it’s practically its own city now.”
‘Academy City…’
For some reason, it feels like there should be a student around here who is a wicked marksman with railguns.
After that brief exchange, silence wrapped around us again, with just the sound of the rattling carriage jingling about. We had finally opened up a bit, but we were still in that weird, awkward stage of familiarity. The heavy silence finally broke after we passed through the castle gates.
“It looks like the security personnel has significantly decreased.”
I tucked away the dispatch papers I had shown to the guards and peered outside. There were crowds and numerous shops bustling about, but absolutely no security officers in sight. Just civilians going about their lives in the Academy city—no, the Academy.
“Hm, is that so? This is my first time here, so I can’t really judge.”
“From what I recall, even just at the castle gates, there used to be four guards posted.”
When I remembered passing through, there were indeed only two guards to see. Upon showing my dispatch papers, they began shaking like phones on vibrate mode. My only response was to wish them well before moving inside.
‘Looks like they really did pull back everyone but the basics.’
“There won’t be any assistance in the Academy.”
“They’ve all been reassigned, so you won’t get any help.”
“You can’t do anything about it! If it bothers you, you should have taken the Minister post instead.”
I recalled the Foreign Minister’s words (which were extremely subjectively distorted). It truly sunk in as I witnessed it firsthand that I have to endure and shoulder the weight of being an inspector in this unknown territory. Just alone, without anyone to recognize.
‘When are the vacations…?’
Colleges usually begin their break in June, right? I wonder if that applies here too…
The nostalgic heart of a student, longing for the end of the semester while kicking off a new academic term gripped me tight as I finally reached the Academy’s main building, thus bringing my lengthy carriage ride to an end.
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