Chapter: 184
This semester alone, I’ve been summoned by the Crown Prince not once, but twice. Is there another civil servant in this world as unlucky as me?
Once again, the Crown Prince kindly sent a teleportation magician to ensure my journey would be comfortable. Ah, our gracious prince, always meticulously caring about whether his subjects are tired. Truly a benevolent ruler.
I sincerely wish that even a fraction of this consideration would be applied when he decides my punishment. Honestly.
“His Highness the Crown Prince is waiting.”
The knight guarding the Crown Prince’s palace said in his usual strict and serious tone. However, I couldn’t help but catch the fleeting expression on his face.
It looked as if he was thinking, “What did you do this time to get summoned again?” Of course, it could just be my paranoia, but there’s definitely a hint of confusion there.
I get it. For most civil servants who aren’t ministers, seeing the Crown Prince is like seeing a neighbor once a year, if that.
‘I’m going to lose my mind.’
In my state of paranoia, every gaze felt like daggers. It seemed as if every passing servant, maid, and guard was sneering at me, saying, “Look at that loser who’s the future leader of the Red Wave! Ha ha!”
I started feeling dizzy, to the point that I wished I could just hit my head on a wall and faint.
“You’ve arrived.”
“Yeah.”
And thus, I finally reached the Crown Prince’s office.
Upon seeing me, the guard greeted me without bothering to ask what my business was, making me feel a bit more bitter. Guess my frequent summons aren’t surprising anymore.
knock knock—
“Your Highness, the Executive Manager is here.”
“Let him in.”
Was it just my imagination, or did the Crown Prince’s voice sound strangely drained?
Anyway, after the prince permitted me to enter, the guard stepped back, clearing the way.
The last time I was here, I ended up being put on probation.
What misfortune awaits me this time? I’m seriously curious…
*
Silence hung in the office. The Crown Prince, busy with paperwork, merely instructed me to sit down as he continued processing documents.
He didn’t express his usual subtle scoffs or anger but instead worked quietly without a word.
‘This is even scarier.’
I’d rather he just let out some curses so I could brace myself for the worst. This silence was more than unsettling; I wondered what he was gearing up to unleash.
I even contemplated kneeling first just to break the tension.
“I’ve kept you waiting.”
Just as I was about to rise, the Crown Prince glanced my way.
“Not at all, Your Highness. Knowing how busy you are, how could I say such a thing?”
Words poured out of me that I wouldn’t normally say. To an outsider, I’d look utterly pathetic, but there wasn’t much I could do.
It’s not just any matter—it’s about imprisonment. In this situation, even fawning over the prince because I interrupted him would be an understatement. I’d have to apologize even if he swung his fist, shouting, “Why the hell are you in my way!”
“The dedication of the Executive Manager is truly commendable. It’s even more admirable since you display that dedication through actions, not just words.”
= You really had to stir up trouble when you knew I was busy?
I quietly lowered my gaze in response to the Crown Prince’s subtle display of anger. As if I would dare respond to the leader of the Red Wave with something like, “Yeah, I’m all for a republic!”
Seeing me like that, the Crown Prince leaned back in his chair and sighed.
“The Red Wave is a group of rebels attempting to disrupt the heavenly mandate. His Majesty is also very pleased with their eradication.”
“I’m honored.”
That sounded nice, but that was exactly why I felt tense. Starting with sweet words usually meant that something bitter would follow.
“But during the process, something a little puzzling occurred,” he continued.
Just like now.
The Crown Prince frowned slightly, his expression conveying that he found this troubling, and stroked his chin.
“I believe you captured the leader of the Red Wave alive. The testimonies from the Masked Unit and other prisoners, along with the examination of the leader’s corpse, confirm that there were signs of binding.”
Yes, the signs of binding are precisely the issue! I wouldn’t have confessed so readily if it wasn’t for those! I had gotten caught for this reason before.
The evidence of him being gagged would disappear with his head, but the marks of his body being bound or having been forced to kneel typically linger on clothing. If I tried to erase those marks, they would only become more obvious. I didn’t understand that back then!
“Yes, Your Highness. We did capture the leader, but he was killed during interrogation.”
The Crown Prince’s frown deepened at my straightforward acknowledgment, but he remained silent afterward.
He already knew I had turned the prisoner into a corpse. This interrogation process was just to formalize my accountability.
“I assume you didn’t act without reason. There must’ve been a motive.”
After a brief pause, the Crown Prince continued in a more positive tone. Yet I couldn’t relax just yet. Based on my past experiences, he could turn on a dime.
“Didn’t you capture all the key officers? While losing the leader is unfortunate, he wasn’t the most critical asset.”
I almost nodded in agreement. It’s true! With the entire leadership captured, the downfall of the Red Wave was certain, and with other high-ranking members around, there were plenty of sources for information.
“Considering the Executive Manager’s contributions, this incident cannot exactly be termed a mistake.”
Hearing these positive signals swelled my hopes. Could it be that he was actually going to forgive me? This didn’t feel like the setup for a twist—it seemed genuine!
Much to my relief, the Crown Prince didn’t utter any negative words throughout. If he had said them all with a smile, I would’ve been even more anxious. But the weariness and annoyance on his face made his words all the more convincing.
I indeed messed things up, but his expression suggested he would overlook it out of consideration for my loyal service. It truly felt like a one-time pass.
“Still, please refrain from taking such actions in the future. While it’s normal to kill during combat, executing prisoners without proper protocol is problematic.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll keep that in mind.”
I lowered my head to the Crown Prince, who sighed again.
‘I survived.’
Fortunately, it ended with just a verbal warning. There was no need to write a report, so I wouldn’t face imprisonment.
Honestly, what’s the big deal about killing a traitorous bastard when he was bound to die anyway?
Indeed, His Highness is great, wise, and full of mercy. He handled the matter with an open mind and didn’t get caught up in trivialities.
‘Coming here turned out to be a good choice.’
Out of caution, I merely told the academy that I’d be out. It would be awkward and embarrassing to waltz back in after hinting at possible imprisonment.
It was a wise decision. I trusted the Crown Prince’s mercy and considered my choice—
“You will be imprisoned for just five days.”
What…?
“Yes?”
Did I hear that wrong?
*
My head throbbed. The subtle headache that had been nagging me since yesterday intensified.
“Yes?”
And it grew worse, knowing that the source of my headache was standing right in front of me.
‘Seriously, messing up this quickly?’
How could I find myself in this predicament not long after receiving my probation? At this rate, it was almost impressive. Maybe the Executive Manager was more enamored with being disciplined than anyone else?
I knew that wasn’t true, yet I wanted to think that way. If not, this situation defied all logic. Even the Minister of Finance, who set the record for disciplinary actions, didn’t reach this level of notoriety.
‘Imprisoned at 21.’
It was laughable. Which was more astonishing? Becoming an Executive Manager at 19 or being imprisoned at 21? The two were so close it was hard to choose.
“Your Highness, when you say five days, do you mean…?”
“Imprisonment.”
I spoke firmly to the hesitantly speaking Executive Manager.
The situation itself was minor. As I mentioned earlier, the other officers were all captured, and considering my credit for subduing the Red Wave, killing the leader isn’t a major issue. I didn’t let him go on purpose, after all.
The only reason for disciplinary action was my execution of a prisoner without permission. That’s a matter that could have been resolved with just a report—
‘But there’s a backlog.’
The situation itself warranted only a report. However, the Executive Manager had already submitted too many reports, and this new one became the final piece leading to imprisonment.
It was unavoidable. Since a report was the minimum disciplinary action, imprisonment couldn’t be avoided. Moreover, failing to even write a report would give the impression that the empire casually executed prisoners.
“Your Highness, what about the academy during these five days—?”
“What can be done? We must trust and leave it to the principal.”
Seeing the Executive Manager’s trembling eyes nearly made me laugh again. I also felt uncomfortable with the idea of sending the Executive Manager out of the academy.
That’s why previously, I had let him remain at the academy even while on probation. But imprisonment provided no such leeway.
“Civil servants who have sinned shall be confined underground for self-reflection.”
The system established by the previous emperor is challenging to tamper with. What’s more, the imprisonment laws laid out by the first emperor, Amanca the Great, are especially unalterable.
He specifically commanded that they be confined ‘underground,’ so alternatives like ‘academy imprisonment’ are impossible.
‘There’s no way around it.’
Unless we relocate the capital to the academy or propose some absurd underground prison beneath the academy—neither of which is feasible—there’s no other option.
Ultimately, the answer is singular. Simply throw the Executive Manager into jail.
“Still, don’t worry too much. I know the Executive Manager’s crime is minor.”
That’s why I prepared the largest single cell for him.
I even ordered better furniture for him, so there would be no discomfort.
Nevertheless, my reassuring attempts didn’t improve the Executive Manager’s expression at all.
Why did you have to kill a prisoner and create this mess?
*
Memories flooded back.
“Wait, how did you end up imprisoned? I thought it took at least forty reports to get there.”
That was a remark I made in earnest when the Minister faced imprisonment in the past.
This was undoubtedly the result of accumulated karma.
‘I’m going insane.’
No matter how much karma there was, actually confronting it made acceptance difficult. Thus, I tried to argue as much as I could.
“Your Highness, isn’t imprisonment a bit excessive?”
“It’s merely a formal report regarding this incident.”
Yet, I couldn’t really counter that remark since I was the one who had piled up all those reports.
Right. I brought this upon myself…
‘What happens now?’
Now that imprisonment is confirmed, all the concerns I intentionally avoided came rushing back.
The academy, which would be without me for five days? The laughter of supervisors upon hearing the news? Or the minister who’d come to gloat over my downfall?
Something more serious lingered above it all.
“Carl, no matter what happens, I’m on your side.”
I was more worried about when Marghetta finds out I’m imprisoned.
‘Shit.’
The thought of her tearful face gripped me with guilt.
I think I’m going crazy. What the heck should I do?
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