Chapter 38
Right now, what was once the 4th Division of the Inspection Department is now called the Masked Unit, part of the Special Service Agency. Among the five divisions of the Inspection Department, it’s the one most specialized in combat, and it’s also the division where the Minister and I used to work. Four years ago, the position that the Patriarch arranged for me was also in this 4th Division. It was so centered on combat that it was often deployed in wars.
‘To begin with, there’s no way the Patriarch would have found me a normal position.’
That obnoxious loyalist of an Emperor would never have offered me an easy spot. Why hadn’t I thought of that back then?
Anyway, the Inspection Department, especially the 4th Division, has a history of being ridiculously entangled. I’m not saying this out of spite; objectively, from its birth, it was bizarrely tied up.
From its establishment until now, the Inspection Department has been openly treated as the Emperor’s hunting dogs. Some even questioned why such a department, which should properly belong to the Special Service Agency, ended up under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance. I mean, what is it called, a family tree? It’s weird that there’s a Minister from the Special Service Agency positioned between the Emperor and the Inspection Department.
However, due to its nature, the Inspection Department should rightly have been under the Special Service Agency rather than the Ministry of Finance. But the Inspection Department screwed up right from the start.
The Inspection Department was founded roughly 100 years ago. Unlike now, back then the Emperor wasn’t mercilessly pressing down on the nobles. Thanks to that, the aristocrats were wary of the expansion of the Special Service Agency, treated like his own limbs by the Emperor. The Emperor hid his precious weapon under the Ministry of Finance.
‘It was necessary to have a department capable of imposing budget sanctions.’
That was the official justification for establishing the Inspection Department, and the consensus that such a department was needed existed before it was even created, so the Inspection Department launched successfully. Then, the Emperor turned the Inspection Department into a force focused on “sanctioning” rather than just “monitoring” the flow of money.
After the nobles had their skulls cracked by the Emperor’s precious weapon, they finally grumbled, “This damn Emperor is going off the rails again.” But getting rid of a department is much harder than creating one, so the Inspection Department has survived to this day as the Emperor’s weapon.
The Inspection Department was blatantly a tool created to smash the nobles, and it’s specialized in combat as a result. Thanks to this, despite its status, it was viewed as a misfit within the Ministry of Finance. The mainstream line of the Ministry, which prides itself on being intellectual while dealing with money, sees the Inspection Department as a bunch of bloodthirsty thugs.
Thus, civil servants from the Inspection Department traditionally retire after serving as Inspection Department heads or are transferred to the Special Service Agency, the War Department, or the Military. But just two years ago, that tradition came crashing down. Right after the Crown Prince’s inauguration, he appointed the then-4th Division Chief as the Inspection Department Head and me, who was the team leader of the 4th Division, as the 4th Division Chief.
Up until that point, everything was fine. The Minister was delighted as they planned to retire after becoming the Inspection Department Head, and I was filled with thoughts of escaping to the military. The Invincible Duke had promised to take me on board when I was ready.
‘That Crown Prince, that bastard.’
The trouble started when the Crown Prince began purging the faction of the 2nd Prince. Eager to take control of the Ministry of Finance and the Inspection Department, the Crown Prince sought to place his own people in key positions, and those key positions included the Minister and me. Just within a fortnight of our promotion, we found ourselves promoted yet again—what a disaster!
An unprecedented rapid ascension and an unprecedented capture of the Ministry of Finance by the Inspection Department. Naturally, there was an uproar not only among the existing members of the Ministry of Finance but also within the Inspection Department. I spent my miserable civil servant life fighting against the faction of the 2nd Prince externally, while internally facing the dominant forces within the Ministry of Finance and the opposing factions within the Inspection Department.
In that chaotic process, I held a special attachment to the 4th Division. Originally my division, it had nearly been wiped out in the North, so I had poured effort into reorganizing it, making it hard not to get attached. Yet, the well-nurtured 4th Division was sold off to the Special Service Agency. “Damn it.”
That thought slipped out of my mouth as I grumbled. If he was going to do that, why not just take the whole Inspection Department? Why only snatch up the 4th Division? I was fuming ever since I heard a year ago that the 4th Division was being sold off. Even the 4th Division Chief hated it. She used to follow me a lot, after all.
The moment I heard the name “Masked Unit” from the Information Department’s Senior Manager, vague, miserable memories flashed back to me. They say sad memories become cherished ones over time, but honestly, this memory is one I never want to consider cherished—pure hardship through and through.
As I returned to the booth, miraculously, Villar didn’t contact me. Thankfully, it seemed nothing had happened during that fleeting moment.
“Ah, brother. You’re back already?”
“Yep. How’s everything?”
As I neared the booth, I spotted Erich passing by with a carton of milk, gave him a few pats on his shoulder, and stepped inside. I guess because we’ve spent time together in the club, our greetings have become more natural compared to before.
Regrettably, that’s about the extent of our relationship for now. I mean, after years of awkward interactions, expecting us to suddenly become close is a bit unreasonable.
“Now that you’re back, can I go play a bit?”
“Was I just playing around?”
When the 1st Division Chief sneakily approached, I pinched my lips together, shaking my head at her nonsense. I mean, seriously, she’s a human, not some beastfolk, but why does she always sound like a little puppy?
“Ugh—!”
She squirmed against my grip on her cheeks, so I clamped down tighter. I think it might have actually hurt this time because tears were welling up in her eyes. Ah, indeed, the 1st Division Chief’s best look is when she’s crying…
“Oppa, don’t bully her too much. Unnie seems to have been working hard, and probably wants a little break.”
While the 1st Division Chief was flailing about, Louise approached carefully. Even with her cheeks being pinched, the 1st Division Chief looked at Louise with eyes full of gratitude, apparently touched by her attempt to defend her. Oh dear, did things get a bit chaotic?
I released her, and the 1st Division Chief quickly crouched behind Louise. Honestly, a 25-year-old hiding behind a 17-year-old? How pathetic.
Seeing me look at her in disapproval, the 1st Division Chief gave me a pout.
“Executive Manager, you really need to cherish your cute subordinate more.”
I nearly shot back a retort, but with Louise right there, I kept my mouth shut. My reaction made the 1st Division Chief smirk and pat Louise on the back.
“See? I told you the Executive Manager is weak against you.”
“Hehe…”
Louise scratched her cheek, looking a bit bashful after the 1st Division Chief’s comment. Sorry, it seems like I’m causing unnecessary trouble for her by involving her in our antics.
“Don’t hide behind someone so much younger than you.”
“I don’t wanna.”
“Louise, can you step aside for a sec?”
“Ah, okay.”
“Huh…?”
Without hesitation, Louise moved from beside the 1st Division Chief to stand next to me. The look on the 1st Division Chief’s face was one of betrayal.
Who’s closer to Louise, me or you? That’s your loss for not being able to make such a simple calculation.
After putting down the 1st Division Chief’s three-minute rebellion, what Louise said lingered in my mind, and I decided to give her a little break. Yes, if I’ve made her work, it’s only fair to let her have a bit of free time, as long as she stays inside the booth.
“Is there anything more pointless than taking a break while working?”
She grumbled but settled into a corner of the booth for her “rest.” Honestly, constantly tacking on unnecessary comments is an impressive skill in its own right.
“But Executive Manager, what did the crow say?”
As the 1st Division Chief scanned the room, she whispered. “Crow” is a cheeky term for the outside intel agents and one of the many traditions within the Information Department. If someone called me “crow,” I’d have bitten my tongue out of embarrassment.
“You’ll have to work with me tomorrow. I heard the Masked Unit is coming.”
“Wow, really?”
The mention of the Masked Unit brightened her face. It must be nice for her to see the 4th Division again after such a long time. If I remember right, she was close with the 4th Division Chief.
“But why are they coming?”
“The Apels Revival Soldiers are coming to the Academy tomorrow.”
“…Who?”
“The Apels Revival Soldiers.”
At that name, the 1st Division Chief looked like a graduate student just learning that their supervising professor was retiring. Sure, it’s shocking news. The Head of the Information Department and I were both equally stunned.
As I waited for her to regain her senses, her expression suddenly changed to something utterly determined.
‘That brat’s instinct for achievements is kicking in.’
The last time the Apels Revival Soldiers were around was 200 years ago. Naturally, the 1st Division Chief has never seen them, let alone tortured one. Perfect bait to spark her urge to accomplish something.
“Hehehe…”
She chuckled to herself for some reason, so I quietly averted my gaze.
The first day of the club fair had wrapped up. It was definitely just the first day, yet I felt like I’d gone through three or four days’ worth of mental exhaustion, which is just sad.
“The 1st Division Chief was so excited. I feel like she’s going to cause a ruckus again.”
– But the 1st Division Chief does do her job well, doesn’t she?
“If she wasn’t good at her job, do you think I would keep her around?”
Sitting atop my bed while holding my communication device, I chatted with the 4th Division Chief about recent updates. Just as I got back to my lodging, I received a call.
“Having you around made things easier. Now that you’re gone, it feels like chaos reigns. Your absence is just too noticeable.”
– You’re being too kind.
At my words, the 4th Division Chief lowered her head. Her long silver hair effortlessly cascaded down as she did.
“Well, let’s touch base again tomorrow. How does lunchtime sound?”
– Feel free to call whenever is convenient for you. I’ll answer anytime.
“Great. Oh, and the 1st Division Chief is missing you too, so contact her if you have some time.”
– I understand.
The 1st Division Chief was the next saddest person after me when the 4th Division Chief was sent to the Special Service Agency. Among the senior civil servants of the Inspection Department, she was one of only two women. When the 4th Division Chief left, she nearly flipped out about being the only female left.
– Well then, I’ll take my leave. I look forward to working together again. It’s an honor, Executive Manager.
The 4th Division Chief bowed her head once more and ended the call. The more time passes, the more I find myself missing her. It’s hard to find someone as courteous and respectful as her.
Thinking of the hopeless characters in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Divisions made me sigh involuntarily. But thankfully, having three normal people around me is a small relief.
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