Chapter 47
Deep-Rooted Corruption
After the most pointless duel in the world ended, I went to work feeling far lighter than before.
Having publicly defeated Elicia, the others in the department could no longer treat me coldly. On top of that, Second-Class Secretaries Lucius and Victor had started treating me kindly. Thanks to the unexpected benefits of that silly contest, I set my bag down and brewed some tea at a small table beside the Chancellor’s Office pond.
Whoever designed this place deserves to be hired wherever they want.
If it had been as gloomy and cold as the Ministry of Finance, I would’ve been depressed just walking in. Instead, it felt like working in an ancient library nestled deep in the mountains. The atmosphere was calm and soothing.
Behind the tea area stood a large bulletin board posting news from the Imperial Palace and various departments. Since I’d arrived early, I sipped my tea and casually glanced through the announcements.
“Selection of a construction company for the capital’s main boulevard?”
Apparently, in order to improve connections with surrounding regions, the capital city of Resera was going to rebuild and expand its main road. The announcement stated they were now selecting a company to handle the project—any interested firms could apply. It was a massive job, meaning whoever won the bid would gain not only experience but a fortune as well.
“Competition’s going to be fierce.”
Maybe even the Daijo Trading Company would apply.
“The Chancellor’s Office will handle the selection, but don’t expect much,” came a familiar voice.
Lucan had appeared beside me without notice, sipping his tea as he scanned the board. Since his tone was oddly dry for such a big project, I turned to him.
“What do you mean, don’t expect much?”
He gave me a bitter smile.
“Because the winner’s already decided.”
“What? It’s already decided?”
Pieces started falling into place in my head. Right—this place was full of people trying to eat from the same trough.
“There’s been one company handling all the Chancellor’s Office’s big contracts since before I got here.”
“The Chancellor must’ve done well for himself.”
“Yeah. Huh? You knew that?”
Lucan’s eyes widened as if he couldn’t believe how calm I was. “You’re young, but you already know this kind of thing…”
He must think I was already a jaded office worker. I shrugged.
“The Chancellor’s gone now, though. Can’t they change it?”
Lucan tilted his chin toward a man across the way—someone humming proudly to himself as he stood from the Chancellor’s seat.
“The one who introduced that company is a First-Class Secretary.”
I let out a short laugh. “Ha.”
“I heard he wasn’t involved in the Chancellor’s affair scandal, and since there wasn’t any solid proof, he survived. Taking down one Chancellor Marcus was probably hard enough. Anyway, besides the Minister of Finance, he’s the highest-ranking person left in the department. So things will go on as they always have.”
In other words, that man was the Chancellor’s puppet—and naturally at odds with the Minister of Finance.
“Won’t the Minister of Finance stop him?”
Lucan didn’t look too hopeful.
“Unlikely. Every year, this particular project has been left untouched. The Minister’s too busy cleaning up internal chaos right now. I doubt he has the time or patience to deal with this mess.”
The air reeked of something fishy.
“How do you know all this, anyway?”
He grinned. “I’ve got friends in other departments. Knowing how the Imperial administration works never hurts, right?”
“That’s true.”
Lucan was definitely an insider—an inssa in the bureaucratic world. I hadn’t known him long, but he was likable, polite, and social. The kind of person who could survive anywhere.
“Anyway, since everything’s already decided, don’t expect much from the company selection.”
“Got it.”
I wasn’t about to get involved. It’s not like a lowly clerk like me could do anything, nor did I want to. Wherever you go, there are always people in power looking to line their pockets.
After glancing once more at the large notice, I returned to my desk without a second thought.
“Sis, how do I look?”
“Noona, look at me!”
Julie and Rio twirled in place, proudly showing off their new academy uniforms.
Their parents might’ve been useless guardians who favored their eldest son, but genetically, these siblings were blessed. Even in worn-out clothes they looked adorable—but now, dressed neatly, they could’ve passed for noble children.
“Marcella! Come on out!”
“Ugh… this feels weird.”
Marcella stepped out, her red hair falling over her shoulders, the academy uniform hugging her tall, athletic frame. With her shirt unbuttoned a few notches, she gave off that dangerous kind of charm that could easily make someone’s heart skip.
“Why do you look so scandalous?”
“What?”
“Button up properly and act decent. With your muscles, you already look intimidating enough. People might mistake you for some delinquent.”
Marcella examined herself with a frown. Luckily, the academy held entrance exams several times a year, so Julie and Rio had managed to pass this season’s exam thanks to my intense K-style crash tutoring. They were naturally diligent, which helped a lot.
“Can’t believe I’m going to the academy at my age,” Marcella muttered.
She was already well past the usual age for students, but in the Empire, the Knight and Magic Departments accepted all ages as long as you passed the entrance test. Having worked on construction sites, she breezed through the physical exam.
“Once you’re a knight, age doesn’t matter. That’s just what kids say.”
“You talk like you’ve already lived your whole life.”
“…Just make sure you do well tomorrow.”
I bent to pick up their supply list, when suddenly a big hand ruffled my hair.
“Who do you think made this possible? Of course I’ll do my best. You said the Minister of Finance helped us, right? I’ll work hard so you won’t be embarrassed in front of him.”
Julie and Rio clung to each of my arms.
“Sis! I’m going to study so hard and be top of the class!”
“Me too! I’ll make lots of friends and do my best, Noona!”
Maybe it was their warmth—or maybe the unexpected touch—but I froze for a second. They’re not even my real family… so why does this feel so—
“…You don’t have to be top of the class. Just stay healthy.”
They laughed brightly, as if my words were the funniest thing ever.
Marcella, Juliana, and Rio left for school that morning, all tense and excited. Their nervousness rubbed off on me, but seeing them walk out in uniform filled me with a quiet sense of relief.
Maybe it was because I came from the modern world, but seeing kids that age go to school just felt right.
“Let’s see… today’s appointment is…”
After work, I headed to my side job feeling relaxed for the first time in days. Since adjusting to life in the Chancellor’s Office, I couldn’t open the shop every day, but thanks to the reservation system, I didn’t have to sit around waiting for customers.
The system was simple: people dropped anonymous request slips into the mailbox, and the next day I’d post the schedule on the secret bulletin board run by the Information Guild. It was a bit of a hassle, but anonymity was crucial.
“You again, little lamb.”
In walked the Empire’s top elite and most desirable bachelor—Duke Vespera Ariadne Fortuna. His name alone was long enough to be intimidating. “Ariadne” was his ducal surname, and “Fortuna” belonged to the Grand Duke’s house—a name that practically screamed wealth.
He visited as often as Hwangso did these days.
“So, did you eat dinner yet?”
We’d gotten comfortable enough for casual conversation now—or, rather, he had. As for me, every visit felt like walking on thin ice, terrified he’d somehow see through my disguise.
“Of course. I need proper food to give proper advice, don’t I?”
My cheerful tone didn’t match my inner tension.
“Fair point.”
The Duke used these sessions to vent—complaints he couldn’t voice anywhere else. Still, it seemed to help. He’d said there were fewer crying subordinates storming out of his office lately.
Hwangso, you really owe me a meal for this.
Meanwhile, Hwangso kept me updated on how the Duke was changing, what strange orders he gave, and how the Ministry of Justice reacted. Thanks to that, I unintentionally had a front-row seat to their department’s dynamics.
“The capital’s main road construction is starting soon,” he said suddenly.
It was the same project our department was handling.
“I heard about that. The Chancellor’s Office is in charge, right?”
He paused, surprised.
“That hasn’t even been announced yet. How did you—well, I suppose others have their sources too.”
“Don’t worry. It’s nothing secret. You pick up bits and pieces just by listening to clients. Besides, you visit often, and I’ve never once asked about your identity, have I?”
“…That’s true.”
He didn’t seem thrilled about the topic.
“So? Did they dump another ridiculous task on you?”
The “little lamb” shook his head.
“The company that used to handle all the Chancellor’s big projects was always backed by the Chancellor himself. Now that the Chancellor’s fallen from grace, I wondered what would happen this time.”
That was exactly what I’d been wondering too.
“You’re right. No reason to stick with a company tied to a disgraced official, right?”
He gave a bitter laugh.
“That’s what I thought. But when I asked someone connected to the Chancellor’s Office, they said nothing would change. Do you know why?”
“Because one of the Chancellor’s lackeys is still there?”
I thought of what Lucan had told me about the First-Class Secretary.
He shook his head and replied in a low voice.
“The Crown Prince is involved.”
For a moment, I could almost see the Duke’s fury flare before my eyes.
