Chapter 48

Chapter 47

That Time at the Inspection Department - 1

Deirus Crotton, the deputy director of the Inspection Department, had a daily routine that never changed. As the only administrative officer sandwiched between a boss who was dubious about his administrative skills and subordinates who had no interest in paperwork, he handled the majority of the department's documents.

The deputy director's office, consisting of Deirus and his support staff, was openly referred to as the "0 Division" within the Ministry of Finance, highlighting its importance. Of course, the work of the 0 Division was entirely focused on administrative tasks and miscellaneous duties, not field operations.

Thus, even with the director's indefinite dispatch, the Inspection Department continued to function smoothly. Deirus had been handling most of the administrative work from the beginning, and the director had entrusted him with the authority to act as a temporary director when he left for the academy, so most approvals were made by Deirus.

The only concern was the potential outburst of the three division chiefs, who might act recklessly with the director's absence, but surprisingly, they had been quiet so far. Especially the head of the 1st Division, who had been as quiet as a mouse since returning from the academy. It was puzzling, but not necessarily a bad thing, so he left it alone.

Thus, Deirus was handling his duties as acting director in relative peace, at least until just now.

"Director?"

The communication device on one corner of Deirus's desk was glowing blue. Although they regularly exchanged greetings and updates, it was unusual for the director to contact him at this time.

"Yes, Director."

- The imperial decree has been issued.

The straightforward statement from the director made Deirus sit up straight.

- I understand there was a report from the Intelligence Department?

"Yes. It contained information about families that had contact with the Third Glory. I received it this morning."

- His Majesty has doubts about the loyalty of these three families.

Deirus nodded silently. These were families that had contact with a group claiming to revive Afels. It was only natural for the emperor to doubt their loyalty and take action.

- Therefore, the Inspection Department will carry out the imperial decree and purge the rebels.

"Understood. What is the scope of the operation?"

- No exceptions.

Deirus's eyes twitched slightly as he waited for the director's response.

"Understood."

However, his hesitation was brief. Deirus quickly composed himself and complied with the director's instructions.

- I wish I could go myself, but unfortunately, I cannot leave my post.

"We will handle it. Don't worry."

- Good. I trust you, Deputy Director. I believe you will handle it cleanly.

"I won't disappoint you."

The director nodded and ended the call, and the communication device lost its glow. Deirus leaned back in his chair, resting his forehead on his hand as he stared at the device.

'This is it.'

When he asked about the scope, the response was to leave no exceptions. The directive was to kill all members of the designated families, regardless of age or gender, and to eliminate all their servants.

Of course, in principle, this was the right approach. Rebels should be eradicated, and those who served them should be punished to prevent future trouble. But this principle was applicable in an era when the divine authority was so powerful that even the slightest hint of rebellion had to be crushed. In the current era, where imperial authority is dominant, the usual practice is to remove the ringleaders and reduce the rest to slavery. After all, these noble families, even if their lineage is cut off, cannot threaten the emperor. The current practice is to execute only the ringleaders of a rebellion and show the emperor's leniency.

'Something is going on.'

While it's acceptable to enforce the principle when it conflicts with the usual practice, the Inspection Department, as the emperor's sword, has no problem eradicating the seeds of rebellion. The emperor would certainly be satisfied with the department's loyalty.

The only question is why the director, who usually follows the usual practice, is now enforcing the principle. Clearly, something is happening. Something he doesn't know about.

After organizing his thoughts, Deirus reached for the communication device. With the director's instructions, he needed to act.

While reviewing the information from the Intelligence Department, Deirus heard a knock on the door and looked up.

"Come in."

The door to the deputy director's office opened, and four people entered. They must have met on the way, as all the division chiefs arrived at the same time.

"What's going on? It's been a while since we had a meeting."

The head of the 2nd Division, leading the group, walked over and took a seat. The head of the 3rd Division followed and sat down, looking at Deirus. The 2nd Division chief had expressed the group's curiosity, but they were all puzzled by the sudden meeting.

"1st Division Chief."

However, before answering, Deirus looked at the 1st Division chief. The 1st Division chief blinked and tilted his head, clearly surprised to be called out.

"Did something happen at the academy?"

The 1st Division chief's eyes trembled, confirming that something had indeed happened.

"Wasn't it just about capturing the Third Glory?"

The 2nd Division chief yawned and spoke indifferently, but Deirus's gaze remained fixed on the 1st Division chief. He had heard that the 1st Division chief had captured the Third Glory, but there was clearly more to the story.

Under Deirus's intense gaze, the 1st Division chief finally spoke, looking around nervously.

"The Third Glory mentioned something about the North in front of the director."

The 2nd Division chief, who had been yawning, froze.

"Even about the Six Swords."

The room, which had been filled with fatigue and boredom, fell into a chilling silence at the 1st Division chief's words.

The silence was broken by the 3rd Division chief.

"Why are you telling us this now?"

"If I had known earlier, I could have done something about it?"

"There's nothing you could have done..."

The 3rd Division chief sighed, looking helpless. The 5th Division chief then asked the 1st Division chief.

"How did the director react?"

"He just pretended everything was fine."

"He must have exploded today."

At Deirus's comment, the division chiefs turned their attention back to him. Deirus placed the Intelligence Department's report on the table and continued.

"The families that had contact with the Third Glory have been identified: the Viscount Gorpu, the Baron Bendel, and the Baron Doshil."

"They're all insignificant."

"Maybe they had nothing to lose and went all out?"

"The director has ordered the complete eradication of these three families."

The division chiefs fell silent again, exchanging glances. A complete eradication had only happened during the Great Purge two years ago, and even then, it was limited to a very few families. Even the Aisillon family, which the director had been eager to target, only saw the head of the family and the heir executed.

"If we don't do this properly, it could be our turn next."

"The director said he believes we will handle it cleanly."

"Damn, I'd rather be scolded."

The 2nd Division chief shuddered, and the 3rd Division chief wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. The director's anger was currently focused on the three families, but if the operation was even slightly inadequate, the target of that anger would be clear.

The director might not care about the division chiefs' absence due to their academy assignment. If the director's anger reached a boiling point, he wouldn't care about such excuses. Despite the crown prince's statement that the head of the Aisillon family didn't need to be killed, the director had faked a suicide to eliminate him.

Before the execution, the director had mocked the Aisillon family head, ensuring that he was recorded as a noble who committed suicide out of shame, rather than being murdered.

"The punishment of these three families is by imperial decree."

Deirus, trying to calm his throbbing head, spoke. Yes, it was an imperial decree. It was both the director's angry command and a solemn imperial decree. Even without the director's mention, it was a task that needed to be handled thoroughly. The only difference was the scope.

"3rd Division Chief Leonard Hodela, 5th Division Chief Marsilio Viajo, lead your divisions to purge the rebels."

"Understood."

"Yes, sir."

The 3rd Division, responsible for the Inspection Department's external force, and the 5th Division, which handled the cleanup of unprocessed targets, could quickly deal with three lower noble families.

"1st Division Chief Erzsebet Maszaro and 2nd Division Chief Lafayette Baron, conduct interrogations before executing the servants."

"Yes, sir."

"We will do so."

It had been a while since all the division chiefs were involved in an operation. But what could they do? This was not just a simple corruption case but a matter of treason, and the threat of an imminent explosion was looming. If they handled it even slightly carelessly, at least two people would be furious.

"Let me repeat: there are no exceptions. There can be no delays. I will request assistance from the Special Operations Department, so move quickly."

Finding the three families on foot would take a considerable amount of time, and there was a risk that the other two families would hear the news and flee while one was being dealt with. Teleportation was essential. Although it felt awkward to ask for help from the Special Operations Department, they would cooperate given the treason involved.

As the division chiefs quickly dispersed, Deirus sighed involuntarily. The Six Swords? They provoked the director by talking about the Six Swords?

'Insane.'

Not just the North, but they had provoked those people. If they were suicide wishers, they certainly got their wish. It would have been safer to insult the director's parents, but it was uncertain if there would be any bodies left.

***

It wasn't appropriate to give the deputy director instructions in a place with many onlookers. He slipped out of the hall to give the purge order and took a moment to sit on a bench and catch the breeze.

'They'll do well.'

It was disappointing not to be able to handle it personally, but I can't leave this position. I can't put personal matters ahead of official duties. If the emperor had given the order to Karl Krassius, not the director of the Inspection Department, I would have rushed without hesitation.

'It's disappointing.'

I trust our people. Even though they are a group of lunatics within the Inspection Department, they don't disappoint when it comes to external matters. Of course, there have been disasters like the 3rd Division's accidental shooting, but with such clear targets, there's no room for mistakes.

It's just disappointing. The fact that I have to delegate it to others is frustrating.

Still, I should be satisfied. If there were no families that had contact with the Third Glory, I would have had to vent my anger by just bursting someone's head in the forest. At least this is my order, and my subordinates are the ones taking action.

"Big brother!"

Lost in thought, I saw Louise running over with a trophy in her arms, followed by her club members.

"Be careful, you might fall."

I chuckled and stood up.

Yes, I should be satisfied. It's a good day, after all. I believe the Inspection Department will send another piece of good news.

Author's Note

The deputy director, who appeared in the prologue, and the division chiefs, who appeared from Chapter 2, have finally had their names revealed in Chapter 47.

Director of the Inspection Department Karl Krassius: The face, the decisive weapon, the leash.

Deputy Director Deirus Crotton: Administration, miscellaneous tasks.

1st Division Chief Erzsebet Maszaro: Interrogation.

2nd Division Chief Lafayette Baron: Intelligence.

3rd Division Chief Leonard Hodela: Enforcement.

Former 4th Division Chief Penelia Yous: Annihilation.

5th Division Chief Marsilio Viajo: Assassination.

I apologize for the forced secrecy and have listed their names and specialized tasks for clarity.

Thank you for reading this chapter!

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