Chapter 5

Chapter 4

Going on Assignment - 1

[ ...I hereby dispatch Karl Krasius, Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Finance, as an emergency inspector to the Imperial Academy. ]

[ ...I hereby dispatch him as an emergency inspector to the Imperial Academy. ]

[ ...to the Imperial Academy... ]

"I really wish I could drop dead somewhere."

Due to the minister's vicious scheme, I experienced both heaven and hell in a split second. Not long after returning to my office, I carelessly shoved the remaining documents into a drawer. I don't think I can focus on work with this mood. Wow, giving and taking away is the worst, and he does it so casually.

Of course, the minister has never once allowed me to retire.

"I'm leaving early."

"Huh? No, it's not even time to leave yet. Where are you going?"

"You guys can leave too."

"Flexibility in working hours is important, right?"

The resistance from the section chiefs quickly subsided when I offered the carrot of an early departure. How happy they must be to suddenly get an early leave when they couldn't even dream of leaving on time. Especially the second section chief, who left first with a broad smile. That guy needs to get some sleep, or he might go down a strange path again. I briefly considered pulling him back, but quickly turned my gaze away. If I catch him, I'll have to stay too, and I don't want that.

The day after the historic early departure of the Inspection Department.

"Congratulations."

"Congratulations."

"Congratulations."

As soon as I opened the office door and arrived, the officers gathered and clapped to welcome me. What is this? A new form of harassment?

"What are you guys doing?"

"We all heard. You got your wish, right?"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

That wish was burned to ashes in hell's lava just yesterday.

I looked at them indifferently, and the deputy director quietly approached from behind, tapping my shoulder. He pointed to something in the air. Following his finger, I turned my gaze and closed my eyes tightly.

[ C * O * N * G * R * A * T * U * L * A * T * I * O * N * S! Chief Inspector's Academy Trip Confirmed! ]

[ Wow, so envious! A beautiful 20s life at the Academy! ]

Two ridiculous banners hung there, proudly displaying their gaudy presence.

"Damn it..."

"Chief Inspector, are you moved?"

"Hehe, I only found out late last night and prepared this in a hurry."

"If there was such an event, you should have mentioned it first. Isn't it a happy occasion?"

The second section chief, the first section chief, and the third section chief, in that order, were all talking nonsense. The deputy director, standing behind them, lowered his head and avoided my gaze, looking apologetic for not stopping them. Yeah, this must have been a sudden disaster for you too. I can only trust you.

"...Where is the fifth section chief?"

"He suggested we throw a party for you yesterday, but we haven't heard from him since."

"He hasn't even come to work yet. Oh, on such a happy day, to be absent."

Good, I can trust the fifth section chief too. It's too much to try to stop three section chiefs alone, so he must have chosen to go into hiding. It's a wise decision, I suppose.

I laughed. The second section chief laughed along. The first and third section chiefs also laughed, clapping even faster. The deputy director quietly left the office and closed the door.

Not long after the deputy director closed the door, the sound of something being torn and three heads hitting the floor could be heard.

"Are you done?"

The fifth section chief approached the deputy director, who was standing outside the door, hearing the thunderous voice that sounded more and more like the minister's. Judging by how quickly he arrived, he must have been waiting nearby, observing the situation. As a section chief of the Inspection Department, it's a truly excellent way to handle things. It's a pity that he uses this skill to survive under the chief.

"Just started."

"Hmm, have you eaten?"

"No. I rushed here after hearing the news."

"Then you should eat now. It will take about an hour."

The deputy director nodded, glancing at the firmly closed door. It doesn't seem like this will be over quickly this time. The deputy director and the fifth section chief moved together, and behind them, a curse echoed as if from hell.

"Are you fucking human?!"

It took about two hours, not one. The deputy director, wishing for the section chiefs' well-being, quickly walked away.

Thanks to the efforts of the three section chiefs, the Inspection Department had a lively morning, and I spent two hours expressing intense emotion out loud, now rubbing my stiff neck. Will I retire first, or will I collapse from a heatstroke? It's a fierce chicken race... My heart feels so petty.

As I sighed, a communication device in front of me glowed blue. Blue light... a direct call from the minister. Another sigh escaped me. They say sighing brings bad luck, but maybe I'm already in a state of bad luck. Otherwise, my life wouldn't be like this. Should I go to church and get a blessing? Maybe if I give a large donation, my fate will change.

"Yes... Chief Inspector here."

- Huh, why are you answering so quickly?

As I touched the communication device, the minister's face popped up on it. The tower is really overdoing it. They could have just made it so we only hear the voice, but why show the face too? I hardly ever did video calls even before the reincarnation.

"Yes, just finished some work and was taking a break."

Regularly reestablishing the hierarchy with the section chiefs is one of the chief inspector's important duties.

- Oh? Well, that's convenient. Come to my office. It's urgent.

"Urgent again? After you threw me a curveball yesterday. Did you throw your integrity to the north?"

- It's related to yesterday, so shut up and come.

The communication device cut off unilaterally. Rank is a bully, rank is a bully.

'I don't lose in protocol rank in other places.'

I'm not sure anymore, given how often the minister points out my flaws, but as a chief inspector, I should be treated well wherever I go. Especially as a chief inspector of the prestigious Ministry of Finance, which ranks second among the imperial administrative departments. But unfortunately, my opponent is the minister, a real pain in the ass.

"I'll be back in a bit."

I gave a heads-up to the deputy director, who was working, and headed to the minister's office. It seems I'm visiting the minister's office more frequently these days, but it's not just my imagination. What's so great about being dragged to a place where I only see the muscular minister every time?

"Ah, Chief Inspector. It's been a while."

That doesn't mean I want to see anyone else.

"Minister of Foreign Affairs, sir? What brings you here?"

The middle-aged man with a kind face, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was drinking tea with the minister, greeted Karl warmly. Karl bowed hurriedly and glared at the minister. If there was another minister, you should have told me.

The minister put down his teacup on the table, as if to say, "What do you want me to do?"

"I came to deliver an important message before your assignment. You should be grateful, as he made a special trip for you."

"Hehe, it's for the empire, and I'm sending the Chief Inspector on a long journey. What do I have to be grateful for?"

"Don't flatter him too much. He'll get arrogant and start competing with you."

"Ho, from experience, I'll keep that in mind."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs chuckled and turned his gaze back to Karl.

"So, Chief Inspector. You've been appointed as the inspector for the Academy, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Traditionally, a section chief was sufficient for the Academy assignment. Sending a chief inspector means something significant has happened. I assume you've heard some explanation from the Minister of Finance."

'No, I haven't heard anything.'

My eyes naturally moved to the minister. Yesterday, we just ended up shouting at each other, so I didn't hear anything.

The minister, having nothing to say about that, quietly drank his tea and avoided my gaze. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, seemingly unaware of the awkward exchange between superior and subordinate, wiped his forehead with a handkerchief and continued.

"Actually, there are many issues with this year's Academy freshmen."

"Many issues? Is the ratio of commoners over half?"

"That wouldn't be an issue. You'll see."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs then handed me the document he had been holding.

"This is a list of freshmen to watch out for."

"Who could be so important that you marked them as 'to watch out for'?"

I couldn't help but be curious. The Academy is the empire's top educational institution and a place for future nobles, so it's common for children of high-ranking officials to attend. Even the royal family often studied at the Academy, as did the five great dukes.

Except for special cases like myself, most of the empire's blue bloods attend the Academy. For the Minister of Foreign Affairs to personally visit the Ministry of Finance and mark certain individuals as 'to watch out for,' there must be a reason. Is there someone that... important?

My eyes quickly stopped as I read the list. The name at the top was extraordinary.

1. Ruitis Robens

I looked at the Minister of Foreign Affairs, momentarily speechless.

"Is... is that the Ruitis you're thinking of?"

"Yes, the Ruitis you're thinking of."

My brows furrowed sharply.

"Wait, why is Prince Armain crawling into the Academy?"

"If I knew, would I be here? The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in chaos. We asked the Armain side what was going on, but they said the prince's resolve was too firm, leaving them baffled."

I scratched my head irritably, looking at the name Ruitis. The third prince of the Armain Kingdom, which boasts the second strongest power on the continent after the empire.

While it's not unprecedented for foreign students to attend the Academy, it's rare for high-ranking officials to do so. They have their own educational institutions in their countries, so why would they come to the empire for a better life?

"This is insane."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. There's still a lot to come."

The impact of the first name was so strong, but there were still more names to come. I checked the remaining names and let out a hollow laugh.

2. Lathier Ostea

3. Tannian Enes

The second prince of the Yuban United Kingdom and a prominent candidate for the Holy Church's high priest, respectively.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, looking at my stunned expression, added quietly but piercingly.

"The three from abroad are these. You should remember that the Third Prince of the empire is also enrolling this year."

"Yes... I know."

That's why it's even more insane. The empire's prince, the prince of the second most powerful nation, the prince of the next most powerful united kingdom, and a candidate for the Holy Church's high priest, all in one place. If a terrorist attack happens, the entire continent will go mad.

"Oh."

That's why I'm going.

Looking at the minister, who had been silent, he nodded in agreement. It's exactly what you're thinking.

"The Academy is nominally neutral, but since it's in the heart of the empire and most of the students are imperial citizens, it's a nominal clause. That's why the imperial army has been responsible for the Academy's security. However, with these three enrolling, it's become complicated."

The three countries that sent students questioned the Academy's neutrality. They understand that the Academy is on imperial territory, but they have a problem with the security being entirely handled by imperial citizens. Of course, it's natural for the imperial army to protect the imperial Academy.

The three countries understand this but had to express their concerns. The best solution would be not to send important figures to the imperial Academy, but for some reason, they insisted on enrolling. Therefore, the task of the diplomats is to minimize any threats to these important figures.

Initially, the three countries proposed sending security personnel to the Academy to create a mutual check, but the empire firmly rejected it, telling them to stop being ridiculous. The empire wouldn't want foreign troops on its soil.

After much back and forth, they agreed to allow a small number of security personnel to escort the students, submit a list of these personnel, and withdraw all but the necessary imperial personnel from the Academy.

"However, we can't just leave it at that. If something happens at the Academy, the empire's reputation will be at stake."

"Also, it's time to send an inspector to the Academy. The new freshmen are so impressive that the donations are unprecedented, giving a chief inspector a reason to be dispatched."

I couldn't argue with the one-two punch from the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the minister. I understood the necessity and the reason. The problem is that I'm the one doing it.

'Is this an Academy story?'

Three men crossed the border and forced their way into the Academy, all in the same year. If so, the Academy is the main stage. It's clear that the unseen hand of the creator is pushing the main characters into the Academy.

Damn, I didn't think it was an Academy story because it wasn't mentioned in the free chapters. Who would have known that the free chapters, which only showed the characters as children, would lead to the Academy?

As I cursed inwardly, the minister came over and patted my shoulder.

"Don't worry too much. What else could happen besides war if something goes wrong?"

Wow, that's really reassuring.

After that, I had no choice but to prepare for the Academy assignment as if I were being chased.

I reincarnated, but there's no regression? If I could go back exactly four years, it would be great.

Author's Note (Author's Afterword)

I woke up to a sudden increase in views and was surprised. I'll do my best not to disappoint the readers!