Chapter 6

Chapter 5

Going on a Dispatch - 2

After hearing crap like, "Don't worry, if there's a problem, it'll just lead to war anyway," I couldn't keep still. I hurriedly handed over my duties to my deputy and distributed the urgent tasks to the section chiefs while preparing to head to the Academy. It's been four years since I started my civil service career, and this is my first truly terrifying dispatch.

"By the way, since we're withdrawing everyone except the necessary personnel from the Academy, who will be the assistant there...?"

"None."

"Hmm, then how much support will we get?"

"None."

"...What about the activity funds?"

"None."

"Then what do we have?"

"None."

It's absolutely horrifying. I don't know who said you can't spit on a smiling face, but I felt like I could punch the smiling face of the Foreign Minister as he chuckled.

"I'm sorry. It's just that the Three Kingdoms are causing such a fuss. We really had to pull everyone out completely."

"How can I operate in such an environment? Even the northern dispatch gets proper supplies!"

"Still, don't worry too much. The important thing is that you'll be stationed at the Academy."

I couldn't understand how he could tell me not to worry when he was saying things that made me worry. I sighed deeply, recalling my last conversation with the Foreign Minister.

It's already heartbreaking to be dispatched indefinitely as a section chief, and even more so to be sent to the Academy. To top it off, I'm going without any support. It's not just a figure of speech; I really have to go in alone and settle in.

"At least you can come back and rest during the holidays. It's like being a student at the Academy."

"Please, just shut up."

I gritted my teeth at the Minister's clearly provocative words. Talking about holidays. What does a holiday mean to a civil servant? It's just a change in the workplace. The Minister's mocking expression, as if to say, "What are you going to do about it?" cut deep.

My life, with such a direct superior, is legendary. What a bastard.

"I'm leaving now. Please give me the dispatch certificate."

If I can't change my future of being stuck at the Academy, it's better to get away from this unpleasant face as soon as possible. Every time I see the Minister's face, it feels like my mental strength is draining in real-time.

The Minister handed the dispatch certificate to me with a smirk as I extended my hand. His expression, which was quite entertaining to watch, was worth the teasing, but there wasn't enough time to keep him around.

"You don't have any parents to cover for you if you cause trouble, so be careful."

"Ah, Your Excellency!"

I decided to tease him one last time.

"Focus on the investigations based on what I told you for Section 1."

"Sure."

"Separate the Level 2 documents for Section 2. You know it needs to be done quickly, right?"

"Yes, yes, of course."

"Sections 3 and 5 don't have much to do, so handle them as needed."

"Understood."

"I will keep that in mind."

"Y-ou... Good luck, Deputy."

"Thank you."

Standing in front of the Ministry of Finance building, I gave final instructions to the section chiefs, feeling uneasy. The deputy, who had to adjust his schedule due to my dispatch, should be the one receiving comfort, and the Section 5 chief has at least some sense, so he should be fine. But will the other section chiefs remain quiet without a chief?

'Should I take the Section 2 chief with me, even now?'

If the three section chiefs form a united front, who knows what might happen. Even while I was living in the office and monitoring them, they managed to break through my surveillance and lead the Golden Ball's rage.

Who's next after the Golden Ball? The Victorious Ball or the Iron Blood Ball? I might have to run to the Ministry of Works and bow my head, offering the section chiefs as sacrifices. I didn't know anything, please spare me!

"Why are you looking at me like that? It's scary."

The Section 2 chief shivered and asked uneasily, perhaps sensing the parallel universe where he would be sacrificed.

"No, it's nothing."

I considered casting the Water Ghost Metaphor on the Section 2 chief one last time but ultimately shook my head and gave up. To avoid provoking the Three Kingdoms, I, the inspector, have to go alone.

There's no reason to suddenly take the Section 2 chief now. Honestly, there are plenty of reasons, but I can't take him.

'Really, can I trust them? Can I trust these guys?'

I looked at the smirking section chiefs. For a moment, my vision went dark.

"I'll try to avoid any problems. I can't give the chief, who is already suffering in a new place, any more trouble."

As my expression slightly distorted, the deputy finally spoke, and only then could I nod. Yes, if I can't trust the section chiefs, I'll trust the deputy.

"Still, if anything happens, contact me immediately."

"Yes, I will."

"...Alright."

After quietly whispering to the deputy one last time, the carriage finally took me south.

"Damn, the road is a mess."

The carriage, which started off confidently, began to bounce around like it was dancing to the club's rhythm as we got closer to the Academy. Driver, driver, pump this party...

I remember that some budget was allocated for road construction in this area, but looking at the state of the road, it seems the funds were used for expanding the local official's residence. Bastard, you're the first one I'll deal with when I arrive.

As I recorded the name of the unknown local official at the top of my hit list, the carriage bounced again, welcoming my decision. You must be tired of driving on such a road. I had already formed a small bond with the carriage, even though I was going on a solo dispatch.

The driver is outside, but due to the overwhelming social gap, he would be terrified if I spoke to him, so the carriage is my only friend. Still, I didn't particularly enjoy this bumpy expression of friendship.

"Damn. I can't use teleportation."

While teleportation isn't a common spell, major cities within the empire have teleportation magic circles installed for smooth travel. Logically, considering the importance of the Academy, there should be a magic circle there, but due to the unique characteristics of the area, it was strictly excluded.

When the Kepelopen Empire was still a small kingdom, the then-strongest nation on the continent was the Apeles Empire. The capital of the Apeles Empire, which boasted prosperity, is where the Academy is now located.

The Apeles Empire encouraged education and built the current Academy magnificently. The Kepelopen, who overthrew the Apeles, couldn't bear to demolish or rebuild the Academy elsewhere, so they decided to use it as is. At the time, they lacked the funds to make such changes.

However, to prevent the Apeles Revival Army from gathering, the city, which was the capital of the enemy nation, was intentionally kept from having a magic circle. Thus, the Academy has never benefited from teleportation, and one must travel by carriage or hire a mage who can cast teleportation.

While the reason might have been valid at the time, 300 years after the fall of Apeles, it's no longer a concern. The Apeles Revival Army was long ago extinguished by the relentless pursuit of the Kepelopen.

In fact, the main reason for not installing a magic circle is the cost. Teleportation magic circles aren't cheap to build or maintain. Since there's nothing but the Academy in the area, there's no need for people to go there, and the Academy has all the necessary facilities, so there's no need to leave.

"Damn Minister."

A few months ago, the Minister rejected a proposal to install a magic circle at the Academy, citing the cost. If I had known I would be dispatched to the Academy, I would have pushed for its approval. Ultimately, the problem was the Minister. I wish he would suddenly die somewhere.

"Chief, we can see the Academy."

"Oh."

Without anyone to talk to, I had let my mind wander, but I perked up at the driver's words and looked out the window at the massive wall that was just becoming visible. Wow, it's so tall...

"Grand. To see such a size from this distance."

"Chief, as merchants catering to faculty and students gathered, the scale grew significantly. Then, as the families of merchants and merchants catering to those families gathered, the Academy transformed into a city."

'A school city...'

It feels like there might be a student who can shoot a railgun.

After that, the driver and I fell silent again, and only the creaking of the carriage could be heard. After a long and rough journey, the sight of the Academy broke the silence, but we were still too awkward to have an open conversation. The suffocating silence only broke after we passed through the city gates.

"The security personnel have decreased significantly."

As I put away the dispatch certificate I showed to the guards to pass through the gates, I checked the street outside. There were many people and quite a few shops, but no guards. All the people were civilians living in the school city, or the Academy.

"Hmm, is that so? It's my first time at the Academy, so I'm not sure."

"Usually, there are four guards at the gate."

That reminded me of the gate we passed through. Despite my comment about their hard work when I showed them the dispatch certificate, there were only two guards, not four.

'They really pulled out all but the minimum personnel.'

"There will be no assistant at the Academy."

"Everyone has been withdrawn, so no one can help you."

"If it's annoying, you should have been the Minister."

The Foreign Minister's (highly subjective and distorted) words echoed in my mind. It really hit home when I saw it with my own eyes. In the unknown space of the Academy, where I have never had any connections, I have to stand alone as an inspector.

'When is the holiday...?'

In college, it's usually in June. Is it the same here?

Feeling like a college student who hopes for the end of the semester as soon as it starts, I finally ended my long carriage ride when we stopped at the main building of the Academy.

Author's Note

I've started a dispatch civil servant's life, hoping to have a superior, after escaping from a life of being scolded by my superior.

I hope you enjoy Karl's life at the Academy (not a student).

Thank you for the support from Danjanhollic!