Chapter 87

Standing at the entrance of the imperial administration, I took a deep breath and tightly held the letter containing secrets given to me by my mother. The Imperial Palace Administration, which handles the affairs of the royal family and serves as their secretariat, proudly holds the top rank among all government departments. It would be strange if it weren't in first place. If the emperor were to place another department in first, everyone would rush to the palace and beg him to retract his order. The status of the Imperial Palace Administration is directly linked to the authority of the royal family, so it's a show of loyalty.

Because of this status and authority, people who do not belong to the Imperial Palace Administration are very hesitant to visit its building. The emperor personally commends good deeds, but for bad deeds, he has the Imperial Palace Administration deal with them severely.

'Here I am.'

But I ended up coming to the Imperial Palace Administration. Fortunately, I didn't come to anger the emperor and get beaten, but I've only avoided the worst. Now, I'm about to be ganged up on by the ministers under the emperor.

Glancing around the building, I saw several splendid carriages. These are the carriages used by the heads of various departments. But the number is concerning. Could I be the last one to arrive?

'Damn.'

These are usually slow-moving officials, but they moved quickly because the crown prince is involved. Still, I thought I had at least 30 minutes before the meeting, so I didn't expect them to gather so soon.

I hurried into the building, and a person immediately attached themselves to me.

"I will guide you."

"Is everyone here?"

"His Highness the Crown Prince has not arrived yet."

At least that's a relief. It's better to be marked as a director who arrived late than a minister who arrived later than the crown prince.

"Here we are."

Following the guide, I arrived at the grand conference room. For a place that only about ten people gather, it's an enormous space. But considering the titles of those who gather here, it's understandable.

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door of the grand conference room. Once I open this door, I'll become the weakest link.

-Knock knock

"It's the Director of the Inspection Department."

"Come in."

At the response from the head of the Imperial Palace Administration, I carefully opened the door and entered. Instantly, nine pairs of eyes fixed on me.

Some greeted me with a normal look, some with no emotion, some with annoyance, and some with fatigue. The various gazes of the high-ranking officials made me feel dizzy from the start.

"Director of the Inspection Department, you're here."

An old man with white hair and many wrinkles adjusted his glasses and spoke. He is a senior statesman who served as the mayor of the city of Austeren and is a veteran in the imperial political scene.

"I thought you wouldn't come because you were on a mission, but you did."

"I wouldn't miss a meeting of such importance."

"I thought you wouldn't come until the end."

The mayor, who gave a small snort, had a look of annoyance. He spent his life as a servant of the royal family and was given the position of mayor to enjoy a comfortable retirement. Being dragged to such a meeting must be unpleasant for him.

"Haha, the Director of the Inspection Department is the farthest away, isn't he? He must have hurried to get here."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs defended me, and the mayor nodded slightly. The mayor was just annoyed and didn't really mean to scold me.

"You're right. I didn't think of that. I apologize, Director of the Inspection Department."

"It's fine."

The mayor closed his eyes and slightly bowed his head. Is he sleeping? I'm sorry, sir. You look very tired, and I brought you here.

"Stand there and sit down."

"Ah, yes."

At the gesture of the head of the Imperial Palace Administration, who had been watching the senior statesman's tantrum, I took the seat at the end. I greeted the Minister of Land, who nodded indifferently. As always, his face was unreadable.

"So, Director of the Inspection Department, how was your academy life?"

There are about 30 minutes before the meeting starts. The crown prince will arrive on time, so the ten people here have to sit in silence. To break the awkwardness or to share information about the external guest, the Minister of Foreign Affairs broke the silence.

"It was an unforgettable time."

"An interesting statement."

"You were just a child then. You must have seen things you shouldn't have, making it unforgettable."

"Hmm—"

The Minister of Internal Affairs burst into laughter and then closed his mouth. Glancing around, I could tell it was the Minister of Internal Affairs, even though he was pretending it wasn't him.

"Indeed, that's a possible perspective."

The light smile on the Minister of Foreign Affairs' face made me feel a bit sad. What are you thinking about?

"Don't be so harsh."

At least there was a beautiful conscience to stop the two ministers.

"Being inexperienced is not a sin."

No, it's worse. More like a bastard.

At the Minister of Justice's words, the Minister of Internal Affairs started to tremble.

But since I have a significant stake in this meeting, I kept quiet. I can't be held responsible, but I am the reason for the meeting.

'Bastards.'

These are people who always struggle with their work and lead a boring and difficult life. They don't miss any opportunity to legally tease and gang up on someone, which is astonishing.

And 30 minutes later, when the door of the grand conference room opened, all the people who were already seated stood up and bowed. It's obvious who entered.

"It's fine, everyone, sit down."

The crown prince, who waved his hand and sat in the seat of honor, spoke before the ministers could say anything. The ministers exchanged glances and quietly sat down.

"I'm sorry to call you all here when you're busy with your duties. Something unexpected has happened."

"This is for the empire, so how can we talk about being busy?"

"The loyalty of the head of the Imperial Palace Administration is always satisfactory."

The crown prince nodded, thought for a moment, and then spoke again.

"Three, you said?"

"Yes. Prince Ruitis Robens, Prince Lathier Ostia, and Tannian Enes."

"Ainter has made some excellent friends."

The crown prince's smile caused an awkward silence. It's a chilling statement, considering he erased Ainter's half-brother.

"Director of the Inspection Department."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"How is Ainter doing?"

"He is diligent in his studies but avoids physical activities, which is concerning."

"Indeed. Not moving around much can make one sluggish."

That was enough. The answer, 'He's not doing anything strange like when you were monitoring him in the palace,' satisfied the crown prince. In fact, Ainter is innocent in this situation and is more of a victim than I am.

Initially, he was just a student in the city, so he would naturally go back there during the holidays. But suddenly, foreign princes are also coming to the city. You can argue that going to other regions for fun is part of club activities, but all of them going to the city could be seen as a way to show the crown prince that 'we're your brothers.'

As a result, Ainter's words have drastically decreased recently. If I were to oppose the city trip, I would have to mention the crown prince's condition, but I can't reveal the royal family's secrets to outsiders. It's a regrettable situation.

"I'm sorry to talk about such personal matters in front of you all. I apologize."

"How can you apologize when your affection for the third prince is evident to all the people?"

'Wow.'

I was genuinely impressed. You need such a tongue to be a minister in the Imperial Palace Administration. How could such words come out in this situation? Indeed, as someone who connects the administration and the royal family, his eloquence is extraordinary.

"The conversation has been too long. Let's start."

The crown prince seemed satisfied and declared the meeting open.

The general framework was discussed. The detailed matters can be handed over to the staff in the departments by the ministers. Ministers can't handle everything from start to finish.

In this meeting, we adjusted the tasks and the general scale of each department. The royal guard and the military band need to enter the city, and if the city's roads are blocked, it's problematic. If the budget for decorating the route is insufficient, it's also a problem. We need to coordinate to avoid such issues.

"This doesn't seem to be our department's responsibility."

"That's not my department, but the Minister of Internal Affairs should know."

"Isn't this the responsibility of the Ministry of War?"

Even now, hearing these words is annoying.

In any case, while the heads of each department and the mayor of the city reported to the crown prince, my job was simple.

'This is where it splits.'

I was observing the table pattern.

Well, I'm just a director, not a minister. What right do I have to speak? My direct superior is already fighting over the budget with other ministers.

Moreover, the Inspection Department has no role in the protocol for external guests. I was brought here not to give opinions but to be a starting point and to keep my seat.

'I am Groot...'

I'm just a civil servant who came because I was told to.

"Will you continue to stay at the academy?"

While I was observing the table pattern, I heard the word 'academy' and looked up. The Minister of Internal Affairs was rubbing his chin, looking troubled.

"Since it's the holiday, the number of guards will inevitably decrease. Is it right to have them stay at the academy?"

"That's true. The number of people to protect will decrease, but the uncertainty remains."

The Minister of War responded to the Minister of Internal Affairs' concern. It's a situation where the academy needs to be guarded during the holiday because the people who were expected to return to the capital have stayed at the academy. For the Minister of War, it's both annoying and concerning.

"There's no need to stay at the academy."

Just as the Minister of War was about to discuss the reorganization of the guard, the crown prince interjected.

"Since they are coming to the city, it would be better for them to stay there during the holiday."

The mayor's pupils, visible behind his glasses, trembled at the unexpected suggestion.

"Security is a given, and using the city's teleportation magic circle for travel would be more convenient."

"That's a reasonable point."

The head of the Imperial Palace Administration, who had been watching the mayor's reaction, finally supported the crown prince's opinion. It's not a wrong statement. Staying in the city is safer than staying in the academy dormitory, where the guard will be reduced during the holiday.

From the perspective of the imperial travel of foreign guests, the city, which is connected to major cities, is more convenient than the academy, which lacks a teleportation magic circle. It's not a wrong statement.

"We will prepare accommodations for the guests."

"There's no need for that. When they come to the city, we should welcome them as hosts, but keeping guests who are enjoying their trip in a deep place is inconvenient for both sides."

The Imperial Palace Administration has rooms for guests. The head of the Imperial Palace Administration suggested preparing a few, but the crown prince shook his head and turned to me.

"Director of the Inspection Department, you were the advisor to the club the guests belong to, right?"

"Yes, yes, that's right."

What is he getting at?

"From what I remember, there is not only the mansion of the House of Crasius in the city but also a personal mansion of the Director of the Inspection Department."

"Really?"

What is he talking about...?

"Wouldn't it be better for the guests to stay at the Director of the Inspection Department's mansion, which is more familiar than the palace?"

That's enough, Crown Prince.

What the hell is he saying? Even if this is a world from a novel, this is crossing the line. Why should I host royalty in my house?

"Indeed, a wise decision."

The head of the Imperial Palace Administration's words made me shudder. What's wise about it?