Chapter 92

The servants moved busily. To park the two-digit carriages and move the items inside, they had to work quite hard. Anyone watching would think the mansion's owner had changed and they were moving in.

The butler took charge of guiding the members as they began to disembark. Although they were no different from luggage, he wanted to leave them to the servants, but to avoid any talk, the highest-ranking servant in the mansion had to guide them personally.

In fact, from what I've seen so far, the three who are completely unresponsive show a lack of consideration for their subordinates, but they don't seem to care much about the difference in status. Whether they are nobles or commoners, they are ultimately of lower status, I guess.

"Quite a grand mansion."

"Of this scale in the system."

The murmurs of the members following the butler could be heard. Indeed, this mansion is quite large. Even as the head of the inspection department, it seems a bit excessive to use it as a mansion for a noble without a title.

Still, what can I do? I'm in the position of having to use what the crown prince suddenly threw at me, saying, "I found it." At first, I wanted to refuse, but since it was a mansion of the House of Averon, I'm using it with gratitude. It's perfect for showing off that I'm using their mansion well.

Thanks to this, Ainter, who was already quiet, became even quieter. Although I haven't had much contact with my maternal relatives for a long time, it must feel strange.

'Sorry.'

This situation is the fault of the crown prince, not me, so blame him. Whenever something happens, cursing the crown prince is about right; half of it is probably his fault.

"There was a reason why my brother didn't come to the estate."

"Haha, why would he go on a long journey when there's such a place right in front of him?"

Erich's voice, muttering as if he understood, caught my ear. He interpreted it as not going to the estate because he was at the academy. But he really hasn't been to the estate much.

A mansion that's only used for sleeping. Even then, I sleep more often on a folding bed in a corner of the inspection department's office. To treat my brother's hardships as mere luxury in a grand mansion is...

When Erich graduates, I should write a recommendation for him. He needs to experience civil service to understand others' situations. Since I handle administration and the head of the house handles legislation, Erich should go into the judiciary, which would be perfect.

'The tripartite system of Crassius.'

It makes my heart swell with pride.

When my mansion first turned into an inn, I was utterly at a loss, but now that I've arrived at the mansion, I feel calm. After all, the mansion didn't split in half or explode just because the royal family suddenly came.

It's just sad that even a place that should be a haven for the heart has become an extension of work. If I can suppress that feeling, it's not so bad. Yeah, it's not much different from when I was at the academy.

On the contrary, now that I have a butler and servants, it's more convenient than the academy. So, the situation is better than the academy.

"I heard the square in the system is beautiful."

"It's well-decorated."

It was good until Lutis came as a representative. They were quiet earlier because they were unpacking. I didn't expect them to want to go out on the day they arrived. Aren't they tired from the long carriage ride?

"There will be fatigue from the journey, so why don't you rest today? There's plenty of time."

"Isn't it a waste to only see the system during the break? We should explore as much as possible while we have the time."

I'm scared of how much they plan to travel. They seem to want to fill their entire break with travel.

For a moment, I imagined myself calling the mayors of famous tourist cities every day, saying, "The royal family is coming today." From the mayors' perspective, it would be like the grim reaper.

'I'll be ostracized in society.'

Rumors might spread that the head of the inspection department is using connections to bully people, not inspections. They won't think that I'm the one suffering the most because of those connections. After all, when you ostracize someone, you just do it because you want to.

"Are you going to eat and then go out?"

"Ah, we plan to eat out."

"Alright. I'll go out with you later."

"Ha, I'll wait."

It's annoying, but I answered and sent Lutis away. Since they came for a trip, I can't stop them. With a crowded square and plans to eat at a restaurant in the system, there's a lot to prepare.

But I don't know much about the system's famous restaurants. I can't just dump the royal family anywhere, and if I ask the butler, he'll probably bring me a list of dozens of places, which is scary.

In the end, after much deliberation, I called the communication tube to contact one person.

- Sir? What's the matter so early in the morning?

"Do you know any good restaurants near the square?"

The 2nd section chief, scratching his blond hair, was surprised by the sudden question. But since he's the one who knows the system best, he should be able to recommend a good place quickly.

- There's a three-story building with a red branch on the southwest side of the square. It's good.

Sure enough, he doesn't betray this trust.

"Any other places?"

- There are some on the east side, but... Are you planning to do a tax investigation of the best restaurants? You might find something if you dig.

"I'm planning to go."

- Oh, you're coming to the system?

The 2nd section chief, who said this as if he really didn't know, is a guy who handles information. Why is he so slow to hear about his superior?

"I'm already here. I came with the baking club."

- Ah.

The 2nd section chief's expression stiffened awkwardly. He seemed to have something on his mind.

- Wow, it's true.

"Why?"

- I heard from the 1st section chief that you were coming, but that you were coming with the royal family.

"You heard right."

- I thought that was enough, but you're staying at your mansion during the break? I heard you told them to stop making dog noises.

I felt a rare emotional connection with the 2nd section chief. Even from the inspection department's perspective, it's a dog-like situation. But the crown prince managed to pull it off. A man who will become emperor is different.

- If I had known it was true, I wouldn't have done that.

"He gets upset if you don't believe him."

- I got a punch in the chest, and we settled it that way.

These guys should be grateful to the inspection department. If section chiefs were to come to blows, they could end up in the Ministry of Justice. In any other department, they would have been locked up long ago.

Anyway, I jotted down the list the 2nd section chief rattled off in my notebook. He even recommended cafes and theaters, saying that just restaurants wouldn't be enough.

'Bastard.'

I felt annoyed thinking that while I was taking naps in the office, this guy was probably dating around the system. But since I'm the one asking for help, I have to endure it.

Instead, I rewrote the duty roster in my mind.

- I'll inform the chief of your arrival.

"Thanks, good job."

After ending the call with the 2nd section chief, I called Villar. I need to send people to the place the 2nd section chief recommended to secure a spot. If the guards all follow, it would be annoying and draw too much attention.

'Four or five people should be enough.'

I sighed softly, looking at the communication tube. I was prepared, but it's so annoying. Normally, I would be the one receiving the protocol, not the one taking care of others.

Thinking about the protocol made me think of the crown prince and get angry. Why can't this guy get out of my head?

'Just get it over with quickly, why start in the afternoon?'

Normally, the crown prince should be welcoming the royal family as the baking club enters the system. But he postponed the schedule to the afternoon, saying that the guests would be tired if they had to go through the protocol right after a long journey.

If the protocol had been done earlier, they wouldn't have suggested going to the square. They could have skipped today by saying the square was crowded after the protocol.

- Inspector?

"Ah, Sir Villar."

What can I do? If I have to, I have to. When did I ever do what I wanted?

"I'm planning to go to the square soon—"

At least it's a relief to have someone to go with.

Tourist spots recommended by locals are usually better than well-known places. And the 2nd section chief is a system expert.

"Is there such a place in the system?"

Ainter, who rarely speaks, even said this.

"Thanks to my friend who knows how to have fun, I had a fulfilling time. How did you know about these places?"

"I have a friend who knows how to have fun. When I asked, he told me all about it."

"I'm curious to meet this person."

Lutis, laughing, and Lather, nodding in agreement, seemed satisfied with the schedule from a high-ranking perspective.

But saying they want to meet him, it's like they want to punch him in the mouth. They might get along well if they meet.

"I'm curious about your friend who knows how to have fun."

Margareta, smiling, also chimed in.

Well, I'm afraid Margareta would experience cultural shock if she met the 2nd section chief. I'd rather they never meet.

"You might get the chance to meet him."

"Hehe, I look forward to it."

Thus, the square full course, carefully selected by the 2nd section chief, concluded with enthusiastic support.

When we returned to the mansion, an unexpected figure caught my eye.

'What's this?'

The crown prince did say the Special Affairs Department had some free time. Since the only ones with a connection to me in the Special Affairs Department are those kids, I thought the Silent Light Corps would come. But I never imagined I'd see this person.

While I was flustered, the figure, who was pruning in the garden, noticed me and looked over. A bizarre combination of a straw hat and a maid uniform. Why are you pruning, anyway?

"Master."

The woman, removing her hat, bowed.

"It's an honor to see you again."

"...Ah, yes."

The 4th section chief had arrived.