Chapter 97

If there is something that is always with us, no matter when or where, we often fail to recognize its value. It is only after we lose it that we realize how precious it was, which is a truly heartbreaking and regretful experience.

Health is a prime example. Although I am in my twenties, a time when one should be full of energy, I can feel my health deteriorating, perhaps due to the excessive strain I put on myself during my teenage years. The consecutive purges and internal cleansing were indeed too harsh.

However, thanks to the grace of a great mage, unprecedented in the history of the continent, I am quickly regaining my lost health.

"Thank you, Mage Lord."

These days, my day begins with a devout expression of gratitude to the Mage Lord. It’s an unheard prayer, but how can I not show the minimum gratitude as someone who has received such a favor? I may have black hair, but I am not an animal.

Just by drinking a small, precious potion given to me for free, I can start the day with more vitality than ever before. It is truly a joy. Thank you so much, Mage Lord!

'He really is something.'

At first, I thought it was just a placebo effect. I drank it because I was told it was good, but the more I drank, the more I could feel its effects. Even at times when I would usually be tired, I felt energetic and my heart ached with gratitude.

I barely managed to resist the impulse to drink two or three bottles a day. In some bandit cities, excessive potion use is said to be beneficial, but in this world, overusing potions can lead to a lot of suffering. Doping may have immediate effects, but in the end, it is harmful to the body.

"Sir, may I come in?"

While I was fiddling with an empty bottle, Yuris’s voice came from outside the door. Oh, I’ve kept him waiting for too long.

"Sure, come in."

I quickly smoothed my hair, which was about to be messed up by Yuris. Today, like yesterday, is another exciting day to start work.

The backlog of work is not something that can be handled with just one day of attendance. I thought I had finished all the documents the deputy director brought yesterday, but when I heard that he would bring more documents tomorrow, I was quite surprised.

In fact, finishing work in just one day is a greedy mindset, even for a salary of lupang. If I could handle months of backlog in a single day, I wouldn’t be necessary in the first place. It would be more economical to put a doll in my seat.

'What a mess.'

That doesn’t mean I really wanted him to put a doll there.

After receiving Yuris’s farewell, I found a doll on my seat. Even more surprisingly, a portrait was boldly attached to the face area. What is he doing with someone else’s face?

When I turned my gaze to the side of the doll, Section Chief 1 was standing there with a proud expression, his arms crossed. His head was oddly raised, which was quite annoying.

"Explain this."

"A new section chief who cares for his subordinates has been appointed."

I pointed at the doll, suppressing a sigh and a shout, and Section Chief 1 answered boldly with an even more irritated expression. Why does this answer only add to my confusion?

Is he crazy? Has he gone mad just from one night shift? Should I really punch him in the head?

While I was struggling with my inner violence, Section Chief 1 glared at me while hugging the doll. At least take off the portrait.

"Bad section chiefs who bully their subordinates are not needed! Our Kal always loves his sister!"

"Is he crazy?"

I cannot tolerate a subordinate calling a superior by name. They are already acting crazy, and if they start using informal language, I won’t be able to control them.

Names and informal language are my absolute limits. In the army before the possession, if a senior started using informal language, they were no longer a senior but a peer.

As I walked towards the doll, Section Chief 1 trembled but did not let it go. What happened last night to make him act like this? Was the night shift that unfair?

"Don’t come! I will protect the deputy director!"

"I will kill the acting deputy director."

"No, don’t!"

I forcibly took the doll from Section Chief 1’s struggling embrace. In fact, it’s not mine; Section Chief 2 made it, so I shouldn’t break it, but I ignored his babbling and tore off the head.

Thus, the rebellion of Acting Deputy Director Kal (sewing doll, 6 months old) was quickly suppressed.

"Our Kal, I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you..."

"Stop it and take this."

I threw a envelope to Section Chief 1, who was trembling and picking up the doll pieces. If I had known he would pull such a stunt this morning, I wouldn’t have brought it.

After throwing the doll pieces and catching the envelope, Section Chief 1 smiled when he saw the contents.

"Cake as a thank-you. It was made by the chef."

"Hehe, I’ll enjoy it."

Section Chief 1 happily bit into a piece of bread from the envelope. He is a kid whose emotions change dramatically over trivial matters.

As I gathered the torn doll pieces with my foot, I thought, “Yesterday it was a cake, today it’s a doll. What will it be tomorrow? Flowers? If I get flowers, it would be a perfect set of three gifts, but they’ll all be torn.”

"Deputy director, the dust is flying. Clean up the trash later."

Just a moment ago, he was saying he was sorry for not protecting the doll. What a quick change of attitude. I rarely see someone as crazy as him.

"...Okay."

The thought that even a dog doesn’t bother someone while they’re eating made me hesitate to raise my fist. Our dog-like Section Chief 1, eat well and grow up healthy.

'Shit.'

If it weren’t for the potion from the Mage Lord, I would have snapped a long time ago.

Despite the small commotion, time flows on. If I let it pass, my work will only pile up.

After chasing Section Chief 1 out, who had finished his night shift, the deputy director came in. He must have been waiting outside because the office was noisy. I’m sorry for the strange sight.

I exchanged a slightly awkward glance with the deputy director and cautiously spoke.

"How much is left?"

"Two more days, and it will be done."

"That’s a relief."

Hearing a somewhat satisfying answer, I signed the documents. Yesterday, today, tomorrow, the day after. Just four more days of hard work. After these four days, I won’t need to show my face at the Inspection Department for a while.

Moreover, there are no large-scale cases to handle, as the documents that need to be processed are not piling up. The only large-scale case, the request for the dispatch of the border duke, was handled yesterday, so I don’t need to worry about it.

As soon as I thought that, the communication device on my desk began to emit a brilliant light.

"..."

"Deputy director."

"Right, I’ll take it."

For a moment, I was tempted to ignore it, but the deputy director’s voice brought me back to my senses, and I picked up the communication device. Without the deputy director, I might have really ignored it.

"This is the head of the Inspection Department."

- This is the Minister of Special Affairs.

When I received the call, the face of the Minister of Special Affairs, with its stitched scars, greeted me. No matter how many times I see that face, I can’t get used to it. Why does he keep the scars when they can be treated? Some people want to remove their scars but can’t.

Still, as long as the emperor doesn’t order him to remove them, his face won’t change, so I let it go. It’s just tiring to think about it.

"Yes, Your Excellency. What is it?"

- Come to my office. I have something urgent to discuss with the head of the Inspection Department.

"Understood."

- The Minister of Foreign Affairs is also here, so please come quickly.

"Ah, yes."

The Minister of Special Affairs ended the call with a one-sided summons. A meeting with both the Minister of Special Affairs and the Minister of Foreign Affairs?

'I don’t want to go.'

The most troublesome combination is meeting. If the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Special Affairs are working together, what could have happened?

After staring blankly at the ceiling for a moment, I got up, feeling heavier than before. I don’t want to go, but the consequences of ignoring the summons of two ministers would be worse.

"I’ll be back."

"Please return safely."

The farewell sounded like a wish for my safe return, making my heart ache a little.

Sure enough, when two departments meet, it’s always troublesome.

"There is information from the Holy Kingdom."

The serious expression of the Minister of Foreign Affairs as he spoke confirmed it. I glanced at the Minister of Special Affairs, who was also standing with a stiff expression, his arms crossed.

'Even he is like this?'

His usual expression is already quite stern, so he must be in a really bad mood for his expression to change.

"What happened?"

"The Twilight Sect."

In response to my question, the Minister of Special Affairs, who had been silent, answered in a low voice. The Minister of Foreign Affairs clicked his tongue, and I instinctively sighed.

It’s not just a troublesome matter. It’s a dirty, dog-like major case.

"The Twilight Sect is heading to the capital."

"Are they crazy?"

"Fanatics are not just fanatics for no reason."

True, but there’s nothing more to say.

"The Holy Kingdom was pursuing the Twilight Sect and discovered that they had entered the empire."

This time, the Minister of Foreign Affairs continued. His expression was better than before, but he was still wiping his forehead with a handkerchief, indicating that he was still mentally exhausted.

"They have suddenly crossed the border after not being seen in the empire for a while."

"And their target is the capital, right?"

"Yes."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs nodded calmly, but his eyes were full of curses. The Twilight Sect targeting the capital at this time, their purpose is obvious.

"Tanian Enes."

"Their goal is assassination."

Tanian, who is currently staying in my mansion. With the title of the next savior, he is a target of the same level as the pope for the Twilight Sect. If they can kill him, it would deal a significant blow to the Dawn Sect.

No matter how I think about it, it can only be an assassination. They must have sent a major figure this time, knowing that the empire is determined to capture them.

"They are mocking the empire."

A voice like a roaring beast came from beside me. This time, I agree with the Minister of Special Affairs.

'Fucking bastards.'

How can they mock the empire like this?