The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success Chapter 105

After that, three days passed.

Day and night, I went in and out of the fabrication room with Keyvon at random hours, running various experiments and burning through scroll paper.

“Let’s go, Keyvon.”

In truth, Keyvon didn’t have anything to do—but he insisted that I shouldn’t move around alone.

And so, while I carried on with the experiments, the team leaders of the Scroll Department would occasionally drop by too.

“Wow, is this the Mage Tower or something?”

Victor, who sometimes stopped by the fabrication room while working, would toss out little jokes like that.

“Is this the future direction of the Scroll Department? Looks like we’re going full-on research mode.”

He acted as though the Saint Cairo banquet incident had never happened.

And because he treated me so casually and comfortably, I didn’t mind. He also didn’t make any of the odd, boundary-crossing comments he sometimes had in the past. I also behaved as if nothing had happened.

“I’m trying to make a defense scroll using Dragonblood. Wouldn’t that be more effective? I almost died making 166 scrolls at once last time…”

“So, is the research going well?”

“No. Actually, it keeps failing.”

I answered with a dry smile.

Anastasia also stopped by sometimes to casually drop off a cup of coffee. Since I often drank her coffee when going to the office, it wasn’t unusual.

“S-So, this is… this is really Dragonblood? H-He actually gave it to you because you asked?”

The fabrication room had a beaker filled with blood mixed with preservative fluid.

I sipped the coffee and nodded as I continued making scrolls with that blood.

“Yes. Doesn’t it seem like he’s being sincere? Giving me his blood and all… I’m starting to think maybe I should open my heart too.”

“W-Well…”

Anastasia muttered in a serious tone.

“B-Blood isn’t exactly, um… costly or anything, so…”

And so the three days passed.

Of course, no matter what I tried with the Dragonblood, the scrolls never activated. Still, I kept pretending to work hard.

And after those full three days—

“Keyvon.”

That afternoon, as we left the fabrication room, I spoke with resolve.

“Tell His Highness the Crown Prince I’d like to meet him tonight.”

It was time.

Dragonblood.

An irresistibly tempting bait for the Reformist Faction.

I had filled a beaker with the bait and used it liberally under the pretext of experimentation. Every time I went in, the amount visibly decreased.

‘If someone was watching, it must’ve hurt to watch it disappear day by day.’

Especially since the experiments kept failing.

Even though I tried making scrolls with Dragonblood instead of ink, not one of them worked.

‘They must’ve been desperate to get it.’

Of course, the blood wasn’t actually Kiaros’s.

It was transfusion-grade blood stored by the Ministry of Health. I had asked Luka for it.

[Luka, since you work in the Ministry of Health, I need a favor.]

[We’re not in an official situation right now, so just talk normally. Anyway, let me be clear—you’re not my superior, and you can’t order me around—]

[It’s an imperial command. From His Highness the Crown Prince. A secret decree. Don’t even tell your own minister.]

[Understood. Please tell me what you need.]

Luka immediately bowed his head.

[Wow, having the right rival pays off… Suddenly, I’ve got a connection to the Crown Prince…]

I asked Luka for two things.

One: to get me blood.

The other…

[Is there any way to immediately detect if I ingest a small amount of a substance that causes mild illness?]

[Nope.]

[Well, we need one.]

[There’s no such method. I’d have to check you right after you drink it.]

[Really? Then take a leave and be on standby.]

[Why are you deciding my leave—]

[It’s His Highness’s command.]

[Understood. What type of leave should I file? Is special leave appropriate?]

[Do you want to broadcast that you’re on a secret mission? Say it’s your parents’ birthday out in the countryside and submit it as annual leave. I’ll convert it to special leave once this is over.]

If I were a mole in the Reformist Faction, and desperate to get my hands on Dragonblood, how would I act?

Of course, I’d try to switch it out. Whether it was real Dragonblood or human blood, the scrolls didn’t work either way—so I wouldn’t even be able to tell.

But since I was going in and out at all hours, it’d be hard to find a chance. So they’d have to think of a way to immobilize me for a bit.

‘Poisoning is too much. That would tighten the net. If I were them, I’d go for something mild—just enough to keep me down for a night. Diarrhea, a cold, that kind of thing.’

And the method? Simple.

‘I always drink coffee from Anastasia.’

She regularly brought me coffee.

That didn’t mean I was convinced she was the mole.

I had my own mug, which I kept in the kitchenette and washed myself. If someone wanted to drug me, they’d just have to coat the inside of my cup with a gel-type drug.

‘So I only took small sips.’

I purposely drank from my mug when Anastasia or Victor were around, then dumped the rest discreetly into the sink.

And I always made sure to leave the empty mug out and say, ‘Thanks for the coffee, Anastasia.’

Then I’d call Luka to check if I’d been drugged.

[You’re totally fine. Although… you’ve gained some weight.]

Staying at the palace meant three luxurious meals a day…

That comment made Keyvon, standing behind me, react.

[Glad to hear it.]

Keyvon had strongly opposed this plan, but I steamrolled him with authority.

Still, every time I took a sip of coffee, he looked like he was watching someone drink poison—completely tortured.

But today, finally—

“Oh boy… It’s a small amount, but you did ingest something that causes dizziness. Hm, there’s also a bit of a sedative. Nothing dangerous. It’s not a strong one.”

Luka spoke with a serious tone.

Looked like the plan was to make me dizzy and put me to sleep for the night. At least they hadn’t used anything harmful.

“I’ll neutralize it now, but I can’t fully flush out the sedative. You might feel a little drowsy.”

“You mean I won’t lose consciousness?”

“No, just a little groggy. Like pulling an all-nighter. You’ll probably yawn a lot.”

“That’s fine.”

I’d pulled many all-nighters before. A bit of fatigue was nothing.

Anyway, the mole would be certain I wouldn’t show up at the fabrication room tonight. That meant it was time to act.

They’d definitely move after 6 p.m., once all Scroll Department staff were off duty. And now, I had to act with Kiaros.

I met Kiaros inside the Scroll Department office.

To get to the fabrication room, you had to pass through it.

“We’re not going to stake out together up close, are we? It’s probably better to stay apart.”

Kiaros declared solemnly. I nodded.

“Yes.”

The office, unlit, felt vast. There was no need to stay close.

Besides, the Ravens were already stationed all over outside. It wasn’t like we’d be doing everything ourselves.

Still, I wanted Kiaros to witness it himself. And I…

‘I want to see it with my own eyes. Who the mole is.’

Knowing tonight would finally bring closure settled my heart.

Though the lingering effects of the sedative had me yawning over and over. My mind was sharp, but my body lagged.

While I was lost in thought—

“Namia.”

Came a low whisper.

It was Kiaros’s voice, watching silently from the shadows.