The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success Chapter 57

That night.

Despite his fatigue, Kiaros was still receiving a report from his aide.

“The estate of Baron Roapia has already gone to auction. As for Juan Roapia, he had a long meeting with the Finance Minister this afternoon.”

“Hm.”

“An internal disciplinary committee was convened immediately, and the outcome should be announced tomorrow.”

There was no need to see it.

It was embezzlement, no less. Immediate dismissal.

“Next, regarding Howard Olten and the Olten Merchant Guild.”

Howard Olten.

The old man who had grabbed Namia’s wrist and insisted they get married.

The eldest son of the Olten merchant family, if he recalled correctly.

“As you requested, we secured testimony from the intern, Keyvon Altes, and he’s been charged with harassing a civil servant.”

Kiaros had already met his aide in Keyvon’s form and given the necessary statements under the guise of testimony.

The aide had politely listened, all while looking very earnest.

“I was worried since he’s a foreigner, but despite being an arrogant brat, he spoke quite coherently.”

Hmm.

So deep down, he thought he was an arrogant little punk.

“We also issued a restraining order, and the Olten Guild has reassigned him to a remote province.”

Anyway, the Howard Olten matter was neatly resolved.

Namia had said she would take care of it, but he’d wanted to send the man far away beforehand.

Feeling satisfied, Kiaros smirked quietly—until his aide continued.

“Oh, and you also requested an urgent investigation into Victor Arwin.”

Kiaros cleared his throat.

Victor Arwin. That name lodged in his throat like a fishbone.

When Luka had said, “If it were Senior Victor, maybe…” Namia hadn’t replied.

She had simply changed the subject.

[Actually, I was just about to ask you. Is there still a room at your boarding house? How much is it?]

[Huh? Boarding house?]

[Yeah. I left home.]

[Ha. So you did take my words that night to heart.]

He could accept that Luka and Namia weren’t involved.

But if Namia moved into the same boarding house as Luka…

Luka would probably start saying things like “those quiet nights, just the two of us” forever.

And for some reason, that really irritated him.

“Wait, about that Roapia estate.”

“Yes?”

“It was bought with Namia’s biological father’s money, right? Draft the transfer paperwork properly and make sure the deed goes to her. There should be a legal clause that allows it.”

“Understood.”

The aide replied briskly.

He then picked up the next report.

“Then I’ll proceed with the findings on Victor Arwin.”

Kiaros leaned forward, resting his face on his interlaced fingers.

The aide began his report with a steady voice.

“Victor Arwin. Twenty-seven years old. Currently on a long-term diplomatic assignment in the Principality of Martam.”

“Mm.”

“His assignment is almost complete, and the Minister of the Scroll Department has already submitted an early return request.”

That much, Kiaros already knew.

He’d personally seen Namia drafting that cursed return request earlier that day.

Though, of course, it was just one of the many things she was working on.

‘Namia Roapia is insane.’

She was still working late into the night.

Going over all those documents meticulously, while efficiently handling new work as well.

‘Absolutely insane.’

Kiaros had always considered himself a workaholic—but in front of Namia, he had to admit he paled in comparison.

[You’re not going home?]

[No one’s waiting for me, so what’s the point?]

[…]

[It’s better to work in my big, beautiful Minister’s office. You don’t even have money, status, fame, or an office, so why don’t you head home?]

In the end, Kiaros had just gone home first.

“Originally a top student, but due to the death of his parents during the Imperial entrance exam, his scores plummeted. That’s how he ended up in the Scroll Management Department…”

The aide continued his report smoothly.

“He was part of a baronial collateral line but was later adopted by Marquis Arwin, who is both a distant relative and his godfather. Since the Marquis has no heir and has known him for a long time, the adoption appears to have been natural.”

Kiaros, who had been listening quietly, asked in a low voice,

“And his relationship with Namia Roapia?”

“Ah…”

“What? Do you think it’s beneath you?”

“No, sir.”

“Do I look like someone doing background checks?”

“N-not at all, sir.”

“You’re right.”

“……”

The aide looked slightly confused.

He shuffled his documents again and resumed.

“Victor Arwin was the student council president during his time at the Academy. Records show he had interactions with Namia, who was four years his junior.”

“And?”

“That’s all for now. It was a rushed report. Um, well—he’s good-looking, judging by the photo.”

“……”

“Marquis Arwin adopted him personally, so he must be capable.”

“……”

“And if he was student council president, he’s probably got a good personality, too.”

“……”

“Now, a report from the Crows.”

The aide said brightly, without a trace of awkwardness.

“They’ve officially started tracking down Namia Roapia’s birth father, Cedric Roapia.”

“Did you investigate Baron Roapia and his wife beforehand?”

“Yes.”

According to what Namia had told the Empress, the Roapia couple held information about her birth father.

They had apparently used that to blackmail her.

“They spilled everything with minimal pressure. But the organization they named seems to be a ghost group, so we need more time. The Crows are handling it, so a report should be coming in soon.”

Kiaros nodded.

‘At any rate… I’ll have to keep reporting to the Scroll Department as Keyvon for the time being.’

He’d only worked one day, and it was already exhausting.

Especially since Namia had said this as he was leaving:

[Today was a bit boring with just document review, huh? Starting tomorrow, we’ll really get to work.]

That one sentence had filled him with dread. When Namia looked at him with her radiant smile—

[We have to prepare for the Finance Minister’s return visit.]

…Prepare what, exactly?

And from the next day on, Kiaros began that “preparation” in earnest.

***

Some time passed after I became Minister.

Since then, the document templates for the department were fully standardized, and our formerly chaotic office had become neat and orderly.

“From now on, be mindful of document security. Shred anything with personal information immediately.”

Though I was the Minister, everyone except the intern was older than me.

So I always used polite speech—but I didn’t compromise on principle.

“Follow the official format for government documents. If you don’t know how, ask me. Or this intern.”

And the key point:

The intern… was excellent at his job!

‘Insane. Seriously talented… It’s like he was born for this.’

Honestly, I hadn’t expected much.

But his work speed and instincts were unmatched.

‘I’m never letting this intern go. Never.’

He was still a bit clueless when it came to reading the room and social context, but—

No matter how much work I dumped on him, he never once complained.

[If the Minister gives an order, I will follow it unconditionally. So don’t overthink it—just give the commands.]

Keyvon hadn’t gone back on that statement even once.

Sure, his expression had grown darker, but whenever I hesitated, he would raise an eyebrow like he was telling me not to hold back.

‘Honestly… who’s the one in charge here?’

Maybe it was because he hadn’t helped me move boxes the first time we met.

Almost as if trying to make up for that, Keyvon now performed every monstrous task I threw at him without a word.

‘Having a competent assistant is such a blessing…’

Giving orders to Keyvon had become as natural to me as breathing.

And with each passing day, the shadows under his eyes grew darker.

And one more thing.

Exactly one week after I took over as Minister—

“Ahem.”

He’s here.

As always, Anastasya was the first to rise and greet our guest.

“F-Finance Minister? C-c-coffee, sir—?”

“Get rid of that damn coffee powder. I just want to see the Scroll Department Minister.”

It was the Finance Minister, pale and haggard.

“Welcome, Minister.”

I smiled brightly and personally stepped forward to greet him.

Behind me, Keyvon flinched. These days, every time he saw my bright smile, he was startled.

“It’s been exactly a week. I’ve been waiting for you.”

Truly, I had.

As he looked at my healthy, confident face, the Finance Minister instinctively took a step back.

Keyvon, standing behind me, gave the Minister a pitying look.