The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success Chapter 58

 

Since I became Minister, quite a lot had happened.

First, Juan was dismissed for embezzlement. Then, Baron Roapia and his wife were driven out of the capital by debt.

Kiaros sent me a letter about it.

He said he was investigating Cedric Roapia.

They’d secured testimony from the Roapia couple, but apparently, it involved a phantom organization.

He asked me to wait a little longer.

Even while supposedly in seclusion during his dark days, he seemed to be diligently investigating.

Considering he’d even identified my father’s name precisely.

Anyway, he’s reliable when it comes to getting things done, so I figured I could trust him and wait.

‘Also, the baron’s estate has ended up mine instead of moving into a boarding house.’

I hadn’t expected it, but a notarized contract between my father and Baron Roapia had survived.

After various complicated procedures, the baron’s estate became my house.

‘We lived there as blood relatives for years—it was always so noisy…’

But now, that same house was completely empty—except for me.

So…

‘I love it.’

Smiling with satisfaction, I moved my belongings from the attic room I used to occupy into the nicest room in the house.

‘Really love it.’

Howard Olten had also been dealt with and sent off to the provinces.

Later I heard that Keyvon had testified about it.

“His Highness the Crown Prince, ever so meticulous and kind, personally ordered it for your sake, Minister. So I gave testimony.”

Keyvon said that, and I flinched as I replied.

“He even knew I got grabbed in front of the court? That’s… genuinely creepy.”

“…Excuse me?”

“He said he did a background check on me. Guess he went that far…”

“T-That’s…”

Watching the flustered Keyvon, I spoke in an awestruck tone, deeply moved.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is truly capable. Right?”

“…Excuse me?”

“He’s doing an excellent job. I really hope he continues to investigate everything thoroughly.”

Honestly, I had been acting suspicious. I’d lived like a ghost, then suddenly approached the Empress and made a fuss.

If Kiaros was keen enough to catch even someone as fishy as me, then surely he was being just as thorough in uncovering whoever’s behind it all!

“It was worth saving him. I feel proud.”

“You… feel proud to be under surveillance?”

“Suspicion is a very good trait, especially for someone with so much to lose.”

I really didn’t mind being watched. I had nothing to hide.

Keyvon looked increasingly confused.

But I felt good—like I’d been properly acknowledged by Kiaros’ meticulous scrutiny.

‘Though the fact that I know the future is a bit fishy… But I didn’t remember the original story because I did anything shady, right?’

I muttered, eyes wide.

“I hope he doubts me even more and watches everything even closer…”

Keyvon flinched slightly, but said nothing. Then he started focusing on his work again.

And no wonder—because I’d given him a ton to do.

‘He really doesn’t look well these days…’

His face was pale and haggard, practically carrying a sign that read ‘overworked.’

I did feel a little sorry for him, but there was no helping it.

‘This is the Scroll Department’s first launch. First time operating solely under the Imperial Palace.’

So we had to secure our initial budget from the Ministry of Finance. That meant overtime for several nights.

Still, our teamwork wasn’t bad.

For example…

“Keyvon, those documents.”

This morning, when the Finance Minister—looking a bit emotionally worn out—visited.

Without a word, Keyvon handed over the prepared files with a crisp shuffle.

The Minister sighed and sat across from me.

“You must’ve figured out what happened with your twin brother. Embezzlement alone was enough to get him dismissed. I heard you cut ties with him. That true?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And… that damned Juan didn’t know a thing about his past reports. You wrote them all, didn’t you?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Didn’t even bother to learn properly from the Finance team?”

“I just told him to fetch upper-level documents if he didn’t know something. I used those as references.”

“Ha…”

The Finance Minister’s expression turned complicated.

The realization that someone from another department had been doing their work clearly unsettled him.

He exhaled deeply and muttered.

“…You probably know what I’m about to ask.”

I quietly nodded.

The Finance Minister rubbed his face and spoke in a low voice.

“Then… I’m asking you for this favor.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You’re not even going to verify what it is?”

“You don’t want me to speak publicly about the document leak, correct?”

Of course the Minister would ask that.

Juan was being fired for embezzlement anyway.

And by law, only the one who leaked the documents gets punished—not the one who helped write them.

In other words, nothing good would come from bringing it up.

“Ahem, ahem. I personally acknowledge your ability. However…”

“I understand.”

I replied gently.

“You’re currently leading a major project in the Finance Ministry. If it becomes public that a security breach happened early on, it could trigger backlash from other departments—and a formal audit.”

“Exactly. I don’t have time for turf wars right now. I may call myself a stickler for rules, but…”

“Ahem.”

“…Okay, okay. Sorry for the lie. I’m more of a results guy, actually.”

I’d already figured that out. The Minister continued awkwardly.

“Those reports you wrote were excellent.”

“Thank you.”

“I debated for days, but I concluded that it’s best to let this matter rest. Honestly, it was less a breach and more a… benefit to the Ministry.”

“Understood.”

“Thank you for agreeing to this. Then I’ll be on my—”

“……”

“—way? …No?”

When I didn’t answer, the Finance Minister narrowed his eyes sharply.

I let out a long sigh and signaled to Keyvon.

Keyvon promptly placed another report on the table.

“What’s this?”

“We’d like to propose a few projects…”

Every department needs results to gain recognition.

And to achieve results, they need projects.

To run projects, they need budgets.

“…The Scroll Department? Projects?”

Back when we were the Scroll Management Division, not a single project was ever initiated.

So the Minister’s surprise was understandable.

“We used to receive budget allocations from the Mage Tower, but now that we’re under the Palace, we’ll need a revised budget from the Finance Ministry.”

I said sweetly. It meant: please allocate us a generous initial budget.

The Minister glared at the proposal, then picked up his quill and wrote a number.

“Hmm. How about this much?”

“……”

I stared at the number and signaled to Keyvon again.

Keyvon handed over another report.

The Minister scanned it and quietly adjusted the number.

“1.2 times. Will that suffice?”

“……”

I stayed silent. Keyvon added another report.

The Minister quickly skimmed it and raised the number again.

“Double. That’s my final offer. Just say ‘yes’ already.”

“……”

Still no response. Keyvon added one more report.

The Finance Minister furrowed his brow.

“How many projects are you planning? Budgets aren’t infinite, you know!”

“Yes, but…”

I responded calmly.

“If I fail to keep quiet about the Finance Ministry’s security lapse, you’ll probably have to budget for an audit anyway…”

The Minister clicked his tongue.

Next to me, Keyvon quietly lifted a thick stack of reports and mouthed something.

Reading his lips, the Minister leapt from his seat.

“Seven times?! Are you insane?!”

“……”

Keyvon silently placed yet another report on the desk.

A wordless challenge: Shall we waste more of your time?