9th Grade Civil Servant In Another World Chapter 34 - Modern Man's Physical Improvement (9)

The new year of 1901 dawned.

People celebrated the safely passed year and prayed that this year too would be filled only with happiness.

Since Kruger took power, there must have been good years and terrible years alike.

But now, 19 years in.

No one thought to consider ‘It was good having the Supreme Leader, or it was bad.’

Because the Supreme Leader was naturally the person in that position. As always.

***

About two weeks after the new year began, my wounds had healed quite a bit.

After the stitches were removed, scabs fell off and scars began to form. Though there was still some pain, I could walk around well enough.

“The police are fervently searching for missing persons, and some bodies have actually been found. A woman who went missing from District 13 was rescued from a red-light district. Oh, that’s good news.

On the other hand, they naturally haven’t caught the kidnappers yet. Instead, they discovered that the White Raven Order has a minimum of 20 to a maximum of 30 members? Puhaha!”

“Please don’t move.”

As I giggled while reading the newspaper, Richard, who was examining the wound on my back, warned me.

“How is it? Can I be discharged soon?”

“After resting for a few more days, if you promise to take your antibiotics religiously when you’re outside, I’ll discharge you.”

“That’s a given. I don’t want to die from bacterial infection. Then please prepare that medical certificate I mentioned before.”

Richard smiled quietly and nodded.

This was the final stage of the plan.

1. Lay the groundwork with Daniel’s special feature series.

2. Stage Erika’s kidnapping incident.

3. Spread rumors using Georg’s influence.

4. Wound myself and manipulate it to look like I defeated the kidnappers and rescued Erika.

5. Make the White Raven Order widely known through the media.

6. Have Richard write a fabricated medical certificate.

7. Use that certificate to retire from civil service.

8. Open a tavern with the reward money from Erika’s father.

Everything had fallen into place perfectly so far.

The one thing that went awry was accidentally receiving a medal as well.

The Lucas inside me was screaming with joy and jumping around like crazy, but my soul from Korea somehow felt an ominous chill.

‘Getting the Supreme Leader’s attention is good. But why do I feel so uneasy?’

I believe in intuition.

***

It was a day of heavy snowfall.

Schufaben, especially Lüdelheim, frequently had snow and rain in winter.

I was practicing in front of a mirror to act naturally at tomorrow’s medal ceremony.

“Long live the Great Supreme Leader! I only did what was natural. I deeply regret not being able to capture that vile reactionary bastard. I should have risked my life to capture him alive…”

As I was muttering and memorizing several scripts, a nurse knocked on the hospital room door.

“Mr. Redan! President Brightner has come to visit!”

“Hmm, he came quite quickly.”

I straightened my clothes and limped to open the door. I had planned to visit him myself if he didn’t come by today.

“It’s my first time meeting you. I’m Lucas Redan.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Emmett Brightner.”

I shook his politely extended hand and met his eyes.

‘So this is Erika’s father…’

I felt a bit curious.

In these harsh times, this man wasn’t the only one collaborating with the dictator.

But could this gentle, good-natured looking man really have driven his own wife and daughter to the brink?

They said Mrs. Brightner had developed selective mutism. Erika’s fall into tragedy like riding a roller coaster and her obsession with the White Raven Order was surely because of her father too.

She must have endured being tied up and trapped in a cave for days, chewing over her hatred for him. That hatred and anger had become her driving force for living, so she could never kill her emotions and reconcile.

“I’m sorry. It’s hard to stand for long.”

As I staggered, pretending to be in pain, Emmett waved his hands dismissively.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Please sit down.”

I sat on the bed and looked up at him.

“Once again, it’s an honor to meet you. Is Miss Brightner well?”

“They said it could have been serious if we were just a little later. But she’s much better now. She’s healthy enough to take walks in the mansion garden now. It’s all thanks to you.”

“Oh no, thanks to me? I’m just sorry I couldn’t rescue her sooner.”

“What are you saying? I wouldn’t be doing enough even if I bowed to you.”

Emmett actually tried to bow deeply.

“No, no, please stop. It makes me uncomfortable.”

“Please let me show this much gratitude to the benefactor who saved my daughter.”

“Hehe, well this is…”

After receiving his courtesy while pretending to be modest, Emmett placed the briefcase he was carrying on his lap.

“And this is the reward money I promised. Would you please accept it?”

Click. With the sound, stacks of crisp bills revealed themselves.

‘My goodness, how much is all that?’

Even with a rough estimate, it looked well over 5 million pelts.

My heart began to beat rapidly.

With that money, I could do anything, anything.

This was a very important timing.

I quickly straightened my expression and pulled back slightly.

“I didn’t do this expecting a reward. Please put it away.”

“Actually, I tried to come earlier, but my sick daughter kept catching my eye and I couldn’t leave the house. Please forgive me.”

“I’m not blaming you, sir. I only rescued your daughter to ease the Supreme Leader’s worries, so I don’t deserve to receive such a large sum.”

At my firm refusal, Emmett seemed dejected and hung his head, then began speaking in a pleading tone.

“Please accept it anyway. If rumors spread that I didn’t give the promised reward to my benefactor, what would people think? Please accept it for the sake of my reputation.”

“Hmm, if you put it that way…”

I accepted the bag with an expression that showed I really didn’t want to.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you? I should be the one thanking you.”

“By the way, I heard you work as a 9th grade clerk in District 13. I’m acquainted with the office manager, so I’ll put in a good word for you. Anyway, since the Supreme Leader is giving you a medal, you won’t need to worry about your future, but I’d like to help even a little.”

I smiled and shook my head.

“I appreciate your words, but my health isn’t good so I’ll probably have to quit work. I’ve received your sentiment fully, so please don’t strain yourself.”

When I spoke calmly, Emmett seemed somewhat moved.

“You’re a remarkably upright young man.”

“You flatter me.”

His praise, knowing neither my true identity nor the inside story of the incident, was so pitiful that I let out a hollow laugh.

***

Red carpet was laid on the bleak gray streets.

Police in formation blocked the spectators’ view, and officials from the Supreme Leader’s residence were busily moving about preparing for the new year’s second event.

Though not as flashy and boisterous as the first event of the new year—the Supreme Leader’s speech—it was sufficient as a festival to honor a hero.

***

“How is it? Do I look presentable?”

“Oh, quite impressive!”

When I spun around in a well-fitted black suit, Oscar clapped.

It was clothing I bought with a generous heart after receiving the reward money. I didn’t have anything suitable to wear to the medal ceremony anyway.

Of course, I didn’t buy it myself—I called the boarding house and asked them to do it.

“It really suits you well.”

Mrs. Schmidt dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief.

“Why are you crying, ma’am? On such a happy day.”

“These are tears of joy.”

Today, everyone from the boarding house had gathered to attend the medal ceremony. Even Colin. I had persistently convinced a nurse who was disgusted, saying it was unsanitary, to bring him.

“Woof! Woof!”

Colin, who had grown even bigger in the meantime, rushed at me as soon as he saw me and tried to lick my face.

“Yes, yes. Colin, have you been well?”

Since Richard had returned Colin to the boarding house after I was taken to the hospital, we hadn’t had a chance to see each other for several weeks.

I reached out from a distance to pet Colin so my clothes wouldn’t get dirty.

“Calm down, calm down.”

“Lucas, they’re here.”

Daniel, who had been looking out the window, said.

“It looks like we need to go soon.”

“We’ll go to the venue with the doctor. See you in a bit.”

“Don’t be nervous and do well!”

After the family encouraged me and left, men in black suits barged in.

“Are you ready? You need to come with us.”

Polite attitude but muscular bodies that weren’t so polite. Even their stern expressions were quite intimidating. I nodded lightly and squeezed between the two large men to go get in the carriage.

The road to Lüdelheim District 1.

As we approached the center of the capital, the well-maintained cityscape unfolded outside the window.

My heart beat so fast it hurt, and my stomach felt queasy as if I might vomit at any moment.

“Are you alright?”

One of the large men asked, seeing my pale complexion.

“I’m a bit motion sick… May I open the carriage window?”

With the large man’s permission, I got some fresh air. Though I knew well that it wouldn’t help.

This wasn’t motion sickness or anything like that.

‘Why am I so anxious? Why exactly?’

Nervousness about going to see the Supreme Leader?

No. I don’t think I’m that weak-spirited.

Had my brain been paralyzed by overwhelming joy, causing something wrong with my emotions?

‘That can’t be it.’

Though I was acting calm with a peaceful expression, my chest felt like it would burst once we passed the boundary of District 1.

The carriage stopped.

Supported by the large men, I staggered out of the carriage to find a red carpet laid beneath my feet.

I could see an enormous crowd out of the corner of my eye and hear loud cheers in my ears. The camera flashes made it hard to even open my eyes properly.

I felt like I might suffocate.

I forced myself to act like a shy, innocent young man and took one step, then another.

At the end of this long path, the Supreme Leader awaited.

The time it took to walk the 50-meter red carpet felt like ten thousand years.

Taking a deep breath, I put on an appropriately nervous expression and slowly walked to the end.

Eyes as clear as glass, blue as if they could see through a person’s heart.

Hair that sparkled purely golden, like pure gold with no impurities mixed in.

‘Friedrich Kruger…!’

What Lucas had described while writing his theatrical script wasn’t exaggerated at all. He was a handsome man of the century with an incredible aura.

“Lucas Redan, correct?”

As soon as he opened his mouth from the high platform, the Lucas inside me fainted, causing my body to sway as well.

“Ahahahaha! So nervous!”

Kruger, who seemed to find something amusing, roared with laughter and personally came down from the platform to steady me.

The moment our eyes met, a dangerous sensation ran through my entire body like electricity.

‘This bastard really is a dictator who harbors the seeds to massacre tens of millions.’

Strangely, as soon as that thought occurred to me, all my anxiety and fear melted away and disappeared.

I slowly assumed the proper posture according to etiquette and struck my chest with my fist.

“Long live the Great Supreme Leader! I’m sorry! I was so nervous about meeting the Supreme Leader! I’ve caused trouble!”

“What is there to be sorry about?”

He laughed good-naturedly and turned toward the crowd.

“People of Schufaben!”

When his magically amplified voice rang out, the chattering people instantly shut their mouths.

“You have all heard. Crude ruffians calling themselves the White Raven Order have appeared. They committed the atrocity of kidnapping good, loyal citizens of Lüdelheim.

People of Schufaben! But you need not tremble in fear. If evil exists, it is the law of this world and the nature of our people that someone will surely step forward to punish it.

Not because we have police. Not because we have an army. This very person before your eyes! This most ordinary of ordinary young men is the punisher of evil.

That is Schufaben. All of you who belong to the Schufabens have the same potential as this young man. Anyone can become a hero and save their neighbors, their compatriots. Pursuing such righteousness and loving good—that is our Schufaben national character and pride.

Citizens! Will you all follow this young man’s example and become ordinary yet great people!”

When Kruger shouted thunderously, tremendous cheers covered the square.

Standing right in front of Kruger, my ears felt like they would burst from the pain since he started his speech, but now that he was shouting with all his might, I felt real severe pain and squeezed my eyes shut.

‘Ah, I think my eardrums are damaged.’

Tears streamed down. I tried to make it look like tears of emotion.

After the cheering repeated several times and finally died down, Kruger patted my shoulder and hung the medal around my neck.

“Fighting kidnappers, was it? It was good theater.”

Along with words mixed with mockery.