9th Grade Civil Servant In Another World Chapter 75 - The Returned Hero (2)

Busy days continued.

There were many tasks to handle and people to meet, carving time out of a schedule that barely existed.

Fans and reporters lined up to see me, but I ignored them and only invited the people I specifically wanted to meet.

“How is it? Does it suit your taste?”

I asked my counterpart while sipping coffee from an ornate cup.

A small, middle-aged man who seemed extremely nervous, dabbing his forehead with a handkerchief.

Walter Schlik.

District 13’s office director and former superior of mine—or rather, Lucas’s.

After retiring from civil service a few months following Emil Hoffman’s removal, I thought I’d never have any connection with this man again.

Yet here we were, sitting face to face in this luxury hotel suite.

And with our relationship completely reversed.

“Yes, it’s absolutely delicious. I suppose it tastes so good because it was prepared by such a noble young lady as Miss Brightner. Ha, haha!”

Schlik was completely overwhelmed by the opulence flowing in all directions, stammering whatever words came to mind.

It was the finest suite in the hotel.

Gold-leafed silk wallpaper and processed teak flooring, famous paintings decorating the walls and silver tableware, a magically enchanted chandelier.

That’s what Fael had explained to me. What would I know about such things?

Anyway, the vast suite reeked of wealth at first glance.

After Erika withdrew, Schlik spoke with difficulty.

“Um, may I ask why you summoned me…?”

“Please speak comfortably. Weren’t you my superior?”

“No, but now you’re being treated as a state guest alongside the Queen, and I hear you’re descended from royalty—”

BANG!

I hardened my gaze coldly and slammed my fist on the table.

“Are you denying the noble values of equality established by His Excellency the Supreme Leader?!”

“No, no! Of course not! How could I? That, that was a slip of the tongue!”

He startled and waved his hands frantically.

“Hmm, be careful.”

“Y-yes, yes.”

Good. Mission accomplished in seizing the initiative.

Schlik didn’t seem to be as fervent a supporter as he appeared.

I could clearly picture him gathering the staff monthly to lecture them about Supreme Leader’s grace while spitting everywhere.

“The thing is, I have that tavern I used to run in District 13, don’t I?”

I immediately softened my voice.

“Ah, that’s right. I saw it in the newspaper. They said you visited the commercial district.”

“Haha, news travels fast. It was a place I once considered like my own home, so seeing it in such a ruined state broke my heart. Many buildings still haven’t been restored even after several months. Are there financial difficulties?”

“District 13 does have those kinds of issues.”

Thinking I was reprimanding him, Schlik began making excuses.

“Tax revenue and government support are both rather disappointing, you see.”

“That’s why I was thinking—how about I rebuild the commercial district? Would fifty million pelt be enough for starters?”

“No, how could you spend such a huge amount!”

“It’s not too much for my hometown neighborhood. What do you think? Wouldn’t that be enough to buy up the abandoned buildings in that area and cover reconstruction costs?”

“It would be more than enough. It would revive the district and then some.”

Indeed, the unsightly abandoned ruins must have been District 13’s headache, as Schlik’s face brightened considerably.

“That’s good to hear. I’ll have it beautifully and magnificently rebuilt. However, purchasing all those buildings will require procedures…”

“Of course I should help with that.”

“Thank you, Director.”

I smiled broadly.

Anywhere in the world, the sweetest business is land deals and building trades.

Well, you could say I’m misappropriating investment funds, but since I’m certain to profit, it’s not like I’m throwing money away.

Reassured that I’d called him for such mundane business, Walter Schlik returned with a brightened expression.

Afterward, I sat hunched on the sofa, chewing my lips anxiously.

“Are you that nervous?”

Erika, having dropped her perfect secretary act, sat beside me and asked.

“Hey, of course I am. I might get slapped again.”

“You should have treated her better then.”

I chuckled softly.

“You’re right. Why did I put her through such hardship?”

Ring ring ring!

Shortly after, the suite phone rang.

“Your guest has arrived.”

Soon I opened the door and smiled awkwardly at the woman with amber hair and fox-like eyes standing before me.

“Hello, Ameli.”

“……”

This time she didn’t slap me. She just looked at me quietly.

“Ameli?”

“Just what kind of person are you?”

“Uh……”

“How many times have you called me over, then disappeared? Do you think I don’t have eyes or ears? That I can’t see or hear anything?! Playing hero is fine once or twice, but why always without a word!”

“Uh, Ameli, today I just wanted to discuss contractual damages—”

“Oh, really? So you’re treating me as a business partner now? Is that why you ignored what I said about not looking for me anymore? Why do you keep making people feel so miserable……”

Ameli gritted her teeth as if holding back tears and turned her head away.

Ah, this is awkward.

Though I’d adapted to this world long ago, Ameli was truly someone who left me flustered every time I saw her.

As heavy silence flowed, Erika emerged into the entrance hallway.

“Ameli, calm down. Come inside and have some tea, alright?”

She awkwardly patted her shoulder and led her inside.

“Here, this is our contract. We’ve been splitting profits correctly all along, so that’s not relevant. This clause states that in case of cancellation due to natural disasters, there’s no penalty obligation. But compensation is at my discretion. Ameli, take this. You suffered damages because of me anyway.”

“I don’t need money.”

“I know, Ameli. This is the last time. Tell me what you want. Do you really want me to disappear from your life? Or do you want to know what’s been happening all this time?”

I looked at her with unwavering eyes, more serious than ever before.

Everyone in the White Raven Order agreed that Ameli was trustworthy. Even Erika.

It was partly that I trusted her character, but above all, she still… loved me.

I’d agonized until my head felt like it would split.

Honestly, looking at what I’d done to Ameli, a few slaps weren’t even close to sufficient payment. Even without going back to before I possessed this body.

But which would be the right path?

I’d wanted to cut ties with Ameli, accepting that I was the bad guy. It would be better than getting her involved in danger.

But shouldn’t I at least give her the choice?

“Neither.”

Ameli slowly opened her mouth.

“Lucas, I don’t feel sorry for you. And you don’t need to feel sorry for me.

You said it before. That you’d changed. Yes, I think you were right. You’re not the Lucas Redan I knew.

I hope things go well for you. Don’t deliberately try to remove yourself from my life. It’ll happen naturally anyway.”

My heart dropped just a little.

‘She noticed.’

Maybe long ago.

In the end, I’d made her give up on me.

She stood up, leaving the compensation money behind.

“If you have something to say, come find me at the shop. I’ll always be there.”

There was even a sense of resolution in Ameli’s departing figure.

‘She must have really loved me.’

But I truly am a different person from back then.

After the suite door closed, Erika spoke matter-of-factly.

“Lucas, you’d be a terrible boyfriend.”

“I know. That’s why I’m not planning to date anyone.”

After that, I met with more guests.

Second Lieutenant Ian Keller was delighted that I’d become a big shot, and Johann as always coldly discussed business before leaving.

After spending several days like that.

Finally.

The time had come.

***

The floating castle.

The former royal palace that had now become the Supreme Leader’s residence.

Only the Queen and I, along with a few attendants and guards, had been invited there.

We used magic to ascend to the castle. Blue-uniformed mages lowered a golden circular platform for people to step onto.

The disc slowly rose and flew through the sky with remarkable stability. Even a layman could tell this was far more advanced magic than flying solo.

“How magnificent!”

The Queen leaned against the crystal railing, exclaiming in admiration.

Indeed, the view of Lüdelheim from hundreds of meters in the air was quite spectacular.

Whatever technique they used, despite our bodies shooting rapidly upward, there was no effect from air pressure at all.

‘This feels much better than riding an airplane? Impressive.’

The magical engineering I’d experienced on the ground had seemed similar to or somewhat inferior to my original world.

It seemed the Supreme Leader enjoyed the essence of magic while living. Unlike his lowly citizens.

Contrary to my expectation that we’d land at the main entrance of the residence visible in the distance, the platform glided smoothly past tall spires and ivory-colored buildings toward a small castle.

‘He’s trying not to show the interior as much as possible. Paranoid.’

Still, if Kruger hadn’t chosen to hold the meeting at a hotel or somewhere similar, it must be because he wanted to draw the Queen into his territory.

Like the Korean saying about even a mongrel being half-fed on its home turf.

Whirrrr—

The platform stopped in front of the beautiful glass doors of the small castle.

My heart was pounding.

‘Now I’m entering the enemy’s heart.’

I tried to remember everything I saw and heard today. As I strained my brain, my whole body began to ache.

The glass doors opened.

With the illusion of a halo shining behind his head, a handsome man radiating solar majesty walked out step by step.

‘I don’t want to be nervous.’

I grumbled, feeling my sternum grow tight.

But I couldn’t help it. My fate was about to charge forward.

“Welcome, Your Majesty the Queen of Rubellia. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Kruger approached with a smile and kissed the Queen’s hand.

Now, let the performance begin.

I lowered my head to let blood rush to my face and secretly poked my eyes.

“Ah, and you are…?”

When Kruger feigned surprise.

“I, I, I am honored to meet you again, Your Excellency the Supreme Leader!”

I let tears of pain flow down my cheeks, then hastily wiped them away in apparent panic.

“Your Excellency, I am, I am truly honored! To meet Your Excellency again like this! Right now I would, guh! If Your Excellency ordered me to jump through the clouds, I would do so! Sniff!”

He wore a beautiful smile.

“It’s been a while. Still nervous as always. Please, be at ease.”

He patted my shoulder in a friendly manner. I trembled all over as if about to burst into tears.

Damn, if it were really Lucas, he would have ascended to heaven from happiness.

“Sniff, I’m sorry!”

“Sorry for what? Well then, thank you all for visiting Schufaben. Shall we talk in the banquet hall?”

Kruger showed a perfectly reasonable and normal demeanor.

As he guided the group, he explained various things about the residence’s history and the meaning of decorations.

Despite such a gentle attitude, the sharp charisma this man must have been born clutching in both hands was impossibly difficult to handle.

I moved a bit closer to the Queen’s side. Her kind atmosphere seemed to protect me from Kruger’s intimidating presence.

‘Is he using magic?’

Otherwise, how could you explain this energy that prickled my skin?

While holding back the urge to breathe heavily, I entered the banquet hall Kruger had prepared and took my seat.

The banquet began in a warm atmosphere. It was a pre-negotiation probing session, but no one showed such signs.

The banquet hall had a simple beauty. Instead of calling in a band, elegant and gentle music flowed from a large gramophone.

I was seated at the long rectangular table next to the Queen. Which meant facing Kruger directly.

The finest dishes created by Schufaben’s top chef were lined up on the table, but Kruger didn’t seem to eat much.

Instead, he focused on conversation with the Queen. Occasionally glancing at me as well.

“Were you that moved?”

At his smile, I clenched my fist under the table and put on an expression like I was losing my mind.

“Yes!”

“Your performance at Le Chapen was quite impressive. I burst out laughing several times while reading the embassy reports.”

Of course you did. You should have. I deliberately caused even more of a scene for that very reason.

At first, I’d tried to avoid Kruger’s attention, but after getting close to the Queen, I did everything possible to make sure it reached Kruger’s ears.

“As befits a descendant of the royal family, he’s quite a spirited young man. If only he weren’t from Schufaben, I would have wanted to employ him as a court retainer.”

“Haha, is that so? Well, that makes sense. He is our hero, after all. He even strengthened the relationship between Your Majesty and myself, so he deserves a fitting reward. Even I would like to keep him very close…”

THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP!

The sound of my heartbeat seemed to drown out even Kruger’s leisurely voice.

Finally.

Finally.

Finally, I had one hand on my enemy’s heart.