Chapter 19
The day after I returned to the office, having finished all my business.
As I was tidying up and reviewing the report, I heard from Adina, who was guarding the door, that someone had come to see me.
‘Have they arrived already?’
The identities of those who came to see me were obvious.
Two noblemen in uniforms were undoubtedly from the Imperial Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the reason for their visit would be to comprehensively evaluate my work performance as the administrator of Blackmore.
From evaluating the managed area on a large scale to my conduct as an official on a smaller scale.
Of course, I had no blemishes they could find fault with since I had prepared for this day, so honestly, I wasn't too concerned.
There was no need to worry in the first place.
At least in Blackmore, I was the king.
No one could openly interfere with how I managed things or who I employed, as long as I didn't cross the line.
That was the authority of a Special Inspector.
I didn't have to fret as long as I was mindful of the few restrictions set by the Imperial Family.
It was practically a formality, but I was still meticulous because it was customary.
After all, I was just a low-ranking official with no backing.
There was nothing to gain from leaving a bad impression, and their evaluation of me would significantly influence my future promotion.
That’s why I organized the report and cleaned the path as soon as I arrived at the office.
To maintain my effortless civil servant life, I needed to leave a good impression on them.
I needed to make them recognize my competence so they would value it and appoint me to an important position in the future.
“Adina.”
“You called?”
“Bring them here. Politely. And don't say anything unnecessary.”
“Me? I’m sorry, but I can't show such courtesy to Imperial dogs…”
“Should I call Rudine?”
“…But I’ll endure it for your sake!”
Adina abruptly turned her head and strode out of the office.
It was the effect of the etiquette lessons I had given her earlier.
I turned back and cleaned the desk.
I poured the tea I had prepared into teacups and hummed leisurely.
“Nice weather.”
****
Kraton, the Director of the Internal Affairs Bureau.
And Arda Merdail, a high-ranking minister of the Empire.
They followed the unidentified men, their expressions tense as they looked around.
“…”
Aside from the clean office, there were a surprisingly large number of people. Roughly twenty?
Moreover, there were guards stationed at every corner of the path, and what was surprising… according to the whispers of their escorts, all of them were as strong as the Master-level knights of the Holy Order.
At least twenty, not just one or two… and all of them were among the strongest in the Empire, gathered in one place?
For the sake of serving a mere low-ranking official?
To outsiders like them, the current situation was more than just unfamiliar; it was absurd.
As they reached the entrance of the office, Adina, who had been waiting, looked them up and down.
She spoke in a pert voice, as if tossing the words casually.
“I’m Adina. Follow… no, I’ll guide you to the reception room.”
Twitching triangular ears.
A lusciously swaying silver tail.
Seeing these features that humans couldn't possibly have, their faces were momentarily filled with deep bewilderment and confusion.
It was only natural.
That was clearly…
“A Beastman…?”
A Beastman.
A belligerent species that enjoyed fighting and revered strength.
A reclusive species that submitted to no one and generally lived in communities separated from humans. But what was such a species doing here…?
“…Minister, that’s not just any Beastman.”
“Explain.”
“A Fox Beastman, and judging by the white tail and purple eyes… she’s probably a member of the White-Haired Clan.”
“…Did you just say White-Haired Clan?”
The White-Haired Clan.
One of the three major Beastman clans descended from a Sacred Beast.
Known for their secret magic based on their unique trait, White Mana, they were famous for being especially hostile towards humans, even among Beastmen.
They were so tightly knit and belligerent that even the Imperial Family avoided conflict with them…
“What is the White-Haired Clan doing here?”
“…I have no idea.”
They walked with dazed expressions.
A rumor that had recently caused a stir in social circles suddenly crossed their minds.
The absurd news that Luke Richter was the mastermind behind the Empire’s shadows.
Then.
“Please come in.”
Adina said as she opened the door.
As they entered, they saw a handsome young man sitting leisurely, sipping tea.
He was formally dressed and the room was meticulously arranged, but unlike these careful details, his face was as impassive as someone devoid of emotion.
“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Luke Richter, appointed as Special Inspector.”
“…I’m Kraton, Director of the Internal Affairs Bureau. This is Minister Arda Merdail.”
“I’m glad the tea hasn’t gone cold. Please have a seat.”
A calm voice.
Although he was being formal, his indifferent and cool tone made it impossible to relax. By now, they too had noticed something.
The more than twenty Master-level individuals serving him, and the conversation that seemed to indicate a connection to the White-Haired Clan…
Their instincts, honed by decades of service in the Imperial Family, told them.
The man in front of them wasn't an ordinary low-ranking official.
“…May I ask you something directly?”
“Anything.”
“The individuals guarding the office seemed quite skilled. I heard they were your direct subordinates. Is that true?”
“…”
He hesitated for a moment, as if contemplating something, then nodded in affirmation.
“As you said.”
The room fell silent.
A strange stillness passed, and they spoke again.
“The one who guided us was a Beastman.”
“…Did she perhaps act rudely?”
“No, not at all. I’m just curious how you came to be associated with the White-Haired Clan.”
“Ah, she’s a companion who joined me by chance.”
“Joined you? A White-Haired Clan member with a human?”
“Yes, by chance.”
Luke, sitting across from them, sighed and let out a self-deprecating laugh.
The memory of her breaking through the roof while trying to guard the house flashed through his mind.
It was just a fleeting change of expression, but the minister, catching it, swallowed hard.
“If your curiosity is satisfied, may I begin the report?”
“…Go ahead.”
“First, I’ll report in detail on the exploration status of the assigned investigation area.”
Luke smoothly recited the lines he had prepared.
Having lived for decades as a modern man, it wasn’t difficult for him to organize and report the prepared content in a pleasant manner.
It was just a formality, after all.
Kraton and Arda stared at Luke in disbelief.
As the report continued, Arda, who had been listening quietly, interrupted with a surprised look.
“Wait. You cleared a labyrinth?”
“Yes.”
“The name of the labyrinth?”
“Tartazan.”
Luke and Kraton’s eyes met. Kraton sighed in disbelief.
That wasn't all.
“You don’t have to worry about the Dark Shadow Society. I received confirmation from the Arkan Great Lord that they won’t pursue the matter any further.”
“…”
The head of the Arkan Monarch Society, a massive organization that divided the Empire.
They couldn’t help but sigh, seeing him speak as if he was acquainted with Arkan, a top-level figure in the Empire.
“Here’s the list of Monstrous Beasts I’ve eliminated so far.”
“…That’s excessive.”
“I’ve gathered the bodies separately in the back.”
“…”
It was over three digits. …He dealt with all of these?
“You dealt with all these Monstrous Beasts by yourself…?”
“Ah, I have companions who guard the house.”
“…Guard the house?”
He pointed towards the window.
Kraton and Arda couldn’t help but be astonished by the amazing sight that unfolded before them.
The Fox Beastman from earlier was incinerating any approaching Monstrous Beasts with terrifying lightning bolts.
Next to her, a silver-haired girl swung her dagger in the air, creating huge, invisible lines that sliced through the Monstrous Beasts in one stroke.
The two men trembled, their faces a mixture of emotions, as they watched. Luke, looking at them, said,
“Is your curiosity satisfied?”
His words sounded strangely ominous to them.
As they sat dumbfounded, carefully choosing their words.
Creak.
An ominous sound echoed from the ceiling.
It was because the hole Adina had made while trying to catch a Monstrous Beast hadn’t been repaired yet.
Cracks spread like spiderwebs.
Their gazes all turned towards the ceiling.
And.
Crack—!
Before they could speak, debris from the ceiling came crashing down.
As they hurriedly tried to get out of the way, they momentarily froze.
The tattoo under Luke’s right eye was glowing blue.
Immediately after.
"———"
He muttered something.
—Flinch!
“!!!!”
The falling debris stopped mid-air, as if frozen in time.
It was as if the space they were in had become a vacuum.
It was a truly bizarre sight.
Luke calmly stood up.
He walked slowly, as if taking a stroll, and picked up the frozen debris above the two men’s heads.
He leisurely moved them aside one by one, muttered something, and…
Crash—!
The debris came crashing down.
The fragments, filling the air, plummeted to the ground.
Only the space where Kraton and Arda were standing remained intact.
“……”
Kraton and Arda’s faces turned pale.
They looked at where they had been sitting, then back at Luke.
He scratched his head and said,
“Sorry. It seems the repairs aren’t finished yet.”
“……”
And smiled lightly. As if it was nothing.