The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success-Chapter 88

I hastily opened the letter.

Minister,

I'm very sorry, but I suddenly feel too ill to attend the banquet.

Since you said you’re fine entering alone, I won’t feel too guilty.

I hope you have a wonderful banquet.

‘He seemed perfectly fine just yesterday?’

Despite all of Jaden’s nagging, Kibon hadn’t said a word about canceling as her partner.

But now, right at the last minute, this kind of withdrawal? It really didn’t seem like something Kibon would do.

And yet, the very fact he would say this must mean he was really sick.

I immediately wrote a reply and sent it through a maid.

Don’t worry and rest well. Like you said, I actually really like going in alone.

I’m worried you might be really sick though. I hope you’ll be okay.

As I wrote the letter, the staff nearby exchanged looks.

“...So, just to confirm... the man who agreed to be your partner backed out, right?”

“And that old flame you used to keep on the hook is still attending?”

I nodded.

At that, the staff rolled up their sleeves with fierce determination in their eyes.

“Sit down, Minister! Right now!”

“We absolutely won’t let you look pitiful! We’re going to make you the most beautiful woman at this banquet!”

“We’ll make you shine brighter than even His Highness the Crown Prince!”

That day...

I experienced true professional dedication.

***

The grand hall of the Imperial Palace where the Saint Cairo banquet was being held.

Recently remodeled, the venue was both elegant and extravagant.

Spacious and refined—but not crowded. After all, only the highest-ranking elites were allowed to attend.

Before the main banquet began, civil servants were rushing about, busy preparing the opening ceremony.

“I heard the Scroll Department is in charge of the opening ceremony?”

“That’s why Her Majesty the Empress is attending too, apparently.”

“It’s been a while since all the royals gathered together. Even His Majesty the Emperor came all the way from the west.”

The Empress, attending a banquet for the first time in ages, was smiling between Jaden and Kiaros.

Watching them discreetly, ministers who arrived early had gathered to chat.

“I heard even the Ministry of Education was mobilized for this?”

“Seriously, didn’t their staff revolt? If it were my department, we’d be raising hell about being disrespected.”

In response to the questioning, the Education Minister only smiled. But inside, he was boiling with fury.

The public officials Namia had requested for support were already furious. They had openly wished their Minister would refuse.

But...

[Because of the Empress and the Scroll Department’s joint undercover investigation, Liden got arrested. We had to bow our heads a bit.]

[But that was Team Leader Liden’s fault, [N O V E L I G H T] wasn’t it? What does that have to do with us?]

[Just do as you’re told!]

A small sacrifice for the greater good was unavoidable.

In the end, the education staff, forced to participate, didn’t bother hiding their displeasure.

The department atmosphere had been ice-cold for days.

“Still, aren’t you curious? Hoho... I heard the Magic Tower Master himself acknowledged this Minister. Maybe we’ll see some real magic.”

“Right? That young Minister must have confidence to plan something like this. Feels like the Scroll Management Department really has changed.”

A few ministers, who hadn’t minded Namia’s appointment too much, began chatting with growing interest.

“You saw how the Finance Minister allocated the initial budget, right? For that guy to go that far, there must be something to it.”

The Finance Minister wasn’t present.

As befitted someone who also held a noble title—Marquis Arwin—he was chatting directly with the Emperor.

With such a powerful figure allocating a generous initial budget to the Scroll Department, it was only natural people would whisper.

“Well, we’ll find out once the ceremony starts.”

“We don’t know much about magic anyway. Maybe Namia was really a good pick—for the Scroll Department, at least.”

The Education Minister ground his teeth silently.

If this event went smoothly, the so-called “parachute” Namia would start receiving different evaluations.

Knowing that, it made sense Namia had roped the royal family in to make the whole event grand and spectacular.

‘But I know what that damned thing really is.’

The Education Minister remembered how Namia had used that insolent, deadpan tone when they were alone.

‘That’s why I made my choice—for the Empire. I couldn’t let some lowborn brat keep fooling everyone.’

He took a gulp of wine as he stared at the staff preparing for the event in the distance.

‘This is the right path. I made the choice for everyone’s sake.’

According to his plan, today’s Scroll Department event would be a total disaster. Namia would have no choice but to resign.

Of course, there would be some innocent casualties—but that was unavoidable. A necessary sacrifice for the greater cause.

‘Today is the end. Namia Roafi, your arrogant little reign ends here.’

Just thinking that made him feel slightly better.

The Education Minister barely managed to keep his expression in check. A nearby minister turned to him.

“Well, since the Ministry of Education helped out... does that mean you’re fond of the Scroll Minister too?”

“What nonsense...”

The Education Minister scoffed derisively.

“We simply cooperated, that’s all. I wouldn’t even speak to such an unrefined woman.”

“...Excuse me?”

“She’s pathetic and insignificant in every way. I’ve no idea why His Highness the Crown Prince would take a liking to someone like that.”

And just then—

“The Honorable Daughter of Baron Roafi has arrived!”

A page rang the bell and shouted from the entrance.

Many of the high nobles present were seeing Namia for the first time. As she prepared to enter, Namia whispered to the page.

“I’m not attending as the baron’s daughter. Please announce it properly.”

“O-Oh... I’m so sorry. Truly sorry! The Minister of the Scroll Department has arrived!”

All heads turned. Gasps echoed softly through the hall.

Namia entered the banquet hall alone, clad in a glittering gown.

Her hair was elegantly swept up, her makeup graceful, her jewelry exquisite and fitting...

With perfect posture and a dignified gait, Namia’s appearance was enough to capture every gaze in the room.

“I think I get it now.”

The minister chatting beside the Education Minister murmured.

“It’s probably just because she’s stunning. The reason he likes her is pretty obvious.”

Namia didn’t look the least bit intimidated by the attention.

If anything, she seemed to enjoy it.

And among those watching her... one man froze momentarily.

“Oh my, that’s the new Minister? What a beauty.”

“I heard the Baron Roafi family was completely ruined! So the rumors that Namia cut ties with her parents were true?”

Despite supposedly knowing no one, Namia was surrounded by noble ladies.

Among them stood Victor Arwin.

The people around him kept murmuring.

“So that’s your superior?”

“Well, probably a temporary one... Surely Marquis Arwin will transfer Victor to the Finance Department soon.”

Victor didn’t respond. He just gave a vague, awkward smile.

And then he swiftly moved toward the woman walking alone.

Just then—

“Namia!”

A brawny Empress came stomping toward her, loudly calling Namia’s name. Everyone froze in shock and bowed.

“We greet Your Majesty the Empress.”

The muscular Empress waved her hand dismissively at them and grabbed Namia’s arm.

“What took you so long! I was waiting so long my eyeballs nearly fell out! This banquet almost turned into a bloodbath from the boredom!”

It wasn’t just the nobles—even the ministers were dumbstruck.

They all wore the same face: “Since when was the Empress this friendly?”

“And seriously, you look gorgeous! Wahahaha! If I were born a filthy appearance-obsessed tyrant man, I’d take you as my concubine right this instant!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for the chillingly honest compliment.”

Namia replied with a bright smile.

Victor had just come near again, about to speak to her.

And then—

Someone else came charging forward.