I Became a Civil Servant Who Can Use Magic

Imperius Imperator, Emperor of the Empire.
One of the few transcendents on the continent and one who struggles to become a god.

One day, he called his children and declared.

“I will pass on the emperor’s throne to the most outstanding one.”

Immediately after the declaration, he divided power among his three children, and the emperor himself entered into secluded training to achieve ascension.

And those who inherited power.
The 1st Prince, 2nd Princess, and 3rd Prince respectively.

They began a power struggle to become the most outstanding, which continues to this day.

This was the hidden history of the imperial family that Loen knew.
In other words, it was a hidden story known only to those who knew.

“Loen. What are you thinking so hard about?”
“Nothing much.”
“You’re not thinking something like ‘Why did this woman come here~’ are you?”

Loen shrugged her shoulders.
Unnecessarily perceptive, aren’t you.

The 2nd Princess Elia thought, looking at Loen like that.
That emotionless expression is still the same as before.

Loen let out a small sigh at Elia’s persistent gaze.

Although she had tried to avoid contact with the imperial family members to avoid the inevitable war of succession,
To think they would meet like this.
More accurately, the princess came looking for me.

She lamented inwardly.
Can’t they just leave me alone..

“By the way, Loen, it feels like just yesterday that I heard you were assigned to the Inspection Department. I didn’t expect you to achieve such meaningful results already? Wasn’t your principle to live as quietly as possible?”
“It just happened.”

Elia narrowed her eyes slightly.
Hmm.

“Have you decided to dive into the swamp of power now?”
“As if I would.”

Seeing Loen’s expression that said ‘I’d have to be crazy to do that’,
Elia was finally satisfied.

Because she usually has so little change in expression, it makes me want to poke at her here and there.
Of course, Elia wasn’t doing this for no reason.

Even if she wants to win Loen’s heart, she can’t tell what she’s thinking at all…
So she’s trying to draw out reactions like this.

Tap tap tap.

Elia fell into thought while tapping the end of her crossed legs.

The 2nd Princess Elia.
She has a clear principle of action.

From village to city. From kingdom to empire.
Even if the scale of the group grows to feel like one giant organism.
In the end, all things are done by people.

‘Those who win people’s hearts rule the empire and further move the world. This is an obvious truth.’
So Elia has been trying to win people’s hearts.
She acted out a casual, easy-going, and bold image, trying to get close to them.

Her goal was only one.
‘To captivate the hearts of capable talents and draw them to my side.’

This was also her principle of action.

She believed without a doubt that those gathered like this would someday put her on the imperial throne.

And,
There was someone the princess, who values talent, had been eyeing for a long time.

The person in front of her eyes.
It was Loen Franz.

The problem is…
That Loen doesn’t particularly desire power.

That’s why I want her even more.

‘Those without desire for power are the most suitable to have by a power holder’s side.’

“Ah~ How can I make her take my side.”

Loen’s eyebrows twitched at Elia’s low mutter.

Elia was inwardly satisfied at that sight.

“I said that on purpose for you to hear.”
“I see.”

Elia was still tapping her leg.

Whether she does or not.

Loen has no thoughts.
More accurately, she’s not thinking.
To avoid getting more deeply entangled with Elia.

If you ask why.

It’s because the Emperor of the Empire appearing in the original novel is the same person as the current 1st Prince.

Even Loen doesn’t know how the war of succession will unfold.
She only knows that the 1st Prince will become the next emperor.

But she has no intention of siding with the 1st Prince either.

Who knows what will happen in that process?

‘If I get involved, the Franz ducal family will inevitably be dragged into their power struggle.’

If that happens, even if we stand on the winner’s side, someone will die or get hurt.

‘I don’t care if other people die. But what if it’s my family?’
Even if her essence still remains in her past life, she can’t ignore the familial affection built up over 20 years.
And.

As Elia said.

“Power is like a swamp, once you fall in, you have to struggle endlessly. As I said before, I’m not the type for that.”
“Hmm.”

It’s half right and half wrong.

I’m the type who needs to see things through once I get into something.
In my past life, I hated taking responsibility to death, but when situations came where I had to take charge, I was the type to grit my teeth and see it through to the end.

Knowing this about myself, I decided not to step into power in the first place…

Anyway.

You’ve been reincarnated, so why not try dancing with swords? That’s only possible in novels.
Unfortunately, this is reality.

So let’s avoid getting involved as much as possible. Let’s pretend we’re not interested.
Loen resolved once again.

Tap tap-

The tapping foot movement stopped.
“Ah. Really.”

Elia took off her mask.
She returned to the image of a cold princess who thoroughly calculates gains and losses, not the casual and bold appearance.

Loen, who was watching this process, turned her head to look at the scenery outside the train.
It’s not like she’s only seen this side once or twice.

“You’re not coming over this time either. Still as stubborn as ever since childhood.”
“Give it up. I just want to live quietly.”
“Well. I’m already struggling in the swamp, so.”

Elia, who omitted the rest of her words, glanced at Loen and said inwardly.

‘I have no intention of giving up until I drag my elder brother down, Loen.’

And,
Someone who wants to live quietly finishes off a 5-star magician in an instant?
Elia smirked.

…

Finally, silence fell.

After a long time, the train whistle sound pierced through the window.

Loen stood up from her seat and politely bid farewell to the princess.

“I’ll be going first.”
“Alright. See you next time.”

The brief meeting with the 2nd Princess ended like that.

When Loen opened her eyes, she saw a familiar ceiling.

“Home is really the best after all.”

Having had her energy drained at Felon Fortress, Loen couldn’t be happier to see home.

Of course, going to work is… still not welcome.
Work, can’t you just disappear?

No. I can’t.

Loen, who had a brief conversation with work.
She got up from bed, rubbed her eyes, and put on her uniform.
She also put on her coat over it.

Then she left the house, got in her car, and headed to the Inspection Headquarters.

Thud!
Plop.

“Huh?”

As usual, she was lost in thought and almost bumped into something.
No, she actually collided with someone.

This time, even Loen felt wronged.
No, I’m sure it wasn’t in my sight?

Loen hurriedly threw herself in front of the car.
There was a red-haired bob-cut girl lying on the ground.

“Kid! Little one! Are you okay?”

Loen urgently shook the young girl’s back.
The girl, who was shaking back and forth, put her hands on the ground and stood up.

The moment the girl raised her head and met Loen’s eyes.
A vertically long slit pupil, like that of a snake, was captured in Loen’s sight.
But it was only for a very brief moment.

Did her eyes just? Did I see wrong?

“I’m fine.”
“Are you really okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”

Loen looked the girl over.

She’s really fine? What’s this? Did we just barely touch?

The girl just stared blankly at Loen.

“Kid. No, little one… no, child? What’s your name?”

The girl’s eyebrows twitched with each word Loen uttered.
Then the girl’s gaze briefly rested on Loen’s uniform.

“Ead Ferche.”
“I’m Loen. If you’re okay with it, shall I give you a ride?”

Feeling sorry, she offered a ride, and Ead nodded readily.
Loen put Ead in the car and started the engine.

“Where’s your destination?”
“Straight ahead.”

Loen hesitated for a moment.

Is she some noble family’s daughter?
Her speech is quite short?

Anyway, Loen drove the car in the direction Ead pointed.

Straight. Left. Right. Left. Straight.

As the car moved forward, Loen felt an inexplicable unease.
Strange. Why is it exactly the same direction as my commute?

Screech. Clunk.

The car came to a stop.

“Ead… are you sure this is the place?”
“Yes.”

Loen quickly looked over Ead’s attire.

High-heeled shoes and a plain black coat without any patterns.
Nothing particularly special.

Which means.

“Ah~ Could your parents be inspectors? If so, you should have said so earlier.”

Ead grinned.
Loen smiled along.

I guess her parents work here.

Loen, holding Ead’s hand, entered the Inspection Headquarters.
People who saw them all gasped in unison.

Loen just went along with it.
She had seen countless times people whispering or being surprised when they saw her.

Thud thud.
Click clack.

Loen started to notice something was off.
Cold sweat ran down her back.

This is the direction of the Inspection Department office?

Suddenly, she remembered what Senior Ria had said at Felon Fortress.

Cute.
And you must never say things like ‘kiddo’ or ‘little one’.

She glanced slightly to the side and down to examine the girl again.

Cute.
And the vertically slit pupil she saw briefly earlier.
And she had called the girl ‘kid’ and ‘little one’…

As Loen subtly tried to loosen her hand, Ead gripped Loen’s hand tightly.
Ead raised her head to meet Loen’s eyes.

“Why are you loosening your hand?”
“Something came up…”
“Can’t we just stop by the office first?”

From this point on, Loen was practically dragged along by Ead.

Loen closed her eyes tightly.
I don’t know anymore. Whatever happens, happens.

As they approached the Inspection Department office, she could hear the seniors chattering.

“That’s when the maknae stretched her hand forward like this! and Magical Li-”
“As expected of the Inspection Department..”

Click.

The moment Ead and Loen entered the office, the conversation stopped abruptly.
The seniors looked back and forth between the two and then jumped to their feet.

“Good morning, Team Leader.”
“Team Leader! It’s been a while~ But why are you holding hands with the maknae?”

To the senior’s question, the team leader answered.

“She’s a kid, so she came holding an adult’s hand. Is there a problem?”

Silence fell in the office.
The seniors quietly sat down, watching the situation.