I Became a Civil Servant Who Can Use Magic

The two faces of the Twin-Headed Ogre roared simultaneously.

Grooar!
The air twisted at the howl, and the atmosphere vibrated.

‘Such pressure just from a roar..’

Tension was evident on the faces of the Count and his guard troops. It was the same for Veronica, the top 3-star swordswoman.

Within minutes of the battle starting, several knights were knocked down.
The soldiers couldn’t even approach the ogre.

It was due to the overwhelming strength originating from the ogre’s huge body.

Due to its tough skin, even the knights’ mana-coated swords were useless.

The small cuts Veronica made on its arms and legs were the only meaningful damage so far.

“How long do we have to hold out?”
“Until the magic casting is finished.”

The Count answered Veronica’s cry.

Veronica turned her head to look behind. She saw the inspector casting magic. And next to her, the inspector’s adjutant standing blankly just watching.

‘Didn’t they say the adjutant was 4-star too? Then why isn’t she helping?’

Veronica complained inwardly.
That’s how bad the situation was.

‘Above all, I don’t think magic will be very meaningful against a Twin-Headed Ogre.’

Doubt arose in her mind.

At that moment, the ogre took a charging stance, stomping its feet.
Its hideous two faces took aim at Veronica.

Veronica and the Count made eye contact.
Soon, they nodded to each other.

“I’ll take the left leg.”
“Then I’ll take the right.”

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The ogre charging while stomping the ground.
The Count and Veronica preparing to counterattack with resolute expressions.

At that moment.

Magic Cannon.
The inspector’s magic activation word reached Veronica’s ears.

Boom!

Soon, an intense light covered her vision.

An explosive roar engulfed the surroundings.

When Veronica regained her sight, only the lower body of the ogre remained. The upper part had evaporated without a trace.

“This is 4-star..?”

She murmured blankly.

Even in the frontier, 4-star mages aren’t completely non-existent. She had seen them use magic a few times.

But this….

“Isn’t she completely insane?”

Thwack!
Loen’s flick struck Psyche’s forehead once again.

“Ouch!”
“Watch your language, there are many eyes watching.”
“But..”

I didn’t think you were that kind of person, but you’re quite strict, aren’t you?
Psyche, watching Loen’s reaction, spoke again. It was her nature to say what she wanted to say no matter what.

“I mean, come on. A noble invites a bunch of people to his wedding, and then! Carries out a massacre there!”

The words that flowed from the Count’s mouth were that shocking.

The leader of the Traditionalist Faction, Bamor.
His other alias.

Bamor the Law Breaker.

As if to prove he’s the madman dealing with demons.
He dared to commit the taboo of breaking the law of hospitality.

The law of hospitality.
It refers to a very old custom where the host treats guests with respect, and guests do not harm the host.

This is a custom that naturally arose in the process of humans becoming civilized and forming complex social relationships, and has now become established as a law.

Especially for nobles, honor is like life itself, so the law of hospitality was something that must be observed.

Those who violated it were thoroughly ostracized from high society.

That’s why no matter how bad the relationship, betrayal or surprise attacks are not carried out at official gatherings.

This is a kind of line that shouldn’t be crossed.

However, Count Bamor crossed that line greatly.

“At that time, there had been no direct clashes between the two factions yet.”
“So you attended his wedding without much suspicion, right?”
“Yes. He was also my uncle. The pretext of seeking reconciliation through the wedding was also plausible. But. We never expected him to launch a surprise attack there..”

Loen grasped the circumstances.

‘So that’s why the Reformist Faction was pushed back.’

The large-scale surprise attack and massacre that took place at Bamor’s wedding. Many key figures of the Reformist Faction died there.

Many people, including the previous Knight Commander, sacrificed themselves in the process of helping Count Lidyte escape from there.

“That day I realized. That my uncle, no, Bamor had made a contract with a demon.”

At the Count’s words, Veronica added an explanation.

“Originally, he was only 3-star. But on the day of the wedding, he suddenly appeared as a 4-star mage. And the ominous aura flowing from his magic.. At that moment, we were certain. That he had finally laid hands on the taboo.”

The Count’s face contorted, as if the anger was still welling up just thinking about that time. Veronica, standing next to him, just silently patted his back.

Watching this scene, Psyche opened her mouth.

“But I’m curious about something.”
“Go ahead.”

Loen had an ominous feeling.
What strange thing is she going to say now!

“You two. What kind of relationship do you have?”
“You mean me and Veronica?”
“Yes!”
“It’s the relationship between a guard knight and her lord.”

A smile spread across Psyche’s face. Her tail, which she no longer tried to hide, began spinning madly.

“I don’t think so~ You two seem quite close? Perhaps you’re having a love that transcends status~ Something like that~”
“Hmm.”
“Ahem.”

The Count and Veronica turned their heads in opposite directions and cleared their throats.

Even Loen, who was about to flick Psyche’s forehead for saying strange things, stopped her hand.
They’re not… denying it?

Come to think of it, they’re both young and attractive. Their relationship is also that of a lord and the female knight guarding him. It was the perfect condition for love to bloom.

“Good for you.”
“Wh-What? It’s not like that. We just grew up together since childhood. We’re just less formal with each other, that’s all.”
“..”

When the Count strongly denied Loen’s words, Veronica turned her head and quietly glared at him.

What do you mean it’s not like that.

‘Someone’s busy rolling around after joining the Inspection Corps while someone else is having a romance even while fleeing.’

Loen lamented inwardly.
Psyche also showed her envy.

“I’m jealous~”
“By the way, Inspector.”

The Count suddenly changed the subject.

“Excuse me, but are you really a 4-star mage..?”

The Count asked as politely as possible, trying not to offend Loen.
He suspected that she might actually be above 4-star.

“Yes.”
“I see.”

The Count and Veronica shut their mouths tightly due to Loen’s suddenly fierce expression.

Of course, Loen was just surprised at being asked about her rank so abruptly, but they took it as a warning not to pry further.

In fact, the truth doesn’t matter.

As long as Loen agreed to help the Reformist Faction, from their perspective, they wouldn’t have much to say even if Loen insisted she was a 3-star mage.

The same goes for Psyche. Dragon-kin are a rare race even throughout the entire empire. Not to mention in the frontier.

Nevertheless, none of the Count’s party showed any signs of being amazed at seeing Psyche.

Lest she might feel uncomfortable.

“Then shall we get to the main point?”

Loen spoke, thinking the atmosphere had ripened sufficiently.
It was time to decide on the next plan.

“What do you have in mind?”

The command authority had already been handed over to Loen.
The Count agreed to play an advisory role on the side.

After seeing her obliterate the Twin-Headed Ogre with one spell, it was a waste of time to engage in a power struggle over leadership.

“You said most of the battles were fought near your territory, right?”
“Yes, because I was the core strength of the Reformist Faction.”

To put it simply, it means they ignored everything else and charged straight for the capital.

Although it took a year in the process.

However, they finally succeeded in capturing the Count’s last city, so the war’s outcome clearly tilted towards the Traditionalist Faction.

“The southern zone of the Barrier should still be safe, right?”
“Yes, it will take time for the enemy to conquer fortresses one by one.”
“Where are the most cavalry units remaining?”
“Here.”

The Count, who unfolded a map, pointed to a certain spot.
[Westra Fortress]

“Due to the vast plains making it suitable for raising horses, a considerable number of cavalry should still be stationed there.”
“Let’s go right away.”

The Count spoke while watching Loen’s reaction.

“What are you going to do with the Bamor Knight Order prisoners?”

Loen carelessly made a gesture of slitting her throat.

As the number of prisoners was greater than their own party…
Regrettably, there’s no room to worry about the prisoners.

The Count understood her intention and nodded.

Loen has no intention whatsoever of prolonging the war.

Her plan was to secure only knight and cavalry forces as quickly as possible, then conduct a blitzkrieg to defeat the enemies one by one.

After quickly reorganizing, the party dealt with the prisoners and then all mounted horses heading for Westra Fortress.

After riding for several days, Loen and the Count’s party arrived near Westra Fortress.

And they were appalled at the sight before them.

“Wh-What is this!”
“The fortress is on fire?”

Contrary to their expectation that the south would be safe, the plains around the fortress were already filled with enemy forces.

The fortress, with its gates breached, was on the verge of falling.

“Count. Roughly how many are there?”
“Regular soldiers seem to be about 2,000 by estimation. The cavalry unit waiting on the flank is about 200..”

In contrast, the friendly forces were extremely meager.
About twenty cavalry including the Count and Veronica, and Loen and Psyche.

The numbers were not even comparable.

Loen beckoned to Psyche.

“Psyche, you take the lead.”
“Yes!”
“Count, please prepare as well.”
“Yes..”

Unlike Psyche who was full of anticipation, the Count’s party wore expressions of extreme anxiety.

Veronica whispered to the Count with a worried expression.
It was bad enough that her usual manner of speech slipped out.

“Is this right..?”
“I’m not sure.”

Of course, they would acknowledge that both the inspector and her adjutant are 4-star, but to engage in a head-on battle against forces numbering in the thousands…. Isn’t that a bit off?

Moreover, even for a 4-star mage, unless they’ve mastered double casting, there will inevitably be gaps.

Yet to charge in openly, it’s just incomprehensible, wouldn’t luring the enemy be a wiser method?

Numerous questions arose in the Count’s mind.

But what can he do?
It’s ridiculous to back out now.

Above all,
Given that she’s skilled enough to take down an ogre in one shot.

‘I have no choice but to trust her.’

The Count, trying hard to calm himself, issued orders to his subordinates to prepare for the charge.

A moment later.

A group of cavalry spurred their horses and charged towards the enemy forces surrounding the fortress.