I Became a Civil Servant Who Can Use Magic

Ria’s mischief intensified.
As if forcing them to reveal what they’ve hidden.

Each time, Viscount Felon inwardly cursed Ria and suppressed his anger.

When the anger didn’t subside, he would even break the conference room table.

“My Lord.”

The elf magician, who calmed the viscount trying to break the table yet again today, sighed softly.

“You know what kind of people they are.”

The Imperial Guard.
The actual military force of the imperial family, composed entirely of powerhouses of 5-star rank or higher.

While the Imperial Inspection Team mainly deals with threats arising within the empire,
The Imperial Guard is responsible for protecting the imperial family and eliminating external threats.

The Guard’s mission activities are shrouded in mystery.
They complete their missions while hiding their identities and disappear without a trace.

That’s why we need to be careful.
We can’t rule out the possibility that they might be from the Guard, even if it’s a slim chance.

“The current situation involves both an internal threat of rebellion and an external threat of our Red Band’s intervention. It meets both conditions. It’s sufficient reason for the Guard to intervene.”

The elf continued speaking while looking directly at the viscount.

“If we move carelessly, we might end up being the ones in trouble.”

Of course, Loen is just a rookie in the Inspection Department.
But how would they know that?
It could be called a minor misunderstanding arising from the information gap.

Anyway.

From the elf’s perspective, he naturally has to be cautious.

‘How much effort did we put into eliminating just one member of the Inspection Department.’

Originally, the Inspection Department’s dispatch plan is top-secret information.
If it weren’t for the cooperation of ‘that person’ blinded by power, we would never have obtained such valuable information.

An opportunity obtained with such difficulty.
If we hastily reveal our hand due to impatience, and as expected, that woman turns out to be a 5-star magician from the Imperial Guard?

‘Everything would turn to bubbles.’

The elf steeled himself inwardly.
For now, all we can do is wait for news from the messenger.

“Darus? You mean Viscount Felon’s son? Well, he’s not particularly important, so. What we discussed in the meeting, that’s all there is.”
“One day he was cursed by an unknown curse and an elf magician lifted it. You mean this?”
“Yeah. But why?”
“It’s nothing. I was just suddenly curious.”
“How bland~”

After encountering the silver-haired, silver-eyed boy presumed to be the original protagonist,
Loen diligently wandered the corridors inside the castle.
To have another conversation.

But because a dedicated maid was always by the boy’s side, the opportunity for conversation rarely came.

Tired mentally from wandering all day, Loen decided to take a short rest in an inconspicuous corner.

Thud.

“As expected, a secluded spot is the best for recharging energy.”
“Really?”
“!!”

The boy’s face suddenly popped out from the wall corner.

Ack, you startled me!
Loen was surprised inwardly.
Fortunately, she didn’t show her surprise outwardly.

By the way, the maid isn’t visible now?

Loen asked with a puzzled expression.

“Hello? Little one. Where’s the maid and why are you wandering alone?”
“I gave her the slip!”
“…Why?”

Darus, the boy, mumbled inwardly.
Because I wanted to talk to you, big sister.

Darus felt a strong attraction the moment he first saw Loen.
Considering his age, it was probably a childish emotion mixed with curiosity and admiration for the opposite sex.

Although her impression was fierce, Loen is undeniably a woman who falls into the category of ‘great beauty’.
So Darus’s feelings weren’t anything special.

“Just… because I felt stuffy.”

Loen smiled as brightly as possible.
It was to give a good impression.

This is perfect. I had a lot to ask.
I should check if he’s the original protagonist or not.

“I see. Um, if you’re feeling stuffy, want to chat with me?”
“Sure.”

Darus crouched down next to Loen.

“Your name is Darus, right? Darus Felon.”
“Yes.”
“Is your father really your father?”
“..? Of course.”

Hmm…
The original protagonist was a commoner without a surname.

“Do you have any nicknames?”
“Nicknames?”
“Or pet names, for example, like Ruda.. or something?”
“I don’t have anything like that.”

The original protagonist’s name was ‘Ruda’.
A commoner without a surname. Ruda.

Was it just a coincidence that his hair and eye color were exactly the same?
Hmm.

“How old are you?”
“I’m 13!”
“Do you practice swordsmanship often?”
“Yes. But why do you keep asking questions?”
“..Ah, well. Just because I’m interested?”

Darus cheered inwardly.
Big sister is interested in me too!

Of course, Loen’s interest was quite different from Darus’s.

“I’m already a 1-star swordsman…”
“That’s amazing! A 1-star already.”

In fact, it’s not good at all.
Only 1-star at the age of 13?

The original protagonist reached 6-star at 20, 7-star at 25, and obtained the title of Master at a young age, literally born with god-like talent, an irregular.

So if this boy were the protagonist, he wouldn’t be 1-star but 3 or 4-star.
Even I reached 2-star at the age of 13.

“Hmm.”

Darus, was it?
His name is different, he’s a noble, and his ability is far lacking.
So he’s definitely not the protagonist.

Loen completely gave up her faint hope.

Well.. There’s no way I’d suddenly meet the protagonist like this.

Darus, who was watching Loen’s expression.
He mumbled.

When I said I was 1-star, big sister’s expression darkened.
Does she like strong people?

Darus feels wronged too.
Due to the lingering effects of the curse, he only started learning swordsmanship a month ago.

In other words, he reached 1-star in just a month.

‘Father said making excuses is not manly behavior. I’ll just tell her later when we get closer.’

As Loen’s face soured, Darus hurriedly asked a question.

“Why did you come here, big sister?”

Loen was momentarily flustered.
Didn’t Viscount Felon tell him?

“Me? Um, just.. to tour the castle?”
“The maid said people wearing black uniforms are bad people. You’re not like that, right?”
“I’m just.”

Should I tell the truth?
Wouldn’t it be better to preserve his innocence?

Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed through Loen’s mind.

Oh~ That’s a good idea?

“Actually, I’m being held captive.”

Loen whispered as if telling a great secret.
Darus was shocked.

“Held captive!?”

An ambiguous answer that’s neither a lie nor the truth!
Accidentally ‘getting’ accepted in the interview and becoming an inspector, unable to go on adventures and just repeating the commute, so being held captive isn’t a lie.

“Then are you working against your will?”
“Something like that.”
“Can’t you just run away?”
“No. Because of my family.”

Darus’s eyes doubled in size.
Could they be holding his family hostage!?

Loen thought.
If it weren’t for father, I would have run away long ago, interview acceptance or not.
There’s really no daughter as filial as me.

But I won’t end up staying in the Inspection Team forever, right?
Loen’s expression darkened.
Worried that her imagination might become reality.

Darus, who was staring at Loen, saw her expression darkening and became convinced.

‘Big sister is a good person but is being threatened with her family held hostage!’

Father’s words that the Imperial family and the Emperor are bad people and most people are being used were all true!

“Big sister. Don’t worry. When I grow up, I’ll definitely save you!”

Loen laughed inwardly.
Little one, by the time you grow up and reach 3-star, I’ll be at least a 5-star magician.

Still, I should preserve his innocence.

“Sure~ Make sure to save me later. I’ll look forward to it.”
“I promise!”

Loen played along appropriately with the boy’s actions.

His behavior is just like watching my little brother when he was young.
Come to think of it, I wonder if Johan is doing well with his heir training.

Darus stood up abruptly.
And nodded as if he had made a big decision.

“I’ll be going now!”
“Take care.”

Loen waved her hand casually.

‘I got excited for nothing thinking he might be the protagonist.’

The next morning.
Darus headed to the strategy meeting room in the castle.
As he entered the meeting room, his father and the elf magician looked at Darus with puzzled expressions.

“Darus? What brings you here?”
“Father. I’ve decided.”

Darus met eyes with the elf magician.

Despite the elf magician being his benefactor who lifted the curse on him, Darus didn’t like him.
Because he always felt a strong ominous aura from the elf.

Whenever this happened, Viscount Felon would scold his son saying ‘What nonsense!’, but Darus instinctively felt.
That this elf magician was by no means a good entity.

That’s why he had adamantly refused the elf’s suggestions,
to leave the empire for a safe place,
to live a new life under a new name.

But not anymore.

The small flutter of meeting Loen flew into Darus’s heart like a typhoon.

For the first time in his life, Darus decided to go against his instincts.

“Darus, really!”
“You’ve thought well. As I said before, if you go there, you’ll be able to fully regain your original talent.”

Darus resolved while suppressing his instincts sending strong warnings.
It’s unavoidable to become stronger quickly…

As the elf magician removed his hood, an elf woman with an ominous purple bob and purple eyes was revealed.

Her purple eyes gazed at Darus.

“What will you choose as your new name?”

Darus said.

“Ruda.”
“I’ll go with Ruda.”

Bang!

The knight commander roughly opened the meeting room door and said.

“My Lord. The messenger has arrived. He says her name is Loen. She’s the daughter of Duke Franz and a 4-star magician. And.. apparently she’s a new recruit who joined the Inspection Team barely a week ago.”
“Not the Imperial Guard but a new recruit in the Inspection Team?”

The viscount thought to himself.
This is absurd.
Or rather, is this fortunate?
“My son will leave this evening.”
“Understood.”
“And I don’t think we need to hesitate any longer. Don’t you agree?”

The elf magician nodded.
It was time to deal with the inspectors.

That night.
Ruda left Felon Fortress under escort.
Then, the elves who took over Ruda headed beyond the imperial border, leaving the viscount’s territory.

Before crossing the border, Ruda suddenly looked back.

After standing like that for a few minutes, Ruda nodded as if resolving himself.
‘I’ll definitely save you.’

And so, Ruda completely left the empire.