I Became a Civil Servant Who Can Use Magic

The great and august Emperor who laid the foundation of the Empire and led it on the path of prosperity.

He who had been devoted solely to training in the depths of the imperial palace to achieve ascension, revealed himself again after 4 years.

Upon hearing this news, the power players of the Empire headed to the imperial palace without delay.

And so, in the imperial audience chamber.

Dozens of subjects were lined up in an orderly fashion centered around the imperial throne. Even the imperial family was no exception. Everyone there waited for the Emperor’s words to fall.

At last, the Emperor, who had been surveying the crowd with indifferent eyes, opened his mouth.

“Report in order.”

Starting with the Emperor’s children and ending with the ministers of each department, they reported on major current issues in turn.

After hearing all the reports, the Emperor commanded.

“Withdraw.”

No sooner had the words fallen than everyone in the audience chamber flowed out like the ebb tide.

The vast audience chamber was emptied in an instant.
Now only two subjects remained there.

The Imperial Guard Commander and the Inspection Corps Director.
Both were the Emperor’s most trusted individuals.

“Have you all been well in the meantime?”
“Yes.”

The Commander and Director answered simultaneously to the Emperor’s greeting, delivered in a more comfortable tone than before.

For a while after that, light conversation was exchanged.
The content was naturally about the results of the Emperor’s training.

When the conversation ended, the Emperor flicked his hand towards the Imperial Guard Commander.

The Commander, who caught the meaning, walked forward and held out a report.

“This is a list of talents who have stood out in recent years.”
“I look forward to it.”

The Emperor’s gaze moved along the report, stopping at two places.
Loen Franz, and Seraphine Bastard.

After confirming the activities of the two, the Emperor said with a faint smile.

“The Franz and Bastard families never fail to meet expectations.”

Soon after, having finished reading the report, the Emperor called the Inspection Corps Director.

“Director Muston, report on the inspection status.”
“Yes. To get to the point, the demons’ grasp is extending throughout the Empire. As a result, the number of turncoats has also increased sharply compared to before… Even in the duchies and beyond the barrier… That is all.”

Having finished his report, the Inspection Corps Director quietly took one step back.
Soon after, the Emperor’s brow furrowed deeply upon hearing the current situation.

“To extend their hands even to an imperial duke. Insufferable bastards.”

The Emperor, who had muttered lowly as if swallowing his anger, slowly rose from his seat.

“There can be no compromise whatsoever regarding demons.”
“Your words are most wise.”

The Emperor’s eyes gleamed coldly.

“Take up the sword.”

The Emperor’s order continued.

“There is no mercy for those who have turned their backs on humanity and sided with demons. Root out the turncoats and demons hiding in the Empire and cut them all down.”
“We will obey your command.”

Seraphine, who was eating in the Inspection Headquarters cafeteria, looked at Psyche with a nauseated expression. She clearly had a spatial magic installed in her stomach.

“Inspector Psyche, you really do eat well.”
“Huh?”
“It’s nothing, I was just saying. Keep eating.”

On the other hand, Loen, having seen Psyche like this more than once or twice, simply focused on the meal before her eyes.

Unlike them enjoying a satisfying meal, Seraphine barely ate.
The food quality in the headquarters cafeteria was woefully inadequate to suit the palate of the youngest daughter of a ducal family.

‘Ah, really. It tastes terrible.’

Originally, she should have stopped by a nearby high-class restaurant to enjoy an elegant meal,
but because she was caught by Loen while passing through the corridor and dragged to the cafeteria, she couldn’t do so.

As the meal was nearing its end, Seraphine casually brought up a topic.

“Inspector Loen, have you heard the news?”
“Yes. His Majesty the Emperor has broken his seclusionㅡ.”
“Not that, I mean the news that an imperial banquet is being held this time!”

Seraphine’s expression brightened.
For her, who enjoyed the life of nobility more than anyone, banquets were one of the pleasures she couldn’t miss.

“Ah. Yes. I heard.”

In contrast, Loen’s expression soured.
Unlike some, she was a person who shuddered at the mention of banquets….

“It’s not just any banquet, but an imperial banquet, you know?”
“That’s amazing.”
“..?”

Seraphine was taken aback by Loen’s lukewarm reaction. At that moment, Psyche, who had swallowed her food, chimed in.

“Ah~ I don’t want to go. Do we really have to attend that?”
“Exactly.”

Psyche also disliked banquets just the same. The stiff atmosphere and formal noble banquets were one of the things Psyche hated.

Seraphine asked with an incredulous expression.

“Aren’t you both ducal ladies?”
“That’s right.” “Yes!”
“Then why?”

Seraphine’s eyes wavered at their reaction, which was contrary to common sense.
Come to think of it, they were like this before too.

Even on the rare occasions when Loen attended banquets, she would always hide in some corner. Her stealth ability was truly on par with that of an assassin.

Because of this, Seraphine had never once had a personal conversation with Loen.

Unlike her, Seraphine was always busy sweeping through the banquet hall, leading her group of admiring young ladies.

The situation was the same for Psyche.
Because she disliked the uncomfortable attention due to her dragon race’s distinctive tail and horns, she had stopped attending banquets altogether at some point.

Recalling these facts, Seraphine cautiously asked.

“You two… surely you’re not planning to skip this imperial banquet, are you?”

Psyche and Loen made eye contact. And simultaneously let out a sigh.
Haah.

“We have to attend. It’s a celebration of His Majesty the Emperor’s return after all.”
“I’m glad you’re attending.”

Seraphine hesitated for a moment.
Normally, she wouldn’t have cared about their attire, but having formed a bond with them in the Inspection Corps, she couldn’t ignore it this time.

‘I’ll specially help you out.’

Having made a big decision, Seraphine suggested to Loen that they go get dresses fitted together.

“A dress? I’d have to be crazy to wear that.”
“…… Then what are you planning to wear?”

Seraphine asked in bewilderment towards Loen, who suddenly turned serious.
In response to her question, Loen pointed at her own body with her finger.

“My uniform.”
“Wow, Loen! You’re really a genius? Why didn’t I think of that?”

Psyche slapped her forehead.
As expected of Loen!

Seraphine rubbed her forehead.
What in the world.

‘Both of your parents must have had a hard time..’

It’s not that there are absolutely no people who wear military uniforms or official uniforms to banquets.
Mostly those in the military or those with low status but high positions do so.

However, it’s a different story for those from upper nobility.
Unless there are special circumstances, it was common courtesy to wear formal attire or dresses.

‘If you ignore etiquette, the Duchess Franz won’t stay quiet..’

“Anyway, I understand. Then I’ll see you at the imperial banquet. I have to go get my dress fitted, so I’ll be going now.”

Seraphine stood up from her seat, receiving farewells from Loen and Psyche.

Psyche, who had been staring blankly at Seraphine disappearing with a nauseated expression, soon turned her head and asked Loen.

“Loen. I’m just asking in case… can I attend the imperial banquet together with you?”
“With me?”
“Yes. The only family I have is my father and me. But since my father is far away in Arteum, he can’t come. So I have to enter alone..”
“Alright.”
“Eh? Really? As expected of Loen!”

Apparently not expecting such easy permission, Psyche hugged Loen with a touched expression.

In fact, from Loen’s perspective, accompanying Psyche wasn’t a particularly difficult thing.

She was planning to attend separately from her family anyway!

For reference, it was customary for any notable noble of the Empire to attend important occasions like imperial banquets as a ‘family unit’ rather than as individuals.

This was also to showcase the family’s status and demonstrate their influence.

Therefore, Loen too should have returned to the mansion and headed to the imperial palace with her family.

‘But if I do that, I’ll end up being caught by mother and dragged to the banquet hall decked out in a dress and all sorts of accessories.’

She hated that idea to death, so she decided to just attend alone.

Since she belonged to the Inspection Corps anyway, attending the banquet in uniform wouldn’t be seen as strange.

The Emperor also doesn’t care much about formalities, so such behavior wouldn’t be a problem.

In the end, Loen decided to attend the imperial banquet wearing the Inspection Corps uniform together with Psyche.

The first day of the imperial banquet.
Numerous figures gathered in the dazzlingly splendid banquet hall.

Each and every one of them could hardly be considered ordinary individuals, they were all formidable people.

Grand dukes, dukes, ministers, corps commanders, and so on.
The core power players who moved the Empire could be spotted throughout the banquet hall.

This was only natural, as the imperial banquet was not just a simple banquet.
This place was a diplomatic stage and a field of power.

Those full of ambition moved busily to find allies who would further solidify their power.

They formed alliances while calculating their respective interests, keeping each other in check and looking for opportunities.

Their appearance was reminiscent of daggers hidden behind smiles.

Amidst all this, elegant music continued to play.

As the banquet gradually heated up.

The booming voice of the imperial butler cut across the banquet hall.

“Entering is Loen Franz, eldest daughter of Duke Franz and member of the Imperial Inspection Corps!”

Following that, an announcement about the dragon princess entering was heard, but only Loen’s name echoed in people’s ears.

In an instant, the banquet hall was dyed in silence.

People stopped their glasses midway and turned their gazes to the entrance of the banquet hall all at once.

How could they not be interested when she who had been at the center of rumors until recently had arrived?

At last, Loen slowly revealed herself between the wide open doors.

Cold eyes and a fierce impression.
Below that, the tightly fastened Inspection Corps uniform.

Her appearance was quite different from other ducal family scions.
Rather, it was excessively intimidating.

“The Inspection Corps uniform?”
“She’s certainly full of sharp edges.”
“The rumors weren’t exaggerated.”

People whispered. It was because she was no different from the rumors at all.

Meanwhile, Seraphine, surrounded by her group of followers, couldn’t hide her shock.

‘What in the world?’

It was because of Loen’s appearance, which looked more like she had come to carry out a purge rather than attend a banquet.
It was simply mind-boggling.

On top of that, seeing Psyche following behind her with her tail swishing made it even more unbelievable.

She glanced at Duke and Duchess Franz, and it seemed they were in the same situation.

The Duchess Franz’s pupils were trembling so much it could be felt even from here.

“..”

Seraphine, who had intended to greet Loen warmly, immediately withdrew that plan.

And silently turned her gaze in the opposite direction.