I Became a Civil Servant Who Can Use Magic

“It seems you haven’t decided your path yet.”

There were several reasons why Sigvalt suddenly brought this up.

The biggest reason among them was Loen Franz.

It was because she belonged to the ‘Special Observation Targets’.

All individuals who may have a significant impact on the Empire in the future become subjects of observation.

Loen, being the eldest daughter of the Franz family and a member of the Inspection Department, was naturally included in that list.

This doesn’t mean 24-hour close surveillance. It’s just a matter of periodically checking the subject’s activities.

Incidentally, this is also one of the main duties of Imperial Guard members belonging to the Personal Guard who operate behind the scenes.

And in Loen’s case,
She belongs to the friendly category within that.

Friendly, among the three categories of hostile, neutral, and friendly.

Those who are highly likely to greatly contribute to the prosperity of the Empire,
Those who can elevate the glory of His Majesty the Emperor belong here.

Loen had proven her value through her recent missions, so she was changed from ‘neutral’ to ‘friendly’.

This was the reason that made Sigvalt decide to give a little help to this young promising talent who would lead the Empire in the future.

Of course, the obvious signs of wandering in her eyes also played a part.

“Path~?”

Psyche interjected at Sigvalt’s words.

“Hasn’t Loen already decided her path?”
“Me?”
“Yes. Becoming the Director of the Inspection Corps is your dream, isn’t it?”
“…?”

Loen was dumbfounded thanks to Psyche spouting nonsense of historic proportions. Beside her, Sigvalt made a strange misunderstanding, thinking ‘Indeed…’

“On what grounds?”
“Well, that’s..”

Psyche scratched her chin with one hand, recalling her memories.

Unnecessarily intervening in the war, leading an army while calling it a holy war or whatever, sweeping through the Barrier, eliminating the dark mage, purging all the Traditionalists, and even taking charge of the cleanup.

No matter how you look at it, this is….

‘Isn’t this the kind of behavior only someone greedy for achievements would do?’

Even for the Inspection Corps, there’s no obligation to intervene to this extent. Even if a dark mage is involved.

Frankly speaking, when they first met the count, she could have just notified him ‘Your circumstances are none of my business, just pay your taxes on time~’ and ended it there.

And that’s not all.

The noble purge and cleanup could have been just messing around and then dumping everything on the support team.

“Just looking back at her actions in the Barrier, anyone would get the feeling that she wants to become a senior.. that kind of feeling?”

Loen nodded with an expression that suggested it could be so.

Psyche’s words have a point.

There were several opportunities to end the mission even in the middle.
Since the promotion to senior was already confirmed anyway, it wouldn’t have mattered.

‘Yeah.. Why did I work so hard to this extent?’

Of course, it’s partly because she has the personality to see things through once she starts. Even considering that….

Loen leaned back against the backrest, lost in thought.
Psyche and Sigvalt quietly closed their mouths, observing each other’s reactions.

‘When I first joined the Inspection Corps, I was planning to work halfheartedly and retire while being treated as useless.’

Before she knew it, promotion to senior was right around the corner.

‘I was thinking that, but.. just because of that, I can’t ignore the issues right in front of me, can I?’

When Count Pellon was trying to start a rebellion by joining hands with the Red Band, and I might end up dead if I’m not careful, how could I pretend not to know?

It’s the same with the incident in the Grand Duchy.
The Partisans intervened in the successor dispute of the Grand Duchy, and even demonic forces were involved in that situation, so I couldn’t abandon Team Leader and run away.

This time is the same.
When a dark mage is about to become the ruler of a region, it’s a bit… yeah, to just let it slide.

‘And if I think about it carefully….’

Even if I retire and wander the world freely, living an easygoing life, that’s only possible if the Empire remains intact, isn’t it?

If the Empire collapses and the world changes into a gloomy place teeming with demonic forces everywhere, what use would retirement be?

So the conclusion.

Although I got involved in incidents and ended up like this, I had no intention at all of settling down in the Inspection Corps.

‘The conclusion is somewhat ambiguous, but let’s think about it again when we return to headquarters.’

Anyway….

It had already been 4 years since reaching 4-star, so it was about time to start considering 5-star.

In other words, Sigvalt had brought up the topic at an opportune moment.

“A path doesn’t necessarily have to be grandiose. A lifelong aspiration, life goal, grand cause.. rather than such things, just firmly deciding the direction you need to go is enough.”
“Thank you for the advice.”

Loen bowed her head towards him. Regardless of position or status, people who give such advice to others are rare.

Then, suddenly curious, Loen asked Psyche.

“How about you, Psyche. Have you decided your path?”
“Me?”

“My goal is just to live while eating lots of delicious bread, you know? Oh, and it would be even better if I could live as an inspector without hearing my dad’s nagging for the rest of my life.”
“So you have no thoughts.”
“Huh?”
“It’s a joke.”
“Ah.”

Sigvalt momentarily confused Psyche with a joke that wasn’t really a joke.

However, even though he said that, he didn’t really think Psyche had no thoughts.
After all, she was walking a simple but firm path.

Watching that scene, Loen then asked Sigvalt.

“How about you, Mr. Sigvalt?”
“Revenge.”
“Hmm.”
“The path I first walked was revenge against someone. Of course, now I’ve achieved my goal and am walking a new path. But that’s how it was then.”
“I see.”
“Anyway, don’t think about it too grandly.”

With those final words, Sigvalt closed his mouth.
Loen also turned her head again and stared blankly at the scenery outside the window.

From the Barrier to the outside, and then to the eastern metropolis,
After changing to a train, the group finally arrived in the imperial capital.

“It was a short time, but it was pleasant meeting you.”
“Me too.”
“Take care!”

Sigvalt responded with a smile, lifting the corners of his mouth.

“I hope we can meet again if the opportunity arises.”

He immediately turned and disappeared into the crowd.

“Let’s go too.”
“Yes! But before we part, can’t we stop by a bakery together?”
“Why a bakery?”
“It’s boring to go alone.”
“Alright.”

Saying her goal is to eat lots of bread, how nice to be so simple.
Loen suddenly envied Psyche.

The day after returning to the imperial capital.
As soon as Loen arrived at headquarters, she was called to the Director’s office.

Slam.
As soon as Loen arrived at the door, it opened by itself as usual.

Loen walked inside.

“Director. It’s Investigator Loen.”

As expected.
As always, Director Muston, lazing on the sofa after arriving at work, came into view.

“You’ve come.”

Muston got up from the sofa and approached Loen. Then he stretched out one hand, grabbed Loen’s shoulder, and started shaking it while laughing.

“Indeed, I have a good eye for people. Don’t you think?”
“Pardon?”

Pretending not to know even in this situation.
Muston laughed inwardly.

“I’ve already heard news about you from the Eastern Branch Director.”

Judging from Muston’s expression, Loen could see it wasn’t a reprimand, but closer to praise.

“There was no need to intervene so deeply. Were you itching to get an early promotion? If so, I understand.”
“What do you mean by that..”

Loen was flustered by Director Muston, who was just blurting out whatever he wanted to say.

“As expected of Carl Franz’s daughter. Are you going to keep playing dumb till the end? Anyway.”

The Director leaned in and whispered.

“I’ve specially leaked some information to a few people in advance. By now, rumors have probably spread throughout the entire headquarters.”

Rumors in headquarters? Already?
Cold sweat ran down Loen’s back.

“There won’t be anyone anywhere who will question your early promotion anymore. I guarantee it.”

Director Muston winked as he said this.
Loen gave an awkward smile in response.

“Anyway, you must have had a hard time going all the way to the frontier and back.”
“Not at all.”
“Heh, what do you mean not at all.”

Muston chuckled and patted Loen’s shoulder. He was so strong that Loen’s arm momentarily went limp from the impact.
Suddenly, the smile disappeared from his face.

“Senior Investigator Loen.”
“Yes.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”

Seeing Loen’s still calm appearance, Muston’s expression softened and he laughed heartily.
It seems she hasn’t fully realized it yet.

‘Well, rather than jumping around excitedly, acting calmly like this suits the Inspection Corps better. It’s like seeing my younger self.’

For reference, Director Muston has an energetic personality that’s the opposite of Loen’s. When he became a senior, he even let out a loud roar of joy right there.

Muston, lost in reminiscence while looking at Loen, said:

“How old are you again?”
“Twenty-one years old.”

Since the year changed while staying in the Barrier, she’s now 21 years old.

“The birth of the youngest Senior Investigator. Senior Loen. I look forward to your future actions.”
“Yes. I’ll… do my best not to disappoint your expectations.”

Finally, Muston sent Loen out of the Director’s office.

Saying that her team members were waiting.