I Became a Civil Servant Who Can Use Magic

The time for the hunt has come.

100 years ago, on the very day the Great Purge began.
Under the Emperor’s decree, the Inspection Corps’ slogan covered the entire Empire.

The authority for summary execution.

This unprecedented authority, which shocked everyone, was first placed in the hands of the Inspection Corps at this time. From this point on, countless heads lost their owners and rolled on the ground.

The blood of traitors flowed like a flood throughout the Empire, and numerous noble families disappeared into the annals of history.

Kingdoms were demoted to duchies.
Only four of the seven kings remained as grand dukes, clinging to life.
Among the ducal families below them, only ten survived.

Thus, the era when the Emperor and nobles jointly held power came to an end.

The Imperial Inspection Corps, which led the purge, was called the Emperor’s hunting dog and became a symbol of fear and authority.

No one could stand beside the Emperor anymore.

The Great Purge, which lasted for several years, ended like that.

And as time passed, now.

The slogan from the time of the Great Purge once again echoed from the Inspection Corps Director’s mouth.

“Time for the hunt..”

Loen unconsciously muttered the slogan. Psyche’s situation was not much different.

As imperial nobles, they naturally learned about the Empire’s history. It was essential knowledge, of course.
Therefore, they knew well about the Great Purge. The same goes for the Inspection Corps’ slogan.

As such, the Director’s words came as an even greater shock.

“Open the letter, Loen.”
“Yes.”

Loen swallowed and unfolded the letter.

The Emperor’s secret decree written in the letter,
Just one line.

==
Behead the turncoats and demons and purify the Empire with their blood.

The moment Loen’s gaze touched the last word, the Director spoke.

“His Majesty has granted you special discretionary power.”

After finishing his words, he held out a thick report.
Loen’s expression gradually hardened as she carefully received and opened the report.

It contained numerous materials about ‘turncoats’ and ‘demons’ that the Inspection Corps had been secretly investigating over a long period of time.

‘The scale is… much larger than I thought?’

She had believed that the current Empire was firmly maintained under the Emperor’s absolute power.
However, while reading the report, she realized.
The Empire was already slowly rotting from unseen places.

The number of those involved with demons was considerable, and their influence was not to be ignored.

She asked the Director.

“I have a question.”
“Ask.”
“What’s the reason these people choose to side with demons?”
“The reason is obvious. Dissatisfaction with the current system. They’re dissatisfied that His Majesty holds all the power.”

The Director continued.

“The Empire’s territory is vast. It covers two-thirds of the continent. It’s only natural that some people become dissatisfied when such a vast land is ruled by His Majesty the Emperor alone. The demons must be extending their hands of temptation targeting such aspects.”
“I understand.”

In fact, she had expected this. But actually hearing it was just… absurd.
Loen shook her head inwardly.

At the same time, the Director cleared his throat and declared.

“Purging turncoats and eradicating demons is His Majesty’s will. Therefore, the decree’s name isㅡ.”

The Great Holy War.
It was essentially another name for the Great Purge, which had returned after 100 years.

“Loen. According to the special discretionary power granted by His Majesty, you can now act independently. It means you can move according to your judgment without any restrictions until the Great Holy War ends. However.”

The Director’s eyes gleamed sharply.

“Bring results that will satisfy His Majesty.”
“Understood.”

Loen answered with a subtle expression.
It was because she realized it was a tremendous opportunity while simultaneously feeling tremendous pressure.

“Lastly ……. Well then, I’ll be going now.”

After giving a few instructions, the Director disappeared beyond the garden.

As Loen blankly watched his retreating figure, Psyche’s exclamation reached her ears.

“Wow.. amazing.”

Loen shook her head at Psyche, who was wagging her tail like crazy.
You’re just excited.

“Let’s go too.”
“Yes!”

“Loen, what’s the matter with you?”

Karin worriedly asked about her daughter’s unusual behavior.

Not only did she appear at the banquet in uniform, but now she’s saying she’ll stay one more night at the imperial palace!?

“You, who shudder at the mention of banquets, are voluntarily attending the second day of the banquet?”
“Yes.”

At their daughter’s answer, Carl and Johan exchanged glances.
Something must be going on.

While everyone was lost in thought, Loen suddenly dropped a bombshell.

“Actually, I received the Emperor’s decree to eradicate turncoats.”
“..!”
“What?”

Towards her family who were shocked, Loen made a gesture to keep quiet.

As it was a secret decree, there was no plan for an official announcement.
It was only to be delivered in writing to a small number of people who would carry out the decree.

However, strict confidentiality wasn’t required.
She was informed that it could be shared in advance with trustworthy individuals.

Thus, Loen revealed the truth to her family.

“I don’t know exactly how things will unfold either. But I can be certain of one thing. A considerable number of families will face ruin.”
“Hmm.”

At Loen’s words, her family’s expressions darkened rapidly.
As members of a long-established ducal family, they immediately grasped the meaning of Loen’s words.

“It’s essentially a second Great Purge, then.”
“The official name is the Great Holy War.”

Loen corrected her father’s words.

“The reason I’m revealing this is.. because I’ve been granted special discretionary power, allowing me to move as I wish.”

At those words, Johan’s eyes widened.

“As you wish, sister?”
“Yes.”
“Then this is a golden opportunity from our family’s perspective.”

Loen silently nodded.

When corpses pile up to form a huge mountain, it soon becomes a new staircase,
someone’s downfall meant someone else’s ascension.

Moreover, since she was given the authority to set the stage, there was no need to worry about whether they could ride the tide.

Through this Great Holy War, the Franz family would take another leap forward.

That was the plan.

Having finished her thoughts, Loen asked Johan.

“The Franz family’s main business is magic item production, right?”
“That’s right. In addition, we’re also dabbling in weapon manufacturing, but it’s not easy due to checks from other families.”

The Franz family dominates the market as a leader in magic item production, supplying potions, scrolls, magic artifacts, and so on.

The family took a step further and entered weapon and armor production to establish a magical weapon manufacturing business.

However, according to Johan, the situation wasn’t easy.

Weapon and armor production, weapon manufacturing.
In other words, it means war-related business.

Loen doesn’t know much about the original work.
But she knows enough that war will intensify more than now.

Therefore, she can assert that the importance of war-related business is very great.

If so….

“Then let’s start by dealing with the Donnelly ducal family.”

Coincidentally, the Donnelly family, which has a tight grip on war-related industries, was also included in the list of turncoats. It was an amazing coincidence.

Conversely, it might be that they became more greedy because they held such a business.

“Sister…. Is that alright?”
“It’s fine because they’re included in the eradication targets.”
“I see..”
“..Ahem.”

The family made ambiguous expressions towards Loen, who suddenly called for the eradication of a ducal family.

Clearly, it’s a golden opportunity that will greatly help the family.
But because savage words like turncoat eradication are pouring out of Loen’s mouth, they’re worried….
And wondering if it’s not too much blood on her hands….

Towards them, Loen spoke in a firm tone.

“Please prepare so that we can absorb the Donnelly ducal family’s business before someone else takes it.”

However, the Franz family members weren’t so immature as to be swayed by emotions.
The family nodded with resolute expressions.

“…… Understood, sister.”
“Leave it to us.”

Loen finally relaxed.
Now that she had conveyed everything she needed to say, she decided to return to her room and rest.

“Then I’ll be returning to my room now.”
“Get some good rest.”

As Loen was about to leave the room like this, she hesitated, turned her head, and carefully asked.

“Are you planning to attend the banquet tomorrow as well?”
“Yes, we are.”
“Um, tomorrow, it’s.. better if you attend late. Since I have something to do at the banquet hall..”
“..I see.”

The family didn’t inquire further.

The second day of the banquet.

The banquet hall was still bustling with people.
However, the level of attendees seemed lower compared to the first day.

Recalling the implicit rule of attending on different days according to one’s fame or power, this was a natural sight.

Of course, not everyone was like that.

There were also some who deliberately attended late to emphasize their lack of desire for power.

The ruler of the Southern Duchy, currently surrounded by people,
Grand Duke White was such a person.

Known for his usual unpretentiousness, he led the atmosphere of the banquet hall with a good-natured smile.

“To think that the 2nd Imperial Princess would appear on the second day of the banquet, it’s truly unexpected.”
“I had urgent matters to report to His Majesty, so I couldn’t attend on the first day of the banquet.”

For reference, by the Emperor’s order, his children were called 1st Imperial Prince, 2nd Imperial Princess, 3rd Imperial Prince, and so on, regardless of gender.

“To the extent of reporting separately! His Majesty must trust Your Highness a lot.”
“Not particularly. My older brother and younger sibling also reported together.”

As a rule, among those who claim to have no interest in power, few truly stay away from it.
The Grand Duke White in front of Elia is no exception.

Although he’s wearing a generous smile on the outside, Elia saw through the vicious nature hidden beneath.

However, she was just getting along with him moderately because she needed his influence.

By the way, the only person Elia knew who had no desire for power was Loen Franz.
Although recent rumors made her wonder if she had changed her mind.
Anyway, that’s how it was.

‘Come to think of it, has Loen returned to the capital by now? I thought I’d see her face after a long time, but then again, she’s hated banquets terribly since childhoodㅡ.’

Bang!
Elia’s thoughts were cut off there.

It was because a loud noise and the butler’s flustered voice were heard from the entrance of the banquet hall.

“L-Lady Loen Franz, eldest daughter of Duke Franz… is entering… and also… Seraphine Bastard….”

Thump thump.
Soon after, three inspectors in full uniform entered the banquet hall. They walked briskly towards Grand Duke White.

Elia’s mouth fell open at this surreal sight.

‘L-Loen? Beside her is Lady Seraphine? And next to her is even the Dragon Princess?’

The group of inspectors crossed the banquet hall and arrived in front of the Grand Duke. Then Seraphine stepped forward and shouted loudly.

“Grand Duke White! We are placing you under emergency arrest on charges of treason against the Empire!”
“….”

The banquet hall began to stir.

What did she just say? Arresting a Grand Duke at the imperial banquet? With the Imperial Princess present?
Isn’t this going too far even for inspectors? Is there evidence?

Such words burst out here and there.

Imperial Princess Elia also couldn’t hide her surprise.
She hadn’t received any hint about this from her father.

Grand Duke White glanced at the princess.
He was certain from the princess’s surprised look that this was the Inspection Corps’ independent action.

The confident Grand Duke stood up. And retorted with a dignified posture.

“I’ve dedicated my whole life to the Empire, yet treason! Even if you’re inspectors, trying to arrest a Grand Duke without solid evidence is clearly crossing the line!”

Seraphine unwittingly became flustered at the surrounding whispers and the Grand Duke’s confident attitude.
Huh? This isn’t the reaction I expected?

However, Seraphine, before being an inspector, was a ducal lady who ruled the social world.
If it was a battle of words, she was confident too.

Soon, an argument began between the Grand Duke and Seraphine.

What are they trying to do..
Loen, watching with her arms crossed from behind, secretly let out a sigh.

On the day they received the secret decree, the Director instructed Loen and Seraphine to carry out the operation to arrest Grand Duke White. Independent action according to special discretionary power was to come after that.

Anyway, Seraphine, who was very excited, asked to lead the arrest herself, and Loen said go ahead.

It was just an arrest, so she thought what could be difficult about it.

But now they’re just arguing like this….
It was frustrating for Loen.

She guessed that because Seraphine had been performing missions with the enforcement team members, she had no direct experience facing noble resistance.
To begin with, it was rare for nobles to be so defiant in front of inspectors.

“Grand Duke White, are you disobeying an inspector’s orders now?”
“I’m not disobeying, I’m asking if you have definitive evidence that I committed treason.”
“The evidence.. will be explained after the arrestㅡ.”

The Grand Duke cut off Seraphine’s words with a sneer.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen someone suddenly trying to arrest a Grand Duke at a banquet celebrating His Majesty the Emperor’s return. Is it alright for the Inspection Corps to act in a way that damages His Majesty’s authority?”
“That’s not..”

However, it was true that they had suddenly burst into the banquet hall under the Director’s orders, so Seraphine gradually shrank back. Meanwhile, the Grand Duke’s shoulders rose higher.

“Don’t forget that the 2nd Imperial Princess is sitting right beside me..”

This is why you shouldn’t give them a chance to speak.
Loen, who couldn’t stand watching anymore, stepped forward.

Mana sword.
She grasped a sword in her hand and walked forward.
And immediately cut off the Grand Duke’s hand that was pointing at Seraphine.

Slash!
The splattered blood sprayed onto the face of the nearby princess.

“Eh?”
“Huh?”

A groan escaped from the princess’s mouth as if she couldn’t understand the situation at all.
Seraphine was in the same situation.

Crazy. Cutting off a Grand Duke’s hand in the imperial banquet hall..?
Sensing that the situation was not normal, the nobles quickly covered their mouths.

The Grand Duke, whose wrist was cut off in the blink of an eye, screamed and rolled on the floor.

“Aaargh!”

Soon after, a scream that seemed to tear the air shook the banquet hall.

Loen looked down at the Grand Duke indifferently while flicking the blood off her sword.
After quietly watching the Grand Duke rolling on the floor, she nodded slightly.

“Psyche, drag him away.”

“Yes!”