The next day, after finishing all my duties and returning to the office,
I was reviewing the contents that needed to be reported after roughly tidying up the aftermath.
During that time, I received a report from Adina, who was guarding outside the door, that someone had come looking for me.
“Have they arrived already?”
The identity of those who had come looking for me was obvious.
If there were two noble men in formal attire, there was no need to look further—they were undoubtedly from the Royal Internal Affairs Bureau, and their reason for coming here was to comprehensively evaluate the performance of me, as the manager of Blackmore.
Ranging from assessing the area under my administration on a large scale to scrutinizing my conduct as a magistrate on finer details.
Of course, given that I had been preparing for this day, there was nothing they could find fault with, so frankly, I wasn’t too worried.
To begin with, there was no need to worry.
At least here in Blackmore, I am as good as the king.
Whoever I command or how I manage things, as long as I don’t cross the line, even the royal court can’t openly interfere.
That is the nature of the authority given to special inspectors.
As long as one pays attention to the few restrictions set by the royal court, there is no need to fret unnecessarily.
Factually, it was merely a formality, but the reason I cared so much was due to convention.
After all, I’m just a low-level magistrate without influential backing.
Leaving a bad impression would serve no purpose whatsoever, and their evaluation of me would undoubtedly significantly impact my future promotions.
That’s why upon arriving at the office, I had organized the report and cleared the path to make a good impression.
If I were to continue living off my salary as a civil servant, I needed to leave them a positive impression.
If I ingrained the perception of my competence in their minds, they would appreciate it and might place me in a key position in the future.
“Adina.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Please escort them here. Do so respectfully, and refrain from making any unnecessary comments.”
“Me? I can’t show such courtesy to the royal dogs… unless I do it for your sake!”
“Shall I call Rudine instead?”
“…But I’ll tolerate it for your sake!”
Adina roughly turned her head and left the office in quick strides.
The effects of the recent household discipline were evident.
I turned my head back and tidied the desk while pouring the tea I had prepared in advance into a teacup and whistled casually.
“Good weather, isn’t it?”
Kraton, the Chief Director of the Internal Affairs Bureau,
and Arda Merdaile, a high minister of the Empire.
As they were being led by unidentified men, they cautiously looked around with heightened tensions.
The office was not only immaculate, but strangely crowded with people.
Roughly twenty people, by estimation?
Even along the pathways, there were guards posted at every corner, and the astonishing fact was… according to the whispers of the guards, each of these individuals possessed strength comparable to the Masters of the Star Sect, known as elite fighters.
Not just one or two—there were a minimum of twenty of them… and all within one place, individuals recognized even in the Empire for their formidable power, following a mere low-level magistrate?
For outsiders, the situation was beyond perplexing.
Upon reaching the entrance of the office, Adina waited quietly, examining them from head to toe.
With a casual tone, she said,
“My name’s Adina. Let me… guide you to the reception room.”
The triangular ears twitching,
the lush silver tail swaying,
confirmed features that shouldn’t naturally belong to any human. Their faces momentarily filled with deep curiosity and bewilderment.
There was no other way.
This was clearly…
“Beastman…?”
Beastman.
A race that celebrates combat and reveres strength.
A race known for their unyielding nature, living separately from humans in tight-knit isolated groups.
But just why was such a race here now…
“…Minister, they’re not just Beastmen.”
“Explain further.”
“Judging from the white-tail and violet irises, she seems to be a member of the White-Haired Tribe.”
“…Did you say the White-Haired Tribe?”
The White-Haired Tribe (White Fur Tribe).
One of the three great Beastman clans descended from divine beasts, famous for their unique line-of-sight magic based on their racial white energy.
They were notorious even among Beastmen for their hostility towards humans.
Since they were highly cohesive and belligerent, the royal court generally avoided friction with them.
“What exactly is the White-Haired Tribe doing here?”
“…I have no idea.”
They moved forward with expressions of bewilderment.
A certain rumor that had once buzzed in the social circles suddenly surfaced in their minds.
The ridiculous claim that Luke Richter was behind the Empire’s shadow operations.
Then,
“Come in.”
Adina opened the door and spoke.
Inside, they saw a slender young boy seated leisurely sipping tea.
Though his attire and surroundings seemed meticulously set for formalities, his face remained as frozen as someone devoid of emotion.
“An honor to meet you. I am Luke Richter, specially appointed as an inspector.”
“I’m Kraton, Chief Director of the Internal Affairs Bureau. The one beside me is Minister Arda Merdaile.”
“Fortunately, the tea hasn’t cooled. Please take a seat.”
His calm voice.
Though formalities were clearly observed, the sound of his voice was indifferent and cool, making it impossible to relax.
Now, they too finally had an inkling.
Over twenty Masters-strong enforcers following him, connections with the White-Haired Tribe.
Their decades of experience in the royal court suggested the same.
This man was not a mere low-level magistrate.
“Would it be alright if I ask something directly?”
“Feel free to ask anything.”
“I noticed earlier that your office was being guarded by extraordinary individuals. Are they your direct subordinates as I’ve heard?”
“…”
He hesitated for a moment, seemingly contemplating something, then nodded.
“As you heard.”
Instantly, the room fell silent.
A strange stillness permeated the air before they spoke again.
“When we arrived, our guide was a Beastman.”
“Could it be… did they offend you in any way?”
“No, not at all. I’m merely curious about how you came to establish a relationship with the White-Haired Tribe.”
“Ah, it was quite accidental.”
“Accidental? The White-Haired Tribe and a human?”
“Yes, it just happened.”
Sitting across from them, Luke sighed and gave a self-mocking smile.
This was because the image of her puncturing the roof to supposedly guard the house flashed through his mind.
Though it was just a fleeting expression, the minister noticed it and swallowed hard.
“Have your curiosities been resolved? May we now proceed with the report?”
“…Let’s.”
“First, I will provide a detailed report on the exploration status of the assigned investigation area.”
Luke smoothly recited the prepared lines like flowing water.
Having lived as a modern man for many years, it was no hard task for him to neatly summarize the prepared contents.
After all, it was just a formal report.
Kraton and Arda, sitting opposite Luke, stared at him with disbelief.
Just as the report was underway, Arda suddenly interrupted in surprise.
“Hold on. You’ve explored a dungeon?”
“Yes.”
“What is the name of the dungeon?”
“Tartajan.”
Luke and Kraton exchanged glances.
Kraton sighed in incredulity.
That wasn’t all.
“There’s no need to worry about the Shadow Guild. I’ve received assurance from Arkhan, the Grand Lord, that they will no longer hold me accountable.”
The leader of the mighty Arkhan Guild that divided the continent into four.
Seeing that he spoke casually as though having a personal connection with Arkhan, one of the top powerhouses of the Empire, left them in awe.
“Here’s the list of demon beasts dealt with so far.”
“…Isn’t that an excessive number?”
The bodies have been separately collected at the rear.”
“…”
It’s already in the triple digits.
…He dealt with all of these?
“Did you… handle all these demon beasts yourself?”
“Oh, I have friends who guard my home.”
“Guardians…?”
As he pointed his fingertip towards the window,
Kraton and Arda couldn’t help but gasp at the startling scene.
Just moments ago, the White-Haired Tribe Beastman was fiercely burning approaching demon beasts with a bone-chilling aura.
Next to her, a silver-haired girl was wielding a dagger in the air, slicing through the demon beasts with tremendous invisible lines.
The sight left the two men with a complex mixture of feelings.
As Luke watched their reaction, he asked,
“Are your curiosities resolved?”
To them, his words seemed strangely eerie.
They sat dumbfounded, carefully choosing their words when,
Creak.
An ominous sound came from the ceiling.
It was due to the hole that Adina had made earlier while attempting to capture a demon beast, which hadn’t yet been repaired.
Cracks spread like spiderwebs.
Their eyes instinctively moved to the ceiling.
And then…
Crash!
Before they could speak, debris from the ceiling began to fall.
As they hurriedly tried to dodge their seats, they paused momentarily.
This was because the tattoo below Luke’s right eye glowed faintly blue as he sat there calmly watching the ceiling.
Subsequently,
“…”
As he muttered something under his breath,
“…”
“!!!!”
The falling fragments froze in mid-air as if preserved.
It was as though the space where they were had become a vacuum—such an unnatural spectacle.
Luke then rose nonchalantly from his seat.
He leisurely walked over as if taking a stroll and picked up the suspended fragments hovering above the two men’s heads.
After calmly moving each one to the side, he muttered something again,
Kaboom!
The fragments cascaded down.
The countless pieces that had filled the air plunged directly onto the floor, sparing only the space where Kraton and Arda stood.
“…”
Kraton and Arda’s faces visibly blanched.
They alternately glanced at their previous seats and then at Luke.
He scratched his head and said,
“Apologies. It appears the repair is incomplete.”
He gave a light-hearted laugh,
as if nothing had happened.
