Chapter 4

“…I-is that so?”

Ryan faltered, suddenly at a loss for words.  

Despite being less competent than Rodella, Ryan had become her superior through noble connections—what people called the cartel.  

He constantly picked fights with her under the pretense of “discipline.”  

But just like this time, Rodella always managed to slip through his grip with ease.  

The real issue was that, despite seemingly spending most of his working hours nitpicking her, Ryan was getting promoted faster.  

He was even rumored to be in line for another promotion by the end of the year.  

Meanwhile, Rodella had been stuck in the same position for years.  

The longer she stayed, the more responsibilities she took on—but somehow, her title never changed.  

The reason was obvious.  

In the General Affairs Department, the nobles backed each other up, pulling strings to make sure “their people” got ahead.  

At this rate, she might never move up the so-called ladder.  

Rodella smiled serenely, thinking to herself:  

‘One day, I’ll make each of you cough up everything you stole, down to the last illegal coin.’ 

It was just then—  

— Thump thump. 

“What!?”  

Ryan’s voice snapped as a knock split the silence.  

A clerk from the General Affairs Department poked their head timidly through the door.  

“Um… the Chancellor is asking for you.”  

At those words, Ryan’s face lit up.  

“For me? Why?”  

‘To praise me for this, perhaps?’

He had already forgotten the credit he claimed was actually Rodella’s work.  

But the clerk’s eyes turned not to him—but to Rodella.  

“No, he’s asking for Dame Syveric.”  

“…What?”  

Their faces shifted in unison—Ryan in disbelief, thinking ‘Why would he call someone like her?’

And Rodella… puzzled.  

‘What could this be about?’  

Was there anything that would require the Chancellor to summon her directly?  

Only one possibility came to mind for someone who knew the inner workings of the department like she did.  

‘Could it be an emergency?’ 

“I’ll head there right away,” she said, turning on her heel.

* * *

A short while later, Rodella stood before the Chancellor’s office, her expression tense.  

— Thump, thump.

“Chancellor, this is Rodella Syveric.”

A response came immediately.  

“Come in.”  A warm yet commanding voice.  

Rodella tried to steady the nervous flutter in her chest as she opened the door.  

“You called for me?”  She bowed politely.  

When she lifted her gaze slightly, she saw the back of the Chancellor—her short, ashen-gray hair neatly cut.  

The eyes that turned slightly to glance at her were a stark, jet black.  

A glint flashed off the signature black-rimmed glasses she wore.  

Many clerks tensed up every time she adjusted them, but Rodella had always admired the Chancellor for that very presence.  

A woman who could command the atmosphere of an entire room without lifting a single weapon.  

That was Chancellor Ameris.  

When she recognized Rodella’s face, a soft smile spread across Ameris’ lips.  

“You look like you’ve had a hard day again, Rodella.”  

“Not at all,” Rodella shook her head.  

But there was no way Ameris was unaware of the turmoil beneath her.  

She was a chancellor respected across faction lines—even among noble cliques—for her competence.  

“There are far too many who covet what they could never earn through their own ability.”  

Ameris narrowed her eyes slightly.  

Her long lashes cast a glimmer of regret.  

“And because of that, people of worth end up suffering.”  

She crossed her arms, still smiling.  

Rodella had to try with all her might to hide her expression.  

‘Yes. Exactly. Those bastards.’

But she couldn’t very well cheer in agreement.

“Still, there are some things they can never take.”  

With those words, Ameris gently motioned for her to sit.  

“If I were to offer you something like that—something they can’t steal—would you be willing to take it?”  

Something they can’t take from her?  

Rodella blinked, lips pressing together.  

She didn’t know what it was—but she could sense it was a genuine opportunity.  

“If it’s within my ability, I’d gladly do it.”  

Ameris’ eyes narrowed with approval.  

“In fact, I doubt there’s anyone else in the entire General Affairs Department—or this empire—who could do it better than you, Rodella Syveric.”  

“Oh, come now.”  

Rodella waved her hand modestly, assuming it was just polite flattery.  

But Ameris was utterly serious.  

“I mean it. Still, you’re free to say no.”  

She sat across from Rodella, placing a tray with a teapot and teacups down on the table.  

Rodella didn’t allow the discourtesy of letting the Chancellor pour for her.  

With practiced poise, she took the pot and gently began to pour.  

— Trickle…

As the tea flowed, Ameris spoke.  

“Rodella. Would you go to the Azure Knights?”  

“…Pardon?”  

Rodella nearly spilled the tea.  

Ameris smiled, as if understanding her shock.  

In the General Affairs Department, a posting to the Azure Knights was tantamount to a death sentence.  

Officials were regularly sent to oversee their finances, only to return badly injured—if they returned at all.  

It was whispered among the staff as a career graveyard. A one-way ticket to resignation.  

Rodella’s lips felt dry.  

“I know it’s dangerous. The Azure Knights aren’t exactly known for their self-control.”  

Ameris sighed.  

The empire had two major knight orders: the Red Knights and the Azure Knights.  

And the Azure Knights…well, they were unique. Maybe too unique.  

The nicknames they’d earned said it all:  

“The Empire’s Legalized Wrecking Crew.”  

“Natural Disasters in Uniform.”  

“A Unit That Could Fend Off Hellhounds.”  

And as grim as the nicknames were, that last one was meant to be a compliment.  

Because despite the destruction—they always managed to save lives.

During the war, the Empire had poured a vast sum into training the Red and Azure Knight Orders. But when the war ended and the number of monsters plummeted, the knights found themselves with little to do.  

With their manpower going to waste, the orders were eventually tasked with handling domestic incidents within the Empire as well.  

However, the two orders—now in the same situation—couldn’t have approached their work more differently.  

The Azure Knights almost always ensured the survival of civilians caught in incidents.  

They had an astounding record: more than 98% of victims were rescued alive, no matter how dire the situation.  

It was no exaggeration to say they could stop even the hounds of hell.  

But there was one major issue.  

Every. Single. Time.  

Buildings were destroyed.  

Houses, historical landmarks, bridges connecting the heart of the Empire—nothing could withstand their path.  

All of it, sacrificed under the strict principle of the Azure Knights: “Lives First.”  

Their dedication to that ideal led to catastrophe after catastrophe.  

The Red Knights, on the other hand?  

They had an abysmal hostage recovery rate—below 40%.  

But property damage? Virtually nonexistent.  

Red and Azure.  

Their names, their methods, their results—complete opposites.  

Of course, for the common folk with no wealth, saving lives was more important than buildings.  

So the Azure Knights were hailed as heroes.  

But for nobles and wealthy merchants—those who actually owned the buildings—it was the Red Knights who earned their favor.  

And since most of the General Affairs Department came from noble families, their relationship with the Azure Knights were… strained, to say the least.  

The two sides often clashed.  

“Orders from above. You’re not to destroy any buildings during this mission.”  

“And did ‘above’ also say it’s okay if people die instead?”  

So went the miraculous logic of Aivert, the Duke of Royden and the Azure Knights’ Vice-Commander.  

Few could argue with it without ending up hospitalized from stress.  

Or worse, those who tried to intervene directly often ended up getting injured by falling debris.  

Rodella’s expression must have shifted as she recalled those overwhelming records, because Ameris gently shook her head.  

“It’s just a proposal. I don’t want you getting hurt either.”  

Rodella—often called the Chancellor’s ‘right hand’—had revolutionized the General Affairs Department since her arrival.  

But because she wasn’t part of any noble cartel, she faced constant envy and pushback.  

That’s why she needed something decisive—an accomplishment so significant no one could dispute her.  

Something that would solidify her as the next Chancellor beyond question.  

“If you manage to fix the Azure Knights’ finances and help them outperform the Red Knights—”  

— Clink.

Ameris raised her teacup, her eyes gleaming.  

“If you can rein in those wild stallions, who would dare not recognize your worth? More importantly…”  

She gently swirled the tea in her cup.  

“Would His Majesty not recognize it?”  

At those words, Rodella’s eyes lit up.  

‘If I succeed where everyone else has failed, the credit will be mine alone. No one could take it from me.’

This was it.  

Risky, yes.  

But the rewards would be undeniable.  

“Well?” Ameris asked.  

This would be a turning point in her life.  

And Rodella—  

“I’ll do it.”  

She had no intention of turning it down.  

‘If all I have to do is turn that rampaging herd into people—and the Chancellor’s seat is right there waiting—why would I say no?’

Fire all but blazed in her eyes.