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Chapter 10 …
Shimmering silver hair, green eyes, and a crescent-moon-shaped smiling gaze.
If the male lead was a cold handsome man with a slight touch of beauty, this one gave off the impression of a mature, relaxed beauty overflowing with ease.
More than anything, the face that looked like the world itself was endlessly amusing made it certain.
‘That person is the head of the Crow Dukedom… and the mastermind.’
The Crow Dukedom was a family that had produced generations of high priests and holy knights.
A typical “smiling on the outside, but filled with pitch-black ambition inside” mastermind-type character.
Perhaps because he was the oldest among the male lead candidates, his skill in manipulating people with words was also top-tier.
‘Even when I was reading the original, I was scared of how well that guy handled people’s emotions.’
Originally, it was also this man who separated the “Black Soil Department” from what should have been under the “Magic Knight Division.”
‘So he could easily find the dark magic artifacts he wanted.’
And as expected of a mastermind, it seemed he could afford to be late even to a meeting full of high-ranking officials.
The Prime Minister clutched his head and let out a groan.
“Crow… again with the tardiness.”
“Apologies, Your Excellency. I was verifying something discovered in this incident, which took time.”
“And what is it?”
“Please take a look at this core.”
As the mastermind opened his palm, a white stone was summoned from within.
‘Huh? That’s the core I had.’
After the incident ended, I had handed that stone to the male lead.
The mastermind raised the core so everyone could see it.
Because it was a white stone, the black crescent-shaped mark in the center stood out clearly.
“This appears to be connected to the recent kidnapping incidents.”
At that moment, murmurs of anxiety spread through the room.
My heart dropped at that word too.
‘Kidnapping incident…?’
I felt like I vaguely remembered reading this part…
Meanwhile, the mastermind continued explaining.
“Since incidents have occurred throughout the capital and across the Empire, it is reasonable to assume Yuriana Crosswell is also a victim.”
“Hm.”
“And this also means the culprits behind it are strong enough to break through even the Imperial Palace barrier.”
After that remark, frantic discussions erupted among the officials.
Eventually, a conclusion was reached.
“…Lord Crow. Then we will provide additional support to your department for resolving this matter.”
“Thank you, Prime Minister.”
“Capture the mastermind as soon as possible.”
“We will live up to expectations.”
It seemed this meeting had ultimately resulted in strengthening the Black Soil Department.
‘Huh. Feels like I just did a favor for the mastermind.’
Well, at least justice was served, so I felt somewhat relieved…
Before leaving the hall, I glanced sideways at Allison being dragged away.
Security personnel from the Magic Knight Division were escorting her.
“L-let go of me! You can’t do this to me!”
“Let’s go quietly, Capless.”
“I worked in the Imperial Palace for 20 years! All because of this—!”
“You will be investigated for attempted murder of a civil servant.”
“…!”
No, why is she acting so shocked?
Even if the verbal abuse got swept under the rug, pushing someone to save herself deserved punishment!
As I was about to leave the hall, the mastermind waved at me.
“Miss Lowell.”
“Ah, greetings.”
“Come here for a moment. I have something to say.”
“W-what…?”
“I heard you personally tore open the core with your own hand.”
“…!”
Ah. So that’s why this wasn’t being ignored.
I had avoided the male lead and Seimous by acting clueless and slipping away from questions.
‘But as expected of the mastermind…?’
Just meeting those eyes made it impossible to even think of an excuse…
Then the mastermind smiled brightly.
“Ha ha!”
Somehow, his laughter sent a chill down my spine in a different way.
He looked at me leisurely and muttered,
“I wonder why our interviewers overlooked such a talent…”
“P-pardon…?”
“Miss Lowell. You should come to our department.”
“…Huh?”
“Why? Isn’t that obvious?”
The mastermind smiled beautifully while looking at my face.
It was astonishing how someone could be both beautiful and terrifying at the same time.
‘And why does he keep smiling?’
He was openly grinning now.
Anyway—calmly refuse while being polite.
“T-thank you for the offer, Lord Crow. But I’ve already received another offer…”
“Ah, I’ll cancel it for you.”
“…Pardon?”
“Oh. Sir Wordsworth.”
The mastermind smiled brightly toward the person behind me.
Behind me stood my hope—Director Theodore Wordsworth!
Unlike his usual gentle demeanor, he looked slightly displeased at the mastermind.
“What are you doing, Lord Crow?”
“I intend to assign Miss Lowell to our department immediately.”
“What…! She already agreed to join our side.”
“Cancel it.”
“…Excuse me?”
The mastermind casually overpowered Director Theodore.
‘So this is the sweet and thrilling taste of power… no, wait!’
Director Theodore’s kind face twisted sharply.
“This is abuse of authority, Lord Crow!”
“Yes, I am aware.”
The surrounding gazes pressed in on me, making my skin tingle.
More than anything, I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
‘What if I really end up in the Black Soil Department?!’
I wanted a lazy, paycheck-stealing life.
Not one where bullets fly overhead and colleagues die left and right.
Just a normal office worker life!
‘This incident ended safely… but what comes next?’
A kidnapping case?
How am I supposed to handle something like that?
‘I’m a complete civilian at heart.’
I want protection, not to be the one protecting others.
Let someone more capable handle those things!
“Um, Lord Crow?”
“Hmm?”
“W-what about recruiting truly willing talent instead of me?”
I was so desperate my social skills completely failed me.
The mastermind looked down at me and smiled faintly.
“Now that I think about it, Miss Crosswell said she wanted to join our department.”
“Yes!”
“Is that decision still the same…?”
“It definitely is!”
“I see…”
The mastermind turned his steps in the opposite direction and nodded toward me with an even more annoying smile.
“Then shall we go and confirm it?”
The Imperial Palace infirmary was close to the “Magic Herb Research Lab.”
The heroine looked very pale, but thankfully her limbs were fine.
However, before anyone could even greet her properly, the mastermind approached first.
“Hello, Miss Crosswell. Sorry for troubling you repeatedly.”
“Ah, no!”
“You were given a psychological evaluation when you took the civil service exam. You were also checked for dark magic infection.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“At that time, you were completely clean, so you avoided punishment. The verbal abuse case was also acknowledged.”
At those words, Yuriana’s eyes widened.
But the mastermind continued, tilting his head slightly.
“However, considering it escalated into a dark magic rampage, it means you are highly vulnerable to mental attacks.”
“Ah…”
“The Imperial Palace has protective magic, so further damage was prevented.”
“……”
“But if you are vulnerable to mental attacks, working in the Black Soil Department could double the risk of death.”
“I-I’m not scared of th—”
“More importantly, we cannot rule out the possibility of others getting caught in it either.”
Yuriana flinched and glanced toward me.
“Even so, do you still want to apply to our department?”
“……”
“We are currently in an emergency situation, after all.”
Her face turned even paler.
I was so anxious I wanted to stomp my feet.
‘Mastermind! Why are you saying it like that?!’
Who would say yes after being scared like that?
‘But it’s the heroine… maybe she won’t waver?’
However, Yuriana lowered her head.
Her entire body trembling.
“I… will withdraw my application to the Black Soil Department…”
For a moment, my mind went blank.
What is this.
The heroine… withdrew her application?
“I’m sorry. Based on what you said, I don’t think I’m suited for the department…”
“I see.”
Not “interesting,” but just “I see”? As expected of a mastermind…
I was losing my mind listening.
‘No! Yuriana is a growth-type heroine!’
We were supposed to grow together and fall in love—why is this so ruthless already?!
‘Wait. If the heroine drops out, what about Seimous?!’
He joined because of rivalry toward the heroine.
But if she’s gone, what happens to Seimous?
The mastermind turned toward Seimous, who had quietly followed behind us.
“Finley. How about you? Are you interested in this work?”
“…Yes. I want to join the Black Soil Department.”
“I see. That’s good.”
I was going insane.
I looked at Seimous in disbelief.
“You… why… why are you applying?”
“Because you’re going to the Black Soil Department.”
“…Huh?”
