Chapter 132
Chapter 132
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Translator: Penny
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: The Bureau Chief's Visit
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I greeted him, but there was no response. It was a greeting right in front of his face, even making eye contact, so there was no way he hadn't seen it.
He wasn't the type to ignore someone like that or make them feel awkward. While Belluna was pondering, Aleng covered his mouth with his fist and let out a small cough.
"Sorry about that. I was lost in thought for a moment, so my greeting was late. Researcher Belluna, it's been a while. Good to see you too."
Aleng extended his hand for a shake first. She lightly grasped it and shook.
Aleng's head turned slightly. He glanced at Guchi and Inebil sitting in the room.
"They're not from our research institute. Please understand that they might not know who you are, sir."
"It's fine. I'm not going around expecting greetings."
"Thank you for being so gracious."
Aleng stroked his chin beard. It was as neatly trimmed as it had been half a year ago.
A mustache perfectly symmetrical on either side of his philtrum, and a chin beard smoothly covering his jawline. The rumor that he spent over an hour just grooming his beard and checking his attire was clearly true. And there was his trademark pocket watch hanging from his pocket.
Aleng, the bureau chief, was the perfect example of what it meant to age with dignified maturity.
"Those people over there must be guests of Kalligo and the legion commander."
Belluna responded with a slender smile instead of words.
"Didn't you bring an escort?"
"It takes time to go through the procedures, so I came alone today."
"Then let me prepare some tea for you."
"No need. It'd just get me in trouble for bothering a busy person with errands. More importantly, that child?"
Aleng turned his body. He stared straight at Charlotte lying in the isolation room.
She took a step forward and stood beside Aleng.
"What that means is..."
"I'm well aware of the survival tactics of Kea researchers. But don't worry. I have no intention of pressuring you politically. I just want a little hint—whether what I heard by chance is true or just a rumor."
"It seems we have ears like yours in our midst too, sir. I wasn't aware."
"The true power of the empire's ruler lies in control over the Think Tanks. Especially here in Kea, which has very high importance and is under His Majesty's special oversight, so I take some interest."
"I see."
Aleng asked again.
"How dangerous is the power that child possesses?"
"It's hard to give an exact report at this stage. Each researcher is doing their best to quantify it, but it will take time."
"When was the first time I met you?"
"Eight years ago."
"I remember. You were active as a senior-level researcher even in your early twenties. If I'd paid attention to you back then, our conversation now might be a bit smoother."
"I think it's quite smooth even now. Am I mistaken?"
Haha. Aleng laughed in his deep voice.
"Sorry for the difficult words. Truth is, I was coveting your talents. As you know, the Administrative Bureau is short on people. When I spot talent, I want to pull them in somehow—that's my honest feeling."
"It's flattering to hear such high praise. If the opportunity arises, I'll visit later. I've been curious about how the Administrative Bureau's operations work."
"You're good at everything except lying. Very researcher-like. Don't even dream of politics."
"Is that so?"
Belluna smiled faintly and bowed her head. He was known for his affable nature.
No wonder there were rumors he was the only person in the empire without enemies.
Even Belluna, who had met countless high-ranking figures, thought there was no power holder as approachable as Aleng.
"Anyway, it's certain that child could threaten the Holy City."
"Yes. That's an undeniable fact."
"Is the handling perfect?"
"We're doing the best we can."
"So not perfect. A power that can't even be stopped by Kea's barriers. His Majesty has good reason to handle it cautiously."
How much did the bureau chief know? Not all Think Tanks in the empire followed the emperor.
Some followed the council, others were heavily influenced by First-Class Families.
They basically carried out the emperor's orders, but there were countless institutions ready to switch sides in emergencies.
Kea was the Think Tank where the emperor's authority was strongest. The fact that a researcher there was feeding info to the bureau chief was significant.
"No need to worry so much. His Majesty knows about it too."
As if he knew exactly what she was concerned about, Aleng chuckled casually.
"I'm sorry."
She apologized plainly. She knew he wasn't the type to hold her accountable for this.
"The more I see you, the more I like you. I have a lot of people under me who can't hide things like you. They all just work themselves to death."
"They must all be happily working away."
"A few whine that they want a break, but what can you do? Bureaucrats have to suffer for the citizens to be at ease."
Aleng clasped his hands behind his back and turned. Was he leaving just like that?
"Oh, one more thing I need to ask."
"Please go ahead."
"I heard there was an accident here recently. One caused by that child. I heard the facility damage was severe enough to be an issue during budget execution."
"Yes. Fortunately, there were no casualties."
"I heard that accident ended with just facility damage thanks to some man. Name was Lander, right?"
The bureau chief looked at her. The corners of his eyes drooped ever so slightly.
"Even His Majesty brushed it off with a laugh when I asked. I'm not an expert on this place's equipment, but I know what it means for an isolation room to be destroyed. That could have been a shock that wrecked not just one isolation room, but all of Kea."
He'd clearly received a very detailed report. Belluna stated the facts without hiding anything.
"As you said, we minimized the damage thanks to Mr. Lander's help."
"Where does His Majesty find people like that? I looked into his records, but it was just a list of boring facts."
"I'm curious about his true identity too, but I know nothing beyond his name."
"That's a shame. I'd love to meet him personally, but I can't even schedule it."
The bureau chief turned, apologizing for the unnecessary question. Belluna followed behind Aleng and spoke.
"I'll see you off."
"I'm fine. Take care of those gentlemen. It seems they're uncomfortable because I took up your time."
Guchi and Inebil were glancing this way.
"Come visit the Administrative Bureau sometime. You're always welcome."
"I will."
"And something I've always wanted to ask but held back... Is that the trendy makeup these days? Those two in the room had very flashy faces too."
"Pardon?"
Her brain froze for a moment. She mulled over the meaning, then quickly covered her face with both hands as if she'd touched fire.
"It doesn't seem like trendy makeup. I see. Well, anyway, keep up the good work."
"I'm sorry, sir."
"No need to apologize. I just worried for a moment that high society has become a world I can't understand these days."
"This isn't something I did; it's just that..."
She tried to explain that the child had done her makeup, but it felt pathetic, so she shut her mouth.
"Next time, I'll greet you in a normal state."
"I like that makeup. If you come to the Administrative Bureau like that, it'd be a dream come true. My subordinates would love it too."
He left with a cheerful laugh.
She bowed to his retreating back. It was a relief it was Bureau Chief Aleng. If she'd shown such a disgrace in front of another power holder, she'd have faced a pay cut at least.
With her hand on her face, she headed back to the room. As soon as she opened the door and entered, Guchi and Inebil burst out laughing—puh.
"Is this funny?"
"It is. You carried on a serious conversation with that face— if that's not funny, what is?"
Guchi retorted.
"You could've said something. My face is burning from embarrassment."
"I was going to tell him. But what could I do? He left before I could open my mouth. Besides, you were talking to a high-ranking person—how could I butt in?"
"You did well. It wasn't just any superior; it was the Administrative Bureau Chief. Butting in carelessly would've been a big problem."
"Oh, the Administrative Bureau Chief?"
Guchi pursed his lips in admiration.
"At least it was Chief Aleng, so it worked out. If it were someone else, he would've chewed out you two for sitting there blankly staring when a superior arrived."
"The fact that he let it slide means that Aleng fellow is an extremely mild-mannered noble."
"He's famous for being good-natured."
"Aleng, huh. Feels like I've heard the name somewhere."
"He's famous, so you've probably heard it a lot."
"I don't know politicians' names well. They don't help my livelihood."
"That's something to brag about."
Guchi, deep in thought, suddenly went "Ah" and smiled.
"I wondered where I'd heard it— it was at that restaurant."
"Restaurant?"
"There was this incident. By any chance, recently, was there a noble demoted to the 2nd Bureau or caught in bad rumors?"
She thought for a moment, then recalled something and told him.
"There was a Recorder who was slated for appointment but suddenly got replaced. Usually, when appointment rumors spread, it's as good as confirmed, so everyone was puzzled when it changed out of nowhere."
"So he got axed in the end. That Chief Aleng must really be a good guy."
"What happened? Tell me."
"It's complicated in detail, so hard to explain, but just know the chief upheld justice."
"Justice. That suits the chief well."
They were chatting over the remaining food when Inebil suddenly stood up. Belluna immediately checked the opposite room.
Charlotte was rising. Her eyes were hazy. Belluna opened the isolation room door and went inside.
She instructed Guchi to wait outside and only let Inebil in.
"Charlotte?"
She checked if she was conscious. Charlotte's head moved. She was reacting to the sound.
"Sanka?"
She called for Sanka. A wind blew, and a bird with wings on only one side appeared.
"I need to get out soon."
"Pardon?"
"It's very unpleasant. And the child is suffering. I'm blocking the memories with my power, but there's a limit. She'll recall everything soon. Staying here will only hasten it."
"Letting Charlotte out..."
They couldn't release a special management subject outside Kea. If an accident happened on the surface, the damage would be unimaginable.
"I've gotten very comfortable with you. This isn't a request. It's just a notice. So prepare. Got it?"
"I'll try changing the environment. To make it more comfortable for Charlotte."
"This place is sealed. Mana is blocked below a certain level. No wind, no sunlight. It's not good for the child's health."
"Sanka."
"Your positions mean nothing to me. I'm only saying this because Charlotte thinks of you. Young humans, I'm saying again—this isn't a request."
She seemed quiet for a while, and as Belluna looked at Sanka in contemplation.
The wind blew fiercely. As she grabbed her whipping hair and was about to tell it to calm down.
"Ask that human otherwise. That one would figure something out."
Sanka raised its beak. She turned her head.
Lander was walking down the hallway at the end. As always, he carried a basket in his hand.