Episode 180: The Interior Ministry

Inner district of the royal capital. There, a massive stone building stands.

This place is none other than the Interior Ministry—the seat of administration that governs regional rule, civil administration, and urban development under the kingdom’s direct control.

Subordinate organizations such as the General Affairs Agency, Civil Administration Agency, Regional Supervision Agency, Administrative Council Agency, and Urban Supervision Agency are also housed within this building complex.

Despite the fact that nearly all buildings in the royal capital’s inner district had been destroyed by Lugdura, this Interior Ministry remained intact.

Though in reality, it wasn’t a miracle at all—it had simply been protected by Siegfried.

A single carriage stops in front of it. The man who steps down wears a coat with gold buttons, gold rings, and gold teeth gleaming in his mouth.

Count Golgoria von Morgen. One of the directors under the Interior Minister, serving as the Civil Administration Director.

“Lord Golgoria, please take care.”

Without even turning back to acknowledge his servants’ farewells, he steps into the Interior Ministry.

“Really, having to show my face at the Interior Ministry is such a nuisance…”

Golgoria mutters as he walks down the hallway.

Even as Civil Administration Director, he only visits the ministry a few times a month, usually approving documents from his mansion and only showing his face for important meetings—this is how this country’s government operates.

“Going to the trouble of summoning me personally… has something happened?”

As he grumbles under his breath, he encounters two men in the hallway leading to the conference room.

One is white-haired and appears to be in his thirties, the other a black-haired young man. He doesn’t recognize the black-haired one, but the white-haired man looks familiar… though he can’t immediately recall who it is.

“Wilhelm…?”

Golgoria unconsciously voices the name that floated up from the depths of his memory.

“You… aren’t you Wilhelm von Kreutzel?! That’s right, isn’t it?!”

“…Count Golgoria von Morgen. It’s been a while.”

“So it really is Wilhelm! You… you were alive!”

“Yeah. I’ve returned from the northern development lands, and I’m once again affiliated with the Interior Ministry.”

The two were old acquaintances—the same age and had entered the Interior Ministry in the same year.

However, after joining the ministry, their positions began to diverge. The excellent Wilhelm rose rapidly, eventually being promoted to Civil Administration Director. Meanwhile, Golgoria, who prided himself only on his family lineage and didn’t apply himself to his duties, fell behind in advancement.

But fate reversed. Wilhelm was exiled to the northern development lands, while Golgoria, aided by his talent for flattery and fortunate circumstances, had now climbed to the position of Civil Administration Director.

“Hmph… I see, so the new king’s amnesty freed you and you’ve returned to the Interior Ministry. How detestable that such a man survived.”

Golgoria snorts, spitting out his words with disgust.

“When you were here, I… suffered countless humiliations at the Interior Ministry. Because you interfered with my advancement!”

“I never intended to interfere with your advancement out of personal feelings. It’s just that during my time as Civil Administration Director, I didn’t feel inclined to promote someone who wouldn’t seriously engage with their work. That’s the truth.”

“How dare you speak so brazenly…!”

Golgoria doesn’t believe his delayed advancement was due to his own lack of ability. All responsibility lies with Wilhelm—that’s what he’s convinced himself. That resentment seethes in his chest.

But eventually his anger subsides, transforming into twisted pleasure.

“Well, whatever. Your return to the Interior Ministry is actually fortunate for me.”

He leans close to Wilhelm’s ear and whispers low.

“I’ll thoroughly harass and corner you… Wilhelm. Having returned from the northern development lands, you probably have nowhere else to work, right? You might as well spend your time miserably under me. Should I pile shitty jobs on you… or perhaps berate you thoroughly in front of everyone… Gehya… this will be fun… gehyahyahya!”

After baring his gold-filled teeth in a final glance at Wilhelm, Golgoria disappears toward the conference room.

 

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In the Interior Ministry’s grand conference room, high officials of the Interior Ministry had gathered, including Civil Administration Director Golgoria, the General Affairs Director, and the Regional Supervision Director.

Standing on the platform before their gazes is a small, elderly man—Interior Minister Marquis Triberno von Duskarl.

Triberno is a man who possesses neither remarkable talent as a nobleman nor as Interior Minister. He’s simply someone who happened to end up in that seat as a result of factional struggles among the ‘Five Great Nobles’—that’s how those around him evaluate him.

“The reason I’ve gathered you all today is for no other purpose. It’s to inform you that I will be stepping down as Interior Minister.”

At those words, the directors’ expressions change. Certainly, Triberno was elderly, and his eventual retirement was expected. But it was thought to be still some time away.

“The official announcement will be made later… but the new Interior Minister has already been decided.”

In the silence, the directors hold their breath.

Under the Luverios regime, the Interior Minister’s power had been limited. The ‘Five Great Nobles’ had been manipulating them from behind the scenes. But now those ‘Five Great Nobles’ no longer exist.

Therefore, the next Interior Minister would truly be a pillar of the nation. If one could skillfully use that authority, it would be possible to amass enormous wealth.

(The new Interior Minister is… me! It has to be!)

Golgoria prays thus in his heart. He had continued to flatter Interior Minister Triberno. He was certain that no one but himself could be appointed as the next Interior Minister.

(Old man Triberno! Say my name! Say that the new Interior Minister is Golgoria! Come on, say it—Gol-go-ri-a! Golgoria!)

Unaware of his inner thoughts, Triberno slowly opens his mouth.

“New Interior Minister, Count Kreutzel… please, come in.”

Immediately after, the conference room door opens and disciplined footsteps echo. The figure that appears is a white-haired man. Stern expression, sharp gaze. Deep wrinkles carved between his brows by years of hardship. He steps onto the platform and, looking around at the directors, declares:

“I am the new Interior Minister, Wilhelm von Kreutzel. Though I’m a ‘former count,’ that is.”

“Huh…?”

The blood drains from Golgoria’s face.

“T-Triberno-sama… wh-what is this…? Th-this man is… a criminal… E-even if he was pardoned by amnesty… I-Interior Minister? Eh, eh? Wh-why…?”

Triberno responds in a quiet voice.

“This personnel decision was made by His Majesty King Siegfried. Wilhelm-sama was appointed directly by His Majesty himself.”

“Aga… a… a…”

At that moment, strength drains from Golgoria’s waist, and he collapses pathetically. From his contorted face, a trembling voice escapes.

“I-it’s a lie… liiiiie~!”