Chapter 54
The Hollow Man’s Downfall (1)
“What?”
The Duke repeated my words. I hurriedly pulled myself together.
“Chief Justice… no, Duke, how did you get here?”
“Call me whatever you like.”
Since we belonged to the same central department, I decided to stick with “Chief Justice” for work purposes. He reached out his hand to help me up as I remained crouched, still catching my breath.
“My mentor sent me because they were worried about you. They asked me to hold the Linus president in place.”
And they sent someone with royal blood… I felt like I might die from the pressure.
“I locked the door—how did you get in here?”
“Through the window.”
“The window? This is the third floor!”
“Is that a problem?”
I recalled a passage I had read in the gossip columns: ‘The Duke is also an exceptional swordsman.’ He had earned the Ariadne dukedom through valor in war. Now, in a peaceful era, he had transferred to the Ministry of Justice at the Emperor’s request, where he excelled again and was promoted to Chief Justice… I’d better stop there before listing all his achievements.
‘Some people risk their hearts just to jump in one go, while others have to disguise themselves and sneak in nervously. The world really is something.’
Boom! Boom!
Two short firework bursts sounded outside. My brooch began glowing red.
“He’s here. We don’t have time—wrap this up and go!”
I pressed the button on the vault to activate the illusion magic again and locked the door. Footsteps echoed down the hall, drawing closer. I scanned for a hiding spot, but the Duke suddenly wrapped his arms around my waist.
“Time is short, so pardon me for this.”
Before I could react, he lifted me onto his shoulders and jumped out the window!
I clamped my hands over my mouth to stifle a scream and squeezed my eyes shut. Even carrying an adult woman, his movements were effortless.
‘Ah, Pinea, Nicola!’
I pulled the scroll from my pouch and tore it. The sky above the building turned green and vanished—a signal to escape. Only after we were fully away from Linus and back in the bustling streets did he put me down.
“As thanks for saving you, I can ask what exactly you were doing, right?”
He would find out anyway.
“I’ll explain everything to the Finance Minister on our way there.”
“Understood.”
The Duke immediately ordered a carriage, and we rode together. During the journey to the palace, I recounted the entire series of events and presented the evidence. He could hardly hide his anger after hearing the truth behind the Gaho Bridge collapse.
“I never imagined it was this rotten.”
“We can’t just let this slide because someone was behind it.”
I planned to report this to the Finance Minister and then leak it to the press. An anonymous leak might be blocked by those in power, so going through him made sense. Hearing my plan, he nodded approvingly, offering his own help. With his higher authority backing me, the impact would be greater. I welcomed it wholeheartedly.
“Was this your plan from the start?”
The Duke asked. I admitted it plainly.
“Without this, no matter how much I tried to alter the contracts, it wouldn’t matter. I needed a precedent for legal action in case of violations.”
“So the clause about contract cancellation… was it meant for shoddy construction?”
“I didn’t expect it to be this large-scale, but I had an inkling. However, my ultimate target wasn’t merely to uncover shoddy work.”
The Duke raised his eyebrows and pointed at the blueprints I carried.
“So all this trouble was just to find that evidence?”
The blueprints were only the starting point. I shook my head, and he gestured for me to continue, like two friends discussing plans at the office.
“My true aim was to tarnish the royal family’s honor.”
“…!”
“I know nothing about His Majesty the Emperor personally. Even if I exposed corruption, it wouldn’t matter unless it was perceived as a serious problem. I needed another approach. That’s when I realized: nobles and royals care deeply about honor—or at least appearances—and they would risk everything for it.”
“So that’s why you planned to leak it to the press.”
“Exactly. With clear evidence and a serious scandal, if no one stops it, the people’s outrage would be immense. This company handled major royal projects and committed corruption; naturally, the public would assume higher-ups are involved. No need to mention the Crown Prince. If it reaches the Emperor, he’ll want the matter handled quickly to protect the royal family’s honor, even before the Prince’s name surfaces.”
The Emperor’s power isn’t built by nobles—it comes from the people. This is the strongest way to reinforce imperial authority.
With corruption revealed to this extent, ignoring it would spell disaster. Perhaps I should prepare for emigration.
“How old are you?”
“I’m twenty-two this year.”
When I transmigrated, I was twenty, but now with the guild and government duties, a year had passed. Come to think of it, I still didn’t know Cornelia’s birthday.
“At your age, having such insight… even I, once hailed as a genius, feel ashamed.”
“Excuse me?”
His absurdly self-deprecating remark caught me off guard. Having survived a harsh work environment, I couldn’t explain it away. I simply stayed humble.
“No, anyone could do it, but it’s the sort of thing that draws misunderstanding if spoken aloud.”
“If that’s the case… maybe I should step down from my position as Chief Justice, then.”
“It’s not what I meant, uh…”
His sudden resignation caught me by surprise, and his eyes curved slightly. That alone softened the atmosphere. If this were a ballroom, every lady would be staring.
‘Focus. He’s basically a celebrity.’
I mentally vowed to not entertain any foolish fantasies while looking at his face until we reached the palace.
—
A few days later, the Seraphina Empire erupted in chaos.
‘The Gaho Bridge collapse that took 100 lives wasn’t divine wrath! The truth: the company’s shoddy construction!’
The revelation hit major newspapers in sensational headlines. Copies flew off shelves, and the public’s outrage was palpable. Even the vertically connected offices of the Ministry of Justice couldn’t escape the turmoil.
“Not divine wrath…?”
Assistant secretaries, scribes, and clerks were shocked. Especially those who knew of the corruption but turned a blind eye.
“Cornelia, did you hear?” Lucas rushed to my desk.
“The First Secretary is being investigated by the Ministry’s inspectors right now.”
I smiled lightly.
“Good. That’s what I wanted.”
“You…”
“Yes?”
“No way… impossible.”
For once, I enjoyed a peaceful, bureaucracy-free office, leisurely going through papers. I had done everything I could.
Now it was time to see my superiors’ true abilities.
Meanwhile, Vespera headed to the Imperial Palace with her mentor, the Finance Minister.
“His Majesty will be deeply displeased.”
“This could have been prevented if left unchecked earlier.”
“This time, it will be hard to cover up.”
“They crossed the line His Majesty detests most.”
Cornelia’s aim to damage the royal family’s honor had worked perfectly. Two days after the newspapers reported it, officials began investigations, summoning both her and her mentor. Standing outside the audience chamber, a page announced:
“Your Majesty, the Chief Justice and Finance Minister have arrived.”
“Bring them in!”
Inside, the Emperor faced the blushing Crown Prince. The scolding was evident.
“Remain in confinement for now. Do not leave your quarters until I say so.”
“Father!” The Crown Prince bowed deeply and slinked away, scowling at Vespera as their eyes met.
“Sit.”
The Emperor returned to his seat. Vespera and the Finance Minister sat on chairs below.
“I’ve summoned you to discuss the Gaho Bridge collapse, which has thrown the Empire into chaos.”
The Emperor knew of the Crown Prince’s connection but couldn’t expose him directly. He sought advice on handling it. Vespera was correct: the acting Finance Minister spoke first.
“The law should be followed.”
“The law?”
“During the recent Luserra Boulevard project, contracts were revised to fix previous shortcomings. Based on this, the company committed shoddy work and tarnished the royal family’s honor. The contract must be canceled, and a properly selected company contracted in its place.”
Vespera added:
“Of course, the failing company must face strict punishment. Lives were lost, and all involved must be brought to justice. His Majesty likely doesn’t want the Crown Prince implicated, but measures must be taken to prevent repetition of the mistake.”
“Hmm…”
The Emperor stroked his beard in thought, then asked:
“Who uncovered this incident?”
