I Became a Civil Servant Who Can Use Magic

Bang!
Along with the sound of someone strongly striking the strategy table, someone’s angry voice burst out.

“The goddess’s army! Who on earth believes such a ridiculous false rumor!”

The one who uttered those words was none other than Count Bamos.
The leader of the Traditionalist Faction, and a 4-star dark mage who made a deal with a demon.

“It’s not just one or two people who claim to have witnessed the goddess’s descent. There are even rumors that a dragon-kin assists her…”
“I also heard rumors about an inspector dispatched from the central government.”
“There are also rumors that she’s a 4-star mage on the verge of reaching 5-star…”

Worried voices flowed from here and there.

As everyone here is a noble, they know well that most of the circulating rumors are nothing but nonsense.

But recalling the rapidly tilting war situation recently, they can’t hide their anxiety. Perhaps some of the rumors might be true.

“We should spread rumors too. Something like she’s not a goddess but an evil witch deceiving people.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“And conduct a thorough background check on her as well. Didn’t they say she came from outside the Barrier? There’s likely a high possibility she fabricated her identity.”
“Understood.”

The nobles nodded at Bamos’s suggestion. Then Bamos presented another solution.

“Regardless of anything else, it’s an undeniable fact that a 4-star mage is lending them strength. We should make preparations befitting that.”

Could it be?

“From now on, secure people from major cities in each territory. Don’t worry about appearances.”

The nobles were all appalled.

Bamos’s words meant that he would offer more victims to the demon.

Someone cautiously spoke up.

“Even now, rumors are circulating among the soldiers that living people are being offered as sacrifices. Perhaps you should exercise some restraint now-”
“Enough.”

Bamos cut off his words.

“If we just win the war, we can pin everything we’ve done on those Reformist bastards. What are you all so worried about? Tsk.”

Bamos, looking around at the nobles’ faces, continued with a sinister smile.

“I might be able to reach the realm of 5-star before long, so don’t worry too much.”

Of course, the realm reached by offering sacrifices will be only half-baked compared to the original. Nevertheless, 5-star is 5-star.

Surprise and murmurs erupted among the nobles at his words. 5-star already?

But soon they nodded.
Considering the number of people he had sacrificed since the start of the war.. it was understandable.

If this wasn’t an isolated land, inspectors or the imperial guard might have come long ago.

“Once I reach 5-star, a mere 4-star won’t even be a threat.”

An ominous and sticky aura seeped out from Bamos’s eyes. Everyone present felt it but deliberately ignored it.

One can endure anything to protect power. Even if it means sheltering a dark mage.

“And what? Goddess of Victory? How ridiculous. I’ll burn her alive in front of the crowd. They’ll all be shocked to see a god burn to death.”

“It’s divine judgment!”
“Burn her at the stake!”
“Death to the enemy!”

Amidst the crowd’s fervent cheers, the enemy commander was dragged into the square.

The Traditionalist army that occupied the city had oppressed the citizens with coercive control and suppression policies.
As a result, now that liberation had come, the citizens’ anger reached the sky.

Worship towards the goddess and hatred towards the enemy poured out from everywhere.

“She doesn’t seem to have even a speck of mercy!”
“Isn’t that more reassuring?”

This was the common thought of people who had welcomed the goddess.

The blue-haired dragon-kin apostle and the black-haired goddess standing next to the kneeling commander. Everyone’s gaze was focused on them.

‘Just how many people have gathered..’

Loen broke out in a cold sweat at the crowd filling the square and streets. The people’s frenzied cries made her feel like she might get swept up in it without realizing.

But she still had to do her job.

When Loen raised her hand, the surroundings instantly fell silent.
Then Psyche recited the commander’s crimes.

“Colluding with a dark mage… oppressing people…”

It was roughly that content.
Immediately after Psyche finished speaking, Loen passed judgment.

“Execution.”

The commander resisted violently with an appalled face.
What? Execution? Did I hear that wrong?

Originally, a noble of count rank wouldn’t be executed carelessly without a truly justifiable reason. Such an act is something only the Imperial Inspection Corps with summary execution authority can do.

Moreover, when there isn’t even clear evidence of collusion with a dark mage.

“You’re going to execute a noble without clear evidence!”

At his vehement protest, Loen approached him and whispered in a low voice.

“Isn’t it a bit much to let the occupying army’s commander live in this atmosphere?”
“Your words are so right!”

Psyche chimed in from the side. Somehow she had heard Loen’s whisper.

You crazy bitches! You really intend to kill me!

Finally, he lost his mind due to the anger and madness rushing towards him, and the fear that he might lose his life.

“By what authority are you going to execute me, a count, so carelessly! And what goddess, when you look just like a witch who goes around killing people without a second thought! You’re all the same…”

A silence fell over the vast square.
The heated atmosphere instantly turned cold.

Only then did he realize his mistake.

“Th-That. Because I momentarily lost my mind..”
“Commander? No. You said you were a count, right? Let’s see, your name and family name? Ah~ Count Robita. What should we do? Goddess?”

First, do something about that mouth.
Loen spoke with such a look in her eyes.

“Silence him.”

However, the signal wasn’t properly conveyed.
Psyche over-interpreted Loen’s words.

“Count Robita. Clench your teeth tightly. Shouldn’t you pay the price for daring to insult the goddess?”
“P-Please-”

Crack!

The sound of a watermelon bursting filled the square.
The crowd was startled by that explicit scene.
Ugh. That’s a bit…

They’re used to seeing beheadings or burnings at the stake many times. But a person’s head exploding and its contents splattering everywhere, isn’t that too cruel?

“She really doesn’t have even a speck of mercy.”
“I thought her eyes looked unusual from the start.”

They weren’t the only ones surprised.
Loen was surprised too.

She had intended to obtain a confession in public before carrying out the execution. If he’s just killed outright..

However, with so many eyes watching, she couldn’t say anything to Psyche. She could only act as if it was intentional.

“…Well done.”
“Hehe.”

Loen approached Psyche and lifted the commander’s head…
Ah. There’s no head to lift.

Loen raised one hand to signal that the execution was over. Soon the crowd shouted fierce cheers and called out to the Goddess of Victory.

Watching this scene, even the allied nobles shouted the goddess’s name while reading the atmosphere.

However, their voices did not contain sincerity.

The holy war continued.

Many cities and fortresses were saved. As a result, the number of troops also increased greatly. The number of nobles joining them also grew.

The goddess’s army had grown incomparably larger than before.

And not just in size.

Even soldiers who joined late turned into fanatics the moment they witnessed divine punishment.
The same was true for knights.

Of course, a 3-star knight would know that phenomenon is magic, not divine punishment.
However, on the blood-soaked battlefield, even they surrendered themselves to superstition and fanaticism.
Because that was the only way to hold onto their sanity.

And leading them all was the supreme commander Loen.
Well, of course, because she’s a goddess.

The nobles were merely figureheads.

The support of the soldiers and knights was already close to fanaticism, and even Count Lidyte, the leader of the Reformist Faction, supported Loen.

But that was the problem.
There was no room for the nobles to intervene in the army.

Usually, when people are comfortable and well-fed, their thoughts change. Especially nobles were authorities in that regard. They were masters of changing sides.

Thus, in the eyes of some, the goddess – no, Loen, who held everything, started to become annoying.

In short, now that victory seemed likely, they started harboring other thoughts.

“She seems to think she’s really a god just because we’ve been worshipping her as a goddess.”
“That’s right. What does she know, not even being a noble?”

Loen’s unilateral actions ignited their hearts.

At this point, shouldn’t she start greasing the palms of those working with her! Discuss the distribution of post-war benefits and manage loyalty!

That would be normal.

But when they try to discuss such matters, all they get in return is Loen’s rebuke.
Plus Psyche’s sarcasm.

“The war isn’t even over yet, do we need to worry about such things? Let’s talk about it later, shall we?”
“You’ve done nothing~ Where’s your conscience, really?”

Even when a noble suggested stopping by a nearby fortress on the way to lend a hand:

“It has no strategic value and would only lengthen our route unnecessarily.. Is there really a need to go save it?”
“Surely it’s not for another reason? Like it turns out to be a fortress ruled by someone belonging to the same family?”

Of course, the nobles didn’t just sit still either.

“Haha, you seem to not know much about noble society.”
“You’re an tax inspector from the central government, so you might not know much about the Barrier…”
“By the way, are you really an inspector? I’m not doubting you, just curious…”

Inspector is certainly an influential position. But not as much as the Inspection Corps. Moreover, since Loen hadn’t revealed that she was a noble…

Of course, they weren’t trying to be hostile to Loen.
They just judged that they should start building a political foundation now in preparation for the post-war reorganization of power.

Even Count Lidyte’s mediation was of no use.

“Enough! What are you saying to a benefactor helping our allies?”
“Ahem.”

At first, there was no problem because the majority of nobles followed the Count. But as their forces grew larger and those who became greedy exceeded half, it came to this state.

‘These bastards, really.’

Finally, Loen’s anger exceeded the threshold.
They’re playing politics in this situation?

“I’m sorry, Inspector.. If I had known it would be like this, I shouldn’t have accepted them.”
“How is that your fault, Count?”

There’s only one reason this mess happened.
Indiscriminately accepting nobles who expressed intention to join out of desire to end the war quickly.

But it’s not like we can turn back now.
However, we can’t just leave it like this either.

Because at this rate, the army we’ve gathered with difficulty might collapse due to internal conflict.

“What are you going to do, Loen? Are you going to keep hiding your identity as an inspector until the end as originally planned-”
“No, I’ve changed my mind.”

Psyche’s eyes sparkled.

“Could it be?”
“Yes. It’s time to bring this out.”

Loen took out her inspector badge from her bosom and grasped it.
Then she opened her backpack and unfolded her uniform.

The moment of decision had arrived.