Ch.5Purge!

# Chapter 5 – Purge!

“…What exactly do you mean by that?”

As if to prove that a ministerial position isn’t something you just casually interview for like a part-time job, the Minister of Foreign Affairs maintained an absolutely unchanging expression.

The very definition of thick-skinned.

I was inwardly impressed by such dignified composure befitting someone of high status.

With such an unwavering demeanor, anyone would think the Foreign Minister was acting this way out of indignation.

But this time, things were different.

[Emergency Quest: Catch the Empire’s Traitor!]

[Details: The existence of a traitor leaking confidential information has been confirmed.]

[Identify the traitor and expel them from the Empire!]

[Current Progress: 50%]

‘You’ve crossed the line, old man.’

While reviewing the materials I received from Riel, I found a whistleblower report mixed in.

Though brief and lacking in detail, it contained undeniable evidence of betrayal.

“I’m not sure what you’re implying…”

“Are you really going to play it this way, Minister of Foreign Affairs?”

“If you have any complaints, I suggest you send an official letter of protest through the proper diplomatic channels.”

From the outside, it might look like we were having a pleasant conversation, whispering to each other in the cheerful atmosphere I had brought.

But up close, it was just two gloomy men having a deep, dark conversation.

Ah, what a dreary conversation indeed.

————————

After some confusion and a bit of time passing…

“Now then, if anyone has any useful opinions, please share them.”

“In that case, we would like to first seek your opinion—”

The long, drawn-out committee meeting titled ‘Countermeasure Committee for Information Leakage Regarding Thalianium Depletion’ was instantly dissolved by the authority of His Majesty Arthraia, fading into the annals of history.

And in its place, a new committee was born.

“Then we shall name the committee ‘Council for Countermeasures on Ztraksan Thalianium Import and Transportation.'”

“That’s even longer.”

*Shuffle!*

*Clap clap clap clap clap!*

*Clap clap clap clap clap!*

‘…This feeling of déjà vu!’

Despite being in a sci-fi setting, the ceremonial cutting of a ribbon and the ensuing applause for the new committee reminded me distinctly of my past life in a certain peninsula nation.

‘Come to think of it, this random country… has quite a few hellish peninsula-like qualities scattered throughout.’

It’s rather curious, but…

In a way, I suppose I should be thankful that it helps me avoid homesickness.

After offering my spiritual applause…

As I sat there without much thought, Riel quietly approached and asked about future plans.

“Minister, what are you going to do now?”

“Hm? Ah, right.”

At Riel’s question, I stood up and decided to return to my ‘original’ workplace(?).

I could have discussed it on the way, but that would have been difficult.

‘There are too many rats and spies in the imperial palace…’

Of course, besides professional spies, there were numerous palace servants and attendants who waited on ministers and council members.

With too many listening ears, caution was necessary.

—————–

Holy Seveli Empire – Execution Ministry.

Unlike other departments with their unnecessarily medieval castle vibes, the Execution Ministry building had a relatively modern office building feel.

Walking toward that building, I found myself preoccupied with idle thoughts.

‘I hope these bastards haven’t done anything stupid while I was away.’

Having been stationed at the imperial palace to resolve this crisis, I hadn’t had the opportunity to care for and keep a leash on those creatures collected from all over the universe.

Even Riel, who could control the Execution Ministry in my absence, had been attached to me as my deputy and support…

‘No, there are department heads… the Vice Minister must have managed somehow.’

But unlike at the imperial palace, now that I had some breathing room, once doubt crept in, it refused to disappear.

‘I should be grateful they didn’t come barging in thinking I was being detained at the palace.’

…Though, perhaps they had already tried once and His Majesty had dealt with it appropriately.

With such thoughts, I was about to enter through a door that opened naturally when…

‘…Isn’t this supposed to be an automatic door?’

The moment I hesitated as suspicion flashed through my mind…

I was bombarded with bundles of exploding confetti, accompanied by an automatically appearing notification in my status window.

[Event: Obsessive Fans]

[A welcome ceremony has been prepared for you!]

[The children are leaving congratulatory messages for the head of the household who has returned after a long time!]

[Just enjoy it.]

And of course, the culprits were…

“Welcome back, Minister!”

“Welcome back!!”

“Oppaaa!!”

“The Minister looked at me! He looked at me!”

“Idiot, he wasn’t looking at you, he was looking at the interior!”

A group of obsessive fans like those I occasionally saw on YouX in my past life.

No, an even more aggressive welcome initiative from the self-proclaimed ‘Minister’s Hunting Dogs.’

From my perspective, they were a group of real yanderes filming their obsession in real-time.

And officially known as the Execution Ministry’s Purge Squad.

A collection of numerous alien species & Sevilians selected from across the universe.

These fellows had laid out a red carpet and hung a large placard at the front to welcome me.

*Pam-pa-ba-bam! Pam-pa-ba-bam!*

One side even had people playing orchestral instruments that seemed to have been swiped from some military band.

As I was forced to witness this unnecessarily grand welcome ceremony, my eyes caught a secluded corner in the distance.

And there was the haggard appearance of the Execution Ministry’s Vice Minister, who had clearly suffered through all kinds of slander and pain.

‘Ah.’

The moment our eyes met, seeing his weak nod, I wanted to close my eyes and ignore this reality.

I suppose it must have been hard enough for him to manage the Execution Ministry officials, let alone anticipate the return of the Purge Squad.

But in this crisis, a ray of light descended upon me.

“Can’t you all tone it down? You’re making the Minister uncomfortable.”

“…!”

“A-Assistant Riel!”

The moment I heard Riel’s voice naturally standing behind me…

Our crazy dog-like Purge Squad members instantly normalized, like trained puppies being disciplined by a half-human, half-canine trainer.

“And what is this? Is the Execution Ministry’s main entrance your playground?”

“No, it’s not!!”

“Then why are you causing such a commotion? You’ve been bullying those poor Execution Ministry officials again, haven’t you?”

“Nooooo!!”

“What do you mean ‘no’?”

“Yeeeeees!!”

Come to think of it, wasn’t Riel in charge of recruiting and managing the Purge Squad?

It seems he had turned those crazy dogs into somewhat normal people through continuous grinding and brainwashing education.

————————

Anyway, after that minor incident…

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here, but it’s still as clean as ever.”

“Thank you, Minister.”

It feels like it’s been a month since I was last here, but the office is so clean it’s as if I left yesterday and returned today.

“Good job. It must have been difficult to clean alone, given the size and amount of furniture.”

“It was nothing.”

With a modesty a million light-years away from the Purge Squad…

The woman from Riksi who had taken care of my office during my absence.

I patted Shetra’s shoulder a few times in appreciation of her words.

“I’ll be going now.”

“Understood, Minister.”

After Shetra closed the office door as quietly as possible…

*Creeak*

The familiar feel of an expensive chair, though not as good as the one I used at the palace.

Enjoying that sensation as I leaned back, I opened the conversation with Riel, who was now standing in front of me.

“Riel, what’s the status on the various corruption materials and spy allegations against the current Foreign Minister?”

“I’ve collected everything as you requested, Minister.”

The moment a large amount of data was transferred to my terminal from Riel…

*Ding♪*

With a familiar alert sound, a status window message popped up, covering the terminal data I was about to view.

[Emergency Quest: Catch the Empire’s Traitor!]

[Details: The existence of a traitor leaking confidential information has been confirmed.]

[Identify the traitor and expel them from the Empire!]

[Current Progress: 99%]

[Collection of evidence of betrayal by current Foreign Minister Abdul Nahard (Complete)]

[If you succeed in expelling Abdul Nahard, you will surely receive a reward!]

The status window with its annoying mix of formal and casual language that I should be used to by now but still find irritating.

However, at this moment, I wasn’t so bothered by it since it appeared at just the right time to match my mood.

“Good, then let’s deal with that bastard… as quickly as possible, but without any issues.”

“Understood, Minister.”

After saying that to Riel, I turned my chair to leisurely observe the view of the imperial capital stretching beyond the window.

‘Ah, this cool sensation… it feels like I’ve returned as the Emperor’s blade, no, his executioner.’

More precisely, I wasn’t simply admiring the scenery, but trying to calm the excitement I felt at returning to purge work after so long.