Although the Fars Empire allowed women to work, traditional forces remained quite strong. Uhe husband’s family was financially struggling and he wife’s sary, women were usually expected tn.Of course, if a woman’s family wielded siderable influence, she would enjoy more freedom.

  Charlot had long known that his parthe Chief Overseer of the City Patrol Guards, was a woman.

  Her name was Kitty Mavis.

  She graduated from Gias Uy seven years ago. Her maiden name was Orphée, and she married an imperial official. Now, she was a First-Css Gunnery Sergeant of the thirty-seventh rank.

  Lady Mavis held two military roles: one as the Chief Overseer of the Lukavaro District patrol guards and the other as an Imperial Inner Cuard. This entitled her to draw two saries.

  Therefore, her absence from the patrol guards’ duties was entirely justified.

  In seven years, Lady Mavis had risen from First-Css Gunnery Sergeant to First-Css Gunnery Sergeant Major, earning formal military titles while simultaneously holding two posts—positions far beyond Charlot’s stagnant career.

  Charlot was an anomaly, incapable of proper promotions.

  ...

  From within the carriage came a clear, fident voice:“It’s me! Mr. Meburg, I also hold a position in the Imperial Court. Today, I e as an Inner Cuard to deliver an oral decree from His Highhe Prince.”

  Charlot was startled. He thought to himself: How does the Prinow about me?

  L his head slightly, he offered the imperial salute and replied,“I humbly obey His Highness’s decree.”

  Lady Mavis desded from the carriage. She was a tall woman with a anding air not often seen in ordinary women. Her features were dignified and enting. Despite her age, she remained a strikiy.

  Among the women Charlot had entered since his transmigration, the closest in demeanor to Lady Mavis was Miss Menielman.

  The dy spoke:“You have shown loyalty and diligen safeguarding the health of Grand Duke Ferdinand and his wife. As a reward, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Level 4 Chief Clerk of the thirty-fourth rank.”

  “Additionally, five gold écus are grao the Lukavaro District patrol guards as a reward.”

  “The official dot from the tral Gover Office will arrive here tomorrow. The reward cash will follow shortly.”

  Overjoyed, Charlot replied,“Thank you, my dy.”

  Lady Mavis smiled faintly and said,“His Highness appreciates your meticulousness. The Duke may be dead, but his body still deserves respect.”

  Charlot shuddered slightly. Lady Mavis’s words tained an importaion: The Prince resent at the se.

  Before he could fully process this information, Lady Mavis returo the carriage.

  The carriage promptly departed from No. 1 Fal Street.

  Dubin approached Charlot and whispered,“Have you ever heard rumors about this dy?”

  Charlot shrugged, signaling his ignorance.

  Dubin immediately perked up and whispered spiratorially:“When I took office, I asked some friends about her. Almost everyone in the pace says she’s the Prince’s secret lover.”

  Recalling Lady Mavis’s charm, Charlot thought: The Prince has det taste.

  Dubin tinued excitedly, sharing all the gossip he had collected—how the Prince had allegedly snuck Lady Mavis out of the pace at night, taking a carriage for a wild ride through Strasb, and how the guards apanying them heard sounds they shouldn’t have...

  Charlot didn’t know whether the rumors were true, but the thought crossed his mind: The Prince really knows how to have fun.

  ...

  Before long, someone delivered a small bag of cash—s only, no banknotes.

  Charlot opehe bag in front of everyone and began distributing the reward. First, he gave boo Dubin and the ten patrol guards who had helped assess the situation. Then he rewarded all the on-duty patrol guards.

  In his previous life as a math teacher, Charlot certainly uood the “monkey distributing nuts” principle.

  After three rounds of distribution, Charlot had dispersed nearly 90% of the funds. He cpped his head as though realizing something and smiled:“Who would’ve thought there’d still be some leftover? How about we use the rest to buy some ale and celebrate?”

  Charlot’s suggestion sparked cheers and approval. Whether former adventurers or veteran guards brought in by Dubin, everyone loved a generous superior.

  Although Charlot often skipped work, he was growing increasingly respected among his subordinates.

  Handing the remaining moo Dubin, Charlot excused himself. He had no iion of drinking with the guards. Calling over a patrol guard, he instructed:“Head to 58 Elysée Avenue and tell Mrs. Nancy t the carriage. Prepare fruit wine, ale, food, fresh water, bs, spare clothes, and other supplies. Also, have the three Clever Cat cubs temporarily fostered at the Cat and Four-Leaf Clover Café. We’re setting out for Machubi.”

  ...

  While Charlot waited in his offirs. Nancy’s arrival, Homoered with her short, light-brown hair.

  Seeing her, Charlot smiled and asked,“What’s the matter?”

  Homonsa and Charlot had a history. After joining the Giant Axe Adveeam, they had survived a crisis together. Though Hannah perished at Machubi, the remaining team members had all received Charlot’s care.

  Homonsa produced a short pistol from her coat and pced it on Charlot’s desk.“I found this at the explosion site.”

  The on’s design was unusual, resembling a Chiappa Rhino revolver from Earth. Its silver body was engraved with tless strange runes, and the grip was covered in thick, supple beast hide.

  Charlot touched the on and immediately realized it was araordinary on. Given today’s events, it didn’t take much to guess where Homonsa had “found” it.

  This Extraordinary pistol was undoubtedly the on used by the assassin who killed Grand Duke Ferdinand.

  Homonsa whispered nervously,“I know I ’t safely sell it, and I wouldn’t dare use it. you help me vert it into money?”

  “I want to bee a knight. I he funds.”

  Homonsa had already densed her Power Seed, but possessing a Power Seed didn’t guarantee breaking through to bee a battle energy knight.

  Charlot also had a Power Seed, cultivated during his time at Behemoth National Academy through the Lamia Breathing Teique.

  Also known as the Water Nymph Breathing Teique, it allowed practitioo sleep and gain mastery over water when traio a high level.

  Yet, Charlot had never mao awaken his Power Seed. Half of this was due to his unsuitability for the knight’s path; the other half, he bmed on elusive luck.

  Homonsa looked anxious. She khis was a dangerous aive matter.