Although the Fars Empire allowed women to work, traditional forces remained quite strong. Unless the husband’s family was financially struggling and needed the wife’s salary, women were usually expected to resign.
Of course, if a woman’s family wielded considerable influence, she would enjoy more freedom.
Charlot had long known that his partner, the Chief Overseer of the City Patrol Guards, was a woman.
Her name was Kitty Mavis.
She graduated from Gorgias University seven years ago. Her maiden name was Orphée, and she married an imperial official. Now, she was a First-Class 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 Court Guard. This entitled her to draw two salaries.
Therefore, her absence from the patrol guards’ duties was entirely justified.
In seven years, Lady Mavis had risen from First-Class Gunnery Sergeant to First-Class 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, confident voice:
“It’s me! Mr. Mecklenburg, I also hold a position in the Imperial Court. Today, I come as an Inner Court Guard to deliver an oral decree from His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Charlot was startled. He thought to himself: How does the Crown Prince know about me?
Lowering his head slightly, he offered the imperial salute and replied,
“I humbly obey His Highness’s decree.”
Lady Mavis descended from the carriage. She was a tall woman with a commanding air not often seen in ordinary women. Her features were dignified and enchanting. Despite her age, she remained a striking beauty.
Among the women Charlot had encountered since his transmigration, the closest in demeanor to Lady Mavis was Miss Menielman.
The lady spoke:
“You have shown loyalty and diligence in 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 granted to the Lukavaro District patrol guards as a reward.”
“The official document from the Central Government Office will arrive here tomorrow. The reward cash will follow shortly.”
Overjoyed, Charlot replied,
“Thank you, my lady.”
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 contained an important revelation: The Crown Prince was present at the scene.
Before he could fully process this information, Lady Mavis returned to the carriage.
The carriage promptly departed from No. 1 Falcon Street.
Dubin approached Charlot and whispered,
“Have you ever heard rumors about this lady?”
Charlot shrugged, signaling his ignorance.
Dubin immediately perked up and whispered conspiratorially:
“When I took office, I asked some friends about her. Almost everyone in the palace says she’s the Crown Prince’s secret lover.”
Recalling Lady Mavis’s charm, Charlot thought: The Crown Prince has decent taste.
Dubin continued excitedly, sharing all the gossip he had collected—how the Crown Prince had allegedly snuck Lady Mavis out of the palace at night, taking a carriage for a wild ride through Strasbourg, and how the guards accompanying them heard sounds they shouldn’t have...
Charlot didn’t know whether the rumors were true, but the thought crossed his mind: The Crown Prince really knows how to have fun.
...
Before long, someone delivered a small bag of cash—coins only, no banknotes.
Charlot opened the bag in front of everyone and began distributing the reward. First, he gave bonuses to 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 understood the “monkey distributing nuts” principle.
After three rounds of distribution, Charlot had dispersed nearly 90% of the funds. He clapped 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 money to Dubin, Charlot excused himself. He had no intention of drinking with the guards. Calling over a patrol guard, he instructed:
“Head to 58 Elysée Avenue and tell Mrs. Nancy to bring the carriage. Prepare fruit wine, ale, food, fresh water, blankets, 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 office for Mrs. Nancy’s arrival, Homonsa entered 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 Adventurer Team, 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 placed it on Charlot’s desk.
“I found this at the explosion site.”
The weapon’s design was unusual, resembling a Chiappa Rhino revolver from Earth. Its silver body was engraved with countless strange runes, and the grip was covered in thick, supple beast hide.
Charlot touched the weapon and immediately realized it was an Extraordinary weapon. Given today’s events, it didn’t take much to guess where Homonsa had “found” it.
This Extraordinary pistol was undoubtedly the weapon used by the assassin who killed Grand Duke Ferdinand.
Homonsa whispered nervously,
“I know I can’t safely sell it, and I wouldn’t dare use it. Can you help me convert it into money?”
“I want to become a knight. I need the funds.”
Homonsa had already condensed her Power Seed, but possessing a Power Seed didn’t guarantee breaking through to become a battle energy knight.
Charlot also had a Power Seed, cultivated during his time at Behemoth National Academy through the Lamia Breathing Technique.
Also known as the Water Nymph Breathing Technique, it allowed practitioners to forgo sleep and gain mastery over water when trained to a high level.
Yet, Charlot had never managed to awaken his Power Seed. Half of this was due to his unsuitability for the knight’s path; the other half, he blamed on elusive luck.
Homonsa looked anxious. She knew this was a dangerous and sensitive matter.