Chapter 3: The Empire’s First Rose

Kilmainham Prison was located in the Marne District, separated from Val-de-Vas by two other districts.

The carriage moved at a leisurely pace. Charlot dozed lightly along the way until the driver’s cautious voice woke him. “Sir, we’ve arrived at Kilmainham Prison.”

Charlot stepped down from the carriage with a polite smile, bid the driver farewell, and hurried toward Kilmainham Prison. Handing his letter of introduction to the guard, he smiled and said, “This is an identification letter issued by the Central Government Office. I am Charlot Mecklenburg, an official employee here to assist with some tasks.”

The prison guard carefully examined the letter before returning it with a respectful expression. “Mr. Mecklenburg, proceed straight to the First Office Building and inquire with Receptionist Mrs. Pascal. She will take you to see Miss Menielman.”

Charlot’s smile froze slightly as he asked, “I’m here to assist Miss Menielman? That Miss?”

The guard’s face lit with pride. “Indeed, the Empire’s First Rose, Miss Menielman.”

Charlot refrained from asking further questions, hurrying into Kilmainham Prison. He quickly located the First Office Building and, under Mrs. Pascal’s guidance, entered a private office where he encountered the legendary Empire’s First Rose.

Miss Menielman was a legend in the Fars Empire.

Her unparalleled beauty was not the reason she had become the most outstanding female figure in the empire. She was one of the rare high-level transcendents, her mastery of combat energy profound and unparalleled.

Dressed in an imperial military uniform, she was like a blooming rose. Her soft yet intense gaze radiated anger, and the combat energy emanating from her body was so concentrated it seemed ready to ignite.

Several clerks in the room were visibly trembling. Papers were scattered across the floor, adding a touch of disorder to the office.

Charlot barely spared a glance at the renowned beauty before nodding briefly to his colleagues and diving into work. He began gathering the scattered documents.

Having lived through the era of internet celebrities in his past life, Charlot, despite Miss Menielman’s breathtaking beauty, was hardly shaken. His experience as a twice-lived man and a seasoned First-Class Civil Servant from the Central Government had steeled his resolve.

On his way here, he had taken the opportunity to read the letter. Besides identifying him, it briefly described his task: assisting the prison’s warden office in organizing case files.

Everyone knows that the best way to defuse an awkward office atmosphere is to appear busy—or to actually be busy.

Though Charlot’s university major had been mathematics education, and he had only dabbled in statistics, archival studies, and library science, his efficiency stood out in this archaic empire. He busied himself quickly, organizing all the documents scattered across the floor and desk.

Miss Menielman, suppressing her anger, coldly observed this composed clerk.

When Charlot finally completed his work, she asked, “I need to know what happened on March 18th.”

Charlot responded calmly, “There are twenty-eight documents related to March 18th, spanning four years. Do you require all of them, Miss Menielman, or documents from a specific year?”

“The thirty-first year of the Lady of the Black Moon Epoch.”

“There are twenty-one documents in total.”

“Retrieve all of them.”

Charlot’s expression remained impassive, but internally, he felt a twinge of dread. He had noticed something he shouldn’t have while sorting the files.

He handed over the twenty-one documents. Miss Menielman snatched them, her hand igniting with bright flames of combat energy.

In an instant, the documents were reduced to ashes. Brushing her hands together, she ordered, “Now bring me all the files related to the Night Window Incident.”

Without a word, Charlot located the seven relevant documents and handed them over.

Miss Menielman scanned the room, addressing the other clerks. “You may leave now.”

The clerks, as if granted a reprieve, shot grateful looks at Charlot before filing out of the room.

Miss Menielman turned to Charlot and said, “Sort through all the files in this office. I need every document related to Zimourman Axel Robin.”

Glancing at the room’s massive filing cabinets, Charlot replied evenly, “Understood.”

Meanwhile, he couldn’t help but think, “The volume of documents here is surprisingly low.” As a high school math teacher in his previous life, a single semester’s test papers would have outnumbered the files in this entire room.

Miss Menielman continued to issue commands.

Charlot executed each task flawlessly. Before long, the entire office’s files had been reorganized, and Charlot had inadvertently gleaned numerous secrets he probably wasn’t supposed to know. For instance…

Forget it. Best not to entertain such thoughts in front of Miss Menielman.

They would be too... indecent.

After destroying dozens of documents, Miss Menielman glanced out the window at the setting sun and asked, “Which department sent you?”

Charlot answered with calm composure, “The Central Government Office.”

“What’s your name?”

“Charlot Mecklenburg.”

“Which institution did you graduate from?”

Charlot lifted his head, his tone cool yet brimming with inherent pride. “Sheffield University.”

Miss Menielman finally showed a hint of surprise. “Sheffield University?”

“Yes,” Charlot replied succinctly.

The woman known as the Empire’s First Rose smiled for the first time since Charlot had entered the office. “I’m your senior.”

Charlot returned her smile. “Sheffield University, Black Moon Epoch, Year 33 graduate Charlot greets his senior.”

Education in the empire was divided into six tiers: elementary education, secondary education, higher education, public academies, national institutes, and imperial universities.

Completing higher education was already a significant achievement. For a child from a poor family, completing higher education meant ascending the social ladder.

Public academies, funded by nobles, produced graduates distinct from commoners.

National institutes were famously known for serving the royal family, producing elite talents for government positions, with salaries and benefits unimaginable to most.

Imperial universities, however, were on a completely different level.

As the saying went: national institutes served the empire and its royals, while imperial universities served the gods. Each imperial university represented the favor of a divine power, and its graduates held unparalleled prestige.

This was why Charlot had secured a position in the Central Government Office, enjoyed a handsome imperial salary, and received annual leave privileges.

He was a graduate of Sheffield University.

One of the four imperial universities in the Fars Empire.

Miss Menielman nodded, smiling as she extended her right hand downward.

Charlot gently lifted her hand with both of his and lightly touched her delicate fingertips with his forehead.

This gesture was a significant ritual in the empire, symbolizing the establishment of a pure friendship between a man and a woman.

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