Chapter: 3
A week has already passed since I barely managed to recover from my thrilling near-encounter with the Gold Duke. Just three days ago, I had a dream where the 3rd Manager flamboyantly exploded and the Gold Duke crawled over to the Inspection Department.
In that dream, I was completely helpless against his smiling face and soul-crushing rhetoric. How many times did I hit the desk in frustration, thinking, “I should have argued back like this!”? It was maddeningly detailed, driving me even crazier. Who’s controlling my dreams? How could I have had the same dream for four days straight?
“You slept so well that you even dreamt?”
“You literally slept for four days…?”
“You… actually slept…?”
“The working conditions at the Inspection Department have really hit rock bottom… sigh…”
What’s up with that last comment? What on earth did you do for a whole week without any sleep?
“Since the Executive Manager piled on the night shifts, my date plans got pushed back. I’ve been too busy managing everything, so I’ve hardly slept lately.”
“I can’t help but wonder if not letting you go is for the sake of the young ladies?”
What a character. Turns out, some people can still date even in such an atmosphere. The 3rd Manager shot a sad glance at the 2nd Manager’s general provocation towards all the singles. That guy was a classic example of someone who wouldn’t succeed until he miraculously got married.
Of course, I’m in the same boat. After a brief exchange of comradery through eye contact with the 3rd Manager, we both quickly averted our gazes. I really don’t want to get used to this kind of comradery.
The 1st Manager, who had been quietly observing, scratched his head and then spoke up.
“Executive Manager, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Huh? Didn’t the report already end?”
“Yes, besides the report, I have something to convey.”
“What is it?”
“The Minister was looking for you. He said to come after the meeting.”
Hearing that the Minister was looking for me made my body tense up, but then I relaxed again. Considering he gave me a leeway until after the meeting, it probably wasn’t going to be a repeat of ink bottles flying across the room.
As the word “Minister” instinctively made me shrink inwards, I felt a twinge of sadness for myself. There aren’t many superiors, so why is it that every single one of them isn’t an ordinary person? Honestly, wouldn’t it be better for my mental health to have ten normal superiors instead?
“Why does that old man always send someone in place of a communication method? He made the Senior Manager do it last time too.”
At my remark, the 1st Manager looked at me with her red eyes, almost as if asking if I really didn’t know why. What’s with the look, buddy?
“Executive Manager, didn’t the Minister say he hardly ever answers calls? He said you had to call him ten times to get him to pick up three or four.”
“Come on, isn’t it understandable that someone in a big position might miss a call now and then?”
A civil servant can sometimes miss calls while handling significant tasks. After all, the Inspection Department is not some rural outpost; it’s one of the Empire’s core departments. If the Executive Manager is able to take all the Minister’s calls, then wouldn’t that just imply he’s slacking off? The Minister should instead be pleased if the Executive Manager is busy fulfilling his duties.
The 2nd Manager couldn’t hold back his laughter at my response, almost as if to say, ‘That’s why you’re a regular at the Minister’s office!’
“If I were the Minister, I would’ve already jabbed a pen into the Executive Manager’s head.”
“Ah, that explains why he looks so grumpy every time he sees me.”
So that’s it – one of the mysteries that was on my mind has finally been resolved.
“Anyway, it’s about time to go, isn’t it? It’s not like he’s angry, but if you’re late, you definitely will be facing a wrathful Minister.”
“I see him angry all the time, so it’s really not a big deal.”
Even if I said that, I quietly stood up from my seat. I see him angry all the time, which makes me want to see it even less. Every time he blows up, he does it in new and exciting patterns, and from my perspective, it’s downright maddening. My gaze momentarily turned distant.
“If you keep acting like this, just know I’ll mark you as my successor for the Minister position when I retire!”
That booming scolding from a year ago still echoes in my memory. How can one poke at something they fear most? That’s just cruel…
“Anyway, since there’s nothing more to discuss, you’re dismissed.”
“Yes~”
“Come back safe.”
Knock knock
“Minister, it’s me. It’s the Chief of the Inspection Department.”
“Come in.”
The moment I opened the door, I seriously contemplated closing it again. The Minister was standing there, showing off his muscles while lifting dumbbells, looking like a scene from a strength training session. Ugh, my eyes.
“…What on earth are you doing?”
“Did this young fella already hit senility? I’m working out.”
No, that’s not why I asked. Who does strength training in the middle of the office?
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
Of course, I couldn’t dare to speak out.
‘Better him working out than getting mad…’
If he was angry, those weights would be directed at me, and I’m not sure how I’d endure that. I’d rather wish he trained all day.
As I entered cautiously, the Minister tossed one of the dumbbells to the corner, making a thud as the ground shook violently. This guy is insane… absolutely insane…
“Why do you look so shocked? Can’t you lift something like that?”
“Uh? Why do you think I can?”
The Minister, strutting towards me while flaunting his muscles, looked like a bear standing on its hind legs.
In sheer awe, I almost fell to my knees and started begging for forgiveness. I didn’t even know what I had done wrong, but somehow, I felt I needed to apologize. Just as the Minister drew near, he frowned and slapped me on the back.
“Ugh!”
“Damn it, you’ve lost quite a bit of muscle, haven’t you? Stuck in the office all this time!”
“No! I’ve never been told that before…!”
Of course everyone seems skinny in your eyes!
As I protested with pain shooting from my back, the Minister just laughed it off.
“Because you never step outside, of course you wouldn’t have heard it.”
“Damn, the truth hurts more, doesn’t it?”
“Anyway, take a seat. I called you because I have something to discuss.”
Since the Minister turned his back and sat in the prominent chair, I had no choice but to follow and sit down.
‘Did he look bigger in just a few weeks?’
As I quickly scanned him from top to bottom, it was evident – his muscles were ever so slightly more defined. Are these muscles made to grow endlessly? Who allows such a monster to roam free in society? No way that’s human; he must be part ogre or something! One thing was for sure: he wouldn’t be someone limited to a mere Finance Minister.
Every time we held a welcome event for new staff, the new recruits’ eyes would be wide as saucers—definitely not just my personal sentiment. It didn’t matter how you looked at him, he seemed cut out for the position of Defense Minister or something far grander. He was far too colossal to just be an Administrative Minister.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing. Just that you really are impressive.”
If I told others that I worked under someone like this, what would they think of me? They’d probably assume I was in a gang or something…
Dismissing my remark, the Minister just leaned back in his chair while stroking his chin. Wow, now even the chair looks small!
“You haven’t had any tasks lately, have you?”
“Well, that’s true. If I’m holding onto something, it’s usually work you’ve thrown my way, so you’d know.”
There were plenty of reports and tasks piling up, but the Executive Manager had no pressing assignments. I almost had to get involved with the fieldwork regarding the Gold Duke, but fortunately, the 3rd Manager wrapped that up.
“Hmmm…”
“What’s wrong? Are you planning to dump some work on me? But really, neither of us have had any tasks lately.”
“No, we didn’t have anything, but…”
“Can you not leave it at ‘but’? That makes me uneasy.”
So does this mean we now have work? I instinctively grimaced at the thought of being pummeled with tasks. However, the Minister didn’t pay any mind to my facial expression.
‘What’s going on? Is it something serious?’
There was no way the Minister would keep quiet just while observing my complaints. It wouldn’t have been surprising if a blow came flying my way, instead, he maintained his silence. They always say “no news is the worst news,” so this must be a pretty big deal. Damn it, it’s only been a week since we wrapped up the Gold Duke incident, and another crisis has popped up already?
*
Meanwhile, the Minister was also deep in thought, much like a sword pondering its purpose. A matter had arisen that was a bit too big for an Executive Manager to handle, yet too minor for him to address personally. Sure, he could force the Executive Manager to deal with it, but if things escalated, he might have to rush there himself.
The trouble was that the Minister couldn’t afford to act impulsively lately. If it were possible, he would have already acted without thought.
‘Should I really entrust this to him?’
Carl was one of the Executive Managers of the Ministry of Finance. Still, considering the status of both Carl and the Inspection Department, he certainly wasn’t just another subordinate. He might not be at the height of importance like a Minister, but he definitely had a superior standing when compared to others.
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“You mentioned you wanted to attend the Academy, right?”
At those words, Carl’s previous frown transformed into a brightened expression.
*
Hearing the Minister’s words, my eyes went wide, and energy surged through my body. Yes, I used to say that all the time: I wanted to enjoy a cozy life at the Academy, not just work as a civil servant. Each time I brought it up, the Minister would smack me in the back of the head and tell me to stop saying such nonsense.
‘Could this be it? A chance to retire?’
If that were the case, it made sense that he would ponder this deeply. Letting go of someone with my exceptional talents was a decision that warranted careful consideration. Yet, throughout the years, I had faith in the Minister. Deep within that hulking figure and rough demeanor lay a thoughtful soul. That was why he couldn’t ignore a subordinate’s desperate plea and finally agreed to it! Though we had spent around four years together, those four years felt more meaningful than four decades.
“Minister! I’ve always had the utmost respect for you!”
In response, the Minister shot me a look that screamed, “What the heck is wrong with this guy?” But I didn’t care. In my heart, he had now become my hero, the one who granted my lifelong wish.
“It’s a pity that I’ll have to leave your side and become just another Academy student, but I’ll never forget those four years that felt like forty! From the moment I first met you, I felt my life had been on a different plane of existence. So it’s not just four years; it should be more like four hundred years…”
The Minister watched me with a bored expression as he tossed a resignation document my way, his attention wandering.
“Stop with the nonsense and read this.”
“—So those four years I spent with you felt like four thousand? What’s this? Severance Pay Document?”
Finally snapping out of my ramble, I accepted the document thrust my way by the Minister. Normally, I’d handle it like it was a canister of radioactive waste, but instead, I viewed the Minister as a divine figure—someone who upheld order in my life.
“…Huh?”
And then, one sentence I read shattered that divine image.
[… I hereby send Carl Krasius, the Chief of the Inspection Department at the Ministry of Finance, as an emergency inspector to the Empire Academy. – Deber Briard, Count of Blotchen, Minister of Finance.]
My eyes shook as I looked at the Minister.
The Minister simply nodded in acknowledgment.
“You said you wanted to go to the Academy, right? I considered it specially for you.”
“What the hell! I said I wanted to enroll in the Academy, not that I wanted to work there like some crazy person!”
But the orders were already set in stone. The Minister of Finance, taking orders from the Emperor, had given the command himself. Refusing without proper justification would be tantamount to challenging the Emperor and the entire Empire.
If I’m told to go, then I must comply. If I don’t want this order, I could always transfer. The backlash of what I usually threw at my subordinates had now come back at me. Sure, I learned all these bad behaviors from the Minister. In the end, with no arguments to stand on, I was left with no choice but to step out of the Minister’s office, clutching the notice of my subservience.
“You absolute prankster…”
The Minister went from a God-like figure to just an absolute prankster in my eyes.
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