Chapter 234
In the Information Department’s Second Division, our main job isn’t combat; it’s more like a support role focused on gathering intel. Thanks to that, most of the operatives in the Second Division don’t stick around in one place and wander all over the region hoarding information. Of course, we’ve managed to divvy up the responsible areas, so I don’t have to sprint from the eastern edge to the western edge of the empire.
And as for me, the head of the division, I oversee the Capital. Naturally, if someone in my important position isn’t ensuring the Capital is well-managed and looked after, who else will?
Some foolish and petty folks might grumble about me being in charge of the Capital while they’re out running around. But there’s one undeniable truth that I can proudly shout back to them:
“If you’re unhappy, then get promoted!”
It’s a phrase from the Executive Manager, and one I’ve taken to heart. Before I became the head of the division, I really had to bust my chops. Now that I’ve been promoted, is it wrong to enjoy a bit of comfort?
Besides, I didn’t just walk in and get this title by chance. I snagged this position after winning the gamble of my life — getting close to the Executive Manager right when they took charge two years ago secured me this position.
Anyway, since becoming the head of the division, I’ve mostly stuck to managing the Capital. Unless absolutely necessary, I’ve sunk my roots here and haven’t moved an inch. After all, a gentleman with ambitions who knows how to enjoy life should be lingering in the Capital, right?
‘Maybe I should at least check out where I want my grave to be someday.’
And lately, that determination has only hardened. Even after I die, I’ll have my tombstone right here in the Capital, so the breezes of the place can remain in my ears.
“Director,”
“Oh, you’re here.”
It’s the Chief Team Leader, who oversees both the Capital and the area surrounding it. We often share drinks together, so I’m really glad to see him nowadays.
“Rumors are spreading like wildfire. Even in small towns, they’re starting to hear about it.”
“Fantastic!”
I’m only receiving joyful reports through the Chief Team Leader.
‘Thank you, Executive Manager.’
I genuinely want to thank the Executive Manager back at the Academy. It’s so considerate to create interesting incidents for an employee who might get bored just lingering in the Capital!
Now I don’t even have to pay for a theater ticket. I’ve got free, fascinating performances that come along just when I least expect them.
‘I’ve done my part too.’
A sense of pride washed over me. Under a true superior, there lies a true subordinate. The Executive Manager threw me an entertaining production, so I decided to move a little for the Executive Manager’s sake.
Nothing too grand. I spread the word like wildfire starting early in the morning that the Executive Manager and the Duke were off at the Magic Tower together. Just a little encouragement to fan flames already destined to spark!
My goal was modest: to have this rumor spread across the empire before the New Year’s Ball.
“Any other rumors?”
“They’ve all been completely buried.”
“Perfect!”
I felt a swell of satisfaction. The best way to block a rumor is by burying it under an even bigger one.
The incident where my superior was sobbing in front of the National Cemetery got covered up by this Duke incident. And the incident of the Duke sobbing while wandering the Capital got perfectly overshadowed by this latest gossip.
I’m sure the Executive Manager would be delighted too. After all, a subordinate keeps his embarrassing past concealed! Plus, the rumor of the Duke crying and wandering around the Capital got swept under the rug, too.
‘This is definitely worth a reward.’
I’ll have to formally suggest this at the year-end meeting. A bonus for the whole Second Division for preserving the Executive Manager’s honor.
“Nice work. Let’s keep this up.”
“Yes, Director.”
“How about a drink after work?”
“Absolutely.”
The Chief Team Leader grinned and headed out of the office. I’m sure he’ll pick the place for that drink himself.
‘If only every day could be like this.’
As soon as the Chief Team Leader left, I sank deep into the couch. My job satisfaction has been soaring lately. If it stays like this, I could do this bureaucratic gig for another twenty years without a hitch!
‘The First Division Chief seems fine too.’
Besides, with the Executive Manager stirring up excitement outside the Information Department, life within the department has been a blast!
Every time the tale of the Executive Manager’s blossoming romance circulates, people’s eyes tend to shift towards the First Division Chief. In the past, I used to be careful about the First Division Chief’s mood, but now there’s no need for that.
“It’s fine! The Executive Manager’s a dude who’s totally caught my eye, so of course he’s popular!”
“Doesn’t that mean your chances of losing him are pretty high?”
“Pfft! The Executive Manager would never ditch me!”
I can’t help but be amazed when I think about it. How did the First Division Chief get so enchanted? In the past, she would have reacted sensitively, but instead, she laughed it off.
Of course, it’s a good development. Thanks to the First Division Chief’s baseless confidence, I could move forward without hesitation.
‘Let’s hope for a good ending.’
As I pictured the smiling face of the First Division Chief, I offered a short prayer. As a colleague, wishing her happiness seems only fair.
May you find joy, First Division Chief.
‘As for me, I’ll just be out there finding my own happiness.’
I retrieved my communication device from my pocket. The moment I looked at it, a smile almost automatically broke out.
The Duke incident… just saying it can easily confuse it with the Crown Princess’s birthday banquet. It’s been quite some time since I’ve last reached out to the Executive Manager since the partial Duke incident. Calling now feels like a monumental first contact.
My heart raced at the thought of what expression the Executive Manager would wear while writhing in discomfort.
‘This is why I work in the Information Department.’
My heart felt light. If the Executive Manager wasn’t the current Executive Manager, I would never have made it through these Information Department days.
– What is it? Why are you contacting me again?
Not long after activating the communications device, the Executive Manager’s face appeared. The expression on his face screamed, “If you called for something useless, I swear I’ll end you!”
“Hey, Executive Manager. You seem to be doing well?”
– Does it look like I am?
“Not at all.”
– Damn brat.
His profane reply made me chuckle again.
But if I just mess around, the Executive Manager would certainly hang up on me. I can’t let that happen.
“The Capital has been a little noisy lately. There hasn’t been a dull day, I’ll tell you that.”
– …….
That got the Executive Manager to zip his lips.
He’s currently at the Academy, but for two years, he served in a senior bureaucratic role in the Capital. If he has no clue about what’s been happening in the Capital now, that’s truly an odd situation.
“I’ve got both good and bad news for you.”
– What is it?
“First of all, the good news: all the gossip about your slumbering in the streets has been buried.”
At least that eased the Executive Manager’s tense features a bit.
“The bad news… well, you already know, don’t you?”
– Dammit.
It didn’t take long for more swearing to flow out, but the lack of a strong reaction shows he knows this is the best-case scenario.
Yeah, how much effort did the Second Division exert to achieve this result? If I said otherwise, I’d be an idiot.
“I’m really looking forward to the New Year’s Ball. I bet there will be some bets on who your first wife is going to be.”
Nobles are people too; when intriguing events unfold, they get bets rolling. Who knows who will guess right and which way things will swing?
Who will be the Executive Manager’s first wife—the Duke or a noble lady? Even if His Majesty bans betting, it’ll still happen in the shadows.
“Could you just quietly let me know? I’ll give you half of my winnings.”
I had already relayed everything I needed to, so I threw in one last jab. The Executive Manager would now undoubtedly cut off our convo with an annoyed grumble.
– All of them.
…?
“Yes?”
– All of them.
“…What do you mean?”
– Your first wife.
I glanced at the communication device that still remained connected, looking around in confusion.
What the heck? Is it broken?
Why is the transmission sounding all weird?
Still struggling to calm my racing heart with bad expectations, I made my way to the Judicial Minister’s office.
To be honest, I was terrified of walking there. However, I’m the unlucky one who first sensed this horrible disaster, and as the first discoverer, it’s my duty to report swiftly.
– Does the first one really have to be just one?
“No, it’s a societal norm—”
– Societal norms can change over time.
The sight of the Executive Manager speaking like a teacher was rattling my head.
Of course, he’s right. Social agreements can adapt based on circumstances. However, having just one first wife is a fixed agreement. The sun rises in the east, and water flows downwards—that’s an unchanging truth. No matter the circumstances, this fact cannot fluctuate.
“…Yes, that’s interesting.”
– Right? I knew you’d get it.
Understanding? Not in a million years. But I sensed that if I resisted, the Executive Manager wouldn’t let this go.
So I feigned agreement. Even managing this much felt like it was draining my mental energy. But right now, I’m the only one who can report the Executive Manager’s state of lunacy to the Judicial Minister.
With that resolve, I finally reached the Judicial Minister’s office. Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door.
– Knock knock.
“Minister, this is Lafayette Baron from the Information Department’s Second Division.”
“Come in.”
As a mere division chief, skipping the Senior Manager and Executive Manager to head straight to the Minister shows my guts. It used to be impossible, but now? Totally doable!
“What’s the matter? Have you already picked a wedding venue?”
As the Judicial Minister glanced up from his work and spoke bluntly, I instinctively flinched. Ever since he found out about my liaison with Christina, he’s been particularly relentless.
“I’m not here about the venue; I have urgent news to report.”
“So the wedding with Christina isn’t significant, huh?”
What the heck? How did it go down that path?
“Just kidding.”
Fortunately, the Judicial Minister let out a laugh and set his pen down, signaling for me to share what I had.
With that gesture, I unconsciously swallowed hard. I’m about to report that my superior has lost it. Where on earth would I even encounter such a dreadful situation?
But I must do it. At least for the Minister to take charge of this fiasco, he has to be informed of what’s happening. Someone needs to be more than just a subordinate to help cure the lunatic!
“The Executive Manager has completely lost it.”
Finally, I spat that out while squeezing my eyes shut. I didn’t need any long explanations; saying he’s lost it is sufficient.
But the response I got was rather lackluster.
“He was already nuts.”
‘No.’
I was at a loss for words for a second.
And simultaneously, it clicked. It’s true; if you had to choose between normal and insane, he was nearer to the latter.
“He’s crazier than before.”
I hesitated for a moment but finally added quietly.
And only then did the Judicial Minister’s expression harden slightly.
“…Crazier than usual?”
I simply nodded in silence.
Reporting that the Executive Manager said he would name every noble lady his first wife took some serious guts.
Even the Judicial Minister was quiet for a while after hearing my report.
An eerie silence enveloped the Judicial Minister’s office.
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