Chapter 256
It’s been a few days since I secretly issued instructions to the Vice Captain. Of course, I didn’t expect immediate results, so I decided to wait patiently.
After all, fixing the Fourth Manager’s twisted affections, which have probably been warped for years, is something only the gods could manage. All I needed to do was make small changes here and there, like rain slowly soaking through fabric.
Still, I hope to see some progress before March. If the opening ceremony drags on, it will be summer break before I get to see the Fourth Manager.
“Make sure to treat the Fourth Manager warmly, too.”
“I’ve always been warm!”
I quietly turned my gaze away from the First Manager, who huffed in a way that suggested he felt slighted.
Sure, he and the Fourth Manager are close, but if you ask me whether the First Manager is warm, I’d have to scratch my head in confusion. Honestly, from an outsider’s perspective, it looks like he enjoys tormenting the quiet Fourth Manager.
‘Can I trust him?’
I couldn’t shake the worry. Wouldn’t he just make things worse for the Fourth Manager?
“Anyway, don’t worry! For Penelia to get together with the Executive Manager means the end of the youngest’s escapades!”
Hearing that actually gave me a bit of confidence. Yeah, let’s trust the First Manager’s greed instead of his warmth.
“There’s no such thing as a youngest.”
Of course, I had to correct that little misunderstanding. There’s no hierarchy between wives; it’s just a difference in when they joined the family.
With that thought in mind, I tugged on my lips, which had slipped into a reckless comment, and the First Manager nodded eagerly. Now that I’d warned him, he wouldn’t mess up again.
“By the way, Executive Manager, I’ve been curious about something since earlier.”
“Go ahead.”
As soon as I released my lips, the First Manager took a few cautious steps back and opened his mouth carefully.
“…You’re drafting the Judicial Minister’s evaluation, right?”
“Yep.”
That was such a simple question; I gave a simple answer.
“Who else would I evaluate but the Judicial Minister?”
The year-end evaluation is the only time a direct subordinate can evaluate their immediate superior.
The evaluations are submitted to the Personnel Department at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which compiles them and finally presents them to the Emperor. It’s one of the few opportunities for the public servants rolling on the ground to have their opinions reach the Emperor.
“No matter how I look at it, that’s not an evaluation of the Judicial Minister.”
The First Manager mumbled in a grumpy voice as he snatched the paper I’d been scribbling on.
Wait a minute, did my subordinate just rob me? The times are getting wild!
“The current Minister of Finance, Deber Briard of Blochen, is equitable and always takes the lead. He listens to even the lowest-ranked subordinate and decides on efficient measures…”
As the First Manager read my evaluation, his gaze shot back to me.
“Who is this? If there’s such a Minister, let’s bring him in!”
“He’s right here in the Minister’s office.”
I retrieved my robbed evaluation while replying.
I know, too—I’m fully aware that my written evaluation is nothing but a fairy tale character. But what can I do? If I were to evaluate the Minister honestly, all I’d write would be a slew of curses.
“What if I write the truth and the Minister gets sacked?”
Then screw it. It’s pretty obvious I’d be snatching that position for myself.
Not only is the Crown Prince scheming to promote me, but the Minister is also trying to find a way to retire. If I write any negative feedback about the Minister, he’d definitely seize the opportunity.
Of course, if the Minister is put out to pasture, it would end up being a transfer, but that’s a better fate than a job that doesn’t suit him.
“Is it alright to write a false evaluation?”
“If I submit this false report, won’t I eventually get sacked?”
The First Manager looked at me with an incredulous expression, but I brushed it off.
Dreaming is free, after all.
*
Which department has the luxury of slacking off at year-end? The Personnel Department is the busiest during this time of year.
It’s unavoidable. During year-end, performance and evaluations from each department and bureaucrats accumulate. It’s also the time inmates make requests to check if they’ve received any negative evaluations, as well as lobbying to attach positive comments to the final report submitted to the Emperor.
Although the Personnel Department does not solely lead the personnel orders for bureaucrats, they can advise the Emperor on his decisions formally. Even on the battlefield, central staff often have a stronger voice than field commanders.
‘If there’s a hell, it must be here.’
But in the Imperial Administration, power and workload are proportional. Sometimes, I wish they’d take some of the authority away if I could just get a break from the work. I don’t have any ambition to climb to the Minister’s level, I swear.
As I look at the evaluations of the administrative bureaucrats, I sometimes find it hard to tell whether I’m living in the human world or stuck in a breeding ground with a bunch of beasts.
If even a slight flaw is found in a superior, they’ll inflate it with all sorts of embellishments. The more they do so, the greater the chances a superior will step down, creating an opportunity for them to rise. Of course, not every bureaucrat is like that, but those who harbor ambitions toward the upper echelons can be a noisy minority.
A sight where I can see the ugly side of humanity without filters. It’s quite bitter for both the body and mind.
“Executive Manager, here’s the data sent from the Information Department.”
“Oh, just leave it there.”
While I rubbed my temples as my daily headache throbbed, the Senior Manager approached and handed me a thin stack of papers.
‘Information Department.’
Seeing data from a welcoming place made my lips perk up slightly. Just a few years ago, the Information Department was a place teetering on the edge of horror.
“Puhuh─”
Looking at the evaluation written by the Chief of the Information Department, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
It was packed with praises and good words. If you just read the evaluation form, you’d think he’s the best Minister and person in the world. Honestly, it’s even enjoyable to see such false praise three times in a row.
‘The intention is painfully obvious.’
It’s filled with such heartfelt resolve to keep the current Minister in power, and it’s all too visible that he’s hoping to get paid for this blatantly false assessment.
It’s amusing. Viewing these kinds of evaluations filled with political manipulation is like discovering an oasis in the desert.
And it’s not just the Chief of the Information Department; his subordinates are the same.
[ The Chief of the Information Department is always at the forefront, fully responsible for his subordinates’ mistakes, and comforts them, a true person of integrity─ ]
[ He is respectful to his superiors and kind to his subordinates. He rejects unreasonable orders and gives appropriate commands. ]
[ He stands by his words, never needs to repeat himself. He doesn’t cut ties to avoid responsibility. ]
“Cough…”
Even the founding prayers of the Great Emperor Amanca wouldn’t be so full of praise.
I felt my face growing warm from the vigorous praises directed at me, even though I wasn’t the one being acknowledged. And the hidden dark conspiracy behind those praises almost made me burst into laughter again.
One reason the Chief of the Information Department can’t resign, no matter how he struggles, is because of this evaluation.
“You’ve been a cause for concern at such a young age as Chief, but it seems you’re leading the department admirably.”
When the Emperor reviewed the evaluation sent by the Personnel Department, he didn’t say another word. That was a tacit expression that the Chief of the Information Department would remain, no matter what.
“Personnel Director, wouldn’t it be easier if your workload was lightened a bit? Ignore the evaluations sent from the Information Department.”
And the Crown Prince seems determined to maintain the status quo in the Information Department as well.
So, the evaluations from the Information Department have no impact on personnel changes whatsoever. It’s sad that the Chief of the Information Department doesn’t know this.
‘If only other departments were like this.’
A greedy thought crossed my mind, but so what? Dreaming is free, right?
Anyway, even just making people smile with written words is a talent. I’m looking forward to what kind of evaluation forms will come next year.
*
I knew the Vice Captain was writing something earnestly. But since it was the year-end evaluation season, I just assumed he had a lot to say to me—nothing more than that. If he had much to say, it only meant I wasn’t doing enough, and I shouldn’t blame him.
When I saw the soldiers whispering with the Vice Captain, I couldn’t help but think, “Am I really that lacking?” but I tried to brush it off. I couldn’t berate any of them for harboring dissatisfaction stemming from my shortcomings.
…Maybe I should have gotten angry.
“Vice Captain.”
“Yes?”
“What is this?”
The grave expression that filled the Vice Captain’s face as he handed me the paper knocked me back. As soon as I checked the document, I shut my eyes.
“This is the collective opinion of all Mukgwangdae members.”
And with that grand proclamation, I felt dizzy. Collective opinion? Can you even attach that word to this document?
“This represents the loyalty of all our members, including myself.”
“Where do you see loyalty—”
“If it’s not loyalty, then please consider it family affection.”
At those words, I found myself speechless.
What a cowardly move, throwing around the term “family” like that. Now, how could I possibly refuse?
“Just once, please read it all the way through. That’ll be enough.”
And how could I argue against that?
…Yeah, let’s think of it as a sincere admonition submitted to a superior by a subordinate—expressions of affection from a family. That’s how I should interpret it.
So, I steadied my trembling hands and began to read the paper the Vice Captain handed me—
[ All members of Mukgwangdae, including Vice Captain Giuseppe Digo, formally request that Commander Penelia Yus—
For years now, we have been reborn under the grace of the Chief of the Information Department. That grace is something we could never repay, no matter how many lifetimes we lived. Yet to give up on repaying that grace would be a beastly act.
How can it not be tragic that, in thinking of the Chief of the Information Department merely as someone to blindly follow, our Commander would not feel anguish?
Now, Commander— ]
I hadn’t gotten through much before I snapped my eyes shut again.
“Commander.”
But the Vice Captain wouldn’t even let me shut my eyes this time, as he opened his mouth again.
“The reason for giving back should never be payment. Isn’t it sad just to consider our relationship as merely that of master and servant?”
“……”
“Of course, we are willing to become servants to that person. However, the Commander wishes for something beyond that, so it would be rude to just remain quiet due to the reason of repayment.”
For rare moment, I couldn’t find the words to refute the Vice Captain’s earnestness.
But I had to argue. Just as he mentioned, there’s been much grace received. It’s only right to repay it properly.
And yet, approaching the Executive Manager so familiarly is a matter of knowing one’s place. I’m sure that’s how it is.
“If you want to repay, think about what the Executive Manager wants. If you just do as you please, it’s nothing more than self-satisfaction.”
But I could not bring myself to respond.
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