Chapter: 392
Today, my world has collapsed. Or maybe it was yesterday.
But really, does it matter if a world is crumbling today or yesterday? No future means no difference, right?
‘Calm down.’
After a brief despair, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Let’s rethink this. It’s not easy for a person’s world to fall apart. There’s no way it could happen to me.
Yeah, this is just a nightmare. I momentarily fainted from extreme anxiety. When I open my eyes, the message will be a normal personnel announcement, not this terrible nightmare. It has to be.
[ The chairman of the newly organized Inspection Ministry will be Count Cal Krasius of Yuris, and he will also serve as the inaugural minister of the Inspection Ministry. ]
“Damn.”
However, even when I opened my eyes, nothing changed. In fact, it seemed clearer after I let my eyes rest.
I can’t believe it. The Inspection Division, founded about 100 years ago, has existed purely as a department without ever being elevated. While it was often said that the Inspection Division’s authority and prestige didn’t match that of the mere departments under the Ministry of Finance, actually promoting it to a ministry is an entirely different matter.
It’s not just a name change to the Inspection Ministry neither; multiple organizations under the Special Operations Ministry are being merged into it as well.
‘At this rate, it’s going to be a real ministry level.’
I couldn’t help but bite my lips. If it had just changed its name while retaining the structure of a department, I could manage that. Sure, the protocol hierarchy would rise in an instant, but the actual work would remain the same.
But according to this personnel change order, the soon-to-be-created Inspection Ministry would certainly evolve into a ministry-tier organization, no matter how small compared to others. That means tasks and responsibilities must increase correspondingly.
‘This is insane.’
Eventually, a sigh escaped. I became the youngest executive manager in my teens, and now I’m set to be the youngest minister in my twenties? Look through the history of the Empire, or even the entire continent—has there ever been a precedent for this?
‘What am I supposed to do about this?’
I stared blankly at the communication device. If this had been a scheduled shift, I might have had some control, but for emergency or special shifts, once it’s announced, that’s it. The final plan is publicized in the Emperor’s name to all officials, and it can’t be undone.
Moreover, even if there was a slim chance to undo it, I doubt the Emperor would go for it. He took the drastic step of promoting a department to a ministry—why would he backtrack? The Emperor isn’t the type to give up like that. He’d rather not mention the promotion at all.
Damn it, could it be that I was made a godfather just to promote me to minister? Maybe the Crown Prince’s godfather status was enough of a reason for a boost in rank.
‘Ah.’
As I rationalized my concerns, suddenly the communication device lit up and gave me a start.
My hands trembled instinctively. A future filled with gut-wrenching news loomed ahead.
“Inspection head here.”
Still, it could be a call from my father, just having learned of my promotion, or maybe from the senior manager, discussing the sudden elevation of a department, so I answered.
– Oh, you picked up! I thought you’d be too overwhelmed by all the congratulatory messages.
And immediately, I regretted it.
– What’s with that expression? Today is supposed to be a joyous day, isn’t it?
Seeing the minister’s overly cheerful smile made me want to scream.
“…Why are you suddenly using honorifics?”
– I can’t speak informally to someone soon to be a minister, can I? That’s only natural.
Even he found what he said amusing, bursting into laughter.
You bastard. What is Enen waiting for not to drag someone like him away?
*
Just moments ago, I was in a foul mood. The emergence of the Crown Prince solidified the royal lineage, which is happy news for a vassal, but the concurrent early resignation of the Minister of the Imperial Household is troubling. The minister doesn’t just handle household errands; he’s the highest-ranking minister overseeing the entire administration.
Thankfully, the head of the palace family will act in place of the Imperial Household’s functions, but for a time, it falls on me, the Minister of Finance, to be the number one in the administration. It’s enough to make anyone sigh.
However, that sigh vanished without a trace when I glanced at a particular line of text moments later.
“Ha ha ha!”
Laughter burst forth genuinely, and I couldn’t recall the last time I laughed this hard.
Sure, I’ve had chuckles of joy before but this was different. The emotion coursing through me now was almost akin to delight, as if I was watching a legendary clown. I only managed to calm down after holding my laughter for a while.
[ The chairman of the newly organized Inspection Ministry will be Count Cal Krasius of Yuris, and he will also serve as the inaugural minister of the Inspection Ministry. ]
“Phew—”
As soon as I turned my gaze, my heart raced again, unable to hold back the laughter. It’s astonishing how much power a single line can hold.
‘An Inspection Ministry.’
Alright, I settled down and aimed to gather my thoughts. The joy I felt as a friend, alongside the concerns as Minister of Finance, were two different beasts altogether.
First off, him becoming a minister and getting to witness him weep and rave while enjoying the position is a positive note. I’m so glad about it that I could work joyfully for the next decade.
However, with the Inspection Division under me now rising to an independent ministry, and unexpectedly the person I thought would be the next minister of the Imperial Household becoming one of another sector, that throws a monkey wrench into my plans. I’ve got to fill the void left by the Minister of the Imperial Household which just complicates matters further.
‘…Worrying about the next minister isn’t a necessity.’
At least I wouldn’t need to fret too much about selection for the next minister. If a high official recommends their successor, there’s a high chance the Emperor will take it under consideration, but there’s no obligation. If they leave without a recommendation, the Emperor will likely choose someone deemed fit.
That means I’ll only regret him not succeeding me, but it won’t cause any problems.
Okay, it’s better to see him taking the ministerial position now rather than waiting for decades to see it happen. Let’s laugh it off.
‘A Ministry of Finance without the Inspection Division.’
In that case, the issue I need to worry about is that the Inspection Department disappearing is a colossal event, as it was one of the five departments which supported the Ministry of Finance.
…
‘It’ll probably be fine.’
Thinking it through, I realized I might be okay without them.
The Inspection Division, while nominally under the Ministry of Finance, had actually been a bizarre division involved in all departments under the Emperor’s mandate. I knew this well since I was a part of the Inspection Division and now only received nominal reports from them since becoming the Minister of Finance.
Reaching that conclusion almost made me burst into laughter again. Strangely enough, this whole creation of the Inspection Ministry doesn’t affect me at all.
– Inspection head here.
Feeling elated, I made the call. This was something where I could tease the other party without worrying about any counterattack.
“Ah, you picked up! I thought you’d be too busy with congratulations, so I’m glad.”
His expression twisted immediately upon hearing this.
My heart felt calm.
“What’s with that expression? Isn’t today supposed to be a joyful day?”
– …Why the sudden formality…
“I can’t speak casually to someone who will soon be a minister. That’s only proper.”
Seeing him grimace more made me even happier.
The Emperor truly left me with a great gift before abdicating.
*
With every curse I barely held back, I spoke kindly.
“Have you lost your mind?”
Even I think that’s a gentlemanly response. No one on this earth possesses such superhuman patience and charity.
– Why get angry on a happy day?
Finally, the minister dropped the creepy formality and began speaking normally.
But good day—what a load of nonsense. If today’s a disaster, I’d be willing to admit it.
– Anyway, congratulations on becoming a minister. It was practically sealed that you’d be one, right? The only question was when it would happen.
“No, I thought it would take at least 20 years! A minister in their twenties? That’s just absurd!”
In my heartfelt outcry, the minister’s expression twitched slightly. If he has even a shred of decency—
– You thought I’d stay in the ministerial position for 20 years?
This bastard, with no thought for decorum.
I was left speechless at the minister’s utterly self-serving nature, but the minister suddenly grinned and nodded.
– Sure, I’ll keep my position for about 20 years. You’ll be around for 60.
“Please go outside and just die.”
In that instant, I thought—if I ever commit murder, whether I become a minister or not, I won’t be retiring.
Just let me land one clean hit!
After that, a multitude of dialogues flew back and forth, but only my mental state was damaged. Typically, I would throw jabs at the minister, but this time, nothing came to mind.
– Still, it’s a relief. Even if you’re at the Academy, the senior and the head of the Information Department will handle the responsibilities of the founding chairman anyway. Even during the days of the Inspection Division, wasn’t it the senior who did all the work?
Adding this undeniable fact only landed a clearer finishing blow.
In reality, the issue of the founding chairman was my only hope. It’s a whole new ministry being established; the position of the chairman wouldn’t be within the regulations but rather held externally. Meanwhile, I’m engaged in significant duties managing the royalty of other countries.
I briefly entertained thoughts of handing that role off to someone else while postponing the establishment schedule of the Inspection Ministry, even though it was a slender hope.
But the minister smashed that notion.
‘…The head of the Information Department would have done an excellent job in that role.’
I keep lingering on this. Honestly, the head of the Information Department is older than I am and has more experience. Wouldn’t it be alright for them to take the post first and then I take over later? I could willingly accept that.
Of course, that’s a futile thought. This whole personnel shift completes only if I become the minister.
‘Don’t cry now, inner resignation letter.’
I quietly calmed myself as I glanced at the congratulations piling up on my device. I’ll endure it since I received a huge gift from the Emperor at the ceremony. Otherwise, I would have submitted my resignation right at this moment.
As I checked the messages from the senior assistant, the head of the Information Department, Erzhabet, Penelia, and the second manager, my father’s message caught my eye.
[ Congratulations on becoming the designated minister. While it’s surprisingly swift, it’s a testament to your abilities and loyalty, which brings joy to me as your father. ]
Reading the sincerely heartfelt message made me smile instinctively. I particularly liked the term “designated minister.”
Soon, I felt my eyes widen at the following words.
[ It’s best to hold the title succession ceremony when you have some time. I’ll sync up my schedule to match, so contact me when time allows. ]
…
Title succession ceremony?
A hilarious chaos erupts at the founding of the Inspection Ministry!
Of course, slaves are not included. Slaves are not people, they’re property.
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