Chapter 589
I ended up staying out unexpectedly. Originally, the plan was to enjoy the night view after the play and then return.
Of course, as much as I’d love to stay until just before work like Erich’s ambition, I couldn’t put that kind of all-nighter burden on her since she has to go in normally. If Erich had stamina like mine and could handle a few days of sleepless nights, maybe it would be different.
So, I told the ladies back at the mansion that I’d be returning at night—
‘But I never expected this.’
As I lightly tapped on the enormous glass window that almost took up an entire wall, I burst into laughter.
From inside, you can see the play happening outside, but the actors outside can never see inside. Plus, if someone enters the room, there’s a locking mechanism that prevents outsiders from getting in at all.
Just to be sure, I checked the inside for any items that could invade privacy. This was truly a space set up for the guests’ peace.
‘What a lunatic.’
I couldn’t help but chuckle. I’m thrilled with how perfect the date route is, but I never imagined my superior would throw in a place like this for a date.
No, more importantly, how did he even find out about this? No matter how much the Information Manager was in charge during his Inspectorate days, this is just too much.
‘Thank goodness he’s married.’
I let out a sigh of relief without realizing it.
A Casanova who knows every nook and cranny of the capital. Just imagining it is terrifying. How many young ladies would have shed tears if that guy was still out there flirting around?
That’s why his wife, Christina, who dotes on him, is basically a savior for the Empire’s noble daughters. A holy sword that has sealed away the great evil that should never return to this world.
I never expected to praise my superior as a savior or a holy sword, but there we are.
“Mmm…”
“Are you awake?”
I turned my head at the mumbling sound coming from the bed.
Erich had been fainting and waking up repeatedly until dawn. Now, it was indeed the time people typically get up, but it wouldn’t be unusual for her to still be out cold.
“W-where am I?”
As she blinked in confusion, Erich started looking around frantically and asked with a dazed voice.
What’s going on? Did she lose her memory?
“Oh.”
Fortunately, it seemed she was just disoriented from waking up, and it didn’t take long for some life to return to her previously cloudy eyes.
“Feeling back to normal?”
As I casually perched on the edge of the bed, Erich jumped a bit and let out a little giggle.
“My back still hurts…”
“Everyone feels that way at first.”
At least it only ended up being for a day, allowing her to get back on her feet right away.
It didn’t seem necessary to elaborate further, so I gently massaged her back. She’d probably naturally come to realize this is just the warm-up soon enough after the wedding.
“So, how was it, big sister?”
At my teasing question, Erich’s eyes darted around.
She was trying to avoid my pitying gaze, but it serves her right. Who told her to provoke me first?
“Right now, we’re not just the Minister and Second Manager, but dating as lovers, right? Tonight, I’ll take charge!”
Realizing that the place we came into wasn’t just a regular theater but something more risqué, Erich shot back at me. Smaller than me but trying to push me onto the bed, she huffed and puffed.
And she had the audacity to say she’d show me her charm as an older woman, casually leaving Trixie out of the conversation.
“I won’t listen to you, big sis, if you’re weaker than me.”
That was such a moving display of bravado that I ended up pushing her down onto the bed instead.
How dare she mess around with someone who’s got four whole marriages under his belt?
“Hey! What kind of attitude is that toward your older sister?”
However, Erich, being the oddball she is, didn’t back down even to my playful threat. Instead, it felt like she was using this opportunity of being alone together to establish our relationship as brother and sister, not simply as Minister and subordinate.
That was quite the clever plan. It’s true she’s older than me, and it’s clear the atmosphere is different from usual. So, she quickly devised a suitable strategy.
But it’s just a plan, after all.
“I said I’d take charge! Why isn’t little brother listening?”
“W-would you stop calling me little brother? If you apologize now, I might forgive you!”
“Big sister… big sister is the one in the wrong…!”
“Aaaagh! Minister!”
Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that plans will always go the way you want. This applied to Erich as well.
In a situation spiraling contrary to her intentions, she desperately sought a compromise, saying, “Your little brother will take charge, you just stay still.”
I wasn’t about to let go until the very end.
Naturally, I had no regrets. If you’re trying to win against someone, you should be ready to lose too.
“Minister.”
“Why aren’t you calling me ‘oppa’? It hurts my feelings.”
“Because my leave is over! I’m the type who separates work and personal life thoroughly!”
With her cheeks puffed out in a childish pout, a small smile crept onto my face.
I was half-joking, but Erich really is surprisingly thorough about keeping work and personal life separate. She’s held the impressive titles of the Viscount’s daughter, a close junior to the Empress, and a senior officer in the Inspectorate, but she’s never used those titles for selfish gain.
Instead, she spends her time on hobbies in the basement or teasing me.
“Ugh!?”
“Sorry. Just thought of something annoying for a second.”
Before I knew it, my fingers were tugging at Erich’s lips. I felt a bit unjust about it.
I mean, she has the intelligence to avoid personally causing problems, so why does she only show me her dazzling side?
“What do you want to do now?”
I almost let out a bitter sigh but held it back as I released her lips.
Now that it’s morning, we have to get out of this theater (which is just pretending to be one) and prepare to go to work. I needed to plan for meal time since it’d be hard to go to work on an empty stomach.
So, we only had two choices. We could either end the date normally and get ready for work, or—
“Wanna extend the vacation by another day?”
We could extend the leave. Now that we’ve started having fun, a few more days wouldn’t be a problem.
“Hmmm…”
Erich suddenly looked serious and started pondering over this unexpected suggestion.
This was a surprise. I honestly thought she’d pop up with a straightforward “let’s extend the leave” without a second thought.
“Let’s just go back. I feel bad enjoying myself while Pene works alone.”
Eventually, with an awkward smile, I gently patted Erich’s head.
Despite her usual mischief, she’s kind to family and friends. She’s got a huge heart.
“Let’s play until we get tired of it when we’re married.”
So, once the time comes that I can spend legit time with Erich, I’ll be sure to hang out with her so much that she’ll have no choice but to beg me to leave. Ten days to two weeks should be plenty.
“Really? I’m looking forward to it!”
At my proclamation, Erich beamed and snuggled into my arms.
For a date that was just supposed to be a one-day thing, it ended up pleasantly.
Once I got to the office, the first thing I checked was the paperwork my Secretary showed me yesterday.
[Core Resource Management in the Northern Region.]
[Support Plan for the Leon Kingdom Troops.]
[Reallocation and Reinforcement Plan for Informants within the Mainland.]
“Wow.”
Each document had an unusual title, and I couldn’t help but admire it. If it’s a matter of this scale, it would certainly require the Minister’s direct approval.
‘And my workload has increased a lot.’
As soon as I read through the documents, I realized the responsibilities that now fell on me overwhelmingly surpassed those from my days in the Inspectorate.
Back when I was in the Inspectorate, I didn’t need to know what resources existed in the Empire. All I did was monitor whether there was any manipulation in the extraction process or any underhanded dealings during distribution. That was enough.
But now, with the Information Department under the Inspectorate, they wanted me to grasp all the major resources within the Empire. I’d need to know where everything was buried, the estimated quantities, who’s involved in the bidding for development rights, and which factions were teaming up. It was really everything.
‘So this is what the Ministry of Intelligence has been doing.’
Suddenly, I held a newfound respect for the Intelligence Minister. Before the establishment of the Inspectorate, the Ministry of Intelligence dealt with both domestic and foreign information, so how on earth did they manage? Just considering the domestic aspect alone generates this much work.
‘I suppose the Inspectorate would have been established sooner or later.’
Until now, I thought that the situation forced my hand to set up the Inspectorate to slurp me dry. It’s understandable to make such a guess since the situation is notorious for running people into the ground.
But thinking about the mountain of work the Ministry of Intelligence handled, the Inspectorate would have been elevated to a department at some point. I just happened to be unlucky enough to be the chief inspector during that time.
‘The Minister should have stayed as Inspector General.’
I scratched my head irritably. How good would it have been if the Minister stayed Inspector General, and I was the Second Manager? No matter how I think about it, that would have been the best lineup.
But that dream team crumbled thanks to the Emperor’s surprise promotions. People who should have remained as Managers and Second Managers became Ministers and Directors.
‘Damn Emperor.’
In the end, all roads lead back to the Emperor. Whenever I have anything go askew in my life, it’s always nine times out of ten his fault.
‘…Huh?’
As I was mulling over this, a familiar phrase caught my eye on the document.
[Plan for the relic pilgrimage escort and crowd control for the next Saint, Tannian Enen.]
“Why is this under the Inspectorate’s jurisdiction?”
I nearly laughed out loud. This would clearly be a matter handled by the local lords, the governors responsible for regional security, or the Ministry of Territory that governs the whole Empire and organizes the escort forces. So why is it ending up with the Inspectorate?
‘Are they really that short on manpower?’
No, that can’t be it. Ever since the Northern Region was incorporated into the Empire, the manpower burden on the Northern Expeditionary Forces has drastically eased. There’s nothing to scream about when just adding escort duties.
“Secretary.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Has anything strange happened during the saint’s pilgrimage?”
So I asked my Secretary who was standing nearby, trying to check if Tannian had made some kind of incident.
“The next saint is not just sticking to the pilgrimage. They have been visiting orphanages in various places.”
Just hearing that sounded like the escort forces were bound to tear their hair out, so I silently nodded.
Ah, I see. They’re not just doing the pilgrimage but also stopping by orphanages too.
‘Always unpredictable.’
Now that I knew the situation, I signed the documents without hesitating.
Because the next saint is looking after the Empire’s orphans, I must cooperate as an official. After all, the one giving blessings to my children is someone I can’t ignore as a father.
So, as for the escorting and crowd control, I’m more than happy to help out. After all, I won’t be the one rolling around on the field.
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