Chapter: 648
I relayed the news of Eri’s gradual retirement to the Senior Manager.
Even though I’m already the top decision-maker in the Executive Manager’s office, it’s still good to pass the message along since Eri’s immediate superiors are the Senior Manager and the Executive Manager. It’s better for things to be reported up the chain than for me to handle it directly as the Minister.
Furthermore, it was the Senior Manager who first suggested replacing the current First Manager. Since it was their idea, they should be the ones to take responsibility and handle it.
– No, I’ve already recompiled the performance report.
The Senior Manager gave a huffy response to my contact, as if I’m bothering them now that they’ve completed a new report.
“Well, if Eri returns, then you all can work together harmoniously.”
– The previous report is still stored. I can resubmit it within an hour.
Of course, when presented with the options of ‘having the Minister’s wife work under you’ versus ‘throwing away the time spent on the new report,’ they quickly chose the latter without hesitation.
“Great. Send it up as it is.”
I felt a bit overwhelmed by treating someone’s wife like a plague but understood where they were coming from. Had I been in their shoes, dealing with the Finance Minister’s wife or the Empress would be mind-boggling.
– …That report has been dismissed once. Are you sure it’s okay to submit it as is? It should show some slight revision, right?
“Forget it. I’ll talk to the Executive Manager about it.”
I shook my head gently in response to the Senior Manager’s worries.
The Executive Manager rejected the previous report because I put my foot down. So, if I personally assure them it’s fine, the Executive Manager won’t have any real reason to decline it. Having the Minister’s wife hanging around is a burden for both the Senior Manager and the Executive Manager.
However, as the Senior Manager mentioned, accepting a report that has already been dismissed isn’t exactly great for the Executive Manager’s pride, but honestly, no one other than the Executive Manager and Senior Manager knows they are the same report.
‘Just give it a comforting pat and it should be fine.’
And offering an apology to the Executive Manager would just be the cherry on top.
The Executive Manager isn’t the type to hold grudges over such matters, but you never know. If a superior offers an apology and asks for understanding first, the Executive Manager might set any ill feelings aside. They’ve been in public service long enough to be well-versed in the hierarchy.
– Yes, well… then I will proceed accordingly.
The Senior Manager nodded, seemingly having figured out their superior’s personality during their time working in the Information Department, and expressed no dissent.
While the Executive Manager isn’t overly friendly, they aren’t the type to make things annoying and tiresome either. Rather, they’re the kind of person who lets minor disturbances slide as long as the results are satisfactory.
“By the way, who’s being appointed as the new First Manager?”
I was about to end the call, but then decided to ask. After all, this is the first First Manager change since the establishment of the Executive Manager’s office; it’s good to know who they are.
– Angelica Winen. She’s the Chief Team Leader of Division 1 in the Information Department and has produced several outstanding results since her time in the Investigation Division.
“Angelica Winen, huh?”
That name doesn’t really ring a bell. Back when I was the Executive Manager, I didn’t keep tabs on each team leader.
But since she’s been a performer from the beginning, promoting her to First Manager should be reasonable. If she’s a Chief Team Leader, that’s also a path to promotion for her.
– She’s pretty much similar to the current First Manager. You can even think of her as a mini-version.
However, I jolted at the Senior Manager’s next words.
“You keep running into people just like you.”
“I already have someone like that.”
“It seems the continent is doomed.”
That remark reminded me of something the Third Manager said years ago while I was bullying Eri. It was just a passing comment but left quite an impression on me.
The fearsome yet unsettling claim that there actually exists another subordinate just like Eri. Everyone who was there that day probably remembers that line.
“…Just how alike are they?”
– It would be quicker to ask how different they are.
That made me chuckle.
Who would’ve thought there would be a successor to the uniquely one-of-a-kind Eri?
I shared the news of the new First Manager with Eri.
“Oh, they’re the new First Manager? Then that’s a great choice!”
Her response was filled with trust.
“Guess they must’ve been in the basement more frequently than anyone else besides me? Their abilities are just below mine as well.”
“Is that so…”
“Thinking it over, there really aren’t many other candidates for First Manager. The Senior Manager picked a good one.”
Watching Eri smile brightly, I quietly sipped my tea.
So, this mini-legacy praised by the original Eri now, huh? Is Division 1 possessed by a spirit or something?
‘Well, given how that place operates, it’s no wonder it seems cursed.’
Division 1 is notorious for the screams and bloodshed that occur while on duty. If it wasn’t already a haunted department, it probably would’ve been multiple times over.
But I can take comfort in knowing that, due to the unique nature of their work, Division 1 often sees its members going AWOL, and the new First Manager seems capable enough to keep things together just like Eri did, so I’m relieved. If Eri has marked them as her successor, Division 1 should remain solid.
Yeah, that’s fortunate. It is indeed reassuring, but…
‘How on earth are we getting another manager like Eri?’
At this point, that blends a bitter feeling with bewilderment into something almost miraculous. It’s rare to even find one character like Eri, let alone have two pop up in a row.
The original nature of a department heavily absorbs the attributes of its leader. If you have two consecutive leaders with a personality like Eri, the character of Division 1 will swiftly spiral into the realm of the bizarre. It’s already bizarre as it stands, and it’ll definitely break geological limits.
‘Division 1 is going to become legendary…’
In various meanings, it’s going to become legendary.
“Oh, can I invite them over to the mansion?”
“Huh?”
I blinked, taken aback by Eri’s words.
Invite? Who? Mini Eri?
You want to call the mini version over to a mansion where the original Eri is?
‘Isn’t it dangerous to meet your doppelgänger?’
No wait, I think I remember a superstition about meeting three people like that leading to death. Vague memories of myths from the past resurface in my mind.
“I can’t go congratulate my valued subordinate who’s becoming a First Manager since I’m on vacation. So, I thought it would be nice to have some tea together at the mansion.”
But being able to come up with such a reasonable excuse made me accept it.
If the position of First Manager had some vacancies, fine. But with Eri holding onto that First Manager spot, having a new one appointed means it’s appropriate to have a welcome ceremony. Applauding the promoted successor and thanking the outgoing former manager is basically common sense in social life.
I mean, I can’t say I haven’t gone through such a ceremony myself, but just because I haven’t doesn’t mean others can’t.
‘But doing it in the Executive Manager’s office seems a bit much.’
Of course, having a ceremony in the Executive Manager’s office is out of the question given the circumstances surrounding Eri’s situation. Even though going out isn’t completely impossible, participating in an extended event could be quite burdensome.
So having a casual celebration at the mansion isn’t a bad idea. After all, if they’ve got a personality similar to Eri’s, they won’t care much for formalities anyway.
“Well, I’d love to see the new First Manager’s face. Let’s do it.”
“Sure!”
Eri happily nodded and pulled out her comms device.
“Angelica! It’s me!”
– Huh? Minister?
And then, she wasted no time trying to extend an invitation.
She was so quick that I couldn’t help but smirk. After all, the official approval for the Chief Team Leader becoming a First Manager isn’t finalized yet.
‘What does it matter?’
As long as the person involved keeps it quiet until it’s official, I don’t see a problem with it.
As for the current Chief Team Leader of Division 1, soon-to-be First Manager Angelica Winen…
“Greetings! I’m Angelica Winen, the Chief Team Leader of Division 1!”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Carl Krasius of Tailglehen, the Executive Manager.”
With snow-white hair akin to Eri’s, Angelica bowed at me immediately to a degree of 90 degrees.
It’s a perfectly normal reaction, but I’m not fooled. The first time I laid eyes on Eri, the Senior Manager, or the Executive Manager, they all started out normal too.
“I know this invitation is sudden, but I’m grateful for your acceptance. Right now, think of it as visiting a friend’s house rather than coming to the mansion as the Chief Team Leader.”
“Of course! It’s an honor!”
Seeing Angelica bow again at my words, I felt reassured. At the very least, she isn’t the kind of lunatic who doesn’t know ranks.
In truth, if she didn’t know ranks at all, Eri would have probably kicked her out rather than cherish her.
As long as she has the least bit of common sense, the Executive Manager and Senior Manager should feel easier at heart. As long as she executes her duties properly, it’s a win-win.
…But that said, it was the same with the utterly hopeless Trinity of the previous Third Managers. They didn’t lend me their ears, which is what caused all my frustration.
‘What does it matter?’
After a brief internal delibration, I shoved my worries and fears aside. No single manager can possibly make that huge of an impact on the whole Executive office. Ultimately, the person bearing the brunt of the effects will be the Senior Manager—or at most, the Executive Manager.
In other words, even if Angelica goes crazy, it means I won’t personally suffer. The one rolling with the punches would be the Senior Manager.
‘Let’s see how much hardship you can generate!’
With a sense of satisfaction, I gazed at the newly upright Angelica. She had blue eyes, unlike Eri, but they shared the same color as the Senior Manager’s, which oddly appealed to me.
It felt like the fate of karmic retribution was being handed back to the Senior Manager.
TO BE CONTINUED…
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