Chapter: 752
The Judicial Minister was at it again, pulling off some antics.
Here he was, the guy who swore he wouldn’t touch work during his vacation, now heading out for public appearances as soon as I called him. Why the sudden burst of motivation to strut his stuff?
It’s all quite baffling. Sure, he contacted the Second Manager of the Administration because of that dog he’s been nurturing, but meeting with the newbie officials at the Prosecutor’s Office? That’s a stretch, considering even the Executive Managers below him barely meet with them!
For a moment, I wondered if his dog—Titi—had inherited his charm and was winning the hearts of all the female bureaucrats. Were all those ladies at the Prosecutor’s Office smitten with Titi and calling for a gathering?
‘That can’t be the case.’
Yet, as bizarre as this world is, there are limits. What are the odds of all the newbie officials at the Prosecutor’s Office owning dogs? And that those dogs fell for Titi? Talk about a nonsensical fantasy!
So, I was thrown into confusion. At least when he was reaching out for a doggy romance, there was a semblance of a reason. The man who loves to stay home suddenly has no good reason to get up!
‘Hmm?’
As I spun my fountain pen, contemplating his strange behavior, my comms device on the desk vibrated briefly.
‘Hah.’
When I checked it, I couldn’t suppress a sigh upon reading the content.
[Judicial Minister meeting with junior military commanders and knights. Academy graduates who received past recommendations from the Judicial Minister are involved.]
His escapades were not confined to the Prosecutor’s Office.
This report was shocking, adding to my confusion. I could maybe see him meeting with newbies from the Prosecutor’s Office—that’s a given for a department head—but why the military?
Now that I think about it, after the Great Hunt, he was actually considering moving to the military instead of sticking around the Prosecutor’s Office. Could it be that yearning still lingered in his heart? Is he meeting with junior commanders and knights to start anew from the bottom?
No way. He’s come too far for that move. Both I and my father-in-law, the Imperial Army’s Deputy Commander, would never accept such utter nonsense.
‘He’s just providing laughs before it all ends.’
I let out a sigh without realizing it. I was thrilled when I found out the reason he contacted the Second Manager in the first place. If only he had stopped there, everyone would’ve been happy! Why did he have to go two steps further?
It’s infuriating. Just when we had a happy ending lined up, the Minister went and kicked that opportunity away.
How tragic this all is! With things turning out like this, I had no choice but to keep an eye on his antics.
— Long live His Majesty the Emperor. Seojun Krasius, head of the Krasius family—
“Minister, if you have nothing to do, come to the Sun Palace.”
— … yes, Your Majesty.
I had no choice but to call the Minister directly and ask him what on earth he was up to lately.
Looking closely, it seemed the screws had come loose somewhere, but oddly enough, he tends to answer things directly when I inquire, unless he’s prepping for treason.
“I wanted to encourage the new officials and become a safety net for them to express their abilities freely.”
“What?”
“If water stagnates, it rots, and if a stone doesn’t roll, it will gather moss, right? Rising from below will provoke the officials above. That way, the entire administration can become healthier.”
Well, his explanation didn’t clear things up one bit.
His words weren’t wrong. Sure, holding onto competent personnel for a long time is important, but using promotions appropriately is also vital. Giving those beneath hope of rising, making superiors feel they could be outdone, and shackling the higher-up officials so they can’t escape is all part of good governance.
Organizations need to go through some changes. If an organization maintains the same appearance for too long, it will become problematic and turn into a stagnant group without newness.
‘But why does it have to be you?’
Despite all the positive thinking, the Minister wasn’t thinking along those lines. Could it be he was becoming the Minister of Personnel instead of the Judicial Minister?
“Minister.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Your intentions are indeed beautiful and noble, but I don’t think it’s the Minister’s responsibility to directly handle this during his vacation.”
At that, the Minister fell silent for a moment.
It was clear there was something else going on. I knew he wasn’t the type to nurture the new officials out of the goodness of his heart. Well, who does he think he’s fooling with his secretive motives?
“… Actually, it’s also for my own sake.”
“For your sake, Minister?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. If capable subordinates bask in the limelight, wouldn’t the one at the top be prompted as well? I met with the newbies so that this young man in an undeserved position doesn’t fall into arrogance, so he doesn’t mistakenly think this Minister’s position will always be his.”
At that moment, I almost blurted out, ‘That is indeed your forever spot, isn’t it?’
But I managed to hold it in. I’d finally realized why the Minister was off on one of his eccentric adventures.
‘You’re dreaming of a future that may never come.’
Hoping that the junior officials would rise up and take his place someday is nothing more than a fool’s dream. To be blunt, it’s just a stubborn wish.
He was blinded by that glimmer of hope. He placed all his chips on something with barely any chance of happening. Truly sad!
‘Guess I should keep my mouth shut.’
I quietly smoothed over my twitching lips.
Right, just for the Minister, I should keep my thoughts to myself. Life requires dreams, but the Minister’s dream is one he’ll likely never achieve. A beautiful dream that keeps him running all his life!
“Cough.”
“Your Majesty?”
“Nothing, just a moment.”
I burst into laughter despite my efforts to suppress it.
After all, the Minister is technically younger than me. As the elder brother, I can’t just stomp on my little brother’s dreams, can I?
‘…Is he really still believing that if he gathers a hundred people, he’ll consider retiring?’
Such thoughts shot through my mind, and I bit my lip to keep myself in check.
At 26, why does he revert to the mentality of a six-year-old whenever retirement is on the table?
*
With the Emperor’s encouragement, I stepped away from the Sun Palace.
With that boost, my hopes soared higher. Even if I diligently sow seeds for the future, if the Emperor was to dismiss it like “stop playing around and just be the lifelong Minister,” then everything would collapse. But the Emperor gave me pure encouragement without such scorn.
This means he understands my feelings and supports my ambitions. Rather than seeing my dull face all the time, he’s ready to welcome fresh talent as my successor. It’s certain.
‘Thank you…’
I subtly bowed my head towards the direction of the Sun Palace.
The Emperor may be a pain, but he’s our pain in the ass! Occasionally, he does show himself to be quite the useful asset.
‘Where should I head next?’
After that brief gesture, my mind raced with excitement, plotting my next destination.
Thus far, I had visited the Prosecutor’s Office, my bishopric at the Military Department, both warmly greeting me and where I found promising newbies.
‘How about the Ministry of Finance?’
Riding this positive wave, I decided the third visit would be to the Ministry of Finance.
The Prosecutor’s Office was originally a department under the Ministry of Finance. I still have connections there, so they’ll gladly show me some fresh faces.
Then I’d swing by the Ministry of Intelligence. Many former officials from the Ministry of Defense work in the intelligence and special affairs departments there. I’m sure I can make a move through them.
‘It’s about time to shake things up in the Imperial Administration as well.’
In truth, if I was looking out for myself, there’d be no need to bother with anyone else apart from the Prosecutor’s Office. There’s no benefit for me in taking care of rookies from other departments.
But if I spread my seeds here and there, it’s bound to set the stage for the miracle of swapping out the Minister, and I’ll have good reason to step down once the change occurs. Even if it doesn’t benefit me right now, it’s a long-term plan.
No, I’ll stop calling it a hundred-year plan; I’ll call it a ten-year plan instead.
—Vroom.
“Out for a stroll?”
—Vroom.
As I strolled around the Imperial Palace with newfound lightness, I met Situations’ Black Horse’s gaze.
This majestic steed, not tied to its stable made for it, had ventured into the expansive world of the Imperial Palace. It felt like watching potential new stars that could someday sparkle like my potential in the Prosecutor’s Office!
‘Prosecutor’s uniforms are black, too.’
And the horse right before me is also black.
Perhaps Enen and the endless blue sky, along with Konstantina are blessing my future.
*
People have an odd fear of cold but don’t have the same fear of heat.
They fear the fire that can conquer cold, but they aren’t afraid of the water that can overcome heat.
In truth, you can shield yourself from the cold by wrapping up tightly. This way, you can minimize the number of people who die from the cold.
However, you can’t escape the heat no matter how much you strip down. Therefore, preventing death from heat is quite the challenge.
‘Drinking the wrong water could be deadlier than fire!’
Moreover, people avoid fire due to its immediate pain, but when it comes to water, no matter how filthy it is, they’ll drink it first and only realize it was a mistake when it wreaks havoc inside their bodies.
As the one leading the relief efforts and the one who benefited from those same efforts in the past, summer terrifies me more than winter. I think of the innocent people who will perish if I slack off, and the fear of that drives me into preparation mode when spring rolls around.
Fortunately, my precautions worked, but they also led to a mountain of paperwork.
‘Nothing worth getting comes easily!’
I clicked my tongue lightly as I skimmed through the documents.
I somehow still hadn’t been able to meet with the new officials that joined the Relief Department in the latter half of the year. Sure, it’s not customary for the Minister to chat it up with lowly officials, but even the Executive and Second Managers have been engrossed in their work, which left me unable to meet them.
It’s quite a dilemma. I can’t exactly push this responsibility onto the Team Leaders either…
…
‘Aha, I’ve got a free hand!’
I sneaked out my comms device, which had been tucked away in my pocket.
There’s one person who’s authoritative and capable enough to handle this, and who, coincidentally, has nothing on his plate to occupy him right now.
‘The Judicial Minister.’
Despite being on vacation, he’s here, there, and everywhere. He’s the one who wanted to meet those fresh faces across various departments.
Having visited the Prosecutor’s Office, the Military Department, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Intelligence, Department of Education, and the Ministry of Justice, adding a stop at the Relief Department would pose no problem at all.
‘Alright then.’
Decision made. I would hand over the interviews with the newbies to the Judicial Minister.
Sure, asking a Minister from another department to oversee interviews in mine is unusual, but he’s already flaunting his quirky behavior, so it’s just a matter of whether I reach out first or he does.
“Secretary.”
—Yes, Your Grace. Please, speak.
“I’m planning to entrust the Judicial Minister with the interviews of the new officials, so have him prepare.”
—… The Judicial Minister, you say?
“Indeed. Is there a problem?”
—Uh, it’s just that, if we entrust an interview to the Minister from another department… wouldn’t that reduce your control over the officials?
“You don’t need to concern yourself with that.”
I firmly shook my head at the Secretary’s words.
You think I’d lose my grip over them just by relinquishing one interview? Any fool who thinks that doesn’t deserve to hold a ministerial position. If they perform that poorly with such authority, they ought to bite their tongues and quit!
‘Thanks to this method, I’m saved.’
Breathing a sigh of relief internally, I felt a bit lighter with the Judicial Minister’s mischief clearing my burdensome path.
No matter what, I’m sure he’ll be blessed for his actions. For every good deed, there’s equal return in favor.
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