Chapter: 755
I wrapped up my external activities with the meeting for newbies from the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.
I would’ve happily ditched it halfway, but I couldn’t be the jerk who breaks promises—so I endured it.
Interestingly enough, both the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs are on the lower end of the hierarchy in the administration. If I were to brush off appointments with such departments, you can bet the rumors would fly.
“Everyone would say the Inspectorate Minister looks down on culture and the sea.”
Just the thought of it sends chills down my spine. While the Ministry of Culture may not be directly tied to national interests, they deal with history and traditional culture, so it’s flooded with “real” scholars. There’s nothing scarier than the fury and resentment of the real deal.
As for the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, given its ocean-related duties, they’re tightly knit with the Gold Duke’s inner circle. The Minister of Maritime Affairs is one of his in-laws, and a department head is even related by marriage. It’s not a department you can afford to alienate.
“Guess I’ll just stay in the mansion now.”
So, I relished in the peace of avoiding those two nuclear bombs while sinking into the comforting embrace of my bed.
Support capable newbies? Sure, climbing up from below can stimulate things up top. But honestly, there was no need for me to step in.
The heads of each department want young, capable talents too. Even without my interference, the department heads would’ve pushed promising newbies forward, with the ministers backing them up.
“That time I wasted…”
Tears almost welled up. What was I even doing, strutting around outside the mansion, braving both the heat and the hassle? When I think about it, it held no significance whatsoever.
But if—just if—the newbies from each department, with the ministers’ backing, manage to climb up to minister level, that might turn into a major affair across the administration!
“But that’s not gonna happen.”
Honestly, even if the newbies tried to soar, they’re still hanging on a thread for the heads of departments, let alone the ministers.
After all, those department heads are the ones who’ll have to nurture them. If the newbies munch on the hands that fed them and replace their mentors, it sure won’t end well. They’d just be seen as ungrateful, pig-headed beasts.
“Is there no one with dark hair in the Inspectorate?”
I unintentionally muttered my true thoughts. What if there were one crazy bastard who completely forgot the debt of gratitude?
“…Huh?”
Caught in a pointless daydream, I absentmindedly played with my hair.
A newbie who forgot their benefactor and occupies their place. A crazy, pig-headed beast.
“That’s me, isn’t it?”
Surprisingly, I was that crazy fool. Right after starting my civil servant life, my direct superior died, and I snagged the team leader position. The new direct superior, upon becoming Inspector General, had to hand over their department head position to me.
Of course, it wasn’t intentional, but to others, I might look like an ambitious monster driven by greed.
“Damn it.”
The fact that I am that dark-haired beast… what a sad revelation.
At the same time, I envied a certain minister over in the Ministry of Finance. He had the dark-haired underling I desperately desired.
Let’s ignore the fact that said underling went independent from the Ministry of Finance.
*
People feel a deeper sense of loss when something previously there is gone compared to never having it at all.
That’s a given. If it never existed, you wouldn’t know its value. Living without it becomes routine and normal.
But what happens when you get so used to something’s existence that you can’t function without it? When it disappears, will anyone manage to hold on?
“Nope.”
Sadly, the answer is no. It’s even more troubling that I can feel acutely what that sense of loss feels like.
“To think I can’t start my day as a minister.”
How bitter. The Sun Palace, where all the empire’s information converges, doesn’t allow for a moment’s rest, but lately, I was able to chuckle when hearing reports of ministers heading to the administration right at dawn.
How could I not laugh? Here’s a minister who despises work, during a vacation, pursuing an unachievable dream of fulfillment. Telling me not to laugh would be downright cruel.
And not hearing such reports anymore would be horrible.
“Who will make me laugh now?”
Of course, the Empress, Crown Princess, and Crown Prince bring smiles, but the laughter from family and laughter from ministers have their own vibe. They can’t be compared.
With a sigh, I picked up the paperwork. Feeling regret over the minister’s vacation, but thinking about how he’d likely cause all sorts of trouble upon returning… it’s a pretty perplexing situation.
“Hmm?”
Lost in thought as I read the documents, I suddenly tilted my head.
A report from the Ministry of Territory and Ministry of Culture concerning Croita, the former capital of the Trika Empire. It’s been known that every time you dig in Croita, you find all sorts of artifacts. Especially since the Behemoth made its appearance.
This time, it was related to the Behemoth but was somewhat—no, very—strange.
[ An area spanning several kilometers around the Behemoth is now covered in lush vegetation. The original pastures have become even more abundant, and grass has even begun to grow on ordinary sand. ]
[ Wild beasts that were previously several dozen kilometers away have gathered around the Behemoth. Despite being carnivorous, they exhibit bizarre behavior by grazing instead of preying on livestock. ]
[ When having eaten from the grass surrounding the Behemoth, they seem to avoid grass from other pastures. It is presumed they’ve developed a preference hierarchy when given the choice. ]
“Whoa.”
For a moment, I thought I misread but retraced my steps through the document.
I honestly didn’t even know where to start nitpicking. Should I be shocked that the landscape changed around the Behemoth? Or should I be surprised that carnivores chose to graze right in front of livestock?
Or should I even be startled that the livestock, who chomp down whatever they’re given, are now being picky about their side dishes?
“Trika, what in the world?”
Once again, I admired the might of Trika. Who would’ve thought a nation over 2,000 years old could produce such a staggering creature?
Too bad they didn’t make good use of it and ended up collapsing instead.
[ The pasture continues to expand even now. It’s said that huge prairies sprawled around Croita in the past, a promising sign of reclaiming historical landscapes, but it’s impossible to predict how far the vegetation will spread. ]
After reading the last sentence of the documents, I quietly set them down.
It was great that tourism to Croita increased thanks to the Behemoth and that the royal livestock was thriving. An expanding pasture is pretty positive as well.
But if those pastures start encroaching on developed land or roadways, then we’ve got a problem. Every situation requires a certain balance.
“Time to put a stop to this.”
From my previous experiences, the Behemoth is a gentle giant who can communicate. Besides, it’s known to be a pillar supporting the Roygas Imperial Family, so it must understand that an uncontrolled expansion of pasture wouldn’t be ideal.
So, I’ll express gratitude for expanding the pasture but politely request them to stop further extensions. After all, the Behemoth is a guest, not a servant of Livnoman.
*
That evening, another joint report from the Ministry of Territory and Ministry of Culture came rolling in.
[ Upon expressing gratitude for the expansion of pastures and the flourishing of livestock, the Behemoth showed a pleasing demeanor regarding the livestock’s prosperity. In contrast, its response towards the expansion of pastures was rather indifferent. ]
[ Upon investigation, it was determined that the Behemoth had no part in the pasture expansion. The Behemoth claimed the influence came from Konstina, the deity of vegetation. ]
Once again, I was left questioning if I had misread.
I had just barely come to terms with the Behemoth enlarging pastures, only to find out it was the deity who took action. And not just any deity—Konstina, the goddess of the elves.
Of course, the distance between the Cheones Principality, home to the elf residential area, and Croita isn’t that great. A couple of major territories separate them at most. Definitely closer than the distance to the capital!
Still, since the revival of the World Tree, Konstina had been quiet, so her sudden eye-catching actions were unexpected. Especially near the Behemoth.
“What could this mean?”
Is this perhaps a show of force to demand something from the imperial family?
But if Konstina or the elves wanted something, there’s no need to resort to such theatrics. They’re already close friends with the emperor, and the current Duke Marcilio happens to be the grandson of an elven elder! They can simply ask for things directly without any fuss.
Yet here we are, with a deity who had been silent for ages suddenly making a grand move by enlarging pastures.
“Goddess of vegetation, elven goddess…”
Crossing my arms, I mulled it over while slyly glancing at my communication device.
“Since I’ve gone through all this trouble, why not let it last just one more day?”
Apologizing to the minister in my mind, I reached for the communication device.
Honestly, can I really leave matters concerning divine beings to just anyone?
*
This guy is seriously no help in life.
I leaned against the front door of the mansion, muttering profanities about the emperor in my head.
Just two days ago, I finished my pilgrimage through the administration. I had promised myself to become one with my bed starting yesterday. Yet here I was, unable to even hold onto that vow for a single day before it crumbled.
— Minister. Didn’t you once get called a benefactor by Konstina for aiding in the revival of the World Tree?
“Yes, excessively so.”
— Recently, Konstina’s appeared to be interfering on the continent. While she hasn’t directly commanded humans or other races, she’s blanketed the area around Croita in vegetation.
“…And why are you telling me this?”
— Why ask when you already know?
This sudden contact this morning was requesting I check out Konstina’s unusual behavior because I’m chummy with the deity.
Tears threatened to spill over. Does this guy take pleasure in seeing me not get any rest?
— Conveniently, isn’t the World Tree located in the elven residential area? I’ve prepared a little gift for the elves, so you might as well take it along while you’re at it. It’s a chance for the grandson-in-law to win favor with his wife’s grandmother.
“I already have her favor, though.”
— Then make even better use of it.
But then I got slapped with the miraculous justification of “Hey, doesn’t your wife’s grandmother still exist? Do you even visit her regularly?” If I argued against that, I’d immediately be the scum of the earth.
“It’s true it’s time to go.”
What’s truly maddening is that I had actually been planning to visit her soon—with our three little ones!
That damned emperor! Is there a CCTV planted in my house? What an utterly terrifying thought.
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