Chapter 257
When I found myself at a loss for words in front of the Vice Captain, a mix of guilt and self-loathing washed over me. Guilt for not considering how to repay my Master, and self-loathing for thinking of myself first.
Now that’s a ridiculous situation. I could live my whole life for my Master and still feel it’s not enough, yet here I was, gazing elsewhere. Rather than repaying my Master’s kindness, I had fallen into the absurdity of just trying to repay for the sake of repaying.
‘Since when did it come to this?’
I bit my lip. When did I start fooling myself like this?
Of course, my loyalty and admiration for my Master remain unshakable. Even if I was staring in the wrong direction, that much wouldn’t change. If that were to twist, then my eyes and ears might as well not exist.
But as the Vice Captain said, I had fallen into self-satisfaction. What’s the difference between that and being blind or deaf?
“Repayment should be in the direction the receiver wants. If it’s decided by the giver, that’s no longer repayment; it’s just patting yourself on the back.”
When I didn’t respond, the Vice Captain continued. Attacking when his opponent shows weakness? That was very much Fourth Manager behavior.
It was kind of sad seeing him flaunt that behavior to me.
“If the Captain wishes it, is there anything you wouldn’t do for the Executive Manager?”
“Of course! I’d even lay down my life if it came to that!”
At least I could answer that question confidently. Thanks to my Master, I was living a new life; without him, I would have long since died, or lived a life worse than death.
So, if my Master were to take back the life and existence he granted me, I would gladly hand it over.
“Then, how about becoming a couple?”
“Th-That’s…!”
My confidence evaporated again. I was ready for anything, but no matter how I thought about it, that seemed impossible. It was too much for someone like me.
I was just fine being a shadow to my Master, wandering quietly beside him. Getting too close would just tarnish his brilliance, wouldn’t it?
“That would be for the Executive Manager, not for me…”
“That’s for the Executive Manager to decide.”
Not an untrue statement.
“Still, being a commoner, I…”
“Do you really think the Executive Manager would care about that?”
There’s no way my Master wouldn’t know what I knew.
Ultimately, under the Vice Captain’s relentless assault, I looked down silently.
I was trapped. No matter what I said in rebuttal, it wouldn’t work. If I insisted it was too much, the answer would just come back that it’s up to the Executive Manager, and if I brought up impossible reasons, it’d be met with, “Do you think the Executive Manager wouldn’t know that too?”
“I’d even consider changing my gender if the Executive Manager wants to marry!”
That statement made me shudder. Was it because the Vice Captain’s determination was so destructive? No. It was annoying because he was saying it despite there being no need to change.
Since my Master would never propose to the Vice Captain, there was no need to undergo any changes anyway. All the Vice Captain cared about was ensuring I fell in line.
“Still, I don’t understand why you’d go to such lengths when it’s unnecessary.”
“…….”
After that, the Vice Captain kept talking for a while, and I silently listened.
Even after I barely escaped from the Vice Captain’s clutches, every member I met started lecturing me.
‘…Should I be sent back again?’
For a moment, even that thought crossed my mind. Even if not the Northern Region, surely there are other places I could go.
*
Writing the judicial evaluation made me feel odd; it was like the moment a child realizes Santa Claus is Dad.
Or maybe even more than that. After all, from a child’s perspective, both Dad and Santa are cherished and desired figures.
“Why do you look like that?”
“I was just thinking about your health today.”
How bittersweet. The truth is, the evaluation was less about empty compliments and more about a subconscious desire to have a superior like that myself.
But reality is harsh. No matter how artistic my endeavors are, the cruel reality doesn’t change.
‘If he weren’t my direct superior.’
I’ve never resented the role of Executive Manager more than today. If only I were a mere Second Manager or team leader, I could at least take a stab at the Minister lottery. If I roll for the Minister now, it’s guaranteed I’d end up replacing him.
Thinking back, if the Crown Prince hadn’t promoted me to Executive Manager, I wouldn’t even be in this situation. Damn, it feels like half of my misfortunes can be traced back to him. The other half? That’d be Kagan.
“Sit down if you’ve come. Don’t just stand around like a nervous wreck.”
“Yes, sir.”
The most nervous one seemed to be the guy exercising in the middle of the office, but I kept that thought to myself.
“Oh, have you submitted the evaluation?”
The Minister, having thrown his dumbbells to the side, suddenly asked as if he just remembered.
Surprising. I wouldn’t have guessed he cared about evaluations given how destructive his behavior is.
“Don’t worry. I wrote it like you’re a saint.”
Handing him a thumbs-up for relief and trust, I nodded.
Even those who dislike the Minister would see him in a new light after reading my evaluation. Contrary to appearances, he truly is a boss who loves his subordinates.
However, the Minister frowned despite my sincerity.
“Could you write down at least half of what you usually say to me?”
“Am I nuts?”
That’s such a ridiculous thing to say; I responded firmly.
There’s no way I’d do anything beneficial for the Minister. I would never be in a position where he might retire before me. If I’m the Executive Manager, he’ll be a Minister for life.
“You tough little shit.”
In the end, the Minister sat down, throwing a compliment my way.
It’s not like the Minister meant that seriously. By now, neither he nor I could end up getting our heads chopped off by a commentary. It’s just a flicker of hope we both harbor.
“By the way, why did you call for me?”
Right as the Minister settled, he casually opened his mouth.
I had just done a regular report through communication a while back, and nothing particularly important was happening at the moment. It’s not like the Minister is someone to act all warm and fuzzy with, saying something like, “Let’s catch up after a long time.”
“I called you regarding the situation in the Northern Region.”
At those words, I leaned forward in my seat.
“Did something come up?”
His unexpected comment piqued my interest. Judging by what the Fourth Manager had said, it seemed they returned with little to show, but if the Minister is bringing it up, doesn’t that mean something came of it?
“No, nothing at all.”
Huh?
‘This son of a bitch.’
So why did you call me?
“It’s strange that there’s absolutely nothing. The Special Intelligence Ministry mobilized to the fullest, yet found nothing.”
But as he continued, my irritation began to dissipate.
Finding nothing and having no results are two different things. Even if no crucial information is obtained, traces should surface eventually. If nothing pops up, that strays from normalcy.
“While the Northern Region is vast, the environments where people can live are limited. Unless the remnants of the Deceiver are hiding somewhere in the eternally snowy mountains.”
“Yeah, he wouldn’t choose to hide, would he?”
“Right. That’s the problem.”
The remnants of the Deceiver, Udesser Dorgon, the only survivor among the Eight-Headed Horsemen.
That bastard, who somehow survived the last battle, is still causing trouble in the Northern Region. There’s no way he’s sitting quietly in a corner, contemplating revenge.
“I will return! The day the prairie warriors tear off the noose of deception you filled them with and roar up to the skies! The day we transform from dogs to wolves! I will return!”
In the first place, he left behind such words and disappeared; isn’t it ridiculous for him to dive into hiding? A McGuffin that leaves behind a hook to remain in history. A legend in many ways.
“It’s certain that he has tribes cooperating with him. Not just one or two either.”
“That’s horrifying.”
It’s not exactly hiding; the absence of traces means there are forces actively erasing them. Escaping the Empire’s pursuit isn’t something an individual can manage.
Since the moment the Second Manager encountered the Chawjide Tribe, I braced myself for this. It seems it’s more than just one or two tribes, just as the Minister mentioned.
‘Not a leech or anything.’
Frustrated, I splashed water on my face.
Those fiercely anti-Empire tribes have already boarded the one-way train to the afterlife along with Kagan. Yet, there are still folks cooperating with Kagan’s son? Are these guys respawning or something?
“Still, nothing significant will happen immediately. Winter in the North is a time even the natives can’t endure, right? The Special Intelligence Ministry believes that it’ll be summer at the very earliest when anomalies might appear.”
That’s a piece of good news, so I nodded.
During the Great Hunt, winter was an unspoken truce period. Even Kagan would remain holed up at headquarters, not making moves during winter. Wandering around thoughtlessly would just get one shredded by the piercing winds of the North.
“Well, I just wanted you to know.”
“Thank you.”
“And this is vital—”
Saying that, the Minister pulled something from his robes.
‘Vital?’
Seeing the Minister like that made me feel tense. He has a matter more important than Dorgon’s whereabouts? Was some crazy body enthusiast resurrecting Kagan or something?
No, Kagan’s remains have already been burned to a crisp; there’s nothing to resurrect there.
“It’s an invitation.”
“…Yes?”
It was an object too adorably crafted to have come from the Minister. The unexpected appearance of such an item left me deflated.
Damn. Such confusion.
“Though you don’t need to show up, do send a hefty wedding gift.”
“Wait, isn’t it customary to at least make an appearance?”
“With five rings on, wouldn’t it be bad luck to show up at a new bride’s wedding?”
In response to the Minister’s flat tone, I inadvertently glanced at my left hand.
Five sparkling rings. If someone saw that, it would look like I was advocating for polygamy.
‘Damn.’
This definitely wasn’t the kind of scene you’d expect at the wedding of the Second Manager, famous for being a Casanova. Getting silly ideas might lead to taking a second wife before enjoying the honeymoon.
If I were to attend the wedding, should I wear gloves over those rings?
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