Chapter: 283
After days and nights of wrestling with the Judicial Minister, my hellish march had finally come to an end.
It was brutal. Departments had submitted stacks of papers so tightly packed that they made my eyes sting just to look at them. Meanwhile, the Minister was trying to find any excuse to send them back, losing his sanity in the process. Strangely enough, the rejected departments would submit new paperwork within three hours. It’s enough to drive anyone crazy!
“Well then, I’ll be on my way…”
Even my declaration of fleeing was met with silence from the Minister. He merely tilted his head back, waving his hand weakly. You could almost interpret that gesture as a silent command for me to shut up and get out.
It was a laughable sight—my boss on the brink of mental breakdown—but it didn’t make me chuckle. I knew I looked just as bad as he did.
‘The final boss is here.’
My teeth clenched. Everyone knows the toughest enemy appears at the end, but this was bordering on ridiculous.
I could practically feel tears coming as I thought about the Minister, who had just been steamrolling us in the Minister’s office an hour ago, wrecking our eardrums and sanity.
“Minister of Finance.”
“Minister of Relief? What brings you here? I already approved your additional budget first!”
“I’m sorry, but I think we need more, so I came in person.”
Suddenly, the Minister of Relief had landed on us with his grand declaration of demanding even more. The Minister was at a loss for words.
“No, how can you request an additional budget twice?”
“Additional budgets are only granted when they’re applied for during the planning period; there are no limits on how many times you can do that.”
Technically, he wasn’t wrong. It’s just that no one had the guts to request such a budget more than once within a short time span.
And there I was, witnessing the birth of a complete daredevil.
“It’s time for the orphans made during the Great Hunt to enter society. Support for those kids must be separately allocated!”
“That’s why we increased the orphan support funding!”
“Orphans and those entering society are two different things. They’re not just staying in orphanages; they’re scattering to find jobs.”
I fell silent at the appearance of the orphan cheat card, while the Minister, who knew nothing about welfare, had no counterarguments.
Even if he did have some knowledge, he wouldn’t have been able to oppose the Minister of Relief. What kind of logic could possibly stand before a legendary figure of welfare? The current Minister was actually an orphan who rose to the ministerial position, basing policies on personal life experiences. Can you imagine saying to them, “Is that really necessary?”
‘Not a chance.’
If you’re a decent human being, it’s impossible, and the Minister was a decent person. Hence, he was thoroughly steamrolled by the Minister of Relief and approved their second additional budget request.
Still, thank goodness. After that, no other departments sought me out.
…Is it really good news?
I mean, I’m just a government employee rolling around, but that doesn’t mean I should always be the punching bag.
“Executive Manager, it’s the Senior Manager.”
“Oh, come in.”
I steadied my racing heart at the Senior Manager’s voice from outside.
Today was a joyous day. As if to compensate for dealing with the stuffy bureaucrats alongside the Minister, it was finally time to greet some fresh newbies.
‘Newbies.’
The excitement I had managed to keep in check began to surge again. Newbies, pure little angels untouched by dirt. How beautiful is that? Just the thought of talking to them was delightful, and it felt even better at the prospect of seeing them in person.
Today was the day the new civil servants were completing their essential training and reporting to their first day at each department. As an Executive Manager, I needed to welcome and cheer on the fresh recruits in the Information Department. Honestly, it felt even more special than my birthday.
As if sensing my mood, the moment I said “come in,” the door flew open and a crowd of over ten people rushed in.
‘Wow, that’s a lot.’
I was thrilled! The Ministry of Finance is known as an elite department even among the government, so a lot want in, but few can actually make it. Having over ten in the Information Department alone this year feels like a record harvest!
‘They actually came.’
Among those ten, I recognized many familiar faces, causing the corners of my mouth to twitch. The student council members I had my eye on since last year had shown up in the Information Department!
Of course, I didn’t see the Student Body President as he probably made a beeline for the military, but since every other member was here, it felt like a complete reunion. I’m truly thankful for them. I’ll guarantee them lifetime employment. Seriously, if they want, I’ll even set things up for them to pass it down to their kids!
“This year certainly has a sizable lot. The Second Managers will be pleased.”
Anyway, I stood up to welcome the new recruits. Seeing them awkwardly shuffling around, I knew I couldn’t just sit idle.
Besides, there aren’t many who are younger than me in the Information Department, and now we have a whole crop of newbies! This surely means the average age in the department has dropped!
“They’ve been evenly distributed across the different divisions.”
“And how about the Senior Manager’s Office?”
“Yes.”
Seeing the Senior Manager responding so pleasantly made me chuckle.
Yeah, the Senior Manager deserves to be happy. They say 90% of the paperwork in the Information Department passes through the Senior Manager’s Office, so one can only imagine the workload. With multiple newbies in the mix, it’s definitely a reason to rejoice!
“Welcome to the Information Department. You might not get many chances to see me, but I hope to see you often in the future.”
“Yes! I will do my best!”
I extended my hand to the nearest recruit, who quickly took it with both hands and bowed deeply. A booming introduction followed.
Ah, this is what I like about newbies! They don’t look down on their boss but show respect instead. This is the true relationship between a boss and their subordinate. I hope those higher-ups can take a hint from these kids’ attitude!
*
Finally, I arrived here.
I had reached the haven I had only dreamed about.
‘This is the Information Department.’
Once the newbie bureaucrats completed their essential training and stepped into the Ministry of Finance’s building, and especially into the realm of the Information Department, a feeling beyond words surged up.
It’s something miraculous. A regular heir of an inconsequential barony like me had made it into the most influential department in the realm. Just getting into the administration would be a blessing—how could I not be ecstatic? Next to me, Siri also looked awestruck by the situation.
I felt like tears might spill if I closed my eyes. Sure, I anticipated this moment ever since I received the recommendation letter from the Executive Manager, but the feeling of actually being here is a whole different experience.
‘My life’s benefactor.’
That’s why the Executive Manager is not just a simple boss to me. They’ve granted me a significant opportunity when my fate seemed destined to end as just another common noble among the Empire’s countless elites.
Could anyone live a normal life when they have the status of “Noble who entered the Information Department at age twenty thanks to the Executive Manager’s recommendation”? That would be a shortcoming of my ability, leaving no room to blame anyone.
“While you may not see the Executive Manager from outside, they’re a generous person. They won’t scold without reason and will reward your efforts.”
As I recalled my gratitude towards the Executive Manager and the resolutions for my future, the Senior Manager guiding the newbies spoke softly.
I know. I absolutely know. Contrary to the horrible reputation the Executive Manager might have, they are merciful, fair, and competent. They are nothing like the awful character some clueless people label them as.
“So don’t stress. After today, you won’t see them much, so just keep your heads up.”
Everyone nodded as if compelled by those words.
Yeah, let’s not stress. It’s not like this is my first time meeting the Executive Manager.
Thinking back, it is, however, correct that I’ve never seen the Executive Manager in their capacity as the Director of the Information Department, not just as the Academy supervisor.
“This year certainly has a sizable lot. The Second Managers will be pleased.”
As the Executive Manager approached our side, I felt my legs quaking. My head said I was familiar with them, but my body was betraying me, bubbling with nervous energy.
Isn’t it strange? Just changing the location makes them feel so different?
“Welcome to the Information Department. You might not get many chances to see me, but I hope to see you often in the future.”
Seeing the Executive Manager’s gentle smile eased my tension a little.
No matter how much the venue had changed, the person wouldn’t. The kind person I knew wouldn’t just transform into someone else, right?
‘Often see, one day.’
And that simple phrase struck a chord in my heart. If it’s a position where you could meet the Executive Manager frequently, it must be among the mid-level officers. In other words, they were cheering us on towards striving for higher positions!
If that’s the case, I need to repay that vote of confidence! I will definitely, absolutely aim for a promotion and walk closely behind them. As someone who received the Executive Manager’s recommendation, I’ll make sure nothing can be said to tarnish their judgment.
For someone who has received immense favors, this is the only way to reciprocate it.
“Unlike the Academy, this time you’re a newbie. Do your best.”
“Yes! I will keep that in mind!”
I clasped the Executive Manager’s hand and bowed.
In the future, I will stand confidently behind them.
*
After the initial greetings, I exchanged handshakes and well wishes with the newbies. I was a bit pleased to see Demián and the other mid-level officers, but didn’t want to appear too chummy. If rumors spread about a low-level guy being buddy-buddy with the top, my life would become very complicated.
‘These kids will probably be Second Managers someday.’
I almost shut my eyes in horror at the thought of this fate. Can’t they just stay as team members for life?
If they heard that, they’d foam at the mouth, but honestly, I mean it. At least the team leaders are sane, but the Second Managers seem to have sold their sense of reason when they got promoted; all they showcase is madness.
I just hope they stay innocent little newbies…
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