Chapter: 629
The legendary incident where the Inspection Department got upgraded to the Inspection Ministry by merging with some departments of the Special Operations Ministry.
Thanks to that event, I, who had to part ways with my Master, was able to return to my Master’s side and became one of the three managers assisting the Minister of the Inspection Ministry.
And here I am as the Special Operations Manager, commanding the special forces from the former Special Operations Ministry.
“Boss, the dungeon hunt near Count Diger’s territory is complete.”
“Good job.”
Since I took on the role of Special Operations Manager, my days have been packed with incoming tasks.
To add a bit of detail, aside from meal times and moving around, you could say I’m processing work from the moment I wake up in bed until I fall asleep again.
Honestly, these aren’t peaceful days. I’m more tired now than when I was part of the Inspection Department’s 4th division or the Mukgwangdae in the Special Operations Ministry.
‘It’s alright.’
But I wasn’t dissatisfied. After leaving my Master’s side, I’m back in it again. The more I struggle, the less burden there is on my Master.
Of course, it’s a bit disappointing not to see my Master often due to the excessive workload, but it’s still for my Master’s sake.
‘If I take it easy now, I’ll suffer later.’
It’s a given that the period right after any department is launched is the busiest. If you ignore that busyness, the karma will eventually come back to haunt you. If I slack off now for 1 or 2 years, I’ll be in pain for the next 10 or 20.
That can’t happen. I can’t cause that kind of hassle in a department where my Master is the minister.
Moreover… if I just hold on a bit longer…
‘M-marriage…’
I quickly covered my increasingly hot face with both hands and took a deep breath.
Just a few months from now, my wedding with my Master is going to take place. Until then, I need to get through as much work as I can, so I can focus on my wedding and happily live in the same mansion as my Master.
That’s why I can tackle my work with joy. This is basically my final trial for my Master.
“Even if you cover your face, I can see everything.”
“Quiet.”
I firmly admonished the former deputy commander of Mukgwangdae, now the chief of the Special Operations Department, who was saying unnecessary things.
We’re the most solid shield and sharp sword protecting our Master. Engaging in personal conversation during work should be avoided.
“In 30 minutes, we’ll move to Count Yudher’s territory.”
“Are you sure that’s enough time? I don’t think you can gather yourself in just 30 minutes.”
At those words, I silently glared at the chief, who quickly bowed his head and retreated.
A sigh escaped me. The closer my wedding gets, the more my former Mukgwangdae members are chatting aimlessly. They weren’t this talkative before.
“During the wedding ceremony, I bet the Boss will faint at least once for 5 silver.”
“Once? I think three times is more likely. I’m betting 10 silver on three times.”
“Isn’t everyone being a bit extreme? I bet he won’t faint during the ceremony but in the bride’s waiting room beforehand. Doesn’t anyone know the Boss yet?”
Seriously, the nonsense just kept piling up.
‘With all this busyness, I can’t even keep discipline anymore.’
I didn’t even have time to train for a healthy mind. Spending time on weird banter was a worse waste than using that time to hunt one or two dungeons.
‘Fainting…’
I recalled the mutterings of my team and blushed even hotter.
The bet about me fainting at the wedding. They wagered on how many times I would faint, but nobody bet on the possibility that I wouldn’t faint at all.
What’s even sadder is that I can’t assure anyone that I won’t faint during the wedding. Walking next to my Master, who is revered and loved, holding hands and kissing, moving into the incredible relationship of being a couple… how could I manage to stay composed?
“Ugh.”
Just imagining my Master’s wedding scenes made me involuntarily let out a whimper.
No way. Just briefly imagining it makes my heart race.
‘What should I do?’
I’m worried. What if I faint on the wedding day? If the bride faints in front of everyone, what will happen to my Master? Someone like me tarnishing my Master’s reputation is unacceptable.
That can’t happen. I’d rather die than ruin my Master’s honor.
So from now on, I’ll practice imagining every day. If I visualize my wedding day with my Master, maybe I’ll develop some resistance.
‘For my Master.’
To ensure my Master’s final wedding goes perfectly.
Before heading to Count Yudher’s territory, I first headed to the noble territory. If there’s a specific operation happening in a territory, it’s customary to notify the lord of that territory.
“Welcome, Pine. You arrived sooner than I expected?”
“Um, Minister Your Grace?”
Upon arriving at Count Yudher’s castle, I could see my Master having tea with Count Yudher.
Wait, what? Why is my Master here?
*
Erich’s swear words thankfully didn’t bring about another disaster.
Judging by the lack of further contact from Villar, it seems Erich’s outbursts had a positive effect. Normally, no news is good news.
As I spent those peaceful days, the countdown to my last wedding was now in the double digits.
‘I wonder if Pine is doing well?’
So I thought about the protagonist who will decorate my last wedding.
With Erich on leave for a honeymoon and pregnancy leave, Pine is the only one wandering around outside. And she’s not just handling business in the capital, but up north.
In fact, not long ago, she was in the capital but avoided a situation where Ainter got into trouble when he went to the Barandi Marquisate. Thanks to that, the forces from the Special Operations and the Special Ministry were carrying out large-scale dungeon hunts up north, and now even the chief, Pine, has headed north.
It’s unfortunate, but we can’t leave the dungeons unattended. Pine’s northern deployment is an unavoidable sacrifice.
‘Someone who’s not busy should go.’
So the lonely Pine will be visited by her fiancé who has plenty of time.
By chance, if it’s the northern region, that’s where my friends are. If I pop by saying I’m here to see my future bride, they’ll gladly welcome me since they’re all grand lords.
– It’s the Barandi Marquisate.
“Your Grace, it’s me. How have you been?”
Of course, it would be rude to show up unannounced, so I contacted them first. No matter how much support I have from the northern grand lords, knocking on the front door out of the blue isn’t appropriate.
Plus, I threw in a request to keep an eye on my future friends while we’re traveling through the north.
– Hahaha, of course. I could never neglect the one who’s about to become the Countess and her comrades.
That was a satisfying response, and I nodded with a smile.
It’s nice I can go to the north like this; if I had to be dispatched to another region, it would have been much more cumbersome.
After figuring out Pine’s and the former Mukgwangdae’s movements, I went to Count Yudher’s territory ahead of time to prepare for the meet-up.
“Welcome, Pine. You came sooner than I expected?”
“Um, Minister Your Grace?”
And just as I was having tea with Count Yudher, Pine arrived.
“So this is the one destined to be the next Countess. She’s a woman who’s beautiful beyond compare, and she’s even handling serious responsibilities as the Special Operations Manager, which is truly impressive.”
“Pine is technically my first disciple. Not only is she beautiful, but when it comes to combat, she can hold her own against any knight.”
“Oh, the first disciple of the continent’s best swordsman. That’s certainly an interesting tale.”
With a gentle smile, Count Yudher stood up slightly and nodded.
“Well, we’ve finished our tea, so I’ll be taking my leave now.”
“Please, stay a little longer. My wife has just arrived; wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy a couple’s tea time?”
“Thank you for the invitation, but it wouldn’t be right to interrupt the joy of lovers reuniting after a long time.”
With those final words, Count Yudher quickly disappeared.
I felt uncomfortable. The actual lord of this castle is Count Yudher, yet it felt like a bad guest had taken away the best space.
‘Sorry…’
I’ll repay this rudeness by increasing the influx of commercial goods into Count Yudher’s territory by 10%.
“Pine, don’t just stand there, come sit. I feel lonely sitting by myself.”
But a rudeness is a rudeness, and Pine is Pine. I gestured for Pine, who was blankly staring at me, to come and sit.
Pine has been diligently running around the north, hunting dungeons. It’s best to sit when she can and rest when she has the chance. By now, the former Mukgwangdae should also have been well provided with a rest area and simple meals.
“Ah, um… yes!”
Only then did Pine snap back to reality and rush over to me.
…?
‘To me?’
By the time I realized something was off about her direction, Pine had already sat on my lap.
“Pine?”
“I-I thought since you said you were lonely, we could sit together…”
Perhaps she read the confusion in my eyes, because Pine’s face turned bright red at lightning speed.
I see. She took my comment about feeling lonely quite literally.
“This is indeed an invitation to sit together. As expected, you understand my feelings well, Pine.”
With a satisfied misunderstanding, I wrapped my arms around Pine who sat on my lap.
If I hesitated even for a moment, she might panic and bolt away, claiming she had overstepped her boundaries. I do not wish to see Pine trembling like that.
‘I need to boost her self-esteem.’
And feeling Pine’s slight vibration, I started to sort out my thoughts.
Pine has both admiration and affection for me. However, objectively and subjectively, her admiration seems to outweigh her love, and she prioritizes my happiness over her own.
This isn’t a normal romantic relationship. It’s not that Pine’s love is fake or wrong, but having such selfless love poses a problem.
‘Love should be about both parties’ happiness.’
Only accommodating someone is not love. Wanting someone else to conform isn’t love either.
It’s about being a little stubborn, a little selfish, a little considerate, and occasionally yielding to each other. Those little bits together form love.
‘Our Pine needs to learn to be selfish too.’
If only she had inherited even 10% of the bumbling lazy attitude from the dear one sitting in the capital.
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