Chapter: 828
I ended up with a gambling den during my trip to Northern Hauzentz. I mean, it’s more like a coliseum than a gambling hall, but classification-wise, it’s still a gambling den.
It’s not exactly weird for a noble to own a gambling venue. Just look at the Gold Duke—he owns one of the biggest casinos not just in the Empire, but across the continent. Despite the complex and subtle perceptions surrounding gambling, the Empire doesn’t deny or disdain its existence.
However, the gambling house bestowed upon me by the Emperor is far from the usual card-playing, roulette-spinning, or game-of-wits type. This is a brawling, blood-and-tears-filled battle royale gambling chamber.
“Don’t need that kind of nonsense.”
Honestly, I don’t want a place like that at all. It feels like a bad omen to own something that messy.
Of course, it’s only the ownership that’s been handed to me; the actual management will be tightly run by Northern Hauzentz. As long as I don’t get involved in its operations, it’ll run smoothly, and the profits will come rolling into my wallet.
Yet, it’s still a weird feeling. To sit back and possess money stained with the blood and tears of merchants makes me feel like I’m becoming one of those infamous nobles, you know? More specifically, I’m like the puppet master in a lawless city straight out of a fantasy novel.
“Isn’t it better just to take it? It’s not illegal anymore; it’ll be legit soon, so there’s no point in being shy about it! If anything, if you shun a legal gambling house, everyone might start whispering that the Minister is against gambling entirely!”
“Point taken.”
However, I nodded along to Erich’s not-so-subtle persuasion.
She’s not wrong. If I were just an ordinary noble with no title, it’d be fine to be wary of the gambling den. But I happen to be the head of the Information Department. If the highest official of the department expresses disapproval or discomfort with legal gambling, it could send shockwaves through the Empire’s entire gambling scene.
That would lead to plummeting profits for legitimate gambling houses, which would mean less tax revenue, dwindled national treasury funds, a grumpy Minister of Finance, and an even more displeased Emperor.
“Wow.”
I couldn’t help exclaiming. The dazzling snowball effect that would come from rejecting the gambling house. Just the thought of it, even for a split second, was more annoying than the yuckiness I’d felt upon receiving it.
“Who would’ve guessed I’d be working on vacation and end up in this mess?”
“You’re the Minister, at least. I’m not even a Senior Manager, you know! I’m technically on vacation and with no office!”
Erich’s unbeatable logic made me lower my gaze.
It’s been ages since I felt so thoroughly outmatched by her reasoning.
*
Surprisingly, it turned out that the takedown of the illegal gambling house in the Hauzentz Circle was an event that happened on the first day of my honeymoon.
An event that popped up just as I started my honeymoon. In a place I had just visited. Considering we still had a few weeks left of honeymooning, that’s a terrifying thought.
“What’s gonna happen at the next location?”
I bit my lip in frustration while gazing down at the Empire map.
This honeymoon involved heavy use of teleportation, meaning I wouldn’t be sticking to just one spot but would be well-traveling throughout the Empire. Northern Hauzentz was merely a day trip, and we had over ten places still lined up for our travels.
But—what if, what if every single place we visited had an incident? What if, like in Northern Hauzentz, I stumbled upon events unbeknownst even to the local chief regional manager or lord?
“Should I just ignore it?”
No way, that can’t happen. If I—of all people—were to find a problem and ignore it, the authority of the Information Department would plummet. No one would fear the department; they’d scoff at my actions.
So, it’d be about notifying the chief regional manager and lord of the area? It’s not a bad idea, but what if the issue was a result of collusion with the chief regional manager or lord? That’s like handing fish over to a cat. How much would they be laughing at me behind my back?
Then, it’d make the most sense to immediately summon the Information Department personnel in Jeido. I could find problems, but let my subordinates handle the fallout…
…
“Why am I even pondering this?”
Suddenly, I reached an existential question.
Sure, it’s a bit late to be asking, but aren’t I technically on vacation? I’ve dealt with work during vacations before, but that’s only when faced with unavoidable situations. I never worried about work before running into challenges.
“Is this really how it’s supposed to be?”
Anger surged through me, displacing the questions. Since when does any civil servant have to work while on vacation? And not just once or twice, but multiple times?
This is all because of this damned title of “Minister of the Information Department.” I feel pressured because of this wretched calling card around my neck, shackling me like a slave—I’m voluntarily handling work! If I were just an average imperial count and not the Minister, would this even happen? I’d probably just say “Not my jurisdiction,” and walk away from any issue I came across.
So, to solve this exasperating dilemma, there’s just one solution.
“Want to resign from the minister position?”
“Not entirely—I mean, wouldn’t it be better to temporarily suspend my position until I get back to work?”
Just momentarily laying down the minister title.
Anyway, after this vacation’s over, I’ll be picking it back up, but even a brief break is important to escape this insane situation.
“I’m enjoying tranquil days with my family thanks to your highness’s grace, but the lofty trust given to me through my title brings both dignity and authority. The nobility that must bow their heads in respect to it now looms over the Empire, and I worry that loyal and competent servants of your majesty may feel uneasy.”
“Well, that’s kind of the point of supervising, isn’t it?”
“Under normal circumstances, I would gladly embrace such fears. However, I am on vacation, correct? This means a bureaucrat who’s been operating under your esteemed authority has temporarily returned it. A bureaucrat with no royal backing is simply an ordinary person, and the nobles just bow their heads in fear of the Minister of the Information Department.”
I couldn’t help but feel proud of my perfectly logical reasoning. Where else could I find such a smooth argument that saves the Emperor’s face?
It’s not just about wanting to quit; there’s a political rationale saying it’s unreasonable for a bureaucrat without royal backing to lord over the nobility. Plus, I even promised to come back after some time passes. How perfect and tidy is that?
“Hmm.”
In reality, the Emperor stroked his chin, contemplating my suggestion. It’s likely he found it hard to argue against my reasoning.
“Just accept it already.”
You should really do it; if you have any conscience left, accept it.
How many accomplishments have I delivered to you even while on vacation? A little break of peace and quiet is more than fair for me!
*
The Emperor silently stroked his chin as he pondered.
“What will I have for dinner tonight?”
More concerning than the Emperor’s treatment of the minister is what I’d have for dinner. Right now, my dinner is more important than what the minister is trying to say.
Thus, the minister’s words don’t require much attention. What? Temporarily relinquish my minister title? The Information Minister, on vacation, wandering the Empire, making the nobility anxious?
“That sounds good.”
A Minister of the Information Department meandering around the Empire while on vacation. What a mess that would be; moving as a regular person makes it impossible to keep tabs on my location. The visiting pretext of some random trip makes it so they can’t protest. Why would I give up such a beautiful situation?
These days, maybe it’s better to be a vacationing Minister than a working one. Being bound by the Empire’s shackles as a public figure is one thing; moving as a private individual on vacation makes everything possible.
How many times have I crossed borders while the Minister enjoys this vacation? Would I have managed that frequently if I were a normal Minister?
“Definitely not.”
Honestly, since his days as the Chief of the Information Department, the Emperor has been valued more for his strength than his administrative skills. His power and achievement-based reputation can be seen as the most prominent weapon of being a Minister. The Information Department has been ably led since my past trusted Minister assistant.
So, it’s better to allow the minister to wander around instead of being cooped up in the headquarters. That way, the entire Empire—and even the whole continent—falls under his jurisdiction. All across the continent, everyone would tremble at the mere sight of the Minister!
“A bureaucrat who shines brighter while on vacation.”
What a peculiar and unique bureaucrat he is. In 300 years of Empire history, not to mention the next 300 years ahead, who would have such a bureaucrat?
“Hm…”
But still, it’s a bit troublesome to ignore the minister’s request.
“Got my eyes on you.”
That intense gaze. The audacity of talking about resigning from the minister position in front of me. This whole illegal gambling mess must have shaken the Minister’s sanity.
I get it. He was supposed to be enjoying his honeymoon and suddenly finds himself knee-deep in illegal gambling operations. For him, it must have been maddening and bewildering. Plus, thinking of when the next issue will pop up must be nerve-wracking.
“I can understand your feelings, but…”
I glanced into the unique burning fervor in the Minister’s eyes. He seemed ready to collapse if I refused, but I couldn’t just nod so easily.
If I let him drop the minister title, it’s clear he’ll want to live as a commoner. Once his vacation’s over, he’ll slip right back into a ministerial role? Where’s that kind of heartfelt lie coming from?
“If I let him resign as a minister, he’ll throw every excuse in the book at me.”
It’s obvious he wouldn’t want to resume the position once he’s stepped down. It’s a no-brainer.
Of course, if I insisted strongly, he’d begrudgingly come back. But creating a precedent that allows him to resign, that would be the real trouble. He’d shove that precedent right in my face like it’s nothing!
If that happens, this dynamic will turn into a battle of wills between a minister who wants to retire and me trying to keep him in place, not to mention the added hassle of having to first bring him back to service. It’s a fight I know I’m losing from the get-go.
“Well, it’s not something to decide right now. Let’s hold off until after your honeymoon with the missus, and then we’ll discuss it again.”
Thus, I declared a postponement.
To let the distraught Minister cool down a bit. To buy time to logically counter all those outrageous claims of his.
Or if all else fails, hitting him right in the gut with a strong dose of reality might not be a bad idea. If I can show him that resigning from the minister position wouldn’t be all sunshine and rainbows, he might just drop that insane notion.
“What could possibly bring him to tears of joy from such a shock?”
What should I prepare to get that sweet reaction from him?
I can barely contain my eagerness.
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