Ugh.
Ugh ugh.
Pastel gazed down the mine stairs with a dazed expression.
The stairs spiraled endlessly down the mine shaft along the walls.
It felt like she was amazed by the towering height of the skyscraper, only to realize she had to ascend by stairs because there was no elevator.
“How many stairs are there?”
When she asked, a muscular staff member looked flustered.
“I’ve never counted.”
Ugh.
Could it be that those muscles were built from climbing stairs?
“Could it be 10,000 stairs?”
“That seems possible, Your Excellency.”
Ugh ugh.
Pastel didn’t come here for enlightenment through the 36 worries and 108 stair training!
She had no intention of going down. For a moment, she sulked, causing the staff to panic and not know what to do with themselves as the inspecting governor.
“If you don’t want to go down the stairs, there’s another way.”
Melissa pointed to one side.
“What is it, what is it?”
Pastel turned around with her pink eyes sparkling.
A thick rope was secured to a long pole extending into the pit. It was so long that it disappeared into the darkness below.
Wow, what’s that?
Grab the rope and ride the rope elevator~!
Zoom zoom zoom.
Pastel has arrived!
“Melissa, you’re so smart!”
Although the staff member was slightly startled, it was probably important that the governor was in the mood to go down, so they didn’t say anything.
Pastel only realized why the staff was flustered once she reached the rope. It was sturdy. They said it was also secured at specific areas below.
But that didn’t mean the rope wouldn’t sway in the wind. When the magical wind blew from below, the rope wildly shook. Being near it didn’t seem to end well for anyone.
“Wow! The rope elevator is transforming into a snake friend!”
The snake friend would drop Pastel into the dark abyss, ready to munch her!
“They said that they designed it bouncily because there have been many accidents where it suddenly snapped due to the magical winds. The rope takes damage instead of the pole. It looks dangerous, but there won’t be any problems going down, so don’t worry! I’ve used it several times.”
Melissa said nonchalantly.
Wow.
The next Southern Commander would be fine, but Pastel had many problems!
『It would be better to not be clever and just go down the stairs. This feels like needless suffering.』
The Demon Lord gave the rope elevator a subtle glance. Even the Demon Lord recognized the danger of the rope elevator.
“We’ve only used it a few times and currently operate it as an emergency measure. It is the fastest method, though.”
The staff member also sincerely opposed.
They were worried that Governor Pastel would fall to her demise, but thanks anyway.
Pastel dutifully went down the mine stairs.
The problem was that there were many stairs, but they were sturdy and spacious, making it pleasant. The feeling of the stairs embedded in the walls was scary, but they were excavated wide inside the wall, giving more stability than she expected.
“They said they made it like this because accidents with stairs falling happen often.”
Melissa pointed at the clean, newly replaced stairs.
“I’m not curious about that!”
Aaaa.
Pastel shivered. She clung to the Demon Lord’s arm as she went down the stairs.
“Demon Lord, Demon Lord. Please do the flapping wings like a pro and make a nifty landing!”
『I don’t have wings.』
“That can’t be!”
What kind of demon identity doesn’t include wings, horns, tails, or tridents?
But those eyes are red. Oh wow, so she has something! It seems she’s a demon!
They had to go down the stairs for quite a while. The mine wasn’t just sitting at the bottom of the underground; there were tunnels and enormous mining scars in between.
Had they gone so far down digging for gems over a long time? No, wait. Initially, it wasn’t a gem mine; it was said to have changed purpose after gems were discovered in large quantities.
“Is this tunnel a remnant of underground research?”
“More precisely, it was for mining done to supplement research funds during the ultra-deep project. The original purpose of the mine being dug vertically was to see what’s at the end of the underground.”
“What’s down there?”
Naturally, it would be the mantle and outer core saying hello~.
But Pastel had a generous heart.
Even if they claim this land is flat, the truth is, it has contours like someone carelessly split a circle in half!
Wow wow.
But there’s supposedly a deity, so it’s not something one would simply dismiss.
“We won’t know what’s down there. After the gems were discovered and the usage methods studied, the ultra-deep project was converted into the gem mine project.”
“Ew, lacking in passion.”
Not a single one of Pastel’s curiosities was satisfied.
Melissa covered her mouth and chuckled.
“The budget issues were somewhat expected, they say. It was an ambitious project initially backed by the previous great patron, but back then, there was no airship, and they had to ride the dangerous flying sky whale between the continent and the demon realm, so there’s no way it could have been smooth sailing.”
『Security must have been an issue too. Mining for research funding might seem good at first glance, but that’s only how things are viewed now.』
The Demon Lord gazed at the remnants of mining.
『Back then, strength was everything, and mines yielding gems were prime targets for looting. If they were to conduct research, they had to maintain the image of a dignified, though impoverished group of researchers. Erroneous cost calculations easily lead to becoming loot. If they had just held out and sought patrons, perhaps mesmerized demons would have come to support them.』
Is that so?
Pastel tilted her head but didn’t bother to argue, nuzzling her cheek against the Demon Lord’s arm.
Nuzzle nuzzle.
They passed the mining remnants and continued down the stairs.
“Rather, we should lay down mine carts or something here! Railing express! Or maybe an elevator! Or both!”
But why haven’t they set that up here?
She didn’t know if technology for elevators existed in this world, but with a 10-story skyscraper, one would think something similar must exist. And mine carts are trains; they shouldn’t be a problem.
She turned sharply to the staff.
What on earth had they been doing?
The manager flinched. The staff members following also tensed up, becoming rigid.
“Is there perhaps no money in the mine?”
After all, it’s a gem mine worth its weight in gold!
Even if it costs a lot, mine carts and elevators are directly related to productivity, and if they had any sense, they should have been installed.
Or at least be in the process of planning something.
Pastel wasn’t interrogating them specifically.
She was just contemplating how to organize the existing employees and insert the Craft High Merchant’s manpower.
A list of personnel floated in her mind.
“Funds were abundant!”
The manager hurriedly explained.
“We recruited related technicians, but it seems the United Kingdom is controlling everything, so we could not set any plans. If Your Excellency wishes, all of the staff will dedicate themselves to reinitiating it!”
Oops.
Pastel became suddenly embarrassed.
Now that she thought about it, this was indeed the demon realm mine, but strictly speaking, it was owned by the empire.
The United Kingdom, which was on high alert, wouldn’t share any engineering know-how for fear of it leaking—especially if it’s technology that would overwhelm the empire.
If they started using engineering technology in the gem mine and productivity improved dramatically~! The empire might panic, fearing they’d lose previously taken-for-granted advantages!
Then the United Kingdom’s grand strategy, which relied on the empire’s arrogance and complacency, would fall apart.
“From your perspective, it’s understandable. But I’ll talk to the United Kingdom, so do it again.”
She hadn’t discussed it but thought, “Surely Elly would never cut it off!”
The manager was in awe.
They seemed astonished at how the empire’s governor managed to obtain technology from a clear enemy, the United Kingdom.
Of course, that’s because Governor Pastel has great connections!
Looks like she made a good friend!
Hehe.
Feeling proud, Pastel hummed as she continued down the stairs, nuzzling against the Demon Lord’s arm.
Nuzzle nuzzle.
Suddenly, the personnel list spoke to her.
Personnel List: Am I going back now?
It was a lonely voice.
Huh?
It is the duty of a popular person to comfort their friends.
Don’t be lonely!
You’ll be with me for a while!
Organizing the employees post-acquisition is bound to happen anyway.
My company has its own corporate culture, and this company has its own—there’s no way they can coexist.
If they did, the principles and cultures of management would collide, leading to inefficiency and all sorts of havoc.
Aaaa.
She could vividly picture the scene of existing employees deciding that modern guidelines mandating all matters in writing were a waste of time, ignoring the documentation process.
That can’t happen!
In such cases, revamping the employee community and completely overhauling the corporate culture is the quick and easy way to go.
Governor Pastel is not the type of wavy authority figure who jumps straight to firing because she sees something displeasing during an inspection!
She was going to fire them anyway, it just provided a justification!
The chairperson, having sweated while descending the 10,000 stairs, certainly counts as valid grounds for termination in human society!
Personnel List: I see! Wow.
Wow.
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