In the Empire, if you were to na the most popular departnt, it would undoubtedly be the Evaluation Departnt, and if you were to ntion the most traditional one, it would be the Magic Departnt.
But if you asked which departnt worked the most, soone would answer with sad eyes.
That would be the Departnt of Developnt and Innovation, where a black ox nad Bernstein works diligently.
Bernstein looked down at the magic stone phonograph he was creating with bloodshot eyes.
A song flowed from the phonograph.
Bernstein, who was about to smash the phonograph with a hamr, at the last mont exercised superhuman patience and stopped his hand.
“What am I doing...”
He was hearing things at this point.
This was precisely the ti he needed a break.
But no matter how often he applied for leave, it was always rejected.
The Empire knew too well how to exploit engineers. Just grind them and sothing will co out. Even if it's just bone fragnts.
“Fine. I’m going to the Evaluation Departnt.”
Bernstein prepared to go out, taking the magic stone phonograph with him.
“Where are you going, Minister?”
“I’m going to get the prototype evaluated by the head of the Evaluation Departnt.”
“I will prepare the carriage.”
His subordinate, who was called an administrator of the Departnt of Developnt and Innovation but read as a watchdog, guided Bernstein.
“By the way, where is Lady Seri?”
Seri Lavione.
A new administrator in the Developnt and Innovation Departnt, maintained by an elite few.
When she first parachuted into the Departnt of Developnt and Innovation, Bernstein had looked at her with suspicion, but she proved to be incredibly competent.
Teach her one thing, she knows two. Teach her two, she knows four.
Bernstein had high expectations for Seri, but she had one fatal flaw.
“Here is her leave request.”
“Love is sothing you have to win. I need to attend bride classes, so I’ll be off for the whole week. -Seri Lavione”
“Why is everyone but free to co and go as they please! Aaaagh!”
She was adept at the advanced system of flexible working hours.
****
The Imperial offices have a canteen.
This canteen was established for a very Empire-like reason.
Officials would go out for lunch and not return for a long ti, often well past their break ti. Their excuses were――
‘I was born in the Kingdom of Kelli, and I need a two-hour lunch break.’
‘Eating should be done leisurely and with etiquette, rushing through a al is sothing only livestock would do.’
Ascal calmly reported this to the Crown Prince.
And the next day.
A decree was issued.
All Imperial offices must have a canteen.
Thus, the loafing officials were forced to eat bland als in the canteen every lunchti, reminiscing about the past.
It was truly a beautiful anecdote.
**
“Why is the food at the Evaluation Departnt so good?”
As soon as he arrived at the Evaluation Departnt, Bernstein headed straight for the canteen.
Going directly to the Minister’s office would be the worst move.
Doing so would lead to nothing but showing the prototype to Ascal, exchanging harsh words, and then returning to the Departnt of Developnt and Innovation—a bad ending.
True masters take a different approach.
First, they go to the canteen and eat.
“That’s because the Evaluation Departnt has a partnership with the best restaurant in the Empire, The Hansen. Chefs are dispatched from there daily.”
“I’m envious. Our canteen serves nothing but weeds every day...”
“Haha. That’s why all civil servant aspirants choose the Evaluation Departnt as their first choice, right? Whether it’s the food, welfare, or honor, there’s nothing to complain about.”
Anger and jealousy welled up inside him.
Bernstein decided to eat another bowl of the Evaluation Departnt’s food as punishnt. This way, he slightly drained the Evaluation Departnt’s budget.
“Ah, my body feels stiff. Maybe I should go for a massage.”
“What do you an, massage?”
“Our office has a rest area for employees. There, a specialized masseuse from the Cat tribe provides massages.”
Feeling a growing sense of despair about life, Bernstein spoke earnestly.
“I belong to the Departnt of Developnt and Innovation, but is it possible to transfer to the Evaluation Departnt?”
“Oh, the Departnt of Developnt and Innovation, where only the elite of the elite gather? What’s your rank?”
“I’m the Minister.”
“Haha... That’s a bit...”
The Evaluation Departnt official looked at Bernstein’s face.
Mustache.
Bloodshot eyes.
Exhausted expression.
It was as if the face of the rumored Minister of the Departnt of Developnt and Innovation had co to life.
“Transfer .”
“Gasp! I greet you, Minister!”
“Transfer !!!”
****
Bernstein's outburst finally subsided after he enjoyed a full-course massage from the cat tribe.
After also tasting Laika’s special firestone, Bernstein felt significantly refreshed as he visited the office.
However, sothing felt off.
First, Ascal sat silently in his executive chair, occasionally twitching irregularly.
And Lia, who would normally have already served tea, was quietly staring at docunts. Her feather pen had been motionless for several minutes.
“Ascal.”
“Gah! Bernstein, is that you?”
“I’ve co to get the prototype evaluated.”
Bernstein sat in the guest chair.
Finally, Lia ca to her senses and brought out warm tea.
“Thank you.”
Bernstein took a sip of tea and pulled out the magic stone phonograph.
“Is this the new invention?”
“Yes. It’s a bit boastful to say it myself, but this is revolutionary. Watch.”
Bernstein took out several magic stones, picked one, and inserted it into the phonograph.
“When you press this…”
Reviews
All reviews (0)