Ch.199So you’ve returned, Suktae-sik.

# Chapter 199: Look Who’s Back, Sook Tae-sik.

Half a year had passed since Governor Goliath’s Avar rebellion.

[You have been playing this game for 20 years. Excessive gaming may interfere with normal daily life.]

‘Ah, finally.’

As I reached the mental age of 20 in this world.

-Beep beep beep! Beep beep beep!

[Alert: Quest option check!]

I pressed the alarm system that had been added in a recent UI update and brought up the event message I hadn’t been able to select half a year ago.

[Event: Prosnack Vaccine Research!]

[The Ministry of Technology and Science, under Minister Vermut and the Life Sciences Research Institute, has achieved research results that could benefit the Empire using the recently collected Prosnack vaccine.]

[Minister Vermut has requested funding from the Imperial Central Government to continue this research.]

[Option 1: Is it our Berry Chip now? (-1000 Galactic Credits, Random reward acquisition)]

[Option 2: Something feels very suspicious about this. Wouldn’t it be better not to do it? (Event ends)]

‘Hmm, my cute reward event.’

Along with that, I checked the Empire’s remaining Galactic Credit balance.

‘Imperial Resource Management Window, Galactic Credits only.’

[Galactic Credits: Current balance: 3,204 + 65 (Tithe period buff applied)]

‘This should be more than enough.’

Of course, despite only needing 1000 Galactic Credits to choose the option.

Some might wonder why I waited until I had over 3000 credits, but…

——————————

The day 1000 Galactic Credits were collected.

“Minister of Finance.”

“Minister Arto of Diplomatic Enforcement? What brings you here?”

“What would you do if a situation arose where 1000 Galactic Credits needed to be spent immediately?”

“I would personally grab that person by the collar and tear their head from their body for suggesting such a thing.”

——————————–

‘…Hmm.’

Given that the Finance Minister was rumored to have made a contract with some unknown interdimensional entity, all for the sake of the Empire’s fiscal health, budget, and funding security…

I couldn’t directly face his wrath, so I had to wait until we had accumulated over 3000 credits before selecting the quest option.

‘Well then, let’s do this.’

[Option 1: Is it our Berry Chip now? (-1000 Galactic Credits, Random reward acquisition)] <Selected>

The moment I chose the option.

-Beeeep.

[Checking random reward roll…]

[Checking…]

An incredibly cheap-looking dice roll animation played before my eyes.

‘…’

And after what felt like five minutes, the tacky dice roll finally ended.

Then:

[Event: Prosnack Vaccine Improvement!]

[The Ministry of Technology and Science has successfully improved the Empire’s health status by utilizing the large amount of Cobard vaccine collected this time.]

[Although they were unable to modify the so-called “Berry Chip” and had to remove its functionality…]

[This seems to have advanced the Empire’s biological sector by another step.]

[Policy “Improved Vaccine Inoculation” (Happiness -5%, Stability +5% across all Imperial planets) now available for the Holy Sebelli Empire]

[Holy Sebelli Empire research speed +10%, Biology research +5% additional]

‘Hmm…’

The policy implementation could be ignored since I hardly ever used such things.

‘But that research speed increase is sweet.’

I was secretly delighted with the reward that increased the Empire’s research speed for technology development.

Plus, with an additional 5% buff to the biological sector.

‘Ah, this was worth all that trouble, yes indeed.’

I nodded with satisfaction, enjoying the better-than-expected results.

—————————————–

The next day.

-“Hehehehehe, thanks to Minister Arto, we have more research to do and our R&D budget has increased.”

“Is that so.”

-“And with the church and the papal office making donations whenever they feel like it, I’m simply over the moon!”

I had to deal with mixed feelings from the morning as I received Minister Vermut’s peculiar phone call, his words stretched with happiness.

Fortunately, while Minister Vermut might be a bit eccentric, he wasn’t an ill-mannered barbarian.

-“Oh my, I hope I haven’t taken up too much of your busy morning.”

“…”

-“Well then, I look forward to your support again in the future!”

-Click.

-Communication ended.

‘…Or maybe he is ill-mannered after all?’

After ending the storm-like call with Minister Vermut.

I put down my terminal to proceed with today’s work as usual.

I began reading the report that had been placed on the table while taking a sip of the morning coffee Riel had prepared.

‘The launch of the Kerzin exile government seems to be going smoothly… Has Prosnack still not finished taking over what used to be Kerzin Federation territory?’

As the content of the report was more interesting than expected, my eyes remained focused on it even as I sipped my coffee.

Then suddenly, I remembered some people I had unintentionally forgotten during this busy period.

‘I wonder what happened to those guys I sent to Prosnack.’

The purge unit members who had infiltrated Prosnack with Ambassador Samiya’s help.

Despite more than a year passing since they began their infiltration, I hadn’t received a proper report about them.

Of course, I couldn’t blame them for not reporting.

After all, I was the one who told them to report only after returning, for the sake of secrecy.

It was just that with no news for over a year, I couldn’t help but worry.

“Sigh.”

But my worrying alone wouldn’t solve anything.

I shook my head, trying to focus my mind.

‘I should read the next report.’

I placed my coffee cup on the table, intending to check the new report.

But just then.

-BANG!

“Minister! The guys we sent to Prosnack territory have just returned!”

“…Oh!”

Hearing Riel’s words as she kicked open the door, I reflexively moved to greet the returning members.

Although the shock from Riel’s door-kicking caused my coffee cup to fall and slightly stain my pants.

Compared to the return of these prodigal “sons” who had been out of contact for over a year, that was nothing.

“Good work, have they already returned to the Diplomatic Enforcement Ministry…!”

I stood up and walked out to greet them, but.

“Uh… no, they’ve just entered our border area, so it’ll take at least a week even at top speed…”

“…”

“And um… about that stain on your pants, was that because of me?”

“…”

“Heh…”

Learning that our Riel had tricked me, I had to experience yet another indescribable emotion.

Nevertheless, a week later.

I finally welcomed our returning reconnaissance team with joy, shaking hands with each of them.

“Well, you’ve all returned safely.”

“Yes, Minister.”

“After all, we were purely collecting information, not conducting any special operations.”

As they said, since it was not a dangerous mission like assassination or terrorism, but simply information gathering.

None of the gathered members appeared to be injured, which gave me a sense of relief.

“Do you want to rest from your journey first?”

“No, we rested enough on the way… we wanted to report to you immediately, Minister.”

Seeing their confident, energetic appearance, I nodded and replied.

“Alright, then let’s hear your story.”

————————————

And in the ministry office, I received the full report from the reconnaissance team leader, but…

I found myself repeatedly questioning the captain, finding the report hard to believe.

“…Are you really saying there were no problems at all?”

“Yes, that’s correct, Minister.”

Despite what I had surmised from conversations with Ambassador Samiya.

Despite the tremendous damage suffered during the occupation of the Kerzin Federation.

Despite the formation of ISTO, an unprecedented check on their power…

The report stated that within the Prosnack Union, not a single problem had occurred.