Ch.33The path of technological development is long and arduous. (1)

# Chapter 33: The Road to Technological Development is Long and Arduous (1)

It had been about a month since I checked my embarrassing personal species creation window that I wouldn’t want to show others.

As I was adapting to my duties at the Diplomatic Enforcement Ministry as usual, a thought suddenly occurred to me.

‘…Come to think of it, can I check technological development progress in the status window?’

Searching through my vague memories, I recalled that the original game definitely had a separate window for checking the “tech tree.”

Not long after, on my regular day off, I was lounging on the bed in my room (!) next to my office with Riel, checking my status window.

[Pause]

‘So umm… technology development window?’

There was just one small problem.

‘Tech tree, technology window, development window, what is it called?’

The issue was that I had absolutely no way of knowing what to call this magnificent technology development tree window.

After wrestling with this in my head for quite some time, I finally figured out the name of the window.

‘Ah right, status window, tech tree status window!’

Who on earth decided that you had to say “status window” next to “tech tree” for it to open?

‘That’s creepy.’

While criticizing this maliciously designed command, I leisurely decided to check the Empire’s technological development status.

…And not long after, tremendous confusion was washing over my mind.

[Holy Sebelli Empire Tech Tree Status]

[Regular Update Cycle: 1 year]

[Total Technology Score: 1060]

[Main Technology Focus: Physics]

[Monthly Research Points Gained: 515]

[Current Technology Development Progress]

[Engineering 68%]

[Physics 57%]

[Biology 43%]

[Chemistry 40%]

[Sociology 35%]

‘…Huh?’

Anyone would react that way when the tech tree status window doesn’t actually show the important “tech tree” or what technologies are currently being developed.

‘What is this, seriously?’

In the original game, at the very least, clicking on the research window would immediately show what I was developing.

Is the purpose to cause extreme inconvenience and frustration for the user?

I was so dumbfounded that I mentally hurled every curse word at the system while begging for some help…

‘…Come to think of it, the tutorial bot is right next to me.’

The moment that thought crossed my mind.

[Pause Released]

I immediately released the pause, sat up, and called out.

“Riel, tell me the status window command.”

“…You’re quick to ask, aren’t you?”

But in return for those words, I received a look of contempt from Riel.

And not just a simple contemptuous look, but “that expression” with a smirk that suggested she finally had the upper hand over me.

‘…I’ll let it slide for now.’

At her impudent attitude, my hand holding the etiquette injection rod in my pocket trembled.

But ultimately, I was the one who had forgotten Riel’s value.

Anyway, as I remained silent, Riel, despite being a robot, let out a deep sigh and said:

“You just need to say ‘technology management window.'”

“Hmm…”

Feeling it was suspiciously too simple, I made a dubious face…

“If you don’t like it, don’t use it.”

Faced with her blatant sulking, I could only sigh as well.

“Fine, I got it… technology management window.”

And as I said those words, a proper tech tree window finally began to appear before my eyes.

[Holy Sebelli Empire Current Technology Development Status]

[Engineering: Interstellar Fortress Line Development]

[Physics: Crystallization of Crystal Powder Particles Research]

[Biology: Ecology Research of Space-Floating Organisms]

[Chemistry: Narcotic Testing of New Compounds]

[Sociology: National Integrity through Abolition of Slavery]

But what kind of nonsensical research was this?

“Riel, is there some difference between the research I know and what exists in this world?”

“I don’t really understand what you’re talking about.”

And Riel, who should be explaining this to me, was wearing an expression suggesting she genuinely knew nothing.

“This is maddening.”

Realizing I had to solve this problem myself as well, I felt a throbbing headache coming on.

But I couldn’t just leave this alone.

“…Riel, when we were talking with Arthraia before, what was the technology gap between Prosnark and us?”

“About twice as large? But that was before the war… so the gap has probably widened even more by now.”

It was a truly terrifying story.

If this were an actual game, Prosnark would have been happily bombarding our capital’s orbit with orbital strikes by now.

———————

After several more questions with Riel.

After briefly examining various materials, I could reach one conclusion.

‘This really can’t be left alone.’

I was about to feel sad about working on my day off…

But since this matter clearly needed to be addressed as soon as possible, I tried to contact the highest authority on technology in the Sebelli Empire.

That is, the current Minister of Technology and Science, but…

-Pause.

“Huh? What’s wrong, Minister?”

“…Oh no.”

The moment I confirmed the face and name of the current Minister of Technology and Science, my instincts stopped me from taking rational action.

But there was good reason for that…

‘Wait, why was this person appointed as Minister of Technology and Science?’

Following my gaze, the screen showed the face of a Sebellian woman who looked fairly ordinary and pretty.

In fact, to anyone looking, there didn’t seem to be any major issues with her appearance.

But her problem wasn’t simply about her looks.

One of the mysteries of the imperial civil service, ranking in the top 5 among Sebelli Empire officials for her incredibly stubborn and bizarre personality and tendencies.

Someone who most actively and definitively utilizes the “slavery system,” which is virtually obsolete within the Empire but technically still exists.

A typical hobby-obsessed person who exerts no political influence whatsoever despite all kinds of unsavory rumors…

‘…And despite all the slander, she’s never been caught by the Enforcement Ministry or Inspection Department that I commanded.’

“Minister of Technology and Science… Vermut.”

As I muttered her name in a deflated voice, Riel responded with a surprised expression.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t know Minister Vermut became a minister too?”

“…”

“Really? Wait, you were at the same appointment ceremony and didn’t know until now?”

“…”

“Aren’t you being a bit too incompetent?”

It seems she wasn’t surprised but just wanted to mock me.

But as Riel pointed out, this was my fault too.

No matter how mentally shattered I was from the series of shocking events…

I had plenty of opportunities and time to observe my surroundings, yet I did nothing.

But regardless, she was truly someone I was reluctant to deal with.

“Sigh… well, I have no choice.”

I couldn’t waste time on this nonsense as if I were a child.

‘Arthraia, I’ll try to normalize your empire.’

With a determination like that of a pale cancer patient asking to be watched over, I collected my thoughts and immediately connected to the direct line of the Minister of Technology and Science.

-Riiiiing…

Of course, I almost burst out laughing at the old-fashioned ringtone that played as soon as the call connected…

‘No, focus, Arto!’

Having barely maintained my composure, I was about to start speaking through the finally connected direct line when…

-“The recipient’s device is turned off. After the beep, you will be connected to voicemail…”

“Here too?!”

Since the person in question wasn’t answering.

All my previous contemplation and determination instantly evaporated, and irritation involuntarily escaped my lips.

Nevertheless, determined to make contact somehow, I pushed Riel, who was also on her day off, to find all possible means and methods.

And when we finally connected to the Ministry of Technology and Science…

“…I’m sorry, but could you repeat that? I think I must have misheard.”

-“Yes, Minister Vermut is currently traveling through space on a newly developed scientific research vessel.”

They only informed me that their minister was floating around in a science vessel.

It was extremely frustrating…

But I couldn’t take out my anger on that innocent, pitiful graduate student (who, according to rumors, was being exploited by the maniacal Minister Vermut without even being allowed to graduate).

“Is that so? Alright, please tell Minister Vermut to contact the Diplomatic Enforcement Ministry later.”

-“Understood, Minister Arto.”

Having completed the contact procedure, I tried my best to rest during the remainder of my day off…

And as I was about to forget today’s events while being swamped with work again the next day.

I would soon come to understand once more why Minister Vermut’s eccentricity was so infamous.