Chapter 408: The Emperor Doesn’t Know Labor Laws (4)

Although I failed to escape the capital due to the fantastic pretext of establishing the Ministry of Inspection, I was at least taking comfort in the fact that I had gotten away from the Emperor’s side.

But it wasn’t long before I was summoned again. What an absolute bastard.

— I’ve reviewed the draft sent by the Minister. It seems fine to appoint as is, but what does the Minister think?

“At present, I don’t think there’s a better plan.”

— Good. I’ll designate those listed as nominees, so the Minister should enter the palace with them.

He even added instructions to bring the executive nominees scattered like Dragon Balls.

It’s an annoying and troublesome order. The executive nominees aren’t yet integrated into the Ministry of Inspection, so they’re stuck in the Ministry of Finance building, the Special Service Agency building, or somewhere in the corners of the capital. Collecting these scattered individuals one by one is too cruel a task.

“Your Majesty. I apologize for saying this, but among those listed, there’s an official on parental leave.”

Crucially, the 2nd Manager is wielding the powerful shield of parental leave. Even for me, it’s daunting to drag someone out who’s on leave—especially parental leave.

Bluntly put, if the 2nd Manager is dragged out due to the Emperor’s summons, it sets a precedent that ‘you must move even if an imperial order comes during parental leave.’ How many children am I going to have in the future for such a precedent to be set?

— Parental leave?

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Fortunately, even the Emperor seemed shaken by the mention of parental leave, frowning slightly. As someone raising the Crown Princess himself, he must have been swayed by the word ‘parenting.’

But if it had stopped there, I wouldn’t have called the Emperor a bastard.

— …While there’s no duty more important than caring for one’s child, tell him to come in for just one day. He can leave as soon as the nominee appointment is finished.

After a moment of silence, the Emperor finally pierced through the supreme shield of parental leave. Indeed, this guy is truly a bastard.

— As various departments are being integrated, a firm hierarchy needs to be established. Rather than hastily setting up an order, it would be better to designate executives as soon as possible.

Of course, he hurriedly made excuses, perhaps realizing that an order ignoring leave was too harsh even by his standards, but once the order is given, any excuse is just crocodile tears.

If the Emperor breaks the law, who do we complain to?

Let’s pretend the Imperial Council and Supreme Court don’t exist for now. If we complain to them, they might make the insane statement that ‘it’s a subject’s duty to voluntarily come to work before His Majesty has to make a painful decision.’

Damn it.

I sighed softly as I put the communication crystal back in my pocket. Because of someone who issued a cruel and merciless order, I ended up having to drag out a subordinate enjoying parental leave with my own hands.

I’m sorry. The only gift I prepared was a promotion. I didn’t know I’d be giving a surprise work day too.

I’m truly sorry.

The Prosecutors’ Office’s current 3rd Manager, Leonard Hodella, as the Ministry of Inspection’s Director of Enforcement nominee.

The Prosecutors’ Office’s current 5th Manager, Marcilio Viago, as the Ministry of Inspection’s Senior Manager of Enforcement nominee.

The Information Department’s current Executive Manager, Eugène Cloix of Hist, as the Ministry of Inspection’s Director of Intelligence nominee.

The Prosecutors’ Office’s current 2nd Manager, Lafayette Varon, as the Ministry of Inspection’s Senior Manager of Intelligence nominee.

The Special Service Agency’s current Masked Unit Captain, Penelia Euse, as the Ministry of Inspection’s Director of Special Affairs nominee.

The Corrosive Magic Corps current Commander, Nicholas Hedan, as the Ministry of Inspection’s Senior Manager of Special Affairs nominee.

Among these, I was able to quickly gather all the nominees except for the 2nd Manager.

In fact, it would be stranger if there were any complaints. The Intelligence Director was retaining his original role without change, and Penelia and the 5th Manager were obedient to orders. The gentleman who became the Special Affairs Department’s Senior Manager was leased with his promotion, so there wasn’t anything to discuss.

“No, why am I the Director?! It doesn’t make sense for someone my age to take on such a heavy responsibility!”

“And it makes sense for someone my age to become Minister?”

Meanwhile, the 3rd Manager who was nominated for the Director of Enforcement made a minor rebellion, but,

“Besides, the executive list has gone up to His Majesty, so it’s no longer a ministerial order but an imperial command. If you want to become an official who disobeys an imperial command, go ahead and try.”

He quickly succumbed to the great imperial command’s order. It’s truly a perfect gathering.

“We greet Your Majesty.”

““We greet Your Majesty.””

Thanks to this, seven people including myself bowed before the Emperor. To the his eyes, we must look like living, breathing Dragon Balls, Dragon Balls that handle most tasks with just a command.

The difference from the original is that we won’t scatter after granting a wish. It’s quite versatile.

“Raise your heads.”

As we cautiously raised our heads, we saw the Emperor wearing a satisfied smile.

But is it just my imagination? I catch a glimpse of a look in his eyes like a breeder looking at A++ grade Hanwoo beef.

“Although the Ministry of Inspection hasn’t been officially established yet, I’m overjoyed to see the talents who will lead it.”

“We are honored, Your Majesty.”

“Moreover, you are the talents arranged by the Retired Emperor for me and the empire, so my expectations are very high.”

I got goosebumps at those words. It sounded like he was saying he’d work the precious slaves the Retired Emperor left him to the bone.

“…We will certainly live up to Your Majesty’s trust.”

However, as it sounded like ordinary praise on the surface, I forced myself to give a ceremonial response.

The Emperor nodded, seemingly satisfied. The urge to hit him just once is rising.

“So, Minister. You said the Ministry of Inspection would consist of three departments?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We plan to organize it into the Enforcement Department, which will carry out the existing Prosecutors’ Office’s duties, the Intelligence Department, which will integrate two divisions from the Prosecutors’ Office, and the Special Affairs Department, composed of the Special Service Agency’s force units.”

Fortunately, we were able to start a purely work-related conversation before the urge grew too strong. If it had been a little later, I might have stepped onto the path of treason.

“Then the Enforcement Department will be smaller than before. I’ll send more budget, so focus on expanding the workforce.”

“We are overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s grace.”

I bowed my head in gratitude at the Emperor’s words, which resolved a concern I had. I was worried about how the Enforcement Department would function with two of its four divisions gone, but there’s nothing to worry about if the Emperor himself promised budget support.

The 3rd Manager will be happy too, as the department he’ll manage will grow under the Emperor’s attention. Of course.

“My, we’ve chatted too long while keeping busy officials waiting. Let’s proceed with the appointment ceremony.”

Saying that, the Emperor approached the executives behind me. I could hear patting sounds, so it seems he’s greeting them while tapping their shoulders.

“Is it because the Minister is young that the executives are young too? I look forward to energetic work.”

Damn it.

This is strange. He’s clearly talking to the executives, but it feels like he’s talking to me.

It sounded like a declaration of war, saying he’ll work us hard because we’re still young.

I felt like laughing when I saw the nominees the Minister of Inspection brought.

To think ministry-level department officials could be this young.

It’s not something a 20-year-old Emperor should say, but there could even be a 2-year-old Emperor and not just a 20-year-old one since the Emperor’s position is heavily influenced by bloodline.

But officials are different. In the bureaucratic society, the influence of bloodline is relatively small, unlike noble society. Having a good family background might be advantageous for promotion, but there are many officials from good families.

That’s why ability always wins in the end, just like how the current Minister of Welfare is from an orphan background.

Of course, even considering that, the Ministry of Inspection executives are too unconventional. Even the Intelligence Director, the oldest among them, is relatively young compared to department-level officials overall.

At least the Minister of Relief had a long career as an official.

But what can we do? The Minister himself is a symbol of unconventionality. I made him that way and no one else.

So, I have no intention of criticizing the executives the Minister chose for being young. Rather, the younger they are, the longer we can use… no, the longer they can work.

Not bad.

And such unconventional personnel orders can stimulate officials. It can give hope to officials who have ability and ambition but are suppressed by experienced superiors.

Hope that while the wall of experience is high, it’s not an insurmountable wall.

“I look forward to your future achievements.”

“Yes, Your Majesty! We will certainly live up to your trust!”

After encouraging the Special Affairs’s Senior Manager nominee by patting his shoulder lastly, I turned my gaze back to the Minister.

“It’s not right to keep busy officials here, so everyone but the Minister may return.”

I saw the Minister’s eyes tremble at those words. We’ve finished appointing the nominees, so it would be fine to send everyone back—but that everyone doesn’t include the Minister. It’s not particularly surprising.

Moreover, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Inspection is leading the establishment of the Ministry of Inspection, so there’s nothing to be concerned about.

I have something to ask, too.

At this point, even I find it curious. I wonder how I always have something to order or ask every time I see him.

My teeth are chattering. I feel like crying at this outrage of keeping me close because his attachment toy has come to the palace.

Damn you, if you’re going to do this, at least give me a palace servant’s salary. If this isn’t being a servant, what is?

The indignation and pain that was rising was intensified by the Emperor’s following words.

“Minister, how is the management of your territory going?”

What the hell?

Why is he suddenly bringing up the territory? Is he mocking me for soon inheriting the imperial count title?

When I couldn’t answer immediately due to momentary buffering, the Emperor blinked a few times and then chuckled.

“I meant the territory you have, not the one you’ll inherit.”

…

Ah.

Only then did I realize what the Emperor was talking about. I could recall the region that was gradually fading from my memory.

Right, there was Wiridia.

I remembered receiving the title of Count of Wiridia, but I had forgotten about the Wiridia county itself. I’m sure I still remembered it when I returned to the Academy right after the war ended.

“There are local officials who have managed Wiridia since it was a direct imperial territory so there’s no problem, but it’s still the Minister’s territory.”

“…I apologize.”

The peculiar situation where imperial local officials are still working in a large territory granted to a noble. With no room for excuses, I could only bow my head.

It’s already considerable consideration that local officials receiving imperial salaries are managing a place that’s no longer direct imperial territory. From the imperial family’s perspective, they’ve been managing someone else’s land while paying with their own money.

Damn it, is it because of all the recent events? How could I forget about my own territory?