“The tower rises a hundred feet high, where one can reach out and pluck the stars.”
Right now, Li An was standing before the window of the minister's office, looking down at the crowd bustling back and forth below.
Leisurely sipping coffee as he overlooked all living things.
This feeling...
...was simply marvelous.
A high-and-mighty sense of superiority.
The satisfaction of holding power.
A privilege only enjoyed by those in high positions.
That was right.
Today's Li An had barely stepped into the ranks of so-called “senior officials.”
As the Minister of the Evaluation Department, he had finally become a person of power in the truest sense.
Although he was still some distance from the empire's true core of power, at the very least, he had crossed the threshold.
“Would you like a bit more sugar?”
However, this floating sensation lasted only for a brief moment. Because in the next second, when Li An saw Isha standing before him, any smug ease on his shoulders instantly vanished.
No matter what position he held now, the existence that truly symbolized power was standing right in front of him.
Li An's mood plummeted instantly. He silently stirred his coffee.
“It's just right.”
“By the way, Isha.” Li An looked at the young girl who was clearing away the coffee cups.
“You've been serving as my temporary assistant for quite some time now, haven't you?”
Isha paused her movements, waiting for him to continue.
Li An swallowed hard.
In the game's plot, there hadn't been many detailed descriptions regarding the period before Isha became the Empress. At most, it had mentioned that she had plotted in the shadows while constantly accumulating various kinds of experience.
Li An guessed that Isha belonged to the “growth-through-travels” archetype. Once she felt she had gathered enough experience, she would probably leave his side.
Therefore...
“Do you plan on continuing to serve as my assistant in the future?”
As soon as those words left his mouth, Isha's movements came to a halt.
Oh no. Had he struck a nerve? After all, for the future Empress, staying in a place like the Evaluation Department was indeed far too confining.
Li An began preparing a farewell speech in his mind.
“Since we've worked together, if we bump into each other on the street in the future, we can still greet each other as friends...”
He had expected a dignified parting. However...
A bizarre atmosphere filled the air.
After a long silence, Isha spoke in a low voice, “In Lord Li An's eyes... am I not excellent enough as an assistant?”
“No, not at all.”
“Then...” Isha lifted her head. “Do I have the qualifications to become your official assistant?”
A cold sweat instantly broke out on Li An.
Wait. Had she misunderstood something? In truth, he hadn't even considered what would happen once the temporary assistantship ended. He had to come up with an excuse right now.
“There is still one final test.”
“A test?”
“An outstanding assistant should proactively complete work even without explicit instructions from their superior.”
“Which is to say...”
“Initiative.” Li An spoke with an air of absolute gravity. The excuse sounded exceptionally reasonable.
Isha pondered seriously for a moment, then nodded.
“Understood.”
“In that case, I shall show you results.”
Having said that, she turned and left.
Looking at her departing figure, Li An fell into silence.
Wait... what did I just do?
He seemed to have... personally initiated the empire's strongest automatic work mode.
And it was the highest tier possible, at that.
...
A few days later.
Inside the Evaluation Department.
“The backlog of documents from the past six months has been completely processed!”
“That noble complainant who kept causing trouble suddenly came running over in terror to apologize, for some reason!”
“All the special items that even experts couldn't classify have been fully organized!”
“And the Countess—she was so moved by our work that she donated her entire fortune directly to us!”
“Minister, how on earth did you manage all this?”
Facing the shocked inquiries of his subordinates, Li An was silent for a moment.
“Well...”
“I merely... activated the future Empress's auto-work mode.”
Of course, the words that actually left his mouth became:
“This is the result of everyone's joint efforts.”
Afterward, he swiftly fled back to his office.
He was doomed. Things had spiraled completely out of control.
If he were to use gaming terminology, this was like slotting a max-level NPC into the domestic affairs system, and then...
...letting her do whatever she pleased.
He had personally awakened a sleeping dragon.
Now, this dragon was already beginning to reshape the world.
Just as Li An was clutching his head in agony, the office door was pushed open.
Isha had returned, holding today's work report in her hands.
“This is today's result.”
Li An took the report. After reading through it, he fell silent.
Although he had already heard of these accomplishments from others, seeing the report with his own eyes...
Isha's efficiency remained terrifying.
Even more frightening was that she had also cleverly packaged all the credit as the fruits of his leadership.
Even if Li An wanted to find a single flaw, it was absolutely impossible.
“Congratulations.”
“You have passed the test.”
Having no other choice, Li An took out the official contract.
As long as Isha signed it, she would become his official assistant.
However...
Li An was still unwilling to give up.
“But...”
“Your talents are simply too exceptional.”
“A mere assistant position is far too limiting for you.”
“Are you interested in going to a grander stage?”
“I know some people in the Ministry of Magic. If you'd like, I can recommend you.”
The person he was referring to was indeed the Minister of Magic, Robin.
Robin had always highly appreciated Li An.
If Li An recommended a talent, he would definitely accept.
Of course, by the time Robin realized this “talent” was actually a ticking time bomb...
...it would probably be too late.
At this thought, Li An even felt a sliver of anticipation.
However, reality dealt him another heavy blow.
“Please give it to me.”
“Hurry.”
“The contract.”
Isha's voice grew icy.
“Huh?”
“The contract.”
Li An hurriedly handed it over.
Isha snatched the contract, hugging it tightly against her chest as if someone might steal it.
That appearance of hers was like a mother bird protecting its egg.
It was quite hair-raising.
Li An was deeply shocked.
Just how desperate was she to stay?
A grand princess of the empire—why was she so obsessed with a mere assistant position?
Had her ambition...
already inflated to such an extent?
“The former General Supervisor was truly impressive.”
“To think he could leave such an immense mess behind.”
At this thought, Li An couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
The former General Supervisor had suddenly vanished, leaving absolutely no handovers behind.
The office was piled high with all sorts of chaotic documents, systemic loopholes, and work records that only Caris himself could comprehend.
If it hadn't been for Isha's help, Li An estimated it would have taken him several months just to sort it all out. He might have even collapsed from exhaustion.
“There is still so much leftover budget...”
He flipped through the accounts, finally discovering a problem.
In reality, the Evaluation Department hadn't been run by the department head in the past at all.
The person who truly held up the entire department...
...had always been the Chief of Section One, Kane.
The former supervisor had dumped all the work onto Section One, while he spent his days riding horses, enjoying himself, and mingling with the nobility.
Wait...
Li An suddenly thought of a question.
If Section One stopped functioning...
...wouldn't the entire Evaluation Department instantly paralyze?
His plan...
seemed to finally have an opportunity for realization.
“Excellent.”
“That's it.”
“Starting today, I shall plunge this Evaluation Department into absolute chaos.”
The wicked plan in Li An's heart began to take off.
...
“Starting today, all of Section One is to take a week of vacation.”
Inside the office, Li An spoke to Kane.
“This is a reward for your long-term hard work.”
In truth, if he could, he would have even preferred to give them a month-long break.
But his authority as Minister was limited.
A week was already the absolute limit.
“In addition.”
“Here is a premium travel voucher.”
“The destination is the Kelly Kingdom.”
“All lodging and meals have already been arranged.”
The Kelly Kingdom was one of the most famous tourist resorts in the world.
Many nobles and even members of the royal family frequented the place.
The cost of living was exceptionally high there, but this royal travel voucher covered absolutely everything.
Kane was stunned.
“Is this truly alright?”
“Of course.”
“You've all been working very hard.”
Li An genuinely believed this.
Compared to the other officials, Kane had always worked diligently without ever slacking off.
Therefore, even after becoming Minister, Li An still maintained his respect for him.
“Minister...”
Kane suddenly knelt down.
A single tear slipped down his exhausted face.
“At least...”
“At least you recognize my efforts.”
Li An was taken aback.
Meanwhile, countless memories of the past flashed through Kane's mind.
“Kane! Why isn't the report finished yet?”
“Is this how you work?”
“If it weren't for a lenient superior like me, you would have been begging on the streets long ago!”
“You got your bonus, right? You're treating tonight!”
...
All the grievances of the past rushed into his heart at this moment.
An officer dies for those who recognize his worth.
Kane had worked diligently for many years, yet had never received any recognition.
Until today.
His loyalty had finally found a home.
“Your clothes will get dirty, please stand up.”
“Chief Kane.”
Li An extended his hand.
Kane grasped his hand and stood up, wiping away his tears.
“For all these years...”
“Even without anyone's recognition, I have still striven to build a better empire.”
“But now...”
“My loyalty shall be dedicated to you.”
“What?”
Li An's heart leaped.
Wait. Why does that sound like... a vow of fealty?
No way.
Could this be considered... treason?
...
The next day.
Imperial Announcement:
【Minister of the Evaluation Department, Li An, has rewarded the Chief of Section One, Kane.】
【Minister of the Evaluation Department, Li An, has promoted Kane's position.】
【Kane has expressed his utmost loyalty to Minister Li An.】
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