Li An felt as though he had idly spun a gacha machine, only for an “Ultra Super Super Super Rare” SSR card to pop out.
Normally, pulling an SSR would be a cause for celebration.
The problem, however, was that this particular SSR was not a ticket to paradise.
It was a one-way ticket straight to hell.
At first, Li An had rejected Lia without a second thought.
Afterward, he had a serious talk with Kane.
“After careful consideration...”
“I'm afraid Miss Isha is not quite suitable to serve as my assistant.”
“I appreciate her taking the valuable time to participate in this selection.”
“...”
Kane remained silent for a moment.
“What's with the way you're talking?”
In that instant, terrible memories from his past life flooded back to Li An.
He almost reflexively wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.
“Alright, I think I get it,” Kane said thoughtfully. “You probably just don't like Miss Isha.”
“But please reconsider.”
Kane spoke earnestly.
“Miss Isha is as young as you are, and she possesses extraordinary talent. Out of all the applicants, she is one of the most outstanding.”
That was just how Kane was.
Once he acknowledged someone, he wouldn't give up easily.
Besides... Isha truly was far too exceptional.
If a future Sword Saint, Archmage, Imperial Grand General, legendary chef, master artist, historian, bestselling author, politician, and tyrant couldn't be called a genius...
Then everyone else was practically a worm crawling on the ground.
However, the crux of the issue lay in her true identity.
Isha was actually the Third Princess of the empire—Elizabeth.
Setting aside whether Li An had the capability to keep a future Empress at his side, just thinking about her personality in the novel and the endless wave of assassination attempts caused by her presence gave him a massive headache.
This wasn't like keeping a pretty trophy assistant around; it was like carrying a Tsar Bomba with him everywhere he went.
One that could detonate at any moment.
Li An cleared his throat and began to object in earnest.
“Um, don't you find her identity a bit suspicious?”
“Suspicious? What are you talking about?” Kane looked puzzled.
“Miss Isha is the daughter of Viscount Sinus—a pure-blooded imperial loyalist! There aren't many people in the entire empire with a background as clear as hers.”
“...”
Li An fell silent.
So she had already prepared a forged identity. Flawless without a single loophole.
As expected of the future Empress.
No, he couldn't give up yet.
“She's so young. She doesn't have enough work experience.”
“Work experience?” Kane chuckled.
“Miss Isha completed a full year of assistant training, and her grades were consistently at the top of her class. She also has numerous practical achievements proving her abilities. When it comes to experience, she won't lose to anyone.”
“...”
Li An was completely speechless.
Wait. She specifically took assistant training courses?
Not only was she gifted, but she was also hardworking?
Wasn't this a bit unfair?
This was a formidable opponent.
Li An frowned in thought.
If he continued to make up forced excuses, Kane would likely think he was just being unreasonable.
Offending Kane was one thing, but if word of this reached Yulia's ears...
Gasp~
It seemed... his next strike had to decide the outcome.
“I swear, I'm not trying to cause gender opposition,” Li An said. “However... she is, after all, a young and beautiful noblewoman.”
“...”
The air suddenly went quiet.
Li An realized immediately that this statement was extremely risky.
Before he could be forcefully labeled a sexist, he quickly added:
“What I mean is... official duties sometimes require physical labor. Section Three already has Sushia. I need an assistant who can handle some of the physical work.”
Kane froze for a moment, then burst out laughing.
“Hahaha! So that's what you were worried about?”
“Don't worry! Miss Isha knows magic! Simple tasks like carrying things can be done with a flick of her hand!”
“Hahaha! Rest assured, she isn't some delicate noble princess who can't carry anything or lift a finger. Don't worry!”
“...”
Li An fell silent.
Right. This was a fantasy world with magic.
Why had he just reasoned using the logic from his past life?
“I almost thought you genuinely disliked women,” Kane chuckled. “If you're worried about physical endurance, there's no need. Miss Isha's magical abilities are also top-notch.”
“...”
Li An's heart sank.
If he had known, he would have just admitted to being sexist earlier.
In the end, after a grueling round of negotiations, Li An failed to hold his defense.
He had no choice but to reluctantly accept Isha as his intern assistant.
During the trial period... I will definitely find fault with her work and make her leave. Li An swore secretly.
In that moment, he suddenly understood his nitpicking boss from his previous life.
So this was how it felt to look for trouble as a superior...
“So, what is the first task?” Isha asked.
“Work. Do you even need to ask?” Li An said coldly. “Clean the office.”
“...”
Elizabeth—future Empress of the empire, currently hiding her identity as the daughter of Viscount Sinus—was currently... cleaning the office.
She bowed her head slightly and began tidying up the room.
Li An paid her no attention, keeping his head down to review documents.
Today's work was as simple as usual, taking less than ten minutes to finish.
Why is this damn workload so small? Li An complained internally.
Just then...
“The cleaning is complete,” Isha walked over.
“So fast?” Li An looked up.
She couldn't have just slacked off, right?
If so, that would be fantastic.
He could use “unserious work attitude” as an excuse to kick her out.
With a sharp gaze, Li An began inspecting every corner of the office.
The desk.
The cabinets.
The floor.
The windows.
...
Clean. Spotlessly clean.
“...”
She actually finished a deep clean in such a short time?
Did the future Empress happen to possess a talent for cleaning as well?
He couldn't underestimate his opponent.
Li An knew the easiest spot to overlook during cleaning: the window frame.
He walked over to the window and wiped his index finger along the edge.
“Look here. If you can't even handle a detail like this, how are you going to handle official duties in the future—”
His voice came to a sudden halt.
On his finger, there was no dust. Not even a single speck.
No. I can't give up.
Hardening his heart, Li An rubbed the corner of the window forcefully once more.
Finally, through sheer force, he managed to scrape off a tiny speck of dust.
“Look. This is the problem. If you can't even handle places like this, how are you going to manage official business in the future?”
Isha immediately lowered her head.
“I am terribly sorry. I will clean it again.”
Li An nodded.
“Mm. I'm going out for a bit. Finish before I get back.”
With that, Li An left.
However, he was already beginning to question his life choices.
Honestly, he had underestimated the future Empress's work capability.
Trying to drive her away using work errors seemed far too difficult.
It appeared... he had to change strategies.
Workplace bullying.
Li An found Sushia.
“Step outside for a chat.”
The weather was beginning to cool down.
The two walked outside, where Li An lit his pipe and took a deep drag.
“What do you think of my new assistant?”
Sushia was a Ninth-Rank imperial official.
Although by regulation, the assistant to a section chief in the Evaluation Department enjoyed the treatment equivalent to a Seventh-Rank position, having a newcomer parachuted in to take the position she was most likely to inherit should theoretically cause some resentment.
“Hmm?” Sushia thought for a moment. “I don't really feel anything about it.”
Li An: “...”
Right. That was just who she was.
Sushia was competent, but she only did what was required of her.
She didn't slack off, nor did she take initiative to show off.
She was practically the ideal long-term civil servant.
“I have a favor to ask you,” Li An said. “Help me bully Isha a bit.”
Sushia's eyes widened. “You're into that?”
“No,” Li An explained. “Actually, I'm not very satisfied with her as my assistant. But because of Chief Kane from Section One, I have to accept her for now. Just go wild with it, and I'll take full responsibility for any consequences.”
With her boss asking and promising to take responsibility, Sushia naturally didn't refuse.
“If that's the case, I can help.”
Reliable. Truly reliable.
The two pretended to go for a stroll while actually observing the situation before returning to Section Three's office.
However... the moment they stepped inside, both of them froze.
“...”
“Did we walk into the wrong office?”
The route was definitely correct, but the office before them looked completely transformed.
The entire room looked as if it had just been renovated.
The floor was gleaming, the desk was immaculate, and there was even a faint pleasant fragrance in the air.
“Welcome back,” Isha stood there, her hair neatly tied back, having just finished cleaning.
In less than an hour, she had completely transformed the entire office.
At this level, she could enter a world cleaning competition and win first place.
Li An fell into silence.
How was he supposed to find fault with this?
Fortunately, Sushia was as reliable as ever.
She walked over to Isha and began executing the plan.
“Hey. Even though the office looked cluttered before, everything had its designated spot. How could you just rearrange things as you please?”
“...”
Great. Sushia, keep going. Don't stop.
Whatever you do, don't let her know that the person you're targeting is the future Empress.
“Yes, I understand. It won't happen again,” Isha sighed softly, but nodded nonetheless.
“That's more like it. A newcomer needs to have a newcomer's awareness.”
Then, Sushia sat back down at her desk with exaggerated movements, making loud noises on purpose to display clear dissatisfaction.
Excellent. Non-verbal pressure—a full score.
Li An secretly observed Isha's expression.
Apart from her face darkening slightly, there was no other change.
It seemed he couldn't push too hard.
Elizabeth's political power wasn't strong yet, but if she truly snapped... the consequences would be unimaginable.
The key was controlling the intensity.
And Sushia... seemed to understand this balance well.
So Li An felt reassured to leave it in her hands.
A week passed.
“Really? She actually did that?”
“Yeah,” Sushia said excitedly. “She got lost earlier and was wandering around the government building. Later, I gave her a piece of pastry, and she actually followed me all the way to the entrance!”
“Haha, so cute.”
“I really want to see it.”
Li An sat at his desk, looking toward Sushia.
She was currently chatting with Isha.
The problem was... the relationship between the two of them now was—way too good!
“...”
Hey, hey! Sushia! What's wrong with you?!
Li An felt a sense of crisis descending.
He patted Sushia on the shoulder. “Step outside for a chat.”
The two went outside once more, smoke rising into the air.
“What happened?” Li An asked. “Didn't you say you were going to pick on her until she left?”
Sushia thought for a moment. “Well, after talking to her... I think she's a really good girl. Why can't we all work together?”
Li An fell silent.
Together?! What on earth are you talking about?! Working together with the future Empress of the empire is no different from buying a ticket straight to hell! Can't you see the Grim Reaper's ferry waving at us in the distance?!
Of course, he couldn't say any of these words out loud.
Li An could only say, “No.”
Sushia pondered for a bit. “Then... maybe it's better if you bully her yourself, Chief. I think Isha is a good girl, and if I bully her, my conscience will hurt.”
Li An's mouth twitched.
Not good. He had still underestimated Elizabeth's charm; the tables were turning.
If this continued, the one getting ostracized in the end might be himself.
Sure enough... an office full of women was a dangerous place.
Li An took a step back. “Forget it. Let's leave it at that for now. You go back first; I'll head inside in a bit.”
“Okay.”
Sushia left.
Li An continued puffing on his pipe, wishing Sherlock Holmes, who also smoked a pipe, could possess him right now to help brainstorm a solution.
Just then, a gentle middle-aged man walked over.
It was Kane.
“Ah, taking a break as well?”
“Perfect timing. I have some news for you.”
“What news?”
Kane continued, “Viscount Yorick submitted a civil assistance request. He said he needs help from the Evaluation Department for farm labor.”
“Normally, this would fall under Section One's responsibility, but he specifically requested for you to participate personally. Consider it a favor.”
Li An pointed at himself with his index finger, looking somewhat surprised.
“Me? Go farming?”
Kane continued, “Viscount Yorick is one of your supporters, and he holds significant influence in central political circles. This is a great opportunity to build connections.”
“Besides... you only need to arrange for your subordinates to do the farm work, don't you?”
Farm work. Heavy physical labor.
Even experienced soldiers would feel exhausted during the busy farming season.
Not to mention that although the weather was cooling down, the daytime was still scorching hot.
Li An originally wanted to refuse.
However... wait.
Heavy physical labor?
A thought suddenly popped into his head.
The corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
“Understood. Leave this civil assistance task to Section Three.”
Rate on N.U.
