Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: The Imperial Report and Factory Launch
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Before kicking off what I really wanted to do, a fleeting thought crossed a corner of my mind about the imperial matter I'd casually shoved aside.
Actually, I'd been steadily keeping the palace's task in mind, but I'd kept putting off the interim report because I was swamped. Now it was time to tackle it.
You probably already know what I've been up to since I've been making such a racket everywhere, but hearing it straight from the source hits different.
So, before diving in for real, I grabbed a ruler and pen to knock it out quick.
"Graph drawing is such a pain..."
The moment I flipped past the first page, annoyance set in.
When designing clothes, I don't mind pulling out protractors, curve rulers, set squares, and all sorts of tools to sketch. But this? Even scribbling straight lines with just a ruler made me want to quit.
After so long, I was right back to that soul-crushing office drone feeling. God, I missed presentation software something fierce.
The kind where a few clicks on some numbers lets you drop in perfectly tailored graphs of every type.
And don't get me started on the bundled chart program that nailed tables and graphs, or the word processor as a bonus.
Hell, even a typewriter would've been a godsend...
"This sucks..."
I just didn't want to do it.
But the client was the imperial family.
Motivation ticked up a notch.
I shut my eyes, slapped my cheeks a couple times, and reined in my wandering focus.
"Phew~ Let's do this!"
I snapped my eyes open, hyped myself up—reminding myself that nailing this now meant I could phone in reports for months—and got the pen moving.
_
"These are the documents Your Highness needs to review."
The white-haired old secretary showed up after lunch, arms full of papers to kick off the afternoon's work.
Usually, I'd get two or three at most, but today it looked like double that hugged to his chest.
"Quite the stack today."
"It's thick, but the count's the usual."
"Whoever sent this is really grinding."
I always tell them to cut the flowery language and fluff from admin docs, but whoever it was, I'd make a mental note.
"Hmm?"
As I watched the secretary sort papers—quietly cursing the mystery newbie who'd just document-bombed the empire's number two—I spotted him pull a massive one aside.
"That from the hard worker?"
"Ah, yes. Sir William submitted a report on progress and projected trends afterward."
"William? Ho~ I was just about to check in on how things were going. Quick on the draw."
His document formatting left something to be desired, though.
"It's hefty, so best read it when you've got time."
"Perfect timing—I've got a window now. Let's see it."
"Yes, sir."
I picked up William's report, heeding the secretary's heads-up.
The thickness and heft hit me instantly.
Even unread, it screamed annoyance.
Looked like I'd need to send someone over later to drill some admin basics into him.
With all the emperor face-time coming his way because of me, this couldn't keep happening.
"Hmm..."
I hummed skeptically and flipped the cover.
Then frowned hard and skimmed it fast.
"...Secretary, has Sir William had any admin training?"
"No, sir. He didn't even sit for the academy exams."
"Did you vet this report of his?"
"That... it went through the knight order's admin officer, not me."
I shoved the report at him.
"Give it a once-over."
"Yes, sir."
He took it, eyes sharpening, and read deliberately.
"Oh..."
Admiration slipped out.
He glanced up, met my gaze, swallowed hard, and spoke.
"Sir William wrote this himself?"
"Handwriting matches. Graphs aren't perfect, but I'd bet it's him."
"Hmm... If he did, it's solid work. A little polishing, and he'd shine. He's only 17, if memory serves..."
The secretary's eyes lit up.
His cheek twitched as he shot me a sidelong glance.
"Your Highness, we're a bit short on admins these days, aren't we?"
"I get where you're coming from, Secretary, but cool it. His Majesty's got dibs."
"Sigh... That's the tragedy. Snag talent like this young and park 'em in the palace—you can milk 'em for generations."
The secretary sighed like he'd lost a prized stallion, brow furrowed.
He'd been at it since the old emperor's reign, so he had a real thing for durable bureaucrats.
"Bravebrook Viscount's whelp just joined as an admin, and he's young too."
"The more admins, the merrier."
"Budget black hole."
"Just have this old codger retire pronto."
Near seventy, and 'pronto'? He wouldn't budge even if begged to retire.
"Who was it said a seasoned secretary gets better with age?"
"Wise words, those."
Grinning mischievously with a nod, he set William's report gently on the desk.
I scooped it back up, flipped through slowly, and addressed him.
"But isn't it fun? Personnel, budgets, output, future plans, goals... So brutally honest, nothing hidden. Kinda throws you. Imagine if all nobles thought like this."
"Show your full hand like that? Only a lunatic."
"And here he is. Even spells out business funding sources—like begging us to collect gift taxes. Wonder if he tossed in estimated yields."
I flipped ahead just in case. Sure enough, estimated taxes were listed.
Rough without a tax man, but spot-on.
"Window tax...?"
"Window tax, you say...?"
Calculated straight by the book, no loopholes—even tossed in an obsolete levy. The secretary and I both gawked, rereading it multiple times.
Last collected thirty-eight years back, and he dug that up?
Pure-hearted or just paranoid about palace nitpicks? Tough call.
"Dumb in a smart way—the more you see, the more entertaining."
"No wonder he caught His Majesty's eye."
Sharp features like his folks, but his antics? Total mess.
Personality's a muddled mix too: sloppy but thorough, precise yet half-assed.
Like an overeager guard dog—spots a thief, wags and charges in joy, but nabs 'em anyway.
"Looks shaky, but the wheels turn smooth."
"That's the wild part."
"Long as it's rolling now, we're good. Have the knight order prep for collab with Sir William. And pass word: keep future docs concise."
"Yes, sir."
"Oh, and nix the window tax."
"Haha, got it."
I issued the orders, set the report down with a smile.
Now even I was curious what William would pull next.
_
Two days after sending the interim report via the knight order, a reply winged back through the palace secretary.
The imperial-crest envelope held two sheets: one listing the knightesses' underwear sizes, the other a scolding note from the secretary.
A touch embarrassing, but I was thrilled.
Different reasons, but I'd scored the 'keep reports brief' win.
And the real prize? Not the chew-out, but those knightess measurements handed to me.
Knight order sending folks soon meant they'd fully offloaded it onto me.
"Heh heh, heh heh heh."
Everything gliding so smoothly—mood was sky-high.
And today? Monumental first day of business for the underwear factory-cum-shop.
Teaching the Walter-Ellen siblings sewing while handling palace gigs? Perfect.
Knight order bras needed solid, honest stitching over flash—ideal for their basics drill.
"Ah! Sir William, you're early!"
Too pumped, I clocked in an hour ahead of the announced time. Bumped into Sir Benian mid-ventilation, window cracked open.
"Sir Benian, everything I asked for squared away?"
"Yes, sir. Rearranged the interior just like you said, and watched the mage hook up the machines proper."
"Appreciate the effort."
"Haha, all in a day's."
Sir Benian grinned ear-to-ear, waving it off.
I flashed a smile, eyed him a beat, then scanned the building.
Changes were inside, so exterior matched last time—but thinking we'd craft clothes here starting today made it sparkle somehow.
"Heh heh~"
With a contented chuckle, I stepped inside.
Now the real show began.