Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Finishing Early
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Friday started off exhausting from the very beginning, regardless of my own will.
"We've got 40 pieces left to the goal, so everyone, let's push right to the end."
I'd only tossed out a casual word of encouragement since the first commission was almost done in just a few days.
"Forty pieces?"
"That's fewer than I thought."
"If we do well, couldn't we wrap it up today?"
"We could if we can keep up with Adelaide."
"U-Um, if we do our best, we could maybe handle three...!"
Suddenly, the employees were firing each other up with competitive spirit.
"Then how about we really pick up the pace today?"
"I'm game anytime~"
"Might be worth a shot."
Everyone nodded as if entranced by Princess Elizabeth's prodding and began prepping for work.
"Uh, um... everyone?"
I called out to the bustling employees in a flustered voice, and they paused, staring at me blankly.
"Is that really necessary? We could just take our time and finish up slowly."
"Wouldn't it be better to wrap this up quick and move on to the next thing?"
"Exactly. Finishing early is good for Sir William, isn't it?"
"You're not getting paid extra for this."
"We're not doing it for the money."
"We're already paid pretty well for commoners, aren't we?"
"..."
I furrowed my brow at the baffling situation and pressed my fingers firmly against the bridge of my nose.
Is this right?
Why are the employees here begging for more work?
Shouldn't it be the other way around?
Fine, maybe the commoner staff could be like that, but why are the nobles chiming in too?
"Hah..."
"Sir William, if the staff feels this way, do we really need to dampen their spirits?"
At a loss for words, I let out a hollow laugh and stood there. Princess Elizabeth approached with a languid smile and whispered softly, subtly applying pressure.
"What's the reason for this?"
"This job's getting a bit dull. Finishing it fast and checking out that big picture you're sketching sounds way more fun, wouldn't you say?"
"Uh... I see..."
I wasn't sure if I should be happy or sad about this.
They were definitely doing work that felt a bit different from what they'd expected...
"Agh... fine, do whatever you want."
"Yes, sir."
I'd known from the start they wouldn't follow my lead anyway, so I half-gave up and waved my hand dismissively.
Then I sat down at my station and prepared to cut the fabric.
At any rate, their enthusiasm wasn't a bad thing. Since I'd given them free rein, I might as well support them fully.
"Everyone, let's work hard today too."
"Yes!"
With the ritual chant, they dove into work with battle-ready fervor.
And so began the employees' grand challenge.
To sum up the results of my deranged staff's intense push: it failed disappointingly... but succeeded chillingly.
What does that mean?
"Time to wrap up and head home."
"Just three left—give us a bit longer."
"Yeah, it'd be a shame to stop here."
They declared overtime on their own since they wouldn't hit the deadline by quitting time.
"You won't go home even if I tell you to, right?"
I shot the staff a glare and asked.
"Nope."
"Got it."
The responses were as expected.
I hadn't held out any hope anyway.
I didn't even consider trying to persuade those fabric-staring maniacs with fire in their eyes.
Even I thought three pieces left felt like a shame to abandon.
So I turned to Walter and Ellen, who were diligently working their slender little hands.
The adults could handle themselves, but kids staying late crossed the line.
"Walter, Ellen—you two go home now."
"Eek...? W-We can stay and keep going...!"
"Yeah...!"
"Stay, and you're fired."
"Hng..."
The twins timidly widened their eyes in feeble protest, but at my glare and threat of dismissal, they meekly set down their needles and stood.
Once I confirmed they were packing up, I sullenly glared at the staff.
"I'll give you one more hour—finish it by then, or we're closing no matter what."
"Got it."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Thanks to the staff's oddly fervent Friday, I finished earlier than expected. I declared a vacation until Tuesday, then headed home and immediately sent a letter to the Knight Order saying they could pick up the clothes anytime.
"They asked me to confirm with you, Sir William, in case it was a mistake from upper command."
The Knight Order was thrown off by the news of early completion and even sent Lady Rachel over the weekend for double-checking.
All in all, a little over two months total—or just one week since talking with the Knight Order's staff.
This miraculous speed left even me, who knew the full story, dumbfounded. No telling how others felt.
"It's really all done. You can pick it up Monday if you like."
"For real?"
"Yes, for real."
"Understood."
I replied confidently with the same info as the letter, and they sent back word they'd come Monday.
Basically daring me to prove it.
Worked for me.
We'd finished early, after all.
With my heart pounding through the weekend, Monday arrived.
"I wouldn't have believed it, but they actually showed up on the first day."
Right on time, Princess Elizabeth was waiting with her maid to greet me as I arrived at the shop.
It gave me chills; my heart raced like mad.
Even on vacation, a subordinate shows up voluntarily. And waiting for me, whom she'd never mentioned coming in.
Her attitude, as if she'd known I would.
"..."
I swallowed hard.
"Wh-Why... did you... no, why are you here...?"
My lips trembled as I barely forced out the question.
"Figured you wouldn't just sit still, so I came to check. Can't have the boss handling things alone—it'd be embarrassing."
"How did you know? Don't tell me..."
"Hehe~"
As I narrowed my eyes and backed away, she laughed like she was watching something adorable and shook her head.
"I'm not His Majesty the Emperor—why would I do something that risky? I just predicted your actions."
"......"
I covered my eyes with my hand and bowed my head.
She said it casually, but either way, it was creepy.
"Just... ask next time, or tell me what you want to do..."
"No way—that'd ruin the fun."
"This is less fun for me."
"You'll get used to it."
I glared at the shameless princess disapprovingly and shook my head.
I had no desire to adapt to this heart-pounding nonsense.
Who knew what she'd pull later under the guise of "prediction games."
"I won't."
"Hmm..."
I stared straight into her eyes with a firm, icy tone.
She met my gaze without flinching for a moment.
Then she shrugged regretfully and cast her eyes slightly downward.
"If you hate it that much, no choice. I'll be careful next time."
"I hope so."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Pleased to meet you. I'm James Sterling, Quartermaster of the Knight Order."
"I'm Captain Sophia Wilson."
"Pleasure to meet you both."
If there'd been even a hint of deceit, they'd have come to grill me—the Knight Order sent an elderly knight as quartermaster and a sharp-faced female captain.
Seeing them at first, even without guilt, I was a bit intimidated.
Their dazzling insignias outshone Lady Rachel's, and the captain's cold stare without a word was intimidating. A sword-bearing knight glaring is scary, innocence or not.
"The goods are inside—feel free to inspect."
"Very well."
Of course, with nothing shady done, I quickly regained confidence and acted boldly.
I guided them to the warehouse, pointed out the boxes of underwear, and stepped back quietly. Their eyes lit up sharply as they scrutinized the boxes.
They unpacked over 200 pieces, checking each one. Then, with a mix of bewilderment, they began whispering to each other.
"No lie here."
"Quality's solid too—just like the documents and samples described."
"Ugh..."
The quartermaster groaned and glanced at me.
He stroked his long beard sheepishly and spoke.
"Just as you said. To be honest, I suspected until moments ago."
"No issue. It's for the knights—thorough checks are par for the course, right?"
Anyone would doubt a new workshop finishing faster than promised.
Not doubting would be suspicious. Didn't bother me.
I was proud the staff pulled off such a feat.
Our crew might be a bit off mentally, but damn, they nailed the work.
"Thanks for understanding."
The quartermaster chuckled and patted my shoulder lightly as I brushed it off with a smile.
"Can we take the goods today?"
"Of course."
"Then we'll load up now. No need to help—we'll handle the wagon."
The quartermaster nodded to the captain, who stacked the underwear boxes neatly and lifted them effortlessly with one hand.
"Ready."
"Right. Sir William, we'll be off. Hope we cross paths again."
"If I have time."
"Haha! With your and your staff's skills, you'll be busy soon. Shame."
The quartermaster boomed a laugh at my vague affirmative, nodded slightly, and headed out with the captain.
We followed to see them off, watching until their wagon departed.