"Is this even human work?"
When Rhode saw the mountain of paperwork filling the entire big tent, he just wanted to swear.
Those old timers must think they can use me, the young one, as a beast of burden, right?
The junior employee responsible for leading him over said nervously, "Lo...Lord Rhode, this isn't even all of it."
"Not all of it?!"
Rhode took a deep breath, adjusted his mood, and said gently, "Don't be nervous, I'm not mad at you. Could you explain the situation in detail?"
"Yes. Actually, these are just the most important parts salvaged from the ruins, roughly sorted through.
The tent next door still holds some unclassified, scattered documents, including financial statements, case records, meeting minutes, task orders, and books from the library, all mixed together..."
"Ah...I understand." Rhode realized he had taken on a big headache.
Currently, he only had three people under him, and they were temporarily borrowed from other departments with related work experience.
Relying on these few people to handle such a massive task would be exhausting.
Technically, the priority of sorting out these documents shouldn't be too high; they could be completed after the archives and library sections are settled.
But the new colleagues all required numerous reference materials, making it unavoidable.
Vorod needed the previous financial statements, requiring personnel salary and subsidy standards from each department;
Brellins needed prisoner files from the prison and maintenance records of prison facilities;
Uluvheim needed personnel files of the troops, compensation schemes for fallen soldiers, and so on...
On the first day of his tenure, none of the six 'old buddies', including the President, refrained from looking for him.
In the evening, Rhode was practically dug out from the pile of files by Makarov. The first thing he said to the President was, "Almost there, almost there, don't rush!"
Makarov laughed with amusement and concern, "It's already dark; it's time to go home."
Rhode checked the time and was surprised, "It's this late already?"
Makarov asked, "Why are you working so hard on the first day?"
Rhode rolled his eyes, "Aren't you all the ones pushing me? Besides, didn't you personally go to the construction site yourself?"
Makarov smiled sheepishly.
He's not particularly skilled in anything, just strong with a knack for working on construction with his Giant Magic.
He doesn't know any sophisticated management techniques, just understands the importance of personally handling and leading by example when things arise.
And to be honest, those two methods work quite well on this construction site.
When the workers saw this prestigious Ten Wizard Saint and Evaluator personally get into the site to do the hardest work, they were too embarrassed to slack off.
Plus, if word got out that a bunch of young people couldn't outwork an old man nearing a hundred, how would this construction team get any more work?
As it turned out, the construction efficiency shot up instantly.
Makarov chuckled and said, "It's nice to flex my muscles occasionally, but it's getting late; we should head home."
Rhode said goodbye to the others using Hexafilm to bring Makarov back to the closed Guild, and they each headed home.
Only when he reached his front door did Rhode realize, his job was essentially like being a secretary for six people simultaneously!
This can't go on; he needs to find some help.
Weary, he pushed open his door, greeted by the warm lights, and tried to raise his spirits, "I'm home."
"Brother-in-law! You're finally back!"
Lisana was especially enthusiastic today, rushing over to hug Rhode as soon as he opened the door.
Rhode asked in confusion, "What's going on?"
Lisana pouted and said, "Sister Mira won't let us eat!"
Rhode looked inside, "Why's that?"
Elfman honestly replied, "Sister said since it's your first day working so far away, we should wait for you to come home before eating."
Rhode smiled, feeling touched but still advising, "The sentiment is enough; no need to go hungry, right?"
"The family should eat together." Mira walked over and knocked Lisana on the head, "Let go, let your brother-in-law wash up."
"Okay." Lisana obediently let go, "Hurry up, brother-in-law."
"Alright." Rhode promised, but still first picked up Mira and gave her a peck, "I'll be right there."
Mira touched her cheek and smiled sweetly at his back heading to the restroom, thinking that though her sister was thoughtless, her husband was indeed thoughtful.
At the dinner table, Mira hardly ate, focusing on piling food on Rhode's plate.
Elfman and Lisana didn't need her concern, having already devoured two large bowls of rice — they seemed genuinely starved.
Rhode wasn't much better off. After having a little food for energy, he slowed down his eating, even setting his bowl and chopsticks aside to peel a shrimp for Mira.
Only then did Mira ask, "Is the Council's workload a lot?"
"It's already piled into a mountain," Rhode said realistically; it was indeed a mountain,
"I feel a bit sorry for Mr. Org; the old man, I don't know how he managed it all this time."
After all, he and the President are almost merely figureheads, while all the recent decisions have been his responsibility alone.
Even Lisana found a moment to ask, "So, does this mean you'll be home late every day from now on?"
"No, today it was mainly because of a lack of manpower. I ended up working overtime without realizing it.
From tomorrow, I'll work regular hours!" Rhode made a gesture with his chopsticks, "I'm going to form a secretarial team!"
"A secretarial team?" Mira thought for a moment, "Do you plan to find people from the Guild?"
"My beloved wife knows me too well." Rhode laughed, "You probably even know who I'm thinking of, right?"
Mira hardly paused before responding, "Reby is a must, right? Lucy can help too... and actually, I can too."
Rhode gave a thumbs up, "Exactly, my top picks are you three, along with Fried and Elfman's girlfriend."
"Abar?" Elfman was taken aback, "Can she do it?"
"Of course, she can." Mira said happily, "Don't underestimate her."
Elfman hesitated, "But if Sister also goes, what about the Guild?"
Rhode said, "We'll have our good little sister fill in."
Lisana looked incredulous, "Me?"
"Yeah, don't you already know what your sister and I do every day? Plus, Laki and Ginanna have managed the Guild before too, it's doable."
Rhode intended to assess Lisana's actual ability; if she could handle the pressure, he'd recruit either Laki or Ginanna within a few days.
Mira pondered for a bit, expressing concern, "It's a good idea, but doesn't the Council's paperwork involve a lot of secrets? Is it okay for us to get involved?"