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Translator: penny
Chapter: 004
Chapter Title: Voluntary Interview
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'Why the hell is she coming out of there…?'
Ricardo couldn't help but panic at the sight of Lian entering the interview room.
Why had he overlooked Lian de Delua?
Because she was fated to end up with the original story's protagonist.
Honestly, he wanted nothing more than to kick her out right then and there, yelling for her to get out of the South.
But what about the money he'd lent to her parents?
It was ambiguous in every way imaginable.
So he'd just been using her as the lowliest cleaning staff.
But.
"I-I…! I've uncovered something huge, heek…!"
Lian was even more enthusiastic than Ricardo had expected.
Never mind how she'd found the interview room after being notified as a passer.
'…That's a report.'
When he saw the paper she was holding, Ricardo couldn't hold back his exclamation.
He definitely hadn't given her any special training.
After her daily cleaning duties, he'd given her ample rest time.
In other words, she'd figured out how to write a report in the proper format on her own.
"S-So, um, I counted the numbers separately while eating at the cafeteria…"
Even more surprising was that it wasn't in the table format he'd created himself… but in a report format she'd made on her own.
"A-Actuallly, I read some of the Fleet Operations Department's public documents?"
And what came out of Lian's mouth next skyrocketed his trust in her.
'…She read that?'
Ricardo, having worked at a trading company in the modern world, knew well how much efficiency "information sharing" could bring.
If each department transparently shared and disclosed their progress.
No one in any department could complain later.
Above all, it became objective data to verify differences between reports and the actual site.
Out of habit, Ricardo had posted massive charts of each department's status in the observatory or on their buildings.
But.
—Is the Admiral showing off how smart he is or something?
—Ugh… What's the point of playing around with complicated numbers?
The internal feedback hadn't been good, honestly.
Drastic organizational reforms naturally drew backlash from many.
Especially from those who found savage, inefficient ways "comfortable"—it hit them even harder.
'…Sigh. Fine. No expectations. I'll just post them like this and use them as evidence against anyone who complains later.'
Ricardo even felt a bit wronged from his perspective.
However.
"Th-The fleet supply personnel is listed as 1,130… Of course, it's hard to judge because of variables like those on duty…"
Lian de Delua was a little different.
"But the number of people coming to the cafeteria for meals is only around 600 to 800."
She was performing a kind of "cross-verification."
Checking discrepancies between reports and reality.
Something Ricardo, who was too busy, hadn't been able to do—and here a fallen noble lady was doing it.
What's more.
"O-Of course, as I mentioned earlier? Th-There are variables!
So while cleaning and collecting uniforms or bedding to send to the laundry, I estimated that too…"
—Rustle.
She unfolded another report and showed it to Ricardo, continuing.
"N-No matter how I look at it, it's not 1,000. Around 800…?
About a 200-person discrepancy."
"…Huh."
Ricardo fell into thought upon hearing her words.
Of course, honestly, if he'd put in just a bit more effort here.
He could have caught things like what Lian mentioned long ago.
Besides, this was a first-time task.
So if Ricardo investigated himself, the results might differ.
Even so, he was impressed by Lian.
'People basically stick to inertia, doing things the way they always have.
That's why change is hard, and improvement is tough…'
Yet she'd pulled it off.
"Did you analyze this yourself?"
"Y-Yes…"
"Why go out of your way to do this?"
"T-To make money…? If I get a high salary, it'd help pay off the debt too…"
Ricardo sensed "desperation" in her eyes.
If she weren't desperate, she wouldn't even need to come here.
She could've been content as a cleaner, just exploring good eateries.
But she wanted to pay off the debt quickly and regain her freedom.
Looking at such a Lian, Ricardo came up with a decent plan.
'…Alright. One year. Just use her for one year.'
Finding someone better than Lian right now was impossible.
However, Lian wasn't someone he could use long-term.
So for now, appoint her as a stopgap to build the basics.
And when she'd paid off the debt and was ready to leave, send her back to the capital with a generous severance.
It was a perfect plan.
So he made his decision.
"Everyone except Lian de Delua, get out."
"Y-Yes?!"
"W-What, entrusting such an important job to a woman—"
"—Do you want to leave uncomfortably? Or in one piece? Let's just part amicably, yeah?"
""….""
"Lian de Delua. You're hired. Ditch that cleaning outfit quick, put on something comfortable to move in, and come back.
We've got a ton to do right now."
"…! Th-Thank you!!"
And just like that, she was hired.
As the Admiral's Chief Aide.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Now, first off, I need to make one thing clear: this isn't the 21st century.
Accurately grasping how many people there are, how much money is flowing, and how supplies are holding up is next to impossible.
No, even just looking at the South Korean military in the 21st century makes that obvious, right?
They sometimes didn't even notice when supplies ran short.
In this even more primitive romance fantasy world, it's bound to happen constantly.
In that sense, I respect the fleet commander standing before me.
"Fleet Commander, your face looks terrible.
What, you think I'm gonna kill you here?"
"…I can only apologize."
To begin with, the fleet commander was a typical martial type.
You could tell just by looking at her.
A sun elf woman with a solidly muscled, toned body.
Not much interest in politics or business… solely focused on maritime defense and public order.
It was hard to imagine such a person actively embezzling.
What's more, she was the "fleet commander."
Her position was too high to inflate cafeteria numbers for embezzlement.
So the main culprit in this incident was likely the practical officer in charge of barracks management.
I didn't particularly want to take any action against her personally.
"…Do with me as you will, Admiral."
However, she was still the fleet commander, the top responsible party.
She needed to show some accountability.
"I failed to properly manage those under me.
I'll follow whatever Your Excellency demands."
Her pointed elf ears drooped slightly.
And her firm shoulders trembled faintly—she seemed frustrated herself.
I felt a momentary pity for her.
But.
"Then it's settled. Let's make your fleet the first audit target of our Del Mar Corporation."
I couldn't pass up the opportunity, so I proposed immediately.
"A-Audit target? What's that?"
"You know our corporation's been undergoing a full reorganization lately, right?"
"Y-Yes… I'm aware."
"So, to identify overall issues and firm up improvements, we're reviewing and investigating each department—that's an 'audit.'"
"Ah, I see."
"But everyone's reluctant since it's stuff they've been doing forever?"
"That makes sense. It might expose their dirty laundry."
"In that vein, how about you, Fleet Commander Vargara, volunteer as the first?
If the military steps up for an audit willingly, the other departments can't complain."
"…"
"Unless some massive blunder turns up, you'll probably get off with a verbal warning at worst."
"I don't mind. I've got no recollection of dirty dealings."
"Of course I know that.
You've been highly inefficient up to now, sure…
But you're the one who reported every single item plundered from pirate ships, aren't you, Fleet Commander Vargara?"
Vargara fell silent at my question for a moment.
"…Hmm."
But it wasn't the silence of hesitation—it seemed more like reflecting on her past actions.
And that reflection soon concluded.
"Please, I beg you.
The military must always seek out its own weaknesses.
This might be a good chance for the fleet to review itself overall."
"…Heh, good. Hey, Lian! Get the paperwork ready!!"
"Y-Yes…!!"
I decided to head out right away.
"…By the way, Admiral. That signature wicked grin of yours hasn't changed since you were a kid."
"Wicked? Me? I'm smiling brightly like this?"
"…No. My mistake."
"?"
Anyway, with that, I set off for the fleet.
The sea breeze after so long.
Truly exciting.