Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy

967 – Your donation warms the world – 2

I realized my identity a few days ago.

I was neither Count Tilglehen, nor the Chancellor of the Exchequer, nor a Knight of the Order of Lissizariune. They were merely empty shells, mere passing names.

My true identity was ‘Donation Solicitation Public Relations Planning Officer for the Development of Dong Danis and the Construction of the Glory of Stephan’. No matter how much I think about it, that’s my main job. If that weren’t the case, I couldn’t understand this situation.

“His Excellency the Golden Duke, His Excellency the Jeon Seung Duke, His Excellency the Yeomyeong Duke, and His Excellency the Hyeonmyeong Duke have decided to donate. The exact amount is known only to His Majesty the Emperor. My role is simply to convey their wishes to His Majesty.”

“Trixie will also be contributing to the construction of Stefan’s Glory along with her donation. It will be the first floating building in the history of the continent, so it would be natural for the greatest wizard on the continent to be involved, right?”

“His Majesty the Emperor has bestowed mercy on us to share in this glory, which has never been enjoyed before and will never be enjoyed again. How joyful it is to gain everlasting honor by donating a small amount of wealth.”

“Ah, the name. Well, that’s not my area of ​​expertise, so it’s hard for me to give you a definitive answer. However, even a castle tall enough to reach the sky, or a city so vast that it covers the earth, has its limits. Nothing in this world is infinite─that’s all I can say.”

“Instead, we will basically create a monument and park with the names of all the donors. There will be more, but nothing less.”

Days of kindly responding to each and every call that comes in without pause. How does this look like the figure of the real power in the empire? No matter how you look at it, it looks like the figure of a public relations planning manager who is struggling because of a large-scale project that has just begun.

It was so complicated. After the news of the donation was relayed to the dukes, and after the ministers who attended the meeting spread the news here and there, the communication channel was on fire. If I may exaggerate, it was on for 20 hours out of 24. I was worried that the light function would break down.

Even the people who contacted him were high-ranking nobles who could be proud of their status in the empire, government officials who held high positions even if they had somewhat low or no titles, and tycoons with a talent for money who had considerable influence on the empire’s economy. These were people who could never be taken lightly.

‘If it was just a minor complaint, I wouldn’t have even contacted you.’

In fact, the fact that you are asking me directly means that you are proud of yourself, thinking, ‘I am well-known even within the Empire.’ And those who can boast like that in front of the Inspector General are truly ‘well-known’ gentlemen.

‘I’m going crazy.’

Thanks to that, after finishing the call for the umpteenth time today, I sighed and washed my face dry.

If lesser-known complainants had contacted him, he would have left the matter to the butler. If necessary, he would have asked the head butler in the County of Tileglehen for help. In a society based on class, it is okay to treat complainants differently.

However, since all the gentlemen I contact are big names, it is impossible to take the time to do so. If this public relations work is not my personal work but the work of the Inspector General, I would rather borrow the power of the Minister’s secretary…

‘It’s all because of Nureongi.’

I cried my heart out. If only that damn thing hadn’t told the dukes to promote it, this disaster wouldn’t have happened.

‘Should I have used my veto?’

I had that thought for a moment, but immediately discarded it.

It is a waste to use up your precious veto power for something like this. Considering the Emperor’s sincere punch, this level of commotion is just an appetizer.

Besides, when I asked the dukes to promote it, I didn’t think it would get this big. I just thought I’d pass the news on to four people and that would be it.

‘Wouldn’t it be better to ask the Minister of Finance about donations?’

Or ask the Minister of the Imperial Household, who serves the Emperor closely, or the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, who is in charge of national development. If you ask me, there is something wrong, seriously wrong.

“master.”

“hmm?”

As I was fiddling with the communication port, feeling as if I had been suddenly struck by a storm, the door opened and Jang-saeng came in.

With a plate of cookies on her head.

Even with a teacup on top of the cookie.

‘What is that?’

It was such a wonderful sight that I stared blankly at Jang Saeng.

It’s not uncommon for the saints to run errands within our mansion. Didn’t Charity and Kindness deliver cookies just a little while ago?

But at least those two guys are on the large side, while Jang-saeng is one of the smallest among the Seongsu. How is it possible for someone of that small stature to do such tricks?

“How did you come here?”

I really wonder. How did he get here carrying a plate and a teacup bigger than his body on his head? How did he get here without getting caught when he was bitten and sucked by children?

“When I said that it was something for the master, even the little masters stepped aside. If there was no disturbance, it was easy to keep the balance.”

‘oh my god.’

I was moved by those words.

Our cute kids. They never touch anything that is carried by their dad. That must mean they love and respect their dad.

Yes, we did educate our children well. Especially, Marga, who had received all kinds of etiquette education as a princess, served as the children’s etiquette teacher, so how effective must it have been?

“Master. I know it’s touching, but won’t you put it down for me? I can’t put it down on my own with my own abilities.”

“Oh, okay.”

At Jang-saeng’s words, I hurriedly collected the plates.

“…Since you’re here, do you want to rest before you go?”

And then he grabbed Jang-saeng, who was about to go out into the hallway. Since he had come this far, he told him to take a short break instead of playing with the kids.

This owner is very happy because of the love and filial piety of his children. He is willing to tolerate a break of one of his children.

“Is that okay?”

“But if you rest for too long, it will show, so take a break and then go.”

“Don’t worry! That’s what I do best!”

His voice was so confident that I couldn’t help but laugh.

How desperately and desperately did he have to hide for it to become his specialty? After Jang-saeng treated Florence, he started taking care of her, knowingly or unknowingly.

‘I can’t do anything about your fate.’

I smiled bitterly as I watched Jang-saeng naturally crawl under the bed.

If you’re going to blame it, blame your looks. Honestly, a small, talking Yorkshire terrier is a cheat.

The Treasury Secretary’s expression softened.

“Donations are being raised to the extent that construction can begin as soon as the new year begins. His Majesty will declare the construction of the Glory of Stephan at the New Year’s Ceremony.”

“Is that all?”

I was impressed by the news, which could only be mild.

Dong Danis said that if the scale is modest, construction can begin next year, but the Glory of Stefan could only be attempted the year after next.

But, at the New Year’s greeting ceremony that is just around the corner, they are declaring the construction of Stefan’s Glory? How much donations have been deposited into the national treasury?

“Yes. Not only the dukes and marquises, but also many high-ranking nobles are donating. If we can’t build it even after doing this, we should reconsider its practicality.”

“That’s true.”

It was such a valid point that I nodded my head in agreement.

In fact, the entire empire is burning the world with donation fever. If there is something that cannot be made with all this donation money, then, as the minister said, it is something that should not have been made in the first place.

And fortunately, Stefan’s glory was something that was expensive, but could be made, and was worth making. What a blessing that was.

“Well, by the time the New Year’s greetings are over, not only will Stefan’s honor be filled, but the construction budget for Dong Danis will also be filled with donations. There’s no need to hastily split next year’s budget.”

“Isn’t he the Minister of Finance who gets his salary in a jiffy? He must have been put in that position to deal with such sudden incidents.”

“What is the most gluttonous man in the empire saying? Which minister in this world has been on vacation since the founding of his department?”

To be exact, he is in a temporary resignation state beyond vacation, but he didn’t say anything. If he did, he would be beaten up with an even more overwhelming excuse.

“But didn’t I do all the collecting of donations?”

Instead, I put forward an achievement that I can proudly talk about─

“Is that what you did? Your Highnesses did it. If your Highnesses hadn’t stepped forward first, would the other nobles have made donations?”

I couldn’t open my mouth because I couldn’t logically refute it.

Certainly, the current donation craze was caused by the peacocks. If I had continued the promotion alone, the donations would not have been at zero, but at least the current craze would not have occurred.

Still, I’m angry. The most cowardly thing in the world is to lose with facts.

“Hmm?”

Thanks to that, the moment I silently lifted the teacup to my lips, a faint light leaked out from the Minister of Finance’s arms.

“Please accept it. It might be an important message.”

At the same time, I opened my mouth indifferently because the light was so familiar. That was the light coming from the communication port.

“Then excuse me for a moment.”

At my suggestion, the minister took out the communication device,

– Mr. Minister of Finance, may I speak with you for a moment?

“Minister of Foreign Affairs?”

At this point, the face of the most ominous person was visible.

“I’m fine. What’s the matter?”

– Rumors of Stefan’s glory have spread in other countries, and they are expressing their intention to donate through their respective foreign ministries.

“yes?”

In fact, the Foreign Minister’s words were also unusual.

It’s puzzling. The donation craze that swept the empire has spread beyond its borders?

‘why?’

No, why on earth? The imperial nobles are participating because it is an imperial building built on imperial territory, but from the perspective of other countries, isn’t it like supporting the construction of a landmark in another country?

– In particular, the request from the United Kingdom of Juveniles was the strongest. Although it is not yet confirmed, there are also rumors that the Magic Council contacted the Magic Tower.

As soon as he finished speaking, the communication device in my arms also began to glow.

As it so happens… Trixie has come to work at the Magic Tower after a long time… She can hear news from the Magic Tower before anyone else…

‘I’m scared.’

So I’m afraid to take this communication device out.

I’m afraid of the message the telecommunications device is trying to convey.