Chapter 26

“Got it? Team One will plow this field, Team Two the middle one, and Team Three the one in the very back. If you find any of this ‘Cattle-Crying Grass’ among the weeds, collect it separately—it’s an ingredient for medicine.”

“YES, SIR!” the Imps shouted in unison.

“By the way, as I’ve already told you: the team that finishes first gets a massive heap of sweets, the next team gets a decent amount, and the last team gets ‘consolation prize’ sweets.”

“YES, SIR!”

Full of spirit, they scattered to their respective posts.

I was currently overseeing fieldwork using Imps. It happened to be the season for planting seeds in the fields. Outside the Royal Capital, many farmers engage in suburban agriculture. Because transport costs are low, even small-scale farmers can make a decent living. During the off-season, they can head into the Capital to work, making it a fairly efficient lifestyle.

However, some of these farmers are aging, making the mere maintenance and preparation of the fields a struggle. On the other hand, hiring several human laborers isn’t economically viable. That’s where the business of field maintenance via Imps comes in. Imps are suited for simple labor, and because they are numerous, they are perfect for “human wave” tactics.

“This is actually a pretty clever business model,” I muttered to myself as I pulled out some weeds.

It was President Kelkel who found all these jobs. While she is serious about the restoration of Dark Magic, she knows that as a company, they have to turn a profit first for it to mean anything. Moreover, the work has to be the kind that doesn’t make people shun Dark Magic. This fieldwork was perfectly calculated for that.

After I had been weeding for a while, an elderly couple who owned the land came by bringing tea.

“We’re so grateful. Lately, my back gives out the moment I try to do this. Some of these weeds have roots that go incredibly deep,” the old man said. I could tell from his gentle face that he had aged gracefully.

“Not at all. We’re grateful that you chose our company.”

“When I heard a Dark Magic company was doing this kind of work, I was a bit nervous at first, but I’m glad I asked. These Imp kids are working so hard.”

“Actually, there’s a little trick to it. I’ve piqued their competitive spirit.”

I explained how I adjusted the amount of sweets they received based on their performance. This way, the Imps put their heart into it for the reward. However, since the first-place team isn’t the only one getting sweets, the other teams maintain their motivation. Even the last team gets some, so there’s no buildup of major dissatisfaction.

“Imps have hearts, too. If you guide them in a way that makes them want to work, efficiency goes up. Just barking orders with a heavy hand doesn’t work.”

“Ho… for someone so young, you’re quite a veteran. You understand things very well.”

“No, I’ve only been with the company for two months.”

I told him the truth, as I felt bad lying.

“Only two months! You certainly don’t look it. You must have studied very hard at school, then.”

It was true that I was diligent at school, though I wondered if that was actually what was helping me here… Regardless, being praised didn’t feel bad.

Cerulia, who was supervising the Imps, raised her hand and declared, “The middle team is in first place!”

In my second month, I was gradually being entrusted with jobs I could handle on my own. The work was designed so that I would slowly become more knowledgeable about Dark Magic, and I really think President Kelkel is a wonderful educator.

Still, to this day, the only employee I know besides the President is Senior Farphistanya. I wonder where the other employees are and what they’re doing?

Lost in thought, I placed a plate piled high with cookies on the break table. The cookies were made by Cerulia; apparently, baking cookies had been her hobby since she was in the Demon Realm. They were delicious, but when I told her so once, she got excited and made enough for ten grown men—I had to give up because I couldn’t finish them.

Some people just seem to make massive quantities whenever they cook. Lise-chan, the dorm mother, was like that too—it was delicious, but always a giant serving. So, as a change of pace, I had asked Cerulia to make the reward cookies for the Imps.

The Imps from the winning team swarmed in all at once. It might be a bad comparison given they worked so hard, but it looked like a cloud of flies descending.

“YUM!” “GOOD!” “SO TASTY!”

It seems Cerulia’s cookies were a hit with Imps, too.

“I’m so relieved to see that you weren’t just being polite when you said they were good, Master,” Cerulia said, looking happy as she watched them.

“I’d never lie to you or hide things from you, Cerulia.”

“Oh! You’re making me fall for you all over again~!”

Even though the elderly couple was still right there, Cerulia lunged at me for a hug. Technically, I’m still on the clock…

“My, my, Mother… reminds me of when we were young.”

“It does, Father. Back then, we didn’t even have time to sleep.”

Ah, they’re experienced, so they’re understanding!

Ending the day on that note, Cerulia and I returned to the company. When we entered the President’s office, President Kelkel was again throwing a ball for Gelgel to fetch. I didn’t think that was the kind of thing a Chess Champion would do, but I suppose since Gelgel is a dog, his pride doesn’t get wounded.

“Today’s fieldwork is finished.”

“Thank you. Please keep learning Dark Magic while you master these kinds of tasks.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Also, I’d like to ask Franz-san to go on his first business trip today.”

“A business trip?”

Business trip. Hearing that word made me feel like a real office worker.

“The location is a seaside city called Suman, far, far to the west. It’s about eight hundred kilometers away.”

“That far?! It would take twenty days to walk there!”

I was shocked by how distant it was.

“Oh, don’t worry. You won’t be walking. You’ll arrive in about twelve hours.”

Arriving in less than a day?

“But… isn’t that impossible unless you ride a dragon or something?”

“You figured it out quite quickly. Actually, you will be riding a dragon.”

“Oh, I see… wait… A DRAGON…?”

I felt a wave of dizziness. Naturally, I had never ridden such a thing in my entire life!