29 – Blanket
Eastern Telecommunications Office.
It was a small company, with only two communication stations in Prussia, and much smaller in scale compared to the Western Telecommunications Office.
However, the enthusiasm of the employees did not match the scale.
Unlike Lena, who started her torture work with familiarity, the three of us newcomers, including me, had to undergo some kind of verification surrounded by the existing employees.
It would be painful to say who their gaze was mainly directed at.
The new female employee with a reliable impression passed quickly, and the male employee who wasn’t particularly impressive didn’t show any leniency even towards me during the initiation ceremony.
“Hmm.”
“Gray hair? This, this….”
“You have a good physique. Good physique.”
“No matter how good our Eastern Allied Nation may be, I wasn’t about to readily accept their offer just because they have a larger size.”
Six employees surrounded me, each throwing a word or two.
Perhaps it was a command to listen.
I’ve been chased by military forces before. I had the confidence not to bat an eye in the face of considerable intimidation.
Being surrounded by muscular employees, however, was not a pleasant experience. I maintained a composed expression, hoping the inauguration ceremony would quickly come to an end.
It was in the midst of this that Lena spoke up.
“He’s with me, so there’s no need to be too hard on him.”
Lena, who was transferring a stack of documents, threw in a casual remark.
Upon hearing that sentence, the attitudes of the employees changed in an instant.
“Oh!”
“I see!”
“I made such a mistake!”
“What’s your name? Let’s do well from now on!”
I received firm handshakes six times in a row, my eyes wide in surprise.
One thing was certain—I could feel the thick trust the employees had in Lena.
Freed from the encirclement of the employees, I saw Lena passing by, emitting a triumphant laughter.
She seemed to think she had sorted things out, as her lips were particularly upturned.
It was a close call, really.
If Lena hadn’t been there, handling the paperwork with enthusiasm.
“Need any help?”
…
It was divided in half.
*
Tap-tak—tak—tap-tap—
The space where people gathered incessantly resonated with the sound of voices. However, the noise that filled the Eastern Telegraph Bureau was not the nurturing hum but a cheerful metallic clang.
It was evident that the chaotic randomness of this noise was the sound of telegraph keys being tapped by the telegraphists.
Immediately, if one turned their head, they would see four telegraphists, swinging their arms frantically without a moment’s rest.
Yet, there was a vast gap between the understanding as knowledge and the practical comprehension.
· — — · · · — · — ·
It is said that this is a transmission using a code system named after some inventor, transmitting ‘A B C.’
Although mastering the codes corresponding to the alphabet was commendable, the skill of the telegraphists who could send dozens of characters in a minute with instinctive movements was awe-inspiring.
“Our pride, the telegraphists of the Eastern Telegraph Bureau. What do you think?”
Whenever I occasionally lost myself, staring at them, passing colleagues would give my shoulder a nudge, recounting praises for their comrades.
However, my astonishment was not solely directed towards the telegraphists.
The telegraph key.
I became engrossed in its operational principle.
The structure of the device itself was incredibly simple.
Each time the switch was opened and closed according to the code system, magical pulses flowed through the wire, which were then re-encoded by the receiving end.
What was astounding was that this simple system was intricately connected like a spider’s web across the entire land.
How long were the wires used, and how delicate was the magic modulation technology involved?
I was once again impressed by the magic engineering of the Federation.
As I listened to the rhythmic sounds of the code, I focused on my work.
Unlike the duties of a skilled knight, which required expertise, the task I was given was more like simple labor.
You could say I was a comprehensive errand runner.
Moving piles of documents, assisting the knights, and occasionally taking care of guests.
When you actually list the tasks, they may seem insignificant, but the complexity of the errands is derived from the fact that they are a collection of seemingly insignificant tasks.
As the sun began to set, I felt like I understood why Lena was having trouble with staffing.
Deng, deng, deng—
“Whew.”
The paper signaling the end of work rang.
Everyone sat at the tables on the first floor of the headquarters, taking a break, so I joined them.
It was an intentional action.
Since I had gray hair, people from the Federation naturally kept their distance from me. So, in order to settle in Prussia, I had to actively approach them.
The employees chatted noisily, relieving their fatigue from the day.
As I sat in a corner of the table, I had a feeling that silence would find its way among the employees.
However.
“Oh, the gray-haired one Lena brought. Good job.”
“You’re doing the work quickly and efficiently.”
“What’s your relationship with the boss?”
Unexpectedly, the employees started talking to me with an indifferent attitude.
“Uh, uh.”
“Hey, take it easy and ask one question at a time. The new recruit looks flustered.”
“Oh my!”
“I can’t believe I made such a mistake!”
The cheerful atmosphere continued.
I don’t know how to describe it, but it seemed like there was an overall atmosphere of ‘Welcome if you do your job well and have a good personality’ in the Eastern Headquarters.
Perhaps that’s why. Since the new recruit, who used to give me teasing glances during work, got caught by Lena while slacking off, they’ve been completely subdued.
A healthy meritocracy.
It was obvious whose influence this strange atmosphere was from.
I looked up and surveyed the upper floor, which was still bustling with activity.
The second floor of the Headquarters had an open space in the middle, allowing the lower floor to see the upper floor.
There, Lena, with her hair tightly tied back and her shirt tucked in, was directing the employees.
“You’re working hard.”
It was when I absentmindedly murmured those words.
Thud.
From Noble mtl dot com
“A diligent kid. Our treasure, the treasure of our Headquarters.”
At the same time someone placed their hand on my shoulder, the strong smell of pipe tobacco wafted from behind me.
A slender, yet deep voice.
As I turned my head to confirm the owner of the voice, a blonde strand of hair tickled my face.
“Oh, sorry.”
“Who are you?”
Glancing around, I noticed that the expressions of the employees who had been smiling just a moment ago were strangely frozen.
In a moment of anxiety, a blonde woman with dark circles took a sip of her pipe.
Phew.
She spat in my face and replied.
“I’m the Director of the Eastern Bureau. Lily Loveless.”
*
While there were those who smoked pipes for show, there was also a considerable number of true addicts who could only be satisfied with harsh and bitter tobacco leaves.
Director Loveless seemed to belong to the latter group.
As the employees greeted her with forced smiles and one by one began to leave the table, the long table was soon left with only the Director and me.
I wanted to leave my seat as well, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
The Director’s decadent gaze was like a spider’s web, entangling me.
Director Loveless took the pipe out of her mouth.
“Eugene Oslo, right?”
Seeing that she emphasized the surname Oslo instead of the given name, it was clear that it wasn’t just a question to confirm my identity.
Of course.
“Are you… Lena’s brother?”
“Something like that.”
“I guess it runs in the genius family. What kind of genius are you, Eugene?”
I lowered my head.
“I’m not a genius. I’m just preparing for the entrance exam to the Federal Magic University.”
“Studying magic, huh? A talent not to be overlooked? Don’t leave just because you got accepted.”
The director let out a theatrical smile, releasing smoke into the air.
“I may be an incompetent director relying on Lena’s abilities, but soon I’ll grow the company beyond the Western National Body.”
“…I’ve heard that the company’s situation is not favorable.”
“Aren’t you curious about the reason?”
Silence.
Love Brace, the director, who had set the pipe on the table, glanced briefly at the second floor.
A railing that could overlook the entire National Body. Lena was sitting in a nearby rocking chair, fixing her gaze.
“All I have as a director is a prestigious family and the capital used to establish this Eastern National Body. In terms of ability, I fall far short. However, that part was resolved when I brought Lena on board.”
In other words, there was only one remaining problem.
“External trust. It’s lacking. Who would want to invest in a director with only a facade, tortured by a minor?.”
“…”
“Although we went public, the lack of trust means no one buys the stocks. Even though Lena confidently promised profitability. Once there’s a precedent for buying, the trading will become more active… Ah, I’ve complained too much about something not even on the agenda.”
Lily Love Brace leaned forward, facing me.
The scent of burning tobacco subtly spread like perfume.
“Regardless of her abilities, Lena is still young. Physically and mentally. So if you consider her family, trust Lena.”
I thought he was a young branch manager worn out by fatigue and cigarettes, but unexpectedly, he seemed sturdy.
Instead of answering, I just smiled slyly.
Meanwhile, amidst Director Lovebrace’s sighs, a phrase echoed in my ears all along.
Confidently asserted profitability.
“The current average return on investment brokerage business was fifteen percent.”
Within me, the ‘entrepreneur’ began to stir once again.
#September 14th. Rain.
Morning.
Susan and the twins were asleep. In the storage room, as the candlelight gently glowed.
Without fail, Lena Oslo, who was handling investment brokerage affairs, received an anonymous letter.
[ Mr. Underbridge ]
[ Attaching six hundred pounds. Requesting investment in the Eastern Telegraphic Agency. ]
