It was right after leaving the factory.

"Well, well, who do we have here?"

In a very short time I was delayed by the factory manager, who was asking for a chance to serve me a little more.

A man who had just gotten out of a car that had entered the premises spoke to me in a greasy voice.

"I didn't know the busy Director Claire was so diligent as to visit a backwater factory like this."

The man shrugged his shoulders exaggeratedly with a sly smile.

Just from his sarcastic tone and sneering, he didn't give a very favorable impression.

Claire, who seemed to have the same impression as me, frowned for a moment and then responded with a feigned smile.

"And what brings you here, Director Berman?"

At Claire's calling, I realized the man's identity.

Director Berman.

In the scenario, he was the next chairman of Sylvester and Claire's rival.

He was an opponent that even Claire, who was so sweet to the prickly Councilor Giselle, couldn't control her expression in front of.

"I'm on close terms with the factory manager here. He's a very competent friend, so I often take the time to visit."

"..."

The factory manager, who had been desperately clinging to me just a moment ago, broke out in a cold sweat with an embarrassed expression.

It seemed that they were indeed on close terms.

His reaction of breaking out in a cold sweat was like a teenager caught in a transgression.

'He was planning to switch sides after seeing the atmosphere.'

And he was caught red-handed.

It was a shrewd move.

'But how did we run into each other like this?'

The timing was as if it had been planned.

As if my question was revealed on my face, Milina whispered.

"We were being tailed. I thought we had shaken them off..."

Tailing, it was a classic method.

If he, who must have been relaxed as the next chairman was almost confirmed, had gone so far as to tail Claire and come in person.

'That's how much the influence of this inter-city negotiation has had.'

It was the result of feeling a great threat from the other party's advance.

Although it was a result that originally shouldn't have been, in Berman's eyes, who didn't know that I was the one who had caused the storm, only Claire was visible.

"We have something important to talk about, don't we, Factory Manager Hesson?"

"Yes, that's right."

The factory manager, who had swallowed dryly, stealthily stood next to Berman.

Although he was watching his reaction, there was no hesitation in the factory manager's choice.

A sense of superiority was visible on Berman's face.

No matter how much you fly and crawl, you're still under me.

It was a provocation with that kind of meaning.

"..."

Claire didn't add any words to that.

In the first place, Berman was fundamentally mistaken.

The reason she had chosen this place as her destination was because I had wanted it.

She hadn't made a tour to persuade the factory manager of a high-sales business unit to join her line.

Therefore, there was no way the provocation would hit home.

As there was no reaction from Claire, Berman's face crumpled instead.

"Yes, as you said, have an important talk with the backwater factory manager."

"..."

This time, it was the factory manager's turn for his face to crumple.

However, it was not because of the shame of his own situation, where he was caught in the crossfire of a whale fight.

Squeeze!

Berman's hand was tightly gripping the factory manager's shoulder.

From the amount of wrinkles on his clothes, it looked quite painful.

"Let's go."

Claire, who had landed a blow, triumphantly paved the way.

As she passed right by Berman.

"Hey, you."

It was a call directed at me.

As I stopped my feet, Claire also stopped and turned back towards me.

"Your name was Allen, right? The rising contractor that Cromwell has been pushing the most recently. Is that right?"

It was a serious attitude, as if he hadn't called me to attract Claire's attention.

"Do you know me?"

"Of course. I heard you showed a very impressive performance in the recent City Government request."

The higher a person's position in this city, the more inseparable their relationship with contractors.

Because they were the best workforce to get rid of shady and dirty work without getting their own hands dirty.

The fact that a contractor's name was known to a high-ranking person in a large corporation was good news.

It meant that there was a high possibility that they would keep an eye on them and offer a request later.

"As you know, the city is in a very chaotic situation."

The war faction, which had been the mainstream and had even been plotting, had been thoroughly defeated, and Sylvester had gained an unprecedented scale of reflective benefits.

Since it was Claire who had led this, Berman's position had been reduced, but he was still a sailor on the big ship called Sylvester.

Even if he acted a little shrewdly, the spoils he could take were not small.

"Depending on your actions, we might see each other more often in the future."

It was a blatant proposal to share this.

It was in line with the pressure on the factory manager.

It meant to cut ties with Claire and come over to him.

"I hope you make a wise choice."

The guy who had patted my shoulder led his aides and went into the factory.

"...Very."

Claire said softly.

"He's blatantly mocking me."

Her lips were raised, but her eyes were the same.

It seemed the provocation had worked this time, as she valued me, a proven talent, more than an unknown factory manager.

"He's more petty than a miser. He's also so picky that if the work isn't to his liking even a little, he goes crazy. It'll just be tiring to work with him."

"That's true. My colleague quit because of that."

As the boss badmouthed him, the subordinate chimed in.

They were in perfect sync, perhaps because they had worked together for a long time.

"You talk as if you have a good personality and pay well."

"W-well, yes."

"The director is a sensible and rational person."

Milina did not miss the timing for flattery.

Claire coughed and glanced at her.

She seemed satisfied.

"I'll take your word for it and look forward to it."

"...Of course."

Claire hesitated for a moment, as if she felt she had been deceived, but soon boasted loudly.

Since she was a person who kept her word, she would treat me generously.

"So don't even think about switching sides."

"There's no need to look elsewhere when you're offering a better deal."

Should I thank Berman?

Thanks to his pathetic provocation, I had secured my own benefit with just a few words that cost no money.

Claire also nodded, as if satisfied with her deal with me.

The meticulous secretary tried to get a reconfirmation on behalf of her boss.

"If you have any complaints, please tell me. I'll do my best to coordinate."

"Even if you don't try to get a confirmation so many times, I won't get involved with that side."

I brushed off the shoulder that Berman had patted.

The warmth was still on my shoulder.

It was unpleasant because it was lukewarm and damp, as if he had a sweaty constitution.

'That guy's backer was Centrim.'

His skill of pushing out the owner family in the succession competition came from there.

There would be no joining hands.

***

"That Berman guy."

On the way back to the main office.

Milina pricked up her ears at Claire's words.

"The fire on his feet must have been big."

Since it didn't seem like a muttering that expected a reply, Milina remained silent.

"He used to look down on me and ignore me, saying we weren't in the same league, but to think he would check me so blatantly."

Claire sank into the seat.

A bright smile spread across her lips.

"It feels good. Serves him right."

A chuckling sound flowed out.

The provocation hadn't not worked.

Claire's hostility, who had had her position taken away, was immense.

But the existence of an outsider named Allen, and Berman's anxiety hidden under the surface of his ridicule, had given Claire a sense of composure.

And finally, the exhilarating feeling of having landed a blow bloomed into a smile in a comfortable place where only a trustworthy aide remained.

"The work of taking control of the company's internal personnel is proceeding smoothly, right?"

This time, it was a question.

The competent secretary answered without a moment's delay.

"Yes, as the City Government's attitude has become favorable, various special benefits are being discussed. The neutral factions that have benefited are gradually expressing their support."

"Treat them with respect. It's true that I'm still behind Berman. But don't show any disappointment or servility. The momentum is shifting, so there will be votes defecting from Berman's faction as well."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Oh, and try to make contact with Factory Manager Hesson under the table."

It was the name of the factory manager who had just sided with Berman.

Since it wasn't a position to be mentioned now, Milina watched Claire's reaction to grasp her true intentions.

"Since he made the first move, we have to counterattack."

It wasn't that she had discovered great value in him or that it was part of a profound plan.

It was just a branch of revenge, to return what she had received.

"And since Mr. Allen said to watch the data carefully, we can't let go of the string, can we?"

There was also a justification to cover up her pettiness.

Knowing it was an excuse, the secretary did not point it out for the sake of her boss's honor.

"Then what will you do about Contractor Allen?"

Since the name of a not-so-important factory manager had come up, it would be discrimination if the other one was left out.

Claire also had him in mind.

"It's a shame he refused to become my person, but a contractor with that much ability is rare. He has both information network and skills, so he's a man who has all the conditions to become a big shot."

"For a contractor, he has a rare sense of loyalty. Besides his skills, he is an irreplaceable talent when you look at his personality."

Milina added in a subtly brightened tone.

Claire muttered with a subtle look.

"...That's true, but I'm flustered."

"What?"

"You seem to like him? The atmosphere was good from the first time you brought him, and your evaluation is generous. Well, he is handsome."

Other people's love affairs are a pretty fun form of entertainment.

Her sparkling eyes were full of interest.

Milina firmly denied it.

"No."

"You don't have to be shy."

"No."

"...Okay."

At Milina's repeated denials, Claire awkwardly turned her head.

It was unavoidable because a misunderstanding had to be corrected early on.

She didn't like him in that sense.

The boss's praise that he had secretly conveyed was still lingering in her mind.

Her heart was ticklish.

Would she ever hear Claire's honest praise if it weren't for Allen?

The value to pursue after a stable salary is the recognition of others.

For the sake of the satisfaction of her work, she wanted to maintain a good relationship with him in the future.

"Anyway, we'll have to throw him some meat before Berman makes a move. I have something in mind."

As they say, seeing is wanting.

Although he had pledged his loyalty in front of her, she didn't know what kind of change of heart would occur if she showered him with wealth from behind.

In fact, not a few of Claire's people had gone over like that.

Unlike then, she now had the leisure and the capacity to counterattack.

So, if possible, she planned to eliminate the options so that he wouldn't have any other thoughts.

"There was a rumor that Berman had invested in an arms company, contrary to the company's decision."

It was the same on this side, plotting to grasp the other party's weakness.

Unlike Berman, who had been caught off guard and had hastily made a move, Claire had been preparing thoroughly for a long time.

"Investigate it. Thoroughly, from one to ten."

"Yes."

It would be a difficult request, but if successful, it would create an unstoppable flow.

***

In the World Tree's vegetable garden, plants were being steadily cultivated.

Compared to Sylvester's factory, it was infinitely small and shabby.

But if you compared which facility was superior, it was of course my vegetable garden.

The leaves were fresh and green, and the fruits were properly ripe.

It was a quality that I was confident would sell out quickly if I opened a stall.

...Although it was an absurd story as I only had enough for myself to eat for now.

[A special crop has grown in the World Tree's vegetable garden!]

[Sweetness is added to the raspberry fruit!]

So that it wouldn't be boring, small events like this occurred from time to time.

I picked and ate the fruit and was impressed by the amazing harmony of its taste.

[Nature Affinity increases by 1!]

In addition to securing dessert, my stats also increased, so it was killing two birds with one stone.

However, there was a problem.

"No matter how well they grow on their own, they still need to be managed."

Farming is originally busy.

If you think you can just water them and leave them alone, you don't know anything.

If you looked for work, there was no end to it.

When I finished a request and rested like now, I had leisure, but when I started work, I couldn't show my face at home for days.

"I wish someone else would do the work for me."

The spirits... just a bunch of jobless loafers who were crazy about playing, so they were rejected.

Hiring a person was not very trustworthy.

If they stole the crops and sold them and ran away, how would I catch them?

'Is there no one who is diligent, not greedy, and good at their work?'

Am I being too much of a gangster?

Just as I was smacking my lips.

Thud!

"…?"

My senses, which had become sensitive due to my high nature affinity, caught a presence.

It was the sound of someone collapsing.

I went out the door and found an unexpected person.

It was a mechanical human with a familiar appearance.

"Number 16?"

It was so similar that I was mistaken for a moment.

But it was much larger, enough for a person to fit inside.

Like Number 21 and Number 16, it seemed to be another model.

Kkigik!

The mechanical human was convulsing, with sparks flying from its limbs, as if some part was broken.

It was a mechanical legion that had thrown itself into the contracting business.

It wasn't strange to think that its battered state was due to an injury during a request.

"Hmm."

I knew first aid, but I had no expertise in handling machines.

I was about to turn around, pretending not to have seen it, but then I remembered.

"Ah."

A talent who is diligent, not greedy, and good at their work.

Isn't that just the guy?

(End of Chapter)