When I was working as a civil servant, I was found out to be a muscle-brained knight by the princess knight and got sent to the front lines - Episode 178

Episode 178

“What on earth is this report?!”

In the top-floor office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the old fortress city, now an administrative district within the Tashman Kingdom. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Eva Robbins, faced a young, agitated female bureaucrat holding a certain report.

“It’s one thing that Princess René and Senior Jez returned safely from another world… although that world itself was full of absurdities! But more than that! Suddenly, a massive white ship appeared, tearing through space??? And it’s a 300-meter-class ship flying through the sky??? I don’t understand! Are you joking?!”

The document she was furiously banging on was an urgent report delivered from the front-line city of Novalis in the Eastern Front.

It felt like she had seen an identical scene in Episode 47. This young female bureaucrat, Cynthia Clark, a 20-year-old second-year official, was understandably upset.

“And this ship? Its name is the strategic-class conceptual armament/pseudo-divine artifact Skybound Ark—Mandjet/Mesektet, and it’s the flagship of the 11th Legion??? And the commander of the 11th Legion/Admiral is Senior Jez!!!”

Cynthia continued to escalate in frustration. Watching this, Eva, the Secretary of Internal Affairs, sighed. She clearly felt that she needed to hear the full story herself.

“Everything about this situation is incomprehensible, but more importantly!”

As Cynthia, now visibly distressed, clung to Eva with tears in her eyes, she exclaimed:

“What does it mean to appoint Cynthia Clark as the Chief of Staff for the 11th Legion?! And to prepare supplies for 500 people for a three-month military expedition within two weeks—are you serious?! The official order and command are from 11th Legion Commander Jez Norman??! This unreasonable task will have me working myself to death!!”

The situation was so confusing that it was difficult to grasp. However, it was clear just how challenging it was to prepare 500 people for a three-month military expedition in just two weeks.

If the country had an existing rapid response system, it might have been manageable. But this country didn’t even have an expeditionary force for other countries. It was entirely a new formation.

While there might be some knowledge about what is needed for a three-month military expedition in human conflicts, few people have such expertise. This was completely an unreasonable demand.

Moreover, it appeared that this appointment was requested by Senior Jez. Cynthia couldn’t understand why she was chosen as the Chief of Staff. There must have been other candidates.

Realistically, the 7th Legion, where Jez had recently been stationed, had long been without a commander and the entire Southern Front was being reorganized. It was understandable why drawing personnel from there would be difficult.

Until the 9th Legion’s reconstruction was complete, the 7th Legion should have been the key force in the Southern Front.

Considering that the core forces would likely be drawn from the Northern Front, it was challenging to pull staff from there for the staff positions as well.

Since Jez probably didn’t have many connections with the Eastern Front, it made sense that he would want to gather personnel from the central area.

But why request me for the Chief of Staff role? Isn’t that what reserves are for? Senior Jez should really be more considerate. He probably thought I could handle it. I’m genuinely pleased by the trust, but there are limits to what one can handle.

Considering that no one has been a Chief of Staff for an expeditionary force to a human nation in the last decade or so, it might make sense to choose someone who isn’t set in their ways and has some practical experience. This is a thought that Jez Norman might have had.

But the workload is truly overwhelming. Recently, with the absence of that person, I’ve been busy with searches and other tasks. Plus, the situation with the Divina Papal State makes both the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the 0th Legion incredibly busy.

Balancing work between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the 0th Legion had always been normal, and I didn’t think much of it before. But recently, as I’ve turned 20, I started to wonder.

Am I working too much? Is it okay to continue working like this?

The catalyst was a trivial event. A few weeks ago, there was a reunion with former classmates from the Royal Academy. There, I heard friends discussing their career plans and life goals, like marriage, seriously for the first time in a long while.

Listening to them made me wonder, what do I want for myself? Until now, I felt fulfilled with my work in the 0th Legion and didn’t question it.

And now, this appointment. … Well, if I think seriously, participating in the 11th Legion means I can keep an eye on Jez Norman, protect Victor Alchemis, who seems to be accompanying him, and also guard Saint Lucretia Alma.

Moreover, for the 0th Legion, it’s beneficial to get direct information from the Divina Papal State during the expedition. It’s like hitting four birds with one stone.

That said, being the Chief of Staff for an expeditionary force led by Jez Norman and Victor Alchemis, and one of Tashman Kingdom’s rare military expeditions abroad, is bound to be extremely busy. The only image that came to mind was one of being overwhelmed. Although it seems that the staff will properly support, this appointment is still tough. Cynthia, unusually persistent, was trying to argue with Eva in the Ministry of Internal Affairs office.

“Excuse me, is Cynthia Clark here?”

William Saylor, the Kingdom’s Prime Minister, entered the room with a number of documents and several aides.

“I will fully support the logistics for the Divina Papal State expedition by the 11th Legion along with the Prime Minister’s office. So, Eva, where is Lady Cynthia Clark, the Chief of Staff of the 11th Legion?”

Thus, somewhat forcefully, Cynthia Clark was thrown into the demanding role of managing the logistics and strategic planning for the 11th Legion’s expeditionary force.

Cynthia Clark, the workaholic, was loved by her work because she was dedicated to it.