359 Research Facility
In this world, where taming monsters and using them for simple jobs is the mainstream, science is something that wasn't studied well. Rather, it wasn't studied at all.
There may be things like carriages, buildings, and other infrastructure, but rather than science, they relied more on powerful monsters' skills to build them. With such a convenient way of solving their problems, it was easy to imagine why science didn't see the light of day.
"So first, we need to create an independent Research Institute!"
As they say, science is more of a way of thinking than a singular study. It would be hard to teach everyone about science from scratch, but it's not like nobody uses it.
For example, the dwarves use science... Well, a simplified one. Through trial and error, they found the best way to craft weapons and other trinkets from metal. Although they're fit to be researchers, they're already so busy manning the Ancient Forge that they can't even spare time to study other things.
"From the Research Institute, we will be studying three main branches: Power, Defenses, and Weapons."
Power was the main priority. With the advent of electricity, we can begin delving into the electronic age, skipping a lot of steps and entering the age of the internet. Ember can already create computers; however, she can't power them up with her clones' abilities alone.
"Fatima, can I assign you to do it?"
Fatima was, in everyone's eyes, from ancient times. However, in terms of technology, they're at a much more advanced stage compared to the present. Science was an actual study back in her time!
"Leave it to me, Will! I'll make sure to gather the best researchers there are!"
With that out of the way, it's time to return to my usual job. Though I say that, the officials all took a one-day leave after we spent an entire week amending the laws.
"For now... I guess I'll focus on counterintelligence."
At the moment, the leaky state of the country was a cause for great concern. If information was this easy to slip into the other kingdom's ears, then our research could end up reaching their ears too. It's not that I'm saying it's bad, but we would end up losing our advantage if everyone was playing on even ground.
After all, not all kingdoms are friendly. Keeping ourselves a head above the others would be for the best.
The current Counterintelligence and Security Department was already set up, but there's only one head assigned for now. There are no members at all.
"Chiyome?"
I called to the shadows randomly, trying to keep my gaze away from their actual positions. Chiyome jumped from the shadows, kneeling before me respectfully as she responded.
"Yes, Clan Head. What is it that you need?"
"Right. For now, you and the other shadows... Wait, just half; half of you will come with me and be reassigned as agents under the Counterintelligence Department."
"Counterintelligence?"
Chiyome tilted her head, confused about the unfamiliar term. I smiled, explaining it to her in simple words.
"In short, those who silence the [foreign] ears listening to our country's business or feed them false information to mislead them."
"...?"
Rather than getting her doubts resolved, she seemed to have more questions instead. I scratched my head, turning to Fang in hopes that she could explain it better.
"Leader means that it's a division that kills any foreign spies!"
"I see! Then we'd gladly accept this new mission, Clan Head!"
"..."
Fang, that... technically isn't wrong, but is still wrong in many ways. Well, they could just learn while on the job, right?
Just before I went to the castle, Chiyome, along with 100 other shadows, came with me. I was surprised to see a hundred of them tagging along. Apparently, there are more than three hundred shadows, but most of them are out guarding other important figures, so only a hundred shadows could be spared.
As soon as I opened the portal, everyone came in one after another before heading straight for the Counterintelligence Department's office. The current head of the Department of Counterintelligence and Security is a woman named Gyllaine, who was a subordinate of Yu Na before and also used to be a countess.
She's a serious person, enough that I was even scared to talk to her casually. To ensure that I wouldn't need to meet her face-to-face, I wrote a formal letter for her, explaining Chiyome and the others's addition to the department, and gave it to Chiyome earlier.
Watching their backs as they left for their new department, I sat down at my table and began processing the countless documents piled up for over a week. Really, who the hell is delivering these documents? I haven't caught sight of them even once. It's a real mystery, I say.
As usual, the documents were mostly requests for repairs and such. Now that we have funds trickling in, combined with the regular taxes gained, it is now possible to address such problems.
When I began working on the documents, it was still early in the morning. When I completed all of them, the sun had already set a few hours earlier. And I'm not slow handling the documents, I tell you. I don't even take breaks in between!
Well, tomorrow, the others will be present again, so I hope my workload will become a lot less.
When I came back to the Seimei, to my office there at the Debauchery Hall, Fatima was waiting for me.
"Will, I've established a shortlist of researchers already. Most of them are from the Seimei and the Luo families, though. I'm planning on going with this first and expanding later."
I hesitated a little, seeing the thick pile of documents in her hands.
"I-I'll check it later... For now, I'm hungry. Let's have dinner with everyone else today."
Lately, it was hard to match our schedules, so it was rare for everyone to gather at the dinner table. However, presently, everyone is already able to take short breaks from their tasks.
"Really?! Then I'll call everyone! Please wait!"
Fatima left the office, running at her top speed. There's really no need to be in such a rush since I could simply send orders to the girls using our special connection.
I leaned on my chair, eyeing the list that she gave, and one name caught my attention.
"Wait, Ying Yue?"
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