Chapter 75: A Glimpse of Paradise

Shwaaa—!

Clean water poured out through multiple holes.

Tiles densely embedded in the floor and walls.

This was the communal shower room in the worker dormitory of Duke Carius’s territory.

Trevor stood there blankly with an incredulous expression.

“This is insane…….”

He could accept lumberjacks working an hour and resting 30 minutes.

The job was extremely demanding and dangerous, after all.

He could also understand providing work clothes, protective gear, and tools.

It would help them chop wood better.

But what was with this luxurious shower room?

Pull the handle, and warm water flowed steadily for a while.

The laborers washed off bodies caked in sweat and dust, even lathering up with foam.

“No different from nobles.”

Probably nowhere in the empire had such pristine bathing facilities.

Especially those tiles on the floor and walls—they were incredibly smooth, however they were made.

No matter how he thought about it, this wasn’t a facility for ordinary wage laborers.

“What are you doing? Hurry up so the next person can wash. Quick, lather up.”

As he stood there dazed, Bernard poured a thick liquid over Trevor’s head.

Then he rubbed it with a rough cloth, and foam bubbled up enormously.

“Enough. I’ll do it.”

Not liking a man touching his body, Trevor quickly moved his hands.

He muddled through washing like that, but an even more astonishing sight awaited outside.

The dining hall on the first floor of the dormitory was laid out with all sorts of dishes.

Bernard picked up a tray and loaded food onto it.

Quite a lot, without hesitation.

Trevor asked with puzzled eyes.

“Is it okay to just take that much?”

“As much as you can eat. I’m pretty big, so I need this much. You hurry and scoop some too, Trevor.”

“O-okay.”

He replied, but it made no sense at all.

If food was self-serve, utter chaos would ensue.

Unless it was a highly disciplined army, it was bound to happen.

But contrary to his thoughts, the dining hall was utterly peaceful.

People lined up in turn and leisurely ladled food.

“This can’t be…….”

Trevor kept tilting his head.

In the Western Legion, mealtimes were always a riot.

Everyone fighting to eat more.

But here, the atmosphere was completely different.

Like watching a noble banquet hall.

Only those with no shortage of food could maintain such elegance.

‘Hm? Come to think of it, is it the same here?’

Trevor decided to be honest with himself.

He had luxurious barracks and people serving fine meals.

But what about the soldiers of the Western 1st Legion?

Despite being imperial regulars, supplies were abysmal.

They gave weapons and armor, but maintenance was on you.

Costs borne by the soldiers, of course.

“Wait, who pays for the meals? The lodging?”

“His Grace the Duke provides that. So we can work hard.”

“Even so, people get lazy quick…….”

“No chance. Slack off, and you’re fired.”

“How do they check? No supervisors around.”

“He just knows everything. See today too. Everyone gave their all, no exceptions.”

Trevor nodded slowly.

This really made no sense.

Everyone overflowing with zeal in hard labor?

Even in the rigorously indoctrinated imperial army, no such unit existed.

He couldn’t understand it, but for now, he picked up a spoon and fork.

But what the laborers held was a bit different.

“Why two of those long sticks?”

“Ah, these? Chopsticks, used like this.” Bernard deftly picked up food and ate with skilled motions. It was unfamiliar but seemed quite handy.

But Trevor, not used to them, decided on the fork.

The food was flat bread, stir-fried meat, and salad with dressing.

He normally wouldn’t glance at it, but the aroma was incredible.

Enough to make his mouth water.

Crunch—!

Wrapping the stir-fried meat and salad in bread, a crispy texture filled his mouth.

“Hm?”

Even ordinary food tasted amazing.

Not just from sweating all day.

The ingredients were good, and it was cooked with real care.

“Pretty good, right?”

“……”

Trevor couldn’t answer Bernard’s question.

‘Ordinary laborers eat food like this?’

Compared to the serfs in Count Warren’s territory, the treatment was heaven and earth.

After finishing the meal, people scattered.

With nothing particular to do, Trevor grabbed Bernard and asked.

“Where’s everyone going?”

“Work’s done, so free time. Play if you want, or go to night school if you wanna study.”

“Night school?”

“Evening classes.”

“Why study?”

“Can’t be a lumberjack forever. When you get old, need other work besides physical labor.”

“You teach that to commoners?”

“In Duke Carius’s territory, anything’s possible.”

“Huh!”

An empty laugh burst out.

The serfs in Count Warren’s territory didn’t work properly.

All shambling like zombies, moving slowly.

Until the whip came out.

Naturally, Trevor had learned that only strong pressure made them obey.

But here was different.

Everyone moved autonomously, yet work ran smoothly.

Not even a supervisor overseeing tasks.

Saying Duke Carius knew everything.

‘If that’s possible, he’s a god. All bullshit. Idolization gone overboard.’

Trevor shook his head vigorously.

No matter how he thought, this wasn’t right.

“What if the thick-headed lot rises up together?”

Nobles stuck to dumbing-down policies to prevent rebellion.

Ignorance kept them from defying fate.

“Rise up, what do you mean?”

Having heard the mutter, Bernard frowned and asked.

The remark seemed quite offensive.

As Trevor tried to make an excuse, a group passed by in a rush.

Seeing him, they greeted very warmly.

“Must be that strong newbie we heard about.”

“Thanks to you, material supply’s easier. Keep it up.”

“Keep up those results, and you’ll promote quick. Hang in there.”

Sudden words of encouragement.

Trevor blinked in bewilderment.

Until they turned the corner far away.

Then Bernard’s uncomfortable face slowly relaxed.

“No way it’d happen like you said. His Grace and us exchange what we need.”

“What’s that?”

“Hope and loyalty. Ask anyone, same answer? All staff ready to lay down lives.”

“Why?”

“If I die or get hurt, His Grace will care for my family. To the end.”

Bernard emphasized the last three words.

But Trevor still wore a dubious expression.

It was the easiest way to buy subordinates’ loyalty.

How many had tried similar in the world.

Even the most upright could succumb to temptation.

He thought such loose trust bonds were bound to break.

“This’ll blow up in his face someday.”

Trevor shook his head hard and trudged toward the dormitory.

I sat on the office sofa, reading reports.

Having been away long, I needed to grasp how businesses ran.

But nothing particularly stood out.

‘This is perfect?’

Beyond maintaining status quo, it was self-developing now.

And rules I’d set were firmly followed.

Like employee welfare above a certain level and strict work codes.

No work without clothes, gear, tools—I’d ordered that.

‘The issue is some hires I didn’t interview.’

Actually, that process wasn’t necessary.

Fire bad employees.

I could see character info in the status window anyway.

But frequent turnover would breed anxiety.

Examples in moderation, stability more important.

That’d make it a workplace everyone wants.

It already was, but Duke Carius’s territory should be even more heavenly.

A model for imperial society.

“When I’m at the mansion, I’ll handle all interviews. Bring all potential new hires.”

“Yes, then what about those selected while you were away?”

“You picked well? But quietly let these go. Poor work attitudes.”

“Heh heh!”

Butler Miller Xavier burst into hearty laughter.

Curious why, I tilted my head, and the answer came promptly.

“There’s a rumor among staff lately.”

“What’s that?”

“That Your Grace has surpassed saint and reached divine realm…….”

“What?”

Truly absurd gossip.

Even if I’d paid much attention, this was too much, no?

Why react sensitively to mere rumor?

Unlike Earth, real gods existed here.

Priests borrowed their power for miracles.

‘And they wield enormous influence in this world.’

In the imperial capital, suppressed by emperor’s authority.

Elsewhere, priests’ prestige easily surpassed lords.

Some western small nations even let the church pick rulers.

In a place with such high divine status, calling me what?

“Overblown. Rumors have sources.”

“I’ll clamp down on loose lips.”

“Please. By the way, how’s that guy doing?”

“Who……?”

“The one here for community service?”

“Ah, you mean Trevor Warren. Surprisingly adapting well.”

“Really?”

I’d sent him to the logging site on purpose, to give him a taste of hardship.

Yet he’s fine?

Thought he’d throw a fit about why he had to do this.

Reading my puzzled expression, Butler Xavier smiled and replied.

“Reputation among staff is quite good. Making work easier, they say.”

“Huh! His calling?”

Wasn’t he utterly willful from one to ten?

Absurd, but I soon erased Trevor from my mind.

Too busy to spare thought for such a guy.

“Any more items?”

“This is the last.”

“What?”

“A summons from the court.”

“Whaat?”

No, I’m the sole imperial chief justice, aren’t I?

Who the hell summons me?

For a moment, thought it was a prank.

But the court-issued summons was real.

Then Butler Miller Xavier relayed the content.

“They ask you return soon. Too many trials, they’re dying.”

“Can’t I not go?”

“Your Grace.”

“Yes.”

“You must live long. Work hard, and all will be happy.”

“……”

I looked at Miller Xavier with an incredulous expression.

Even him, influenced by the staff.

No, but is there no way to skip work?