Pastel sat across from the branch manager of the Demon Realm division of the Craft Guild.
“I had faith in our guild members. No matter how far we are from Sky Island, our honest members wouldn’t do anything bad.”
“Exactly, exactly!”
“I’m very glad to know from the verification over the past three days that this is truly the case.”
Indeed, the Craft Guild was as honest as its master!
The branch manager smiled.
“Everyone will feel proud that you show such trust.”
“However, it seems we need to rebuild staff management and training itself. Since we’ve transplanted the headquarters system from Sky Island, it doesn’t fit the environment of the Demon Realm very well.”
The branch manager looked puzzled.
“We’re conducting the handover systematically. In what way did you feel that?”
“I would say that training and investment aimed at improving employee capabilities are necessary. While the illiteracy rate among new employees is unavoidable, it’s problematic for employees to continuously lack reading skills.”
“Yes, yes.”
“As you know, our guild aims for systematic operation through documentation. Just as the constitution establishes principles, laws set directions, and judgments distinguish inside from outside, the guild should operate not by relying on individual ad-libbing but through principles and results built on countless cases.”
In short,
“We strive for all employees to become interchangeable essences.”
A modern system that guarantees minimal capabilities no matter who sits in that position.
“Interchangeable essence…”
The branch manager mumbled in a daze. Then he straightened his posture and adopted a more disciplined demeanor.
Pastel chuckled.
“So, it means that training and investment to improve employee capabilities are greatly needed. In order for minimal capabilities to be achieved, all employees should at least be able to read and possess proper judgment skills.”
She pointed somewhere with her hand.
“I ran along the beach railroad today, and there were people who couldn’t read! That can’t happen! Effective today, the Demon Realm division should concentrate resources on staff training! Let’s create a dedicated department to systematize the in-house training system!”
The branch manager quickly responded.
“I will keep that in mind, Governor.”
“Yes, yes!”
“And I’ve found that trouble has arisen because the minimum requirement of being able to read has not been met. The person in charge of that area manipulated reports from illiterate employees and scammed honest merchants…”
Pastel took her time to finish her conversation with the branch manager. After leaving the branch manager’s office, she walked down the corridor.
Phew.
It was surprising how high the illiteracy rate was. I’m glad I could resolve this issue before it became a big problem.
It seems that Grace, the Guild Master, finds it difficult to manage the Demon Realm division in detail while residing in Sky Island. However, the emphasis on documentation in the Demon Realm is a product of modernization.
“Brrup brrup~.”
Pastel headed towards one side of the Demon Realm division, where a spot had been prepared for the train to come in. Honest victims of the scam were currently waiting.
Upon arrival, she saw honest victims gathered in front of the half-seized train, covered in blankets, with worried expressions.
Whispering.
“What are we going to do, Team Leader? It’s not like we’re dying in a fight; we never imagined it would end up like this!”
“How should I know! Who’s the fool that fell for this ridiculous contract?!”
“That would be you, Team Leader.”
“You pathetic idiot!”
“Right?”
Ugh.
That lousy area manager!
How could they deceive us by saying they could rent out the railroad and then just gobble up the deposit and run away!
With a heavy heart, Pastel envisioned the situation.
Those people must have been incredibly passionate about train technology, enough to create trains with remarkable capabilities.
—We will someday cover the entire Demon Realm with the roaring heat of steam engines!
—As expected of the Team Leader! I’ll follow you for life!
But the train business undoubtedly required substantial capital. As a poor engineer, she was in a realm beyond her reach.
—What? You don’t do business loans? If you see our train, you’ll change your mind!
—Do you even know how much it costs to lay down a railroad? Your feeble technology doesn’t interest me, so don’t cause trouble and get out of here!
—Just give us one chance! We only need a single chance…!
—Get out!
The dream had been blocked by reality. Yet, giving up their precious train technology to sell it to someone else was not something they could accept due to pride.
—Team Leader, what should we do? The landlord says we either get rid of those junk items or pay more rent! I told you, thinking about rent, we should have settled outside of the city!
—Are you saying it’s my fault?! You were the one who agreed it made sense to be in the city to find investors!
They grabbed each other by the collars, their hard-earned ties becoming a mess.
Whose fault was it? Well, that didn’t matter. They just wanted to vent their frustration and despair on the nearest person.
The team fell apart, and instead of the warmth of coal, cold dust settled on the steam engine. The ties lay crumpled on the sofa, reeking of alcohol from their wrinkled clothes.
They knew.
This was a swamp, and all they could do was sink and slowly die day by day. It was a pit where they couldn’t go lower or higher.
But was that just their delusion?
A demon had arrived.
—I heard there are great engineers here.
—Yes?
—Aren’t you the engineers who solved unsolvable problems and developed the fastest trains?
They say demons speak sweetly.
—You lack business foresight. With this speed, you could immediately start a viable transport business. I will rent the railroad to you. You shall operate the trains.
—No, thank you. What kind of ridiculous proposal is that? We’ve already failed. We’re failures now. Don’t disturb us while we drink, just leave.
—No. I won’t leave. Are you really going to fail like this? The future is prepared. All you need is your will.
Indeed. They only needed someone to give them a push. They were simply waiting for someone to reach out and tell them they hadn’t failed yet.
They couldn’t leave or give up their love for their dream, sinking into the swamp instead.
—Just make the deposit for the railroad rental and come back.
It was easier than they expected.
—Huh? What kind of train did you make to secure such contracts? Let’s take a look.
As they brought the preliminary contract, the banker’s demeanor changed.
—This speed! With this, the business potential is surely valid! Amazing! I will grant the loan immediately!
After showing the train, the loan amount changed, and the deposit was secured.
—I will rent the railroad as per the contract. It will take some time, so please prepare your business while I get ready.
The first thing I did was clean my tie.
I lathered soap and soaked the crumpled tie in water, rubbing it. The old stains came off, and the smell of alcohol vanished. It had been so dirty it seemed irredeemable, but once I touched it, it quickly became clean.
But guess what?
If you iron it with a damp cloth, it becomes wrinkled?
I didn’t know that.
So I could only laugh at the wrinkled tie. I had to wash it again, but why was I smiling? Do you know? I don’t.
Everything was going smoothly.
Our team acted as if conflicts and divisions had never happened, like it was in the past or even in the future.
The train was prepared, business partners were found, and dawn broke.
The train puffed black smoke from its chimney, and sturdy wheels rolled over the tracks. Countless goods received from partners were following along.
Everything was going smoothly.
We could even share trivial conversations about developing an air purifier to put in the engine room while breathing in the thick air of coal smoke.
Until the train suddenly stopped, and the truth was revealed.
—Halt operation! Who do you think you are, using the railroad without permission?
—Yes? We have already made a rental contract. Here’s the contract.
—That can’t be! Let me see the contract. Hm? This is invalid. The person who filled out this contract only handles maintenance for the area and does not have the authority to decide on railroad rentals and operations. Therefore, they have no authority to contract for the railroad rental, and this contract is also invalid.
It was a scam.
—But we already paid the deposit!
—That doesn’t matter.
—Then what about our deposit…?
—Honestly, it doesn’t matter! Since you operated the train without permission, let’s go!
—Wait! At least let us finish transporting the cargo! If we can’t deliver on time, the compensation…!
—That’s your problem! Pull them away!
Yeah, this is getting lengthy.
Our train has stopped.
It won’t be easy to start moving again.
What angers me the most is not that our future has vanished or that we will end up as failures.
The fraudster scammed us, oblivious to the technological achievements and potential of the steam engine we had created, all for a few measly coins.
He destroyed the future where new technologies would be announced, the market would be activated, new competitors would emerge, and others who would share our passions would exist, all for a mere handful of money.
That was infuriating.
I was so angry…
The fraudster was right about one thing.
We should not have ventured out.
We should have been dignified.
In the moment the banker ignored our dreams, we should have stood our ground without leaving that place. We should have bet everything we had.
You saw it too. That it could have been done. That all we had to do was to show it with pride. That we shouldn’t have shrunk in the face of the unfamiliar atmosphere, the awkward tie, and the sneering looks, but stood tall in front of our dreams.
Oh no.
My story ends here.
Are you loving what you cherish without regret?
I hope so.
Goodbye.
“Huh.”
Pastel became teary in her delusions.
“Yes! From now on, I will boldly love money and power…!”
Emotion, emotion.
“What?”
The locomotive driver and the members who were the objects of her delusion stared blankly.
Pastel held the driver’s hand tightly.
“You’ve worked so hard! That passion! That skill! That patent! Everything will be taken care of by the Craft Guild!”
Suspending punishment for unauthorized railroad use and offering a technology deal!
I’m so nice!
A quick-witted guild member hurriedly brought the relevant contract.
When the driver received the contract, he became bewildered, and another member spoke up.
“Does that mean the Craft Guild will take responsibility and compensate us for the fraud we suffered?”
Pastel instantly assumed a businesslike expression.
“Oh, I hope you’ll understand that this does not concern the headquarters. Please discuss the fraudulent contract with the parties involved.”
Eyes stared piercingly.
Pastel wiped her eyes, still teary after saying what she needed to say.
Sob sob.
It was such a sad story.
