落とし穴外伝：２０２３年末スペシャル 行政の状況
Dungeon Pit Side Story: 2023 Year-End Special – The State of Administration
Side: Ratz
"Hey! What’s the status on the cargo for these documents?"
"I just got word that the shipment hasn't arrived! Does anyone know where it is?"
"Is there some idiot trying to squeeze in a request for a food stall at this late hour? I’d love to tell them to get lost, but we can't have them setting up shop wherever they please. Someone, please guide them to the free-space zone!"
"What is this budget request?! The Accounting Department is going to reject this outright. This isn't your first time, do it over!"
It’s the same old year-end and New Year’s rush.
The Commercial Division in the General Government Building is a literal battlefield.
You might wonder what a "Commercial Division" actually does, but it’s nothing mysterious. Just as there is an external auxiliary organization like the Merchants' Guild, there is a department within the government that establishes the rules for merchants operating domestically.
Well, it’s generally referred to as the "Commercial District," I suppose.
But honestly, it’s incredibly demanding.
We handle everything: permits for domestic trade, the establishment of regulations, the management of government-owned supplies, and calculating their asset value in coordination with the Accounting Department. It is, quite literally, an exhausting department.
Above all, coordination with the Accounting Department—which deals with the money—is mandatory, so there is no room for even the slightest oversight.
Well, it’s not exactly that Eris is harsh; it’s just that you can’t use government funds based on sloppy paperwork, so it’s only natural.
"Ratz-sama~. Aren't you being a bit too relaxed over there~?"
As I was observing the chaotic scene, Nana suddenly spoke to me.
"I am not being relaxed~. Besides, you’re the representative now, Nana~. Are you doing your job properly~?"
That’s right. The reason I can watch this without panicking is that I am no longer the representative of this division, the Commercial District.
Nana, who is sitting at the desk in front of me, is now the representative of the Commercial District and holds the decision-making power for negotiations with the Merchants' Guild.
It just goes to show how much she’s grown.
Just as I was thinking that, she suddenly placed a stack of documents on my desk...
"I am doing my job~. So, could you take care of this for me?"
When she said that, I immediately checked the documents, and the contents were...
"Sigh~. Nana, are you still bad with the Accounting Department?"
Yes, the documents were completed budget submission forms.
Specifically, they were applications for the release of supplies.
They need to be verified by the Accounting Department, stamped, and then submitted to Seraria.
It’s the final step to ensure the supplies can be released as scheduled, but it seems Nana simply cannot handle getting that stamp from the Accounting Department.
"It’s not that I’m bad at it, but if I run into Tefa in this current situation, I’m afraid our argument will just drag on."
"That’s exactly what 'being bad at it' means~. Well, since it’s not good to have things stalled, I’ll take care of it, but consider this a point for future improvement. I won't have people in need going without supplies just because you're uncomfortable with your own colleagues, you know?"
I don't actually think it would come to that, but I have to warn her.
I cannot allow people waiting for support to be left shivering just because of a little personal discomfort.
"I understand. If I leave here now, things will likely get even worse, so please, I’m counting on you."
As Nana said, in the middle of this year-end hell, it’s obvious that if the person in charge leaves, the paperwork will never get done. So, without another word, I headed toward the Accounting Department.
Fortunately, it’s in the same building, just one floor up, so the travel time isn't an issue, but...
"Excuse me, where should this cargo go?"
"Didn't we already ship it out?"
"What’s the status on the venue preparations?"
"We have a fever case, so we’re short on personnel for tomorrow..."
People were rushing back and forth in the hallways as well.
It is the end of the year, after all.
There’s so much going on.
It’s a familiar sight to me, but for those working on the ground, it must be nothing short of dizzying.
Finish the task in front of you, somehow manage the schedule.
The final big push of the year.
Thinking that, I arrived at the Accounting Department.
"Your calculation is wrong here. Do it over!"
"We have the budget meeting at the start of the year. Make sure you get the documents to all the departments."
"I can't release a budget without the proper documentation. Please follow the submission rules."
They’re just as busy over here.
The last thing I heard is something that would be incredibly frustrating for the receiving end, too.
It makes you wonder what the rules are even for.
However, if I say anything, I’ll just get dragged into the trouble, and if I solve it for them, it will only hinder their growth.
So, I left that alone and headed toward the desk of the Accounting Department representative.
"Oh, Ratz."
"Hey there, Eris."
Before the representative, Tefa, could notice, Eris, who was working at the vice-representative's desk, called out to me first.
Her desk was, as expected, piled high with documents.
At that greeting, Tefa, who was busy processing an even larger mountain of paperwork at the representative's desk, seemed to notice and looked up.
"Ratz-sama. Welcome, despite the chaos. My apologies for not being able to offer you any hospitality."
She managed to reply while continuing her paperwork—a skillful feat.
"No, no, I’m just here for work. These are documents from the Commercial Division."
I handed them to Eris first.
Nana would hate this, but handing them to Eris during such a busy time is the best way to minimize trouble.
After all, she is the best at scrutinizing these kinds of documents.
"I’ll check them. ...Ah, the sweet sake, tea, red bean soup, rice cakes, and potage to be provided at the end of the year. Hmm, hmm... This is appropriate, the quantities are fine."
She immediately looked through the documents and verified that they matched the current inventory database.
She’s so fast.
Well, if there were a discrepancy, it would be a huge uproar, so I’m glad there wasn't.
I was relieved that the paperwork was done correctly, and Eris took the documents over to Tefa.
"Representative Tefa. These are the permit documents for the year-end and New Year’s supplies from the Commercial Division. I’ve checked them, and there are no deficiencies."
Tefa accepted the documents from Eris and carefully verified the contents.
"I see, the usual ones. Still, the supply volume increases every single year, doesn't it?"
"Well, I suppose it’s proof that Weed’s reputation is rising every year. The people from the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance are here this year too, and we want to leave a good impression on those visiting for the first time."
That’s right. We provide things for free, and then sell them as souvenirs on their way home.
That’s perfection.
That’s where the profit comes from.
Distribute for free, and make even more profit than that.
Even if you call it low-margin, high-volume sales, when the numbers become massive, the profit is nothing to sneeze at.
And that, in turn, increases the profits for the Agricultural District in Weed, which produces the raw materials.
"It’s a good thing, but... it’s getting difficult for us to handle it on our own..."
Tefa looked at me and Eris as she said that.
"I have requested an increase in personnel from His Majesty, but I wonder what will happen?"
"Regarding recruitment, there’s been nothing yet. Perhaps they’ll increase the hiring quota next spring? Ratz, have you heard anything?"
"No, nothing regarding this year. Well, requesting more staff is something we do every year. I think the request itself will be approved, but it’s unclear how many we’ll actually get. It also depends on the progress of human resource development."
"True, just because you hire people doesn't mean they can be used immediately."
Exactly. I understand the labor shortage, but simply increasing headcount doesn't mean they can be put to work right away.
"I understand that. To begin with, no one expects a newcomer to be active immediately; it would be enough if they could be somewhat useful by the end of next year."
"That’s true. Wait, didn't we have this same conversation last year?"
"Labor shortages are the same everywhere~. Not just last year, but with the Suurus incident, the military said they’d be taking more people than usual, too."
"Ah, I heard that as well. In that case, securing talent this year is going to be even tougher. *Sigh*... Oh, here are the documents. Take these to His Majesty, and you’ll get the export permit."
Tefa sighed as she returned the stamped documents to me.
I accepted them, checked them, and then...
"Thank you. Well, the year-end and New Year’s are just around the corner. Let’s hang in there~."
"Indeed. We have no choice but to do it."
"That’s right. I’m counting on you."
And so, I continued to move busily, pushing forward with the administrative preparations for the year-end and New Year’s.
Well, I plan to take it easy after the New Year starts.
Everywhere is insanely busy at the end of the year.
Right up to the very last minute.