The next morning, Jin and the three others were summoned by Paelova.

"I'm sorry to bother you this morning, but we've got a situation we can't talk about. ...... Jed, please."

"Yes. ...... I'll tell you what I'm going to do. First of all, in about an hour, you three will be consulted by the technical director.

"Advisory?"

In this case, consultation means to ask an expert for his/her opinion.

What do you want from us?

"Well... That's the thing, you'll probably be asked technical questions.

Oh, about the cars and boats you've built?

"Probably."

That satisfied Jin and the others, but Paelova was looking at them with a difficult expression, so Eira, who could not remain silent at a time like this, opened her mouth.

"Isn't there something behind this?"

Paelova's face became even more bitter at that question. She was right.

"Really?　What on earth are you talking about?"

"...... Well, the short answer is that they want to manage you themselves."

Jed Alamordo answered for him.

"Us?"

"......mm. ......I mean, not at my place, but at their place, you know, what ...... they want you to work for their convenience, that's what they want."

Paelova sounded like she had something subtly stuck in her back teeth, but Jin and the others went on to the more interesting part of the story.

"When you say ...... in your place, do you mean here in King's Landing?"

"Well, I suppose so."

"......."

At this point, Jin, who had been silent until then, opened his mouth.

"Well, in short, are you saying that you are trying to pull out useful engineers from your original organization?"

As expected, he is a man who is not afraid to call anyone <, including himself.

"...... You guessed right. Well, that's what I mean."

"Then, the best engineers and mages will be concentrated in the capital, right?

Now Eira asked.

But for some reason, Paelova's face was dull.

"...... So, if we are approved by the advisory board, we will be assigned to work in the capital?

Eira's unreserved words had been right on the mark, and Paelová's face was extremely frowned upon.

"......That's the way it's going to be," Paelova said. I don't know how they will treat me.

. This comment bothered Jin. It seemed to be the same for Katya,

"Oh, um,...... well, is it tough working in King's Landing,......?"

I asked modestly.

"...... so I don't really know."

"You're lying."

Eira denied Paelova's words.

"Her Excellency Paelova ...... knows something."

But Jed Alamordo stopped her from going any further.

"Eira, please leave it at that."

* * * *

"...... something is bothering me."

When the three of us were alone, Eira was the first to ask a question.

"I can understand why Paelova is concerned. Just when we think we've got a useful engineer, the state invokes its authority and takes him away. It must be very hard for him.

Jin agrees with Eira's opinion.

"Of course. It would be uninteresting if they just take away the results, ignoring all the hard work we did along the way.

"So, right? That would be very aggressive, wouldn't it?

Katya agreed.

"Well, I suppose it would be easier to use the budget and materials if they were under the direct control of the government, so I can welcome that. ......

Eira looked a little confused.

"I think that will limit our actions. ......"

Jin agreed.

"They won't let us do whatever we want like we do now."

"Well, I don't know which is better, right away.

"Is it going to be too hard?"

Ka-CHEER looked anxious.

Jin also reminisces about the past and says

"We can gather the best engineers and make them work for the country ....... If that's all there is to it, it doesn't sound so bad.

"...... they won't let you sleep, or something?"

"Oh, I don't like that!　I like to do what I want, when I want!"

Jin agrees with Eira in general.

"Bosses who don't know what's going on on the shop floor usually make people do things that are impossible and reckless. As a result, they don't admit it even though their efficiency is decreasing.

"You know a lot about ......, don't you?"

Katya responded to Jin's words.

"You've been in that situation before, Jin.

Even Eira said something like that.

"Yes, I feel that way too.

Jin did not dare to deny it, but softly affirmed it.

There is a job that pays well but requires a lot of overtime and does not allow for vacations, and a job that offers a lot of time off but pays less.

It is difficult to decide which is better. It can only be said that it is the judgment of each individual.

"Which do you prefer, ......?"

"Right now,......, I'd like to have some time to myself."

When he first started working, he was so happy to be able to buy things for everyone at the facility that he was reckless, but now Jin is so immersed in the joy of doing what he loves that he can't go back.

"Oh, I agree with you," he said.

"Well, I'll just go to ...... and see what I can do."

Katya argued rightly. But the reality is that there are always two extremes.

"In that sense, the situation is pretty good right now."

Although the lack of materials is not acceptable, the current situation where they receive certain benefits and do not lack food and shelter is a pretty good environment.

"In any case, I guess it doesn't reflect our will. ......"

"I don't like that.

"Yeah, that's exactly what I mean."

Jin recalled the Shoro Empire.

I think it was very much based on personal opinions. Even if it was for the sake of work efficiency.

* * * *

And so, as planned, Jin and the other three were referred to a high-ranking administrator directly under the .

First of all, Ka-cea said

"What do you think about the monetary economy?

"What ......?　Yes. I think the gold standard is behind it. ......"

Jin thought this was more of an interview than a consultation.

"Yes, that's fine. Now then, Mr. Eira, what do you think about the current distribution of magical materials ......?"

"I have a lot of complaints. Not only does it hinder my research, but I can't even make anything worthwhile. This situation is not good.

Eira's normal behavior was evident, even though Jin was listening on the side and was a bit nervous.

Finally, it was Jin's turn.