This BL Novel Is Ruined Now - Chapter 165

BLR has been completely translated on Patreon

Chapter 165

Translator: Yonnee

RP: Haebaragi_syk

—

“……”

For an elf to come out of the grand duchy, which they never leave at all, it’s warranted to say that it’s a huge deal.

But whether it’s like this or not, Reina had work to do… She forced herself to get up despite her exhaustion.

“…Are you here to order sunglasses?”

The elf tilted their chin arrogantly and responded with a stern expression.

“Yes.”

“Haa… There’s a waiting list.”

“How many are ahead of me?”

“Just a moment…”

Rubbing her tired eyes, she glanced at the list of waiting customers, and regrettably, there was a number that could only be described as overwhelming.

「879th」

“Ugh, seriously… When did these pile up again?”

This can’t be real, can it? Did she really have to make 879 pairs of sunglasses?

“Well, um. You’ll be number 880 on the list.”

“……”

This isn’t going to work. Whether it’s a disguise for the reform or something else, this overwhelming future will crumble if it continues like this.

So, a solution to this situation was urgently needed.

* * *

“Your Highness, this doesn’t seem right.”

“It doesn’t seem like the right time to come here like this.”

“Then when is the right time?”

“As a matter of fact, none. There’s no right time at all.”

“…Well, stop saying different things.”

“Huh? Are you irritated now?”

“…Nowt awt awll. When dwid I.” (Not at all. When did I.)

“It sounds like you’re irritated right now.”

“…I have a toothache.”

Duke Benedict laughed.

“You’re becoming more and more like Ethan.”

Actually, at first, Reina trembled with fear in the presence of the grand duke and the emperor. Just to be clear, the dragonfolk had this overwhelming presence just by their existence.

But!

Daily overtime, staff shortages, an unbearable workload! The dragonfolk seemed less scary compared to those other things.

So, as Reina kept coming and complaining every day, she got used to the dragonfolk without realizing it.

“So, what do you want me to do for you?”

Grand Duke Benedict, who let out a small yawn, lazily got up.

“I need capable people.”

“Bring them in first. I’ll approve once I see them.”

“And please designate private companies that can produce inventions from the Bureau of Efficient Technology.”

“Hmm.”

“That way, we can naturally spread the technology.”

“That’s true. Okay, let’s do that. We done here?”

“Nope.”

Endless requests made Benedict slightly impatient, and he crossed his legs with a slightly annoyed expression.

“Ha, you talk a lot. Is this how you seduced Ethan too?”

“……”

Benedict enjoyed teasing Ethan and Reina about their romance whenever he could.

For a moment, Reina cleared her throat, regaining her composure, and then refocused on the main topic.

“The commission fees, that is, when requests come directly to the Bureau of Efficient Technology, please allow the establishment of a systematic structure for accepting or declining those requests.”

“And who will establish this system?”

“I will.”

“Fine, then.”

As long as it wasn’t too bothersome, Benedict seemed unbothered.

“And—”

“And? Don’t tell me there’s more?”

Seeing the grand duke’s brows beginning to furrow, Reina quickly set her priorities in her mind.

“Yes, this is truly the last request!”

“If it’s not too bothersome, go ahead.”

“In the future, the salaries of Bureau of Efficient Technology officials who handle requests should be based on incentives, not fixed salaries!”

Reina rapidly delivered her proposal as if reading it in her mind. The person she was speaking to understood her quick words and quietly mumbled.

“Incentive-based…”

“Yes, provide the most basic salary, but offer a portion of the commission fee as an incentive.”

In the current era, this demand might have seemed somewhat excessive. However, Reina had recently realized one crucial thing.

“What’s this…? Does it make sense that the Pluntria Empire’s finances are at this level? So prosperous?”

Upon further consideration, the reason was simple.

The fact that the imperial family consisted of dragonfolk. Therefore, significant savings were achieved, especially in military expenditures.

Regardless of how the national treasury was always lacking, and despite the fact that it was always the largest expenditure, the military budget, including the standing army, had been significantly reduced due to the dragonfolk. Consequently, there was extra money to spare.

So, this was a card worth playing.

Benedict, who had been staring intently at Reina with his head tilted, finally spoke.

“You’re aware that it’s too much to ask, right?”

“Yes.”

“But you’re still making that request.”

“Please consider this in the long term. Humans are particularly eager for rewards for their efforts.”

“Hmm… True.”

“By offering a radical incentive system to new recruits, we can create products that are even more useful than sunglasses! Products that perfectly suit His Majesty and Your Highness, as perfect as a rice cake!”

“Rice cake?”

“It’s a phrase used to describe something that suits someone perfectly.”

Whether he found the phrase ‘rice cake’ interesting or was intrigued by Reina’s explanation, he wore a positive expression.

“Is that all there is? For the commoners, it would become like a beacon that allows them to accumulate wealth without being constrained by their family’s influence…(omitted)… For these reasons, it will help propel our reform forward!”

Fortunately, her persuasion worked.

“That makes sense. Prepare and submit it.”

Yes!

“Blessings upon Your Highness!”

“What?”

“You’re seriously so cool, Your Highness!”