~Chapter 5~
In the palace, there are three departments dedicated to serving the divine beasts: the Management Department, the Finance Department, and the Education Department.
When each department recruits new members, the heads of all three departments formally attend the interviews as interviewers.
Today was the busiest day for these heads — the day of interviews for Management Department’s new recruits from academy graduates.
Once a year, there is a public recruitment interview, but before that, some applicants who received recommendations from important palace officials get priority interviews.
The written test for entry was held a month ago, but those with recommendation letters get a chance for immediate interviews.
There were four special recruitment candidates today, and interviews for three of them were already underway.
“A cat spirit has collapsed. It refuses food and its strength is weakening. Also, breathing is rapid and heart rate very fast. What is the proper response in this situation?”
The Management Department head, Nilson, asked, and the three candidates thought carefully.
After a short pause, the first candidate raised their hand.
“Pray diligently for four days while keeping the body pure! Also, gather morning dew and feed it to the cat spirit to bring calm energy—”
“Next.”
Nilson cut off the useless answer.
The next candidate answered with a serious face.
“Four days is too short! At least a week of fasting and prayer is needed—”
“Would you rather the patient die during treatment? Next.”
“Prayer is useless!”
Nilson’s eyes, which had been dull, brightened at the unexpected answer.
“There is a sure method better than prayer! Ancient magic! If you sacrifice the blood of ten children—”
The answer was different, but even more foolish.
“Get out! Everyone out!!”
Nilson exploded, scattering papers, and the candidates left with gloomy faces.
“Those academy prodigies… such a level!”
“Nilson, calm down. It’s sad, but if that’s what the academy teaches, what can we do?”
The Education Department head, Ruel, was right. The academy was part of the temple. They only taught how to understand and worship the divine beasts religiously.
“It’s time for change! The old ways don’t work anymore! We need talents to bring new winds!”
“Fine, fine. Let’s see the next candidate.”
The Finance Department head, Petu, complained.
“Next candidate!”
Thinking of the next candidate waiting in prison, Nilson stood suddenly and led with light steps, unlike his previous stiff posture.
“Tsk. Now we have to interview criminals too?”
Petu showed his dislike openly. He and Nilson often clashed, and Petu was not happy about Rinnegrim, who Nilson recommended.
“Criminal? I told you we’re just on standby for emergencies!”
“Standby, my foot. A fallen noble, no less. What a disgrace. Tsk!”
“That guy—”
“Nilson! Control yourself! You know all three department heads must conduct interviews!”
“Fine! I’m only holding back because of Ruel!”
“Petu, calm down. Though a fallen noble, Rinnegrim has Sir Croyt’s recommendation. Interviewing her is fair.”
Ruel of the Education Department mediated as usual.
“Why would the stubborn Sir Croyt write a recommendation? Now we’re bothered by this. Tsk.”
“It means she’s very talented.”
“If so talented, why is she locked up?”
“I told you! She’s just on standby!”
Ruel wiped sweat from his brow during the second round of bickering.
“Calm down! We have an interview to do!”
“Interviewing in prison… What a world. Tsk! But for Sir Croyt, we’ll proceed!”
“Thank you, thank you!”
Petu came prepared to fail any candidate, especially since his niece was among the public recruitment candidates after Rinnegrim.
‘I’ll find any fault and fail them. Be ready, Nilson.’
Petu entered the room resolutely. The young woman sitting stood lightly.
“I am Rinnegrim Feahil of the fallen noble family.”
‘Hmm. Proper greeting.’
Despite her fallen noble status, she seemed to have learned basic etiquette.
“Please sit. We’ll start the interview.”
“Hey! Petu! How can you start without introducing yourself?!”
“Why introduce interviewers during the interview?”
Nilson held back his anger with superhuman patience. Sitting down, he glanced at Petu and Ruel beside him.
‘Ruel is just there for show. The real problem is Petu, who seems intent on lowering her score.’
Knowing Petu’s niece was among the candidates, Nilson swallowed nervously.
‘Rinnegrim, please do well! I want you as my subordinate!’
The interview began with Ruel’s question.
“Among required subjects for young divine beasts is history. Please freely explain the importance of divine beasts learning history.”
“The Lionel Empire was founded a thousand years ago by five divine beasts who sealed the demon gods. I think it’s important for young divine beasts to remember past glories and honor their ancestors.”
Predictable questions and model answers followed.
“I learned much from Rinnegrim’s insight.”
After several questions, Ruel gave positive feedback. Then it was Nilson’s turn.
“A dog spirit has fallen ill with high fever, neuralgia, diarrhea, and runny nose. How many days of prayer are required?”
Nilson finished, hoping Rinnegrim would understand the core of the problem.
After silence, Rinnegrim spoke.
“No prayer is needed.”
Calm but firm. Even surprised Nilson asked again.
“Why?”
“Because prayer does not heal. If symptoms ever eased after prayer, it was because the patient naturally recovered while people prayed.”
Nilson secretly cheered. His judgement was right! Just then, Petu interrupted.
“Ha! Anyone can say prayer isn’t the answer! Give a concrete solution!”
“Petu! That’s unfair—!”
Ruel, surprised, raised her voice. The department heads had no better solutions than prayer.
But Nilson stopped Ruel. He wanted to hear Rinnegrim.
“First is isolation. This disease seems like measles, highly contagious among canines. Isolate the infected first. Also, create a stable environment.”
A perfect answer. She correctly guessed the disease and proper treatment.
“Anyone can say create a stable environment. You said you used medicine on Kinyaxis. Can you treat this with medicine?”
Rinnegrim shook her head slowly.
“Unfortunately, no known herb works well here. It’s best to boost immunity with Bellpe fruits or Tirty roots boiled and given as tea.”
“Hmph. Just words without proof of effect.”
“Nilson, your question is hypothetical, isn’t it?”
“Ugh…!”
Petu, rebuffed, swallowed his words. Just then Nilson interrupted Petu’s glare at Rinnegrim.
“Sir Croyt said Rinnegrim developed medicine effective for a certain disease. Why haven’t you developed more medicines?”
Rinnegrim hesitated, then closed her eyes and answered.
“…Financially, I couldn’t afford it.”
“…Huh?”
“Making a medicine requires many herbs, hundreds of mixtures, and test subjects. It costs a huge amount. The fallen Feahil family couldn’t afford to make various medicines.”
“I see…”
Ruel, beside Nilson, wiped a tear. Sensitive, she seemed deeply moved.
Suddenly, Nilson stood.
Clap… clap clap… clap clap clap clap!
“Passed… passed!”
“What!?”
Nilson jumped up, applauding enthusiastically. All eyes fixed on him, but he didn’t care.
“No! What’s this sudden noise, Nilson?”
“She is an outstanding talent who made such medicine despite hardship. Imagine how much she could bloom with palace support.”
“Support? You’re Finance head! Why decide on your own?!”
“And you! Do you know what’s going on in Management? I’m picking the talent we need!”
“Will you fill Management’s treasury? Will you pay for her?!”
“Yes! I will pay! So I’ll hire her!”
They threw away dignity and shouted, chest puffed out.
Ruel calmed them.
“Calm down! Show some manners before the candidate!”
While Nilson coughed awkwardly, Petu started pointing at Rinnegrim.
“Why did you even think to give medicine to animals?! Even my niece, who got interview questions in advance, never thought of that—Ugh!”
Petu quickly covered his mouth, but it was too late. Ruel’s chair tipped over.
“Petu~ What nonsense is this~?”
Ruel called in a gloomy voice. Petu paled and stepped back, having confessed corruption before the righteous Ruel.
“R-Ruel! No, I meant I don’t know if she cheated or worked with Nilson!”
Petu rambled nonsense, and Nilson snapped.
“Do I look like that?! Rinnegrim treated parasite-infected Kinyaxis yesterday! Sir Croyt witnessed it and wrote the recommendation!”
“How do you know that’s true?! What if they planned it?! If Kinyaxis doesn’t wake up, she fails and goes straight to the execution grounds—”
Petu’s vein bulged. Then,
BANG!
The interview room door slammed open.
“Rinne~!”
Suddenly, a clear, cheerful laugh filled the tense room.
