The Elven Duke Reluctantly Marries The Cursed Lady - Chapter 25
The bell signaling the end of the work day rang.
Hydrangea stood up from his seat at the same time and thanked his assistant Quince for his hard work. He instructed him to finish his tasks within five minutes and sent him on his way.
The Magic Division typically did not allow overtime. This is because each employee is given tasks that could be completed during their regular work hours.
If any department could not complete their tasks within the time allotted, it would either result in the replacement of their members or an increase in their personnel.
This practice began five years ago during the time of Hydrangea’s father, and the results were almost immediate. There was a decline in time-off requests due to health problems and fewer resignations, which ultimately decreased labor costs.
But despite the benefits of banning overtime, other offices still did not adopt this practice in their workplaces.
When Hydrangea took over the position, he ordered that employees who finished their work were allowed to leave early. When other departments heard about the order, they asked, “How do you manage that?”
To him, finding work when there is no work to be done is also praiseworthy. Furthermore, forbidding overtime work eliminates the need for employees to exert individual effort. This is detrimental to the organization as it prevents employees from evaluating each other’s efforts.
Hydrangea believed that this is what sets the Magic Division apart from all the other divisions.
After all, the upper management of the Magic Division values quality over quantity.
It was pointless to rush the completion of a task if it resulted in an imperfect outcome.
Conversely, if employees work overtime to finish their tasks perfectly, then it forces the management to review the efficiency of their workforce.
Instead, the ideal approach is for employees to use their time effectively while ensuring that they also complete their tasks to the highest standard possible. Those who could accomplish this are highly valued in the Magic Division.
Standing by the window, Hydrangea watched as the lights from the rooms went off one by one. Once he had seen to it that the lights on the last room had gone out, the day’s work was complete.
After that, Hydrangea went to a certain place through Transfer Magic.
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He arrived in front of a small hut with a thatched roof that was located deep into the forest.
“…Magic shop, it’s me.”
When he called out, the voice of an old man responded from the other side of the door.
“I wonder who this “me” is… Lately, there have been a lot of bad mages that try to swindle older people like me that it’s become so troublesome.”
“This is Hydrangea, Duke Laudense of Lilliphiltia.”
“Oooh, ooh! Hydrangea my boy! Come in, come in.”
This exchange was their usual arrangement. The old man enjoyed these sorts of skits, so Hydrangea played along.
However, the situation changed on each visit.
Last time, it involved a strict old man and a villager who had just settled into the village. Hydrangea never understood what was so enjoyable about it.
The old man runs the magic shop. A magic shop is a store that mainly deals with the sale of magic-related goods.
The owner’s name and age were unknown. He usually wears a cloak that covers his whole body, while the hood always obscures his face so nobody can tell what he looks like.
However, Hydrangea’s father and grandfather claimed that it was the best store in the world, so he came to believe the same and procured his supplies from the store as well..
Although the store looks small at first glance, it carries a variety of goods.
Magic stone lamps hung from the ceiling, creating a magical ambiance inside.
The owner proudly claimed that his store handled everything magic-related from grimoires, magic supplies, and even magic potion ingredients.
Today, Hydrangea came to pick up the wand he ordered.
“Today’s the promised date, but is it finished yet?”
“Of course.”
The shop owner brought a long and narrow leather-covered box from the back of the store.
“Heave-ho.”
He placed it on the counter and opened the lid. The wand was as long as a conductor’s baton and had a golden handle with a round ruby at the end.
Hydrangea picked up the wand which was adorned with the untreated ruby. As an accessory option, the wand was made to be as light as a feather.
Most mages hurt their wrists from swinging their wands too much, so he especially requested the wand to be made as such.
“Hmmm. This is a good product. This is no doubt a Ruby Wand.”
There was a heavy thud when he took out the leather pouch from his pocket and placed it on the counter. The pouch contained platinum coins. One coin was equivalent to the average monthly salary of a mage working for the Magic Division.
“10… 20… coins, right?”
