Parcion-kun, the source of my stress, had quieted down and become a Taijin.
I should have just pinned it down and shoved the law down its throat from the start!
I limited rations to children for now.
The problem was the low education level of the workers.
I decided to integrate the Galactic Empire and Chronos certifications and reflect that in their wages.
Time would handle the rest.
I planned to go with a feeling of mild competition.
I’d also keep a close eye on the licensing bodies so they didn’t turn into cesspools of corruption.
I didn't mind them using the organization’s funds for a few drinks, but if they started brandishing their power, I’d kill them.
You hear me, you lot from those mysterious organizations?
Especially those shady groups leeching off the universities.
Neither Wifey nor I gave you any authority.
What makes you think you can strut around like Elite Citizens?
Yeah, you’re finished.
I’d burn down every Village of Evil Customs I found.
As long as I could build a transparent society, resentment shouldn’t pile up.
There weren't any real complaints about the Agricultural Corporation under Claire’s management, either.
I mean, serfdom just wasn't a sustainable society to begin with.
We needed people to be active, aggressive consumers!
So, I shifted to a Private Property System.
I gave massive tax breaks for Farmland, but sales would require a permit and be restricted to specific brokers.
And I set a few price controls for certain goods.
Phew, I was exhausted.
A glance at the time showed it was already the middle of the night.
Polina-san seemed to be at her limit; empty energy drink cans were scattered across the table.
"Polina-san, go rest. I'm going to make a midnight snack."
"U-understood... I'll go change, then."
She was stumbling.
Maybe I pushed her a bit too hard.
But I didn’t have much choice. This was a time-sensitive mission, and if I slipped up, people would die.
I headed to Claire’s office.
Claire was taking a breather with a warming eye mask over her eyes.
"Claire, you okay?"
"Just resting... Did something happen?"
"I'm making a late-night snack. What do you feel like?"
"Ah... my brain is fried, so maybe some soba... or Ramen?"
"Ramen sounds good. I'll whip some up."
It was a guilty pleasure, but once in a while was fine.
"Then I'll go change."
Both Polina-san and Claire were still in their suits since they were on duty.
I was in my military uniform, too.
"I should change, too."
I took a Marine Corps-style Shower—a quick Crow's Dip.
I swapped the uniform for my usual Officer Academy Tracksuit and headed to the Dining Hall.
I traded my leather shoes for sandals and walked in.
My hair had grown out a bit, but it was still basically a buzz cut.
It dried in seconds.
I went straight to the Dining Hall and started making Ramen.
Midnight Ramen was the taste of sin.
The noodles were the frozen variety.
Commercial-grade soup would do just fine.
Using a frozen soup base gave it that distinct Roadside Station Food Court Flavor!
While I was cooking, Nina-san wobbled in.
"I... I'll help..."
Nina-san had been in charge of transitioning the workers into the food service industry.
Because in Parcion, even the dining halls had been state-run!
No know-how had been shared.
So, we were encouraging new startups.
We had to make sure people didn't just start businesses and trigger a mass outbreak of food poisoning.
Hygiene in this country was non-existent.
Or rather, the concept of public health was dead.
That’s why I’d tapped a pro like Nina-san and the military’s catering staff.
Nina-san was basically the Commissioner of the Food Service Industry now.
She looked notably gaunt.
"I... I just want to go back to a life where I’m allowed to just cook..."
"I know, I know. Sorry about that."
"I'll... make the Ramen..."
"Hey, Nina-san. Want a crepe? I’ve got some frozen samples here."
"Eat."
I handed her a frozen crepe and went back to the noodles.
It was mostly just boiling things, anyway.
I dropped the frozen soup base into the stockpot...
And boiled the noodles in another pot.
I used store-bought packets for the seasoning.
I added canned corn, menma...
Rehydrated wakame...
Even the Charshiu was store-bought today.
One-oh-one arrived first while I was cooking.
Then came my academy classmates, looking like zombies.
"Hungry... Need food..."
Wifey shuffled in, wearing her hoodie and Usapyon Fluffy Slippers.
"I'm hungry—"
"Just a minute, I'm making it now~"
"Good♪"
As I started serving the bowls and the room filled with chatter, Shiyun and the others arrived.
It was finally starting to feel like business as usual.
Except for one thing...
"I... I'm going to die..."
Kevin appeared, still in her commuting suit.
Because of her large bust, her suits had to be custom-made.
"The surgery... is finally over..."
She looked like she was about to crumble into ash.
"Want to hit the shower first?"
"Food... first."
"Got it. Ramen coming up."
I handed a bowl to Kevin.
By then, a revived Nina-san had started frying crepes.
We had a huge stock of whipped cream, so I told her to go nuts!
We do not fear calories!
One-oh-one was in high spirits.
Over the meal, the conversation turned to work.
Isono scratched his head roughly.
"Still, man. Glad we found a use for that Mobile Fortress. That was a close one."
"Yeah, definitely."
"So, what happened with your personal ship, Leo? You know, the one for the midnight getaway?"
"I’m currently buying that Used Training Ship and remodeling it according to everyone's requests."
"I might buy one for myself, too."
"Go for it. I’m sure some of the locals here will want to seek asylum in the Galactic Empire soon enough."
Shiyun piped up. "They should just flee to the Taikyoku Nation instead."
True enough!
"Now then, Lord Groom. Are you still talking about that?"
"Hey, every rise comes with a fall."
My life was already a rollercoaster of extremes.
I’d been demoted to a Private Second Class only recently.
And I’d spent almost that entire stint doing kingly duties anyway.
Since it was me we were talking about, it was best to be prepared for an endgame where I got ousted by a Revolution.
That aside...
"Wifey, what about my bike?"
"No. Content yourself with a bicycle."
No luck there, then...
Guess it’s a no-go.
Wifey smiled while eating her noodles.
"Those bikes you hid at every base, Lord Groom? I’ve had them all moved to the warehouse."
"You found them?!"
But how naive!
You’re too soft, Wifey!
I still had an ace up my sleeve.
"Also, those Delivery Scooters? Moved to the warehouse, too."
"Exposed...?! How..."
"It took quite some effort to hunt down that paper company you founded, Lord Groom! Why on earth are you honing skills like an Infiltration Agent?! You are a King, Lord Groom!"
She poked and prodded my cheek with her finger.
Yeah, I still didn't have a prayer of winning against Wifey.