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"Esdeath will take over as Commander-in-Chief of the World Garrison, rank of Admiral."
Kaito glanced toward the third row of the military section. Esdeath caught his eye and smiled, giving him a small nod.
"The four worlds will each have one legion assigned to them, 200,000 personnel per legion. Souei's Stealth Mobile Unit will be spun off as an independent body, renamed the Imperial Intelligence Bureau, with Souei as Director and Souka as Deputy Director. Personnel cap at 100,000."
He paused.
"The City Wolf Rider Patrol is disbanded. Personnel absorbed into the Army. Gobuta transfers to the Imperial Guard Legion as deputy." Another pause. "Remaining Legion Commander appointments can be worked out among yourselves. Any questions?"
The military personnel looked at each other and shook their heads.
"Good." Kaito turned toward the golden throne. "Rimuru, anything to add?"
Rimuru was reading manga.
"Huh? Me? No, no opinions!"
The moment she realized every eye in the hall was on her, she shoved the manga behind her back.
Kaito pressed a hand to his forehead. Completely ruined. He wondered, not for the first time, who had spoiled her this badly.
"Never mind. You can keep reading."
"Alrighty!"
The officials below nearly choked trying to hold back their laughter. Nobody wanted to be caught laughing out loud. Everyone knew Kaito-sama could hold a grudge. The citizens watching the live broadcast outside had no such concerns, and the noise outside said as much.
"Hahaha! As expected of Her Majesty Rimuru, reading manga at a state conference!"
"Her Majesty Rimuru is truly too lovable..."
"Rimuru-sama hasn't changed a bit, hahahaha!"
"This kind of Empress beats those rotten old geezers from the World Government by a million miles."
Watching the broadcast from elsewhere, Ace and the others couldn't help wincing. Ace in particular felt a familiar dread settle over him as old memories of being drafted into barbecue duty by Rimuru and company came rushing back. Not a period of his life he particularly wanted to revisit.
"Sister, I have the same manga Rimuru-sama is reading..." Kurome said, crunching steadily through a bag of snacks. Akame, sitting beside her, nodded without expression.
"I can see Boss! I didn't know she had a work uniform. She looks like a completely different person!" Maine suddenly spotted Najenda on screen, sitting perfectly upright with a serious expression, and immediately lit up. "She looks amazing!"
Sheele looked up from cleaning her weapon and nodded earnestly. "She really does."
"Is that seriously what you're all focused on right now?" Lubbock stared at them. "We just got reorganized. We're part of the Imperial Intelligence Bureau now."
Not far from him, Rob Lucci muttered to no one in particular, "I wonder if we're getting a raise."
Katakuri, sitting beside him, said nothing. His thoughts had drifted to his younger siblings back in Academy City.
"Cough cough." Kaito cleared his throat. "Since there are no objections, the military restructuring and expansion agenda is closed. Diablo."
Diablo, standing to the side, immediately understood. He stepped forward and announced:
"Next, Mr. Kagaya will present a comprehensive overview of the Jura Tempest Federation's development over the past year."
Kagaya rose, nodded to Diablo, and addressed the hall.
"The political department has two items for discussion today: the reappointment of department heads, and the matter of the Eastern Empire envoy delegation. I will also be delivering a report on the current state of the nation."
"Kagaya," Kaito said, "set the Eastern Empire matter aside for now. Start with the national situation."
"Yes, Kaito-sama. Following integration of the four worlds, total national population stands at 1.7475 billion. Finances show steady growth across the board. Technology, education, and culture are all advancing comprehensively."
Kagaya stopped.
Kaito stared at him. "That's it?"
"That's it."
"Could you be a little more detailed?"
Kagaya's eyes lit up. A book the size of a small table materialized in his hands and landed on the podium with a sound that echoed through the hall. The cover read: Outline of National Comprehensive Development Records.
Kaito took one look at it. "Actually, never mind. Everyone's time is valuable. Let's skip the details."
"Is that so..."
Kagaya put the book away with visible disappointment and moved on.
"Based on our most recent discussions, we are proposing the following departmental reappointments. Chief of Finance will continue to be held concurrently by Rigurd. Chief of Construction, previously held concurrently by Geld, will be handed over to Mr. Monkey D. Dragon. Chief of Education remains with Shizu. Chief of Logistics will be taken by Shuna."
"Mr. Vegapunk will serve as Chief of Research, and Kaijin as Chief of Military Industry. Miss Testarossa continues as Chief of Diplomacy, and Miss Ultima remains as Chief of Inspection. Additionally, Ben Beckman as Deputy Chief Political Officer, Sabo as Deputy Chief of Finance..." He continued down the list before looking up. "Those are the current department heads. Her Majesty, Kaito-sama, any objections?"
Kaito didn't bother asking Rimuru this time. He simply nodded. "That's fine. Next item."
"Heh heh. Looks like it's my turn."
Shizu rose from her seat with a quiet smile. The reaction inside and outside the venue was immediate.
"It's... it's her!"
"That woman!"
"Shizu-sensei!!!"
"Shizu-sensei is the best!!"
From Academy City, Enju and a cluster of girls erupted in excitement the moment Shizu appeared on screen. As Chairwoman of Academy City and current holder of the top spot on the Jura Tempest Federation's most popular person list, her presence landed like a shockwave.
PS: Sakuya had previously held the number one spot but was unseated by Shizu in the most recent ranking.
"It's the Chairwoman!"
"Every time I see her, I just feel so... calm."
"Of course. That's Chairwoman Shizu. The only woman who's ever beaten Lady Izayoi Sakuya in a popularity ranking."
"How terrifying."
Up on the stage, something subtle shifted. Rimuru quietly set her manga aside. Veldora pulled off his headphones. Milim crammed the last of her dessert into her mouth in one go and sat up straight. Only Ramiris looked around in bafflement at the sudden change in atmosphere.
The senior officials watching from below took it all in with quiet admiration.
One of only two women who can actually keep Kaito-sama and the rest of them in line. Incredible.