Proper procedure

"Minister, I'd like to have some documents stamped on my paper."

Fran said it directly to Monica.

Monica was very confused. Their work was all suspended, so how could they still need to get stamps from her? What kind of work could they possibly be doing?

"I need to see what these things you have in your hands first."

Monica certainly wouldn't just stamp it as soon as Fran arrived; she would have to carefully read the contents before making a decision.

After all, Fran, a new mage in the department, has no understanding of the job at all. What if the content here is not in accordance with the rules?

Fran was somewhat surprised by this, but she didn't show it. Instead, she handed over all the documents she had.

"Supply request form... Operation authorization... Certificate to mobilize Battle Mage squad."

Monica raised her eyebrows and smiled.

"Do you want to call upon the Battle Mage Corps to help you collect valuable materials?" Monica asked, closing the document in her hand without even glancing at it.

Fran pretended to hesitate for a moment, then nodded.

"The materials are quite complete; you must have consulted a professional. However, I generally wouldn't approve an application like this."

"Because our department has a limited number of Battle Mage squads, if you use them this time, I might have to go into battle myself next time."

This is the rule of the Alliance: except for some emergencies, all work orders for collecting supplies will take up the quota of each department. If the quota is used up in a short period of time, then some members will have to step in personally.

"But it's a small matter. Generally speaking, the allocation is sufficient, and helping you out a little shouldn't be a problem."

"But when you ask me for a favor, don't you bring a small gift along?"

Monica winked and made a face, seemingly hinting at something, while Fran feigned surprise and said...

"No, ten gold bars..."

Monica immediately made a shushing gesture to silence Fran, and then slowly said:

"Don't speak so loudly, it wouldn't be good if people outside heard."

"Ten gold bars are a thing of the past..." Monica seemed a little guilty as she said this, which caused her to mumble the second half of her sentence, and Fran didn't hear her clearly.

Fran's eyes widened, one hand clenched into a fist, her expression saying, "If you don't explain yourself now, I'm going to punch you."

"Don't rush, Fran. Of course I remember what you gave me, but it's my rule to ask for something in return every time I do something for someone."

"I think you know that we need to establish the rules first..."

Fran had already raised her fist, and Monica finally stopped keeping her in suspense.

"Actually, resolving this is quite simple; just give her a small gift."

For example, I want to hug you.

Fran's fist slowly descended, her brow furrowing.

"Just a hug."

"Of course, it's usually difficult to even get close to you, so how can letting me hug you not be a gift from you?"

Fran could accept this level of physical contact, and it was a good thing that she was able to resolve the matter. Fortunately, Monica didn't directly open the contents of the document.

Otherwise, if she saw the list of Battle Mage squads that needed to be requisitioned, she, the department head, might have to step in directly whenever there was work to be done in the department...

"Come on, no fidgeting." Fran agreed to Monica's request.

Monica reached her hand to the back of Fran's neck and wrapped it around Fran's neck. Fortunately, her movements were gentle, so Fran did not react excessively.

She leaned against Fran's chest, her face full of ecstasy, but this ecstasy lasted less than three seconds before Fran pushed her away.

"A hug is enough, just stamp my passport."

Fran said coldly, while Monica felt the force from before, and the spot on her shoulder where Fran had pushed her was still a little sore.

"Strange, isn't Fran Second Order Mage? My power is already much greater than Fran's."

She had intended to linger in Fran's arms for a while, waiting for Fran to get impatient and realize she couldn't push her away, then she would tug slightly and pretend to be pushed away.

This is a very useful technique for adding emotional depth, but she clearly failed to use it effectively.

Fran didn't have much patience for this kind of behavior, and what surprised her most was why Fran was so strong.

She couldn't find an answer, but it was clear that Fran had already given her a 'gift,' and if she went back on her word, she would ruin the little goodwill they had left between them.

So Monica, true to her word, stamped the documents in Fran's hand without even looking at them.

Fran left excitedly, and immediately after Fran left, Talia came to Monica's side and slowly asked:

"Minister, did you stamp it?"

"Yeah, what's wrong?"

"Can't we even stamp the seal of the mage from the gold brook?"

Talia remembered the ten gold bricks and was speechless, but she did manage to offer a reminder.

"Minister, she came to see me last time and asked me a lot of questions about the work rules. I think you'd better be careful."

Hearing Talia say this, Monica's heart sank. She had thought that Fran would at most consult others on how to legally seek profit, which was why she had stamped the document so directly.

But with Talia's reminder, things were a little different. She knew how adept Talia was at finding loopholes at work, and she would never have been so relaxed if Talia had been signing for her.

Thinking of this, she broke out in a cold sweat, but then she remembered that Talia was still her subordinate, and she couldn't lose face in front of her.

So she raised her head and said nonchalantly:

"What's the big deal? It's just a stamp on an application for obtaining valuable materials."

"The only area we can accept for stamping right now is the Ocean region, and our authority doesn't cover applications from Fourth Order Profession Holder. At most, it only involves matters related to Third Order Professional. What's there to lose?"

Talia raised an eyebrow, not correcting Monica, but pointing out a key point.

"Minister, when you were talking to her, were you not paying attention to other things and focusing all your attention on one aspect?"

"Absolutely impossible." Talia's words about this department made Monica feel guilty, especially since it touched on something she usually tried so hard to hide, so she couldn't help but resent Talia.

"Minister, since it has already happened, you should prepare yourself. You can ask your superiors more about the situation in our department."

Although Talia didn't know what Fran had done, judging from Monica's reaction, it probably wasn't much better.

Moreover, Talia even felt that Monica knew nothing, and had no idea what would happen next after the connection was established.

As the saying goes, the unknown is the most terrifying thing, and that's exactly the situation now. Nobody knows what the Wartime Provision Department will face next.

All of this was because Minister Monica failed to adhere to the principles of review and approval, and simply stamped Fran's application without proper authorization.

Meanwhile, ' Lai ', carrying the materials he had transferred from his left hand to his right, went straight into the reception room.

The Third Order Mage stared at the stamped documents before him, his pupils filled with disbelief.

"You got it so quickly, ' Lai ' mage? Do you and that Mage Monica have some kind of connection...?" he said, quite surprised.

' Lai ' simply chuckled softly and slowly explained.

"Actually, it's nothing. I know a nun in that department who has a good relationship with the department head, so I used her connections to get the stamp quickly."

"They seem to have a good relationship... I think Monica is going to miss out on something." He chuckled.

What's funny is that Monica didn't even know that one of the members knew the mage ' Lai,' which is no small matter; the other's mentor is Legendary in the Alliance.

Even among the Legendary of the current the Alliance, unless they encounter some truly exceptionally talented mages, these Legendary would not take on apprentices. And to be able to befriend ' Lai ', who was accepted as an apprentice by Oinrich, is an invaluable opportunity.

Monica missed such an opportunity; if it were him, he would be kicking himself.

"Now we can talk about the specific requirements. Lai 'Ray,' what materials from the Deep Sea Golden Dragon are you hoping to obtain?"

This is also the key point. If ' Lai ' wants to get scales, he can probably do it himself. If he wants to get precious materials such as dragon horns, that's not impossible either. Sending a few third-tier Sword Chant School over there would make it easy to obtain materials from living creatures.

"I want to get a live Deep Sea Golden Dragon."

"This..." The Third Order Mage was in a dilemma. This was no small matter. A living Deep Sea Golden Dragon Deep Sea Golden Dragon meant that they had to drag it to Sea Blue Island.

Those Deep Sea Golden Dragon clans most likely surged up directly; it would have been impossible to achieve this without dozens of Third Order Mage forming an array.

"No, you're overthinking it. I just want to be alive when I see that Deep Sea Golden Dragon. If possible, I'd even like to stay on the ship."

The Third Order Mage's expression changed, and then he asked.

"Will His Excellency Oinrich allow it?" Although these disciples of the Legendary possess great power, the truly effective orders still come from the Legendary themselves.

When ' Lai ' was being entertained, Oinrich's words were very precise. "Take good care of ' Lai '," without any other instructions.

Is taking ' Lai ' to the Bottomless Sea and putting her in danger really taking good care of Lai?

' Lai ' also realized this would be a difficult aspect; her head was still throbbing, and unless these mages captured a Deep Sea Golden Dragon, she really couldn't...

"I agree." Oinrich's voice suddenly came into the room, and the other Third Order Mage immediately stood up.

"Greetings, Your Excellency Oinrich."

At this point, ' Lai ' didn't know what to call Oinrich. Calling him by his name would be too formal, and calling him 'mentor' would break the unspoken understanding between them.

' Lai ' ultimately chose to pretend that his mind had gone blank and he was frightened, so he didn't need to answer, and Oinrich then spoke up:

"You want to get your own Deep Sea Golden Dragon?"

"Yes, I want to see it alive with my own eyes," ' Lai ' said slowly, pursing her lips.

"Since you've already arranged the relationships, I won't interfere..." Oinrich smiled, his gaze sweeping over the Third Order Mage's face.

"Perfect timing. Our Base Camp needs to be rebuilt, which will probably take some time. In the meantime, you can take the mages for a stroll on the Ocean..."

"However, we still need to consider security..."

Oinrich paused, then continued.

"I'll tamper with the ship. If you encounter any danger, you can activate the device I gave you, and you'll be able to return."

"I'm sorry to trouble you, Lord Oinrich." The Third Order Mage said with some shock. Legendary would go to such lengths and effort, then his disciple ' Lai ' must be much more important to him.

A smile also appeared on Oinrich's face, but if anyone who knew him well were here, they would have noticed that it was a smile that came from the realization of something.

"Srilan Empire, let me see just how much power you've lingered here..."