Author: Sociable Hermit
Category: Reincarnation
Go to read content：https://thereadnovel.com/enlightened-empire/chapter-12
"Okay, last question. Where do you see yourself in five years?" With his elbows rested on the dark wood before him, Corco crossed his hands in front of his face. Meanwhile, the young man with the sharp nose on the other side of the desk seemed sufficiently flustered by the gesture. He looked around the room, towards the other men who sat at the enormous table which formed the centerpiece of the company’s new conference room. In the end, he must have received some silent encouragement from one of Corco’s colleagues, since he managed to calm his erratic breath before he presented his answer in a halting voice.
"...as far as I understand, sire, you wish to hire for apprenticeships and permanent positions. I would... expect to still be here in five years. Is this... is that not possible?"
Corco lowered leaned face closer behind his still crossed hands for dramatic effect. Smirk well-hidden and brows lowered, he gave the young would-be merchant the menacing stare only a boss could have. As the youngster straightened up in his chair, he swallowed dry air, his hands wringing and twisting like eels in a barrel. Suddenly, with a start, the young man jolted in his chair. While he put on the friendliest smile he could muster, Corco had abruptly stood up from his chair.
"Of Course you can," he answered, at last, as he leaned forward to present his hand. "You can start tomorrow. Welcome aboard." With a final handshake between the two, the newly hired accountant excused himself and left the room, all while he wiped the sweat off his brow with a cheap rag.
"At all other times I’m not one to complain, but what purpose does that question even serve? You’ve been asking that ’five year’ stuff every single time, and not once have we gotten back more than fear and confusion. You wanna make the new hands respect you or something?"
To his left, Atau looked at the signature their newest employee had left behind while he complained, as he was wont to do.
"Nah, it’s just tradition. Pretty sure you can’t do a job interview without asking that question. Must be some universal law or something." Accompanied by his irresponsible answer, the prince took a seat again. "How many does that make now?"
"This ’Berrat’ is the third new hand we’ve hired today. Another six from the old Fastgrade’s business days have found their way back as well, even after a full year out to dry. That makes nine. Should be enough for now. We can get some peons from the market or the harbor whenever we got stuff to lug around. Maybe we can hire a few extra apprentices for chores, but that should be the lot. We don’t have that much money left in the first place," Atau answered, still immersed in the list of names he held up in his front.