Today marked one of the rare holidays out of the week-long break for the company.

In Korea, a six-day workweek would be considered a hallmark of exploitative companies, but in this world, it earned praise as the pinnacle of "good management."

It felt surreal to run a business in a world where offering six days of work was lauded, especially coming from a society where people were debating a four-day workweek.

‘Not that it matters much to me, a workaholic.’

Holidays were solely for the employees.

As the boss, I spent my "rest days" at the company, either researching and developing or catching up on paperwork I hadn’t had time to address.

This was the same whether it was at Jin Industries back on Earth or here at Arad Company in Arcadia.

Anyone who’s run their own business knows that even if you stay home to rest, it never truly feels like a break. Vacations never reach that coveted 100% relaxation mark.

But that didn’t mean I could impose my mindset on my employees. In fact, I shouldn’t.

‘There’s a world of difference between doing what you’re passionate about and doing something just for a paycheck.’

Expecting employees to have the "owner’s mindset" was one of the dumbest ideas out there.

"Mary, take tomorrow off as well."

That’s why I told Mary to take an extra day off.

"Suddenly? Why?"

Mary, riding alongside me on horseback toward the inner castle, raised an eyebrow.

For the record, the horses we were riding were premium breeds.

Carpe had "gifted" them as part of the reparations taken from the Empire for her injured subordinates.

"Today’s work will probably disrupt your rest anyway."

While my suggestion came from a place of care, it could also be seen as an excuse for roping her into one of the boss’s hobbies.

"Oh, I see. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. I’ll gladly take the extra day off."

Understanding my explanation, Mary nodded readily.

"…."

Even though it was my suggestion, and I had hoped she would accept, her easy acquiescence left me feeling a little odd.

‘She’s changed.’

It contrasted sharply with how she had been when she first joined.

Back then, Mary wasn’t thrilled about holidays, insisting on handling both her secretary duties and her work at the academy with unwavering enthusiasm.

The passionate employee from those early days was gone.

‘Well, it’s a natural progression.’

I nodded to myself, feeling a tinge of bittersweet acceptance.

"What will you do on your day off?"

"I’ll probably just rest at home."

"That’s fair."

Mary’s MBTI was clearly something starting with "I."

Engaging in this dull conversation, we finally arrived at the Glory Palace, the inner sanctum of the North.

Passing through the high-priority gate, we entered the office of Arina Rune Renslet, the Grand Duchess of the North.

"It’s bright and warm here."

"The witches have improved their craft quite a bit."

The Grand Duchess’s office was indeed warm and bright, as were many parts of the inner castle.

This was thanks to the heating magic devices the witches had been diligently crafting.

"Count Jin, does this arrangement for the space meet your expectations?"

Inside, attendants awaiting my arrival addressed me with a question.

"Perfect. Proceed as planned."

Thanks to prior discussions, the setup for the space and props was flawless.

"I’ll inform Her Grace immediately."

"Please do."

After nodding in approval, I waited briefly before Arina entered, accompanied by her attendants.

"I greet the ruler of the North, Her Grace Arina Rune Renslet. Renslet Rune Renslet."

"It’s been a while, Lord Arad."

"I will do my utmost to capture Your Grace in this painting."

"I look forward to it."

After exchanging formal greetings, Arina took her seat.

‘Both Mary and Arina seem quieter than usual. I suppose it makes sense to feel a bit awkward in this situation.’

Seeing both of them unusually tense only made me more determined to give my all to this painting.

"We’ll work with two themes for the painting. For the first, Your Grace will don armor and hold a sword. Lady Mary, please wear adventurer attire and stand over there."

Seizing the rare opportunity, I quickly began sketching.

Thanks to my MAX-level dexterity and painting skills, completing the sketch and layout took less than 15 minutes.

I paid particular attention to their faces, sketching them in meticulous detail so that only the coloring remained.

Along with the sketches, I made notes on shading, brightness, and color tones, wrapping up the first theme.

"We’re done with the first theme. For the second, please change into the outfits I discussed with you earlier."

As soon as I finished speaking, both of them moved to another room to change.

Interestingly, changing outfits took longer than my sketching process.

‘What is Isabelle, that old witch, doing over there?’

During the brief break, I glanced around and noticed Isabelle, the Grand Witch of Spring, muttering something with an unusually serious expression.

Curious about her activity, I moved toward her, but before I could reach her, someone stepped in my way.

"How’s the painting coming along, Count Jin?"

"Lord Arad, will you be adding color later?"

It was Balzac and Sunn.

"Even the sketches alone are remarkable. Would it be possible for you to paint me later?"

"Hmm. If you don’t mind, I’d like one as well."

"Of course. Once I finish this project, please feel free to visit the company anytime."

While I’d come here to paint Arina as the Grand Duchess, Balzac and Sunn were another matter.

As the head of Arad Company and a Count by succession, I didn’t necessarily need to visit them for their portraits.

"Thank you. Once Her Grace’s portrait is done, I’ll arrange a visit. By the way, is there anything you might need?"

"I’d also like to visit. Let me know if you require anything."

"Thank you for the offers, but I don’t need anything for now."

"Well, let us know if something comes to mind."

"Rare minerals or monster materials—just say the word."

"Thank you."

After expressing my gratitude, I glanced at the two of them, an idea forming in my mind.

‘What if…!’

Inspiration struck, the kind only an artist could feel.

‘A battlefield scene in the snowy plains! Balzac wielding a frost-covered sword, Sunn defending with an unyielding shield…’

Considering their camaraderie, I debated painting them together, much like Arina and Mary.

‘Wait… why not include Eothe, Rogie, and Carrot as well? A neoclassical-style group portrait to display in the High Fortress training grounds and the company!’

Thrilled by the expanding vision, I set a tentative appointment with them.

"I’ll schedule the session as soon as possible. Could you come dressed as you would for battle? It would also be helpful to bring monster carcasses in their original state, if possible."

"Hahaha! Whatever you need, I’ll make it happen."

"Just hearing this makes me excited for the final piece."

Balzac and Sunn smiled brightly at my promise.

"Now then, I have training to attend to."

"I need to head out for patrol duty."

And with that, they left as swiftly as they had appeared.

"?"

I glanced around, feeling like a storm had just passed.

‘Isabelle’s gone too?’

I had planned to approach Isabelle after sending Balzac and Sunn away, but she had vanished without a trace.

"We’ve changed."

"So have I."

Instead, Arina and Mary returned to the room, now in different attire.

"!!"

Despite the winter chill, it felt as if spring had arrived.

"Wow… Both of you look stunning. Truly beautiful."

The two were wearing dresses fit for noblewomen of their age.

Arina was clad in a silk blue gown, while Mary donned a red dress made from fine fabric.

"Do we look that good…?"

"…"

At my compliment, their faces turned simultaneously red.

‘Ohhhh!’

Moved by their expressions, I immediately set to work with my pen.

***

Sketching alone allowed me to finish early and leave before evening.

Mary decided to head straight to her house in the inner city, so we parted ways, and I returned home with the servants provided by the High Fortress.

For the record, my home was a three-story building located within the High Fortress, serving as the main office of Arad Company.

"Been a while since I’ve been to the headquarters."

The Arad Company building, situated between the High Fortress’s outer edge and the inner city, had been rarely used recently.

Most of the work occurred at the industrial complex, where I’d effectively been living and working.

"Bring it up here."

"Yes, sir."

Upon arriving at the headquarters, I headed straight to the third floor. The High Fortress servants followed me, carrying the canvases I had brought back.

"Place them both right here."

The third floor housed my personal space—bed, desk, and other essentials. I instructed the servants to place the two sketched canvases in the center of the room.

"Good work. Here, take this."

"Thank you, sir!"

I handed each servant a small tip in copper coins. They bowed deeply and left with light steps.

I tossed my fur coat onto the desk and went back down to the first floor.

"Welcome back, sir. It’s been a while."

A young employee, who managed the headquarters building, greeted me on the first floor.

He handled cleaning, managing the stables, and other maintenance tasks—a combination of janitor and guard.

Originally assigned by the High Fortress to assist me, his name and work ethic impressed me so much that I decided to hire him permanently.

"Jarvis, anything to report?"

"Nothing, sir. It’s been peaceful, as always."

I decided to disrupt that peace.

"I’d like to bathe. Can you prepare water on the second floor?"

"Well… there’s not enough water in the building right now. I’d need to fetch it from the well…"

Sure enough, the peaceful expression on Jarvis’s face cracked.

Naturally, as a building manager in this world, his duties extended far beyond guarding.

He was expected to handle light cleaning, shovel snow during winter, fetch water for cooking and bathing when I was around, and even prepare goose feathers for hygiene purposes.

"Of course, doing it alone would be too much. Here."

Listening to this list, one might think Jarvis was being punished, but even in the late medieval era, this workload would’ve been excessive.

"Use this to hire some local kids to help. Keep the rest as a bonus."

"!"

When I handed him a pouch containing copper coins, peace returned to Jarvis’s face.

"I’ll get on it right away, sir."

This was what I called flexible employment.

Though Jarvis was my only full-time staff here, he was a native of the High Fortress and well-connected.

A few steps outside the building, and he could easily gather several people he knew. Offering two coppers per helper to fetch water would bring at least five volunteers in no time.

‘Money makes everything easier, whether on Earth or in a fantasy world.’

The inconveniences of a medieval setting mostly stemmed from the lack of money.

Without appliances or smartphones, you just hired people to act as replacements.

If security was an issue, you hired mercenaries.

If power was needed, you invented miraculous objects to win favor with the king.

In the end, power came from wealth.

‘Hooray for max-level Jack-of-all-trades skills.’

Sure, I could’ve built modern plumbing, baths, and toilets with my engineering skills, but for now, human "smartphones" like Jarvis kept those projects low on my priority list.

Jarvis soon fetched enough water to fill the second-floor bath, but heating it with mana stones would still take three to four hours.

During that time, I returned to the third floor to continue painting.

‘Let’s start with the romanticism-themed one.’

The two canvases I’d sketched at the High Fortress were both sizable, roughly half the size of a school chalkboard.

‘I need to capture the flush of their faces while the impression is still fresh.’

Setting up the paints I’d prepared the previous day with my alchemy skill, I picked up my brush.

"…."

Immersed in the process, I entered a state of deep focus, one that only came with projects demanding genuine effort.

Time passed unnoticed.

By the time half of the white canvas was filled with color, a knock at the door brought me back to reality.

"Sir! Everything is ready. The water’s been heated."

Jarvis’s voice came from beyond the door.

"Understood. You’re dismissed for the day."

"Yes, sir!"

"Oh, and don’t enter my bedroom unless I explicitly permit it. I’m working on something important, and it could be dangerous."

"Understood."

My concentration broken, I stood up and headed to the second floor.