Chapter 1: I am a Loyalist
The office was surprisingly quiet, so quiet that the sound of others' breathing could be heard clearly.
Usually, there would be people engaged in conversations, discussing the drama they watched yesterday or eagerly anticipating lunchtime. But today, not a single word was uttered.
The colleagues who had been working hard were now organizing their belongings with empty eyes as if they had lost the will to live.
It was not just the experienced senior employees affected, but also young staff intermittently visible, creating an atmosphere of tension.
From an individual employee's perspective, I couldn't help but admire the company's approach. The intensity was so overwhelming that it instilled not only a sense of tension but also fear. Who would dare to work in such a frightening environment?
In the minds of my colleagues, the question "Could I be next?" lingered. In such a situation, is there room to think about the drama you watched yesterday or what food to pack for lunch?
I wished I was not alone in feeling this way, finding myself yearning for solace through prayer. The emotion I felt was anger. While we hoped for good results, the company's decision to downsize and let people go had made work lose its appeal.
Nonetheless, these were colleagues with whom I had shared a significant amount of time.
The distractions stemming from the lack of focus and attention from fellow employees during work were overwhelming.
I also felt a sense of helplessness. I know that as an individual employee, I can do nothing about the inevitable situation.
The company says they must reduce staff because sales have been declining lately, but what can be done?
Moreover, this issue is not limited to our company alone. It is a widespread occurrence affecting businesses nationwide, ours included. Since domestic sales are on a serious decline, it is only natural for companies to reduce their workforce.
The hope for a rebound appears bleak. This is something that everyone would agree on. This country has no future. This phenomenon is not something that individual employees or even companies can resolve.
While such occurrences have happened before, I expected to return to my daily routine after a few days. However, this time, that was not the case. A nagging question persisted within me: "What's going on?"
The grumpy director, who seemed to have been dealing with the Minister of Internal Affairs again today, frowned even more when he heard that I was quitting.
A surge of relief washed over my heavy heart. The torment of a boss could sometimes bring happiness to their subordinates. "I'm quitting."
"Are you out of your mind?"
"I assure you, I'm perfectly sane."
"What's gotten into you? You used to be a hardworking and driven person. Are you going mad?"
Normally, the director would be the first to swear and yell, but his expression showed a hint of genuine surprise.
"You were promoted ahead of your colleagues, so why? Do you have any grievances against the company? Huh?"
This was the first time I saw the director behave like this. He wasn't the type to persuade a leaving employee to stay. Yet his words weren't completely strange either.
While I may not be considered old, I'm not young either. If the company is hell, then society is truly a desolate wasteland, and saying I'm leaving of my own volition means I want to die.
It is only natural to feel a sense of confusion when witnessing a mentally sound individual choosing self-destruction.
Although the director in front of me may seem like an old geezer, he's not the kind of person who would tell someone to go and die.
"What aspects of your current work do you find dissatisfying? Huh? Please, do tell me."
Of course, there are reasons. I don't like the way the current management practices of the company. However, even if I were to express my opposition to downsizing, will he listen? I'm just an individual employee; I hold little to no influence. Even if I were part of the owner's family, I wouldn't be able to change that.
While every company is downsizing, going against the flow is just foolishness. The truth is, I wanted a little break more than anything. I've been under a lot of stress while working.
For now, I will set aside worries about the future. If I end up regretting my decision later on, I can confront it then.
The director let out a sigh as if sensing my determination.
'Listen carefully. I'm saying this because I'm concerned about you. The company is planning to send you overseas. Are you really sure about this?'
I frowned at the mention of going overseas. Going abroad is naturally an opportunity to build one's career. And considering the current chaotic situation in the domestic market, going overseas is not a matter of pursuing success but a matter of survival.
Someone like me, with plenty of years ahead, must go abroad to survive. Calling the domestic market a land of death is not just an exaggeration.
It's a harsh land, similar to the depths of hell, where survival seems unattainable and death inevitable. In the near future, everyone will inevitably be enticed to endure and strive. However, I had never imagined myself undertaking an overseas assignment.
Especially after the incident involving the department head, it felt like an opportunity that was never meant for me.
'Hey, don't you know that our department head has a good personality?'
I'm not sure about his personality, but he seemed like an interesting person. He chuckled in response to my comment, dismissing it with a wave of his hand. 'I've never seen an ignorant fool who blames the department head for the company's downsizing and not being able to work.'
Now that I think about it, it does sound absurd. But even I can become sensitive while working. Would those who have caused accidents continue to provoke accidents?
It's just that as I continued, the results turned out that way. I'm also doing important work for the company, and it frustrates me to witness the staff reduction and creation of a chaotic internal environment.
'You know the project you designed this time turned out well, right? They even utilized it effectively at the overseas branch, and it garnered positive feedback. So, just bear with it a little longer. The department head intends to take you to the overseas branch.'
The director probably thought that his words had convinced me. 'You crazy idiot!'
I naturally ignored the director's words and stormed out of the company. Those who cause accidents lack introspection! I'm free now! ***
-You reckless fool. Are you really going to do this?!
As I made my way home, my phone incessantly rang, but I chose not to answer. Messages flooded in, one after another.
-Sure. It's possible to feel exhausted from work. Take some time to clear your mind. Huh? I myself will be taking a break. Got it? You know that the department head is keeping an eye on things.
The last message from the resigned director carried a tender tone.
Ah, a break. Despite his temperamental personality, he is a competent person. It seems he has managed to secure his position and survive in this ruthless society.
After my impulsive outburst, a sense of relief welled up within me. Isn't it a rather joyful event for the boss to plead like this? Am I a more important employee than I thought?
Anyway, the director will take care of the aftermath. It may seem reckless, but I really need a rest.
If I continue like this, it wouldn't be surprising to collapse soon. In this wretched country, dying from overwork is so natural.
To survive, I knew that taking a break was necessary. However, when I finally arrived home, everything felt empty.
I know that rest is good, yet I found myself at a loss for what to do. During my student days, I studied like crazy, went to university for a year, served in the military, and continued studying until I got a job before graduating.
Those who have played around seem to derive greater enjoyment from life, but I, who have only worked all this time, struggled to appreciate moments of leisure.
As I lay on the bed, contemplating how to take a break, my eyes fell upon the computer resting on the desk. I got up from my seat, turned it on, and stared blankly at the monitor.
However, since I still didn't have anything in particular that I wanted to do, I was about to press the exit button when a specific icon caught my eye. It was the icon of a game that I used to love.
It was a strategy simulation game set in either the First World War or the Second World War.
These kinds of games have a bit of a learning curve, but once you get into them, they transport you through time and offer an immersive experience.
There was a time when I was so obsessed with this game. If it weren't for work, I'm sure I would have died while playing games.
Click. Immersed in a wave of nostalgia, I instinctively launched the game, and familiar interfaces appeared on the screen.
-Saved game file name: Austria-Hungary
I enjoyed starting with the backdrop of the Second World War, but I also loved the unique character of the First World War. 'An empire.'
An empire governed by an emperor, a presence so antiquated that it defies modern standards. Yet, romance has a way of transcending reality, doesn't it? It need not always adhere to the confines of realism.
Is it truly wrong to dream of an emperor who presides over an era, defying societal norms?
In the modern world, everyone dreams of unlimited power and dictatorship.
I was not much different, so I became an ardent supporter of the monarchy when I played the game.
The nuances of democracy or communism didn't matter. As long as I could transition to a kingdom or an empire, I would immediately start a civil war like a madman. With such thoughts, my excitement rose.
Should I give it a try? The last save is Austria-Hungary. Over a century has passed, and its prominence has declined due to the Second World War. It is a nation that suffered defeat and dissolution in the aftermath of the First World War, and many people don't even know about it.
Moreover, isn't present-day Austria a country with less global presence than Australia? However, it is an incredibly fascinating country when I think about its past.
During the First World War, it stood at the heart of Europe, and the ruling dynasty was the famous Habsburgs. One cannot dismiss the Habsburgs from the annals of European history.
Just that alone makes the monarchist faction in the game's heart pound. An extraordinarily prestigious family! And an emperor! An empire that trembles in the face of changing times!
Moreover, the composition of the nation itself was remarkably diverse. It was a multi-ethnic country composed of the dual monarchy of Austria and Hungary, with a mix of numerous ethnicities such as Germans, Hungarians, Romanians, Czechs, Slovaks, Serbo-Croatians (Croatians, Bosnians, Serbians, etc.), Poles, Ruthenians (Ukrainians), Slovenes, Italians, and more. Yet the moment you choose them for their unique characteristics, you will be confronted with a daunting challenge.
Naturally, the Austria-Hungary Empire was notoriously difficult in terms of gameplay, as they were defeated in the First World War.
In the Balkans, you have to fight against Serbia, Montenegro, Romania, and Greece, all with the support of the Entente Powers.
In the east, the Russian Empire looms as a formidable opponent, and in the west, you must confront Italy.
It was a simulation game that didn't require much physical ability. Still, Austria-Hungary proved to be a nation of relentless pursuit that even players often commented on the need for some physical stamina.
However, their military strength wasn't particularly strong, so players' strategies became complicated, resulting in getting attacked from various directions.
The help of the German Empire was desperately needed. Although the German Empire was powerful, it was an AI-controlled unit in the end. Ultimately, it was up to the player to turn the tide, but it was incredibly difficult for Austria-Hungary.
Even if they managed to address various issues, the situation became even more challenging with the direct involvement of the United States later in the war and the collapse of the German Empire.
What could Austria-Hungary do in such dire circumstances? Naturally, most players opted to confront the German Empire, which had high potential and exceptional combat abilities. Even I, at first, chose to challenge the German Empire, which spearheaded the war with the Allied Powers.
However, humans cannot always live on just one thing. Thus, it's only natural to turn to Austria-Hungary.
As a monarchist faction in the game, how can we pass over the Austria-Hungary Empire? I have plenty of time now, so why not give it a try?
With that thought in mind, I pressed the confirm button.
"Huh?"
Gradually, my consciousness began to blur.
Author's Note:
Dropping a quick note, my dear readers. You can read the advance three chapters of my latest book on Toodat. Have a sneak peek into the adventure and intrigue that awaits you. If you want to get a head start, head over to Toodat and enjoy those early chapters. Click the External link below.