Chapter 3: Why would a hot spring erupt?

<Ascal Debrue - Evaluation Department 3, Department Head>

Ascal received a gold nameplate.

Looking at the nameplate haphazardly placed on the desk of the empty office, an inexplicable sense of doubt crept in.

‘Maybe I should just close my eyes and run away.’

No.

Given the increased attention on him, there was no doubt that if he fled now, he’d immediately be pursued.

The only way out was, as always, to prove his incompetence and get fired.

‘Alright. Whatever comes my way, I’ll mess it up thoroughly.’

Yet, a day passed, then two, and still no real tasks came Ascal’s way.

A government job was always like this: insanely busy at times, but unbelievably idle at others.

Ascal even went to his boss to inquire.

“Do I have any tasks to do?”

“Oh, something will come up soon. Just relax.”

And just like that, a whole month passed in this way.

Surprisingly, Ascal had nothing to do the entire time.

“The meal today is good.”

In the deserted office, he ate a takeaway sandwich, then sat blankly gazing out the window.

With so much idle time, he recently took up gardening.

Today, the little plant sprouted. The fertilizer seemed to have worked well. So today he changed its soil.

‘Grow strong and tall.’

While documenting his plant’s progress, he suddenly had a moment of deep reflection.

‘Please, give me some work...’

If one were to summarize his daily routine, it would be: Eat, use the restroom, sit aimlessly at the desk, water the plant, and then leave when it is time.

To some, this might seem like a dream life. But feeling as though he was on borrowed time, Ascal couldn’t bear the boredom.

‘I can’t take this anymore. I need to request a department transfer.’

It was at that moment when he was about to rise from his seat.

“Pardon the intrusion, Head Ascal.”

The person who had entered the office was an unexpected figure.

Kane.

The head of Evaluation Department 1 and a 4th-grade official.

He was essentially the power behind Evaluation Department 1, which was pretty much the raison d’être of the entire Evaluation Department.

Unlike him, the figurehead of Department 3, who was basically a non-entity, Kane was a man deserving of respect.

As Ascal was about to reflexively greet him, he paused.

Right now, he was like a young upstart who had risen too quickly. Despite being only a 7th-grade official, he’d snagged the department head position.

To Kane, who had earned his Department 1 head position purely on merit, Ascal was likely a thorn in his side.

But what if Ascal played the part of the arrogant upstart? In no time, he’d be ostracized and eventually phased out of the Evaluation Department. Then, even if he quit, nobody would likely care.

“It’s not courteous to visit another department without prior notice.”

“Ah, my apologies.”

“In the future, I’d appreciate a prior notice. What brings you here?”

Perfect.

With that level of cheek, he could probably win an office insolence contest. Proof of his success was evident in Kane’s face, which had stiffened from the pleasant smile he’d worn just moments ago.

“I have a task I’d like to delegate to you sir Ascal. It’s a land evaluation, and given your renowned expertise, I believe you’re the right person for it. Of course, you’re free to decline.”

How long had it been since he was offered any work? Holding back a triumphant smile, Ascal replied with as much gravitas as he could muster.

“I’ll take it on.”

“Ah, you will? I’ll send over the necessary documents shortly then.”

​

Without even looking at Kane, Ascal pretended to read a report and gave a slight nod. All to seem as rude as possible until the end.

“...Has he left?”

Once certain Kane had entirely vanished, Ascal slouched in his chair. It had been a pretty successful act on his part. Moreover, he secured the project he had so eagerly wanted.

And if this presumptuous newcomer now spectacularly ruins the job?

Resignation wouldn’t be far off.

“Hehe, Hehe, Hehehehe.”

The tasks in the Evaluation Department were simple. For the empire, they evaluate everything that can be evaluated. And, of course, this included ‘people’.

.

.

.

“Did you meet with Ascal Debrue?”

“Yes.”

Kane took off his coat, which his secretary naturally took and hung up.

“I’ve heard rumors that he’s just a lucky rookie.”

“That’s just envy from the incompetent.”

Kane always remembered to wear a friendly smile in front of everyone. Most people would relax seeing a slightly portly, good-natured middle-aged man smiling at them. Subconsciously, they’d see him as easygoing.

In doing so, they’d let their guard down. Kane was always ready to assess such people.

“He didn’t relax in my presence, not even a bit. He even glared at me, as if questioning my intentions. An audacious kid in his early twenties, doing that to me.”

Despite his words, Kane seemed neither angry nor offended. The Evaluation Department was in shambles, with too few competent individuals.

Incompetent folks just siphoned off the empire’s resources without offering anything of value. However,

“Ascal Debrue is a gem.”

Kane had risen from the bottom to the head of Department 1 purely based on his skill and performance.

His evaluations were never wrong.

.

.

.

“How can I ruin it in a way that I become infamous?”

Ascal opened the report brought from Department 1.

<Given the recent increase in foreign visitors, we plan to develop a tourist site. Please determine which of the following candidate locations is most suitable for tourism.>

In essence, it was about evaluating land. Deciding where to establish a tourist attraction to attract foreign visitors.

Ascal carefully read the report. There were three potential areas:

1. Ancient ruins: Packed with ancient relics, it would attract visitors if a museum were built.

2. Rocky Canyon: Features a massive cliff with a waterfall, offering beautiful natural scenery.

3. Deserted Plain: Barren and devoid of attractions, but it’s easily accessible, ideal for carriages.

​

To sum it up briefly:

At a glance, number 3 was obviously a bust. The report conveyed, in its professional language, a nuance suggesting one should choose between 1 and 2.

‘Might be time for my first business field trip.’

Ascal pondered deeply for several weeks, visiting the potential sites.

The ancient ruins site indeed had relics that would intrigue artists and scholars. Establishing a museum there could yield significant revenue.

Then, the Rocky Canyon. Despite visiting numerous attractions before, he hadn’t come across such breathtaking natural beauty in a long time. The sheer cliffs seemed to dwarf any human observer.

Lastly, the barren plains. Literally nothing special, with its only perk being ease of transportation.

‘I’ve made up my mind.’

Ascal finalized his decision and submitted the report to his superiors.

“…The Deserted Plains? Are you certain about this choice?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“Alright. I trust your judgment, Ascal. Just bear in mind, that the council is keenly observing this project. Any failures could affect your rank.”

It was the most reassuring news of Ascal.

The die was cast.

.

.

.

“Did you hear? The head of Department 3 made a big blunder.”

“He set up a tourist spot in a place that’s utterly barren. What a lunatic.”

“His luck’s finally run out. Tsk. He’s bound for demotion.”

Several Months had passed since Ascal submitted his report.

Walking the halls, he overheard the whispers maligning his decision. Indeed, his choice was vindicated: the tourist attraction in the barren plains had almost no visitors. It was running at a loss.

Watching his reputation plummet in real time, Ascal wore a smile. At this rate, being asked to resign wouldn’t be surprising.

As he was preemptively packing his office belongings, expecting to be let go any day, someone burst through the door.

“HOT SPRINGS!!!!!!!”

“...?”

The person, who’d yelled loud enough to make one’s ears ring, was a colleague from when Ascal was in Department 4.

Her name was Sushia. She had recently transferred to Department 3, thinking it was the place to be.

Breathless, she exclaimed,

“Sir! A hot spring erupted in the barren plains!! It’s now swamped with tourists!! Did you foresee this!!?”

“?”

“What are you talking about?”

A hot spring erupted in the barren plains?

How?

Why?

.

.

.

.

Hearing the news, Ascal personally went to the barren plains to see for himself.

And what he saw was beyond belief.

From the massive hot spring, with steam billowing out, countless foreigners were enjoying its warmth.

“Oh, man. There’s something different about these imperial hot springs.”

“It feels like it’s healing my soul.”

“They say if you enjoy the hot spring and then drink some imperial milk, you’d taste heaven without actually dying.”

Is this really happening?

No.

This? Can this even be real?

“Always knew it… Ascal, you…”

Kane, who’d also come to the Deserted Plains, spoke with evident admiration.

“You’ve always had a discernment that even I couldn’t match.”

And the next day,

<Ascal Debrue is promoted to the 6th-grade official for discovering the hot spring.>

He received the familiar, gold-embossed appointment letter.

“Haa, this familiar letter of appointment.”

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

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