Chapter 32: Arrested
“What comes to your mind when you think of a frog?”
“Four legs and big eyes?”
“That's right. But you missed something important.”
“What's that?”
“Frogs are known for their hopping! Boing! See right in front of you is a gem frog, it goes swoosh! and behind it swoosh! That’s a hop-hop for 1 gold coin!”
‘These crazy people…’
As Ascal passed through the square and spotted an enthusiast praising and showing gem frogs, he pulled his hat down over his eyes and quickly fled.
Ever since he mistakenly priced a gem frog at 4 silver instead of 1 silver, the situation had spiraled out of control.
Just yesterday morning, it was 20 silver, but now it was trading at 25 silver.
How did he know?
■Notification Board - Gem Frog Market Price
Currently priced at (25 silver).
The merchants had even set up booths and started selling gem frogs.
The gem frogs confined in their cages looked as if they were on the verge of tears.
“Oh, customer! It looks like you've come to buy a gem frog. An excellent choice. If you're interested in this one here…”
Just then, someone approached the merchant and whispered something in his ear. The merchant's expression changed immediately.
“Just a moment.”
He went over to the notification board.
■Notification Board - Gem Frog Market Price
Now priced at (30 silver).
“The price has changed a bit, sir.”
'What kind of nonsense is this?'
Seeing the greedy look in the merchant's eyes, Ascal spoke in disbelief.
“Isn't this illegal? I believe one needs the government's permission to breed gem frogs.”
The merchant clicked his tongue.
“Every now and then, a customer like you comes in with such a misconception.”
He then pointed to the fine print below the notification board.
■Note: These gem frogs are sold as food and are in full compliance with imperial regulations. Responsibility after purchase lies with the buyer.
The print was tiny.
So tiny that someone with bad eyesight might not even be able to read it.
“If you're not buying, don't obstruct the business. As you can see, there are plenty of customers eager to buy.”
Ascal felt sharp stares coming from behind him.
A crowd had gathered, all eager to purchase the gem frogs.
“One for me!”
“I'll take two!”
“I'll take all you've got!”
“Hehe, only two per customer, please. Wait your turn.”
The buyers seemed to be affluent merchants or well-off middle-aged individuals.
While it was hard to understand, it still fell under the category of a peculiar fad.
There was a possibility it would die down in time.
After all, a similar speculative frenzy from his past life had been a bit exaggerated.
****
The next day:
"Director-nim, look at this. It's the trendy gem frog everyone's talking about. Cute, isn't it?"
Sushia, who was clearly from an 'affluent' background, proudly placed the frog on her palm.
The frog croaked quietly on her hand, either domesticated or perhaps desperately trying to keep balance to avoid falling.
"Sushia, how much did you pay for this?"
"They were selling it for 20 silver, I think?"
'What a relief.'
As expected, the price dropped.
Fortunately, there seemed to be a lot of sensible people in the empire. The idea of a slightly uniquely-patterned frog going for 30 silver was absurd.
Still, the current trading price of 20 silver was too much. It was only right that it would eventually revert back to its original price of 1 silver.
Ascal opened up the newspaper.
---
◆Empire Magazine - Is the Gem Frog a Fantasy?
If there's one creature that's undeniably the talk of the empire, it's the gem frog. This innocent creature, once just a part of the ecosystem, how did it end up the center of such speculation?
We can only point the finger at one person. The Director of the Empire's Evaluation Department, Ascal Debrue. Yes, him.
It's time to snap back from this fantasy and return the gem frogs to nature.
-Magazine Editor, J.S
---
"What a well-written article."
'Indeed.'
Seems like Ascal had found the reason for the sudden drop in price.
It was thanks to the editor of the Imperial Magazine, J.S., who criticized the gem frog speculations with a cool-headed perspective.
Ascal might not know who they were, but they seemed to be a person of reason and integrity, truly commendable.
"Let's return the gem frog back to nature now, Sushia."
"What? But I spent half my allowance on this!"
"How would it look if an official upholding the laws of the empire broke them? Raising a gem frog without permission is illegal."
Upon Ascal's persuasion, Sushia, with a tearful look, took the gem frog to the window.
"You must survive well in the wild, Sapphire."
The gem frog's back glistened in the sunlight.
'Sapphire?'
Typically, the back of a gem frog shimmered in green, reminiscent of emeralds upon closer inspection. However, the gem frog Sushia raised was the color of blue sapphire.
The gem frog hopped towards a tree on the opposite side.
‘Well, there might be some variants. It probably won’t make much difference.’
As Ascal filed the remaining documents, he prepared to leave for the day. Tonight, he’d grab a quick sandwich from the plaza for dinner.
---
■Bulletin - Gem Frog Market Price
Currently priced at (50 silver).
---
.
.
.
'What on earth happened in the meantime?'
Ascal’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Hold on, just this morning these gem frogs were 20 silver. Why are they now 50 silver? Is this some kind of scam?”
“Ah, not you again. The troublesome customer who never buys!”
The merchant clicked his tongue in disapproval.
“Look carefully.”
The merchant pointed to the frogs caged in front of him.
“This is the original gem frog. 30 silver. The standard shade that's quite popular. Often referred to as the Emerald Frog.”
“And this is a newly discovered variant of the Gem frog. Also known as the Sapphire Frog. It's 40 silver.”
“This frog here is truly special. Has a beautiful sheen reminiscent of obsidian, don’t you think? This Obsidian Frog is 50 silver.”
Ascal retorted with disbelief.
“They’re all just frogs, aren’t they?”
“Tsk, tsk. This is why noob should not be allowed. If you aren’t buying, then leave!”
The piercing gaze was palpable again.
Turning around, Ascal was taken aback.
Previously, it was the older affluent folks who purchased the frogs, but now the ages and occupations of the customers varied. There were women with sun umbrellas, young couples, and even old men with walking sticks.
“Out of the way, young man!”
“Yes, sir.”
Ascal stepped aside humbly.
His predictions were entirely off.
The dying fad of the gem frog seemed to have entered a new phase with the discovery of the new variant.
***
“Breaking news! A Diamond Frog variant has been found!”
“I’ll buy it now! 60 silver!”
“65 silver!”
“70 silver!”
Ascal clenched his eyes shut.
-----
◆Imperial Magazine - The Frenzied Gem Frog Situation
Recent events have been nothing short of unbelievable. The price of the gem frog has skyrocketed past 70 silver, becoming more expensive than a horse, simply due to a difference in pattern.
The empire’s economy is in turmoil.
The mastermind behind this situation, Ascal Debrue, must unequivocally be condemned. He should take responsibility before the citizens of the empire, publicly apologize, and resign from his administrative position.
- Magazine Editor, J.S.
"What a great writer! Is he truly a prodigy?"
Sharp criticism founded on sound logic.
J.S. was truly an indispensable critic in the empire.
In particular, the phrase 'Ascal Debrue must be condemned and resign from his administrative position.' deeply touched Ascal's heartstrings.
"If there were more critics like him, the empire wouldn’t have walked the path of destruction..."
Ascal wiped away a tear that had trickled down his hand.
'Wait a minute.'
Then, a brilliant idea flashed across Ascal's mind.
'Am I supposed to take responsibility for this?'
Ascal picked up his quill pen.
In the Empire Magazine, there was a column where individuals with social stature and reputation could express their views. And Ascal met all the criteria.
Without hesitation, he began to scribble down his thoughts.
'J.S., you may be exceptional, but remember, I was also hailed as a prodigy by my parents when I was young. Let me show you my true writing prowess.'
---
◆The Gem Frog: There's More than Meets the Eye.
.
.
.
- Director of the Empire Evaluation Department, Ascal Debrue.
---
Ascal's submitted article was published in the Empire Magazine.
It was a piece advocating for the Gem frogs.
Though, at its core, the article was filled with superficial flattery and lacked substance, Ascal was aware of a crucial truth.
People rarely read articles thoroughly.
What mattered wasn't what was written, but who had written it.
Things began to unfold just as Ascal had anticipated.
Stepping into the square, Ascal, donning a hat, gauged the atmosphere.
■Noticeboard - Gem Frog Market Price
Currently priced at (80 silver).
'Everything's going as predicted.'
Indeed, the price of the Gem Frog was skyrocketing.
No bubble lasts forever. Given this trend, it wouldn't be long before it bursts.
■Noticeboard - Gem Frog Market Price
Currently priced at (99 silver).
****
The next day, venturing out to the square, Ascal witnessed an odd sight.
People had started walking their Gem Frogs, tying ropes around the frog's bodies. The frogs hopped in distress, unable to escape their bonds.
'I'm sorry, frogs. But this madness will end soon.'
And a week later....
■We no longer sell Gem Frogs. Yes, we went bankrupt.
Unable to contain his joy, Ascal shouted in the middle of the square.
The bubble had finally popped.
With a satisfied smile, Ascal picked up the latest issue of the Empire Magazine from a stall.
◆Empire Magazine - The Downfall of the Gem Frog.
Such a straightforward and excellent headline.
Ascal began to savor each word of the article.
As expected, the editor wrote a piece condemning him. The segment demanding accountability especially pleased Ascal.
"Are you the Director of the Empire Evaluation Department, Ascal Debrue?"
"…Indeed."
As Ascal was engrossed in the magazine, imperial guards, swords at their sides, approached him.
He spoke in a calm tone, "So, this moment has finally come. Am I to be dismissed from my post?"
But something felt off.
An imperial guard bound Ascal's hands behind his back and forced him to kneel.
"Ascal Debrue, you are under arrest for market manipulation."
'Wait. Hold on'
'Come to think of it, under Empire law, market manipulation charges mean at least imprisonment…'
At worst, it meant execution.
He had gotten carried away.
The next day, Ascal woke up in a prison cell.
