Chapter 43: The Crabs in the Bucket
Bernstein.
Chosen by Imperial Magazine as the second most notable figure to watch in the Empire. The Empire's greatest inventor. The Holy Presence, the saint of The Empire.
Even one of these titles would be remarkable, but he had them clinging to him like barnacles on a rock.
Bernstein stood in his vast laboratory, muttering to himself softly,
"How did it come to this…"
Initially, as a mere assistant to an inventor, he harbored a modest dream: to become a great inventor himself and contribute to the Empire.
But then, a whimsical invention, made by tinkering with discarded scraps from his master, unexpectedly became a hit.
It was a simple toy: press a button, and a cat's paw would emerge from a box to close its own lid.
When Bernstein heard that this toy had become a fad among the noble children, he was nearly dumbstruck.
After that, every invention he released was a resounding success. Even those that seemed absurd were met with phenomenal public response.
He even created boots that changed color with the wearer's mood and a bottle that emitted a cool breeze upon opening. These were hailed as inventions of the century, leading Bernstein to a firm decision.
"I must escape this mad empire."
When he visited the office for emigration, the response he got was,
"We cannot permit the loss of such talent. You may leave by dying."
Dragged to various noble events and constantly hounded by the media, Bernstein grew disillusioned with his life.
"Can I… perhaps retire?"
"A genius like you, retiring so soon? Don't be absurd. It's absolutely impossible."
The Empire was notorious for never allowing its talents to slip away.
Bernstein felt like he was trapped in a cage.
And then one day,
"Create an airship for the Empire. You are the only one capable of this task. We will provide unlimited support."
The moment Bernstein heard those words, it felt like lightning had struck his mind.
'Leave by dying?'
He thought, 'Very well, I'll leave by dying. Along with a spectacular explosion of the Empire's taxes.'
Following this, Bernstein poured all his wealth and effort into creating a golem that looked exactly like him. He had never worked so hard in his life. In contrast, he made the airship haphazardly.
Finally, Bernstein completed the golem.
He tested it on his assistants, and none could tell the difference between him and the golem. Perfect. He could remotely control the golem from afar, giving the Empire a big snub while he fled to the Kingdom of Kelli.
It was a flawless plan.
"Soon, a representative from the Evaluation Department will come for an inspection. Ascal Debrue. But, it's just a formality, no need to worry."
Bernstein knew the name Ascal Debrue.
The Empire's hidden dragon.
But he had no faith in the Empire's evaluations. Likely, Ascal was just as exaggeratedly praised as he was.
With a bit of a testing spirit, Bernstein presented the golem to Ascal.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Bernstein, in charge of this project, though I'm hardly sufficient."
"Director of the Empire's Evaluation Department, Ascal Debrue."
Bernstein, remotely observing Ascal through the golem's eyes, felt a twinge of disappointment.
So, even the Empire's hidden dragon couldn't tell the difference?
"What a well-made golem. Truly befitting a genius inventor."
"!?"
Ascal examined the golem from top to bottom.
"But upon closer inspection, there are some slightly alien aspects. Some parts are so human-like it's almost unsettling. Seems like there's room for improvement."
This was the first time someone had distinguished the golem.
In a panic, Bernstein rushed out of the golem's control room to confront Ascal in person.
"How, how did you figure it out?"
"Isn't it obvious just by looking?"
This man, perhaps...
Bernstein fetched an invention from the warehouse. It was the color-changing boots, hailed as the invention of the century by the Empire.
"What do you think of these?" he asked.
"Aren't they just color-changing boots? What about them?"
Bernstein fell to his knees.
"Please… help me, Ascal Debrue."
'Why is he behaving like this?'
Ascal, lost for words, stared at Bernstein kneeling before him.
****
The saint of the Empire.
The Hidden Dragon of the Empire.
A genius recognizes another genius. The meeting of two such minds brought about a deep sense of understanding.
"It's ridiculous, isn't it? I make one toy and they call me a genius inventor. Sometimes, it feels like the whole world is deceiving me."
"I know exactly how you feel. I can't for the life of me understand this Empire's ranking system. One moment you're a normal official, the next a department head."
"Ascal...!"
"Bernstein...!"
After their brief encounter, they quickly became close friends.
Finally, someone who truly understands.
Bernstein brought out his cherished expensive liquor, poured a glass for Ascal, and took a sip himself.
Meanwhile, Ascal's gaze fell on a necklace Bernstein was wearing. An old, shabby necklace that seemed out of place with his reputation. He felt he had seen it somewhere before... something made in his childhood...
"Ah."
As the alcohol settled in, Bernstein's true feelings began to surface, and he laid out his plans.
"The airship is doomed to fail. It's powered by an outdated magic stone engine, and the selected pilot is a fraud with fake credentials. I'll probably be executed for the failure."
"Are you okay with that?"
"Well, it's not me who'll be executed, but the golem. Hahaha. But I'm more worried about you."
"Why?"
"Well, if the project fails that badly, won't the backlash affect you too? No matter what merits you have, the Empire is ruthless in such matters."
"…!"
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Ascal stood up abruptly, not having touched his drink.
His expression hardened.
"What's gotten into you?"
"You, Bernstein! To handle a project so carelessly despite the Emperor's grace! As an official of the Empire, I cannot stand by and watch this! Arin, are you there?"
As Ascal raised his voice, Arin, who had been waiting outside, entered.
"What's the matter, Director-nim?"
"There's an engine here for the airship. Inspect it thoroughly."
"Yes, sir!"
"W-what are you doing...?"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The engine exploded.
'What did he do to make just the engine explode so precisely?'
'I'm still okay. I have four spare engines hidden...'
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
"..."
Stepping outside to the deafening noise, Bernstein was horrified. The airship's engine, along with all the spares, had exploded cleanly.
How could just the engines explode like this?
The lab's fire detection system, one of Bernstein's own inventions, activated the sprinklers.
"We'll have to make a new engine. Not the old magic stone type, but a new one with improved magic stones. Of course, we'll need strict supervision while developing the engine."
"Ah, Ascal, you..."
'We're crabs in the same bucket, unable to escape the Empire alone.'
****
"I strongly recommend Ascal Debrue as the next pilot!"
This was unexpected.
Ascal had disposed of all the old engines, and then fired the pilot with the fake credentials.
Then, Bernstein made a bold move and requested a private audience with the Emperor.
Upon hearing that Bernstein had rushed to the Emperor, Ascal raced there too, kneeling beside him before the Emperor.
"Cough! But, cough! He has no experience, cough!"
"Not true! With his exceptional talent, he can learn to pilot an airship in a month! The first to pilot my airship must be none other than the Empire's Hidden Dragon, Your Majesty!"
One who has given up on life has no reservations.
If the airship project succeeds, Bernstein's fame would skyrocket to historic proportions.
And Ascal, who thought he'd be overshadowed by Bernstein, almost choked on his own blood upon hearing his words.
The first airship.
The pilot of that airship.
Bernstein intended to throw that title at him.
"No, Your Majesty! A novice like me piloting the airship could lead to disaster! I can't cause trouble at such a grand event of the Empire!"
"Look at his modesty and caution! Caution is a pilot's greatest virtue! Your Majesty, he can do it!"
"Cough, there is, logic to that!"
"Your Majesty!!!!!!!!!"
"Ascal Debrue, cough, you will take responsibility and pilot the airship!"
It was an imperial command.
Irreversible...
'But I can't go alone.'
"Your Majesty!!!!!!!! There's enough room in the cockpit for two! What if Bernstein joins as co-pilot to compensate for my lack of experience!!!"
"Cough, that too makes sense! Bernstein, cough, assist him in piloting the airship!"
"Your Majesty!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
As Bernstein despaired, Ascal whispered in his ear.
"Did you think I’d die alone? No chance. Bernstein. We're in this together. Beyond the skies. Hahahaha!"
