The Tyrant Empress is Obsessed with Me Chapter 6

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Chapter 6: The Guardian of the Sweet Potato Field

The Empire had a beautiful system called Civil Support.

When it was harvest season or peak times, and the citizens were busy, leading to a shortage of labor, they could rightfully request manpower from the Empire through this system.

Then, after examination, the Empire sent idle manpower from the nation for civil support. Generally, the victims of this duty were soldiers, but in this case, it was officials.

The reason was simple. General Cedric complained in the Council, claiming that only his soldiers were being pushed to work. Our department main head stepped up, saying we would take care of what was perceived as a minor thing.

And now, our department’s main head asked his immediate deputy if there were any officials available to go out for civil support. The deputy tossed this headache of a matter onto the head of Department 1.

Finally, Kane, the head of Department 1, dumped the problem onto Department 3, and thus, the final victims became Department 3.

“Seeing your face like this is really great. Manager Ascal. You’re as handsome as I’ve heard.”

Viscount Yorick, who appeared to be of middle to old age, stroked his white beard and flashed a kindly smile.

Typically, at Viscount Yorick’s age, saying ‘handsome’ often needed to be interpreted as looking capable rather than actually having a commendable appearance.

“It is an honor to meet you, my lord.”

Ascal bowed respectfully.

“Stand up now. Should a valuable body, which serves the nation, bow so deeply!”

Viscount Yorick’s mouth corners lifted in a pleasant smile. It was a common trait among the elderly to appreciate when the youth were nimble and courteous.

“However, today you’ll have to bow quite a lot. There’s an awful lot of sweet potatoes to dig up.”

Viscount Yorick, who handed over a hat with a long brim to shield from the sunlight, proceeded towards the sweet potato field. Department 3 followed him like ducklings trailing behind their mother.

“Do you engage in fieldwork yourself without employing others?”

“Hmm? It’s not particularly strenuous. I do it myself for a bit of exercise. Moreover, when I verify the quality of the food with my own eyes, can’t I confidently recommend it to others?”

It was said that Viscount Yorick’s family had been of farming origins since ancient times. Near the Empire’s capital, Viscount Yorick, who had been engaged in farming from generation to generation, seemed less like a noble one might typically know, and more like a benevolent farmer.

However, one might see him a bit differently knowing that the lands he owned were among the most fertile and expensive in the Empire.

Viscount Yorick was a farmer and, simultaneously, a real estate king.

‘Bear in mind. If you make a good impression on Viscount Yorick, your future will be secure.’

Ascal recalled Kane’s admonition.

It was advice given with some consideration for him, but that advice... actually was not very useful.

Because, once Yulia became the Emperor, she would simply forcefully confiscate all of Lord Yorick’s fertile lands. Casually tying him to treason.

The despair of Viscount Yorick, having the lands he tended to all his life unjustly seized, was persuasively depicted even within the novel.

“Was it Lia, you said? Is this your first time doing fieldwork?”

“I tried it a bit when I was young, following my parents.”

“Hmm. A novice, then. Watch closely what I do.”

Much like dealing with a cute granddaughter, Viscount Yorick sincerely taught Lia.

Indeed, true to her genius that even defies the god of talent, Lia quickly became accustomed to fieldwork after trying a few times.

“You’re truly diligent, Miss Lia. Have you considered marrying into our family? Hehe.”

“I apologize. I am yet insufficient for marriage.”

“What a pity. Eh, compared to you, my lazy son is less useful than the fertilizer in the field. He’s aged enough but only fancies gambling.”

“Perhaps your son is just experiencing a brief period of wandering. He’ll return to his place soon, won’t he?”

“Is that so? Hahaha.”

Watching their harmonious conversation, a scene from the novel crossed Ascal’s mind.

‘Let’s pretend I didn’t think of that……’

To forget what he’d conjured in his mind, Ascal busily dug up sweet potatoes. Having only dealt with paperwork daily, doing physical labor after a long while made his body scream in delight.

Thud.

“Aarghh!”

He was actually screaming.

“Manager-nim. Are you okay?”

Lia, who had been working in the field, ran over. The work clothes she was wearing were smeared with dirt, and the farming tool in her hand was also covered with soil.

“I think I’ve strained my back. A little rest should make it okay.”

In reality, the injury was not that serious.

Ascal, who was contemplating taking a break with this excuse, instinctively stepped back as Lia approached.

“Would you like to lie down in a comfortable position for a moment?”

“Why is that?”

“I’ve learned some therapy. If it’s not too impolite, let me take a look.”

Seeing her speak so seriously, Ascal lay down on a makeshift bed in the shade. Shielded from the sunlight, it seemed a bit more bearable.

Wiping her hands on a clean part of her apron, Lia gently applied pressure to the lying Ascal’s back. Her fingertips moved delicately, locating the pained area.

“Ugh.”

“Right here.”

Warm energy could be felt from Lia’s fingertips. It seemed like she had infused it with magic.

Calming the startled muscles, the pain Ascal felt in his back gradually subsided.

“How is it now?”

He was able to move without any problem, and there was a noticeable improvement.

“Hmm. Seems like it’s gotten a bit better.”

“Then, please take it easy and rest.”

After finishing the therapy, Lia picked up her farming tool and returned to the fieldwork. Transparent sweat droplets trickled down the back of her busy-moving neck.

Viscount Yorick had given each person a basket, but while Lia’s basket was visibly full at a glance, Ascal had barely three or four sweet potatoes in his.

‘Damn it. Viscount Yorick. Playing such a cunning move?’

It’d be troublesome if he mocked Ascal for the number of sweet potatoes when the fieldwork was done later on.

‘To think I picked this tool.’

Ascal went to his backpack. Then he took out the gardening hoe, a secret weapon potentially ahead of its time.

It was a luxury item, custom-made by paying a good sum to the blacksmith, intended to be sold off once he managed to escape the empire.

Just as he was about to use the hoe...

“Ah, I can’t do this.”

Sushia’s voice was heard.

“I don’t even know why I’m doing this, it’s not even my field. Why do I have to do this under the scorching sun?”

Sushia, who had been sucking honey* in the office, seemed to not accept this labor intensity at all.

“Sushia. Where are you going?”

“I’m quitting this job. I’m going home.”

And so, Sushia left the sweet potato field.

‘Is that allowed? Isn’t she afraid of the hounds?’

Anyway, a departed person was gone, and Ascal began digging up sweet potatoes with the hoe. Every time the end of the hoe touched the soft soil and dug in with a sharp sound, it felt satisfying.

‘With this, I can turn things around! If it’s me.’

As he immersed himself in the fieldwork, time flew by swiftly.

By sunset, the basket was filled with sweet potatoes. The moment Ascal felt assured that he wouldn’t lose out even compared to Lia, he sought her out.

The wind blew.

Above the sweet potato field, fluttering platinum blonde hair captivated the eyes. The last remaining sunlight before the clouds enveloped the sky shone upon the princess’s face for one final moment and then passed by.

What could she be thinking?

Born into noble birthright as a princess, shunned and scorned by her blood relatives, and fallen to this point. Silently digging out sweet potatoes, looking at the mud-caked wrinkles of her hands, what might she have felt?

Ascal approached Lia without a word. Sensing his presence, Lia turned around.

“Manager-nim.”

And then, Lia smiled broadly.

“Look at this. The sweet potato is so big.”

Lia held up a sweet potato that was larger than her own face. That sweet potato seemed more valuable than any she had dug up.

“Shall we secretly eat this sweet potato?”

It was a playful whisper.

“Wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

The day waned.

“Everyone has worked hard today.”

Viscount Yorick spoke as if he was truly moved.

“To be honest, it was a mere whim of an old man feeling lonely on his own. I express gratitude for you all joining in. I’m sincere. Having official like you gives me confidence that the future of the empire is not entirely bleak.”

With that, Viscount Yorick’s expression suddenly turned serious.

“As a loyal servant of the empire and of the lineage of the first guardians, I, Yorick Tesron, pledge to uphold a single favor for Ascal Debrue, whatever the difficulty may be. This vow will be kept in the name of my ancestors.”

“My Lord?”

Ascal was taken aback by Viscount Yorick’s words.

“These days, the empire is filled with nothing but rotten ones. They’re lazy and excessively greedy, you know? Ascal, since you’ve come here, you haven’t complained even once. And that, to a farmer, is enough to earn my trust.”

Viscount Yorick clasped Ascal’s hands with both of his.

“It may be a bit premature to say this, but please, protect the empire. The empire needs you.”

“......”

Ascal couldn’t readily respond with an agreement.

Instead, he licked his lips.

After leaving the territory,

He could not remember what he had responded with.

“Today’s snack is sweet potato.”

“But it was sweet potato yesterday. And the day before.”

“There are still some sweet potatoes left that we received from the Viscount Yorick. We’ll make a braised dish tomorrow, so please eat them all. Waste is taboo.”

Ascal seemed to scoff at the sweet potato, as if growing tired of it. Even the most delicious sweet potato could become wearying when eaten every day.

“Cough, cough.”

Ascal choked, flailing his hand.

“Please, have some water.”

Only after drinking the water Lia provided did Ascal regain his composure. Then, the office door opened.

“Didn’t you say you were quitting?”

“Upon reflection, it seems there’s no better job than this one here. I’m sorry, but would you accept me back as a colleague once again?”

Sushia smiled awkwardly.

“Alright. But first, go clean the bathroom.”

“...Understood.”

Sushia exited the office, with her cheeks puffing in mild frustration.

Lia let out a subtle smile.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –