Chapter 75: You’re also at the age to get married
After waking up from his dream, Ascal was being treated with utmost care.
What that means was he enjoyed the “patient’s privilege,” where no one would say anything even if he blatantly slacked off.
So, while everyone else was working, he could confidently hang out in the break room by himself.
On either side of Ascal were a small snake and a white puppy.
“Wow, they’re so cute. Can I pet them?”
“A snake? As expected of you, Sir. Such a refined hobby.”
The evaluation department staff who visited the break room would always reach out to see Ascal’s pets.
The white puppy (White Dragon) put its paw in the employee’s hand.
The staff member, charmed by the cuteness, offered a treat.
“Woof!”
The white puppy (White Dragon) was satisfied.
The snake (Cloud Dragon), watching this scene, flicked its tongue in apparent anger. It seemed that even in this form, it had some pride as a dragon.
The Cloud Dragon spoke into Ascal’s mind.
-Play the flute, contractor.
“……?”
Though puzzled, Ascal played the flute in the break room. Incidentally, various instruments were available here to relieve staff stress.
Fweee—
In tune with the flute, the snake twisted its body, performing tricks.
“Wow! Amazing!”
The evaluation department employee who had been petting the white puppy turned their attention to the snake. They pulled out a sausage and gave it to the snake.
The snake gulped down the sausage with great satisfaction.
-My victory, White Dragon.
-……So frustrating. I’ll practice next time too.
What on earth are you guys doing?
Ascal, who had been playing the flute, was at a loss for words.
****
Great Dragon Karnax Countermeasures Meeting
Participants: Ascal Erindale, Cloud Dragon, White Dragon
-The Great Dragon Karnax is asleep, but it’s a light sleep. It could wake up at any time for any reason.
“So, it’s in a REM sleep state. Like a dangerous volcano that could erupt from even the slightest stimulus.”
-Exactly. It’ll wake up in a few years even if left alone. It’s safer to eliminate it in advance.
“If you and Karnax fought, who would win?”
-I would lose. But why are you being so informal all of a sudden...
Ascal threw a sausage. The snake caught and ate it. Feeling pleased, the snake hissed contentedly.
-You may speak informally.
“Would it be impossible even with the White Dragon?”
-Yes. We are beings meant to oversee, not to engage in crude battles.
“But aren’t you the guardian of the empire? Don’t you care if the Great Dragon rampages in your territory?”
-Defeat him.
“……?”
-You can do it. Contractor. Defeat the Great Dragon Karnax and become a hero remembered in history! Imagine it! The moment when everyone shouts your name, painters create your portrait, and teachers teach students about your great achievements!
-Wow. That sounds cool.
The Cloud Dragon motivated him. The White Dragon chimed in.
The effect was not very good.
“I see. You guys are no help at all right now.”
-If you wait a hundred years, I can recover my strength through the Sacred Tree.
-I only need about fifty years...
Ascal sighed.
It would be quicker to wait for the Great Dragon to die of old age.
In the end, the only takeaway from the meeting was confirming that the White Dragon and Cloud Dragon were just like talking snakes and treat-loving Pomeranians.
How are they any different from Sushia?
****
“You’ve arrived, Minister-nim.”
Sushia had called Ascal to the back of the Evaluation Department.
Under the grand tree, the Sacred Tree, where she had been creating an atmosphere, Sushia started fidgeting as soon as she saw Ascal.
“Hey, traitor.”
“Oof. Hitting the sore spot right from the start. That’s harsh. Do you know how much I’ve agonized over this?”
After waking up from his dream, Ascal had organized a few facts. He directly asked Elenia about anything that puzzled him.
1. Sushia has inherited her memories. (However, her old memories are like holding water in her mouth; if she’s not careful, she swallows and forgets them.)
2. The House of Duke Senestia has been plotting against the Empire for a long time. (Surprisingly, Sushia had no idea about this until her memories returned.)
3. It was Sushia who led Ascal to the Evaluation Department. (A grave sin.)
“No wonder you seemed sharp the first time we met. You must have had your memories then.”
“I made sure to take notes so I wouldn’t forget... but you were doing so well, Minister-nim... I thought everything would be fine and let my guard down...”
“Yeah, I get it. You’re an idiot.”
Seeing is believing.
Rather than explain everything to Ascal, Sushia consulted Elenia to recreate her past memories.
Of course, thanks to Ascal’s actions, many things had changed from the actual past.
In reality, Ascal had handled nearly all the Empire’s affairs by himself, living every day with dead eyes, occasionally attempting to escape during his cooldown periods, only to be caught.
If his body hadn’t been strong, he would have died from overwork long ago.
“Still, because of you, I’ve decided what I need to do.”
Catch the Great Dragon.
Catch the Duke of Senestia.
Train someone to take over the Evaluation Department.
Then retire completely.
Otherwise, overwork would be his only ending.
“Um, Minister-nim.”
“Speak.”
“If he’s caught, will my father, the Duke of Senestia, be executed?”
Treason is punishable by death.
Not only the perpetrator but also their family and relatives face execution.
No matter how lenient the Empire had become, treason was still severely punished.
Sushia knew this too.
“...”
“...”
Should he just escape the Empire with Sushia?
While Ascal seriously pondered this.
“Sniff, it’s been so fun, Minister-nim. I’m sorry I snuck into your office and stole cookies while you were away. I’m sorry for making fun of you for farting. I have a pet parrot named Char who loves grapes. Please, Minister-nim, take care of him for me...”
“Sushia. Calm down. I’ll find a way.”
“Waaah... I don’t want to die. I don’t want to be executed... I still have so many things I want to eat, and my birthday is coming up...”
Sushia collapsed to the ground, crying.
“Oh. Everyone’s here. I’ve been looking for you.”
It was the Crown Prince who had barged in.
The Crown Prince, looking refreshed as if he had just received a massage from the Cat Tribe, glanced at the crying Sushia and asked,
“What’s going on, Sushia? Why are you crying?”
The Crown Prince and Sushia had been childhood friends.
Sushia looked up at the Crown Prince, then started crying again.
“Waaah! I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die!”
“Is Sushia terminally ill or something, Ascal?”
“......”
It seemed like a serious conversation was in order with the Crown Prince.
****
“Ah, the Duke of Senestia, you say. Yes, I’ve known. I’ve been aware that he harbors other intentions.”
“You knew, Your Highness?”
“Anyone who claims to be neutral is usually hiding something. I’ve always been suspicious of the Duke of Senestia.”
Could the Crown Prince’s fall and death in the original story be related to this? Ascal wondered.
“I called off the political marriage with Sushia because I sensed something was off. Since then, it seems the Duke has been wary of me.”
“So what will you do? And what about Sushia?”
“Well, it’s a bit awkward to say this, but, Ascal.”
The Crown Prince scratched his head.
“Has the Duke of Senestia ever caused harm to the Empire up until now?”
“......!”
“Of course, I also placed spies in the Duke’s household. Even used the Emperor’s hounds for thorough investigations. But!”
“But?”
“He hasn’t done anything! The Duke of Senestia! Except for occasionally disappearing at night to attend some strange club meetings.”
Indeed.
Contrary to what was seen in the dream, the Duke of Senestia hadn’t done anything at this point. He merely exuded an ominous presence, like a dark schemer.
“Bernstein helped a bit. It’s a voice recorder using magic stones, still classified as top secret. I have a recording, would you like to listen?”
Ascal nodded, and the Crown Prince took out a round artifact. After winding it up, the artifact began to play a voice.
-The spider still has four legs left.
-Your mission today is to retrieve the old lich’s staff hidden in the sewers.
-What do you mean there’s nothing in the sewers? That can’t be!
“For your information, as soon as we heard this, the hounds went ahead and retrieved the staff first. The Duke knows a lot, so we’re using his information. Once he’s no longer useful, we plan to frame him appropriately and get rid of him.”
The Duke of Senestia almost seemed pitiable.
There are natural enemies in the world.
For the Duke, his natural enemy was the Crown Prince...
“Oh, and there was some good news that turned out to be rather unfortunate for you.”
The Crown Prince placed a document on the desk.
It was an appointment letter for the position of Prime minister, bearing the imperial seal.
Ascal Erindale’s name was written on it, with the only blank spot being where the seal would go. It was as if it was saying, “Just show up, and it’s yours.”
Ascal began to sweat profusely.
“There’s a long-standing tradition in the Empire that a Prime minister appointed during the Emperor’s reign must retire when the Emperor abdicates. So, it seems this will have to wait.”
The Crown Prince smiled.
“You are to be my Prime minister, not my father’s.”
“When do you plan to ascend the throne, Your Highness?”
“Oh, such insolent words. The Emperor is still here. Maybe next year?”
There wasn’t much time left.
One year.
He had to escape within one year.
“And about Sushia, she can just be removed from the family registry. For instance, if she became the wife of someone with a strong background... Oh, there’s a suitable candidate right in front of me.”
The Crown Prince looked out the window.
There, Sushia had fallen asleep, leaning against a tree, exhausted from crying.
“Sushia may be a bit naive, but she’s a good girl, Ascal. What do you think? I’ll even officiate the wedding.”
