Chapter 81: An Unexpected Victim

In the Empire, if you were to name the most popular department, it would undoubtedly be the Evaluation Department, and if you were to mention the most traditional one, it would be the Magic Department.

But if you asked which department worked the most, someone would answer with sad eyes.

That would be the Department of Development and Innovation, where a black ox named Bernstein works diligently.

Bernstein looked down at the magic stone phonograph he was creating with bloodshot eyes.

A song flowed from the phonograph.

<You were born to be loved, a person indispensable in this world ♪ Still working hard today ♪>

Bernstein, who was about to smash the phonograph with a hammer, at the last moment exercised superhuman patience and stopped his hand.

“What am I doing...”

He was hearing things at this point.

This was precisely the time he needed a break.

But no matter how often he applied for leave, it was always rejected.

The Empire knew too well how to exploit engineers. Just grind them and something will come out. Even if it's just bone fragments.

“Fine. I’m going to the Evaluation Department.”

Bernstein prepared to go out, taking the magic stone phonograph with him.

“Where are you going, Minister?”

“I’m going to get the prototype evaluated by the head of the Evaluation Department.”

“I will prepare the carriage.”

His subordinate, who was called an administrator of the Department of Development and Innovation but read as a watchdog, guided Bernstein.

“By the way, where is Lady Seri?”

Seri Lavione.

A new administrator in the Development and Innovation Department, maintained by an elite few.

When she first parachuted into the Department of Development and Innovation, Bernstein had looked at her with suspicion, but she proved to be incredibly competent.

Teach her one thing, she knows two. Teach her two, she knows four.

Bernstein had high expectations for Seri, but she had one fatal flaw.

“Here is her leave request.”

“Love is something you have to win. I need to attend bride classes, so I’ll be off for the whole week. -Seri Lavione”

“Why is everyone but me free to come and go as they please! Aaaagh!”

She was adept at the advanced system of flexible working hours.

​****

The Imperial offices have a canteen.

This canteen was established for a very Empire-like reason.

Officials would go out for lunch and not return for a long time, often well past their break time. Their excuses were――

‘I was born in the Kingdom of Kelli, and I need a two-hour lunch break.’

‘Eating should be done leisurely and with etiquette, rushing through a meal is something only livestock would do.’

Ascal calmly reported this to the Crown Prince.

And the next day.

A decree was issued.

All Imperial offices must have a canteen.

Thus, the loafing officials were forced to eat bland meals in the canteen every lunchtime, reminiscing about the past.

It was truly a beautiful anecdote.

* *

“Why is the food at the Evaluation Department so good?”

As soon as he arrived at the Evaluation Department, Bernstein headed straight for the canteen.

Going directly to the Minister’s office would be the worst move.

Doing so would lead to nothing but showing the prototype to Ascal, exchanging harsh words, and then returning to the Department of Development and Innovation—a bad ending.

True masters take a different approach.

First, they go to the canteen and eat.

“That’s because the Evaluation Department has a partnership with the best restaurant in the Empire, The Hansen. Chefs are dispatched from there daily.”

“I’m envious. Our canteen serves nothing but weeds every day...”

“Haha. That’s why all civil servant aspirants choose the Evaluation Department as their first choice, right? Whether it’s the food, welfare, or honor, there’s nothing to complain about.”

Anger and jealousy welled up inside him.

Bernstein decided to eat another bowl of the Evaluation Department’s food as punishment. This way, he slightly drained the Evaluation Department’s budget.

“Ah, my body feels stiff. Maybe I should go for a massage.”

“What do you mean, massage?”

“Our office has a rest area for employees. There, a specialized masseuse from the Cat tribe provides massages.”

Feeling a growing sense of despair about life, Bernstein spoke earnestly.

“I belong to the Department of Development and Innovation, but is it possible to transfer to the Evaluation Department?”

“Oh, the Department of Development and Innovation, where only the elite of the elite gather? What’s your rank?”

“I’m the Minister.”

“Haha... That’s a bit...”

The Evaluation Department official looked at Bernstein’s face.

Mustache.

Bloodshot eyes.

Exhausted expression.

It was as if the face of the rumored Minister of the Department of Development and Innovation had come to life.

“Transfer me.”

“Gasp! I greet you, Minister!”

“Transfer me!!!”

​​****

Bernstein's outburst finally subsided after he enjoyed a full-course massage from the cat tribe.

After also tasting Laika’s special firestone, Bernstein felt significantly refreshed as he visited the office.

However, something felt off.

First, Ascal sat silently in his executive chair, occasionally twitching irregularly.

And Lia, who would normally have already served tea, was quietly staring at documents. Her feather pen had been motionless for several minutes.

“Ascal.”

“Gah! Bernstein, is that you?”

“I’ve come to get the prototype evaluated.”

Bernstein sat in the guest chair.

Finally, Lia came to her senses and brought out warm tea.

“Thank you.”

Bernstein took a sip of tea and pulled out the magic stone phonograph.

“Is this the new invention?”

“Yes. It’s a bit boastful to say it myself, but this is revolutionary. Watch.”

Bernstein took out several magic stones, picked one, and inserted it into the phonograph.

“When you press this…”

<I'm in love with you♪ From the very first moment♪ Now look only at me♪>

A beautiful song played.

“How is it?”

Bernstein crossed his arms confidently. He was sure that Ascal would recognize the value of the phonograph immediately and be impressed.

But the reaction was strange.

“…….”

“…….”

Both of them were silent.

<Does a man really have to be the one to confess?♪ The person who likes the other first should do it♪ Even the ordinary days are treasures when I’m with you>

“S-stop… Please, stop it…”

Ascal squirmed in agony.

Lia’s cheeks had turned a bright shade of red.

“Is it that bad? It seems there’s still room for improvement.”

Feeling slightly less confident, Bernstein fiddled with his mustache.

“It’s not that. Lia, could you take these documents to Department 1?”

“Yes, yes. Understood.”

 Lia hurriedly left the room.

“Could you turn that off for a moment?”

“Got it.”​

It was as if he had held up a cross in front of a vampire. Once the phonograph was turned off, Ascal calmed down.

“Bernstein. Your invention is excellent.”

“Then why did you react like that earlier?”

Ascal propped his chin with both hands and began to speak seriously.

“It’s about someone I know.”

“Out of the blue?”

“A man and a woman who have known each other for quite some time. They were colleagues at work. But over time, they became inseparable.”

A love story, perhaps. Bernstein decided to listen quietly. After all, anything that could kill time was welcome.

“The man had never thought of the woman as a romantic interest. Their social statuses were too different. But the woman felt differently.”

As Bernstein listened, he fiddled with the phonograph.

“That day, something happened. The setting was a scenic beach. As the atmosphere became perfect, the woman confessed to the man...”

“She confessed?”

“Yes.”

“And the man rejected her?”

As the story progressed, Bernstein became engrossed, oblivious to the red glow beginning to emanate from the phonograph.

“No, he didn’t reject her.”

“He didn’t?”

“The man was so flustered that he said...”

Ascal mimicked his words from that day.

“Th-tha... uhh... well... um...”

“Is the man an idiot?”

“I think he might be.”

It’s always easy to judge others’ stories. Bernstein remarked,

“So the man wasn’t entirely against the confession?”

“Well, you could say that, but it’s not as straightforward...”

“If the man could go back to that moment, what do you think he would say?”

Ascal pondered and then answered.

“I love you too, Lia.”

“Damn it! It was your story all along!”

Bernstein slammed the desk. The phonograph clicked.

At that moment, Lia entered the office, having finished her task.

And then.

The phonograph began to play the recording.

Lia, with a flushed face, listened to Ascal’s recorded voice, and when it reached the part,

<I love you too, Lia.>

She couldn’t even lift her head, but she managed to speak.

“Yes... I love you too.”

Bernstein looked serious.

The next day, Bernstein attempted to escape the Empire again, only to be caught by the Emperor’s hounds.

It is said that Bernstein’s cries were particularly sorrowful that day.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

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