52 – Hot Springs Turmoil (Part 1)
Ascal tiredly soaked the backrest of his chair and sat slanted.
There were many places to attend as a minister. The Empire had numerous events, and if it was a relatively big one, Ascal would often be called upon.
And when he went, he would greet important nobles and high-ranking officials, shake hands with people, and show off his psychic abilities by influencing their emotions, transforming them into obedient zombies.
“Ah… I want to go to the Kingdom of Kelly. I want to spend my life in the Kingdom of Kelly.”
Now that he thought about it, there was a book he read in his past life that mentioned something like that. If you desire something intensely, consider it already achieved. Then naturally, you will obtain it.
“I am already in the Kingdom of Kelly. Lying under the warm sunshine on the beach. Soaking in a warm hot spring.”
But nothing happened.
As a child, he saved every penny of his allowance and bought that book with just ten thousand won. Now that he thought about it, he could have just used that money to buy something delicious. If he could return to his original world, Ascal decided that he would file a lawsuit against the author of the book.
“Now it’s time for the Cabinet meeting, Sir Ascal.”
Lia spoke politely.
“I’m feeling a little sick today.”
“If it were something else, I wouldn’t mind, but the Cabinet meeting is an important matter for the Empire. You must attend.”
“I wish someone else could go in my place. Someone more capable and of higher status than me…”
Then Ascal glanced at Lia briefly.
The ribbon tied neatly in her hair.
Thankfully, there were no signs of her trying to untie her hair.
“It should be fine up to this point.”
Lately, Ascal had been checking Lia’s limits. How far could he push before she would untie her hair?
After seeing her untie her hair a few times, he felt the need to be prepared in advance.
Lia approached and gently massaged Ascal’s shoulders.
“You seem very tired. Your shoulders are a little stiff. Shall I prepare something to relax them?”
“Thank you.”
However, Lia wasn’t to be taken lightly either.
By treating Ascal kindly and playing along with his nonsense, she was implementing a conciliatory policy. Ascal felt guilty. She truly was a suitable princess for the Empire.
“Let’s stay strong today too, Minister. Fighting!”
And she even raised her fist in cheer. If he still didn’t listen after this, was it a signal that she would hit her own head with that fist?
“I’ll go. I’ll go.”
Lia watched Ascal, who stood up obediently and put on his coat, and tilted her head slightly.
Cabinet meeting.
All the ministers of the empire, along with the Emperor, gathered to discuss important national issues.
Although the words were grand, the fact was that the Cabinet had not been functioning properly for some time.
“No matter how much we discuss here, will there be any enthusiasm to go back to a blank slate at the slightest word from the officials?”
But with the disappearance of officials and the Crown Prince taking over the administration of the country instead of the Emperor, the Cabinet was regaining its original function.
The attendance rate of the Cabinet, which was only 20%, had surpassed an astonishing 50%.
“Now I understand why the empire has declined.”
The ministers who still did not attend were mostly nobles from wealthy households. They were absent with an arrogant attitude of “if they dare to cut, then let them.”
And they were indeed cut as they wished. It was Emperor Julia, who had become a tyrant, who had cleanly cut off their heads.
The Crown Prince looked around at the ministers and smiled.
“Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules. I will make the matters brief so as not to take any more of your time.”
Although it felt more like a provisional government, the Crown Prince was still not the Emperor. It seemed like he was showing respect to the ministers who had long practical experience.
“The first item is the export of improved magic stones. As you know, the empire’s magic stones boast superior quality and efficacy compared to other magic stones. This can largely be attributed to Chief Ministry Officers. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude once again.”
“We were fortunate.”
“hahahahaha. Luck is also a skill, isn’t it?”
The Cabinet meeting passed more easily than expected. It was because Minister Robin from the Ministry of Magic and Minister Sorve from the Ministry of Finance handled most of the work.
In fact, there were hardly any ministers who were actually working. It would be safe to say that only these two were truly working. The two of them passionately approached the meeting, determined to demonstrate the skills they had been unable to show due to the officials.
Thanks to them, Askal remained silent like a human cactus, lost in his own thoughts.
“I want to go to the Kingdom of Kelli.”
“The second item concerns the Kingdom of Kelli.”
“…!”
Askal and Bernstein’s eyes lit up at the same time.
“Recently, there has been an increase in missing persons in the hot springs in the southern part of the Kingdom of Kelli. Although we conducted an investigation ourselves, we couldn’t find the cause. Therefore, the hot springs have to be closed.”
“That’s unfortunate news.”
“Because of this, the Kingdom of Kelli has sent a request for assistance to the empire. If there are any volunteers who can go to the Kingdom of Kelli to investigate the unknown situation…”
The Kingdom of Kelli had an alliance relationship with the empire, bordering on being a vassal state.
The Kingdom of Kelli earned a large amount of money as a resort country. And in return for the empire’s protection, the Kingdom of Kelli paid tribute.
“This case will be handled by the Evaluation Department.”
“The Department of Development and Innovation will handle it.”
Askal glared at Bernstein.
Bernstein also glared back at Askal.
“Give up, Bernstein. The Kingdom of Kelly is mine.”
“No. You give up. You can’t work yourself to death like this.”
Even without speaking, they could understand each other through their eyes.
“Oh, you’re willing to step into the Empire’s service, even to the extent of taking off your shoes. Indeed, you are a dragon and a holy person of the Empire! Good. This time, both divisions will cooperate and take care of it together.”
Both of them already knew.
No one would send subordinates to the Kingdom of Kelly. In other words, the minister would personally go to the Kingdom of Kelly and enjoy a legitimate vacation under the guise of work.
But the two ministers couldn’t both leave their posts empty.
In the end, there was only one person who could go to the Kingdom of Kelly.
“Heads.”
“I’ll go with tails.”
Ascal chose heads, and Bernstein chose tails. Bernstein grinned confidently as he flipped the coin.
“He knew I’d do this and prepared a coin with only tails.”
Ascal smiled back.
“He knew I’d do that and switched the coin to heads in advance.”
The coin fell onto the table.
“Yes! Heads!”
“Argh! There goes my vacation!”
Bernstein clenched his head. It seemed like he no longer had any intention of hiding his true feelings.
“Well, it’s a shame, but you’ll have to watch over me from behind. Do you have any good tools?”
“I’m not a walking toolbox.”
Grumbling, Bernstein produced a device that looked like a thermometer.
“I made this onsen water contamination measurement device myself. It’s certified by the Association, so there shouldn’t be any problems using it.”
“How long did it take to make this?”
“About a day?”
Ascal looked at Bernstein in disbelief.
He was acting like this, saying he was incompetent and lucky? This guy is unbelievable. A punishment like lifelong confinement in the Empire should be imposed on him.
“I also brought some other tools you might need for the job.”
“I’m grateful for this.”
“Bring back a souvenir when you go.”
“I’ll get something expensive.”
However, Ascal felt a sense of intensity.
Bernstein was appearing more submissive than he had thought.
“And this time, the Development and Innovation Department has also hired a person in the Kingdom of Kelli. Although it is regrettable that I cannot go myself… it will be a great help since they are a truly talented individual.”
“By any chance, does this talented person correspond to the meaning I know?”
“Of course. They have excellent magical abilities and are very intelligent. You know them as well.”
Bernstein smiled.
Do I know this person?
Ascal pondered over whether he knew anyone in the Development and Innovation Department, but no one easily came to mind.
A few days later.
The day they departed for the Kingdom of Kelli.
Ascal found out who the person Bernstein had mentioned was.
“This is Seri Lavione, who recently joined the Development and Innovation Department. Although physically limited, please take care of them.”
Serena grabbed the hem of her skirt and curtseyed.
Ascal reluctantly boarded the carriage.
It was not the seat next to him, but the one across from him.
Serenata playfully nudged Ascal’s leg with her foot as she walked.
“This is going too far, Your Highness.”
“I’m not a princess, I’m Seri. Call me Seri. Then I’ll stop.”
Ascal tried to avoid her legs, but Serena persistently tormented his leg.
“I won’t forget about Bernstein… that guy.”
His peaceful vacation alone had gone down the drain. They deliberately came without the attendants just to pull off this water spirit plan.
“Sing a song!!! Seri!!!”
And the two of them arrived at the hot springs, facing the biggest crisis of their lives.