63 – Departing North
Shushia had made up her mind.
She decided to reveal her hidden secret to Askal.
“Minister…actually…”
“What’s wrong? If you want a snack, come and get it. Since when have you cared about such things?”
But it’s not easy at all.
Even for Shushia, the words get stuck in her throat.
But, after all, Shushia is a noble.
She has received high-quality education since her childhood.
She has some skills that she can use in such situations.
A technique commonly known as the ‘Boiling Frog’ strategy.
Starting with a small secret, gradually increasing the level until reaching the major ones.
“Minister, I have secretly eaten cookies when you were not around…”
Askal looked at Shushia with disbelief.
“You thought I wouldn’t know about this?”
“Are you forgiving me?”
“No, you will be deducted the price of the stolen cookies from your pay.”
“Impossible.”
Nevertheless, she had passed the first step.
Even if it means 20% of her salary evaporated.
Shushia decided to escalate.
“I have secretly seen your clothes in our offices. You’ve got a tacky fashion sense.”
“Shushia.”
“Yes.”
“Is this some kind of a patience test? And if I get angry, I lose?”
Askal commented casually.
He then returned to his work.
Shushia let out a sigh of relief.
She passed this time, too.
Increasing the water temperature, it seems she is doing alright up to this point.
The next day, Sushiya raised the temperature a notch.
“Do remember when the kids chased the minister for a long time? During that time, I actually sold things the minister didn’t use, like old quill pens, to the children. Thanks to that, I made a pretty penny…”
“Guard!”
“eeek! I messed up! Minister, please let me off just this once!”
As Sushiya got dragged away, Ascal looked on with disdain.
Sushiya didn’t know.
That in reality, a frog would simply jump out halfway if placed in boiling water.
“Sob sob. I won’t do it again.”
Sushiya clung to the bars of the makeshift prison (something like an animal cage) and cried like a baby.
Fortunately, Sushiya was reprimanded with a month’s salary deduction.
Ascal sighed.
There was no need to tell unnecessary secrets.
In the north.
The north of the Empire was cold.
Harsh terrain, harsh weather.
There roamed the subspecies of animals that had adapted to the cold, commonly known as monsters. Wave after wave of immigrants, longing for the warm land of the Empire, knock on the gates of the city.
It was unbearable for anyone but a warrior.
The Empire, however, did not fear the north.
Because, there stood an unyielding shield of the north, the iron-blooded swordmaster, Grand Duke Felix.
“A serious matter indeed.”
The crown prince spilled his silence after reading the coded message from the north.
There were only two words on the message carried by the eagle.
＜Help.＞
Had Grand Duke Felix ever asked for help before? Had he ever admitted to being in difficulty, even in passing?
No.
This was definitely an emergency.
The crown prince urgently convened a meeting.
“There are Dwarves, Stonehead tribes in the north. Could they be the invaders?”
“Nonsense. Why would they, who have been peaceful for hundreds of years, suddenly invade the empire? Moreover, if that were the case, the message would have mentioned Dwarves.”
“No, otherwise.”
It was an urgent meeting.
Even ministers who, under normal circumstances, would give countless excuses to avoid meetings, had no choice but to participate.
Watching as each of them took turns to speak, Finance Minister Sorb pressed his temples.
These incompetents, their nonexistence would be far more helpful.
“Is Chief Felix in danger?”
“There’s a possibility.”
“But what does the word ‘help’ mentioned in the letter mean? It would be useful if more detailed information was provided.”
Minister of Magic Robin speculated.
“Looking at the seal and handwriting, it is indeed the Chief’s. He has a practical personality. If he just mentioned ‘help’, there must be a reason for it.”
“So essentially, we have not been able to decipher any information yet?”
“Perhaps.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs Rampon interjected as he listened to the conversation between Robin and Sorb.
“Let’s just wait. There is nothing that can be done at this moment. Let’s wait for a messenger.”
This was a fair point.
Although the suggestion was likely fueled by his own laziness, the statement itself was not incorrect.
Robin was about to refute but then closed his mouth.
Just as the meeting was about to end in stalemate, Ascal spoke out.
“I will head to the North.”
“You?”
All eyes were on Ascal.
“The letter was sent by Chief Felix. If it entails an emergency, then it’s already too late. Please dispatch me to the North.”
“Hmm…”
“To go to such extents…”
Robin praised Ascal, impressed.
Although he had achieved high-ranking post of a minister at a young age, one would expect him to become arrogant or lazy; this young man, however, was still proving his dedication to the empire.
‘I knew I saw something in him.’
Robin had been rating Ascal highly since he was a low-level public servant. Although he had failed to attract him into the Ministry of Magic, seeing him shine in the empire filled Robin with pride.
“I will not allow it.”
The Crown Prince retorted.
“I’ll put it bluntly. If the North is in a state of emergency, what could a single person possibly achieve by going there?”
It wasn’t a mistake.
From Noble mtl dot com
Askel was neither a swordmaster who could single-handedly take on hundreds, nor a grand wizard.
No matter how you look at it, he would be nothing more than a mere soldier in the cold north.
“And if……we were to lose you, Askel, in the north, the empire would suffer an unthinkable loss. I don’t even want to think about it.”
“I agree.”
“Hmm.”
At the same time, the crown prince looked at Askel with warm eyes.
As if he was saying that he was well aware of his passion for the empire and he could trust him from now on.
‘This isn’t good.’
Askel was deep in thought.
＜The direction of destiny is pointing north. If so, the minister’s wish might come true.＞
Askel recalled the prophecy.
Just after hearing this prophecy, the signal came from the north?
This northern situation was undoubtedly a golden opportunity that had come to him.
‘I didn’t want to drag him into this……’
Askel looked at Bernstein sitting next to him.
Bernstein, looking at Askel as if wondering what he had done wrong, nodded as if he had realized something.
Their eyes met.
-You don’t mean the north?
-Yeah. There’s a chance to escape there.
-Are you sure?
-Just trust me.
Bernstein, the Minister of Development and Innovation, spoke.
“If the Minister of Evaluation goes alone, it would be meaningless. But if I, a technician, go along, it would be a different story. I will also go to the north.”
“Hmmm……!”
The crown prince let out another sigh.
He honestly wanted to stop them.
What nation would send the head of the state to a dangerous area? This was quite literally a task meant for subordinates.
But at the same time, he wanted to respect the loyalty of these two passionate youths.
“Give me a bit more time.”
The Crown Prince was deep in thought in his office.
Was it right to dispatch Ascal and Bernstein to the North? They, who have worked countless miracles until now, might bring about results beyond imagination.
But what if they were lost? Dark clouds would descend upon the empire once again.
‘I can’t do it.’
The risk was too great.
Reining in a young vigor, too, was part of a superior’s role. As the prince was about to make a decision,
“Brother, I have a request.”
“Wha-!?”
The sudden appearance of Yulia.
The prince almost fell over from surprise.
“Please send them to the north.”
Having regained his composure, the prince was more curious than upset about Yulia’s rudeness.
“It’s been a while since you’ve made a request. But why, Yulia? You also wouldn’t want Ascal to be in danger.”
“I will go with them.”
“You?”
The prince thought reflexively.
Was she aiming for a chance to be alone with him?
But he decided not to say it aloud.
“Indeed, it would be safer with you there. But I cannot allow it even more. Do you want to make me a wicked brother who sends his younger sister to the cold north?”
“Is it not possible?”
“Yes. I intend to send reliable talents to the north. However, you’re not included.”
Yulia turned her head sharply.
“…Are you sulking?”
“Yes.”
The prince was slightly taken aback.
His younger sister’s emotions seemed to have become more varied recently.
Whether this was good or bad, he couldn’t tell.
“Your Highness, another message has arrived from the North!”
This message was slightly different from before.
Upon seeing the message, the Prince gulped. It was the third one today.
There, a name was inscribed.
＜Ascal, send him to the North.＞
This time, it was an official request.
No matter how much of a crown prince he was, it was hard to ignore a request from the Duke of the North.
Yulia spoke.
“If you’re truly worried, why don’t you send another one.”
“Who are you referring to?”
“……Your father.”
“?”
Eventually, the personnel to be dispatched to the North were decided.
Minister of Evaluation, Ascal Erindale.
Minister of Development and Innovation, Burnstein.
“Ministers, please board the carriages!”
It was a massive procession.
Going to the North is not an easy task.
Wagons full of supplies and soldiers standing guard were lined up.
“I’m not sure if this is the right choice.”
“Burnstein.”
“Why.”
“If we fail this time, I’ll give up… this is my final sincerity.”
Ascal said, staring into the distance.
A little redness appeared on the corners of Burnstein’s eyes.
“Let’s make sure we succeed, Ascal.”
“Ahh… Burnstein.”
Just as the fists of the two foes, who rarely see eye to eye, were about to touch, another big shot appeared. Seeing him, the pupils of Ascal’s eyes enlarged as if they were about to pop.
“Presenting Her Royal Highness Princess Yulia Barba!”
Ascal was flustered.
Surely, Lia had taken a sabbatical.
Why did she show up here in person?
“Your Royal Highness’s carriage to board is not here!”
“Be quiet. You trifle.”
“…?”
But her atmosphere was a bit odd.
Yulia, who had climbed onto the carriage that Askal was riding, swept her eyes lazily around the carriage interior.
“Quite a stinky carriage.”
Had Yulia been such a caustic personality?
No, that was indeed correct.
While Askal was lost in confusion, Yulia sat down on the carriage seat.
And then.
“You always seem to be running away.”
Yulia knitted her brow. Running her hand through her platinum blond hair that fell over her shoulder, she rested her chin on her hand and looked at Askal.
“What else can we do then? The lady herself has to go after him, no matter how many times, even tens of times.”
Askal broke into a cold sweat.
‘Is this really Lia?’
“Minister! Finally, I’ve decided to confess! Actually…!”
No one was there.
Seeing the empty office, Xiusia tilted his head.
A staff member who came to clean said.
“The minister left for the North yesterday.”
“Oh no…”
Xuisia slumped down resignedly.