82 – Undergoing Training
The phonograph Bernstein developed stirred substantial echoes. As long as they had the modified magic stone containing stored music, anyone could listen to whatever tune they wanted.
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However, the original recording function was absent, as per the crown prince’s command due to fears of abuse.
Yet, whispers circulated discreetly that some of the higher-ups still owned a prototype phonograph with a recording function.
For instance, the empire’s third princess, Yulia Barbara.
＜I am also in love, Lia.＞
＜I am also in love, Lia.＞
＜I am also in love, Lia.＞
-Enough! Just how many times must one listen to this! Isn’t this sufficient!
“This makes it the three hundred and eightieth time. Let’s make it to four hundred.”
Lia looked at the phonograph with an undeniably affectionate gaze.
It was a confession from her beloved.
A phrase that she never grew tired of hearing, no matter how many times she listened.
-Then again, since the mistress would purposely summon him to harass him when she was in a tough spot, I can understand her emotions. But from a third-party perspective, watching oneself behave this way isn’t enjoyable whatsoever…
＜I am also in love, Lia.＞
Argh, if only he’d just say ‘Yulia,’ I could’ve enjoyed it as well.
Be that as it may, Lia turned on the phonograph and played it again.
As such, Ascal’s voice alone filled the room for quite a while.
These days, Ascal was both happy and tormented.
“Why do you say that, Ascal sir?”
Ascal watched Lia cautiously pouring tea.
Soft platinum blonde hair carrying the scent of jasmine, a clear complexion so pristine it seemed as if you could see the blue blood running beneath. Azure eyes like gemstones and long eyelashes. The more conscientiously I observed, the more I thought God must have accidentally spilled the bag while carefully measuring with a spoon when creating her.
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
Lia smiles brightly upon making eye contact.
“Oh, you have a grey hair here.”
Taking a step forward, Lia combs through the seated Aescal’s hair and plucks out a grey strand.
This is ridiculous.
Never had I imagined something like this would happen since the first time I recalled my memory.
That terrifying tyrant, Yulia Barba, herself was plucking out my grey hairs.
If I were to phrase it as in the title of a previous life’s book, it would be “The Final Boss of the Original Work Has Become My Girlfriend?” kind of feeling.
To be honest, I’m very happy. I feel the fulfillment of life.
However.
“There are only 32 documents left to go through today. I will help to finish them so we can leave together.”
Damn the Crown Prince.
He has been shoving all sorts of jobs our way to the opponent team. The problem lies in the term “assessment,” which can be applied to audit, inspection, personnel matters – a catch-all term, indeed.
Originally, this common populous of the empire, which was created unknowably into a tax-thieving agency, had this all-purpose troubleshooting department.
‘To think that he got me from the very start…’
After Elenia powered up Aescal, Aescal made a fatal mistake.
Like a newbie who has just started going to the gym suddenly acts out in burning vigour, he completed the duties of an entire week at breakneck speed.
This was not how it was supposed to be.
The next day, the Crown Prince started to delegate the ship’s work.
So far, so good. It was safely completed.
The next day.
The same happened again.
In the end, the workload has become so intense that even Ascal, in his awakened mode, was struggling with it.
This is a self-inflicted disaster.
The Crown Prince’s voice seemed to be echoing.
“Surely, Ascal, you’re the only one fit to be the next regent!”
The Empire’s black ox, Burnstein.
The Empire’s white ox, Ascal.
“Moo!”
“Calm down.”
Lia, who was reviewing the documents, approached and gently caressed Ascal’s chin.
“Good. You’re calm.”
Ascal calmed down.
But Ascal took some relief.
“The right to appoint talents? What does that mean, Your Highness?”
“You know what, Ascal? The empire is a very wicked country. Whether a party wants it or not, if this is used, they are forced to belong to the country.”
“…The Emperor’s seal is on it.”
“Correct. Ascal! Gather slaves…no, talents! And place them where you want! This is the privilege I’m giving to you.”
The Crown Prince was well aware of the carrot-and-stick approach.
In metaphor, he had given Ascal the privilege of a draft officer who could forcibly conscript anyone in a war situation.
Working conditions, the place of work, the term of work. It all depends on Ascal’s discretion.
From now on, anyone who thwarts Ascal’s will, would become a beast of burden for the nation, dutifully toiling away all their life.
But.
“We have 15 left. At this pace, you could clock out by dawn.”
The sun was setting.
‘I need an opportunity to use this…or not…’
Is there no way to legally slack off?
I might burn myself out even before catching the dragon.
Ascal rolled his eyes.
And finally, he discovered a golden opportunity.
＜Imperial Administrative Military Training Summon Notice＞
To Mr. Ascal Debreu,
Upon receiving this notice, you are obliged to participate in military training immediately. Please note the following details and prepare accordingly.
Training period: We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to your work, but the training is scheduled to continue for 10 days from the date of summon.
Concentration location: You must gather at Leonia Square located to the west of the capital within 3 days of receiving this notice.
Prepared materials: You should prepare your own weapons, armor, and necessary personal items. Anti-corrosion and basic trench construction tools will be provided on site.
Training content: Basic military training such as horse riding, weapon handling, tactical understanding, trench construction, and nighttime patrol will be carried out.
“This is it!!!”
Ria frowned upon seeing the notice.
“So Debreu, it’s Ascal’s old surname. Now Minister Ascal is not obliged to participate in military training. Another lazy bureaucrat has made a mistake.”
The crown prince conducted military training for administrators at regular intervals to educate the currently lax bureaucrats.
It was easier to understand if you think of it as a kind of reserve troop.
Most managers would have been so stressed at receiving this notice, to the point they’d turn white on the spot, but Ascal was different. This was a golden opportunity to legally play hooky for ten days. It would be foolish to let it pass by.
“Ria. A wrong notice is still a notice. How could I set an example to my people if I don’t follow this notice?”
Ascal spoke confidently as if possessed by Socrates.
“Understood. Then there’s no other choice.”
Ria surprisingly submitted easily. Ascal felt a slight unease, but decided to look past it.
“Hooray.”
Ascal’s movement in packing his stuff at home was absolutely cheerful.
To avoid being recognized, he changed his hairstyle and dressed as shabbily as possible. He looked so much like a beggar that no one could tell he was a minister.
He was perfectly prepared.
Ascal headed for the square of Leonia.
It felt like going on a picnic.
” Ascal Dever? This name…”
“A namesake. His surname is Erindale, isn’t it? Would he come here?”
“Um… pass.”
The inspector who had been alternating glances between Ascal’s face and the list finally let Ascal through.
He was indeed a competent imperial official.
As soon as he stepped into the square, he saw people who’d arrived earlier.
All in armor, languishing in a corner.
“This is the third time I’ve done this… Every time I come it feels like I’m going to die.”
“The food is so awful. Last time I almost lost a tooth chewing a piece of bread.”
Everyone was venting about the hardships of military training.
“It’s hard for you? It feels like a picnic to me after everything I’ve gone through.”
Ascal sat next to them.
A sense of caution rose in their eyes.
“Who are you? Where are you from?”
“Call me Kal. I came from the Assessment Department.”
“Darn it, playground of the future king. I am jealous.”
Charles, a level 9 manager from the Marine Department, spit out a gloomy saliva.
“Playground of the future king? What does that mean?”
“Everyone in the world knows that your minister will soon be king. Then, the value of the managers in the Assessment Department will also rise. After all, it’s where the king has come out from.”
“We, the low-level managers, have to make ends meet on a rat’s tail of a salary. While you guys are even getting vacations as bonuses.”
“I don’t know how I’m going to live on this wayang.”
The atmosphere wasn’t normal.
Managers from the Marine Department and the Construction Department stood up and pressed Ascal hostily.
“Lord of the Assessment Department, is this your first military training?”
“Yes, it is.”
“We will teach you a thing or two. Anticipate it.”
“Heh.”
Ascal nodded his head.
“I am looking forward to it already; it will be fun. “
Charles squinted his eyes and cracked his knuckles.
“Seems like you didn’t understand what I just said. You’ve pissed us off now……”
Bambararabam.
“Her Highness the Princess is coming!”
“Everyone, kneel and bow! It’s Her Highness, Princess Yulia Varva!”
“The Princess is personally participating in military training as an instructor and will assist in your training! You should consider it an honor!”
The person exiting from the carriage was Lia.
Lia came dressed in a splendid outfit, with her hair released naturally – only something comfortable to move in – and surveyed the managers in the square with a stern gaze.
As if they were looking for someone. As soon as they spotted Ascal kneeling, they smiled widely.
“Her Highness the Princess smiled at me!”
“No, it was me!”
Ascal, making eye contact, closed his eyes as if he couldn’t believe it.
For some reason, he sent me off easily.
The mansion felt a bit empty.
The mansion, without its master, lacked its former vitality.
Only the left-behind imperial princess sat on a chair, blankly staring at her desk.
“Introduction to Romance”, “When Even You Don’t Know Yourself”, “Is the Emotion You’re Feeling Love?”
Half-read books lay strewn around.
Susiya sighed.
“No way… It’s probably a misunderstanding. I need to steal some snacks from the office tomorrow. Yes, I was just a little excited because I saw that for a moment.”