The Tyrant Empress is Obsessed with Me

42 – Ruler of the Sky

To truly get a feel for any country, it’s said that one must visit its capital.

Ascal took advantage of his day off to explore the imperial capital.

“Buy some bread! Freshly baked bread for sale! Warm and soft!”

The place was full of energy.

Adults bustled about while children laughed and played in various parts of the street.

However, Ascal knew.

The empire would eventually fall.

“Isn’t there an extra piece of bread in here?”

“Ah, that one’s a freebie. It’s a new kind of bread; give it a try.”

“Is business going well these days?”

“Of course. I’ve never seen the economy as good as this in my entire life. Every day is a new experience.”

The bakery owner, wearing a golden necklace, smiled brightly.

As they left the store, they saw a street performer playing music nearby.

He’s quite talented.

Ascal took out a coin and approached the performer.

“Ah. I don’t take change anymore.”

The hat the performer held out was not only filled with coins but overflowing to the brink.

Is it just my imagination?

I don’t even feel the slightest trace of misfortune.

It even seems more prosperous than before.

But Ascal still hasn’t lost faith.

How did such an empire fall into ruin?

It was due to the myriad unresolved problems and the critical incidents that occurred.

From No ble mt L dot c om

Each and every one of these events was enough to shake the empire.

In later years, they came to be known as the three great calamities of the empire.

And it was about time that the first calamity would occur.

“Oh! Look over there, everyone! It’s the genius inventor, Bernstein!”

Someone shouted and pointed in one direction, as everyone turned their heads to look.

It was a procession of horse riders.

The strange thing was that all the horses were not real ones but machines powered by magical stones.

“Look over here, Mr. Bernstein!”

“Please show us your face just once!”

The man riding the golden horse in the center turned his head at the noisy shouts. A man with a long mustache. He was the inventor, Bernstein.

He was extremely popular.

In the empire at the moment, Bernstein was enjoying popularity that would make one jealous of being second.

He had successfully invented one thing after another, firmly imprinting his name within the empire.

People even called him the divine figure of the empire.

However, Ascal knew Bernstein’s true nature.

He was nothing more than a lucky swindler.

The empire, which trusted him, handed over the enormous project known as the ‘Ruler of the Sky’ to Bernstein, and he spectacularly messed it up.

The extent of the mess-up was almost unparalleled in history, making it one of the three great calamities of the empire.

“Wait a minute. You… I think I’ve seen your face somewhere. Are you…”

Ascal quickly ran away.

It seemed that the time spent in the city was gradually getting shorter. Was it an illusion?

“Today we have important business, Aescal.”

It was a familiar face by now.

The crown prince entered Aescal’s office with a document adorned with gold leaf.

And there he met Lia’s gaze.

“Um…”

“….”

Even the extroverted crown prince had a moment where he couldn’t figure out what to say.

“Would you like some tea, Your Highness?”

“No, that’s all right. I must be going soon.”

Lia had avoided the crown prince whenever he appeared at the Evaluation Bureau before, but since coming out, she seemed to have switched to not avoiding him deliberately.

The Crown Prince handed the document to Aescal.

[Ruler of the Skies]

It had arrived.

Aescal’s mind eased as soon as he saw the title written on the paper.

“Oh, you look pleased. Did you figure out the content just by reading the title?”

“Is this the secret airship development project that has been rumored?”

“Correct.”

The empire had conquered the land and the sea, but the sky remained uncharted territory.

The only ones who could set foot in the realm of the sky were monsters, high-ranking magicians, and the legendary Pegasus. At least in this era.

But the empire had its sights set on the sky.

Taking over the sky, the unknown territory that no one on this continent could surpass, would give the empire an overwhelming advantage. That was the mindset of the empire’s upper echelons.

“What do you think?”

The crown prince looked at Aescal, lost in thought after reading the document. Aescal Debrida was worth consulting for his insight, even for the prince himself.

“That sounds great.”

“As expected, I knew you’d understand.”

The crown prince smiled contentedly.

“This is a matter of great concern to the empire. So, in order to be cautious, we’ve come to the Evaluation Bureau first for your inspection. Could there be any issues of concern, however?”

“This is a perfect plan.”

Chief Developer: Bernstein

Having confirmed this part, there’s no need to look at any other part.

The Crown Prince laughed heartily, looking at Aescal staring intently at the name ‘Bernstein’.

“Bernstein. He’s a remarkable inventor. Aren’t you and he the most popular names in the empire right now? hahahahaha. The empire’s dragon and the empire’s saint come together in one place.”

Aescal couldn’t help but make a subtle expression, knowing the outcome of this event.

The airship demonstration, watched by the emperor, the entire royal family, royalty and nobility from other countries, as well as journalists and citizens, ends with the airship crashing spectacularly in the air.

As a result, the empire loses face in front of the whole world, and all the money invested is wasted.

The angered emperor’s pneumonia worsens, and his lifespan-shortens.

It was an event truly worthy of being called a disaster.

‘The empire’s saint will surely lose his head, and I, who actively approved this event, will be fired.’

But, having built up merits over time, perhaps his head won’t be taken – maybe he would be just barely fired?

Aescal imagined himself lying leisurely on the beach of the Kingdom of Keli after being fired.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me too.”

The Crown Prince, seeing Aescal’s satisfactory reaction, patted his shoulder as if his mood had improved.

“I’ll leave the pre-flight inspection of the airship entirely in your hands. Let the evaluation department take responsibility and go on-site. I’m counting on you, Aescal.”

The Crown Prince then went straight to the break room after his proclamation.

“I need to select the personnel to be dispatched.”

Aescal sat down and contemplated the personnel choice.

It required careful selection.

He must never choose a competent person; someone capable of realizing that the airship was a scam must be thoroughly excluded.

“I’ll get ready to go, too.”

“Stay here.”

“…Yes?”

Especially not someone like Lia.

‘As if Je Gal Ryang would interfere in my plan when I’m going out – no chance.’

“There’s no one else but you, Lia, who can properly handle anything that might happen to the evaluation department while I’m gone.”

“Understood.”

He deceived Lia with a plausible excuse, and she nodded as if she understood.

After much consideration, Aescal made his selection.

First, the head of the evaluation department, Aescal Debreu.

Of course, this was obvious.

Secondly, Evaluation Department 4’s manager, Herben. The artist of napping, a genius born with the talent of incompetence.

And thirdly, the most recently recruited talent.

Arin Ash. The young lady who carries misfortune, a troublemaker. You must never get close to her.

Lastly, there would be Sushia.

‘Even looking at them, it makes me feel magnificent.’

It was a lineup that wouldn’t be overshadowed anywhere.

Ascal, Herben, Arin, and Sushia.

They headed toward the laboratory where Bernstein was located.

“Are you going to pay us extra for this job? Chief?”

Sushia asked.

Unexpectedly, the Bernstein Laboratory wasn’t far away. The reason was simple: the more successful the inventor, the more money he had.

Thus, they were able to establish a laboratory in the expensive central district.

And from a distance, a large airship appeared.

“Wow! That must be the developing airship.”

Arin admired the airship visible through the window of her carriage.

Ascal was skeptical.

It looked more like a display item than a functioning airship.

In other words, it was unnecessarily cool.

Although it was not yet a working airship, the empire’s symbol was already drawn on the head of the airship, and magnificent decorations adorned its exterior.

It seemed like a tremendous amount of money had been spent on it, as if all the funding received from the empire had been invested into its appearance.

‘Indeed. It’s well-deserving to be ranked as the first disaster of the three catastrophes.’

As the carriage approached the destination, security guards came out of the outpost.

“This is a confidential area. Please identify yourself.”

“Evaluation Department Chief Ascal Debreu.”

“Let them pass!”

The fence blocking their path disappeared instantly.