The Tyrant Empress is Obsessed with Me

Chapter 9

9 – So You’ve Come

＜Department of Imperial Evaluation＞

Section 1 Head – Cain

Section 2 Head – Devan

Section 3 Head – Ascal

Section 4 Head – Herben

Devan has recently become edgy.

He was an elite. Born as the third son of an Earl’s family, he received specialized education from his family’s tutors since childhood and grew up as an imperial official.

When Devan became the youngest head of Evaluation Department Section 2, there was no doubt in his mind that he was on the path of success.

That is, until someone who flies through the sky using teleportation appeared instead of running on the path of success.

‘Ascal Debre.’

At first, he had no presence, but then he suddenly achieved a series of unbelievable results, skyrocketing to the position of head of department.

It’s a speed that far surpasses Devan’s record.

Since then, Devan started to notice Ascal.

‘It’s all just a stroke of luck.’

For Devan, who had climbed to his current position through strenuous efforts, he couldn’t accept Ascal. Seeing him recently being called the dragon of the empire or something like that was enough to twist his stomach.

However, regardless of Devan’s own evaluation, the assessments of those surrounding Ascal shot through the sky.

The current director’s term was not far from its end.

The likely candidate for the next director was Kain, the head of department one. But what about after that? Until recently, Devon was confident that it would be him, but now… he wasn’t so sure.

‘I need a strategy.’

Devon sat in his office, deep in thought.

Soon, there would be an antique auction in the empire. The annual auction started as a simple bazaar, but over time it had grown into an unbelievable scale.

Now, it had become a global festival where sharp-eyed auctioneers aiming for a big score and scammers trying to profit off of them gathered from all over the world. Items ranging from simple antiques rotting away in storage to hidden relics worth more than a house could be found here.

‘This might be my chance to turn things around.’

Having a keen eye was the most crucial virtue for a manager in the appraisal department.

As such, it was a tradition of sorts for managers to test their abilities at the antique festival.

And if Devon could defeat his rival, Ascal, at this antique festival?

The evaluations would be reversed, Devon would reclaim his rightful position.

‘Just wait, Ascal Debruler.’

“Why do I have to attend the antique festival?”

The man with black hair spoke indifferently. An aura could be felt as he skimmed through the report with his fingers.

Devon swallowed his saliva.

But he couldn’t allow himself to be overwhelmed here.

“You mean to say that you have no intention of proving your abilities as an appraisal manager?”

“So, it’s not mandatory to participate, is it? Do I have a reason for attending the antique festival?”

Devon was flustered.

He hadn’t expected Ascal to refuse.

Moreover, it was a valid argument.

It was difficult to find a retort.

“Here’s your coffee.”

Lia brought the coffee to Devon, who was sitting in the guest seat.

“Thank you.”

Devon took a sip of the coffee. The rich and deep taste was of a quality that would have been believable from a professional barista.

Devon envied Ascal. It was a blessing to be able to drink such coffee every day.

If he had a secretary like Lia, his efficiency would rise as well.

‘What can I do…? How can I outsmart Ascal?’

Deban, who was gripping his head in agony, reflexively spoke.

“Let’s make a bet. If I win, I’ll bring Miss Lia to our department. On the other hand, if you win, you can take anyone from our department.”

Deban regretted it as soon as he said it.

It was because there was no way Askal would accept such a ridiculous proposal.

“Fine.”

Antique auction.

It was a noisy and crowded festival where people from all over the world gathered. Askal didn’t particularly like this atmosphere. That’s why he refused Deban’s proposal, but…

‘Send Lia legally to Department 2?’

Deban made an irresistible offer.

Thank you so much.

In terms of a thief-catching game, it was as if volunteering to take the Joker oneself.

“Come on, delicious chicken skewers for just three coppers! It’s a steal! A steal!”

“Put your money down and eat money! If you guess the cup with money in it among the three cups, we’ll give you twice as much!”

People flocked to the antique festival.

Naturally, hawkers would swarm in, and street stalls would spring up.

Strictly speaking, they were subject to crackdowns, but people implicitly turned a blind eye on festival days.

“Are you sure it’s okay to accept the bet?”

“I have a talent I really want to recruit for Department 2.”

Upon Lia’s question, Askal tried hard to hide his agitation and made an excuse. It was like telling someone in front of them that if they lose the bet, they’ll sell them off.

Even though it was a matter of his life, he felt a bit guilty.

“Do you like chicken skewers?”

“I’ve never tried it, so I don’t know.”

It was unlikely that the Princess of the Empire had ever eaten street food like chicken skewers. However, if they were going to be busy attending festivals in the future, they needed to be somewhat full.

Askal bought two chicken skewers and handed one to Lia.

“Try it once. It’s quite good.”

The sauce-coated chicken skewer seemed to be quite skillfully grilled.

Following Askal’s lead, Lia took a small bite of the chicken skewer.

The sweet and sour sauce-coated chicken meat had a chewy texture.

“……It’s delicious.”

“Fortunately.”

Ascal, who had finished the skewered chicken, sorted out his thoughts.

The bet between him and Devan was simple. It was about who could choose the more valuable antique.

The judgment was to be requested by a professional appraiser in the empire to ensure fairness.

Of course, Ascal had no intention of seriously choosing an antique. He planned to pass the time until the festival ended, then pick any random antique and accept defeat.

“It’s my first time attending a festival like this.”

Ria, who rarely revealed her opinion, spoke. Her blue eyes, looking curiously at the festival, were filled with a bit of excitement.

‘Well, let’s at least make Ria enjoy the festival.’

Ascal decided to escort Ria as much as possible.

Dart throwing.

“A perfect score! Miss, you’re really amazing!”

Swindling game.

“Damn, I got it. I got it, okay. The coin was actually in my sleeve. You’ve got great insight.”

Candy-making.

“I haven’t seen such beautiful candy in ten years.”

Ria devastated the festival wherever she went with her natural talent. By the afternoon, there was even a rumor circulating, and she was barred from participating, with nothing left to enjoy.

“Shall we rest for a bit?”

“Sounds good.”

Still, Ria had enough fun and sat on a bench with a faint smile, holding a large teddy bear she had won as a prize.

“Still, if you want to win the bet, shouldn’t you choose an antique?”

“I’m carefully choosing.”

In fact, he planned to casually pick anything before the festival ended.

The antique rank given by professional appraisers ranged from F to S.

Devan was an individual who was considered quite capable even among the managers.

He would probably be able to choose an antique of B or A rank.

And naturally, Ascal was aiming for an F-ranked antique to secure a definite loss.

“Oho. Young man, you seem to have quite an eye.”

From No ble mt L dot c om

Ascal entered a shabby alley and browsed antiques on a shabby vendor’s table.

The items on the floor mat were worn-out pots, a sword with missing teeth, voodoo dolls, and other antiques that were hardly worth possessing.

Among them, Ascal chose the sword with missing teeth.

“3 silvers, huh.”

“Expensive. How about 2 silvers?”

“2 silvers and 50 coppers.”

“Well, then I’ll buy it somewhere else.”

“You young folks are so greedy. Fine, take it for 2 silvers.”

Negotiating the price is all about momentum. It’s crucial to give off the vibe that you really won’t buy it if they don’t lower the price. The better merchants are good at reading this vibe.

But Ascal was invincible in the negotiations because he genuinely didn’t want to buy it if they didn’t lower the price.

“…Do you really think that’s a valuable antique?”

Ria had a worried expression.

“Trust me.”

You have to trust me.

From now on, you have to trust people in the second division.

The three-day festival had come to an end.

Evening came.

Those who had acquired valuable antiques wore smiles on their faces as they returned to their hometowns, while those who had spent a fortune and been swindled by tricksters screamed out loud, only to be dragged away by the guards.

The emptiness felt after such intense excitement is inevitable.

“So, the antique you chose is that old sword?”

“Yes.”

Devan had chosen a parchment. He confidently took out a parchment with unidentifiable characters written on it and spoke.

“It’s a record of ancient texts. It’s got immeasurable historical value. I think I won this bet, after all.”

“Hmm. There’s no knowing until we actually compare them.”

Ascal was just waiting for a quick comparison to confirm Devan’s victory.

They sent the antiques to the appraisal expert exclusively contracted by the royal family. As one of the most skilled appraisers, there was no way he would make a wrong judgment.

A week passed, and the results came back.

Ancient Empire’s Parchment – Rank B

Barba Empire’s First Emperor’s Treasure Sword – Value Unmeasurable (EX)

The empire was turned upside down.

“This is the Treasure Sword that the royal family has been passing down since ancient times, yet it was lost somehow…!”

Looking absolutely astonished, the appraiser returned the Treasure Sword along with a certified document after a thorough verification and expressed his genuine gratitude.

Naturally, the sword that Ascal had found was returned to the royal family.

And so, a private meeting with the emperor was arranged as a reward.

“…At this point, I feel like killing myself.”

Ascal inhales the smoke from his pipe and looks up at the night sky. The smoke was particularly pungent tonight.

“I have to admit defeat. Assistant Director Ascal, choose someone to take with you from the second department…”

“You.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re coming.”

I can’t die alone.

Let’s die together, you scoundrel.

Ascal cast Water Ghost magic.

“No, logically, that doesn’t make sense.”