The Tyrant Empress is Obsessed with Me

2 – Why is this a promotion?

People’s lives often don’t go according to plan.

For example, a business proposal that you thought would fail miserably end up being a massive success, making the front page of the newspaper, and the bakery you always visit closing its doors.

＜Magic Stone Major Shareholder. Due to the soaring stock price, we are closing.＞

“Who will make my breakfast now?”

Gripping his rumbling stomach, Askal wandered the streets like a vagabond until he fortunately found a street stall selling sandwiches.

Although it was his first time seeing this street stall, it was no time to be picky about his meal. Moreover, the woman making the sandwiches seemed quite skilled in her preparation.

“Can I have a ham and cheese sandwich, please?”

Askal took a bite of the sandwich.

It was sensational.

People generally think that a sandwich is just meat stuck between two slices of bread, and that’s not wrong. However, depending on how it’s made, there can be a world of difference in taste.

The carefully toasted surface of the bread and the rich aroma of the fresh cheese stimulate one’s appetite first. Then, as one bites into it, the crispy bread crumbles delightfully.

At the same time, one experiences the meat’s juices and the lettuce adding texture. He made the right choice by picking this street stall.

“Is the taste okay?”

Ascal wiped the sauce that splattered on his cheek with the back of his hand.

The woman looked kindly at him. Her golden hair swayed gently in the wind.

“It’s incredibly delicious.”

“To be honest, I was not confident about serving this dish to a guest since I usually only make it for the children, but I’m glad you like it.”

“Children?”

The woman looked young, in her early twenties. Ascal was momentarily taken aback when she mentioned children.

“Oh, I teach children at an orphanage.”

“That’s a good deed.”

“hehehe. It’s a fun and rewarding job.”

Feeling great after eating a delicious sandwich for the first time in a while, Ascal pointed at all the displayed sandwiches with his finger.

“Can I have every one of them?”

“That’s a lot. Are you sure?”

“I think my colleagues at work should also try these sandwiches.”

It’s not hard to guess that having these sandwiches sold would help the orphanage children. Ascal, with the bag full of sandwiches, set off.

Then, suddenly, he felt apprehensive.

‘A beautiful woman with golden hair, teaching at an orphanage, and a good cook…’

Ascal remembered.

She was Aileen, a character from a novel.

Aileen, who lost the orphanage to Yulia’s tyranny, awakens her divine power and is called a saint. She then plays a crucial role in the rebellion.

From No ble mt L dot c om

Of course, Yulia is not yet an emperor, and Aileen hasn’t lost the orphanage yet. The story takes place slightly in the future.

Anyway.

‘Good. I’ve gained favor.’

It was an unexpected harvest.

From now on, he would continue to buy his breakfast here.

Later, even if a rebellion were to take place, he would now have a connection to hold onto.

Ascal arrived at the office.

And he sensed that the atmosphere was strange somehow.

Usually, the office would be empty at this time, with everyone being late, but it was peculiarly crowded.

As a level 9 administrator, his intuition was telling him that it was time to be discreet. Killing his presence, the moment he opened the door to section 4, Ascal was startled.

Everyone in Section 4 had already arrived at work.

All the people who were always late had actually made it on time. There was no doubt that this was a sign that something serious was about to happen.

“Ah… you’ve finally arrived.”

The section head, who was usually invisible, spoke seriously.

“Earlier, we received a message that the Minister of Magic will be visiting our section. Everyone should be sitting at their desks and working, or at least pretending to be busy.”

The Minister of Magic.

For a lowly grade 9 employee like myself, it was a high-ranking official beyond reach.

“What brings the Minister to our section?”

“That’s the problem. We don’t know. But since he’ll be arriving soon, you should take your seat quickly.”

It was fortunate that the visitor was the Minister of Magic. Among the ministers, he was known to dislike pomp and ceremony.

That meant there was no need to make a big show of his arrival.

Askael sat down at his desk and began to work. The news that the Minister would be visiting soon instinctively triggered the DNA of the rank-and-file administrator in him.

“Hmm. Is that a business plan?”

“Yes. It’s about using magic stones to improve the sewage system.”

“What do you think?”

“It’s a blatant lie without even looking at the details. If you look closely, the magic formulas are a complete mess. It’s a ploy to get funding by writing a plausible proposal.”

“It’s fortunate that the Empire has administrators like you.”

Askael reflexively looked up.

A middle-aged man with an experienced-looking face was standing there. It was impossible to tell when he had arrived.

“Minister!”

The section head, his face pale, stumbled and ran towards them.

“I’m the section head of Evaluation Section 4, Herven. It’s truly an honor to meet the Minister.”

“Minister of Magic, Rovin.”

“What brings you to our Section 4 this time? May I help guide you?”

Rovin ignored the flustered section head and looked at Askael.

“What’s your name?”

“Askael.”

“Askael. What do you think of the current state of the Empire?”

It was a somewhat heavy conversation.

And that’s when the section head butted in.

“Currently, the empire is flourishing more than ever. All thanks to His Majesty the Emperor’s excellent grace…”

“Shut up. I was asking Ascal.”

At Robin’s snappish remark, the official wilted like a scolded dog.

“It reminds me of a frog in a pot.”

“Oh? Why is that?”

“Because it doesn’t know it’s being boiled alive. It might seem fine on the outside, but as the water gradually heats up, by the time it reaches boiling point, it’s already too late.”

For a moment, Robin’s expression changed.

The gaze that had been watching the witty young man now became much more serious.

“That means there are shortcomings in His Majesty the Emperor’s rule.”

“No one can change the course of events, no matter how exceptional they might be.”

“Hmm.”

Robin’s hardened face softened.

And there was a smile on his lips.

“Do you have any intention of joining the Magic Department?”

The Magic Department was one of the few places in the empire that “actually got things done.”

In Robin’s eyes, Ascal was a gem.

He was too precious to be rotting away in the garbage dump of the Evaluation Department.

“I apologize, but I still have a lot of work to do in the Evaluation Department.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

Robin clicked his tongue.

It was always the case.

Incompetent and frivolous people easily changed where they settled, but the more competent they were, the less likely they were to move around.

Robin found himself even more drawn to Ascal.

“If you change your mind later, let me know. I’ll keep a spot open for you.”

“Your words alone are appreciated.”

“Well, I’ve held onto such a promising young man for too long. Take this.”

Robin took out a gold-plated appointment letter from his pocket.

＜As of today, Ascal Devre is promoted to a 7th-grade civil servant and will take up the vacant post of Section Chief in the Evaluation Department-3. Looking forward to your accomplishments under the Emperor’s grace.＞

“…What is this?”

“Congratulations on your promotion, Ascal. Thanks to your discovery and improvement of the magic stone, the Magic Department has been immensely grateful. As a thank-you and wanting to meet you, I came in person.”

Ascal felt dizzy as he looked at the appointment letter.

“Anyway, it’s my first time seeing someone promoted by two ranks. It’s quite rare. hahahahaha!”

He had become a grade 7 administrator.

In other words, it became even more difficult for him to escape from the empire.

Ascal had secretly planned to escape from the empire in case things went awry.

However, being a grade 7 administrator meant that he would receive more attention from the emperor’s hunting dogs. It would be much more difficult for him to escape than a grade 9, who could disappear one day without anyone being suspicious.

With this, his escape plan was completely ruined.

‘Damn, seriously.’

After all, the Minister of Magic seemed to really dislike the emperor.

He is a person who values the citizens much more than the current emperor, who is immersed in extravagance.

In the actual history within the novel, the Minister of Magic participates in the rebellion. He then fights the next emperor, Yulia, in the ensuing battles and eventually is defeated and dies.

‘Transferring to the magic department is not a good choice either.’

When the Minister of Magic suggested a transfer earlier, his heart sank.

Although it may seem good on the surface, it would mean that he would be directly involved in the rebellion.

‘Is there any other way? Something that would make me look incompetent… Like causing a big accident.’

He had to act quickly before it was too late.

Ascal was absorbed in agony in his completely empty 3rd department office.

It was still summer.