The Tyrant Empress is Obsessed with Me

43 – Partially filled bucket

Bernstein.

Recently rising figures in the Imperial Magazine Selection, ranked second as the most notable person. The empire’s best inventor. The Empire’s Saint.

Even with just one, impressive titles clung to him like barnacles.

Bernstein looked at his huge laboratory and murmured quietly.

“How did it turn out like this…”

When he first entered as an inventor’s assistant, he had a small dream of becoming a great inventor himself and contributing to the empire.

But accidentally, he found the discarded junk left by his master and thought that with a little bit of work it could be useful, so he turned it into an invention. The invention unexpectedly became a huge hit.

It was a simple toy where when you press a button, the box lid opens, a cat’s paw comes out, and then it closes the lid again.

When Bernstein heard that this toy became a trend among noble children, he almost fainted in shock.

Since then, every invention Bernstein produced was a success. Even when it seemed impossible the reactions from people were sensational.

He even made a pair of boots that changed colors depending on the wearer’s mood and a simple bottle that blew cool air when opened, and people hailed these as inventions of the century. Bernstein made up his mind.

“I must escape from this crazy empire.”

When he visited the government office to immigrate, their response was,

“We cannot accept the loss of talent like you. You must leave by dying.”

After being invited to numerous noble events, and having to deal with constant interviews, Bernstein felt disillusioned.

“Can’t I… retire early?”

“You, a genius like you, retiring early? That’s ridiculous. Absolutely not.”

The empire was notorious for not tolerating the outflow of talent.

Bernstein felt trapped.

And then one day.

“Make a flying ship for the Empire. No one but you can take on this task. We will provide unlimited support.”

At that moment, Bernstein felt as if struck by lightning.

Leave by dying?

He’ll leave while dying, along with the sight of the empire’s taxes exploding into the sky.

Since then, Bernstein poured all his wealth and effort into creating a golem that looked exactly like him. It was the most passionate he’d ever been in his life. On the other hand, he skimped on the flying ship.

Finally, Bernstein completed the golem.

He tested it with his assistants, but nobody could tell the difference between him and the golem. It was perfect. With this, he would remotely control the golem from afar, make a fool of the empire, and escape to the Kingdom of Kelli.

It was a flawless plan.

“An auditor from the evaluation department will come soon. His name is Askal Derv. But, don’t worry. It’s just a formality.”

Bernstein also knew the name Askal Derv.

The Empire’s deep-sea dragon.

From No ble mt L dot c om

But Bernstein didn’t trust the empire’s evaluation at all. He thought that Askal too must have received an exaggerated evaluation, just like him.

Bernstein sent out the golem in front of Askal with a slightly testing spirit.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Bernstein. I’m in charge of this project, though I may be lacking.”

“Imperial Evaluation Bureau Chief, Askal Dever.”

Bernstein was inwardly disappointed as he watched Askal from afar through the golem’s eyes.

As expected, the sleeping dragon of the empire couldn’t recognize it.

“Well-made golem. You truly are a genius inventor.”

“!?”

Askal looked up and down at the golem.

“However, if you look closely, there are some unnatural parts. It’s actually so human-like in some places that it gives off an unpleasant feeling. There seems to be a lot of room for improvement.”

This was the first time someone had discerned the golem.

Bernstein hastily emerged from the golem control room and confronted Askal directly.

“H-how did you know?”

“Don’t you think it’s obvious just by looking?”

If it’s this man.

Bernstein brought out an invention from the warehouse. It was color-changing boots, which were praised as the invention of the century in the empire.

“W-what do you think of this?”

“It’s just boots that change colors, isn’t it? Why?”

Bernstein fell to his knees.

“Sob… Please help me, Askal Dever.”

What is wrong with this person?

Askal looked at the kneeling Bernstein, at a loss for words.

The empire’s sacred one.

The empire’s sleeping dragon.

A genius recognizes another genius.

The encounter between two geniuses brought about a deep mutual understanding.

“No, I mean, this doesn’t make sense! They call me a genius inventor just because I made one toy. Sometimes it feels like everyone in the world is deceiving me.”

“I understand that feeling well. I don’t understand how this hierarchy works at all. If I come to my senses, I’m a section chief or something like that.”

“Askal…!”

“Bernstein…!”

At the end of their brief encounter, the two became close friends in an instant.

It’s been a long time since I’ve met someone with a like mind.

Bunstain took out his prized expensive liquor, poured a glass for Ascal, and also took a sip himself.

Amidst all of this, Ascal’s gaze fell on the necklace Bunstain was wearing.

It was an old, shabby necklace, unfitting for his fame. I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before… perhaps something I made when I was young…

“Ugh.”

As the alcohol went in, true feelings that were buried deep within began to surface. Bunstain laid out his plans candidly.

“The airship will fail. It has an antiquated engine using old-style magic stones, and the carefully selected pilot is nothing but a con artist with a fake past. I’ll probably be executed for taking responsibility.”

“Are you still okay with that?”

“It’s the golem that’s going to be executed, not me. hahahahaha. But I’m more worried about you.”

“Why?”

“Well, the failure is so severe, do you think I’ll be the only one to suffer? You’ll get burnt too, a hundred percent. No matter how much merit you’ve earned, the Empire shows no mercy in such cases.”

“…!”

Gaining this insight, Ascal stood up from his seat, not having taken even a single sip of the liquor.

Ascal’s expression hardened.

“W-why are you acting like that?”

“You wretch, Bunstain! Daring to handle the project so recklessly even while wearing the Emperor’s badge! I cannot turn a blind eye to this as a manager of my empire! Arin, are you there?!”

Upon Ascal’s shout, Arin, who had been waiting outside, entered.

“What’s the matter, sir?”

“There’s an engine for the airship in this lab. Make sure it gets thoroughly inspected.”

“Yes, sir!”

“W-what are you…”

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The engine exploded.

What on earth did he do to make the engine explode so neatly like that?

‘It’s still okay. I still have four hidden spare engines…’

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

“…….”

Bernstein was appalled when he went outside due to the noisy sound. The airship engine had exploded cleanly. All of the spare engines were gone too.

How could this happen?

How could all the engines be destroyed like this?

Swoosh-

The laboratory, which automatically detected the fire, fired Bernstein’s invention, the sprinkler.

“I need to make a new engine. A new engine using improved magic stones, not old ones. Of course, strict monitoring will be needed while developing the engine.”

“Ah, but, you see, Pascal…”

We’re in the same boat, after all.

We can’t let him escape the empire alone.

“I strongly recommend Pascal Devre as the next pilot!”

I didn’t see this coming.

Pascal dealt with all the old engines and then cut off the person who was going to play the role of a pilot with a fake career.

Then, Bernstein went to the emperor himself and requested a private audience.

Upon hearing that Bernstein had gone to the emperor, Pascal raced on his weakened legs and knelt beside the emperor.

“Cough, cough! But, cough! He, cough! Has no experience! Cough!”

“No! With such excellent talent, he’ll be able to control the airship within a month! I can only accept someone from the empire to be the first to drive my airship! Your Majesty!”

Those who have given up on life have no reservations.

If the airship project is successful, Bernstein’s reputation will skyrocket beyond belief, practically solidifying his place among history’s greats.

And Pascal, who thought he would be buried under that fame, almost coughed up blood as soon as he heard Bernstein’s words.

The first airship.

The person who drove that airship.

Bernstein intended to throw that title to Pascal.

“No! Your Majesty! If a beginner like me controls the airship, who knows what accident might happen! I can’t cause a nuisance in such an important event for the empire!”

“Look at that humility and caution! Caution is the greatest virtue of a pilot! Your Majesty! It can be done!”

“Cough, there is, a point!”

“Your Majesty!!!!!!!!!”

“Pascal Devre shall, cough, take responsibility, and drive the airship!”

It’s an imperial order.

There’s no turning back now.

But I can’t go alone like this.

“Your Majesty!!!!!!!!! To my knowledge, there’s enough room for two people in the driver’s seat!!! How about having Bernstein, who has much experience, as my co-pilot!!!?”

“Hmm, that makes sense! Bernstein, help him and co-pilot the airship!”

“Your Majesty!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Despairing, Bernstein heard Ascal whisper in his ear.

“Did you think I’d die alone? No way. Bernstein. We’re going together. Beyond that sky. hahahaha!”