The Tyrant Empress is Obsessed with Me

Chapter 7

7 – Let’s Go Eat Some Food

Currently, your performance evaluation is an A.

There is a high possibility that you will be promoted to a level 5 administrator in the future.

The empire commends your recent outstanding abilities and efforts. We’re all wishing for your continued success in making the empire shine.

– Mr. Ascal Devre

Ascal crumpled up the performance evaluation and threw it into the trash, in distress.

These days, there’s no respite.

It felt as if fate were forcing me to dedicate my life to this empire.

But going against fate was the true path that humans should pursue.

Even if I stumbled and fell, I had to mess up at work spectacularly and get fired as an administrator.

And then, in the warm southern kingdom of Caily, I would open a chicken skewer store, make a fortune, and have a leisurely retirement.

“There are two tasks for you to handle today.”

Today, after finishing his morning motivation, Ascal received documents from Lia.

It had been a while since he had a proper case.

Ascal eagerly scanned the documents like a hungry dog licking a rice bowl.

“The first dispute is about a vacant lot in the shopping district, and the second one is an illegal stall run by a witch.”

“Can’t we just remove the illegal stall?”

“People seem to be afraid of being cursed by the witch. That’s why the case has been passed on to us.”

“Are they playing hot potato? Like a chain letter?”

After listening to Lia’s explanation, Ascal briefly summarized the contents.

The Empire’s shopping district was popular, and many merchants wanted to open stores there. However, land was always scarce. Hence, three bidders competed for a vacant lot that had recently become available.

1. A famous pastry chef who wanted to create a trendy dessert shop.

2. A livestock breeder with a large ranch who wanted to open a butcher shop for their own meat.

3. A cook from the countryside who dreamed of opening a small restaurant.

“I am not sure if it would help your decision, but the pastry chef and the livestock breeder have sent gifts as a way of requesting a favor.”

“Send them back.”

“Understood.”

With no arguments, Lia took the bribes and left.

Until now, he had always forwarded any bribes to Aileen’s orphanage, but this time it was difficult to accept.

Ascal had already made up his mind to choose the third bidder, the cook from the countryside named Hanson.

He remembered Hanson well.

For a while, Hanson had toiled away as a laborer in the shopping district, unable to catch a break. Eventually, after years of trying, he took on debt to open a small restaurant.

And the restaurant was a huge success.

Hanson’s establishment was so renowned that it made the “must-visit” list for gourmands visiting the empire.

‘So, shouldn’t I choose Hanson then?’

However, there was a twist.

At some point, people in the Empire began falling ill.

All of them had eaten at Hanson’s restaurant.

Hanson had used magic stone powder to significantly enhance the addictive quality of his food.

As a result, the bodies of the people who ate the food accumulated the impurities from the magic stone powder, later causing them to become sick.

‘Because of this crime, Hanson was eventually executed, and the shopping district almost went bankrupt.’

The Ma-seok poisoning incident becomes a huge scandal that won’t leave the tongues of the citizens for a while.

And with a scandal that big, it could completely overturn the current high-ranking evaluations. And if they’re lucky, they might even get fired from their management positions.

Considering the possibility that the fire might spread to the joint seating system, they had already completed their practice of weeping and pleading injustice.

The preparation is perfect.

Ascal tells Lia after returning the bribe.

“Grant permission to the countryside chef.”

“Understood.”

Although it was an unexpected choice, Lia followed without presenting any other opinion.

Honestly, Lia was extremely excellent as an aide. When something was needed, she already had it prepared, and when they wanted a break, she would bring snacks and coffee.

It’s a mystery how someone like her could turn into a tyrant, plunge into darkness, and destroy the empire.

‘Well, it’s none of my business.’

Ascal stretched and leaned back in his chair.

It’s a legitimate naptime.

Relaxing their tense body and easing their muscles, sleep came creeping.

‘The empire needs you.’

At that moment, the words of Earl Yorick floated through Ascal’s mind.

‘Sorry, Earl Yorick. That statement, well, it’s not like I promised. I need to make a living too.’

It seemed like they would be able to sleep soundly after a long time.

As expected, Hansen’s store became a huge hit.

The reinterpreted dishes from other regions successfully captured the needs of the citizens, and the word of mouth spread faster than expected, attracting more customers.

Now, without a reservation made a week in advance, one couldn’t even eat at the store.

“I want to eat at Hansen’s again too. This time, there’s no vacancy for a month… Since the manager granted permission, can you ask?”

“That’s a corrupt solicitation.”

“That’s too much.”

Siwoo complained while organizing the documents.

But upon closer consideration, trying Hansen’s food again didn’t seem like a bad choice.

Around now, the side effects of the Ma-seok powder would begin to appear, and they wanted to check if the plan was progressing well.

“If you want to eat there that much, I’ll ask.”

“Behold the sleeping dragon of the Empire, my light, section 3’s hope, manager Ascal. I knew I could count on you.”

The flattery had reached a ridiculous level, but Ascal disregarded it and sent a letter to Hansen’s store.

The reply came quickly.

＜I’ve been waiting. I’ll serve you properly today.＞

From No ble mt L dot c om

“…It’s a bit overwhelming.”

Had they been thinking about it this much?

Anyway, Ascal got up from his seat and spoke to the employees of department three.

“Anyone who wants to join the company dinner at Deo Hansun’s tonight after work, raise your hand.”

Everyone did.

Even Ria shyly raised her hand. Ascal stared at Ria. Ria avoided his gaze.

“I want to try it too.”

“Alright.”

Apparently, the future tyrant couldn’t resist delicious food either.

Deo Hansun.

As a restaurant named after the chef and owner himself, the atmosphere was distinctive even without having tasted the food yet. The seating was arranged with consideration for the customers’ movement, and the interior design was neither excessive nor insufficient.

It was no wonder that, for a brief moment, the restaurant was considered one of the best in the empire in the future.

“Mr. Ascal, I’ve always wanted to meet you. I’ll never forget the kindness you showed this nameless countryman.”

As soon as they entered the restaurant, owner Hansun enthusiastically welcomed Ascal and his party.

“It’s all thanks to the excellent skills of the owner. I simply did my job.”

“No, no. It turns out that the other two offered bribes back then, but I applied empty-handed. Looking back, I wonder how foolish I was… I’m glad I can repay my gratitude now.”

Hansun took out a small bundle from his pocket. For a moment, the glint of gold between the bundle’s opening looked unusual.

“I’ll just take your sincerity.”

Ascal had a firm standard on accepting bribes. He would accept gifts of necessities or food, but money was more likely to cause trouble.

“…hahahaha.”

But then, Hansun suddenly sat down in his seat and began to shed tears.

‘Did he really cry just because I didn’t accept his bribe?’

Ascal was flustered.

“I’ve been cooking all my life. But having a restaurant isn’t always successful just because you’re good at cooking. I’ve been cheated a lot along the way, too, and I’ve resented the world that didn’t recognize me.”

Hansun began his confession.

“The only person who has truly recognized me so far is you, Mr. Ascal. If you told me to give up my restaurant, I would.”

“Would you really give it up?”

“…Actually, that would be difficult.”

Tsk.

Can’t even speak properly.

Feeling a little embarrassed, Hanson led us to the most expensive private room on the second floor.

“Of course, we won’t charge you for the food. Please enjoy our restaurant at ease.”

Hanson spoke confidently, as if showing his pride as a chef.

“Wow, connections really are the best. I’ll have to brag about this to my friends later.”

Sushia excitedly gazed around the room, as if trying to take it all in. If cameras existed in this world, she’d have taken dozens of pictures by now.

In contrast, Ria quietly pulled out the chair for me to sit in.