Chapter 4:


    Theres a saying that goes, Luck ounts for 70%, effort for 30%.


    The interpretation could vary, but Ascalpletely disagreed with this sentiment.


    Simply because, to him, it was all about luck, 100% of it.


    Look, Manager Ascal is passing by.


    I heard he was selected as the Manager of the Year by the evaluation department.


    You know, just his walk has this certain aura...


    Dang. I want to be his friend.


    His ears tingled from all the whispers.


    Doing his best to avoid the crowd, Ascal entered his office.


    A new framed picture had been added. The portrait, seemingly painted by a skilled artist, excessively morized and facing forward, disyed Ascal. Below it read:


    <b><i><Ascal Debrue - Manager of the Year></i></b>


    He had hoped the hot spring discovered in the wastnd was just a temporary phenomenon, but there was no such miracle.


    Rumors even had it that the springs contained traces of magic, enhancing ones health with just a single bath. As a result, it became a huge tourist attraction.


    Thanks to this, the stature of the evaluation department was skyrocketing, and at its center was Ascal, basking in an unprecedented poprity hed never experienced before.


    <Hello. Ive been watching you for a while. Lately, every time I see you, my heart races, and I cant help myself. Today, after work at 6 oclock...>


    He was even receiving love letters. Quite a number of them, in fact.


    Of course, Ascal was well aware that these werent letters of pure emotion; they were from people looking for a golden opportunity to climb the socialdder.


    The letters, made of seemingly good quality, burned smoothly when tossed into the heater, making for good kindling.


    Ah, Manager Ascal. Youre here.


    Its my office. Isnt it natural for me to be here?


    Haha. I thought you might be out on business, given how busy you always are.


    Despite the sarcastic remark, Kaneughed it off heartily.


    Lately, Kane, the head of department 1, frequented Ascals office. It seemed Ascal had genuinely won over Kane favor.


    Had it been any other department head, they wouldve eagerly cozied up to Kane, the real power yer, but Ascal wanted to cut those ties with a dagger.


    What brings you here?


    Didnt you hear? Theres a dinner party tonight.


    Dinner party.


    At that word, the memories from a past life surged in Ascals head.


    That horrid culture where, after pouring alcohol into ones belly until heavily intoxicated, they would vow evesting allegiance, only to regurgitate it all beneath amppost a few hourster.


    This world was not much different.


    Do I really have to attend?


    Of course. Arent you the man of the hour?


    What exactly did I do?


    Kane responded incredulously.


    You yed a pivotal role in the revolutionary improvement of a magical stone that wouldve gone unrecognized and buried. Plus, you personally surveyed and developed the hot springs in the wastnd, making a significant contribution to the empires treasury.


    Was this some kind of tribute to a great person? Ascal wanted to cover his ears.


    And youre only ever ten minuteste.


    Are there any officials who are neverte?


    Not that I know of.


    I really need to get out of this godforsaken ce.


    Ascal made a mental note once again. However, he had an uncanny feeling hed made this resolve before.


    Must be imagining things.


    .


    .


    .


    What should our toast be? To the Barba Empire?


    Nah, a toast has toe from the heart.


    Oh, does it?


    To safely reaching retirement, getting our full pension, and living off that pension for the rest of our days!


    To that!


    The ce Ascal was forcibly dragged to was an upscale restaurant in the capital called Whales Breath.


    From what Ascal knew, it was among the priciest in the empire. It was unreachable for the average wage earner and even the well-to-do upper ss had to stretch to afford it.


    In such a posh ce, officials in their uniforms had rented out an entire floor, making a racket. And at that, Ascal was reminded of mobsters hed seen in old movies.


    Eat up, Ascal. When else would you get a chance to dine at Whales Breath? Theres just something else about food paid for with taxpayers money; it just tastes better.


    Yes, Im eating.


    The main head of evaluation Departments kept offering food with a friendly smile. It felt a bit oppressive, especially since he had taken the seat right next to Ascal.


    To make things worse, on Ascals right was Kane, the head of Department 1. He was sandwiched between two quite overwhelming individuals.


    It was very oppressive.


    From afar, envious nces were cast their way.


    To them, this mustve looked like the royal seats reserved for those guaranteed a bright future.


    Royal seats, my foot... more like a straight path to the execution block.


    If a rebellion were to break out, not only the royal family but high-ranking officials would be executed in sequence.


    Staying a low-ranking official would be more advantageous for survival. However, it was already toote for that thought.


    By the way, Ascal, how on earth did you discover the hot spring in the wastnd?


    As the alcohol began to flow, the main head of the evaluation Department asked in a serious tone,


    It was just good luck.


    Come on. Its just us here. Be honest for once.


    The main head exaggeratedly feigned disappointment. The scent of alcohol emanated from his slightly flushed face.


    Its true. I was just fortunate.


    No matter how much he was pressed, all he had to say was that he had been lucky. After all, that was the truth.


    Youre even keeping secrets in front of your superior? Tsk, disappointing, Ascal. I thought better of you.


    Whistling, the main head excused himself, seemingly heading to the restroom.


    Ascal wondered what he supposedly saw in him to say he thought better. He was so baffled that he just picked up some meat with his chopsticks and ate.


    At least the food was good. Without that constion, he wouldnt have been able to endure this drinking session.


    Interesting.


    Amid all this, Kane seemed to have had some realization, nodding his head thoughtfully.


    Whats with him?


    Ascal had no clue what Kane was thinking.


    A young man whos had a drink tends to be unpredictable. In that sense, Kanes internal evaluation of Ascal had just risen a notch due to Ascals discretion in not revealing his secret, despite the relentless questioning from the main head.


    All in all, it was an utterly maddening dinner.


    .


    .


    .


    The next day:


    Ascal found packagesid out in his office.


    <These are persimmons from our hometown. Theyre in season, so theyre very delicious.>


    <This is thetest suit weve released. Itll suit you, Ascal.>


    <This is a bouquet picked from specially selected beautiful flowers.>


    It began with food, clothes, and flowers, but then extended to valuable knick-knacks, and even needless ornaments.


    From farmers, and sessful clothing store owners, to florists. A bewildered Ascal asked Kane, who happened to drop by the office,


    What are all these?


    Nothing significant, just bribes. Seems like its about time you started receiving some. Youre being recognized as an important figure now.


    Arent officials not supposed to ept bribes?


    Kanes eyes widened at Ascals words.


    What kind of nonsense is that?


    ...Nevermind.


    It appeared thatmon sense in this pseudo-medieval fantasynd differed slightly from the modern era.


    Since the bribes werent particrly useful, Ascal passed them straight to the orphanage where Eileen resided, under the pseudonym Tall Uncle.


    This would prove to be a good insuranceter on.


    By the way, now that youre a 6th-grade official, you should have an assistant. Got anyone in mind?


    Not really.


    In that case, Ill filter out somepetent people and give you a list. Hows that sound?


    Id appreciate that.


    Later that afternoon, Kane returned with a mountain of documents.


    Are there this many candidates?


    Well, youve be quite famoustely. So, theres an overwhelming number of applicants. Ive narrowed it down to the cream of the crop.


    Ascal reviewed the resumes of the applicants.


    The first was a knight who had served in the Rosemary Order. The knight wasmitted to providing 24-hour close protection, but his disposition seemed questionable. Pass.


    The second was a mage who had researched dark magic at the magic tower and was subsequently recruited by the empire after causing an uproar.


    He expressed a desire to study my brain. Is he out of his mind? Pass.


    Having sifted through numerous resumes, including those from renowned ountants and even offspring of nobility, Ascal felt a headacheing on.


    Just pick anyone.


    Honestly, it didnt matter to him.


    He wasnt nning to work much anyway.


    Understood. Ill take responsibility and select the perfect candidate for you.


    Kane seemed to take this task very seriously, clenching his fist with a sense of strong responsibility.


    He really didnt need to go to such lengths.


    A few dayster, Kane, who imed he would select a truly talented candidate, just as he said, truly ended up choosing a talented* person.


    Let me introduce you. This is Miss Lia.


    Ascal slowly lifted his head. Flowing tinum blonde hair and eyes that looked like they were embedded with aquamarine were in front of him.


    For a moment, Ascal felt as though he had been struck by lightning.


    Pleased to meet you. Im Lia.


    She may have concealed her identity, but Ascal knew.


    She was the future empress and the empires third princess, Yulia.


    Why on earth are you here...?


    [TN: Talented: The term Talented originally  is a very nice wordy by the author. In typical Korean usage,  refers to talent or a talented person. The twist lies in the apanying Hanja characters .


    this  () Denotes person  and  () Signifies disaster or cmity.


    So whenbined, the Hanja interpretation of  alludes to a human disaster or a disaster of a person.


    I just loved what the author did here .]