You're Coming With Me
1st Division Chief — Kane
2nd Division Chief — Devan
3rd Division Chief — Askal
4th Division Chief — Herben
Devan had been on edge lately.
He was an elite. Born the third son of a count’s family, he had received specialized tutoring from a young age and grown up groomed to become an imperial administrator.
When he became the youngest section chief in the Evaluation Department’s Second Division, Devan had believed without a shadow of a doubt that he was racing down the path to success.
At least until the man who, instead of running that path beside him, flew through the sky and teleported into the picture.
'Askal Debr.'
The man who had seemed completely unremarkable when he first appeared had suddenly begun producing one impossible achievement after another, shooting straight up to section chief at blinding speed.
It was a pace that left Devan’s own record far behind. From then on, Devan had started paying attention to Askal.
'It’s all just luck.'
Having reached his position through relentless, bone-deep effort, Devan could not accept Askal. Lately, hearing the man called the empire’s hidden dragon or whatever made his stomach twist with nausea.
Yet regardless of Devan’s own opinion, the people around them sang Askal’s praises to the heavens.
The current director of the Evaluation Department had little time left in his term. The next director would most likely be Kane, chief of the First Division. But after that? Until recently Devan could have declared with confidence that the position would be his… but now he was no longer certain.
'I need a way.'
Devan sat at his desk, lost in thought.
Soon the empire would host its annual antique auction. What had begun as a simple bazaar had grown, year by year, into an event of absurd scale.
These days, if one had the eye to recognize their worth, even relics that had been gathering dust in family storerooms—items worth more than an entire house—were brought to market.
The antique festival had become a worldwide carnival where sharp-eyed treasure hunters chasing a fortune and con artists eager to fleece them gathered from every corner of the continent.
'This could turn everything around.'
Keen discernment was the most vital quality an Evaluation Department administrator could possess.
It had therefore become something of a custom for officials in the department to test their abilities at the antique festival.
And if Devan could crush Askal there?
The evaluations would reverse, and Devan would reclaim his rightful place.
'Just wait, Askal Debr.'
“Why exactly must I attend the antique festival?”
The black-haired man spoke with complete indifference. Even the way his fingers skimmed across the report carried a certain aura.
Devan swallowed hard. He could not afford to be overwhelmed here.
“Are you saying you have no interest in proving your abilities as an Evaluation Department administrator?”
“As I said, participation is not mandatory. Is there any reason I must attend the antique festival?”
Devan was flustered. He had not expected Askal to refuse. Worse, the man’s point was perfectly logical, leaving him with few words to counter.
“Your coffee, sir.”
Ria set a cup before Devan, who occupied the guest seat.
“Thank you.”
He took a sip. The coffee was so rich and deeply flavorful that it seemed possible a master barista had brewed it.
Devan felt a surge of envy toward Askal. To drink coffee of this quality every day was true fortune. If only he had a secretary like Ria, his own efficiency would surely rise.
'How… How can I lure him in?'
Devan clutched his head in frustration, then spoke on reflex.
“Let’s make a bet. If I win, I’ll take Miss Ria to my division. In exchange, if you win, you may take anyone you like from my division.”
The moment the words left his mouth, Devan regretted them. There was no chance Askal would accept such an absurd proposal.
“Fine by me.”
?
A worldwide gathering of sharp-eyed hunters and silver-tongued swindlers.
The antique auction was as noisy and crowded as one would expect from a festival drawing people from across the continent. Askal had never cared for this sort of atmosphere, which was why he had initially refused Devan’s proposal…
'He’s giving me a legitimate way to transfer Ria to the Second Division?'
Devan had made an offer he could not possibly refuse. Askal was grateful beyond words. In a game of tag, it was like the man had volunteered to carry the joker himself.
“Come one, come all! Delicious chicken skewers for just three coppers! Practically free!”
“Test your luck! Guess which cup holds the coin and I’ll double your money!”
Where crowds gathered, street vendors followed. Stalls sprang up everywhere. Strictly speaking they were illegal, yet the authorities tacitly looked the other way during the festival.
“Are you certain it’s all right to accept the bet?”
“There’s a talent I really want to recruit to the Second Division.”
Askal hid his unease behind a casual excuse in response to Ria’s question. After all, he had just declared in front of her that he would sell her off if he lost. Even though his own life was on the line, he felt a twinge of guilt.
“Do you like chicken skewers?”
“I’ve never tried them, so I wouldn’t know.”
Of course the empire’s princess would never have tasted common street food. Still, they would be walking the festival for some time; it was best to eat something substantial.
Askal bought two skewers and handed one to Ria.
“Try it. It’s surprisingly decent.”
The sauce-glazed chicken was grilled with genuine skill. Ria watched Askal eat, then took a cautious bite from the end of her own skewer. The sweet-sauced meat had a pleasant chew.
“…It’s delicious.”
“Glad to hear it.”
After finishing the skewers, Askal organized his thoughts. The bet with Devan was simple: whoever selected the more valuable antique would win. For fairness, a professional imperial appraiser would judge the items.
Naturally, Askal had no intention of choosing seriously. He planned to kill time until the festival ended, pick any random piece, and lose on purpose.
“This is my first time attending a festival like this.”
Ria, who rarely voiced her own thoughts, spoke with quiet wonder. Her blue eyes sparkled with faint excitement as she gazed at the bustling scene.
Right. Since things have come to this, I might as well make sure Ria enjoys the festival while it lasts.
Askal decided to escort her properly.
Dart throwing.
“A perfect score! Miss, you’re incredible!”
The cup-and-ball scam.
“Damn it, fine, you win. The coin was up my sleeve. You’ve got sharp eyes.”
Candy crafting.
“I haven’t seen candy this beautiful in ten years.”
Ria’s natural talent laid waste to every stall she visited. By afternoon the rumors had spread so widely that she was banned from further participation; there was nothing left for her to enjoy.
“Shall we rest a while?”
“Yes, please.”
Ria seemed satisfied. She sat on a bench with a faint smile, hugging the large teddy bear she had won as a prize.
“Still, if we want to win the bet, shouldn’t we select an antique soon?”
“I’m choosing very carefully.”
In truth, he intended to grab any random item before the festival ended.
Professional appraisers ranked antiques from F to S.
Devan was considered quite capable even among the department’s administrators.
He would likely manage a B- or A-rank piece.
And for a guaranteed loss, Askal was naturally aiming for an F-rank antique.
“Oh-ho. Young man, you’ve got a good eye.”
Askal had stepped into a dim alley and was examining the wares at a shabby stall.
The items spread across the mat were exactly the sort no one would want even if offered for free: a cracked jar, a sword missing several teeth, a voodoo doll, and other junk.
Askal chose the sword with the broken edge.
“Three silvers.”
“That’s steep. Two silvers.”
“Two silvers and fifty coppers.”
“Then I’ll look elsewhere.”
“Greedy fellow. Tsk. Fine, two silvers. Take it.”
Negotiation was all about momentum. The key was to convey that you truly would walk away if the price did not drop. Skilled merchants read that nuance well.
But Askal genuinely would have walked away, making him undefeatable in bargaining.
“…Do you truly believe that is a valuable antique?”
Ria looked worried.
“Trust me.”
She had to. From now on she would be working with the people of the Second Division, after all.
The three-day festival came to an end. As the sun set, those who had found valuable treasures headed home with broad smiles, while those who had paid fortunes only to be swindled screamed themselves hoarse before being hauled off by the guards.
The hotter the frenzy, the deeper the emptiness that followed.
“So the antique you chose is that old sword?”
“Yes.”
Devan had selected a sheet of parchment. He produced the document covered in unrecognizable script and declared with confidence.
“It is a record written in ancient characters. Its historical value is immeasurable. It appears I have won this bet.”
“Hm. Whether something is long or short, you only know after measuring.”
Askal was simply waiting for the comparison to confirm Devan’s victory as quickly as possible.
The two men sent their finds to the imperial family’s exclusive appraiser. With the appraiser’s peerless skill, there was no chance of error.
One week later, the results arrived.
Ancient Empire Parchment — B Rank
Sword of the Founding Emperor of the Barba Empire — Value Unmeasurable (EX)
The empire was thrown into chaos.
“This is the treasured sword passed down through generations of the imperial family, lost during the previous emperor’s reign—how in the world…!”
The stunned appraiser, after thorough verification, sent a certificate of authenticity along with sincere gratitude for the sword’s recovery.
Naturally, the sword Askal had found became imperial property.
An audience with the emperor was promptly scheduled to grant him a reward.
“…At this point I genuinely want to kill myself.”
Askal drew on his pipe and stared at the night sky. The smoke tasted unusually bitter.
“I have no choice but to admit defeat, Section Chief Askal. Choose whoever you want from the Second Division…”
“You.”
“Pardon?”
“You’re coming with me.”
He refused to die alone. If he had to go down, he would drag Devan with him. Askal had activated the drowning-ghost tactic.
“That is completely unreasonable.”
“We’ll ask the director.”
Having recovered the imperial treasured sword, Askal now possessed temporary authority sufficient to push through any demand.
The director approved at once.
“Welcome to the Third Division, Devan.”
1st Division Chief — Kane
2nd Division Chief — ( )
3rd Division Chief — Askal
4th Division Chief — Herben
And so the Second Division became a division without a chief.