The Tyrant Empress is Obsessed with Me

6 – The Guardian of the Sweet Potato Field

There is a beautiful system in the empire called assistance for the people.

In times like harvest season or during peak business hours, when citizens are busy and short-handed, they can rightfully request help from the country.

The empire carefully reviews the requests and lends idle manpower from the country for assistance. Usually, soldiers become the victims, but this time it was a government official.

The reason was simple. At a council meeting, General Cedric complained that only his people were being overworked, and the department head stepped up, saying they would take on the small task.

Now, our department head was pressuring a direct subordinate, asking if there were any officials available to go for assistance. The subordinate forwarded the matter to the head of Team 1.

The head of Team 1, Cain, dumped the problem onto Team 3, and we became the last victims.

“Seeing your face now, it’s delightful. Ascal, you’re as handsome as I heard.”

With a snowy white beard, the middle-aged Lord Yorick displayed a friendly smile on his face.

Usually, when someone in Lord Yorick’s age group says ‘handsome,’ it doesn’t necessarily mean appearance but rather that they look competent at their job.

“It’s an honor to meet you, my lord.”

Ascal bowed respectfully.

“Get up quickly. There’s no need for someone so precious to the country to bow like that!”

Lord Yorick’s lips curved up in a pleased smile. It was a habit of elderly people to like young, polite individuals.

“But today, you’ll have to bow a lot. We have so many sweet potatoes to dig up.”

Lord Yorick, wearing a wide-brimmed hat to block the sunlight, led the way to the sweet potato field. Team 3 followed like ducklings.

“Do you personally work on the field without any help?”

“Hmm? It’s not a difficult task. I’d rather do it myself as a pastime. Besides, I have to personally check the food with my own eyes to confidently recommend it to others, right?”

I heard that the family of Viscount Yorick had been from a farming background since ancient times. Viscount Yorick, who had been tending to fields for generations near the imperial capital, looked more like a kind-hearted farmer than a well-known noble.

However, it would look a little different if you found out that the territory owned by Viscount Yorick is one of the richest and most expensive in the empire.

Viscount Yorick was both a farmer and a real estate king.

‘Remember, if you make a good impression on Viscount Yorick, your future will be on solid ground.’

Ascal recalled Cain’s request.

It was advice out of concern for him, but that advice was basically useless.

Why? Because once Yulia became emperor, she simply confiscated all of Yorick Viscount’s fertile lands by force. She roughly charges him with the crime of rebellion.

The novel describes the cry of Yorick Viscount, who was unjustly robbed of his lifelong cultivated land, convincingly.

“Did you say your name is Lia? Is this your first time doing field work?”

“I tried it once when I was young, following my parents.”

“Hmm. So, you’re a beginner. Just watch closely what I do.”

Viscount Yorick taught Lia a lesson earnestly, as if treating a cute granddaughter.

As expected, Lia, a genius who even defied the god of talent, quickly became accustomed to the fieldwork after just a few attempts.

“You’re really diligent, Miss Lia. Wouldn’t you consider marrying into our family? hehehe.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’m ready for marriage yet.”

“That’s too bad. My lazy son is worse than the fertilizer we spread in the fields. All he likes is getting old and gambling.”

“It’s just a phase. I’m sure he’ll come to his senses soon.”

“Is that so? hahahahaha.”

As they watched the harmonious conversation between them, a scene from the novel passed through Ascal’s mind.

＜Yulia von Stered! I curse you from the depths of hell! I’ll be waiting for the moment when you come, the moment when I can chew you up and swallow you whole!＞

‘Let’s pretend I didn’t see that…’

Ascal busily dug up sweet potatoes to forget the image that came to his mind. His body screamed with joy from doing manual labor after dealing with paperwork every day.

Thud.

“Argh!”

He screamed out a real cry.

“Sir, are you all right?”

Lia, who was doing field work, rushed over. Her work clothes were covered in dirt, and her hands holding the farming tools were also dirty.

“I think I sprained my back. It should be fine if I just take a break.”

In truth, it wasn’t that serious of an injury.

As Ascal was considering using this as an excuse to rest, he reflexively stepped back when Lia approached.

“Would you like to lie down for a moment in a comfortable position?”

“Why would I do that?”

“I’ve learned some manual therapy techniques. If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to take a look.”

Seeing her seriousness, Ascal laid down on the makeshift bed in the shade. It felt a bit more comfortable with the sunlight blocked.

Lia wiped her hands on a clean part of her apron, and gently pressed on Ascal’s back. Her fingertips moved delicately, searching for the sore spot.

“Ugh.”

“Here it is.”

He could feel a warmth emitting from Lia’s fingertips. It seemed she had channeled some magic into it.

From No ble mt L dot c om

As she calmed the surprised muscles, the pain Ascal felt in his back gradually lessened.

“How does it feel now?”

He tried moving and found it had remarkably improved.

“Hmm, it does feel somewhat better.”

“Then, please don’t overdo it and take some rest.”

After finishing the manual therapy, Lia picked up her farming tool and went back to working in the field. Transparent beads of sweat rolled down the back of her neck as she worked diligently.

Marquis Yorick had given each person a basket, and while Lia’s basket was full at a single glance, mine only had three or four pieces in it.

‘Damn. Marquis Yorick. What kind of choice has he made?’

It would be unfortunate if he mocked the number of sweet potatoes I had when the fieldwork ended later.

‘I can’t believe I’m doing this.’

Ascal approached his backpack and took out a secret farming tool, the hoe, which could potentially change the tides of the field. It was an expensive, custom-made item from a blacksmith, intended to be sold if they ever escaped the empire.

Just as he was about to use the hoe –

“Ah, I can’t do this anymore.”

Sushia’s voice was heard.

“I don’t even know why I’m doing this right now; it’s not even my field. Why do I have to do this under the scorching sun?”

Sushia, who had been enjoying a sweet life at the government office, seemed to be unable to comprehend the intensity of this labor.

“Sushia, where are you going?”

“I’m quitting this management thing. I’m going home.”

With that, Sushia left the sweet potato field.

Is it okay like this? Aren’t you scared of the hunting dogs?

Anyway, the person left is the one who left, and Ascal began digging sweet potatoes with a hoe. It felt good every time the tip of the hoe touched the soft soil and dug in.

‘With this, I can turn things around! If it’s me.’

As he immersed himself in the fieldwork, time passed quickly.

As the sun began to set, the basket was filled with sweet potatoes. The moment Ascal was confident that he wouldn’t be beaten even compared to Ria, he looked for her.

The wind blows.

Above the sweet potato field, her platinum blonde hair fluttering caught his eye. The last remaining sunlight before the clouds covered the sky shone on the princess’s face for the last time as it passed.

What could she be thinking?

Being born with the noble background of a princess, falling this far while being restrained and despised by her own blood. Silently digging up sweet potatoes, what did she feel when she looked at her muddy hands and wrinkles?

I approached Ria without a word. Ria turned around as she felt my presence.

“Sir.”

And then Ria smiled brightly.

“Look at this. The sweet potato is this big.”

Ria showed off a sweet potato that was bigger than her face. That sweet potato looked more valuable than any other sweet potatoes I had dug up.

“Shall we secretly eat this sweet potato?”

It was a playful whisper.

“Not a bad idea.”

Night fell.

“Everyone did a great job today.”

Sir Yorik spoke as if he was truly touched.

“Actually, it was just an old man’s excuse to not be alone, but I want to express my gratitude for your company. This is sincere. With managers like you, the future of the empire may not be that dark.”

With that, Sir Yorik suddenly became serious.

“As a loyal servant of the empire and descendant of the first sentinels, I, Yorik Teslon, swear to keep my faith in Ascal Debreu, no matter what difficulties may come. This oath will be kept in the name of our ancestors.”

“Sir?”

I was taken aback by Sir Yorik’s words.

“These days, the empire is full of rotten people. Lazy and greedy. Ascal, you know that? You never complained even once since you came here. And that’s enough for me to trust you. For a farmer.”

Sir Yorik held my hands with both of his.

” It may be a bit early to say this, but please protect the empire. The empire needs you.”

“……”

I couldn’t easily answer that I would.

Instead, I licked my lips.

After leaving the estate,

I couldn’t remember what I had answered.

“Today’s snack is sweet potatoes.”

“But we had sweet potatoes yesterday, and the day before.”

“We still have some sweet potatoes left that we got from the young lord. We’ll make braised dishes tomorrow, so please eat them all. Waste is forbidden.”

Ascal grumbled as if he was fed up with sweet potatoes. No matter how delicious they are, it’s natural to get sick of them if you eat them every day.

“Cough, cough.”

With a blocked throat, Ascal flailed his hands.

“Drink some water.”

Ascal came to his senses after drinking the water Lia gave him. Then the office door opened.

“Susia, didn’t you say you were quitting?”

“I realized that there’s no better job than this. I’m sorry, but would you accept me as a colleague again?”

Susia smiled awkwardly.

“Fine. In return, go and clean the bathroom.”

“…Alright.”

Susia left the office with a sulky face.

Lia smiled slightly.