《Damn, I recarneted As A Judge in Fantasy World》


 Chapter 1: I Am A Judge? [1]

    Uddangtangtang!


    Thud!


    Bang!


    Did someone fall?


    No, it was just my mind going crazy.


    My heart rate reached its peak because hundreds of people were staring at me.


    "So what?" I thought. I''ve studiedw intensively, but what good is that in this situation? Even a veteran judge would find this shocking.


    The people sitting on the podium in their shiny clothes looked so serious that they could scare away trot singers.


    And the court inspectors, dressed like knights, had sinister eyes.


    It was enough to make anyone feel shocked.


    As I stared nkly, a sudden headache hit me.


    The judges sitting beside me quickly helped me up.


    "Your honor!"


    "Are you okay, sir?"


    "If you''re not feeling well, take a break. No one will defy Your Honor''s decision."


    They acted as if there had been a big ident. I waved my arms roughly, wondering what the fuss was about.


    Then, shouldn''t I immediately correct my posture?


    "What?"


    People nervously watched my every move.


    Without thinking, I looked to my right and met the eyes of a suave-looking judge.


    He nodded as if he understood something.


    ''Eh? What did he understand?''


    The man stood up and spoke in a sonorous voice.


    "I will first check the identity of the defendant. Paul, a wage worker at Parviant Farm. Is that correct?"


    The man kneeling in the center of the courtroom answered weakly, "Yes¡­"


    Meanwhile, the trial continued.


    A man wearing a dark, sparkly costume exined the crime.


    "The defendant assaulted the farm owner and broke his arm. We ask witnesses and victims to serve as witnesses."


    Then the eyes focused on me again.


    I nodded, thinking it was a natural procedure.


    ''I will ept it. Bring him.''


    It''s as solemn as you''ve seen in other courtroom dramas.


    ''Good. It wasn''t awkward at all.''


    It didn''t matter why I was doing this.


    Despite myplicated feelings, the trial proceeded smoothly.


    The prosecutor bowed his head, and two men entered the courtroom.


    One was a wage worker in his 20s wearing shabby clothes, and the other was a middle-aged man wearing simple green clothes with a bandage on his arm.


    ''He got a bandage on his arm.''


    My attention was drawn to the farm owner''s outfit and behavior. He seemed quite injured as he walked with a limp.


    The outline of the incident was roughly as follows:


    The worker was angry at the farm owner for not paying him wages and brandished a blunt weapon.


    The prosecutor asked several questions to the witnesses.


    "We haven''t even sold the wheat yet, so where is the money? I asked them to wait a little longer, but they were stubborn."


    The farm owner answered while crying.


    He looked like he was about to die of injustice.


    However, the judge sitting to my right said something sweet.


    "Baron Parviant William is famous for his good reputation. His farm also treats its workers well."


    I stared at him quietly.


    ''Why are you suddenly saying that?''


    I didn''t ask such an unspoken question. I only looked because the words appeared next to the judge''s face.


    Name: Josef Padi


    Identity: Viscount


    Position: General Judge


    Rtionship: Not Good


    Status: Cooled passion, slight fatigue


    After blinking my eyes a few times without saying a word, Josef''s expression became somber.


    "I''m not saying this because I have other feelings. Will it help the judge''s decision?"


    "I''ll take note." As I looked away, Josef wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.


    I just gave him a look, but he looked shocked.


    Do I look that scary?


    That''s what I thought, but I didn''t really care.


    It felt so unrealistic that I was still a bit dazed.


    ''What kind of situation is this?''


    Let''s say I suddenly be a judge.


    No, this was something I couldn''t understand at all.


    ''It''s definitely not a dream. Because my thighs hurt like hell.''


    I''ve already pinched my leg countless times.


    If it''s a dream, I hope I wake up. But I just feel pain. The reality that hase has not changed.


    Personal information floated next to people''s faces.


    Only for a few people.


    ''Seems only people I know are listed.''


    For example, Baron William Parviant.


    That farm owner was originally full of question marks. But now some simple information came to mind.


    Is this a reward for being dropped into a strange world?


    With all sorts of thoughts going through my mind, the defendant began to plead.


    "I was the one who got hit again. Moreover, wages were dyed by several months each time. If I''m guilty, it''s that I grabbed him by the leg of his pants!"


    Worker Paul shed tears.


    However, the impression was not very good. The sunken eyelids and cheeks gave off an ugly look.


    Even the sobbing could be seen as fake, like crocodile tears. Perhaps that''s why the atmosphere in the audience became cold. In particr, people dressed as nobles spewed out harsh words.


    "Lie! How good is Baron Parviant''s reputation?"


    "I should haveined in tears to someone who looked like a criminal."


    "No! The judges will not be fooled."


    I also had a simr thought for a moment. It was because of his scary face.


    He looked very simr to the molester I had arrested. ''No. Let''s throw away our preconceptions. I''m the judge now, right?''


    Although I have never experienced the job of a judge, I knew this one thing well: we must remain neutral. Isn''t it written at the beginning of the Imperial Code before me?


    [First principles ofw enforcement: Be fair.]


    It wasn''t just something that was said.


    There really was such a phrase. ''Wouldn''t it be better to take a closer look?''


    Of course, thew I studied was of no use because the content will bepletely different.


    I nced at the table of contents.


    Luckily, the bodily harm part was solid.


    I quickly opened the page and was shocked.


    Usually, the details of the crime, punishment, and other regtions were written down. However, the legal provisions here were very brief. So much so that people are asking why there is such a thing.


    [Criminalw (crime of injury)


    Anyone who injures another person may be flogged, imprisoned, or put to death.]


    Here, flogging was a punishment of being beaten with a stick, and imprisonment was confinement and making someone work.


    The death penalty is, of course, being sent to the guillotine, where all parts are taken away...


    ''No, anyway, the scope is this wide. Aren''t you saying just do whatever you want?''


    Even if I searched for a sentence, there was no sentencing standard.


    What was even more surprising was that most legal provisions were like this.


    It could be said that the judge''s discretion almost reached the sky.


    ''Besides, Josef, what did this guy say?''


    He said that no matter what judgment I make, no one can go against it. A monster that can wield omnipotent power to its heart''s content.


    That was me.


    The trial continued even as my mind was tangled in confusion.


    A prosecutor wearing a ck sparkly costume stepped forward and spoke.


    "Please sentence the defendant who caused injury to the farm owner to 10 years in prison."


    Even though not much was done, it seemed like the old process was already underway.


    I looked at the defendant quietly. When the crowd became quiet, he slowly opened his mouth.


    "Please make your final argument."


    Then everyone''s eyes turned to me again.


    The judges sitting on both sides of me also looked puzzled. Josef hurriedly said something sweet.


    "This is a case where all the evidence and witnesses have alreadye out. Do you really need to do that?"


    Even just thinking about it, this guy was a treacherous traitor.


    That son of a bitch who keeps saying things that cloud his judgment. I answered by nodding my head.


    "I said I would do it, what''s the problem?"


    "... No. That is a wise statement."


    Suddenly, I felt something proud deep inside my heart.


    ''Oh oh! Is this what happens?''


    Actually, I was just trying it out. To see how far my authority would work. But isn''t the judge named Josef bowing his head right away? Just by looking at it, it looks like a medieval ce. Here, the judge was like a god.


    The defendant was saying something, but I couldn''t hear it clearly. It was because my mind was full of other thoughts.


    "Please relieve me of my injustice!"


    The defendant fell to the floor and cried.


    When I suddenly looked around, I saw sad eyes pouring down my face.


    They all seemed to be farm wage workers in a simr situation to Paul.


    But they couldn''t even keep their mouths clean. Because the nobles sitting on the other side opened their eyes wide.


    ''Hoo? I understand roughly how it works, right?''


    This was a trial filled with conflict between social sses. The nobles took the side of the farm owner, and themoners looked at Paul with pity.


    I closed my eyes tightly. I quickly achieved the rank of sergeant, and I was a mere cop in the district.


    Still, as I was at the forefront ofw enforcement, I was confident that the old owner of the body had a sense of justice.


    ''Discovery of real truth.''


    That was exactly what had to be done now. I opened my eyes and snapped my fingers.


    "Victim."


    "Yes, Your Honor."


    "Pleasee up to the stage."


    "Yes?"


    The farm owner, Baron Parviant, widened his eyes. He seemed taken aback by the unexpected request.


    But he had no choice but to move.


    Whose order would he disobey?


    The farmer who walked unsteadily stopped in a polite manner. I looked at him closely and grabbed his arm. Then I massaged it here and there.


    "Ugh!"


    A suppressed moan burst out.


    Since the broken bone was irritated, it was bound to be painful. But my eyebrows became more and more distorted.


    ''Look at this guy? Are you okay?''


    I know this because I broke my arm ying tricks when I was young, but I could never have reacted like this. It was normal to just go to sleep.


    Moreover, I could not feel any swelling or broken bones around the wound.


    It was a normal arm itself.


    I red at the farm owner with cold eyes.


    The guy''s face turned pale, as if he sensed something was wrong. ''


    ''What do I do?''


    I was angry, but my mind was a bit confused.


    It''s a bit awkward to assert one''s authority.


    ''How dare you lie to me? It looks so useless like this.'' I still don''t know exactly who I am. So I tried to borrow someone''s authority.


    At that moment, I saw the perfect target.


    Isn''t it stered on the cover of the book in front of me? It''s the imperial code ofw.


    Then, this is where the emperor rules.


    I immediately shouted:


    "How dare you insult His Majesty''s sacred court!"

 Chapter 2: Im A Judge? [2]

    The crowd was engulfed in silence at my words.


    Everyone wore a shocked expression. Although they were extremely surprised, no one dared to even breathe. This was because the authority of the emperor had suddenly been mentioned.


    The farm owner''s face was so pale that he looked as if he were dying.


    "M-M-My, how can I!"


    He stammered.


    "If you don''t have such dirty intentions, how can you give false testimony?" I challenged.


    "No! I had no intention of doing that!" he protested, his eyes darting wildly. He seemed to be desperately searching for an excuse, but what came out of his mouth was a surprisingly usible story.


    "I went to the temple and received treatment. But I was wearing a bandage because of the aftereffects!"


    People''s heads nodded. If so, it was understandable, they thought. But my doubts were not resolved at all.


    "Surely, you couldn''t pay wages because you didn''t have money, yet you received that expensive divine treatment? With what money?"


    "It was emergency money!" he replied.


    "Great. Then when did you go to the temple?" I pressed.


    "That is¡­ it was two days ago," he answered.


    "Call the priests¡ªthe one who treated the injury, the one who managed the offerings, and the one in charge of the temple. That''s three people."


    The prosecutor froze at the harshmand. It seemed he hadn''t anticipated that I would give such an order. As a result, he couldn''t act for a moment.


    I shouted again. "Move now!"


    Bang!


    When the gavel was struck hard, a loud noise erupted, startling the courtroom.


    Immediately, one of the prosecutors hurriedly left the room. I sent the farm owner back to his seat and crossed my arms.


    "How about taking a break while we wait?" Josef suggested in a soft voice. It seemed that was the norm in my old world''s courts too¡ªbecause you can''t just sit back and wait.


    But I shook my head.


    "No. I will wait like this. If the prosecutor is sloppy, he will be punished first."


    From the treacherous Josef to the farm owner and even the prosecutor, these guys were all in the same boat.


    There was absolutely no interest in discovering the substantive truth.


    Whether Paul, a wage worker, felt wronged or not, they were busy serving only their own interests. I didn''t know why they acted this way, but one thing was certain.


    ''I will establish justice.''


    Time passed slowly. Soon after, the prosecutor returned with three priests.


    Eventually, the truth was revealed to the world.


    "Baron Parviant has never received divine healing. He will submit one week''s donation records as proof."


    It was a trial in which even the authority of the emperor had been mentioned.


    Even corrupt priests had no choice but to withdraw.


    Of course, I wasn''t implying that particr person was corrupt.


    The probability of that happening was low. Not only had I submitted evidence, but I felt like I had done my best to provide answers.


    "The evidence was epted, and the testimony was confirmed to be consistent."


    The audience murmured in unison. "What do you mean, he received false treatment?"


    "They said he didn''t even receive it in the first ce."


    Bang, pound, pound!


    "Please be quiet."


    As the gavel struck, the courtroom fell silent. I called the farm owner in a solemn voice.


    "How dare you try to disparage His Majesty''s court, the noble emperor, and go so far as to spheme?"


    "He, he, he¡­ that''s not it. No! This is not true!"


    Sweat dripped from Baron Parviant''s forehead.


    I red at him with cold eyes.


    "Are you still lying?"


    "No."


    Baron Parviant lowered his head helplessly. It seemed like there was nothing more to say.


    I looked around at the audience.


    Their eyes were filled with anticipation. However, even in this moment, some people were frowning.


    Those in expensive, shy clothes.


    They seemed anxious about an unfavorable ruling, as it would ultimately affect their interests.


    ''Whatever. I will rule as I see fit.''


    I gripped the gavel tightly. But just then, the judge sitting on my right, Josef, spoke again in his syrupy voice.


    "Your Honor, Baron Parviant is a member of the Sierre noble faction. If excessive punishment is given..."


    "So?" I interrupted.


    "I am concerned that the court may face repercussions."


    A grin threatened to spread across my face.


    The faction he belongs to is so powerful¡ªshould I just let it slide? Isn''t this just a ploy?


    In human society, sses always exist, and high-ranking people enjoy privileges.


    However, in principle, everyone is supposed to be equal before thew.


    ''After hearing this guy, I don''t want to even look at him anymore.''


    That thought brought me to a conclusion.


    "I will sentence you. Due to insufficient evidence, the defendant, Paul, is acquitted. In addition, we willunch an investigation into the farm owner."


    People were shocked but didn''t dare speak. I wasn''t finished yet.


    "The charges are non-payment of wages, causing bodily harm, and insulting the emperor''s authority."


    Bang, bang, bang!


    As the gavel struck, the courtroom descended into chaos.


    The voices of the protesting nobles rose first. However, the shouts of the wage workers who hade to observe drowned out everything.


    "Wow!"


    "Finally! I''m saved!"


    "Your Highness Carriers! Thank you!"


    They repeatedly bowed as I left the courtroom. It was as if some divine figure had descended.


    In fact, it was safe to say it bordered on fanaticism. Right now, there was an atmosphere in which no matter what I said, they would believe it.


    ''Does this mean that no correct ruling has ever been made?''


    It was a bitter reality.


    Then, suddenly, my eyes met a group of people dressed in luxurious clothes.


    They seemed to be aristocrats from the same political faction as Sierre.

 Chapter 3: Abel Carriers [1]

    They seemed to be aristocrats from the same political faction as Siere.


    ''It''s bloody. Would they kill someone with just a look? I''m anxious. Should I take some of this with me?''


    I put the gavel inside my robes. Since it was made of iron, it was quite sturdy. Moreover, it was perfect for use as a weapon in times of emergency. Even though it was small, there was no problem in using it to break a head.


    After leaving the courtroom, I walked slowly down the hallway, trying to remember the office location. I couldn''t remember where it was.


    "Do you want to leave work right away today?" the judge, who had been silent until now, spoke up. He was a man with thick features and arge chin.


    As I focused on him, a hologram screen popped up.


    **Person information**


    Name: Emir Kolund


    Identity: Viscount


    Position: General Judge


    Rtionship: Average


    Status: Mechanical work in progress, wood and stone


    The content was simr to Josef''s, but the atmosphere, in contrast, waspletely different.


    ''He''s a million times better.''


    Could I describe it as a quiet style? It felt much more cordial than a traitorous rtionship.


    "Do you have any ns after this?" he asked.


    "The Parviant injury case was thest one."


    "Then let''s stop by the office."


    "Yes, I will follow you."


    It was a naturalpanionship. In this case, Judge Emir would guide us. I followed closely behind and was soon able to find the office.


    As I was about to ce my hand on the doorknob, Judge Emir suddenly spoke up.


    "Judge, thank you for your hard work in today''s trial."


    "Hmm?"


    "It was a ruling that will serve as an example for judges." Then he bent his waist 90 degrees.


    It felt strange to hear such high praise from someone who seemed like a stone. In truth, I hadn''t really done much.


    "It was nothing, really. Thanks for your hard work."


    When I entered the room, I sat down on the chair and looked at the desk. It was an ordinary office space with a few sheets of paper and a calendar.


    ''Today is Friday. So you''re taking the whole weekend off?''


    I immediately looked through the documents. Just useless things like prison status reports. There seemed to be nothing worth understanding here.


    "Your Highness Carriers, we have prepared a carriage for you."


    After a short while of looking through documents, I heard Emir Kolund''s voice. I got up and went straight out of the office.


    ''He''s a very useful guy. By the way, people have been calling me Carriers for a while now.'' As I was passing through the hallway with that thought in mind, I suddenly saw my face reflected in the window.


    It was that moment.


    **Person information**


    Name: Abel Carriers


    Identity: Duke


    Position: Chief Justice


    The hologram screen immediately came to mind. Perhaps this was my information.


    ''Wait a minute, my status is a duke? No wonder people were talking about it.''


    At that moment, nothing else caught my eye. I stared into space for a while.


    Even though my behavior was odd, Judge Emir did not move a muscle. He just waited in silence.


    "Hmm! Sorry. Let''s go now."


    "Yes."


    I cleared my throat and hurried along, and only then did I see movement. It was a heavy guy that I really liked.


    "Go in carefully, Your Majesty."


    "Is it so? Have a good weekend."


    "Thank you."


    I got into the carriage and was in deep agony. I held my pounding heart and shook my head furiously.


    ''What''s going on here¡­''


    From the trial being held out of nowhere to the fact that my identity was a duke, there was nothing normal about any of it. The pounding heartbeat soon subsided. Reality was epted at an astonishing speed. It seemed like my mental power was strengthened while possessing Abel''s body.


    ''Well, he showed incredible courage in the courtroom.''


    The power of the Siere noble faction seemed to be very strong. Josef had warned me endlessly. Even though my status is a duke, I still do that... ''He must have had that much power.''


    Although I felt a little intimidated, I shook my head. If I''m a duke in an empire, doesn''t that mean I am a member of the royal family? If anything, I can just borrow the authority of the emperor.


    After a while, the rear door of the carriage opened and someone bowed his head.


    "Hello? Your Majesty."


    **Person information**


    Name: Miller Xavier


    Status: Bar


    Position: Deacon


    Loyalty: Low


    Status: boredom, nervousness


    A man with neatlybed brown hair and a monocle. I knew this person was a butler as soon as I met him because I saw it there in the person information. But instead of rtionships, a new tab was created.


    ''It''s loyalty. Is this because it''s my person? But why is it so low?''


    It was strange.


    Although I had doubts, I got off the carriage. Then the whole view of the mansion came into view.


    ''Oh!''


    I almost let out an exmation for a moment. This was because the mansion wasrge and beautiful. There was a garden and a pond between the handsome buildings.


    As I moved along the well-decorated path, servants lined up to say hello.


    "I meet His Highness the Duke of Carriers."


    I felt like my face was turning red at the extreme etiquette. I epted the greeting and hurriedly walked away.


    Eventually, the butler opened the door. It was a restaurant, and dinner had already been prepared. I sat at the end of the long table and stared at the dishes. Soon, a maid came over and brought us small portions of food.


    ''What kind of luxury¡­''


    Honestly, how many times would you see something like this in your life? Dozens of types of food prepared just for me. It was served on a luxurious silver tray, and the meal was even served. It was literally eye-rolling.


    ''Eh, I don''t know. I''m hungry so let''s eat first.''


    However, it was the moment when I was about to bring the piece of meat marinated in sauce to my mouth.


    Rumble!


    Amotion suddenly broke out outside the restaurant. Soon, I heard the sound of people moving around busily.


    "Hmm?"


    "Shall I find out?" When I tilted my head, the maid who served me asked. I was about to answer without thinking, but then I quickly got up and left.


    I didn''t have a particr reason. I just wanted to see for myself what was going on.


    "No. I will do it." I went back the way I came and opened the restaurant door. Only then did the object that the workers were surroundinge into view. Then I saw people gathered in the corner of the garden.


    I approached them and spoke to them. "What''s going on?"


    "Are you here, Your Majesty? It''s nothing."


    "It looks serious, just say it."


    "That is¡­ Tavion, who was working in the wheat field, died."


    A human figure covered in a yellow cloth.


    "Ah!" I couldn''t bear to sigh. In fact, he was a person I had never met. I had just arrived at the mansion, so how could I know who was who? Still, I was somewhat worried because I too have lived in a country where people die from overwork.


    ''I heard that he died while working. How pitiful¡­''


    Just then, the butler approached me and I opened my mouth.


    "Deacon Xavier."


    "Yes, Your Highness."


    "Hold Tavion''s funeral and paypensation to his family."


    Suddenly, the atmosphere became tense.


    ''Why is this happening all of a sudden? What did I do wrong?''

 Chapter 4: Abel Carriers [2]

    After finishing my meal, I went into my room.


    My mind was veryplicated.


    The workers were shocked to hear they were being asked to paypensation. In addition, Deacon Miller Xavier even asked if I was serious.


    ''I guess I was originally a very cold person?'' (old owner of body)


    The results of checking the employees'' information were disastrous.


    Their loyalty was all ''low.'' Some even had ''very low'' scores. It was quite serious.


    If my reputation is like this, who on earth will protect me?


    "No, wait a minute. Now that I think about it, there are no knights?"


    That wasn''t the only strange thing.


    There were not even a single soldier, let alone a knight. Without a proper defense system, it was natural for workers to die.


    In fact, Tavion did not die from overwork, but was attacked by a monster.


    ''That''s a pain in the ass.''


    The immediate task was to acquire information.


    Basic knowledge about Abel Carriers and this world.


    First of all, I needed those things. That way, I will be able to respond when something happens. I can''t always improvise.


    I searched the room. However, I found neither a diary nor even a doodle.


    "How can a person who is said to be the best among judges be so far from a book?" I couldn''t help butugh.


    In the end, it seemed like I had no choice but to get help. I gave Deacon Xavier an order.


    "I want to know the status of the property."


    "What?"


    "Why? Is it that strange?"


    "No. You didn''t check it when you first came here, so I was just confused for a moment."


    "How long has it been since I came?"


    "It''s been three months."


    "Then it''s time to figure it out. Please organize it and bring it."


    "...Yes."


    It was a quite shocking reaction, but it was okay. Is there an easier way than this? I have to endure at least some strange looks.


    After a while, the butler returned with some documents.


    "Here it is, Your Majesty."


    "Great job."


    I picked up the paper as calmly as possible.


    But the moment I read the first line, I couldn''t keep myposure.


    For a moment, I thought my eyeballs would pop out.


    ''What? This.''


    I could barely stop myself from yelling, but I couldn''t hide my surprise. If the butler hadn''t lowered his head, he would have thought it strange.


    ''100 hectares of wheat fields, 100 hectares of vineyards, a mansion, three vis, five warehouses, 40 horses¡­''


    After that, misceneous content followed, but it didn''t really catch my eye. Because the first items were so shocking.


    They said I was a duke, and my wealth was enormous.


    ''How much is 100 hectares?''


    Since 1 hectare is 10,000 square meters...


    ''247.105 acres?''


    Arge piece ofnd measuring over 600,000 acres including wheat fields and vineyards. 8.169 acres is about the size of 5 ser fields, so it was an area that could fit approximately 300 people.


    But suddenly the butler opened his mouth with an awkward expression.


    "There was a lot more loss than expected. It''s because it''s not managed very well."


    I couldn''t help but be even more surprised.


    Is he saying this has decreased now? So how much wealth did I have in the past?


    Hiding my bewildered heart, I nodded. Then suddenly I asked a question.


    "How muchpensation should be given to Tavion?"


    "It''s so unprecedented, I don''t know."


    "Money may not solve everything, but it should still be an amount offort. Please tell me your opinion."


    "I think 5 goldens will be enough."


    The moment I heard the butler''s words, several memories came to mind.


    It wasn''t anything grand, it was information about the currency units in use.


    One golden coin was worth five Ceylons, and one Ceylons coin was worth five silver coins.


    It costs approximately 120 goldens per year to feed 50 serfs.


    It was about 1 Ceylon per person per month. If it''s 5 goldens, can I say it''s roughly 2 years'' worth of food expenses?


    If it was a lot, it was a lot. If it was a little, it was a small amount. I shook my head and answered.


    "What? Really?"


    "When have you seen me talk nonsense?"


    "You barely said anything¡­ no."


    "Tavion''s funeral expenses will be calcted separately, so please paypensation to his family first."


    "Yes."


    The butler looked even more surprised than before. It seemed like he had no idea I would pay so muchpensation.


    As I watched that scene, the corner of my mouth curled up.


    After Deacon Miller Xavier stepped down, more and more memories of Abel Carriers came to mind.


    ''Remodeling the reputation of this socially inept guy. It starts now.''


    In fact, Abel wasn''t a strange guy from the beginning.


    When the dukedom was alive, he was quite a cheerful guy. However, people changed since he lost his parents to an infectious disease.


    He was so disappointed that he couldn''t do anything.


    The emperor felt sorry for this and summoned Abel from the north, even by putting him in a decent position.


    However, not much has changed. He just repeated meaninglessmuting and idling around.


    ''He lost his reason for living.''


    Somehow, I felt like I knew why I had been possessed by this body.


    My life was truly stubborn. I grew up in a single-mother household, but when I became an adult, I lost all ties.


    It was because my mother remarried.


    I did my best to survive.


    The exact opposite of Abel Carriers.


    "Is that what he wanted? Good. I will make everything happen."


    To be honest, the conditions weren''t that bad.


    Although it was inconvenient to not have modern civilization, in return I gained a high status and a lot of wealth.


    What more could I ask for here? All I can do is just work hard and do what I do. My decision has been made.


    What should I do to restore my lost reputation?


    ''I have to take care of my people first.''


    I left the mansion straight away. The purpose was to inspect the fields, warehouses, and workers. Immediately afterward, the butler followed.


    "Your Highness, why did youe out?"


    Originally, Abel stayed in his room all weekend.


    Then, when Monday came, he reluctantly went to work at the courthouse. Since his behavior suddenly changed, it was natural for him to ask this question.


    "The yield was lower than I expected. I would like to find out why."


    "That¡­"


    The butler frowned. I felt like I knew what happened next even without hearing it.


    I guess they just said it was because the owner didn''t care. I tried to ignore it and walked on.

 Chapter 5: Abel Carriers [3]

    Thend of the Carriers family was not an ordinary territory. Only fields and mansions surrounded the capital.


    The location conditions were extremely good, but there was no one living there except for the workers.


    However, the fields were muchrger than an average baronial territory. Moreover, they were extremely fertile. It made no sense for suchnd to produce so little.


    As I looked around the site, I quickly identified the problem.


    The outskirts were almost abandoned, and there were very few workers.


    What good is it to have goodnd if you can''t cultivate and nt properly?


    I thought I knew why Tavion had gone to repair the fence.


    He was scared and couldn''t go far.


    Additionally, the workers''plexions looked unhealthy.


    It seemed like there was little food provided and a lot of work to do.


    Well, there were only 50 people working in thisrge area. Even if it wasn''t a monster, they could have died from overwork.


    I shook my head with a long sigh.


    Then the butler approached me with a worried expression.


    "Are you okay, Your Majesty?"


    "How much are the workers'' sries?"


    "Sries?"


    I asked a question in a flowing tone, and the response was unusual.


    For a moment, I thought I had done something wrong. After listening to the deacon''s next words, I thought I understood why he was puzzled.


    "It''s 1 Ceylon."


    "Yes? Isn''t that the cost of food for a month?"


    "Basic amodations are included."


    "Then what if room and board are not provided?"


    "I don''t know exactly, but it would be around 2 Ceylon."


    I sighed deeply.


    What kind of nonsense is this?


    I make them do hardbor, but I pay them two silver Ceylon a month? For me, who had worked all kinds of part-time jobs, it was like a bolt from heaven.


    Finally, I let out a word that was boiling inside me.


    "Then we have to change it. I will raise your sry and the workers'' sries starting this month."


    "...Yes?"


    Deacon Miller Xavier''s brow furrowed mercilessly.


    ---


    Miller Xavier, the butler of Duke Carriers, had been out of his mind these days.


    This was because the owner, who went to trial one day, changed drastically. It''s clearly the same person, but the atmosphere haspletely changed.


    Moreover, each and every instruction was more shocking and unexpected.


    "The sry per worker is 4 Ceylon, and it''s already dizzying."


    Currently, there are 50 workers living and lodging in the mansion.


    Originally, 50 Ceylon was enough, but I ended up spending four times that amount.


    It was an unreasonable amount for the operating expenses of the farm.


    But I had to do it somehow.


    The Xavier family has supported Duke Carriers for generations. Disobeying orders was unthinkable.


    "But I guess it can be done somehow."


    It was tight, but it seemed possible if we didn''t leave any savings.


    Deacon Miller Xavier let out a long sigh and concentrated on his work.


    However, as soon as the next day came, he ended up fainting.


    This was because Duke Carriers had issued a new order.


    "We need to increase the number of workers. Recruit 50 more people."


    "Yes?" he asked back with an absurd expression, but there were still more surprises left.


    "Of course, we will give them the same sry."


    "But our operating expenses are too low."


    "How much do you need?"


    "The wages alone will be short by 200 Ceylon per month. In fact, it is still a very unreasonable situation."


    Deacon Miller Xavier closed his eyes tightly.


    *''He''s trying to kick me out.''*


    What is the reason for such a difficult task?


    *''He''s probably trying to fire me with the excuse that I couldn''t get the job done.''*


    Miller Xavier had seen simr scenes countless times.


    So, he couldn''t help but imagine a future that is cut off in vain.


    However, Duke Carriers'' answer was beyond imagination.


    "You have to say that right away. Please use my personal funds as much as you need."


    "...!"


    Miller felt like his mind was brightening.


    Because somethingpletely different from what he expected came out.


    To give away one''s wealth so willingly was something that could not have been possible based onmon sense.


    What kind of noble would treat their servants like that?


    We live in a world where swearing and even stabbing people when they make a mistake aremonce.


    However, now the atmosphere of the mansion has begun to change rapidly.


    Every time Abel gave amand, a storm began to blow.


    "I heard that thanks to His Highness the Duke, the workers at Parviant Farm were relieved of their injustice."


    "He even caught that baron''s lies. Really! You should have seen the scene where the baron was being scolded in a cool way."

 Chapter 6: Reward And Punishment System

    I was smiling with satisfaction: "It seems like things are going a little better now."


    To make people work hard, motivation was needed.


    So far, I''ve been using the carrot-and-stick approach as much as I can, so it''s time to present the carrot. That''s why I said I would raise their sries.


    But it was difficult to just give money.


    Things work properly only when supported by an appropriate system.


    Maybe it''s because I have some experience as a public servant, but that''s what I thought about as soon as I saw the workers.


    "Responsibility bes clear, and performance indicators can be created."


    Since the existing system was so old-fashioned, implementing a work schedule was a huge improvement.


    Of course, there was dissonance at first.


    The initial problem was that the exact time was not known, and the handover did not proceed properly.


    So I established a system of two days on and one day off. In addition, the scope of work was made clear.


    Then the response came immediately.


    "Does it feel like work is easier than before?"


    "Of course. You can rest twice a week."


    "I''m not saying that."


    "Ah, you mean the rule that you can go back when you''re done with your work?"


    "That''s right. Because I rest well, I can move energetically the next day."


    "After all, a person must meet his master well."


    "No problem! This is all thanks to His Highness Carriers."


    "Please live long and rule for a long time."


    "What are you doing? Don''t worry; just pray."


    "Well, I guess so."


    The voices of praise grew louder day by day.


    Even Deacon Miller Xavier, who had been hesitant, had no choice but to admit it.


    Work efficiency had definitely increased.


    Doing something by force and doing it voluntarily¡ªit was natural that thetter worked better.


    "I can''t believe it. People who only pretended to listen are working so hard..." I lightly shrugged my shoulders.


    Thebor cost for them wasn''t much money anyway.


    The Carriers family is a historic ducal family.


    If I can gain loyalty with a few gold coins, I will have a lot of money left over.


    Plus, I can increase production.


    "Anyway, I want to check how much it has gone up."


    I thought it would be a good idea to interview the workers in the future. But suddenly, Deacon Xavier suggested an opinion.


    "Your Highness, I have something to tell you."


    "What is it?"


    "We will be cheering for the improved environment now, but there will be people who abuse it."


    I nodded. It was the most appropriate advice at this time. There are bound to be people who think that if favor continues, it is their right.


    "That''s okay. We will take action right away."


    "Can I know what it is?"


    "We will introduce a reward and punishment system."


    The answer was simple.


    Praise if they do well; warn if they don''t.


    Then, if they cross the line, they''ll be dismissed.


    Ah, this might be misleading.


    This did not mean separating the head from the body, but rather that the person would be dismissed.


    "From now on, if anything deviates from the standards, just give a warning and report it."


    "Are you saying I shouldn''t correct it myself?"


    "Yes, just letting them go is enough. There is no better job than here anyway."


    This world was an extremely dark fantasy.


    A beautiful and prosperous life is given only to those of high social status. For the rest, every day is like hell.


    The biggest fear is losing what I originally enjoyed.


    "It''s a sure punishment. I have learned a lot from His Royal Highness the Duke over the past few days."


    "Hehe! It was nothing."


    "Okay then, I''ll just go back to work."


    "Oh, wait a minute."


    I added one moremand: the content was so surprising that Deacon Xavier''s eyes doubled in size.


    "Is there an emptynd between the wheat field and the mansion?"


    "Yes, this is where we were nning to create a new garden."


    "Build staff amodation there. Make it big and strong so that all workers can live there."


    "¡­"


    He really seemed very surprised. It''s not merely a servant''s house; it''s a house for wage earners? It was an expression of sincere iprehension.


    But Deacon Xavier could only bow his head. Didn''t he witness the workers'' enthusiasm boiling over in just a few days?


    "Here are the details. It must be a building that satisfies these conditions."


    "Yes."


    I turned around while watching the workers in the field.


    Today was Monday.


    Because it was the day I had to go to court.


    "Oh, I don''t want to work."


    As I made my way toward the courthouse, my mind buzzed with thoughts about the events of the past few days.


    Implementing the new work schedules and systems had yielded positive results, and it was satisfying to see the workers responding well.


    The newfound motivation and increased productivity were encouraging signs, but I knew I couldn''t becent.


    Arriving at the courthouse, I was greeted by the usual somber atmosphere.


    The courthouse, an imposing structure of stone and wood, seemed almost oppressivepared to the fields where the workers were now bustling with energy.


    I steeled myself for the day''s tasks. Although I didn''t enjoy the legal work, it was a necessary part of my duties as Duke.


    As I settled into my office, a stack of documents awaited me.


    Legal disputes, property issues, and requests for my judgment: each case required careful consideration.


    I sighed, anticipating a long and tedious day.

 Chapter 7: Complicated Territorial Dispute

    Today''s trial was rted to Baron Parviant.


    ''Is this karma?''


    If I hadn''t ordered the investigation, it wouldn''t have been a task to begin with. But since I was determined to establish justice, I needed to end it with certainty.


    "How was the investigation?"


    "Please wait a moment. There is clearly a report here..."


    When I asked the question with a pretense of solemnity, the prosecutor became flustered.


    It was bound to happen.


    That guy was also a member of the Siere noble faction, so he couldn''t have conducted a proper investigation. Sure enough, the report was aplete mess.


    ''I asked, and they said no. Is this the end?''


    From start to finish, everything was like this.


    This isn''t some child''s diary. At least make it look usible to get by.


    Of course, I expected this would happen, so I had prepared myself at the mansion.


    "Look! Prosecutor."


    "Yes, Your Honor."


    "Are you kidding me?"


    "Yes?"


    The expression on his face that suggested he didn''t know what was going on was truly disgusting.


    I took a deep breath and gradually released my anger.


    "What is this investigation? How on earth did you be a prosecutor? By bribery? By family connections?"


    Everyone was stunned by the barrage of vitriol.


    The audience was dumbfounded, so you can imagine how shocked the people involved were. I continued in a sharp voice.


    "Court officer!"


    "Yes, Your Honor."


    "Immediately arrest the prosecutor. The reason: dereliction of duty and insulting the emperor''s authority."


    Some might say I was just putting the emperor on the spot.


    But my perspective was different.


    Initially, Baron Parviant was being investigated for insulting the imperial authority.


    But theye back with reports like this? This was tantamount to challenging the emperor''s authority.


    "Oh, no! This can''t be happening!"


    The prosecutor screamed in protest, but he couldn''t withstand the knights'' strength.


    Soon, the court fell into silence.


    The absurdity of the scene passed so quickly that it left everyone speechless. I regained myposure and looked at the new prosecutor.


    "A new prosecutor is assigned. What is your name?"


    Coincidentally, it was the same man who went to pick up the priests.


    He stood up with a puzzled expression and answered.


    "Yes? My name is Corbin Sears."


    "Great. Prosecutor Sears, you are now in charge of the investigation. Redo everything. The next trial date is..."


    I paused and looked to my left. Not at the treacherous Josef, but at the quiet-mannered judge.


    Was his name Kolund Emir?


    "Judge Emir."


    "Yes, Your Honor."


    "When are you avable?"


    "Perhaps tomorrow afternoon or after Friday."


    For a moment, it urred to me that this trial was a lot of dirty work.


    Does that mean I have to do this more than twice a day? I made a decision without showing my frustration.


    "We''ll resume tomorrow afternoon."


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    The trial had proceeded quite randomly.


    It may seem ridiculous in my world, but anything is possible here.


    After all, I am a being with transcendent authority.


    And the highest judge in the empire.


    Who would dare disobey my words?


    ''Ah, I will be an emperor. But will I be okay?''


    So far, I''ve invoked the emperor''s name quite a few times.


    Whenever I merely mentioned the term "imperial authority," everyone trembled in fear.


    Could there be a more convenient master key than this?


    However, if I overdo it, I might face severe consequences if the true ruler of the empire disapproves.


    ''From now on, just do it in moderation.''


    I nced at Baron Parviant and retreated.


    Whispers filled the room.


    "Ugh! After all, he is someone who knows true justice. He doesn''t overlook even the smallest detail, right?"


    "Last week, I thought he just got lucky. Looking at him today, I see that''s not the case."


    "He is truly righteous."


    "His Majesty has discovered a true talent."


    Can you hear them?


    So many voices praising me!


    As I listened, I felt my shoulders lift with pride.


    Of course, the expressions of the nobles weren''t as pleasant.


    ''If I lean too far in one direction, it won''t end well. It would be ideal to have an incident that bnces everything out.''


    I quickly skimmed through the list of uing trials.


    Then, one particrly interesting case caught my eye¡ªaplicated territorial dispute.


    The hearing was scheduled for the afternoon.


    ''I guess I can demonstrate this body''s fairness here.''


    What if I rule in favor of the Siere noble faction?


    Then they won''t be able to use me of bias.


    I could be someone who upholds justice, regardless of party affiliation. The picture seemed perfect.


    But the trial went in the exact opposite direction.


    "The evidence doesn''t match the map? Are you sure you investigated properly?"


    When something goes wrong, it''s definitely wrong. Justice Josef Padi then spoke softly.


    "There is no damage to the g at all."


    Ah, this treacherous bastard is at it again.


    This incident urred when the soil shifted due to a typhoon.


    Since the soil and the g naturally moved, he''s iming it''s all hisnd.


    The one benefiting here is Count Titus.


    The person whose territory was invaded was Earl Brayden. It wasn''t hard to figure out which of the two belonged to the Siere aristocracy.


    Josef was secretly siding with Count Titus.


    ''What is this ridiculous situation?''


    Looking closer, I realized it was even more absurd.


    The gs that had been nted in rows werepletely moved.


    Even the surrounding trees and soil had shifted. How could there not be a dispute?


    ''Besides, the affected area isn''t even small.''


    It was a real headache.


    However, one thing was certain¡ªCount Titus'' ims were excessive.


    The other side offered to pay for restoration, but Count Titus refused to listen. They were relying on their faction''s power to run wild.


    "We still haven''t reached an agreement?"


    "Yes, that''s correct. Their positions are too entrenched."


    Judge Emir also seemed equally exasperated.


    Then there was only one solution.


    I needed toe up with a third option.


    While each count''swyers raised their voices, I quickly skimmed through the Imperial Code.


    ''There must be aw somewhere that fits...''


    Then I came across something that made me almostugh.


    A breathing tax is charged at Venezu''s Simon Bolivar International Airport.


    Is there such a ridiculousw that people are charged just for breathing?


    But what caught my eye was even stranger.


    In the UK, it''s illegal to hold salmon if it looks suspicious. Strange legal provisions exist everywhere.


    While quickly flipping through the pages, something caught my attention.


    ''This?''


    I almost felt joy for a moment.


    I had found the perfect use for the situation.


    Step by step, I organized my thoughts. Now it was time to pull off a rare trick. I rose from my seat and shouted loudly.


    "Quiet!"


    The noisy courtroom fell silent.


    Eventually, the verdict came like a bolt of lightning.


    "I will sentence you. Thend in dispute will now be owned by the imperial family."


    Bang! Bang! Bang!

 Chapter 8: Imperial Territorial Law.

    Everyone looked shocked.


    Despite the fact that all the audience members were nobles, some seemed to have forgotten themselves and could not close their mouths.


    Eventually, one of Brayden''swyers raised his hand and asked.


    "Then won''t only our Brayden estate suffer a loss?"


    It was an obvious question.


    The dispute now was over the side of thend that had been pushed over. This was because it belonged to the County of Brayden.


    But I had already thought about that.


    "Of course, I can''t allow that. ording to the principle of equity, the same area will be taken from Titus''s territory."


    Immediately afterward, Count Titus''swyer jumped up from his seat.


    "No, where is thew like that?"


    His anger was understandable.


    He must have thought they wouldn''t lose, but suddenly, it seemed like their territory was being taken away.


    But I had a solid basis.


    "ording to imperial territorialw,nd whose owner is unknown is owned by the imperial family. Let''s check it out."


    I opened the Imperial Code and waved it around. Of course, there was a provision called Imperial Territorial Law.


    But this was thew from hundreds of years ago, when the country was founded.


    Now, it was virtually obsolete. There are very fewnds whose ownership is unclear anymore.


    But how did I know this?


    ''For your reference, the date of its enactment is listed in thew.''


    Even if it was old, as long as I could use it effectively, it was fine.


    I soon also mentioned the principle of equity. This was also something that appeared in the imperial code.


    "If there is a situation where a court must arbitrate a dispute between nobles, the principle of equity applies. There shouldn''t be any inequity on either side."


    To put it simply, it was roughly like this: as much as you took from me, give me yours too.


    Wouldn''t it be fair if they were taken away equally?


    Count Titus''swyer quickly thumbed through thew book.


    His expression soon became devastated because there really was such aw. Count Brayden, who was watching this, burst intoughter. Then, he bowed his head politely toward me.


    "This is truly a wise decision. After all, all I have to do is return the authority delegated to you by His Majesty the Emperor, right? We should feel honored again."


    It was a perfect turning point.


    If this were to happen, Titus''s side would not be able to win or lose.


    What if he raised an objection here? Then it was no different from saying that he was going to oppose the emperor.


    What kind of crazy person would dare do something like that? Count Titus also had to bow his head.


    "I admit it."


    I left the courtroom with a smile of satisfaction. But suddenly, an ominous feeling came over me.


    ''I sold out the emperor again this time, will I be okay?''


    To be honest, I also wanted to control myself.


    But didn''t the trial turn out to be foolish?


    Even if I racked my brain, I couldn''t make an appropriate decision.


    So what should I do? I should delegate it to someone who can handle it.


    ''But this time, I extended the direct jurisdiction of the imperial family. I''m sure they''ll look at this favorably.''


    I decided to think as positively as possible. I thought that would make me feel a little more at ease.


    ***


    Meanwhile, in the imperial pce, Charon, Emperor of the Enfer Empire, was smiling wryly.


    His eyes were very sharp, but his expression was yful.


    "That child mentioned the honor of the imperial family?"


    The voice was so amused that he seemed to beughing inwardly. But Chambein Adit did not rx.


    That''s because the emperor''s personality is so unpredictable.


    How many times had an execution order been given with a smile?


    Although he refrained from actively involving himself in court matters, he could overturn any decision at any time.


    "It''s not that he disparaged it; he just raised the imperial family''s reputation."


    "How?"


    Emperor Charon didn''t even look at the report.


    This meant exining it yourself.


    The chief chambein gave a realistic ount of what happened in the courtroom.


    It was like performing a y. If he didn''t do this, there would be an unpleasant order.


    "¡­This is what happened."


    The exnation eventually concluded.


    The emperor gazed over the chambein''s shoulder, who was sweating.


    Then the situation in the court seemed to y out in his mind.


    Even though the emperor''s gaze wasn''t directed at him, the chambein trembled.


    This was because Emperor Charon''s eyes were so harsh, even though he was smiling happily.


    "Kkkkkkk! What an interesting guy. Just a month ago, he looked like he was dying."


    "It looks like he has ovee his depression."


    "That''s good news. Okay. The imperial territory has increased?"


    "Yes, Your Majesty. Approximately 100 hectares ofnd were created. It is fertilend that can be used as farnd."


    "Is there really a need to increase farnd? It could be used as an execution site. So the nobles can clearly see it."


    "What?"


    Chambein Adit asked without realizing it. The response seemed so absurd that it slipped out. However, he soon realized his mistake and was shocked.


    "S-sorry, Your Majesty."


    "It''s fine. Things like that happen, too. Today is a good day, so let''s just skip it."


    "Thank you for your generosity."


    The chambein''s clothes were already very wet. Cold sweat was pouring down his face. It was a strange reaction.


    The emperor was just smiling, but he was so terrified.


    But it had to be that way. Whenever he smiled like that, something bad was bound to happen.


    But today, he was really lucky. It was probably thanks to the news from Duke Carriers.


    "From now on, please bring in all the information rted to Abel."


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    The chambein left the room at a brisk pace.


    Emperor Charon remained alone.


    The wind blowing through the window rustled his gray hair. Soon, the smile disappeared from his mouth.


    The emperor, who now had a cold look on his face, muttered softly.


    "I wonder how much my cousin has changed. I''ll have to meet him in person soon."

 Chapter 9: Case closed!

    "Ugh! It''s really gross."


    These days, I am in the process of establishing an angle with the Sierra noble faction.


    Of course, there is no political intention at all. I just find it difficult to pursue justice.


    Coincidentally, today''s task is also rted to Baron Parviant.


    "Is this guy really evil?"


    Even the King of Amman is expected to pay 2 Ceylon per month unless lodging is provided.


    However, Baron Parviant dyed the payment for six months.


    If I count all the farm workers, there are only twenty people.


    They held out without receiving a total of 240 Ceylon. Converted into gold coins, it is only worth 48.


    Of course, considering what has happened in the past, it would be a huge amount. There''s no way this rotten bastard only did it this time.


    ''Judging by how it was used, I guess the payment was withheld on purpose.'' In the end, I had no choice but to make this decision.


    "I will sentence you. The defendant is sentenced to 10 years in prison. In addition, we will seize some of your assets topensate for the unpaid wages."


    "Wait! That can''t be¡­," Baron Parviant screamed.


    But since the decision had already been made, it could not be undone.


    Of course, he could be tried again.


    However, it is not easy to dare to do so.


    There is only one person higher than me, the highest judge: His Majesty, the Emperor.


    Will he take a case with such solid evidence to a higher court?


    ''It''s an act of suicide.''


    It would have been better to simply pay the price separately through behind-the-scenes negotiations.


    If he pays an appropriate fine, the emperor might approve. That is how the Parviant Farm injury case ends.


    As I leave the courtroom, dozens of people suddenly approach me.


    Then, they suddenly fall face down on the floor.


    "Your Majesty the Duke of Carriers! Thank you so much for making the right decision."


    "Your Majesty is no different from a saint!"


    "Ugh! I am so moved that I cannot stop crying."


    I feel like I know who it is right away.


    People who received unpaid wages as a result of this trial.


    They haven''t eaten properly for half a year and are immensely grateful.


    A sense of pride suddenly rises within me.


    ''I can''t have a sense of being the chosen people.''


    A reward is a reward, but I still have to do my duty.


    What on earth do I do in this situation?


    It should be known that this ruling was not made for personal moral superiority.


    If I show off here, even the trust I have built up will be shattered. There are already a lot of enemies.


    "Everyone, please stand up. I didn''t intend to be greeted like this. I just established justice."


    It is truly a killerment.


    I feel like I am some old politician.


    Then, the victims of non-payment of wages look even more shocked.


    "Wow, there is such a person!"


    "All of this is thanks to His Majesty the Emperor. He appointed you to the position of highest judge, right?"


    I feel like an emperor before battle, but it doesn''t matter. In the empire, that person is everything.


    After giving a quick hello, I quickly leave.


    It isn''t because I am embarrassed. It is simply because it is almost time to get off work.


    ''I want to leave work, leave work, leave work. I hate overtime, overtime, overtime.''


    It''s not like they''re giving me more money, so I should go quickly.


    I get into the carriage, humming a song to myself. Although there are some creaks, this incident is handled perfectly.


    Despite my confusion, the result is quite satisfactory.


    Haven''t I been dragged into this world out of nowhere, forced to live someone else''s life? It can be said that achieving this much is a great achievement.


    ''This is what it feels like to be respected.''


    I didn''t feel this way when I was a police officer in Korea.


    Even if I do well, can I say I get my money''s worth?


    It''s a good thing if I don''t get cursed at by drunk customers.


    But here? I just did what I thought was right, and I receive tons of praise.


    And with great passion at that.


    ''It''s a shame I don''t have a smartphone, but I''m still satisfied.''


    Where else would you go to feel this kind of reward? Life in this world doesn''t seem that bad.


    I am feeling good, enjoying thefort of the backrest, when suddenly the carriage shakes violently and tips over on its side.


    "Ugh!"


    I groan and grab the safety handle. It is a reflex action, but surprisingly, the movements are very precise.


    Thanks to this, I am able to get out of the carriage without getting hurt at all.


    "Hit!" I am barely able to gather myself when I suddenly hear a sharp voice.


    At the same time, six assants attack. They are all wearing masks and armed with ck des.


    "This is crazy!"


    I curse and quickly look around. But there is absolutely nothing that could be used as a weapon.


    But right then, I feel something in my arms.


    It is an iron gavel that I have carried with me since the first day of my possession. I quickly pull it out, and at that moment, a huge change urs.


    Shuuuuu!


    ''Uh?''


    The enemies'' movements slow down, as if in slow motion. At the same time, my body starts acting on its own.


    I flick the gavel sharply and hit the attackers on the head. An exciting sound rings out, like when a verdict is announced.


    Ba-ba-ba-ba-baak!


    The raiders fall into the woods in an instant. I smile wryly as I look at the person who gave the order to attack.


    "Ha, these bastards seem to have forgotten my temperament."


    -

 Chapter 10: Berserker of the North

    On the outside, I put on a lot of bravado, but honestly, I was very shocked.


    "What happened?"


    I used to do some exercise. I also learned some boxing so I could use it in case of an emergency.


    But isn''t this real life?


    My opponent was a professional assassin with soot on his weapon.


    Even if I trained in Amman martial arts, I couldn''t fight six people at the same time.


    "But I did this naturally?"


    It was ridiculous.


    I was holding the gavel tightly, hiding my bewilderment.


    [Thebat skill has been unlocked.]


    Suddenly, personal information appeared along with a phrase that came to mind.


    ----


    **


    **


    **Name:** Abel Carriers


    **Identity:** Duke


    **Position:** Chief Justice


    **Title:** Berserker of the North


    **Skill:** Heart of the Beast


    ------


    "Berserker of the North? Heart of the Beast?"


    I muttered the newly added information without thinking.


    But at that very moment, something even more surprising happened.


    **¡ºActivation of the Beast''s Heart¡»**


    Tsutsutsutsu!


    Suddenly, my vision began to blur, and strength surged throughout my body.


    Additionally, red energy formed on the gavel I was holding.


    "Keuuuuuu!"


    "HAHAHAHA!"


    Rough breathing and bizarreughter burst from my mouth.


    This was a situation that could not be considered normal.


    Although I was extremely shocked, I surprisingly epted the change meekly.


    Strangely enough, this situation felt very familiar.


    Soon, I heard the other person''s shocked voice.


    "Huh? Wasn''t the Northern Berserker ability sealed?"


    It seemed that Abel''s abilities had been limited so far.


    Otherwise, this guy wouldn''t have revealed his power intentionally.


    Maybe it was because he was disappointed after losing his parents.


    No matter what the process was, what mattered was the situation at hand.


    "You guys attacked me. I fight back. Is there any objection here?"


    When I asked in a growling voice, the other person''s mouth closed. I realized that there was no use in talking anymore.


    I immediately kicked off the ground and rushed toward him at incredible speed.


    "This is crazy!"


    The opponent swore and swung his sword.


    But its attack was notplete because I had already arrived before his arms could fully extend.


    Soon, the human head and the gavel shared a deep kiss with his masked face.


    Thwack-!


    The attacker rolled his eyes and fell backward.


    "Oh! I need to control this strength."


    In fact, I hit it as gently as possible to avoid killing him.


    Nevertheless, the opponent fainted. If I really wanted to kill him, his skull would probably have shattered.


    I looked at the burning energy for a moment.


    Doesn''t fire pour out from the human body and give off transcendent power?


    I couldn''t stand this amazing sight anymore.


    After some time passed, I felt a little tired.


    "Oh, so I only have to turn it on when I need it? But how do I turn off this power?"


    The moment I thought I was turning it off, a phrase appeared in front of my eyes.


    **¡ºEnd of Heart of the Beast¡»**


    Pishuuuu-.


    The way to use the skill was very simple.


    I just had to think about it, and it would be done immediately.


    ''By the way, why on earth did they do this?''


    I quietly looked down at the attackers lying around. I could definitely feel the murderous intent to kill me.


    However, my first thought was that it was strange.


    They were trying to assassinate the duke of the empire and the royal family.


    How could they think of killing me without losing their minds?


    "Usually in cases like this, the enemy is inside."


    However, there was no one in the Carriers family who was greedy for power.


    Not a single person came to mind.


    If so, it must have urred due to external factors.


    There was only one ce I could guess.


    ''Sierra noble faction.''


    These days, that''s the only ce I didn''t have a good rtionship with.


    But isn''t it too simple?


    The motivation is also very poor.


    It''s a bit excessive to do this just because one low-ranking noble was sent to prison.


    "Ah, I also took away Count Titus'' territory."


    But an assassination attempt like this?


    This wasn''t the case even for those who couldn''t discern between the two.


    "If I do some research, I''ll find out."


    I tried to tie up the attackers and take them to the mansion.


    The n was to lock them in a warehouse and interrogate them in earnest.


    But the moment I touched the first one, something surprising happened.


    Deuk deuk!


    "Kweek!"


    "Huah!"


    A ck liquid poured out of the attackers'' mouths! I was so shocked that I took a step back in surprise.


    Eventually, they writhed together and turned into a zing fireball.


    ¨DKkkkkkkk! You berserker. Do you think you will be safe after making me like this?


    A voice sounded as if its vocal cords were being scratched to the limit.


    It was a voice so disgusting that I instantly wanted to block my ears.


    I said, frowning, "What?"


    The other person''s appearance was nothing short of mysterious.


    Not only were ck mes floating in the air, but red eyes also appeared.


    But what does it matter? There was no doubt that it was something that had to be suppressed anyway. Just looking at it, that guy was the culprit.


    Swoosh!


    I swung the gavel and struck the ck fireball.


    Then a very cheerful sound was heard.


    "It looks flimsy, but it''s actually quite hard, isn''t it?"


    ¨DAaaah! This guy?


    "I don''t know who you are, but let''s get started."


    He has to pay the price for daring to attack the Duke of the Empire, right?


    **¡ºActivation of the Beast''s Heart¡»**


    Tsutsutsutsu!


    As the fighting spirit welled up in my chest, the skill was automatically activated.


    It seemed to be cast automatically due to the influence of my emotions.


    Woah!


    Kagang!


    Kwasik!


    The gavel, engulfed in red energy, repeatedly struck the ck mes.


    It was truly a breathtaking wave of attacks. I attacked so viciously that I deserved the nickname Berserker.


    Soon, the other person''s voice filled with pain was heard.


    ¨DUgh! Fuck, I''ll see you, Berserker!


    ''What about this line?''


    Isn''t that what viins say every time they run away?


    I couldn''t just attack arbitrarily and let them get away with it.


    "Where are you running away?"


    Sigh! I grabbed the fireball by its hair(?) and tried to continue hammering.


    But at that moment.


    Piing¡ª!


    ''Ugh!''


    Numerous images passed before my eyes along with a sharp headache.


    It wasn''t that the other person was injecting his will; it was just that memories of Abel Carriers came to mind.


    After a while, I opened my eyes and slowly raised my head.


    Then I looked at the ck fireball and quietly said, "Is it you? Feltron."


    ¨DHoly shit!


    Pishuuuk!


    It turned into ck smoke and tried to slip through my fingers.


    Of course, I had no intention of letting him do as he pleased.


    Even if he tried to escape, he had to pay for it, right?

 Chapter 11: Rumours

    "Hwaap!"


    Haaaa!


    When I swung the gavel with all my might, an ear-piercing roar rang out. Just before Feltronpletely disappeared, I seeded in delivering an effective hit. Soon, a groan full of pain hit my mind.


    ¨DQuaaa! This son of a bitch... ¡­!


    I smiled, savoring his fading voice.


    ''It''s starting toe together a little bit now.''


    Able Carriers, who was famous in the North, stopped his activities at some point. It was after my parents passed away.


    As a result, a rumor circted in the world. It is said that the Berserker ability of the Duke''s family has been sealed now.


    It was absurd, but Able didn''t bother to exin it. He just quietly returned home and took a breath.


    ''Because he was so heartbroken.''


    Since he was a rare filial son, the psychological blow must have been great.


    Anyway, it seems that Feltron also conveniently sent an assassin. If the Berserker had lost his power, he might have thought it was worth a try.


    ''By the way, he''s not dead yet?''


    Feltron was a legendary being who united the northern peoples. The reason it is not referred to as a person here is because it is not a person.


    Didn''t he control people with strange abilities that weren''t even magic?


    "If he has time for that, just recover, and the next time you appear in front of me, you will be dead for sure."


    Feltron was cruelly broken by Able at the height of his activity. His entire body was torn to pieces, but surprisingly he was alive. It seemed like it was because he was not a human being. ording to one theory, he is a god who exists on earth.


    ''That''s bullshit. He''s probably just an odd guy.''


    What kind of god would get beaten up by a mere human?


    But if I thought about it another way, it seemed like it could be possible.


    ''Loki also got hit by the Hulk. Oh, maybe it''s because it''s a movie.''


    "What should I do with this anyway?"


    I stopped thinking and looked around at the mess around me.


    First of all, I felt like I had to wake up the coachman first. Stop the carriage that had fallen over.


    ''But I can''t expectpensation from these guys, right?''


    The raiders were sound asleep. It probably wasn''t intentional.


    Because they were controlled by a strange power.


    Still, I couldn''t leave them on the street like this, so I stuffed them into the wagon.


    "Ugh! What kind of trouble is this?"


    I clenched my fists lightly, remembering Feltron''s face.


    If I ever have to go to the north someday, I''ll have to give him a hard time. So that he can never be resurrected again.


    * * *


    Knock. Knock. Knock.


    As I was spending a long morning lying in bed, I suddenly heard a knock on the door.


    "Come on in."


    "Hello? Your Majesty."


    The visitor was Deacon Miller Xavier. However, his face looked very gaunt.


    Hadn''t he always walked around looking neat? It was clear something was up.


    "What''s wrong with yourplexion?"


    "Nothing is wrong with me, Your Majesty. I have a report. Can we start right away?"


    "Hmm, okay."


    "Hmm! First of all, there are very scary rumors going around."


    "I guess it''s natural. The royal family was attacked in the capital."


    "It''s not like that."


    "Then what is it?"


    "The story about His Highness Carriers going around breaking people''s heads with a gavel."


    "Haaaa!"


    I couldn''t help but burst intoughter. Originally, rumors were bound to be distorted. It only happened once, but it has already be a rumor and is going around.


    It was definitely a mistake.


    As I was making a bewildered expression, the butler added an exnation.


    "Most of theme from noble families. But the public opinion of the general public is different."


    "How?"


    "I went out and summarized what I heard."


    A report unfolds before my eyes. I read the text quickly.


    - The ones who attacked His Highness Carriers. Wasn''t it sent by the Siere noble faction?


    - It is clear that he was retaliating out of spite for the unfavorable ruling.


    - Well, what kind of crazy robber would try to rob the royal family?


    - Still, I heard he escaped the crisis. By swinging the gavel with style.


    Actually, it''s because of an old grudge with Feltron, but there''s no way the public would know that.


    Anyway, it was quite satisfying content. Because my poprity has be clear.


    Now, it would be perfect if the rtionship with the Siere noble faction could improve.


    ''When the opportunityes. I know. Who wants tomit a crime?''


    While I was just thinking about that, the butler continued.


    "You know the six people we caught yesterday?"


    "What about them?"


    "They asked if they could live here."


    "Eh?"


    I wondered what this was all about. Aren''t they originally nomadic people riding horses? It wouldn''t be easy to adapt to the Empire, but it was truly strange.


    But after hearing the following story, I immediately understood.


    "It looks like they watched the workers live."


    "I guess they liked the treatment?"


    "After all, the North is barren."


    "Well, not bad. Wait. It''s pretty good, isn''t it?"


    "There may be friction with the existing workers. Because the culture is very different."


    "They just have to gradually adjust to things like that. I mean, it will be useful."


    "Aren''t northern peoples bad at farming?"


    "I will use them as soldiers. They fight a bit."


    Of course, they fainted from one blow from the gavel, but that''s because the opponent was me. As long as they were equipped with the appropriate equipment, they could be excellent guards. Since they are very good at riding horses, it will be easy to handle fence patrols.


    However, Deacon Miller Xavier did not seem to like it.


    "I''m worried that they might cause trouble."


    "That''s okay. This is what happens if you don''t listen."


    "¡­"


    As I waved the steel gavel in front of his eyes, the butler''s expression became distant. The workers treated him well, but he seemed to be asking them why they were doing that.


    "That''s because you have to distinguish between workers and soldiers. For a soldier, top-down is life."


    "As expected, you have lived in the north for a long time, so you know the military well. Then I will take action like that."


    I waved my hand roughly. This meant that if he was done, he should leave quickly.


    I was nning on lounging around for a few days. I also tried to trace Able''s memories. Because there may be another enemy like Feltron''s.


    But I felt like I couldn''t rest. Deacon Xavier''s words hit me in the back.


    "Finally, Your Highness."


    "Yes, yes. What else?"


    "His Majesty has issued an instruction to enter the pce."


    "Is it so. Let''s solve that problem quickly and take a break¡­ Yesssssss."


    It didn''t really matter that it was a profane remark that came out inadvertently.


    Anyway, there is no one else but Deacon Xavier.


    What was important was the content.


    ''Why is he calling me all of a sudden? Is he really mad that I sold his name?''


    Man, this damn ce. He''s going to hit me right away. Probably not. Because the emperor appointed me.


    As time went on, my mind became more and moreplicated.

 Chapter 12: Meeting With Emperor

    I immediately got on the carriage and headed to the imperial pce.


    ''I really don''t want to go.''


    I had just moved into this world and was just trying to get used to it. But what kind of audience with the emperor is this all of a sudden?


    "Aren''t the royal family members inplete disgrace?"


    As I was muttering to myself, Deacon Miller Xavier opened his mouth.


    "Originally, you would hardly ever see each other, but you did two big things, right?"


    "What did I do?"


    "You arrested one person for insulting the imperial authority, and on top of that, the territorial dispute... ¡­ ."


    "Oh, please refrain from stating the facts."


    "Yes?"


    Leaving behind the butler''s puzzled expression, I became lost in thought. It was to restore imperial pce etiquette. Because it''s good not to get caught for no reason.


    Meanwhile, the carriage slowly stopped.


    Since the Impiral palce was not far away, it was quick to get there.


    ''Im not making a mistake, am I?'' I walked away, hiding my worry.


    Then Deacon Xavier bowed his head politely and said, "I wish you luck."


    "We''re not going to war, so why are you saying you wish me ''luck''?"


    "It''s probably simr."


    "What?"


    "Keep in mind. The imperial pce is a battlefield."


    For a moment, the butler''s eyes shed.


    As I looked at that, I felt even more nervous.


    "Oh, there''s one thing I didn''t tell you. Shall I say itter?"


    I''m kind of getting annoyed now.


    "What is it?"


    "We don''t have enough workers."


    "You''re recruiting workers, right? Isn''t 100 people enough?"


    "Your Highness the Duke, would you please look at my face?"


    I noticed it earlier, but hisplexion was different from usual.


    The area under his eyes was dark, and he looked gaunt overall. I guess it''s because he  been asked to do a lot of work recently...


    "Aha! Are you saying there is ack of management personnel?"


    "That''s right."


    "Then, pick someone you can trust. Maybe three or four people."


    "Haha! Thank you."


    Deacon Miller Xavier smiled with satisfaction.


    The workers'' sries were not much.


    However, in order to be entrusted with managing the mansion, one had to be somewhat literate.


    In this era, most people who learned even a little were nobles. It was bound to cost quite a bit of money.


    ''What do I think? It''s not like I throw a party every day.''


    Since I didn''t spend much, I didn''t have to worry about going bankrupt.


    "I''ll wait for you over there, so go quickly."


    It was probably an annex where guests'' attendants stayed.


    After thinking about it for a while, I walked towards the inner garden of the imperial pce. Immediately, the drivers followed and offered to guide me.


    "Your Highness the Duke, we will serve you from now on. Pleasee this way."


    "Yes."


    Following them, a gorgeously decorated garden appeared.


    The scale waspletely different from the one attached to my mansion.


    ''The atmosphere is overwhelming from the beginning.''


    Extremely gorgeous yet neat and stylish.


    No matter where I go, I will not be able to find such a magnificent garden.


    Everyone will walk this path and meet the emperor with their souls lost.


    ''Am I going to give in to something like this?''


    I kept my mouth shut and walked looking straight ahead.


    How much time had passed? Eventually, when we reached our destination, the knights retreated.


    "From here on, you must go alone."


    "Great job."


    "Then have a peaceful time."


    I grabbed the door handle in front of me with both hands.


    Then I pushed hard with a serious face.


    Swoosh!


    "Meet Your Majesty the Emperor!"


    When meeting a superior, isn''t a strong voice and disciplined movements the best?


    I entered with great force and immediately said hello.


    It was in exact ordance with imperial pce etiquette.


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    However, an iprehensible silence continued.


    ''What? Why isn''t there a response?''


    I raised my head with a puzzled expression.


    Then a middle-aged man with a white smile came into view.


    On the other hand, the atmosphere felt like a snowstorm had arrived.


    The corners of his mouth went up, but his eyes were extremely cold. Perhaps he was the Emperor Charon.


    "It''s been a while, Abel. How have you been?"


    "Thanks to your strong protection of the north, the entire empire was at peace. Of course, so was I."


    "This is too much praise, your majesty."


    Actually, I didn''t do anything.


    These were all deeds established by Abel, the original owner of this body.


    Maybe that''s why an insignificant answer naturally came out.


    "By the way, you mentioned me often at your courtroom?"


    "I just set an example to those who tell lies."


    "Not that one. The territorial dispute."


    It had finallye.


    As if he had a refreshing personality, the emperor got straight to the point.


    A typical royal family would spin it while enjoying tea time or dinner.


    His eyes that seemed to prate deep into my heart.


    ''I''ve never seen a guy this strong before.''


    Is this what it feels like to be strong in existence itself? It doesn''t seem like he''s reached a particrly high level.


    It felt like if I showed even the slightest weakness, I would be bitten right away. I couldn''t even think of opening the personal information window.


    That was why I was so overwhelmed by the momentum. I opened my mouth as calmly as possible.


    Making a hole to escape somehow.


    "I just handled it ording to thew."


    "Puhuhuh! What is thew on something with such holes in it? I know. What was your mindset when you made that decision?"


    To be honest, it was a bit annoying. I just sold the emperor''s authority because I couldn''t find an answer. Actually, there was no special intention.


    But he guessed it?


    As time went on, the emperor felt more and more like a monster. But what followed was quite different from what I expected.


    "Do you still disapprove of the imperial family?"


    No, what does this mean? When did I say that?


    ''Ah! He''s talking about the past.''


    Since I''m a member of the royal family, I must have had a chance to talk to the emperor. It seemed like I wasn''t feeling well at the time.


    "The imperial authority has already been established properly, so there is nothing to worry about. Didn''t Ie into power...right,?"


    It was only after hearing Emperor Charon''sst words that the situation was understood.


    Perhaps there was a time when the power of the imperial family was weak.


    ''I understand that I donatednd to the imperial family to give them strength?''


    This makes the story a little easier.


    At least the emperor views me favorably.


    If I did this, I didn''t think there would be any major censure.

 Chapter 13: Unwanted Reward

    Perhaps there was a time when the power of the imperial family was weak.


    ''I understand that I donatednd to the imperial family to give them strength?''


    This makes the story a little easier.


    At least the emperor views me favorably.


    If I did this, I didn''t think there would be any major censure. But the next moment, apletely unexpected remark came out from empror mouth.


    "So, you keep thend you got this time."


    "What do you mean? I don''t quite understand"


    "There''s no way you don''t understand. Are you disobeying my orders?"


    "No, How can that be possible? I must follow empror orders unconditionally and wholeheartedly."


    First of all, I nodded my head vigorously.


    But at the same time, I wondered if this was right.


    ''Then what do I be?''


    The judge made the disputed area a direct territory of the imperial family. But the emperor transfers it back to the relevant judge?


    What are all these crazy deals?


    Anyone can see that it looks like the royal family nned it!


    After a moment of dumbfounded silence, I forced myself to hide my true feelings.


    Only then did Emperor Charon nod with a satisfied expression.


    "Okay. That''s how it should be. Whose order is this? How dare there be opposition?"


    "That is a reasonable statement."


    "Try to pack it well. They say it''s goodnd for farming."


    "Thank you, your majesty."


    Soon, the emperor waved his hands roughly.


    It meant that business was over, so it was time to get out of the way. I quickly left the ce at a brisk pace.


    As I went outside, I felt a little relieved. Because I hadn''t been able to breathe properly until now.


    "Phew! I''m d nothing major happened."


    I was afraid that that monster-like person might recognize my identity.


    Of course, there was no way he could detect that my soul had changed.


    Even though we are members of the same royal family, we didn''t interact much.


    Because that side is the direct lineage and my side is the coteral lineage.


    Anyway, I thought I would buy some time.


    But when I thought about what had just happened, my mind became confused.


    ''Wait a minute, wasn''t that a really troublesome neighborhood?''


    * * *


    When I returned to the mansion, I unfolded the map and sighed. Deacon Miller Xavier also looked troubled.


    "Coincidentally, it is connected to the Duchy of Carriers. If this is the case, it was nned from the beginning to take over thend of the noble faction¡­."


    "I know, so stop talking."


    "Yes."


    I couldn''t know the emperor''s intentions exactly, but one thing was certain: he is indirectly trying to destroy me. If not, it must have been a mean prank.


    ''Why are you putting me in trouble by giving me thisnd? I went to the imperial family in the first ce because I didn''t want to have a headache.''


    It seemed like he had discovered my intentions. Otherwise, how could it be so difficult to pinpoint something like this?


    "But it''s something we can''t just ignore. Because His Majesty did not exempt us from paying taxes."


    "We need to do something without moving, so will both sides stay still?"


    "Perhaps Count Brayden''s side will be moderate."


    "That damn Siere noble faction is the problem again."


    Since when did it be wrong? I really felt like I was bothering Baron Parviant for no reason.


    They say they tried to establish justice in Amman¡­ ¡­ .


    ''No? If I could go back then, I would have made the same decision.''


    Anyone can see that that guy was wrong.


    Moreover, unpaid wages! Where on earth is this guy whomits such crazy things?


    Perhaps because I was receiving a sry, I felt too much empathy.


    I stared at the map with burning eyes.


    How should I develop that disputed area to avoid setbacks?


    "What would happen if we built the farm as originally nned?"


    "There will probably be a lot of disruption. Frost is a given, and it can even ruin the field."


    "It would cost more to deploy security forces than to dispatch them."


    "Because the disruption will probably ur at night."


    It seemed like the farm would definitely not work.


    In fact, thend I own now is sufficient for growing crops.


    A lot of time passed, but no answer came.


    Moreover, Deacon Xavier could not spare a long time.


    Because there was a ton of work to do. It seemed like we needed to add management personnel as quickly as possible.


    "I''ll just go now."


    "Yes, please try harder for a while."


    "It''s okay for a few days. Haha!"


    The butler retreated with a smile on his face. I couldn''t help but feel sorry. I too have been caught up in work quite a bit.


    ''It would be good to quickly divide up the work. Uh? Wait a sec¡­ ¡­ .''


    It was a sudden thought.


    Division ofbor was essential to increase work efficiency.


    It was the same when I was working part-time, working, and being a police officer.


    If I do it brute force, nothing will happen. So, didn''t I make a work schedule as soon as I got here?


    It was not easy to divide farming, so only the days off were clearly divided. They must have sufficient stamina to do their job well.


    But aren''t factories different?


    ''Besides, there''s less space to protect than the farm, right?''


    It was a good idea. If I build something like a castle wall, I won''t have to worry about sabotage.


    As soon as I made my decision, I immediately started researching the market.


    The purpose was to find out which products were most in demand. Excluding food, of course.


    "Fabric?"


    It was a natural result. Isn''t it one of the essential elements of human life: food, clothing, and shelter?


    In addition, demand was high, but supply was in short supply. It seemed like it was because it was a job that took a lot of effort.


    ''But can I do well?''


    I also had a part-time job as a sewing machine operator.


    I know how to use a sewing machine quite well, but what good is that? This is a medieval fantasy world without any machines.


    I had no intention of quitting.


    "There are still workers left anyway."


    They can do it by hand.

 Chapter 14: Non-payment Of Wages Case

    An unexpected notice was posted on a bulletin board on the outskirts of the capital. It was about recruiting people to work.


    But the conditions were a little strange.


    "We have to move to the Duchy of Carriers? Why on earth should it be like that?"


    "They''re going to lock us up and make us work. If we follow along for no reason, won''t we end up as a ve?"


    "The idea of giving as much as 4 Ceylon a month is questionable."


    People who first heard the announcement were very critical.


    This was because those who knew how to read began speaking with their tongues in cheek.


    However, nothing would change if they epted the content urately.


    Have you ever gone to work somewhere far away and been mistreated?


    In particr, most miners were like that.


    If the tunnel copsed and they died, they would wipe their mouths as if no workers had been brought in the first ce.


    However, opposition arose immediately.


    "What are you saying now? Let''s see who hung this."


    "No? He''s Duke Carriers, right?"


    "How could someone who made a good rulingmit fraud?"


    "Okay! It seems like they decided it would be better to move because it was so expensive."


    "Why are you spewing nonsense about being a ve just to disgrace His Highness the Duke?"


    The one who took the lead in venting his anger was Paul.


    In addition to resolving the injustice, he also received his overdue wages all at once.


    Isn''t the court even giving some kind of constion prize?


    It was said that the money came from a fine imposed on Baron Parviant.


    From then on, Paul had no choice but to be Duke ardent follower.


    "I will apply first," Paul said, leaving for the Duchy of Carriers.


    Some workers followed suit. All of them received unpaid wages thanks to me.


    However, the majority did not believe the announcement.


    Deep-rooted distrust could not be changed with a few famous rulings.


    * * *


    "Still, we gathered quite a bit. To be honest, I didn''t think many woulde," Deacon Miller Xavier said, looking at the vacant lot with surprise.


    There were about 200 people standing there. Of course, half of them were children, but it was still quite arge number of people.


    ''We can''t even build the walls yet. I''ll have to start small,'' I thought.


    To prevent sabotage, it was essential to have a strong defense. Moreover, since there were few people, it had to be well-equipped.


    ''Our family has only honor left. Military power is minimal.''


    However, the Carriers Duchy could not be overlooked carelessly.


    They are war weapon called the Berserker of the North.


    Moreover, from the outside, it seemed to be favored by the emperor. Since such arge piece ofnd was granted, the friendship between the cousins must have been strong.


    They couldn''t juste in without going crazy.


    "We have deployed personnel as instructed, Your Majesty," Xavier said.


    "Is that so? Let''s start by putting up the buildings."


    "We will let them stay in the tents for the time being."


    "Please take care of it, Deacon Xavier. Oh, what happened to the new management staff you said you were hiring?"


    "For now, they have been ced in the mansion, and I n to hand over responsibilities as we go."


    "Good. Then, have a good time at work."


    "Pleasee back safely, Your Majesty."


    I got into the carriage, leaving behind the brightly smiling Butler Xavier.


    In the future, factories and viges will be built as I requested.


    There was no need to worry about the details. The subordinates will take care of it. There was something else to focus on.


    ''I need to figure out something to get to work.''


    This damn country has given its top judges too much work. In my old world, the role is no different from the Minister of Justice.


    The reason for this was because there were too few judges.


    The emperor only appoints people he can truly trust. In a situation like this, I couldn''t just say I didn''t like it and quit.


    "Are there so few talented people here?"


    Actually, it was worth it. Unless onee from a really great family, he or she can''t stay aloof from external pressure.


    In that sense, I was truly the perfect judge.


    Who on earth would challenge the authority of Duke Carriers?


    "I''m here, Your Majesty."


    "Great job."


    I waved my hand at the driver who was flinching. It meant that I would get off on my own, so don''t do anything foolish.


    The power of the nobles was incredibly strong, and their vanity was beyond imagination.


    It wasmon to use the servant''s back when getting on or off a carriage.


    But to me, a modern person, it was a very strange thing. Stepping on people and getting on and off the carriage¡ªwhy do I do such crazy things?


    ''It''s not that high.''


    When I refused to take the footrest, the coachman''s expression became somber.


    It was probably the first time he had seen the royal family so easy-going. I felt a respectful gaze behind my back.


    I felt proud for no reason, but I shook my head.


    ''What did I say?''


    Sinceing here, there have been many moments where my mind became confused.


    A strong caste system and a culture of disregard for human life. The life of amoner was clearly a dark fantasy.


    It was fortunate that I had been possessed by a high-ranking person. If I hadn''t done that, I would have had a hard time from the beginning.


    ''Don''t think about it being difficult, just do what I can. Then the world will be a better ce.''


    Fair judgment, improved treatment of servants, creation of quality jobs, etc.


    It was definitely not something I did because I had a great philosophy.


    I just moved as my heart wanted. I intended to continue to do so in the future.


    Who will say anything when they hear I will use the money and power given to me as I please?


    While I was thinking about random things, I was entering the courtroom.


    "We will now begin the trial of the Erset mine non-payment of wages case. Salute to your honor."


    "Everyone Bow your head!"


    As usual, everyone bowed their heads toward me.


    The moment I was about to sit down with a nk expression, I felt a strange feeling.


    ''I think I heard some really annoying words?''


    As I slowly leafed through the documents on the podium, I figured out the reason.


    "Non-payment of wages, is that you again?"


    "Yes?"


    Josef reacted immediately to what he was saying to himself.


    There was no need to listen to what a treacherous bastard said anyway, so I just ignored it.


    By the way.


    ''Why aren''t they reviewed in advance? I make sure toe to the court and find out what the case is.''


    It was absurd.


    If I don''t even know how things are going, how can I make a proper ruling?

 Chapter 15: Erset mine [1]

    "We will now begin the trial of the Erset mine non-payment of wages case. Salute to your honor."


    "Everyone Bow your head!"


    As usual, everyone bowed their heads toward me.


    The moment I was about to sit down with a nk expression, I felt a strange feeling.


    ''I think I heard some really annoying words?''


    As I slowly leafed through the documents on the podium, I figured out the reason.


    "Non-payment of wages, is that you again?"


    "Yes?"


    Josef reacted immediately to what he was saying to himself.


    There was no need to listen to what a treacherous bastard said anyway, so I just ignored it.


    By the way.


    ''Why aren''t they reviewed in advance? I make sure toe to the court and find out what the case is.''


    It was absurd.


    If I don''t even know how things are going, how can I make a proper ruling?


    I asked a question to Justice Emir Kolund, who was sitting on my left. The answer came right away.


    "This is to eliminate preconceptions and external interference. If judges find out about the case in advance, their hearts may be swayed."


    What kind of nonsense is this? I couldn''t understand it at all. But soon, I had to nod because Judge Emir showed me the provisions of thew.


    "So the ruling is also made on the same day?"


    "Not necessarily, but it has to be as fast as possible. It was very rare for the trial date to be extended."


    I liked how thew code wasprehensive, but to my surprise, it was clear here. I furrowed my eyebrows as I noticed a serious problem that could affect judgment.


    "In this case, everything depends on the prosecutor''s intention and ability, right?" I recalled the previous incident. Didn''t the prosecutor, who was part of the Sierra aristocracy, me Paul, a wage worker?


    If it weren''t for my keen intuition, it would have ended in an ordinary injury. Paul would have been forced to work for several years without pay. This incident was no different.


    Sure enough, the prosecutor imed ckmail from the victim''s family.


    "The people in question were working in the mine and ran away as soon as they received their wages. Ten people disappeared overnight."


    "You mentioned that false usations wouldn''t be questioned. Are you just iming innocence?"


    "We won''t im any losses resulting from the workers running away."


    At first nce, it seemed like the Erset mine owners were very generous. But I didn''t think so.


    "Of course not. Even if you listen roughly, you can figure that out right away."


    Disappearances of mine workers were frequent. If the tunnel copses, it''s as if the worker never existed. How could you find someone buried deep underground? Besides, now that they knew the ground was weak, they would never dig there again.


    It was trulyplete destruction of evidence.


    But it wasn''t impossible to prove the mine owner had lied, just as we found out that Baron Parviant''s arm was fine. Or we could secure a witness. Of course, a proper reinvestigation would require the prosecutor''s cooperation.


    "Justice Kolund Emir."


    "Yes, Your Honor. Please speak."


    "What is the reputation of that prosecutor?"


    "Why are you suddenly asking that?"


    "I''m just curious. Is he from the Sierra aristocracy?"


    "No. Prosecutor Carls Avery is from Giovanni''s side. He joined recently."


    It was a name I had heard before.


    Giovanni''s faction was one of the two major powerhouses in the empire, along with Sierra.


    "Is this damn noble faction the problem?"


    I couldn''t understand why the emperor would leave those guys alone. With his charisma, he could have wiped out everything. But then a thought urred to me.


    "What if I was put in this position to do that in the first ce?"


    Abel Carriers, known as the Berserker of the North, was a member of the imperial family with great power and authority.


    Wasn''t I the perfect tool for this? A person who wouldn''t give in to external pressure.


    Even after an attack, I remained calm.


    "So he handed over that crappynd to me?"


    They gave me a hastily named ce. I felt like I understood the emperor''s n.


    In that case, I would have to y my part. Pleasing the emperor with the right decision was an opportunity I couldn''t pass up.


    "Today again, I will establish justice."


    "Yes?"


    I heard Josef''s voice on my right but ignored it. I immediately got up from my seat. Soon, the prosecutor continued.


    "This happened because the worker escaped, so please find the owner not guilty."


    "Look, Prosecutor."


    "Yes, Your Honor."


    "This is the first time in my life that I have seen a prosecutor im innocence in court. Isn''t your role to expose sin?"


    "We conducted a thorough investigation but found no evidence."


    "Then they shouldn''t have been prosecuted in the first ce."


    "That is¡­"


    Prosecutor Avery frowned.


    I could guess what happened just by observing. Probably Giovanni''s faction tried to appease him. For the sake of face, they couldn''t withdraw a case already handed over to the court.


    So it became a funny situation where the prosecutor imed innocence. The evidence must have beenpletely destroyed.


    But there was still a way to find out.


    I looked around the audience and spoke with a solemn expression.


    "There are so many things unclear about this case. So I''m going to check it out properly. You are beginning a re-investigation of the Erset mine under the court''s authority."


    "Then it will be toote. The principle of a speedy trial will be broken."


    If they do it all over again, it will be a lot of work. Prosecutor Carls Avery won''t cooperate either.


    Everyone in the audience shook their heads, thinking it was an unreasonable push. But everyone gaped at my next deration.


    "Why it will bete? I will conduct the re-investigation myself."


    "What? When do you mean?"


    "Right now."


    "¡­ ¡­"

 Chapter 16: Erset mine [2]

    I got into the carriage faster than anyone else.


    "Please go to Erset Mine. Make it as quick as possible."


    "Yes? Yes, I understand."


    The coachman seemed shocked but soon came to his senses. I guess my expression was quite grim.


    "Your honor! Please take us with you too!"


    As the carriage was about to leave, I heard voices.


    The associate judges of my court, Emir Kolund and Justice Josef Padi, were calling out.


    "Get on quickly. There is no time."


    "Yes!"


    I understood why Kolund was following me because he is honest and faithful to his duties.


    But Josef was unexpected. I thought he would stay back and just fool around in court.


    Josef must have sensed my gaze and smiled awkwardly.


    "The judge is going in person, so how can I be the only one left?"


    Immediately, shouts of ttery erupted.


    As expected, it was best not to listen to this guy.


    The carriage moved quickly without stopping for a moment.


    Still, it was a long distance that took more than half a day.


    As we traveled, I remembered the faces of the people who remained in the courtroom.


    Then a smile appeared automatically.


    ''I heard they reacted more violently than when I mentioned the emperor?''


    When I discovered Baron Parviant''s lie, the audience was shocked.


    This was because I witnessed an unprecedented scene where the crime of insulting the imperial authority was applied.


    In back on earth, there were often cases where evidence was collected and investigated ex officio by the court.


    But it seemed rare here. I vaguely asked Judge Emir Kolund.


    "Is this really that surprising?"


    Although I asionally remembered Abel, not even the smallest details came to mind.


    While Kolund hesitated, Josef answered in his ce.


    "As far as I know, a judge has never been to the scene."


    "Why?"


    "Is there really a need for that? The intelligence power of the Imperial Prosecutor''s Office is the strongest on the continent."


    "But that doesn''t always mean it''s fair. Isn''t that right?"


    "Hehe! Of course."


    I thought he would hesitate at least once.


    But Josef immediately agreed with a sinister smile. Even though it would be difficult to evaluate since it is the same industry.


    ''Ah! Come to think of it, this guy was an opponent, right?''


    Justice Padi was from the Sierre aristocracy, and Prosecutor Avery was from the Giovanni aristocracy.


    I''m on my way to kill someone from the opposing faction.


    How exciting can it be?


    Unlike before, it seemed like he would demonstrate his abilities properly this time.


    ''Okay. Let''s see how well you do.''


    Some time passed, and the carriage arrived at Erset Mine. However, the scale of the building seemedrger than I expected.


    "The fence is very high."


    "The lower part is like a normal castle. They probably made a foundation with a low stone wall and put logs on top of it."


    "At this level, it''s almost safe to say it''s a fortress."


    "It''s because of the monster threat. The surrounding area is all forest, right?"


    If it is difficult to break in, it is equally difficult to escape. The picture I had in my head seemed to be clearer.


    Emir Kolund''s expression also became serious. It seemed like he naturally realized something.


    Eventually, we reached the entrance to the mine.


    "Who are you?"


    Someone shouted from above the wooden fence. Since it was clear that it was a nobleman''s carriage, they were cautious at first.


    Originally, if the master''s power was high, the servant''s shoulders would also be straightened. The coachman answered loudly in a confident voice.


    "This is the arrival of His Highness the Duke of Carriers. Open the door!"


    "Huh? Just wait a moment!"


    The person who had stuck his head out went down, and there was amotion behind the wooden fence.


    He seemed quite surprised by the sudden appearance of the Duke. However, no matter how long I waited, the wooden door would not open.


    "Isn''t this making us wait too long?"


    Josef snapped his fingers, and his eyes lit up in annoyance.


    It seemed like he wanted to take a closer look at the ins and outs of Erset Mine.


    "I know, right. If they were honest, there would be no reason to stall like this. They''re probably waiting for their owner."


    The mine owner, Viscount Erset, was probably following behind like crazy, putting aside the work of the imperial pce, which was his duty.


    He likely wanted to avoid having his private details revealed at all costs. If an unnecessary controversy arose, he might lose his position.


    "I guess it won''t work."


    I couldn''t wait any longer and jumped out of the carriage.


    Then Emir Kolund spoke immediately.


    "What are you going to do?"


    "It is interfering with the execution of official duties, so it must be forcibly breached."


    "Yes?"


    Josef was equally shocked.


    He seemed to be wondering how on earth we could open that thick door. Well, it looked as sturdy as a normal castle gate, so it was worth it.


    Anyway, I went to the wooden fence and shouted loudly.


    "If you don''t open it within three counts, I will enforce it. One!"


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    They must have heard my voice, but there was no reaction from inside.


    It seemed like he was just trying to hold on. If so, we must respond appropriately.


    "Two."


    I counted the numbers and took out the gavel. If I activated the heart of the beast, I could shatter a log door in one hit. Soon I said thest number.


    "Three."


    Tsutsutsu!


    However, just as red energy was about to surge through the gavel, the wooden door suddenly opened.


    Rattling!


    "Well, pleasee in. Your Royal Highness, Duke of Carriers."


    A man with his head bowed with an awkward expression caught my eye. Judging by his knowledge of noble etiquette, he seemed to be the manager of the Erset Mine.


    "Hey,  You could have appeared a little better."


    "Yes?"


    As I was muttering to myself, the other person looked puzzled. At that moment,


    Josef quietly intervened.


    He had an unusually solemn face.


    "We came to investigate the Erset Mine. If you do not cooperate sincerely, you may be punished, so think carefully."


    "The prosecutors have already been here?"


    "This is not done under the authority of the court!"


    When Josef shouted loudly, the manager pretended not to be able to resist and got out of the way.


    Then he rolled his eyes and turned around.


    "Pleasee this way."


    It wasn''t clear, but I thought we could proceed with the investigation anyway.

 Chapter 17: Erset mine [3]

    Rattling!


    "Well, pleasee in. Your Royal Highness, Duke of Carriers."


    A man with his head bowed with an awkward expression caught my eye. Judging by his knowledge of noble etiquette, he seemed to be the manager of the Erset Mine.


    "Hey,  You could have appeared a little better."


    "Yes?"


    As I was muttering to myself, the other person looked puzzled. At that moment,


    Josef quietly intervened.


    He had an unusually solemn face.


    "We came to investigate the Erset Mine. If you do not cooperate sincerely, you may be punished, so think carefully."


    "The prosecutors have already been here?"


    "This is not done under the authority of the court!"


    When Josef shouted loudly, the manager pretended not to be able to resist and got out of the way.


    Then he rolled his eyes and turned around.


    "Pleasee this way."


    It wasn''t clear, but I thought we could proceed with the investigation anyway.


    Still, I felt uneasy for some reason, so I called the judges together.


    "Please keep a close eye on the soldiers. They can''t be allowed to do such nonsense."


    "All right," Josef replied with a bright smile as he adjusted the cor of his robes. For the first time, I felt like I could trust him. The determination to stop any wrongdoing was evident in his eyes. But at the same time, I was worried.


    ''I was in a hurry, so I couldn''t bring the drivers with me.''


    Of course, I wondered if anything would happen. Even those just leaving Amman wouldn''t attack a member of the royal family and the highest judge. Aren''t Kolund and Josef, who came with us, of formidable status? I entered the inner building with the manager. The office was shabby, as expected from a ce where iron ore dust was always flying around. Actually, there was nothing to look at.


    ''Because all the evidence would have already been erased.''


    After briefly flipping through the ledger, I found the date the workers had fled. It was consistent with what the prosecutor investigated. It was said that wages were not paid from then on. So I got up straight away.


    "Are you done already?"


    "No. It''s starting now. We need to do on-site verification."


    "Yes?"


    "Where is the tunnel? I''d like to see it."


    "Uh¡­ It''s over there, but it''s probably better not to go there. It''s a very dangerous ce."


    "It''s okay."


    When we went to the ce the manager pointed out, a hole in the cliff appeared. People with glowing stones on their heads were frequently going in and out of that ce, carryingrge lumps. I called the workers passing by and gathered them together. The idea was to ask a few questions.


    "When did the tunnel copse¡­?"


    But then a group of people gathered around and surrounded the area. I was trapped in the human barrier without even being able to ask properly. Moreover, with a few light gestures, the workers immediately dispersed. It was a truly absurd situation. How can they interfere with the investigation in this way?


    ''It looks like they couldn''t even stop the workers from joining.''


    You would never have thought that a judge woulde to visit in person. With just a few questions, you would be able to find out the date and location of the mine copse. Then, uncovering Erset Mine''s lies would not be a difficult task. If we''re lucky, we''ll find the body. But what if these guyse out in a mess?


    "It''s better. I can strike the mace of justice myself."


    I looked at the soldiers surrounding me with a grim smile. Then the manager said with a smug smile, "I know. Wouldn''t it be better to do it in moderation? I guess the tunnel will copse once more today." It seemed like he was trying to bury me. If it''s deep in the mine, no one will be able to find me. It would be enough to just say that the tunnel copsed during the investigation.


    They would insist that they tried to stop it until the end.


    "Thank you. For showing your true colors in advance."


    I smiled and took out the gavel. As the small hammer was revealed, a sneer appeared on the soldiers'' lips. It looked quite funny to see me wearing a fancy legal uniform and holding a toy-like weapon.


    Slurp. m!


    Then the soldiers also drew their swords. As a base in a remote location, it felt quite elite. Even though they were not knights, they were well-equipped with armor and weapons.


    "Hehehe! You must be a nobleman whose liver has gone overboard, toe to this dangerous ce without an escort."


    "Whether you are a judge or not, Viscount Erset''s word isw in the mines."


    "Just be buried quietly."


    The soldiers got closer and closer, spitting out harsh words. Even judges with heads full of ink would tremble, but I was perfectly calm. Because I was confident that I could beat them all by myself.


    "I mixed the sprouts into soup and ate it. Do you guys know what this is?" I said, holding the gavel forward. Then the manager chuckled and sneered.


    "No gavel? It''s useless because it''s made of iron, so the sound is sharp."


    The attitude was, "Why on earth did you bring something like that?" A bitter smile naturally appeared. As I kept hearing that disgusting sound, it felt like mes were rising from inside me. For berserkers, anger is the driving force of battle. I held the handle tightly.


    ¡ºActivation of the Heart of the Beast¡»


    Tsutsutsutsu!


    As my vision began to blur, red energy surged from the gavel. Before I knew it, my body had moved like a bullet. As soon as the skill was activated, I jumped forward. The distance closed in an instant. Jump! A hammer engulfed in red energy was thrust into the manager''s mouth.


    As drops of blood burst out, pure white fragments embroidered the air. I looked directly into the guy''s zed eyes and muttered softly.


    "What is this?"


    "Of course, the gavel."


    "Wrong. This is an etiquette injector."


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    "It''s the perfect thing to use on a scoundrel like you."


    Soon, a red sh appeared once more.


    Kwasik!

 Chapter 18: Erset mine [4]

    "fuck!"


    Hans, a soldier at the Erset Mine, cursed.


    When Duke Carriers'' new weapon struck, hisrades fell to the ground. It was truly a sight he had never seen before. How can a person do that? Knocking down dozens of people with a small hammer, not even a warhammer.


    "Um, that''s the Northern Berserker..."


    A word Hans said without thinking. Someone must have heard that, and made a groaning sound.


    "So the rumor was true?"


    "What rumor?"


    "They say he captured and killed dozens of barbarians every day. Every day for five years!"


    "Hey, aren''t they just guys wearing rags anyway? We can do that much."


    Hans quickly came to his senses and refuted his colleague''s words. Even if the author has made a name for himself, he only has a toy-like hammer.


    On the other hand, the soldiers at Erset Mine were well-armed and trained.


    Didn''t he draw his sword without hesitation despite orders to oppose the duke? In addition, he had a wealth of practical experience.


    Recently, he even managed to catch an ogre that was wandering around. In fact, they wereparable to the regr imperial army. There was no need to be blindly afraid.


    "Shouldn''t we stop him somehow first? Now that things have turned out this way."


    "If you step back, the only thing that will happen is death."


    "Good. Let''s go somewhere."


    The soldiers immediately began to surround Abel. Since time immemorial, one hand cannot ovee ten hands. No matter how strong a person is, if he is beaten from all sides, he will have no answer.


    "Hit!"


    Eventually, when the leader''s order was given, everyone rushed in at once, like when hunting the ogre, known as the king of the forest.


    Weapon gs were waved with great enthusiasm. It was a much more borate connection than usual. Attacks that were thwarted with just a moment''s notice. This thing couldn''t survive even if the berserker grandfather came.


    "Done!"


    Hans'' eyes were momentarily filled with joy.


    Although there was a numerical advantage, the opponent was still a berserker from the north. Defeating such a giant was an incredible feat.


    Being selected by Viscount Erset and joining the imperial guard would not be just a dream.


    However, apletely different result emerged than expected.


    "It''s the same."


    h h h!


    As Hans heard Abel''s muttering, he felt tremendous pain. So much so that he couldn''t even hold the handle.


    Hans lost his weapon without realizing it. However, the shape of the sword that bounced was very strange.


    "What? Why is it bent like this?"


    The weapon he received as a supply was crumpled up like a piece of paper. It was a sword that was fine even when dealing with an ogre, but it was shattered so pointlessly. It was hard to believe even after witnessing it in person.


    The dumbfounded soundsted only a moment, followed by an incredible shock. A hammer engulfed in red energy was stuck in the side of his head.


    As he was losing consciousness, Hans kept his mouth shut.


    "Oh, no. Well, I have to be a royal guard..."


    * * *


    I literally ran like a gale.


    Dozens of weapons came tangled together, but none of them touched my body.


    No matter how sophisticated a coordinated attack is, there are always gaps. It was slow enough to make me yawn in the first ce, so how could I not avoid it? In fact, it was much more difficult to control the force.


    ''There''s a mountain of things to dig up, but I can''t just tear the witness'' pot into pieces, right?''


    With each swing of the hammer, three or four soldiers fell.


    Burbubbuk!


    "Kkuek!"


    "Keck!"


    Seeing such a resulte from such a light gesture, I somehow felt relieved.


    ''How great would it be if i was like this when I was a police officer?''


    One time, I was mobilized for a stabbing incident without question. I had a lot of trouble back then.


    The criminal was carrying tworge knives, so it was bound to be difficult to subdue him. If I had been in this state there, I would have personally made special efforts to arrest him.


    ''Ugh. What kind of delusion is this?''


    Isn''t he no different from the soldier who muttered that he should be a Royal Guard?


    "Keuuu! I need to finish it quickly."


    I quickly yed with my hands. This was because the longer I continued to listen to the heart of the beast, the more I became anxious. It almostpletely crushed a soldier''s head.


    Sigh! Bye!


    After about three minutes, the whole situation was over. I was standing among dozens of soldiers scattered around.


    Soon, the sound of someone running toward me was heard. I slowly turned my gaze, and the faces of the judges came into view.


    "Ahaha... The interest rates were so high that there was nothing we could do."


    "Sorry. Your honor."


    Kolund and Josef were captured by the soldiers. I had told them to keep an eye on them so they wouldn''t do anything stupid, but they ended up being prisoners again.


    In fact, it was a natural result.


    ''Well, they probably spent their whole life digging intow books. What kind of power can they even have?''


    This happened because I thought too much from my own perspective.


    Moreover, I had no idea that the resistance would be this fierce.


    "It''s okay. I will rescue you soon, so just stay still."


    "Well, will that be possible?"


    Josef''s eyes were full of disbelief. It seems like there''s a knife at his throat right now. Of course, Emir Kolund, who was calm about everything, reacted a little differently...


    "Ugh! Your honor, please save me."


    No, there wasn''t much of a difference either.


    He usually seemed dependable, but in reality, he could not escape the category of a noble man.


    I am unique in that I came down from the North with a reputation.


    "Be obediently bound. Otherwise, their lives will be lost!"


    The soldiers shouted with great vigor. But the result was the same as before. This was because I closed the distance in an instant and hit them on the head.


    Wedge! Plop!


    I couldn''t even react and looked down at the fallen soldiers with indifferent eyes. Then Josef quickly approached and bowed down.


    "I had no doubts about your honor!"


    He was truly a great guy in many ways. Even in this situation, ttery appears. I was just about to nod and move on, but Josef continued speaking.


    "I discovered something strange just before I was captured by the soldiers."


    "Oh, really?"


    "Yep! This way."


    It wasn''t that long ago that I parted ways with the judges.


    It only took about thirty minutes, but he achieved results already?


    Although the things he did were repulsive, he seemed to have certain abilities!

 Chapter 19: Erset mine [5]

    Josef guided us to a hole on the other side of the cliff. It appeared to be an old tunnel, with supports erected there. However, the entrance waspletely obscured by bushes.


    "No, how did you find this ce?" I asked.


    "Ha ha! Don''t I have a keen eye for detail? I saw someone going in and out of here."


    "Who?"


    "Just them," Josef said, pointing to the fainted soldiers.


    An investigation seemed necessary, but it was actually a bit bothersome to wake them up and ask questions. It could take a long time.


    ''Just go in and check,'' I thought.


    I quickly searched the soldiers'' arms and found a shining stone. The workers who went in and out of the mines wore these on their shoulders or foreheads.


    "Is this what you meant to do?"


    When I put the hook on my clothes, it looked pretty decent. It seemed like it would be no problem to go into the mine right away. As I was about to turn away, I suddenly felt a strange gaze. Kolund and Josef were looking at each other with mysterious expressions.


    "Do we have to go in too?" Kolund asked.


    "Aren''t you going?" I replied.


    "It seems like it breaks down quite often, but if something happens..."


    "It''s not like we''re going to use a pickaxe right now. Besides, this is the ce you discovered," I pointed out.


    "You''re still anxious, aren''t you?" Josef said.


    "Then you can wait here. Instead, next time you get caught, I won''t save you."


    "Yes? No, that would be a different story."


    The two judges quickly picked up the shining stones. If troops from somewhere else returned, it was obvious they would be captured again. It seemed they decided it was safer to stay by my side. Soon, we walked into the dark tunnel.


    "Why did those guyse and go here earlier? It seems like it''s a ce that hasn''t been used recently," Kolund noted.


    "I know, right. Plus, the atmosphere is somehow eerie."


    If the tunnel was in full use, the entrance would not have been covered. They would have left tools and carts in front. However, there was no trace of work done here. It feltpletely abandoned.


    ''There''s really nothing?''


    As we went deeper inside, we came to a ce where the atmosphere changed rapidly. Shiny stones that had never been seen before were gathered in one ce, making it very bright.


    "Huh? What is this ce?" Josef began to raise his voice, but I held out my arm to stop him.


    It was because I sensed something strange.


    "Shh."


    The surroundings became quiet, apanied by an urgent wind. Then, a strange sound was soon heard.


    Crack! Kwajak!


    It sounded like bones breaking. An eerie feeling seemed to pierce deep into my lungs. Suddenly, I looked back and saw that the two judges'' faces had turned pale. They seemed surprised by the unexpected situation.


    ''You can''t just say it''s dangerous and not check.''


    The secrets of the Erset Mine must be lurking there. I turned the corner and entered an area as bright as day. And there, I witnessed an amazing sight. A huge furry dog was eating something to its heart''s content. It had deer-like horns growing on its forehead, giving it the impression of some kind of devil.


    "Crazy..."


    A swear word escaped my lips as the creature''s head whipped around 180 degrees, like an owl. It looked even more grotesque with blood and flesh covering the corners of its mouth. Moreover, something even more surprising happened.


    -Who are you guys?


    A voice seemed to speak directly into my head. Since it would be impossible to speak humannguage with an oral structure like that, it seemed to be an ability simr to telepathy. A bloody-looking monster talking to me in my head? What kind of crazy situation was this?


    Moreover, the content was also spectacr.


    -If you see this body, you should kneel first. What on earth are you doing!


    Coooooo! Bleep!


    Tinnitus was heard along with a heavy shock wave. Some invisible force was pressing on us. As if it wasn''t just a feeling of intimidation, a groan came from behind.


    "Ugh!"


    "Mo, my body¡­"


    Dump!


    Before I knew it, the two judges were kneeling on the floor. It seemed like the monster was up to some trick. But I only flinched slightly and wasn''t much different from usual.


    Tsutsutsu!


    The red energy that rose softly was thanks to the heart of the beast.


    ''The skill was activated automatically.''


    I felt like it was because my body couldn''t handle it if I stayed still. In any case, a battle with it seemed inevitable. Only then would we be able to reveal the identity of the bone fragment behind it. I took out the gavel and caught my breath.


    ''This is my first fight with a strong opponent. Will the heart of the beast connect with that guy?''


    Honestly, I was skeptical. I didn''t know how strong my opponent was, nor did I know what my limits were. However, I had no intention of backing down. Hadn''t it been like that since I was a police officer? There should be nopromise in confronting injustice.


    But at that moment...


    Ta-da-da-da-da! Dump!


    "Oh, God of the Earth! Forgive my rudeness!"


    Someone suddenly jumped out from behind me and immediately fell t on his face. At first, I couldn''t recognize who it was because he had his head buried deep on the floor. But soon someone''s name crossed my mind.


    "Viscount Erset?"


    As he stood nkly with a bewildered expression, Viscount Erset slowly raised his head. Then he growled at me in a low voice.


    "What are you doing? Get down right now."


    "¡­You''re crazy."


    There was no other way to express it. It seemed like the entire mine, including this man, had turned upside down.


    So what should I do?


    "Mister, you go to hell and wake up. I have to fix this mess."


    Tadat! Tooung-!


    I hit the ground and rushed toward the monster. Then I swung the gavel cheerfully.

 Chapter 20: Checkmate [1]

    There has never been a time when I didn''t use the heart of a beast.


    Of course, I''ve only had one fight with it. Still, the opponent was quite talented. The northern peoples had a reputation for ferocity and outstanding military power.


    But they too fell to my gavel one after another. Once I activated the skill, it was easier than twisting a child''s wrist.


    However, the monster before my eyes was something that defiedmon sense.


    ''The attack... stuck? In the air?''


    It felt as if some kind of shield or intangible force had intervened. I swung the gavel again. If the emphasis before was on speed, now it was a blow with all my might.


    "Hwaap!"


    Quaching!


    Then, a different result came out than before. The hammer head crashed into the air the same way, but the monster''s body heaved and was pushed back.


    "Ohh? It seems you can''tpletely rule out an attack, right?"


    If this is the case, the story changes.


    This means that the ability will break if the shock exceeds its limit. I smiled faintly and lightly rxed my shoulders.


    As the activation time increased, a feeling of sorrow welled up from deep within my heart. The Heart of the Beast is a skill whose power increases as the desire to kill the opponent bes stronger.


    ''But I must exercise moderation.''


    My purpose is to reveal the truth, not to kill anyone.


    The border between reason and recklessness. It was not easy to maintain exactly that middle point. But I was able to do it. Didn''t I almost reach the point of liberation while dealing with unreasonable civil servants?


    "This is just gum!"


    Suhuaaang¡ª! Whoops!


    The gavel, engulfed in red-hot mes, struck the air. Sparks exploded with an ear-piercing roar. It was like molten iron sshing out of a furnace.


    -Ugh!


    The monster screamed in pain.


    The red energy that prated the defense shield struck its entire body. It must have been in great pain, as it twisted its body and hurriedly retreated. However, it could not be defeated with just one blow.


    -Yes, you!


    The monster''s eyes began to sh and emit bright yellow rays of light.


    A bundle of light extended straight and then bent sharply.


    It was a very difficult attack to block because the trajectory was long and there were dozens of shots. However, I was able to block the yellow beam without much difficulty.


    Kwagwagwagwagwang!


    Bang!


    ''Hey! Is this what happens?''


    Honestly, I thought this one was a little dangerous.


    I never imagined that such a high-level attack would ur. First of all, the opponent is a monster. I thought they would just point their horns at me ignorantly.


    Ta-da-da-da-da!


    I quickly closed the distance. It would be impossible for the monster to unleash such powerful attacks in session. As expected, it did not respond properly.


    -Woah, step back! Are you trying to touch the body of a great being?


    "I don''t know what''s great. I have to investigate, so get out of my way!"


    -What kind of investigation are you daring to undertake?


    "Ah, that''s so annoying."


    Bah!


    The gavel, swung sideways, was aimed at the monster''s legs.


    However, the moment the opponent lowered its thick arm to defend, the attack trajectory twisted. It soared upward out of nowhere and hit the monster''s chin.


    ¨DKaaaaaa!


    Although it was a simple trick, it was surprisingly easy to catch.


    ''For some reason, this guy feels like he''s barely experienced any realbat.''


    Actually, I was the same in that regard.


    However, I and Abel had first-hand experience in chasing down criminals.


    That small difference created a big gap.


    Puck! Plop!


    -Ahh! Whah! Okay, stop!


    "I can''t hear what you''re saying."


    -Surrender! I Surrender, you bastard!


    "Is that the attitude of someone who surrenders? You man-eating bastard?"


    ¨DI will cooperate, so please stop! Ugh!


    "Okay. It should havee out like that a long time ago... But why does your attitude change so quickly?"


    I tilted my head at the incredible speed of the monster''s change of stance. For a creature that calls itself a god, shouldn''t it be much stronger mentally?


    A monster crushed in a corner. Soon, I looked at the meat and bone pieces it was eating.


    ''Uh?''


    But something was a little strange. No matter how you look at it, it was significantly different from a human. You can''t call a skull this long a human, right? Even if it looks strange.


    "Anyone can see that this is an animal. Hey, what do you usually eat?"


    ¨DWhy are you suddenly asking that?


    "I told you, it''s an investigation. Do you want to tell me the truth? For your information, I am still in the process of arresting criminals."


    ¨D¡­ See, I usually eat grilled meat, as provided by hom.


    The monster pointed at Viscount Erset, who was lying t on the floor and shaking.


    I frowned at the unexpected results.


    "Have you ever eaten someone?"


    -I am a great gourmet. Unless it''s a high-quality cow raised on grain, I won''t even touch it.


    "You said something like that when you just chewed it raw and swallowed it. It makes me really angry."


    -Sometimes I eat raw meat. You get sick of just baking manna.


    "Ugh! Just stop."


    I raised the gavel and lowered it with a sigh.


    What''s the point of beating up a guy who''s already been subdued?


    Moreover, if I move even a little, he gets scared and flinches. By the way, if this guy didn''t eat them, where did the miners go?


    "Was it simply an ident that resulted in them being buried in the ground? Was the author just trying to cover it up?"


    -To be buried?


    "The miners disappeared. I heard it happens often here."


    -I heard a lot of mines are copsing. But it was definitely avoidable.


    "What does that mean?"


    I narrowed my eyes at the word the monster inadvertently uttered.

 Chapter 21: Checkmate [2]

    Somehow, this monster seemed to know a lot.


    But at that very moment, Viscount Erset raised his head.


    "Oh God. Isn''t this different from a contract?"


    The voice shot out like rapid fire, as if he was rapping. I wondered if he had to react so sensitively.


    There must be something he wants to hide for him to react that way. I said with a meaningful smile.


    "What contract?"


    "¡­"


    Let''s say it''s personal freedom to treat that monster like a god.


    But what about a contract? Isn''t this extremely suspicious?


    Moreover, as soon as the question was asked, Viscount Erset kept his mouth shut.


    There was no way that guy would confess anyway, so I asked the monster.


    "You better speak quickly. My gavel is not very merciful."


    Grumble!


    The heart of a beast lifted lightly.


    As mes erupted from the hammerhead, the monster''s broad face turned pale. He immediately started telling an interesting story.


    "I can find the location of minerals rtively urately. When I provided information that was close to prophecy, the author trusted me and followed me."


    "Were you offered expensive food in exchange for finding the mineral vein?"


    "Yes. But I clearly warned them. There are ces where the ground is not good."


    "Is it like that every time? Or is this ce inherently unstable as a whole?"


    "It was different every time I found it. There were ces that were much safer."


    "Did the tunnel copse while digging too hard in a dangerous ce?"


    "It is certain. When I told them of a dangerous ce, a few dayster I heard a loud noise."


    "Isn''t the mine really noisy?"


    "A copse is apletely different sound than picking with a pickaxe. You''ll know when you hear it."


    Thanks to the monster''s cooperation, the investigation waspleted in an instant.


    There was only one conclusion.


    Workers died while trying to excessively mine.


    Moreover, the mine systematically manipted evidence. I cast a grim look at Viscount Erset.


    "Is the statement this friend just made correct?"


    "Well, that can''t be possible. This is something I have no idea about. Usingmon sense, how can you look deep into the ground?"


    The mindset of criminals is so simr that this was not much different.


    Even though all the facts were revealed, Viscount Erset remained in denial until the end. Of course, there are still witnesses...


    No, there are only monsters to testify. No clear evidence was found. But the way to find it was simple.


    "Hey. A friend with horns."


    "Ehat?"


    "Apart from ore, can you find human corpses? The workers buried in the ground."


    "Of course."


    I looked back at Viscount Erset with a rotten smile.


    It''s checkmate.


    This will decide the fate of this evil employer. But Viscount Erset shamelessly raised his head.


    "Hehe! Would miners really want to dig there?"


    * * *


    The mine worker escape incident unfolded in an unexpected direction.


    Maybe that''s why there was a lot of talk here and there. Originally, it should have ended with a trivial ruling.


    However, when I ordered a reinvestigation, it took a new turn. And today, the results were scheduled to be revealed to the world.


    "We will resume the trial of the Erset mine non-payment of wages and disappearance of workers. Salute to your honor."


    Today, Justice Josef Padi, with a solemn face, shouted in a sonorous voice. Then everyone in the court stood up and saluted me.


    ''No matter how many times I see it, I never get used to it.''


    Even modern judges would not be able to feel this way. Even there, everyone stands up, but they don''t show extreme respect.


    I sat down, enjoying the strange feeling. Looking around the audience, there was a big difference from before.


    This was because Viscount Erset and Prosecutor Avery were in the defendant''s box, not the miner''s family. I said with a wry smile.


    "Proceed with the procedure."


    "Yes."


    Then Corbin Sears stood up and responded. He was originally a neer who had called priests from the temple.


    However, by killing several prosecutors who were not doing their jobs, I became the investigator in charge. But today the atmosphere was somehow different.


    "We found gold bars of unknown origin in Prosecutor Avery''s home. This clearly shows that the investigation was conducted on a whim."


    The way he spoke clearly while submitting evidence made him seem like a veteran. I smiled contentedly and asked a question.


    "Who gave the bribe?"


    "Based on the newspaper results, we have confirmed that it is Viscount Erset. The driver who transported the gold bars was also arrested and his testimony was secured."


    "Please call him."


    "Yes!"


    In fact, if he did that, he could have been ostracized from the organization for backing down a senior prosecutor. But this is not modern times.


    They say it should be done by someone who stands in a very high status, but where are the seniors and juniors?


    If we argued about something like this, the whole group could be blown away. It''s not just about losing your job, it''s about actually going to the guillotine.


    However, the trial proceedings were in full swing. A strange sound came from somewhere.


    "I cannot admit it."


    Despite the mounting evidence, Viscount Erset yed it cool. His logic was this.


    "Where is the evidence that the workers were crushed to death? Did you even find a dead body?"


    The ce where the workers were crushed to death was a tunnel with weak ground. If they had tried to dig there, further damage could have urred.


    So I couldn''t bear to go ahead. I couldn''t risk someone''s life just to reveal the truth.


    There is just testimony. Since there was no direct evidence, such courage was shown. But I wasn''t impatient at all.


    ''It''s about time.''


    When I didn''t say anything, Viscount Erset shouted with great force.


    "This is how words kill people. There is a coachman who carries gold bars? I don''t even know anyone like that..."


    However, his voice suddenly broke off. This was because an unexpected being appeared in the courtroom.


    Rattling!


    "The evidence you cried out for is here."


    The beast came in through the door out of nowhere and ced several corpses on the floor.


    Then everyone in the audience was shocked.

 Chapter 22: Checkmate [3]

    The being that invaded the courtroom was none other than the beast of the mine cave, the self-proimed god of the earth. When the monster with its unfamiliar appearance appeared, people screamed.


    "Um, what is that?"


    "It''s a monster!"


    " A monster has appeared!"


    "And it even brought a corpse with it!"


    The knights drew their swords and tried to step forward.


    It was their responsibility to ensure the safety of the courtroom.


    But I quickly had to stop them, because an unexpected group of people rushed towards the corpse.


    "Oh my! Honey!"


    "Vincent, you finally came back like this... Hehehehe!"


    "Ugh! Dad!"


    The bereaved families wept bitterly.


    There were probably a variety of emotions intersecting.


    Their ims were proven correct, but that was bittersweet.


    Deep down, I was hoping they were wrong, because any hope of their loved ones being alive somewhere hadpletely disappeared.


    The earth god passed by the bereaved families and moved to the center of the court.


    Thud! Thud!


    The crowd''s attention was focused on him. It was definitely an unusual sight in the capital of the empire.


    But I spoke calmly.


    "What should I call you?"


    "I am the god of the earth."


    "No, not that one, just your name."


    I almost pped my forehead.


    Something felt off from the start. That guy was so special.


    "There is nothing like that. I was a god from birth, and I have lived like that ever since."


    "Okay, good. God of the Earth, can you testify why they died?"


    "Of course."


    The Earth God revealed everything, starting with the contract with Viscount Erset.


    How did things work out so smoothly?


    I made a kind of contract with that guy in exchange for sparing his life.


    Thanks to this, the bodies were found without the miners'' sacrifice. After the statement was finished, I turned to Viscount Erset.


    "Defendant, do you have anything more to say? You may make your final argument."


    "¡­"


    Of course not.


    If a corpse was found and he insisted that it wasn''t the case, he might have died on the spot. He was met with criticism from angry bereaved families. Of course, the knights would stop it, so that wouldn''t happen.


    "I guess there isn''t one. Then I will sentence you."


    I paused slightly and looked around the audience.


    Perhaps because so many extraordinary rulings were made so often, the looks in people''s eyes were strange.


    Were there any expectations? Of course, this time too, I intended to make amon-sense sentence.


    "The crime is so serious that the judge who went out to investigate was detained, and the defendant is sentenced to 20 years in prison. Since he has tarnished the honor of the imperial family, he will also be removed from his position as an internal affairs officer in the imperial pce. In addition, we will seize your property to resolve unpaid wages."


    Naturally, the rights to the mine would be handed over to the courts for the time being.


    Then all I had to do was sell it and share the wages.


    For now, Viscount Erset is over.


    "Next is Carls Avery''s sentencing for dereliction of duty. The defendant shall be sentenced to one year in prison and fined 200 goldens."


    Prosecutor Avery lowered his head.


    He felt there was no hope. Even before the trial began, numerous attempts were made to lobby Giovanni''s aristocratic faction.


    But it didn''t work on me at all. Is this why people who have nothing to regret are scary?


    "Waaah!"


    "I thought he would get a proper verdict!"


    "Nice! I am moved by His Highness Carrieus'' ruling."


    After even Prosecutor Avery was destroyed, cheers were heard from the audience.


    The bereaved families apuded vigorously while shedding tears. There would be sufficientpensation, but the sadness would not go away.


    Still, there will be no resentment. A person who worked as an internal affairs officer in the imperial pce sentenced to 20 years in prison?


    Even in the entire history of the empire, there would never have been such a crazy ruling. Usually, the words of the powerful side be justice.


    p p p p!


    The apuse continued endlessly. I raised my arms and calmed the people down.


    Then I continued talking.


    "Finally, a sentence regarding the Earth God. Although he was involved in the operation of the mine, it was determined that his intentions were not impure. I acquit the Earth God."


    "¡­"


    The crowd fell silent again.


    Everyone had very strange expressions. No one opened their mouths, but it felt like they were saying this:


    ''Your honor? Are you crazy?''


    After all, what kind of judgment can I give to a monster?


    But I had no choice but to do this. This is also one of the terms of the contract.


    "Earth God, your honor has been restored. Whatever we do now, humans won''t be involved."


    "Thank you."


    The Earth God bowed his head towards the court and extended greetings in all directions. .


    Everyone who saw the monster''s manners looked dumbfounded. When had they ever seen a scene like this? I finished the trial with a smile.


    * * *


    The imperial capital heated up over a strange topic.


    "They said a monster appeared in the courtroom."


    "I heard he was a witness brought by His Highness Carrieus."


    "To make even a monster testify, how far does his power reach?"


    Each one was a story about me and the God of Earth.


    To be honest, the ruling itself was not that difficult. Even pushing into the mine and securing evidence.


    ''Because that''s how it''s always been done.''


    Actually, it was much morefortable here than in Hyundai.


    As long as you have high status and authority, most things can be solved.


    This time too, the voices praising me were loud. On the other hand, Giovanni''s aristocratic faction expressed regret.


    But what can they do? I can''t just ignore something for which all the evidence has already been revealed.


    "For now, the ruling has beenpleted, but one trouble remains."


    I looked at the being in front of me with a shocked expression.


    The god of the earth, who had nowhere to go, followed me to the mansion. In fact, it had to be like this.


    The Erset mine was scheduled to be closed until it was sold.


    Where else would a guy who only ate expensive meat go? If you''re not going to hunt it yourself, you''ll have to stick with a rich guy.


    ''That was what the contract said in the first ce.''


    There was one reason why the Earth God came to visit the miners'' corpses.


    I decided to take responsibility for a certain part of his livelihood. In return, he testified in court.


    "If you bring a hideous monster into the mansion, Your Majesty''s honor will be tarnished."


    Deacon Miller Xavier pointed at the Earth God with a troubled expression.


    Because the workers couldn''t work because of him.


    "If your honor is to be diminished because of something like this, it''s as if you didn''t have it in the first ce. First of all, we need to change our perception. Start by spreading the fact that he won''t attack."


    "Are people going to believe it?"


    "Look at me. I''m standing right next to him."


    I deliberately walked closer to the Earth God and shrugged my shoulders. Deacon Miller Xavier then nodded.


    "Yes, I understand."


    I guess looks are the problem.


    Because he looks so unique.


    If I had to describe what this guy looked like, there was an image that immediately came to mind.


    Adam from Beauty and the Beast.

 Chapter 23: Adam

    For now, the ruling has beenpleted, but one trouble remains."


    I looked at the being in front of me with a shocked expression.


    The god of the earth, who had nowhere to go, followed me to the mansion. In fact, it had to be like this.


    The Erset mine was scheduled to be closed until it was sold.


    Where else would a guy who only ate expensive meat go? If you''re not going to hunt it yourself, you''ll have to stick with a rich guy.


    ''That was what the contract said in the first ce.''


    There was one reason why the Earth God came to visit the miners'' corpses.


    I decided to take responsibility for a certain part of his livelihood. In return, he testified in court.


    "If you bring a hideous monster into the mansion, Your Majesty''s honor will be tarnished."


    Deacon Miller Xavier pointed at the Earth God with a troubled expression.


    Because the workers couldn''t work because of him.


    "If your honor is to be diminished because of something like this, it''s as if you didn''t have it in the first ce. First of all, we need to change our perception. Start by spreading the fact that he won''t attack."


    "Are people going to believe it?"


    "Look at me. I''m standing right next to him."


    I deliberately walked closer to the Earth God and shrugged my shoulders. Deacon Miller Xavier then nodded.


    "Yes, I understand."


    I guess looks are the problem.


    Because he looks so unique.


    If I had to describe what this guy looked like, there was an image that immediately came to mind.


    Adam from Beauty and the Beast.


    I felt exactly like that friend. If I looked closely, it seemed surprisingly cute.


    "I think I should take a shower first. To get along well with people."


    "Why should I do that? God only reigns."


    "You got beaten by me, so now God is me, isn''t it?"


    "Well, does that happen?"


    "Is there a god who loses to humans? Stop ying stupid games and think about how to live from now on."


    "I''ve never even thought about that."


    "First, let''s decide on a name. You can''t keep calling yourself God."


    As I tried to find a suitable name, I suddenly wondered if it was necessary. Doesn''t it resemble a beast anyway? Then just call it something simr.


    "Adam would be nice."


    "It doesn''t seem bad."


    "The name is settled. The problem is where to stay and what to do..."


    "Wait a minute, what does work involve?"


    Adam widened his eyes and expressed doubt. It seemed like he couldn''t ept the fact that he had to work.


    "It''s a given in my mansion. Those who do not work, do not eat. Have you never heard this?"


    "I heard that most nobles don''t work."


    "So you are a noble?"


    "That''s not it."


    If he did not admit that he had lost authority and patronage, there was only one fate left. Since he dared to call himself a god, he might be punished by the church.


    The Inquisitors mighte rushing in and break his spirit. When this fact was pointed out to him, Adam nodded with difficulty.


    "Anyway, what are you good at? Not looking for ore."


    "I don''t like working hard. This time, too, I thought I was going to die looking for the bodies."


    "He''s as big as a mountain and muscr?"


    "It means that my tendency is like that."


    "You''re justzy. If I can''t find another talent, I''ll just leave you to plow the fields."


    "Well, like that... ah! I''m good at making bowls."


    I was speechless for a while because it was very unexpected. Come to think of it, I remembered seeing dishes of various sizes in Adam''s hiding ce.


    This guy was surprisingly a gourmet and liked formal things. So he must have brought a table and tableware into the dark cave.


    ''Should I also start a pottery business?''


    The first thing seemed to be to measure the extent of Adam''s abilities. If it''s not really good, you can''t sell it.


    "What do you need to make it?"


    "You just need materials and space."


    "What about a kiln?"


    "Okay. We''ll get the dirt ourselves, so just provide us with the cave."


    "It doesn''t have to be a cave, right?"


    "Yes."


    "Then I will give you a building."


    Honestly, this was worth the investment. I immediately tried to assign them a warehouse of an appropriate size. There must be someone to take care of this guy for a while.


    "Xavier''s house... No, it was there just now, where did he go?"


    Miller had already disappeared. Instead, an unfamiliar figure approached hesitantly.


    "Who are you?"


    "Nice to see you, Your Royal Highness the Duke of Carriers. My name is Tobias Wilkin, and I am learning to be a butler."


    Tobias was a sturdy young man with long ck hair tied in a ponytail.


    It seemed they chose him because of his clean image, and it was perfect for the current situation. I still have to get Adam used to it.


    "Tobias, please take care of this friend. We can use the warehouse over there for the studio."


    "What about amodation?"


    "He probably won''t be able to stay with the workers, so we''ll have to remodel the warehouse room."


    "I will follow your orders."


    He nodded because it was an order, but he seemed very worried. Well, isn''t Adam taller than 2m and about four or five times as big as a normal person? Taking care of Adam would have been daunting.


    ''But what can I do? If I have to peel it, I have to peel it.'' There is no ce where butlers are treated better than here.


    I smiled and turned away. Now that I''ve solved one big case, I thought I''d take a break. However, it was only a few days after I was given the job. Amazing results were waiting for me.


    "This is what you made?"


    "Yes."


    Adam shrugged his shoulders with a triumphant expression.


    A vessel that boasted an insanely brilliant appearance. While I was just blinking, a thought suddenly urred to me.


    ''Viscount Erset, are you a fool?''

 Chapter 24: Baron Rebrandts theft case [1]

    Luxury goods were very important to nobles because they were the simplest way to announce one''s power.


    Just owning them was effective.


    ''But it has to be something that the majority approves of.''


    Not everything that is unique or rare can be a luxury item. It must have a charm that everyone wants.


    In that respect, Adam''s pottery was perfect.


    Even the workers who didn''t know anything about fashion couldn''t help but be amazed.


    "The question is how to use this," I mused. Luxury goods are a means of showing power, after all.


    Just holding a party and showing off Adam''s pottery would cause quite an uproar.


    Nobles would flock to see if they could get at least one piece. Then, we could easily unite our forces.


    ''But why should I do that?'' Viscount Erset was an average person.


    Although he was an imperial internal affairs officer, he was not the only one in that role. It would be a bit unfair to call him the top ss.


    If I were in Viscount Erset''s position, I would actively use Adam''s pottery. They probably wanted to give gifts to the royal family or high-ranking nobles to seek more benefits. But aren''t I the emperor''s only cousin?


    "Where is the further authority to establish here?"


    Moreover, even if it had decreased somewhat, the wealth was still sufficient.


    There was no reason to feel inferior. There are people higher than me...


    ''No, it exists, right?''


    As long as Adam continued his work, the existence of his pottery was bound to be known.


    Then people would ask why I kept this good thing to myself. It''s okay to just ignore the nobles talking, but what about the emperor?


    "Wow! I''m already getting goosebumps."


    No matter what happened, it seemed like the answer was to start with a gift. Of course, it was impossible to give Adam exactly what he had made.


    The colors were nice and pretty, but the design wasn''t very good.


    If you just give a t tray, doesn''t it look like something is missing?


    Since I have seen and heard more, I should give some advice.


    "Adam."


    -Why? You don''t like my art?


    "No, I like the soft blue color. The surface texture and durability are both eptable."


    -Oh, oh! But why do you look like that?


    "It doesn''t look very good. Why not try making it this way?"


    I drew a picture and showed it to him. It was a type of Goryeo cdon that I often saw when studying Korean history. When the pattern was added andpleted, Adam''s eyes widened.


    "This, this...!"


    "How is it? Will you make it?"


    -You are a genius. How can you think like this?


    "Hmm! It''s one of those insignificant talents." I smiled sheepishly and shrugged my shoulders.


    I felt sorry for my ancestors who created great works. But how about copying a bit? This is apletely different world.


    "When you''re done with that, try making some other things."


    -Just say it. What do you want?


    "With a more simple style... No, it would be better if I draw it and exin it."


    I immediately drew bowls of various shapes.


    They had a much simpler form than Goryeo cdon, and their color was all white. "You don''t need to put a lot of effort into this."


    -Why?


    "We have to produce them inrge quantities. I''m just going to print them and sell them. How is it? Can you do it?"


    ¨DIt is possible if you don''t put in a lot of effort. But the quality is not so good...


    "It just has to be sturdy."


    -I get it.


    Dishes were something everyone needed. Because you can''t spread food out on the table and eat it.


    Generally, nobles use silver trays, andmoners use wooden bowls.


    What if ceramics invade this situation? It''s more hygienic than wood and looks better, so why wouldn''t it sell?


    ''It will cause sensational poprity.''


    I smiled at Adam, who had a bright face. It seemed like he had the spirit of craftsmanship, as he was so fond of a drawing drawn by a mysterious developer. I guess my tastes are a bit refined.


    "Deacon Wilkin?"


    "Yes, Your Highness."


    "Please get all the ingredients Adam needs. When the item ispleted, please call me first."


    "All right."


    After giving a fewmands, I went back to my room. I was really going to rest now.


    * * *


    "Damn... Deleting weekends isn''t something that only exists in modern times."


    I got into the carriage, swearing loudly. After deciding on Adam''s future, I decided to get some deep rest.


    But when I came to my senses, it was already Monday. Really, all I did was lie around for a while and eat a few meals.


    "I''m here, Your Majesty."


    "Ah, yes."


    "Please give us a good ruling this time too. Haha!"


    The coachman''s cheerful greeting felt heavy today. I was afraid that if I went to court, what kind of crazy case would await me.


    Sure enough, this time, while reading theint, I had no idea what it meant.


    "What does this mean? A nobleman lost all his wealth to amoner?"


    "Yes, that''s the situation."


    "Is this possible in the eyes of Judge Emir?"


    "Not in general."


    "Then there must be a hidden story behind this incident?"


    "I wouldn''t have said that originally, but judging from the judge''s recent actions..."


    "What do you think of my actions?"


    "How many times have you not found out theplete truth? It means that it would likely happen this time too."


    No matter how much I thought about it, it seemed like it was turning, but I couldn''t be sure.


    Emir Kolund''s expression was very serious.


    He didn''t seem like that kind of person to begin with. If a guy like Josef just said the same thing, it''s a no-brainer.


    "Let''s go in first."


    "Yes."


    I left the uneasy feeling behind and entered the courtroom. Immediately afterwards, prosecutor Corbin Sears stood up and shouted.


    "We will now begin the trial of Baron Rebrandt''s theft case. Salute to your honor."


    I bowed my head politely towards those who bowed me.

 Chapter 25: Baron Rebrandts theft case [2]

    I left the uneasy feeling behind and entered the courtroom. Immediately afterwards, prosecutor Corbin Sears stood up and shouted.


    "We will now begin the trial of Baron Rebrandt''s theft case. Salute to your honor."


    I bowed my head politely towards those who bowed me.


    Then I went straight up to the head of the table and sat down.


    ''The greeting is fine, but I still can''t get used to these clothes.''


    A costume so sparkly that it would be worthy of participating in a trot singing contest right now. Not only the prosecutors but also the judges were all wearing simr clothes.


    It wasn''t anything sophisticated like a stage costume; it was just cumbersome and bulky. I guess I''ll have to change that.


    "Let me ask you something. Since when did you start wearing these robes?"


    "I know that too..."


    "There are no specific rules, right?"


    Justice Emir shook his head with a troubled expression. It seemed like he had never even thought about this in the first ce.


    However, Justice Josef Padi, who had been silent, quietly intervened.


    "Can I answer that, Your Honor?"


    "Yes, try it."


    "The beginning of legal uniforms was approximately 50 years ago. The intention was to preserve the authority of the court, but even prosecutors followed suit."


    "It''s a trial, so let''s keep it short. So you''re saying there''s no root?"


    "If I put it a bit strongly, that''s right."


    Fortunately, there didn''t seem to be much resistance to changing clothes.


    Once the cloth factory ispleted, we will have to rece these strange robes first. I also thought it was a very time-honored tradition.


    While I continued to think about clothes, the trial got into full swing. Prosecutor Corbin Sears was passionately pushing the defendant.


    "Defendant Margot gathered people together and stormed into the Rebrandt Mansion. They took the Baron''s children hostage. Do you admit it up to this point?"


    "It''s true that we went in, but we didn''t take hostages!"


    "Then why did Baron Rebrandt give you the money? He didn''t receive any threats."


    "Because I asserted my contractual rights. I said if I didn''t return the money, I would sue."


    "Isn''t that what the victim said?"


    "Isn''t that just talk? I have proof!"


    When the defendant shouted that, thewyer immediately moved.


    A copy of the contract was submitted to the court. It was said that Baron Rebrandt had borrowed 500 goldens. Kolund and Josef nodded with serious faces.


    "Are you sure?"


    "The home invasion was excessive, but the IOU appears to be genuine."


    I immediately asked the Sears prosecutor a question.


    "Has this fact been discovered?"


    "The victims also admitted that they borrowed money."


    "But why is it a case of theft?"


    "Because the defendant stole an excessive amount of money."


    "How much?"


    "Approximately 900 goldens."


    Even if there was interest, taking about 200 more goldens seemed excessive.


    It seemed like a simple verdict of home invasion and intimidation and a ruling ordering the remaining amount to be returned would be sufficient.


    However, the defendant''s expression and eyes looked so miserable.


    So I decided to give it a chance.


    "If you have anything else to say, please do so."


    "Thank you, Your Honor. There is a reason why I used an IOU this time. Because the Baron didn''t pay back every time."


    "Are you saying this happens often?"


    "That''s right. However, even though I used the IOU, repayment was not made again. That''s why I had no choice but to make an extreme choice."


    s, I felt something simr to the pain of non-payment of wages.


    The sorrow of someone who has been deprived of money they should have received. There was a time when I couldn''t get back something I lent to an acquaintance.


    ''We were so close that I trusted himpletely.''


    Although it was only a small amount, it was true that it made me feel sick to my stomach. So, I haven''t lent money to anyone since then.


    No matter how close we are.


    "The amount is a bit vague, but I guess I''ll have to look at the victim. Where is Baron Rebrandt?"


    "I have been brought here as a witness."


    "Then please call him right now."


    "Yes, your honor."


    Soon, the knights brought a middle-aged man. He was dressed neatly, but without the pomp of an aristocrat. It seemed like that was his style, and his behavior was very natural.


    "It''s an honor to meet you, Your Honor."


    "Nice to meet you. Let me hear some testimony. I want you to stand on the podium and take the oath first."


    "Yes."


    The defendant and the victim momentarily made eye contact. Cold sweat rolled down Baron Rebrandt''s forehead. As I watched that scene, I tilted my head.


    ''It''s between nobles andmoners, why are you nervous?''


    I''m sure you were fine until just now. Thatmoner is more annoying than me, who is of a much higher status?


    It was a situation I couldn''t understand.


    Anyway, now that we were ready, it was time to ask questions.


    "Let me ask you. Has Baron Rebrandt ever borrowed money from the defendant? He said several times."


    "That''s right."


    "Why didn''t you pay him back?"


    "Because it was such arge amount, it was just dyed. I received that much interest, so it''s not wrong."


    "Is it so? What is the annual profit of Rebrandt''s estate?"


    "Last year it was about 12,000 goldens."


    That''s enough money to feed 5,000 serfs for a year.


    "But is 500 goldens arge amount of money?"


    "That is..."


    A question that was naturally inserted. For the first time, Baron Rebrandt, who had been answering softly, was speechless.


    Isn''t that true?


    For amoner, 500 goldens was a huge amount of money, but for a hereditary noble, it was not. Because a lord can earn profit in various ways other than farming.


    Sensing something strange, I threw a keyword that sounded like a nuclear bomb.


    "It looks like the slush fund wasn''t able to solve the problem?"


    "Huh?!"


    Immediately, a surprised gasp came out.


    It was just a bait thrown haphazardly, but it caught him?

 Chapter 26: mercenaries group

    Noticing the strange rtionship between Baron Rebrandt and the defendant was something even a novice prosecutor could do.


    I left the reinvestigation to Prosecutor Sears and rescheduled the trial date. It will probably be resolved in a few days. But surprisingly, a conclusion did note quickly.


    ''Well, how can a person change after just a few incidents?''


    Corbin Sears still felt a little clumsy. This is what happens when you see something like this even though you pointed out the point.


    "If there is no progress, we will not be able to proceed with the trial." Emir Kolund looked at the investigation report with a serious expression.


    I was equally shaken. Isn''t it necessary to have newly discovered information to make a proper judgment?


    This case was vague from start to finish.


    What kind of local lord can''t dispose of amoner and has to go all the way to the capital court?


    ''It''s true that it''s not normal. Then it''s time to show off my patented special move.''


    As I sat quietly with my eyebrows narrowed, suddenly Justice Josef Padi spoke to me.


    "That... Your honor?"


    "Why are you doing that?"


    "The expression on your face looks like you''re going to do something unconventional."


    "How do you know that?"


    "When I went to investigate under the authority of the court, that was exactly the face."


    "What do you think?"


    "Do you think there is a will to destroy everything?"


    I didn''t think I showed it much, but he was a really quick-witted guy.


    How on earth did he know that I would attack Baron Rebrandt?


    "I n to do so, is there any problem?"


    "There are great challenges."


    "What is that?"


    "Have you seen where Baron Rebrandt is stuck?"


    At Josef''s hand gesture, I stared at the map hanging on the wall of the conference room.


    My gaze moved endlessly to the right.


    ''I knew it was on the outskirts, but it''s quite far.''


    Even if I couldn''t do it, I had to pass through six counties.


    Although it''s not quite the border, it''s quite a distance away. Josef shook his head with a shocked expression.


    "I don''t think I can go this time. It is not a duty given to me."


    When Giovanni was harassing Viscount Erset of the noble faction, he followed along without any hesitation.


    Since the hardships were clearly visible, they seemed to withdraw immediately.


    ''I don''t need this guy anyway. Kolund alone is enough...''


    While thinking that, I inadvertently looked away and found Emir Kolund shaking his head vigorously. It was a desperate expression of intention to never go.


    "I''m very homesick, so long-distance travel is out of the question."


    The words "don''t talk nonsense" almost came out, but I managed to keep my mouth shut.


    Actually, it didn''t matter if the judges didn''t follow suit.


    Because they are so old, they can be a burden. It would be better to take more useful people.


    A mercenary who is good at camping, or a guide who will guide me to Rebrandt territory.


    Still, the feeling of shame did not go away.


    They could at least offer to help, right?


    I blurted out a blunt word.


    "You don''t seem to have much enthusiasm for solving the case. The will of the two people has been well epted."


    "Well, that''s it."


    "That''s not what I meant..."


    I waved my hand and immediately left the conference room. I''ll probably get into some trouble.


    Because their immediate superior clearly showed his disappointment. However, that did not change the minds of the two judges.


    ''I guess they really don''t want to go.'' In the end, it seemed like I would have to solve this case alone.


    This is much better than making boring judgments every day.


    In the meantime, they will take care of the work. Maybe that''s why I didn''t feel too bad.


    No, to be honest, I was a little excited. Isn''t this my first time going outside the capital since I possessed Abel''s body? I couldn''t help but look forward to traveling in a fantasy world.


    "You''re going to Rebrandt''s territory?"


    "That''s right. So, please prepare yourself."


    "Please just leave it to me."


    Butler Miller Xavier finished his preparations in a sh. I selected a servant and a coachman to apany me, and loaded the luggage with the supplies needed for the trip.


    All that remains now is an escort and a guide.


    ''I don''t think there''s a need to bring a lot of troops.''


    Anyway, I was able to get rid of most threats by myself. It was a body that had a reputation even in the much harsher north.


    Still, I needed someone to stand guard while I slept.


    "It would be perfect to have a knight at a time like this."


    "It''ste, but shall we post a recruitment notice?"


    "It''s fine. Let''s do that little by little. It''s hard to find someone with both skill and personality."


    A knight rarely changed his lord. Because they make a living with honor and pride. The opposite was also true.


    It was difficult to break the master-servant contract, so the right person had to be brought in.


    In any case, the only ones that could be used right now were mercenaries.


    Even if I''m a member of the royal family, I cannot request an imperial guard knight.


    "I will post a notice to the mercenary guild."


    "Okay, how long will it take?"


    "It probably depends on the amount."


    "Say you will pay 50% more than the normal request fee. Then we''ll get responses quickly, right?"


    "Of course, Your Majesty."


    To be honest, I wondered how much more money I would save if I were given more.

 Chapter 27: Slave hunter

    Even if I''m a member of the royal family, I cannot request an imperial guard knight.


    "I will post a notice to the mercenary guild."


    "Okay, how long will it take?"


    "It probably depends on the amount."


    "Say you will pay 50% more than the normal request fee. Then we''ll get responses quickly, right?"


    "Of course, Your Majesty."


    To be honest, I wondered how much more money I would save if I were given more.


    Not only is it a very long trip, but it also requires assisting a higher-ranking person. If it was the perception of nobility that was underwritten by mercenaries, there was a high possibility that they would cover it up and ignore it.


    But the next day, Deacon Miller Xavier brought dozens of mercenaries.


    "No, what''s so fast?"


    "In a recession like today, 50% is significant. Besides, didn''t the person who posted the announcement tell you this?"


    "Why me?"


    "He is famous for being fair and just, so everyone has no choice but to want to serve him. There are more people who admire you than you might think, right?"


    When I first possessed Abel''s body, the servants'' loyalty was miserable.


    Because they were all either ''low'' or ''very low.'' ''Now that I think about it, I wonder how much has changed.''


    I immediately brought up Deacon Miller Xavier''s information window.


    It''s been a while since I used this feature, but it wasn''t awkward at all. If you just summon the will, it wille to you right away.


    **


    **


    **Name:** Miller Xavier


    **Status:** Bar


    **Position:** General Butler


    **Loyalty:** Medium to high


    **Status:** Fatigue, Pride, Passion


    It was truly remarkable growth.


    It was no wonder that the butler''s loyalty increased so much that he ran away immediately. Deacon Xavier had been so busy that he barely had time to breathe, but he finally found some free time.


    "How is work these days? Isn''t it too much?"


    "It''s a random question, but I think I can answer it easily. I''m quite satisfied."


    As expected, a positive answer came back.


    The other workers'' information windows had probably changed quite a bit as well.


    ''I want to look into every single thing, but the interviewes first.''


    Since we couldn''t take all of the dozens of people with us, we had to pick out the best. It''smon for mercenaries to turn into thieves in some obscure ce.


    Isn''t there a saying that you may know ten ways in the water, but you don''t know the insides of people in one way?


    But I was able to choose without too much difficulty.


    **


    **


    **Name:** Jamar


    **Identity:** Mercenary (C)


    **Position:** None


    **Rtionship:** No acquaintance


    **Status:** slight envy, poverty, money blindness, evil deeds


    Don''t you get the feeling just by looking at it?


    If i hire a guy like this, it would be a perfect opportunity to get stabbed in the back. I immediately looked at the next person.


    **


    **


    **Name:** Derek


    **Identity:** Mercenary (B)


    **Position:** None


    **Rtionship:** No acquaintance


    **Status:** Passionate fandom, pride based on skills


    ''Okay! This is it.''


    A face full of honesty and sparkling eyes. No matter who saw it, he was a person who praised me. In most cases, he won''t betray me. There will be no problem if we select someone like this.


    So I selected six mercenaries as escorts.


    ***


    There were a total of ten people in the group, including six guards, two servants, Deacon Tobias Wilkin, and myself.


    Once preparations wereplete, we left the capital immediately. Then we moved straight east along the road. However, as soon as we left the city, something happened that raised eyebrows.


    "Ha, please give me a penny."


    "Children are starving. Even spoiled food is okay..."


    We encountered a group of hundreds of refugees.


    Of course, it wasn''t much of a threat.


    What would a group of skinny people do?


    Right now, my guards are all veteran mercenaries. However, I couldn''t help but feel pity.


    ''I haven''t heard of a war breaking out recently, so why are they going around begging?''


    Although it was close to the bone, there limbs were still intact. They could just find a job, but I wondered why on earth they would do that.


    Perhaps conscious of my gaze, Deacon Wilkin opened his mouth.


    "I guess you feel sorry for them, Your Majesty."


    "I feel like I want to take them back. There is already a shortage of factory workers."


    "They are runaway serfs."


    "Are they openly begging?"


    "When regr soldiers appear, they run away to the forest or mountains. Moreover, if the circumstances arise, they turn into thieves."


    "Is that so? Then why did they run away in the first ce?"


    Tobias Wilkin was speechless. He couldn''t say it''s because of the nobility.


    I, the one listening, am also a noble person, a member of the royal family. So I just spit it out instead.


    "It seems the lords are very tyrannical, right? High taxes are probably the norm, and people may be forced intobor."


    "Keuhum!"


    "Here... it''s the County of Brayden."


    And dispute due to a recent typhoon.


    The victim at that time was Count Brayden. Earl Brayden, whoughed brightly even as hisnd was taken away. It left a pretty good impression on me.


    ''Escape from a ce where such a person rules?''


    Serfs onlycked freedom prior to residence, and were quite different from ves. Because he was able to own not only a wife and children, but also a house and property. But it was still difficult to make a living.


    ''It''s dark fantasy in the true sense of the word.''


    It was a word that had been mentioned several times so far. However, it didn''t make much of an impact.


    Because the only world I see is the court and the Duchy of Carriers. However, if i go a little bit to the outskirts, a different world unfolds.


    "Poverty, the threat of monsters, the lord''s cruelty, what else?"


    "There are ve hunters."


    "Ah?"


    "They are the ones who capture free people and turn them into ves. Surprisingly, it is quite popr outside the city."


    I nodded loudly.


    Anyway, this is a ce where there is no concept of identification other than the royal family or nobles. If you catch someone and hit them with a stick, you will know if they are a free citizen or not. Since it was a barbaric world, it was a very likely story.


    "Like them?"


    I looked at Tobias Wilkin with a troubled expression and snapped my fingers.


    Characters who suddenly appear.


    The two were running like crazy, and the men on horseback chased them furiously.


    By twirling a noose made of rope. It looked as if they were trying to catch arge animal alive.


    "Yes, that''s right."


    The moment Deacon Wilkin responded in surprise, I was already jumping up and down.


    I don''t know the exact circumstances, but isn''t it abnormal to hunt people? The highest judge of the capital''s courts cannot overlook injustice.


    "Chahaha!"


    Wow!


    A cool mid-air spinning kick exploded onto the temple of the man on the horse.


    The opponent was immediately thrown away and rolled around on the floor. But just then a voice was heard.


    "Young Master!"


    what?

 Chapter 28: Stopping The Evil Deeds

    The person who ran hurriedly helped the young man who was lying down. And then, all of a sudden, he started yelling at me.


    "Do you know who this person is, you bastard?"


    It goes without saying, but the man''s dignity was not at all lost. I frowned and pointed at the man and woman sitting down.


    "I don''t know who you guys are, but I do know that this is bullshit. Why are you doing this?"


    "It is entertainment for noble people."


    "Wait a minute, you''re not a ve hunter?"


    "That''s right! This person¡­"


    The man was about to shout with a red face, but suddenly the fallen young man slowly raised his hand. It was a gesture telling him to stop talking.


    Then, he suddenly raised his body with a graceful movement.


    ''Oh! Are you okay after getting hit by that?''


    There was a lot of force behind the kick, but he endured it with ease.


    His perseverance was worthy of praise. Of course, I didn''t like the strange behavior of hunting humans.


    "Do I really need to say it? It''s strange that people on this earth don''t know me. Who are you and where are you from?"


    The young man asked a question, his brown hair flowing.


    He seemed to have no guilt about what he had done. I haven''t been in this world for very long, so I don''t know much about the culture.


    Still, this is the first time I''ve heard of human hunting being rampant.


    "Hey, who are you?"


    I ignored the young man''s question and spoke to the man and woman with disheveled hair.


    They may have thought they could survive, but they cried loudly andined of injustice.


    "We were going to a rtive''s house in the capital. We are not runaway serfs or ves, but free people!"


    The whole story was simple.


    They were relieved because it was a road they often took, but they were suddenly attacked.


    "Can you prove it?"


    "Of course. Here is the passage permit issued by the Marov Estate."


    The man and woman both had quite a bit of travel experience.


    Typically, only merchants carry these documents.


    When you pass through various territories, strange things are bound to happen. He probably thought that something very unfair would not happen to him.


    Until he met a psychopath who hunts people in broad daylight.


    "I''ve confirmed your identities, now I need to find out who you are."


    "Ugh! Why are there so many rude people?"


    The young man''s servant was furious and tried toe forward.


    But this time again, he was stopped by a simple gesture.


    It seems like the concept is to make a fuss to those around you and pretend to be polite yourself.


    The servant, who was shaking, eventually revealed his master''s identity in a loud voice.


    "Do you know who this is? This is Alonzo, the eldest son who will lead the Great Count Brayden in the future!"


    "Ahem!"


    Of course, it just seemed the same to me.


    Not even the noble himself, but merely the sessor?


    Even if Count Brayden appeared in front of me right now, I am the one who could chew him out with authority.


    As I was just smiling with an awkward expression on my face, the servant widened his eyes. It was an unspoken pressure to do something other than stand there.


    Finally, Tobias stepped forward, shaking his head. After a short sigh, he uttered a word.


    "This person is the Duke of Carriers."


    "He''s a peacock and he''s stupid... What?"


    Astonishment appeared on the servant''s face, and Alonzo raised his head.


    I slowly waved the golden ne in front of their eyes. Patterns symbolizing the imperial family and an ornately decorated background.


    You can tell just by looking at it that it is an unusual item. This determined who should lie down on the floor.


    I looked at Alonzo and the servant with a bleak look and said, "Kneel."


    * * *


    There were many advantages to being of high status.


    Because most things could be resolved with just a few words.


    What if I were amoner with a strong sense of justice? If the same situation as before urred, it would have been difficult again.


    But I was not a righteous person who did not know anything about the world.


    ''It''s just a dump truck. They''re just praying mantises.''


    Alonzo and the servant were on their knees, trembling. And in front of me was Count Brayden himself, asking for forgiveness.


    "Hemitted this because he was young and did not know how to discern between right and wrong, so please take into ount the circumstances."


    "I looked around the area and investigated. I don''t think he done something like that for a day or two. The only victims I''ve met are over 30."


    "That..."


    "If I look at it urately, it would be much more than that. Sharpening a whip while riding a horse is not a skill, is it?"


    Count Brayden closed his eyes tightly.


    If it were a conflict with a significant noble, negotiation would be possible.


    All you have to do is give them some money and ask for their cooperation. Moreover, it was possible to take a counterattack by digging up the opponent''s faults.


    But I am the highest judge in the capital''s court and the Emperor''s favorite cousin. It was something that no operation could handle.


    "Everyone involved in this will be punished. If you want to save your son''s life, usemon sense."


    Unless it was arge city, such as a duchy or marquisate, local judicial power rested with the lord.


    No, it was no exaggeration to say that he had virtually all power. Unless someone higher appeared, like now.


    "Oh, I understand."


    Count Brayden nodded heavily. Because I have already recognized my son''s sins, I cannot cover them up.


    "We will definitely investigate and send you the evidence."


    "Is that so. Take care."


    "I have to meet you because of bad news, but how about going to the castle to relieve your travel fatigue?"


    Since there was no way out, appeasement measures were immediately brought in. I guess it''s an attempt to somehow ease my mind. But I quickly said no.


    "It''s okay. I''m busy, so I''ll just leave."


    Count Brayden had sad eyes. As he turned decisively and got into the carriage, Tobias'' eyes lit up.


    "It''s a shame. It is rare to find a noble who does not belong to a political faction."


    Actually, he was a pretty good person. If we can bring Count Braden to the Imperial faction, we can strengthen the authority of the Imperial Family. However, political position could not affect judicial judgment.


    "With great poweres great responsibility. Those in power should be held to stricter standards."


    When such a person has moral problems, it causes even greater damage.


    Also, look at this incident.


    What if it wasmoners who hunted humans? Rather than hissing, Count Brayden would have already caught and killed that bastard.


    He said he dared to cause trouble on his ownnd. I turned my head with a bitter smile. But at that very moment, a phrase suddenly appeared before my eyes.


    "You have stopped the evil deeds of Alonzo, the devil of the Brayden territory."


    "Compensation will be given."


    "If positive changes ur in the world, even better rewards will await."


    ''What''s happening all of a sudden?''

 Chapter 29: Just A Thief

    "With great poweres great responsibility. Those in power should be held to stricter standards."


    When such a person has moral problems, it causes even greater damage.


    Also, look at this incident.


    What if it wasmoners who hunted humans? Rather than hissing, Count Brayden would have already caught and killed that bastard.


    He said he dared to cause trouble on his ownnd. I turned my head with a bitter smile. But at that very moment, a phrase suddenly appeared before my eyes.


    "You have stopped the evil deeds of Alonzo, the devil of the Brayden territory."


    "Compensation will be given."


    "If positive changes ur in the world, even better rewards will await."


    ''What''s happening all of a sudden?''


    The system I had so far was very passive.


    It simply disyed information about people I knew.


    Oh, there was one time before that was different from usual¡ªwhenbat skills were unlocked.


    But never before had so many words appeared. While I made a puzzled expression, a thought suddenly urred to me.


    ''So what have you done so far?''


    I had caused quite a stir in the capital. Since then, cases of non-payment of wages had decreased significantly.


    But it didn''t seem to have a big impact.


    If I thought about it carefully, I could understand why. It is clear which is more important: a few pennies or a person''s life.


    "So you''re saying there''s a chance for human hunting to be eradicated in the future?"


    Didn''t the system say so? If I bring positive change to the world, I will be rewarded better.


    Anyway, doesn''t that mean I''ve walked the right path? It felt like the system was cheering me on.


    ''Anyway, I wonder what has changed.''


    I stared at the words quietly. Using the system was very simple.


    All I had to do was summon the will and it would be applied automatically.


    In some ways, it felt much more useful than a smartphone. There was no process of pressing anything by hand at all.


    "But what has changed... what?"


    As I looked at Tobias without thinking, I noticed a difference from before.


    **Person Information:**


    Name: Tobias Wilkin


    Status: Bar


    Position: Deacon


    Loyalty: Average


    Status: High enthusiasm for work, slightly puzzled


    ----


    The content of character information had be clearer than before. In particr, theprehensive ability tab was quite impressive.


    ''This will make it easier to distinguish between jade and stone.''


    It would be more certain than when recruiting mercenaries. Because there may be cases where the grade and actual ability are different.


    Additionally, the description of the status tab had changed slightly. In the past, only words were listed, but now they were disyed in degrees.


    ''It''s a bit disappointing that detailed abilities aren''t listed.''


    As far as I know, Tobias wasn''t very good at fighting. If so, then the C grade would have been given due to other talents.


    When it came to how to use people, I had no choice but to synthesize information and make a rough guess. Of course, that would have been enough.


    I can get a general idea of what type of work someone is suitable for by doing it a few times.


    "There is a dy, so I will hurry a little, Your Majesty."


    "Please."


    After answering Tobias'' words half-heartedly, I concentrated on examining the information window. This is surprisingly quite fun. It also feels like I''m peeking into someone else''s inner self.


    But I soon had to stop.


    There were too few targets. If you want to check someone''s information, you need at least a full name.


    ''It would be useful not only in dealing with people, but also in trials.''


    Bad guys are more likely to have the word "evil" in their recent status.


    It took a long two weeks to reach Baron Rebrandt.


    Even though the carriage continued to run without stopping. Because it was such a long journey, I was feeling extremely bored.


    ''Howe not a single monster appears?''


    Originally, it would have been normal to encounter all kinds of action.


    Public order in local territories is often poor. Perhaps we were lucky, and the group reached their destination without incident. But the real incident was just beginning.


    "That... Your Majesty? The entire territory is almost a den of thieves?"


    "Her! I just can''t believe it."


    The Barony of Rebrandt was truly a mess.


    Let''s say that thieves are rampant.


    Because there can be many ces with bad public order. Local wars are constantly taking ce in the north, where Abel stayed.


    But this ce wasn''t even that remote.


    ''I wouldn''t have left it unattended for no reason. Only if the territory is run properly will the lord make a profit.''


    I walked around the castle, looking around. Perhaps because an outsider was snooping around, people immediately followed. A soldier on guard duty approached and spoke to me.


    "Where does this persone from?"


    Perhaps because of his attire, his tone was quite polite. I tried asking questions to get even simple information.


    "Isn''t it polite to introduce yourself first and then ask?"


    When I lightly tapped him, the other person''s face hardened slightly. The unpleasant expression was fleeting. The man immediately responded with a yes.


    "I am Shemar, leader of the guards at Rebrandt Castle."


    At that very moment, my eyebrows furrowed mercilessly. This was because the content of his words and the character information werepletely different.


    "No? You''re just a thief."


    "¡­ ¡­ !"

 Chapter 30: Strange Neighborhood

    Person Information


    - **Name**: Shemar


    - **Status**: Professional thief


    - **Position**: Security Supervisor


    - **Rtionship**: No acquaintance


    - **Status**: Slight irritation due to work, considerable embarrassment at being discovered.


    - **Comprehensive ability score**: D


    ----


    As if the name wasn''t a lie, the other person''s personal information appeared right away.


    As I just said, this guy wasn''t a real security guard. It appears that he works at the castle, and his position is disyed correctly.


    But even so, he couldn''t hide the fact that he was a thief.


    "What are you talking about? Even the most noble person cannot tolerate such an insult."


    I wondered what the hell this crazy guy was talking about.


    Does he think that working at the lord''s castle makes him a truly good citizen?


    His status as a professional thief says otherwise.


    They were not serfs who ran away because they had a hard time making a living but people whose calling it was to kill and steal everything.


    How can a guy like that be so polite?


    "Im is really going crazy here."


    "Where did youe from to insult our territory? At least tell me your name."


    "Me? I came here just to do something like this."


    This time, I didn''t take out the family seal.


    There was an investigation warrant issued for Baron Rebrandt, an invincible document bearing the seal of the capital court.


    But the other person just blinked nkly, even though it was a document issued by the highest judge.


    "Oops!"


    I forgot that the illiteracy rate in this world is over 95%.


    It is only natural that there would be no response even if a highly authoritative document was pressed against him.


    When I was investigating the Erset Mine, it was so out of shape that I had to go through some procedures.


    This guy didn''t even eat a single grain of knowledge.


    "Ugh! Go and get someone who knows how to read and write. A butler or something. It would be better if the lord himself came out."


    "You will have to pay the price for daring to call mu lord so carelessly."


    The thief red and red, then quickly disappeared into the castle.


    Eventually, he appeared with Baron Rebrandt. Surprisingly, he seemed to quickly figure out who I was.


    "S-sorry, Your Majesty. Because I don''t know noble people..."


    Of course, the thief fell on the floor and prayed that his hands would be his feet. Baron Rebrandt also bowed his head politely.


    "My subordinate''s mistake is also my mistake. I am deeply remorseful, so please show me leniency."


    Even though he said that, I couldn''t just get angry. I decided to just let it go.


    Anyway, this guy can be destroyed at any time. I don''t mean to press down with authority, but legally. He''s a professional thief.


    Just catch him and throw him in. There won''t be any empty spots in the capital''sbor camp.


    There are probably a lot more professional thieves besides Shemar.


    Right now, there were dozens of campsites located in the Relbrandt territory. I couldn''t understand why they let this situation go.


    "Instead of doing this here, let''s hurry inside. It''s starting to get a bit chilly."


    I nodded coolly at Baron Relbrandt''s suggestion.


    But suddenly I had a strange feeling


    ''Huh? Why isn''t this person''s profile showing up?''


    * * *


    Because it waste, after dinner, I was taken straight to my lodgings.


    Iy down on the soft bed, but it wasn''tfortable at all. My head was soplicated.


    "Why?"


    All the people I have spoken to so far have their personal informatione to mind.


    But Baron Rebrandt was an exception.


    When I briefly saw him in the courtroom, I didn''t even think to open it system window.


    He seemed offended by the term slush fund, but wasn''t he still a victim?


    Everyone makes some kind of emergency fund.


    In fact, doesn''t everyone have at least one in their back pocket? In the case of the nobility, the scale is just a bitrger. Anyway, that''s why I just let it go.


    "If I dig into him, I might find something¡­"


    In the end, the key to this incidenty with the lord.


    Although there is no evidence yet, I feel very confident. Should I say that my senses are sharp?


    But there was no proper method.


    It''s not like I can just barge in and beat them up.


    Do you think that would give a proper answer in the first ce?


    Rebrandt was a victim of this incident, although something just didn''t seem right.


    ''Ah! Then, we can start by pestering the defendant.''


    Of course, the person who invaded Rebrandt Castle and caused trouble was currently in the capital detention center.


    But aren''t there a lot of people like him here? Almost the entire territory is a den of thieves.


    I prepared to go out right away.


    "Your Majesty? Where are you going?"


    Tobias immediately asked a question. He seemed surprised when I told him I was going to wander aroundte at night.


    Because it is a very unsafe ce.


    "Let me do some research."


    "No matter how much I tell you, it''s too dangerous. One hand can''t fight ten hands."


    In general, Tobias Wilkin was right.


    Even a nimble and excellent knight would not have the skill to withstand a siege.


    But I am a monster among monsters, called the Berserker of the North. I was someone who could easily handle a hundred people.


    "It''s okay."


    "But wouldn''t it be better to move while it''s still light?"


    "Originally, thieves are active at night."


    "That''s true, but¡­"


    "Oh, the butler doesn''t have toe along. Tell the mercenaries to get some rest too."


    "How can you do that? I will definitely go with you."


    "This isn''t empty talk, it''s the truth."


    Tobias Wilkin was a man of great passion for his job.


    The most important task right now is to help me. Of course, that kind of reaction was inevitable.


    The problem was that this guy''s power was at rock bottom. I feel like even if I took him with me, he would just be a burden. I had to take special measures.


    Tsutsutsu! Puck!


    "Please get some sleep."


    When the beast''s heart was unleashed and it was struck, Tobias rolled his eyes and passed out.


    As expected, it''s a convenient ability.


    Because I can be a superhuman just by using skills.


    After knocking Tobias out with a single hand strike, I left the castle.


    Strangely enough, the gatekeepers did not stop me at all. He opened the door right away as if he had received some kind of training.


    ''If a guest were to go out tonight, wouldn''t it be appropriate to ask where their destination is?''


    Anyway, it was a really strange neighborhood.

 Chapter 31: Red Storm

    I was able to move through the busy streets of Rebrandt without any hindrance.


    Although it was called a barony, Relbrandt''s territory was not that small.


    The poption was quiterge, and the production was good. If I just roll with it, that is.


    "But why do he manage it like this?"


    If I were the lord, I would not have let thieves roam around.


    If Rebrandt''s life bes stable, wouldn''t he be able to earn that much?


    However, no such movement was seen in the Barony of Rellbrandt.


    How on earth do I know that?


    ''Because all the people walking around the downtown area are thieves.''


    The person I had seen at the campsite appeared every time I turned my gaze.


    How on earth do you think this is normal?


    For the residents of the territory, it is a luxury to have a drink in a shabby pub.


    "Hmm?"


    While I was walking through a busy downtown area, a strange thought suddenly urred to me.


    When a smartly dressed person passes by, isn''t it worth at least talking to them? Of course, in general, that would hardly be the case.


    But this territory is like a den of thieves. But not even a single nce of greed passed by.


    ''The thieves just ignore this crap?''


    There was absolutely no way that was possible. Sure enough, a few guys who smelled money came out of nowhere.


    "Hehehe! Isn''t that the gentleman who came into the territory today?"


    "If you speak nicely, give me everything you have. Otherwise, you''ll be in real trouble."


    They all have unusual tattoos. Licking a dagger with your tongue was definitely not normal.


    No, actually, they were doing really well.


    It was such an overwhelming visual that it would make anyone who encountered it shiver. Moreover, the numerical superiority was also enormous.


    ''There are only about ten people revealed, but there are no other signs... about a hundred.''


    Just one person burst in, and a hundred people came rushing out? It was absurd, but I vaguely understood it.


    There are no decent people here, only thieves swarming around, so where is there anything to loot?


    "Great. I''m justing out to warm up."


    ¡ºThe Beast''s Heart Activates¡»


    Tsk tsk tsk tsk!


    I took out the gavel, emitting red energy.


    Originally, Abel Carrius enjoyed using arge greatsword.


    However, perhaps because it was the first time I held a gavel after being possessed, I felt much morefortable with it. It''s also good for beating up and subduing.


    "He''s a guy who shouldn''t be talked about. You all know that, right? The first one to eat is the owner!"


    "Wow!"


    After someone shouted, the thieves rushed in at once. Arge-scale attack where even those who were hiding crawled out.


    It would not be an exaggeration to say arge-scale attack where even those who were hiding crawled out.


    It would not be an exaggeration to say that it was aplete onught. But I swung the gavel calmly. First, let''s hit the one thates closest.


    "Aaaaahhh!"


    A refreshing sound erupted from the hammerhead stuck in his forehead.


    The guy who had been swinging the dagger spun around and fell to the ground with a thud.


    Regardless of whether hisrade was hurt or not, another guy immediately ran in and fired a single shot.


    It was a surprise blow that came out of a puffy sleeve. But it didn''t work for me at all. He sent the de flying with a slight nod, then I struck the gavel hard.


    Teardrop!


    "Kueeeeek!"


    The guy who allowed himself to be hit in the stomach flew far away and crashed into a shabby building.


    Regardless, I carried out my next move without even looking at him. This was because dozens of daggers were thrown at the same time.


    ''Isn''t this a bit harsh?''


    Since they were all people who made a living by stealing, their throwing skills were considerable.


    They all aimed precisely at the vital points. But even so, it was just a lump of iron thrown by an ordinary person.


    **Tsk tsk tsk tsk!**


    With just one big swing of the gavel, all the daggers flew away.


    This was because the red energy suddenly released and cleared a wide area.


    ''And! Is this okay?''


    Honestly, I was a bit surprised that I even did it this time. I just had a thought in my head, and it immediately came true.


    The thieves must have been taken aback as well, so the silence continued for quite a long time. I said, looking around arrogantly.


    "Put your heads in."


    But no one was moving. Well, it''s possible that the sudden reversal of events left them unable to grasp the situation.


    So what should I do?


    ''I need to clearly engrave who has the upper hand.''


    I craned my neck and took a step forward.


    Every time that happened, the thieves began to retreat, hesitantly.


    I was overwhelmed by the transcendent force. A faint smile appeared on my lips.


    Soon, the etiquette injector took on a red aura.


    If I keep destroying a few more of them, They''ll soon realize it. The point is that if I don''t hit their head, one of them will break.


    But it was at that very moment.


    "Stop!"


    Isn''t it just that someone suddenly appears?


    It didn''t just fly in from nowhere, it just appeared as if it was springing out of the ground.


    ''Isn''t this a bit surprising?''


    Even at first nce, he was a very skilled person.


    Although it was only for a moment, he deceived my attention. So I decided to give him a prize.


    "Know it as glory. Because it''s my first time being 100%."


    Soon, a red storm blew into the bustling streets of the Relbrandt estate.


    Ku-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!

 Chapter 32: Margot bandits

    "Name."


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    I asked the question, but the man said nothing.


    This guy appeared out of nowhere and blocked my path. Anyone could see that he was a person rted to thieves. The man was on his knees, just shedding sad tears.


    For a man as big as a mountain to do that, he looked very pitiful. But there was no mercy in my gavel.


    **Bam!**


    "Take it!"


    "Let''s go quickly and without bothering each other. Tell me your name!"


    As the small hammer hit his head, a suppressed scream came out. But there was still no answer.


    "Under! This guy has a temper tantrum. Okay. You die today and I die."


    I rolled up my sleeves and waved my arms around widely.


    Soon the gavel let out a red-hot re.


    This was because the beast''s heart was activated reflexively. Then the man shook his shoulders from side to side. It was like dancing the fur dance.


    From another perspective, it seemed like he was being overly cute to the point of making his hands and feet curl up.


    "If you don''t want to be hit, just tell me. Is it hard to reveal your name?"


    "Eww! Eww!"


    But all he could do was moan with a red-faced expression. Suddenly, someone came up to me and subtly gave me his opinion.


    "I¡­ I don''t think he can speak?"


    "Aha? So that''s what it was?"


    He had been beaten so badly that his face was swollen. It was as if he had been stung hundreds of times by a wasp.


    So, he must have just let out a strange groan. The reason he was shaking his shoulders so proudly was probably because his arms were tied.


    "If you had such concerns, you should have told me in advance."


    "Wouldn''t it have been impossible to say something like that?"


    "Oh! What are you? Why are you so perceptive?"


    Only then did I look back at the person who had approached me.


    Since there was no threat, I just left it alone, but I thought it would be useful to please the public.


    "Hehehe! Please call me Colver."


    "The names do not match."


    I was impressed by the phrase that suddenly came to mind.


    The character information system was a truly fraudulent capability.


    Because I can filter out most of the lies the other person tells. Even now, haven''t I caught the attempt to hide your identity? I grabbed the bastard by the cor and said,


    "Where are youing from? Tell me your real name."


    "That, that''s¡­ Keyshawn."


    Then, a hologram window suddenly appeared.


    **


    **


    - **Name:** Keyshawn


    - **Identity:** Runaway serf


    - **Position:** Thief''s Squad


    - **Rtionship:** No acquaintance


    - **Status:** Skepticism about stealing, pretty good management skills


    - **Overall ability score:** B


    _-_-_-


    Kishon was a short, unattractive man. But there was a gun in those sparkling eyes. His abilities were also good.


    ''B is just a bandit from a serf background?''


    He was taller than any thief I''d ever seen. He didn''t seem to be good at fighting, so he probably had hidden abilities.


    "You''re finally speaking properly. Then answer me."


    "Ask me anything."


    "First of all, what is that guy''s identity?"


    "Are you talking about Captain Tyree?"


    "What does the leader of the bandits do? He''s probably just the boss."


    "Haha! That, that''s right."


    When Keyshawn gave the name, only then did the person information appear.


    **


    **


    - **Name:** Tyree


    - **Status:** Professional Thief


    - **Position:** Boss


    - **Rtionship:** No acquaintance


    - **Status:** Extreme fear, great dissatisfaction with the water lord, slight dissatisfaction with the lord


    - **Overall Ability:** A


    Of course, the fear is because of me, so just ignore it.


    ''But what is this? A water lord? A lord?''


    Suddenly, two of the main finishers appeared. The lord would of course be Baron Relbrandt, but then who is the water provider?


    I tapped Keyshawn on the shoulder and said,


    "Is there anyone who is funding this guy?"


    "The Tyree Bandits have a lot to do with the Lord''s Castle."


    "Okay? There''s a water owner there?"


    It was a question that could be answered with ''yes or no'' anyway. Tyree nodded vigorously.


    "Who is the Lord of the water¡­ Ah, you can''t answer that? Who do you think is the owner of the water?"


    Keyshawn pondered with a serious expression, then answered confidently.


    "It must be the lord. He has been interacting with other bandits recently."


    "You mean it was limited before?"


    "Yes, it was just the Margot bandits."


    The moment I heard those words, my mind suddenly cleared up. Because it was a name I had heard somewhere.


    Besides, he was a very important person in this incident.


    ''The defendant''s name was Margot, right?''


    The leader of a bandit group made exclusive deals with the lord, broke into houses, and evenmitted assault? What kind of nonsense is this?


    New facts havee to light, but questions remain.


    Why on earth did Baron Relbrandt make a deal with Margot? How on earth can he trust a thief? Besides, why did he break into the castle? The answer to all these questionsy with Relbrandt.


    ''It''s by no means a light case like slush funds. Something bigger is hidden behind the scenes.''


    I tried to return to Relbrandt Castle.


    Of course, I had no intention of going back alone. Then it would be like releasing the leader of a bandit group that was just caught.


    Tyree had to hurriedly move his feet. If he dyed even a little, his ears might fall off.


    "Grrr!"


    "It hurts! It hurts!"


    But suddenly, a scream with a fairly clear pronunciation was heard.


    Didn''t Tyree say something wrong because he got beaten up so much? Then, immediately after, Keyshawn spoke another word.


    "I think that''s what it means."


    This guy is funny. It might be fun to take him around and use him.


    "You follow me too."


    "Yes."

 Chapter 33: Doppelganger

    I went to the castle and immediately looked for Baron Rebrandt. But he was nowhere to be seen. I tried barging into the bedroom, but the result was the same.


    ''Where on earth did he go?''


    How could the lord disappear at night? While I was wandering around, a servant suddenly appeared.


    He looked like he was going somewhere with an oilntern. Night patrol was something that could be done other than being a soldier, so it wasn''t that strange.


    The servant bowed his head as we briefly met in the hallway.


    "Oh, you are a guest."


    "I don''t think we''ve ever met before, so why don''t we introduce ourselves first?"


    "What would you do with the name of a worthless thing like me?"


    "I can''t keep calling you ''servant.''"


    "Then please call me Irving."


    It was a question aimed at finding at least a small clue.


    But just then, something surprising happened.


    I nodded leisurely and tried to activate the system¡­ but it wouldn''t open. This was already my second timeing to Rebrandt''s territory.


    Isn''t it strange that something like this is happening again?


    I narrowed my eyes and looked at Irving quietly, trying to understand what kind of trick they had used.


    ''If it was a fake name, the system should have notified me, like when Keyshawn used a fake name.''


    But this time, there was no response. Wasn''t there one more time that resulted in a simr oue?


    "Baron Relbrandt."


    "Yes, yes?"


    I was just muttering to myself, but Irving answered without thinking. Even though he himself was not Baron Rebrandt.


    I smiled brightly and held out my hand.


    "I just wondered where he was."


    "I guess he''s in the bedroom by now?"


    "Well, I guess so. Anyway, this is our start rtionship, so let''s shake hands."


    "It is an honor, majesty."


    Irving bowed with a sad expression. The moment our hands touched, a red ghostly fire rose up.


    ¡ºThe Beast''s Heart Activates¡»


    **Tsutsutsutsu!**


    "Eww!"


    Irving''s whole body was shaking.


    It was a sight of someone struggling to escape from extreme pain.


    But surprisingly, the guy''s face started to distort.


    The change instantly spread throughout his body.


    Irving woke up with his skin distorted, and soon he became apletely different person.


    Brilliant crimson skin, golden eyes. Overall, it was an appearance that seemed like it belonged in the demon world.


    "Ugh! Uh, how?"


    "There is a way to know everything. By the way, does anyone know what this is called?"


    I looked back and asked a question. Immediately after that, Keyshawn came out.


    "I think it''s a doppelganger."


    It was a type of monster I knew, famous for pretending to be a human being.


    ''Ah! That''s why the information window didn''t pop up.''


    Of course, I''ve never tried it on monsters or animals. I just made a rough inference based on what just happened.


    "You must answer the question properly. Where is the real Baron Relbrandt?"


    "The, the dungeon¡­"


    "This kid really doesn''t understand what I''m saying."


    "Kwaaaah!"


    **Tsutsutsutsu!**


    I unleashed the beast''s heart to the max.


    Then the mes grew tenfold.


    A force of pure energy would have been coursing through his entire body. Whether human or monster, they cannot help but feel transcendent pain.


    ''It''s a perfect and easy torture method. But is it okay to do this?''


    A man who ims to upholdw and justice acts like this...


    No, this guy isn''t even human anyway, right? Then I don''t have to stick to the limits.


    "Ugh! Ugh!"


    "Speak quickly Or else you die."


    "I, I''m in the dungeon¡­"


    In the end, the doppelganger had no choice but to give in. Whatever it is he''s trying to protect isn''t more important than his life.


    "Guide me."


    Soon we reached the deepest part of Castle.


    A damp and luxurious dungeon.


    ''What''s wrong with the mood all of a sudden?''


    The first thing that caught my eye was the spotless floor and the long sofa.


    Magterns hung here and there gave off a warm and mysterious light. It was toofortable an environment to be considered a prison.


    "Haa!"


    Iughed and continued to look around, checking to see if there was anything strange.


    Then the doppelganger rubbed his hands together and let out a meaningfulugh.


    "My lord, you are in good health. The problem is that you are doing so well."


    "Baron Rebrandt is in there?"


    "That''s right."


    "Then you go in first."


    "Of course. There are no traps here."


    The doppelganger walked proudly while tied to a rope. I followed him, keeping an eye on his actions.


    Soon, an even more absurd scene came into view.


    A middle-aged man grinning as he gorged on food, he was clearly Baron Rellbrandt.


    Although he had gained a lot of weight, his face was very simr to the fake one.


    ''But can I express that he''s doing well? Anyone can see that it''s abnormal?''


    I said, hitting the back of the doppelganger''s head.


    **Bam!**


    "I don''t know what you did, but let go right now. You''re going to end up like that too?"


    "Ugh! What are you going to do when you don''t even know the secret art of doppelgangers?"


    "Why can''t you do it? I think that''s exactly what it would look like if I crushed half of its head, right?"


    "¡­ I will solve it."


    Soon, strangely colored powder began to fill the air. Then Tyree and Keyshawn, who were standing behind, copsed helplessly.


    **Thud! Thud!**


    But I was just staring at the doppelganger.


    "Why on earth don''t you fall down?"


    "Because I knew it would be like this."


    Isn''t he a crazy person who imprisoned the lord and pretended to be the lord?


    Of course, I thought he had hidden a secret.


    That''s why I held my breath as soon as I saw something that looked like powder. I twisted the corners of my mouth and clenched my fists.


    "You seem to be using full power a lot today."


    **Paaaaak!**

 Chapter 34: Unexpected Consultation

    The Baron Rebrandt home invasion and extortion case came to an unexpected conclusion.


    Surprisingly, the person who sued the bandit leader, Margot, was his doppelganger.


    He acted like a lord and happily robbed the estate of its lucrative business.


    However, Margot did not pay the money he had promised and took all the profits for himself. That''s where the discord began.


    When this fact was made public, people were shocked.


    "They''ve turned the territory into a den of thieves."


    "The residents must have suffered greatly."


    "How vicious must those thieves have been? They say it was dozens of times worse than the tyranny of the nobles."


    "What about those guys who go around killing people for fun?"


    Public opinion wasrgely one of disgust. However, the person who solved the problem received more attention than the evil deeds of the people involved.


    "This time, His Majesty the Carrier solved the case himself?"


    "He went all the way to the distantnd of Relbrandt to save the people. If he is not a saint, then what is he?"


    "How on earth did he know they were lying? He really have great insight."


    "For someone like that to be the Supreme Judge is a great fortune formoners like us!"


    Wherever I went where people gathered, they all talked about me. I''ve heard it so many times that my head is starting to hurt. That doesn''t mean I felt bad.


    ''I never get tired of listening to it.''


    They say even whales can dance, so of course I should have a dance party too. Of course, only in my head. But then suddenly a worried voice was heard from beside me.


    "The whole world is praising you, Your Honor, but is it really necessary to do this?"


    This was the opinion of Judge Josef Padi. That''s because today is a special day. The date of sentencing in the Baron Relbrandt case. It''s finally the finale, but why is this guy so prickly?


    ''That''s because it goes beyondmon sense.''


    It may be absurd in the Empire of Enfer, but from my perspective¡­ it was an action that was difficult to understand even for modern people. By the way, why are you doing this? I even brought my doppelganger to court.


    "I sentence Margot and Doppelganger, the gang that imprisoned nobles and illegally seized thend''s interests, to 30 years in prison each."


    **Bam! Bam! Bam!**


    The gavel struck the wooden board hard. Then therge man who had been silent cheered.


    "Wow! Done!"


    It was Baron Relbrandt who had been kept underground until now.


    The reason the doppelganger fattened the lord was simple.


    In order to maintain the transformation for a long time, the host had to be kept alive.


    If he don''t asionally take a part of his body, it wille loose quickly.


    Things like hair and fingernails. The healthier the host, the better the effect, so they let him eat as much as he wanted.


    "Oh, no!"


    "phew!"


    Margot held her head with a nk expression. On the other hand, the doppelganger breathed a sigh of relief.


    30 years in prison was an extremely harsh sentence.


    The correctional facilities of the Empire of Empyre were not asfortable as those of modern times.


    The environment was perfect for getting sick, the food was poor, and thebor was extremely hard.


    Even if you were locked up for just a few years, you wouldn''t be able to maintain human form.


    You''ve been living in a ce like that for 30 years?


    Most of them either came out as wrecks or ended up dying in prison. But why are they making such an unlucky expression?


    ''I guess that means that that amount of time is nothing.''


    The lifespan of a doppelganger was extremely long. The body is strong enough to easily withstand harsh environments. So, that kind of reaction is inevitable.


    ''But it won''t work out the way you want.'' I looked at Baron Relbrandt with a meaningful smile.


    "Baron Relbrandt."


    "Yes."


    "I will return all the rights that the thieves stole. So I hope you will be more virtuous in the future."


    "Will you allow me to do so? I will give all the grace I have received from you, Your Honor


    ."


    "Thank you."


    "Oh my! I am grateful."


    Baron Relbrandt bowed with an embarrassed expression.


    It seemed like that person would pretend to die if I said just one word. So the trial ended neatly. We solved a big case, but the work wasn''t over.


    When it was time to leave work, I stopped by the Capital Corrections Headquarters for a moment.


    "Your Majesty, what brings you to this wretched ce?"


    The head of the corrections office, Viscount Holt Almeida, greeted us politely.


    It seemed like it was the first time the Supreme Court judge had visited, and he looked very nervous.


    Well, why would high-ranking officials visit such an ominous ce? I opened my mouth calmly, taking in the view of the prison.


    "Among the criminals transferred today, is there one strange person?"


    "Ah! You mean that monster? I''m paying special attention to it because it''s called a doppelganger."


    "I''d like to take that guy with me."


    "Yes?"


    Viscount Almeida looked dumbfounded.


    When a round-faced old man did that, I felt likeughing. But I said it with as much poker face as I could.


    "It''s not that difficult to be imprisoned by a doppelganger for 30 years. It''s a small percentage of one''s life."


    "Is that so? If you do, it gets even more harsh¡­"


    "Huh huh! You''re quick-witted."


    "You are indeed wise. Now that I think about it, it is only natural that I should do that. I will bring him over immediately."


    Viscount Almeida ran off somewhere in a hurry and appeared with a group of people.


    **Thud!**


    A doppelganger kneeling on the floor. The guy looked around with a look of confusion on his face, then he found me standing in front of him.


    "Yes, you?"


    A bittersweet smile naturally appeared on my lips. I said, putting my hand on the guy''s head.


    "It''s time for you to pay the real price, monster."

 Chapter 35: Lets Wipe Them Out

    Even though the Baron Relbrandt case was over, I couldn''t rest. All the piled-up work had umted at once.


    "When on earth did things get so hectic?"


    "Well, you''ve been away for quite some time. And you''ve been getting a lot of requests to assign cases to Your Honor," Joseph smiled mischievously, exining.


    This all happened because my poprity had grown so much. Of course, I didn''t grant every request people made.


    Case assignments are made ording to internal regtions. Changing those regtions with power was unnecessary. If I did that, someone else would do the same. It''s thew that those in high positions should set an example.


    "But I need to show some flexibility. I solved such a difficult case."


    "We''ve been working hard to deal with it. But now, this is all that''s left."


    "So how many trials are there this week?"


    "That''s eight in total. There are two days left until the weekend, so you can do four a day."


    Previously, there were one or two cases per day. But it is not possible to leave old incidents unattended. To maintain the principle of a speedy trial, everything had to bepleted within this week.


    ''Can''t we allow broad discretion like in back of my world? All otherws are a mess, but this one is strict.''


    What can I do if I don''t want to do it?


    As the highest judge, I must lead by example.


    Otherwise, it would be impossible to maintain discipline in the courts. I took a deep breath and put on my robe. But then suddenly someone knocked on the conference room door.


    **Knock, knock.**


    "Who are you?"


    Josef, who was busy sorting documents, got up. Soon, a man with a slightly kind look came in.


    "Hello, Your Majesty."


    The other person nodded in greeting, but I ended up tilting my head. When I first saw him, I thought, ''Why is he so cute?''


    Then, I had to nod my head. Surprisingly, he was someone I had a great deal of friendship with.


    "Are you Baron Relbrandt?"


    "Yes, that''s right."


    "You seemed a lot bigger just a few days ago."


    "Once the doppelganger''s charm wore off, I didn''t even want to look at food. I starved myself for a bit, and I lost weight right away."


    "If you suddenly stop eating and drinking, it won''t be good for your health."


    "I went to the temple and they said it was still okay. I n to gradually adjust and try to get back to my former state."


    "I''m d it looks good though."


    We chatted lightly and moved to the reception room. Soon, Baron Relbrandt began to sing all kinds of praise. To be honest, it was burdensome to listen to.


    "You could say it''s like God speaking to me!"


    No, I don''t think it''s to that extent. Even though he had saved my life, I wondered if it was okay for him to say something like that.


    Finally, I raised my hand slightly and stopped Baron Relbrandt''s rambling. I felt like I was going to cause a bigger ident.


    "Thank you for your kind words. However, I''m really busy with work due to this matter."


    "Ah! You were away for a long time because of me."


    "Yes, I am sorry, but I cannot give you much time."


    "Don''t worry. Then I''ll just make it brief and leave."


    **Swish.**


    Baron Relbrandt carefully took something out of his bosom. As he opened the lid of the luxurious box, a brilliant light spread out. A fairlyrge diamond was the source of the beam of light.


    "This is a top-quality jewel crafted by dwarves. It will look good on any piece of jewelry."


    "Why are you suddenly showing me this?"


    "Well¡­"


    Baron Relbrandt looked around, observing. He himself must have known that this was wrong.


    ''Does anyone know that?''


    I wanted to yell at him like this, but he was my uncle, so I couldn''t do that. I said, tapping the lid of the box shut with my fingertips.


    "This is too much of a thank you. I just did what I had to do, so I don''t deserve this."


    "This really makes me embarrassed about my hands."


    "Why don''t we sell this jewel and help the people in distress? They''ve suffered a lot because of this incident."


    The Relbrandt estate was aplete mess. I had found the lord''s vested interests, but what about the people who had been exploited by thieves all this time?


    How can I figure out how much was stolen and how?


    In fact, it was virtually impossible to save it.


    But if there is a will of the highest authority, the story is different. The lord holds a lot of wealth in his hands.


    "Ah!"


    Baron Relbrandt let out a long sigh. It was as if he had attained some great enlightenment.


    "Your Majesty, you are truly apassionate person¡­"


    "I just saw the tragedy."


    I quickly hung up because I thought he might say something about God again.


    By the way, I had a feeling that it wouldn''t work if I just let it go like this.


    Should I say that it left a strange aftertaste? I tilted my head and was lost in thought, when suddenly some guys came to mind. I said with a meaningful smile.


    "There is something Baron Relbrandt needs to do."


    "Order whatever you wish. I will believe whatever Your Majesty says, even if you say you will make wine with your mouth."


    "That''s not going to happen¡­ Alright. Let''s just move on. There is a most urgent matter at the Relbrandt Estate."


    "Is it anything other than saving the people?"


    "Yes, that is the measure that should be applied first."


    "I''m very curious about what it is."


    "It''s simple. You know those bandits that the doppelganger brought in?"


    "Yes."


    "Let''s wipe them out first."


    "Oh! I forgot that."


    Baron Relbrandt nodded vigorously. But it was at that very moment.


    "Baron Relbrandt''s influence brought about a great change in themunity."


    "A reward will be given."

 Chapter 36: Ruinous Retribution

    After quickly sending Baron Relbrandt back, I looked at the message carefully. I was so nervous a little while ago that I just skimmed through it.


    ''So what''s the reward?''


    It was a system that seemed friendly butcked exnation. Shouldn''t we talk about what has changed and how? As I was quietly furrowing my brow, something suddenly crossed my mind.


    "Oh, really?"


    I went straight to the full-length mirror ced in the corner of the office. Then an information window popped up.


    **


    **


    - **Name:** Abel Carriers


    - **Status:** Duke


    - **Position:** Chief Justice


    - **Title:** Northern Berserker


    - **Skills:** Heart of the Beast, Ruinous Retribution


    ----


    "Oh!"


    As expected, the change was here.


    A new skill had been unlocked. The difort disappeared like melting snow.


    At this point, I could easily ept that the system is a bit unfriendly.


    ''By the way, Ruinous Retribution, what kind of skill is this?''


    Just by looking at the name, it seemed like it was definitely rted to attack. Of course, there was no exnation.


    Then what should I do?


    "The best way is to try it yourself. Ruinous Retribution."


    There was no need to shout out the skill name. But since it was my first time, I tried to make noise on purpose.


    There is such a thing as feeling. But even after quite some time had passed, there was no response.


    "Why is it like this?"


    It felt like I had been scammed for no reason since it was a skill that wouldn''t even activate.


    After tilting my head for a while, I absentmindedly picked up the gavel. I wondered if you might need a weapon. But it was at that very moment.


    **Shhhhh! Boom!**


    "Ugh!"


    A blue stream of air shot out from the hammer''s head and struck the walls of the office.


    Then, a huge hole appeared. It was truly immense power.


    ''Even if I raise the beast''s heart to its maximum, I don''t think it will be able to do this much.''


    However, the blue energy disappeared in an instant. Judging by the way the strength was draining away, it seemed to be a one-time skill. I could say it''s a kind of finishing move.


    "I shouldn''t use this carelessly."


    I shook my head, staring at the huge hole in the wall.


    Even though my office was a mess, I still felt good. Because I''ve acquired a very useful skill. Now, even if I meet a fairly strong guy, I will be able to easily subdue him.


    By the way, what about the broken wall?


    ''I guess I''ll have to give a rough rundown and paypensation.''


    If i have money left over, what''s there to worry about?


    ---


    "I''m dying. I''m dying."


    With four trials a day, I really didn''t have time to open my eyes.


    Fortunately, the decisions were somewhat easier. If they had been asplicated as the Baron Relbrandt case, things would have been dyed even further.


    Of course, that doesn''t mean the trials were carried out roughly. How could that be when i have built up an image of myself so far?


    "Your Honor, this is thest case. If you do this, we can go back to our old schedule next week."


    I took the papers from Josef and let out a short sigh. Because the end was finally in sight.


    ''Please, make it easy!''


    I opened the file, screaming inwardly, and there was a familiar name written on it.


    Alonzo Braden.


    Isn''t that the scoundrel I caught while hunting humans ve on the outskirts of the territory?


    Fortunately, it was a very simple incident. The evidence had already been released, and he himself had admitted it. No, to be exact, it was the defendant''s father who admitted to the crime.


    ''So what? The important thing is that it''s simple.''


    Although Count Braden made an earnest request, I had no intention of giving him any consideration.


    In fact, this was a savage fantasy world. Anything could happen in the wilderness that would harm a person.


    Thieves areing, what can I do?


    I fully acknowledged the extent to which I were protecting myself. The standards for self-defense were broader and clearer than those of the Hell Penins in Northeast Asia.


    ''But this guy is different, right?''


    It wasn''t just a fight in a remote ce.


    Human hunting, which involves harassing innocent travelers and even human trafficking.


    Of course, in Alonzo''s case, no one died or was sold into very. However, the fact that it was a serious crime did not change.


    ''I really need to show you what happens if you keep hunting humans.''


    As I was leafing through the documents and smiling meaningfully, Judge Colund Emir spoke to me.


    "Your Honor?"


    "What is it?"


    "A petition from the Earldom of Braden."


    A heavy bundle of documents was delivered. I chuckled and took a peek in the middle.


    He wrote so much that there was no white space on the paper.


    Who the hell sends something like this to save a single loser? Looking at the names written on the petition, I had a feeling I knew them.


    "It seems like you''ve been roasting the dead and making them write. Isn''t that right?"


    "..."


    "It''s okay. Just answer. Isn''t that true?"


    When the judges hesitated, I shrugged and said, Still, Josef looked away, and only Colund barely nodded.


    ''As expected, only the powerful make and send out things like this.''


    Although the standards for self-defense are different, the baptism of petitions felt simr to the Hell Penins. Of course, a piece of paper like this wouldn''t change my judgment.


    "We will now begin the trial of the Braden Estate, Human Hunting Incident. Salute your honor."


    **Thud thud thud!**


    People are creatures of adaptation, so as I continued to do this, the feeling of embarrassment gradually disappeared. I sat on the chair on the podium with a calm face. Soon the trial proceedings began.


    Actually, there was nothing to see.


    The defendant admitted all his crimes and was just hoping for leniency. The trial progressed quickly, like roasting beans in a lightning sh.


    "Please sentence the defendant who seriously injured thirty people while hunting humans to 15 years in prison."


    I nodded at the inspector''s suggestion.


    Didn''t they give him 10 years for breaking your arm in the Parviant Farm incident?


    Considering that this was an incident where thirty people were whipped, this was an extremely lenient punishment.


    One, Alonzo''s eyes were filled with hope. A tall tower of papers piled on the bench.


    I guess he''s hoping for a baptism of petitions. But the results were not going to change.


    ''Yeah. Don''t change it.''


    I sentenced him to 15 years in prison, just as the prosecutor had demanded.


    "No way!"


    Alonzo''s single scream was heard, but the trial was already over.


    If he don''t ept it here, the only way is for the Emperor toe out in person.

 Chapter 37: Dog Leash

    "Please sentence the defendant who seriously injured thirty people while hunting humans to 15 years in prison."


    I nodded at the inspector''s suggestion.


    Didn''t they give him 10 years for breaking your arm in the Parviant Farm incident?


    Considering that this was an incident where thirty people were whipped, this was an extremely lenient punishment.


    One, Alonzo''s eyes were filled with hope. A tall tower of papers piled on the bench.


    I guess he''s hoping for a baptism of petitions. But the results were not going to change.


    ''Yeah. Don''t change it.''


    I sentenced him to 15 years in prison, just as the prosecutor had demanded.


    "No way!"


    Alonzo''s single scream was heard, but the trial was already over.


    If he don''t ept it here, the only way is for the Emperor toe out in person.


    Would Count Braden really shake hands like that?


    ''No way. If things get quiet, they''ll probably try to negotiate behind the scenes.''


    He was going to take his son away by offering some big advantage.


    Since I''m not going to take care of it like the doppelganger guy, it''s probably going to be a struggle for a few years.


    ''I''ll tell them to take care of what happens next, and should i take a break now?''


    I was about to leave the court as soon as work was over. But today, there was one more person standing next to the carriage.


    A man wearing light armor in a in style.


    Anyone who looked at him felt like he had been raised well to be a knight. I quietly turned around and tried to go to the carriage, but, as expected, the man blocked my way.


    "Nice to meet you, Your Highness Carriers."


    "Who are you?"


    "I am Cordell McNeill, ck Agent of the Imperial Guard."


    Even just hearing the introduction made my head spin.


    I understand that you mean the Imperial Guard Knights.


    ''What? ck? Agent? What the hell is this?''


    Perhaps sensing my curious gaze, Cordell continued his exnation.


    "ck Agents are agents who specialize in escorting important figures. They only act on His Majesty the Emperor''s orders. They usually serve thedies of the Imperial Family."


    "Then just keep doing what you were doing. Why are you doing this to me¡­?"


    "I told you, I only follow Your Majesty''s orders."


    "Yes?"


    "From now on, I will be responsible for Your Majesty''s security."


    I hit my forehead.


    What does it mean for a body called the Northern Berserker to have a knight escort?


    Of course, I''m not invincible, but this seemed a bit excessive.


    Honestly, a few mercenaries would have been enough.


    ''It''s definitely a surveince station.''


    He would probably report my every move. Even though he is an escort, he is a knight with a separate master.


    But it was not something that could be avoided.


    Send back the interest? Most likely, I would have to face the Emperor. Do I want  to meet that person with such a dazzling spiritual world again?


    "Ugh! I guess I''ll just ept it."


    "What did you say?"


    "Nothing. I''m just talking to myself."


    "Hmm. I tend to talk to myself a lot..."


    I shook my head and gave a vague answer, but Cordell was writing something in his notebook.


    No, does he even record all that stuff? I had a feeling there would be a lot of headaches ahead.


    ---


    As expected, Cordell was a human being no better than a leech.


    Seriously, I had to sweat profusely every time because he followed me everywhere.


    He even tried toe into the bathroom, so I had to teach him a lesson.


    With a gavel full of anger. But Cordell''s antics didn''t stop there.


    "These days, Your Majesty''s knights have been stirring up trouble all over the mansion."


    "Why on earth is doing that?"


    "He said it was for security reasons. He said there was a possibility that an assassin might havee in."


    "No, where on earth would someone like that..."


    "It''s not like there isn''t anything at all."


    I tilted my head at Butler Miller Xavier''s words.


    But soon I had no choice but to ept it.


    I''ve made quite a few enemies because of the decisions I''ve made so far. Broadly speaking, there are the noble factions of Sierra and Giovanni.


    Although they were small groups, the bandits of the Relbrandt Territory could also be considered hostile forces. It was a situation that warranted the use of an escort knight.


    ''No, if that''s the case, send someone more normal.''


    I frowned, remembering the Emperor''s entric smile. As I was walking around the garden, clicking my tongue, I heard a sharp sound from somewhere.


    "Wow!"


    "You are the assassin?!"


    A suddenmotion followed by a rebuke.


    Butler Miller Xavier and I exchanged a momentary nce.


    I thought I knew what was going on just by looking at the direction the sound came from.


    The sound of something breaking is probably ceramics. Cordell would have been furious at the sight of Adam, who looked like a beast.


    "Ugh!"


    A sigh escaped me.


    This was because I had no idea how to exin it.


    But then suddenly a brilliant idea urred to me. A clever way to subdue that knight who ispletely blocked in front and behind in one blow.


    "He who rises as an emperor will fall as an emperor."


    "Huh? What the heck is that..."


    "Behave yourself. Let''s go quickly."


    "Yes, yes."


    Leaving behind the bewildered face of Butler Miller Xavier, I ran to the storeroom. Then I grabbed a piece of ceramic that was lying on the floor.


    "Oh my! A treasure to present to His Majesty the Emperor!"


    "Oh, my goodness! Who on earth destroyed this precious thing? It was something the craftsman worked so hard to make!"


    When we barged in out of nowhere and started crying, Cordell''s expression became distorted. The sharp sword pointed at Adam came down powerlessly.


    "W-Was this that kind of thing?"


    Cordell''s voice is flustered. I smiled in conversion.


    ''He got caught.''


    Okay, so shall we put a dog leash on this rotten guy?

 Chapter 38: Theo

    Cordell McNeil''s face was ashen.


    It was because he destroyed the items that were meant to be given to the emperor. It had to be that way.


    How could that country bumpkin ever see pottery?


    He must have found some beast in the warehouse and immediately pulled out his sword. Needless to say, what Cordell broke was nothing more than an ordinary bowl.


    ''Why would you have left such a precious thing here and there in the first ce?''


    But he couldn''t even suspect it. It was because of the wholehearted acting of me and Deacon Miller Xavier.


    "Look here, Sir McNeil."


    "Yes?"


    "You''ve been investigating so diligently, but why don''t you know anything about Adam, the god of the earth? He even testified in court."


    "That is..."


    "Think about it logically. Where would a monster touch dirt or something in a warehouse? There''s food all around."


    Cordell lowered his head with a somber expression.


    Even now, when all the chaos had begun, Adam just stared nkly. If it was going to be harmful, it would have moved a long time ago. And on top of that, he even spoke to me in a condescending manner.


    ¨DHey, boss. If things continue like this, we won''t be able to meet the delivery date. I hope you''ll take that into consideration.


    "Oh, of course. It''ll be a hassle, but please make it again."


    - That''s right. Hey! Why did that bald guye in here... Tsk tsk!


    Adam was quite quick-witted. He quickly realized their role after seeing our exaggerated behavior. Finally, I nodded and put my hand on Cordell''s shoulder.


    "Let''s go out and talk. Don''t disturb our craftsman''s work."


    "Yes, I understand."


    Cordell''s slumped shoulders. Suddenly, our eyes met and Butler Xavier and I smiled meaningfully at the same time.


    ---


    Cordell McNeil''s entricities stopped that day. Hepletely withdrew from the investigation of the mansion.


    He became too kind after threatening to take him to court in a civil suit. But the thing that stuck to me like a piece of gum remained the same.


    "I bet you have some nk paper, where did you put it?"


    Swish.


    As I was looking around, mumbling to myself, something yellow suddenly appeared before my eyes. A piece of paper in hand. Suddenly, I looked around and Cordell appeared out of the darkness.


    "Hey! Turn on your blinkers ande in. Hurry up!"


    "What is a blinker?"


    "There is something like that. Oh my! I can''t just squeeze it."


    Honestly, I couldn''t help but be surprised.


    Didn''t only the arms, head, and part of the upper body suddenly appear out of thin air?


    The rest were enveloped in some kind of energy, but there was no sign of them at all.


    ''What kind of move is this? It''s an assassin.''


    I let out a long sigh and shook my head.


    Although the close security was extremely concerning, there was no solution. Aren''t you the one who moves by the emperor''s orders? In the end, I have no choice but to adapt.


    "By the way, I feel like I''m missing something..."


    "Just tell me what it is and I''ll find out right away."


    "What are you going to do when you don''t even know what kind of trials I''ve been in?"


    "I am surprisingly useful."


    "Okay. It''s not that difficult."


    Cordell McNeil is a ck agent of the Imperial Guard. He was a special person who was a knight and also received intelligence training.


    To give a rough example, let''s say you''re an incredibly strong spy. It was like a ughterhouse knife, so I didn''t think it would be necessary for this case. It''s just about how some guys are treated.


    ''Where did you keep your doppelganger? Ah! It was Adam''s warehouse.''


    Butler Miller Xavier has done a wonderful job renovating his pottery workshop so that a fewborers can livefortably.


    The doppelganger spent each day there in fear. Surprisingly, Adam''s influence was quite fatal to the monsters. So much so that just staying by his side was painful.


    ''I can''t just leave it there forever.'' It''s about time to start using it.


    Why would I keep a guy who only eats rice?


    If that''s the case, it''s better to just let him rot in prison. I went straight to the pottery studio. As expected, the doppelganger was suffering from extreme mental distress.


    "Ugh! Please let me stay somewhere else. I feel like I''m going to die."


    "He''s not dead yet. And he''s just hanging out with me, isn''t this overreacting?"


    "If only he didn''t use his abilities!"


    "Aha? That was the cause."


    Every time Adam created a pottery piece, his doppelganger would get excited and dizzy. Even if he wasn''t a true god, he seemed to have the ability to cause such misunderstandings.


    ''Anyway, if I want to control this guy, this is the perfect ce.''


    Because there is no need to monitor it, you can just leave it to Adam. But in this situation, you can''t use a doppelganger.


    "First, I need to know what you''re useful for. What are you good at?"


    "It''s a transformation."


    "You''d better leave the obvious out of the way. There''s a technique I''ve recently acquired. I might use you as a test subject."


    "Keuhp!"


    The guy covered his mouth with both hands.


    Then, he started rolling his eyes furiously. He was desperate to prove his usefulness in any way possible.


    ''It''s good that he''s quick-witted.''


    Finally, the doppelganger snapped his fingers and said:


    "If you use charm and shape-shifting, you can see into the target''s memories. I have a lot of indirect experience."


    "So?"


    "I am confident in making anything. I have transformed into things like a dwarf craftsman and an elf tailor."


    "Can you even copy technology?"


    "Of course it''s not real so it''s a bit rough. But I can get used to it quickly."


    "Recite it. See what you can make."


    The doppelganger exined passionately while drawing on the dirt floor.


    Almost all tools and clothing used by humans. Making them was this guy''s forte. ''


    ''Are you okay?''


    We needed a craftsman anyway. I was thinking of making some clothes. First of all, I want to change out of that bizarrely shaped robe. Besides, the clothing here was extremely ufortable


    . It had a lot of shy, dangly jewelry on it, and the pants were tight-fitting leggings.


    ''I would be happy if I could just wear a suit.''


    If what the doppelganger said is true, then he can make me any clothes I want in an instant. I nned to make him work hard for the next 30 years.


    "I''ll set up a workshop in a suitable location, so get ready."


    "Then, the distance between me and that person is..."


    "I''ll give you some space. I don''t want to disturb your work. But your quarters are here."


    "Yes?"


    "Adam doesn''t make pottery at night?"


    The doppelganger''s face, which had brightened for a moment, darkened again.


    The fact that she would have to stay with Adam for the rest of her life seemed gloomy. But what can you do? His current status is that of a criminal.


    "Don''t forget that you''re serving a sentence. At least you''re not in some hellish prison, so be thankful."


    "Oh, of course."


    "By the way, what is your real name?"


    "I''ve never even thought about that."


    "Just make it up. There''s no need to transform here, so you should have a real name."


    "All right."


    The doppelganger was deep in thought. It seemed like he was making a careful decision since it was a name he would be using for at least the next 30 years.


    Then he opened his mouth with a determined expression.


    "I will use Tersendiot Rubroviant."


    "..."


    "In ancientnguage, it means a being with various talents."


    It seemed like this kid had the best talent for pping. To say that you can piss someone off with just one word. I took the gavel out of my bosom.


    Then the doppelganger, who had be thoughtful, quickly changed his words.


    "Well, I''ll just go with Theo."


    "Why does a guy with such quick wit keep crossing the line?"


    "Ugh!"


    Suppressing my rising anger, I pointed to the drawing on the floor.


    "First, try making this, this, this. Ask the butler for the ingredients."


    "Yep!"


    "You''ll have to give it your all. If you don''t like it, I''ll use you as a real test subject."


    "Oh, of course!"


    Theo nodded and waited quietly for me to pass.


    That was enough about the doppelganger''s treatment, and now it was time to take care of the pending business at the mansion.


    ''I guess I should stop by the textile factory.''


    I''ve been putting a lot of work into it, but I haven''t really looked into ittely. It was because I was so busy. Still, the butlers will be working hard, so there will be some results. I headed straight to the textile factory.


    "Oh! The exterior looks pretty good."


    "The general manager took great care of it. Oh, now this ce is called Midias."


    "I guess we finally got a name."


    Land granted by the emperor.


    Originally, it was the Counties of Braden and Titus. This ce has been practically abandoned for a while.


    Because it was the border between two territories, it was difficult to proceed with any business. If there is a difference, the other party may find fault.


    But now it has be my ownnd.

 Chapter 39: The Textile Factory

    Land granted by the emperor.


    Originally, it was the Counties of Braden and Titus. This ce has been practically abandoned for a while.


    Because it was the border between two territories, it was difficult to proceed with any business. If there is a difference, the other party may find fault.


    But now it has be my ownnd.


    A towering building in the middle of an empty field. Because it was surrounded by walls, it felt like a fortress at first nce.


    "Are you in the middle of working right now?"


    "You can probably check the status yourself."


    "Let''s go."


    "Yes."


    I followed Deacon Tobias Wilkin into the textile mill. I had to stop briefly at the gate to get my ID checked, but I was able to get through quickly. I''m the owner of this ce, so my face is like a pass.


    "His Majesty has arrived. Everyone, please pay your respects!"


    "Ah! Your Highness the Duke of Carriers!"


    The factory workers stopped what they were doing andy face down on the floor. It was not a formal bow performed when nobles or royalty visited.


    The appearance of everyone with a reverent attitude. It was a truly heartfelt greeting.


    "It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty."


    The wet voice of the man lying face down in front was heard. The grim face felt somehow familiar. I recognized him immediately.


    "Oh, you''re Mr. Paul from the Parviant Farm injury incident."


    "I don''t know what to do with myself, for you remember even something as insignificant as me."


    "Where is there any distinction between high and low when ites to recognizing people? It''s just a matter of knowing."


    "Ugh! Your Majesty¡­ ¡­ ."


    Actually, that wasn''t my intention. That was really what I was thinking. But Paul seemed genuinely impressed.


    Because a grown man was shedding tears like chicken shit.


    "Usually, high-ranking officials pretend not to know something for the sake of saving face, but Your Majesty is different."


    "No problem. Anyway, everyone, please stand up now. I want to take a look around the factory."


    "Yes, yes! I will guide you."


    Paul, who wiped away his tears roughly, followed me with a happy expression. Then he answered the questions one by one.


    "How much do you produce per day?"


    "It probably depends on how much grasses in, but we can usually make about 20 pieces."


    One piece was approximately 16 meters long and 30 centimeters wide.


    Judging from the tightly woven appearance, the quality wasn''t bad either. But the production volume felt woefully inadequate.


    "Is that all you can make with this number of people?"


    "what? That''s a pretty decent speed."


    Judging by Paul''s reaction, it seemed like he hadn''t done a sloppy job. So why would production fall short of expectations?


    ''I guess there is inefficiency happening.''


    Ah, is it finally time to tell?


    This is what real work life is like. I looked around the room and smiled meaningfully.


    The textile factory was truly a cottage industry.


    Still, a very simple level of division ofbor was achieved. Men probably made thread from x, and weaving was the job of women. I guess it''s because the former requires more power.


    First of all, just carrying the grass is hard work.


    ''It looks like there''s no problem on the outside.''


    The workers made linen cloth using traditional methods. Since there were no machines, it was natural to do each and every thing by hand.


    But if i watch the process closely, i can quickly discover inefficiencies.


    "Mr. Paul?"


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    "Are you in charge here?"


    "I don''t have a separate position, but I am the representative."


    "Then, from now on, Mr. Paul is the factory manager."


    "What? Yes."


    Paul''s eyes widened at the unexpected appointment. He seemed curious as to why he was being given such an important task, given that they had only met briefly at the courthouse.


    But my judgment was well founded.


    ''Just by looking at the information window, the angles are clear.''


    Whether he''s a useful guy or not.


    Name: Paul


    Status: Wage worker


    Position: Fabric Factory Manager


    Loyalty: Very High


    Status: Strong sense of awe, satisfaction with sufficient wages, high enthusiasm for work


    Overall Ability: C


    ----


    ''Wow! How beautiful.''


    Although his overall abilities were somewhatcking, he was the perfect person to trust and leave to. Doesn''t it seem like loyalty will pierce the sky?


    Soon I pointed out each and every part of the factory.


    "ce the spinning wheel and the loom in a straight line. As soon as the thread is made here, it is passed over to the side."


    "Yes, yes."


    "Since the weaving process is slow, we will deploy twice as many people. Also, bring in more looms."


    "Oh, I understand."


    "Is there enough grass?"


    "That is...."


    Perhaps because the progress was so fast, Paul looked confused.


    If you try to memorize it all at once, you won''t be able to concentrate at all.


    It would have been a good idea to take notes, but unfortunately, the workers couldn''t read.


    "Butler Wilkin?"


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    "Please teach Mr. Paul how to write whenever you have time."


    To be a proper factory manager, education was essential.


    Because he will have to manage the books and write reports.


    But then, Deacon Tobias Wilkin''s expression turned distorted.


    Suddenly, I looked around the room and everyone seemed bewildered.


    ''That''s how Butler Miller Xavier reacted.''


    Originally, writing was a means of governance for the ruling ss. It is used to quickly and urately convey orders between a king and his subjects, or to monopolize knowledge and information.


    Themon people could not help but look on in awe. When you ask me to pass on something like that so casually, I can''t help but feel embarrassed.


    But I was a person who was far from such stereotypes. In the first ce, I''m not from this world.


    "What''s the problem?"


    "Oh, no it''s nothing."


    "While we''re at it, we might as well teach the kids too."


    "Even the children?"


    "Try to train a few people intensively. The more talented people you have, the better."


    The workers at the textile factory were all very loyal.


    Didn''t everyone get their unpaid wages back because of my ruling? And since they''ve been offered such a great job, they''ll want to stick around no matter what.


    Naturally, the children ofborers are also more likely to be loyal. From now on, this will be a kind of youth team.


    "All right."


    Tobias nodded heavily. Then he soon showed me the notes he had written.


    "Is it okay to proceed like this?"


    "Well done. Mr. Paul still has a lot to learn, so please help him out a lot."


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    A wind of change blew through the textile factories of Midias. Everything has changed, from infrastructure to business hours.


    The division ofbor that brings out the ultimate efficiency has begun.


    Originally, people had a conservative tendency. If you just do what you''ve been doing, you can safely achieve your goal.


    But now, it had to change.


    Because it was the order of a being with omnipotent power.


    About two weeks passed like that, and the textile factory gradually regained stability.


    "How much is the production now?"


    "It has¡­ gone up by more than three times. Your Majesty!"


    A total of 65 rolls of linen are produced per day. Now, I was probably running out of grass.


    However, the supply did not suddenly stop. Because the materials were spread out in the field anyway.


    I quickly increased the number of workers cutting grass, and the textile factory started running smoothly. So much so that there is no space left in the warehouse.


    "It''s almost time to open. Is the store ready?"


    "We have built a warehouse and a building in the open space south of Midias. It is close to the capital, so many people will be looking for it."


    "Okay, then let''s begin."


    "I will obey your orders."


    "Choose the best from each item. We need to give them to His Majesty the Emperor."


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    As Deacon Tobias Wilkin left, someone suddenly appeared out of the darkness. It was Cordell McNeill who followed me like a shadow.


    "Did you make the gift again?"


    "Yes. Thanks to that, our craftsman was very relieved."


    "Ah, ahem! But, what are you starting?"


    When the story of the broken pottery came up, Cordell quickly changed the subject.


    Oh, doesn''t he know what he''s starting? I didn''t really want to tell him, but I decided to do it anyway.


    "It''s simple. You just destroy it."


    "What do you mean?"


    "The market."


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    Cordell just tilted his head, still looking uprehending. It was as if he was asking why on earth he was doing such a thing.


    What could be the reason? It could be anything.


    ''I''m just trying to change this shitty reality.''


    As society moves in a positive direction, my abilities are strengthened. It''s rewarding in its own way.

 Chapter 40: Blooming Business

    The three basic elements of human life are food, clothing, and shelter.


    However, it wasn''t easy to live with all of them properly because none of them were inexpensive. It was especially difficult in the capital city of Perias. Because it was the center of the empire, the prices were extremely high.


    Thud. Thud. Thump.


    "Hey, it''s ripped again."


    The sleeves of the man walking down the street were fraying. It was because he briefly bumped into someone who wasing from the opposite direction.


    He didn''t feel like getting angry though. The other person was also wearing rags.


    "Careful there¡­Sheldon"


    "Delton, I''m really sorry about this. I was in such a hurry."


    "If you want to get to the logging camp, you''ll have to move your feet diligently. Okay, let''s go quickly."


    "I will definitelypensate you next time."


    "Even if you do that, you''ll bete."


    "Oh, thank you for your hard work!"


    The man named Sheldon waved his hand vigorously and quickly disappeared. Delton, whose sleeves were torn, let out a short sigh.


    This part was just added a while ago, but it''s already damaged like this. It was a day when he expected his wife to nag him.


    "Oh no, I''ll bete if I keep doing this."


    Delton suddenly came to his senses and hurried his steps.


    These days, they hire a lot of sickle workers, but if you''rete, there might not be a spot. Because the wages are high, it is very popr.


    As he was walking diligently through the North Gate of Perias, a strange sight suddenly unfolded.


    People were bustling in front of the building that stands out in the middle of an empty field. Delton tilted his head.


    "I saw construction going on, but what on earth is going on?"


    Even though he was busy, he nned to take a quick look. Since he was on his way anyway, it wasn''t a big burden.


    But Delton had to stay there for quite some time.


    "No, what are you doing that requires such a long line?"


    "I want to buy some fabric."


    "Surely not everyone here is going to do that?"


    "You''d be an idiot not to buy it. But why is it so hard to get out of here?"


    He asked the man in the back row but got only a curt answer. It seemed like he was frustrated because the line was so long.


    Delton frowned at the unfriendly answer. It was something that couldn''t be helped.


    Did he even give me an answer when we first met?


    The world we live in is so tough that it''s hard to care about others.


    Delton eventually decided to go forward and find out for himself.


    "What the hell is going on and why is everyone making such a fuss?"


    After walking for a while, he finally came into view of the entrance to the building.


    The disy cases spread out on both sides were filled with linen cloths. It was a top-quality product with a tight thread arrangement and subtle colors.


    "Oh!"


    As the person at the back said, it was indeed something that could be considered a threat.


    But Delton knew what the price of fabric was. At that level, they should have paid about 4 shillings per piece.


    Isn''t the monthly food cost 1 shilling? Themon people, who had difficulty making ends meet, could not afford to buy even a single roll of high-quality linen.


    But no matter how much he looked around, he couldn''t find any scrap fabric for sale.


    "If I were to add sleeves, I would have to buy something the size of my palm."


    As he was looking around the stall with a troubled expression, arge sign caught his eye. There was something written on it, but he couldn''t read it.


    Delton, like other wage earners, was illiterate. First, he could make out the picture and the amount.


    "For one piece¡­ 5 copper?"


    Five copper coins are worth half a silver coin.


    Even if you live in a house with no money, you can invest that much. If you work hard in a mowing shed, you''ll probably get about 6 shillings a month.


    Delton, his eyes wide, asked questions to the people waiting in line.


    "Hey, is this real? It really only costs 5 copper?"


    "Look. Everyone is buying one. I haven''t bought one yet, so I don''t know for sure, but it doesn''t seem to be a lie."


    "Why on earth is it so cheap?"


    "It''s the grand opening celebration. Duke Carriers has specially lowered the price. However, each person can only buy one."


    "Ah, Your Majesty!"


    Delton sped his hands together with a moved expression on his face, as if praying. It seemed like he was praying for Abel Carriers'' long life.


    "This is not the time. I have to wait in line too."


    Delton, who had quickly turned back, waited with a smiling face.


    The line was quite long, but the smile on his face did not fade. With just one roll of linen, he could make clothes for his whole family.


    Moreover, it was possible to neatly repair old clothes. It felt like he was doing his best for the first time in a long time, so he couldn''t hide his excitement.


    "Thank you, Your Majesty."


    Delton continued to express his gratitude, even though Abel Carriers could not hear him.


    Who is to thank for the fact that life has be better for themon people in the capital these days?


    The once despised textile factory has now be the best ce to work.


    In addition, mowing the grass has probably be much easier.


    This was because the textile factory provided unlimited ess to all tools.


    Originally, sickles were personal items, so most people worked with their bare hands.


    How convenient it is that that doesn''t happen anymore. Not only that, wages also increased by six timespared to before.


    Of course, this only applies to the workers under Duke Carrier''smand, but other ces could not be unaffected as well.


    Because everyone wants to go to the Midias area to work.


    "It''s all thanks to His Highness the Duke of Carriers."


    "Yes! He is a person with apletely different personality from those greedy nobles."


    "So, isn''t life a little better these days? It was such a mess before he came."


    "Compared to that time, it''s a world of difference."


    People around Delton agreed with his monologue.


    The man who had spoken rudely earlier was also smiling and agreeing. This meant that Abel Carriers'' fame had a positive impact.


    However, not everyone viewed it with a positive outlook.


    "That linen cloth costs only 5 copper? That''s crazy!"


    A robed man who was watching Abel''s shop gritted his teeth and then quickly disappeared somewhere.


    ***


    Since opening the store, I''ve had a happy smile on my face every day. It was thanks to the system messages that kepting up.


    [The clothing conditions of the capital''smon people are improving.]


    [Your reputation will rise.]


    [It made a huge difference to themunity.]


    [A reward will be given.]


    ''That''s right! It''s so easy to build a reputation. And it''s even easier to make money.''


    The fabric sold like hotcakes. Linen cloth was used extensively throughout the empire.


    That doesn''t mean the quality of my stuff suffers. I instructed them to make it as tight as possible, and I even had ten people inspect it.


    It is probably a luxury item that is hard to find anywhere else. That''s why the nobles also sent their servants to buy a lot.


    "It seems like they mobilized almost all of their servants. Some nobles even bought over 30 pieces."


    Tobias Wilkin, the butler in charge of managing the store, reported with a worried look on his face.


    It was a natural reaction.


    What was the reason for starting a textile business in the first ce?


    It was intended to raise the clothing standards of themon people.


    It''s not umon for people to wear clothes that were made to order as soon as they became adults for over 10 years.


    Not only was it unsanitary, but it also looked unpleasant. In any case, it was of little importance for the nobles to secure linen cloth.


    "It''s okay. Just leave it alone. It''ll go away soon."


    "What if they secure a quantity like that and then resell it?"


    "It doesn''t really matter since I''m just going to keep pulling them out anyway."


    All I had to do was change society in a positive way and unlock abilities.


    I have more than enough money anyway, so what''s the point of being greedy?


    As you do various businesses, money justes naturally.


    ''But what else is open?''


    This damn system makes me want to look for it. I carefully examined every part of the information window.


    But this time I had no idea what had been unlocked.


    "What the hell is thepensation?"


    Last time it was easy to figure out.


    The skill was floating right in my information window. I haven''t even tested it yet, though.


    But then suddenly I heard a strange sound in my ear.


    "¡­ Is this the right way to do it?"


    "I think I should install it a little further to the left, should I just call the butler?"


    "If we do it among ourselves, it seems like we''ll just be wasting our energy."


    "Then I will quickly bring Deacon Miller Xavier over."


    It was the sound of the maids discussing the decorations inside the mansion. I wondered if it was really necessary to go that far.


    ''Still, it''s good to see you working hard. Who should I praise?''


    But, at that very moment, a holographic window appeared that was on a whole other levelrger than anything I''d seen before.

 Chapter 41: Swarm Of Locusts

    <Staff Management>


    General Butler: Miller Xavier (calcting wages)


    Butler: Tobias Wilkin (managing the store)


    Factory Manager: Paul (studying)


    ...


    Maid: Jaylin (arranging decorations)


    Maid: Brianna (arranging decorations)


    ...


    ------


    A table appeared, allowing me to see at a nce the employees I led.


    "Ohh?"


    This way, I''d know right away who''s doing what.


    It was also easy to weed out dishonest employees.


    Did I feel like I was doing something weird?


    All I had to do was open the character information.


    I looked straight at the words "Brianna."


    As expected, it was now possible to retrieve character information without meeting face-to-face.


    Of course, this only applied to my staff, but where is that?


    "As expected, everyone''s loyalty is amazing."


    Brianna''s overall stat was only E.


    Since they were mainly doing cleaning andundry, it didn''t really matter whether they were high or low.


    First, her loyalty was as high as 90.


    ''Loyalty is now expressed in numbers.''


    This will make things much clearer than the vague high and low.


    I leaned against the balcony railing with a pleased expression.


    Then I blurted out a word to Butler Tobias Wilkin.


    "Tell them to leave the decorations as they are, and give those two people two cylons each."


    "Suddenly?"


    "I''m giving you this golden reward because I like seeing you working hard. Didn''t you hear what I just said?"


    "No, I didn''t hear anything¡­"


    It was a strange thing.


    We were in the same space, but some people could hear and some couldn''t?


    Didn''t I use the heart of a beast?


    ''Come to think of it, my eyesight seems to have improved a bit, too?''


    It seems that this reward wasn''t just one.


    All five senses have improved overall.


    It was quite encouraging.


    There''s nothing wrong with being more sensitive.


    "Anyway, deal with it that way."


    "Understood, Your Majesty."


    After Butler Wilkin left, I enjoyed tea time while taking in the view of the mansion.


    But then suddenly someone knocked on the office door.


    "That''s fast."


    ''He probably haven''t finished his work yet.''


    There was no way Tobias, who had just left, would havee back.


    So who on earth visited?


    I opened the staff management window briefly.


    Then, Deacon Xavier''s actions changed from ''calcting wages'' to ''waiting for report.''


    "Come in, Deacon Xavier."


    "Oh, yes. How did you know I wasing?"


    "I just guessed. How many peoplee to my office in person?"


    "Haha! I see."


    In fact, quite a few people came and went from the office.


    Because the maids came and went often.


    But Butler Miller Xavier didn''t seem to care much.


    My acting was too clever to feel strange.


    "By the way, what''s going on?"


    "A guest hase to the mansion, and I feel I must report to you."


    "Is it someone I should meet?"


    "That''s not true, but the content is unusual."


    "What is it?"


    "We are receiving a flood of requests to sell or lease some of thend around our logging site."


    I nodded leisurely.


    Actually, I expected this much.


    A roll of linen of excellent quality was sold for only 5 korren (korren=Copper).


    In addition, ceramic dishes and iron tools were being prepared for sale next to it.


    That item was also scheduled to be supplied at a considerably low price.


    The reason such crazy things were possible was simple.


    ''And there''s still a lot left.''


    What would happen if i sold a lot of daily necessities at cheap prices?


    The area around Midias''s store was bound to have a huge floating poption.


    Besides, aren''t they all people who came to spend money?


    This is just creating a crazymercial district.


    Everyone has their eyes on a ce with a nice location.


    But I had no intention of giving up that goodnd.


    "Reject them all."


    "It would be a lot of money if you just rented it out."


    Rent was a major factor influencing market prices.


    If we are trying to improve the overall living standards of themon people and getpensation, will it work if prices go up?


    I shook my head firmly.


    "It''s okay."


    "Then I will make sure to convey it that way."


    After Deacon Miller Xavier left, I was in deep thought.


    Leeches that had already smelled money were beginning to swarm.


    This will disrupt the n.


    ''I guess I''ll have to take care of it more carefully for the time being.''


    I called the groom straight away and headed to the Midias shopping district.


    * * *


    As expected, the road from Midias to the capital was aplete mess.


    Since they couldn''t set foot on mynd, they opened a stall in the middle of nowhere.


    The road was gradually bing narrower due to the merchants lined up on both sides.


    "Why don''t we just open a market?"


    I shook my head and looked out the window.


    Then an even more absurd sight unfolded.


    The road to Midias itself waspletely blocked.


    Because of those damn street vendors, traffic had bepletely impassable.


    ''No matter what, this isn''t it.''


    I hastily wrote a document.


    Since the carriage was stopped, there was no difficulty in writing.


    After a while, I delivered the letter to the coachman and immediately called the merchants together.


    "His Highness the Carrier is looking for you."


    "Then of course I should go."


    "Hehehe! I see you finally changed your mind."


    The guys followed me as if they had been waiting.


    A look of anticipation on everyone''s face.


    It seemed like they knew how to drop even a piece of rice cake.


    "I knew this would happen. What are you going to do if you make a fuss in front of me?"


    "If you had given us the space next to your store a long time ago, this wouldn''t have been necessary. Do you think we want to be street vendors in a ce like this?"


    "Shh! Lower your voice. If you keep this up, everyone will find out that you''re a member of the upper echelons."


    "Keep on going! How far is it? How could I overhear a conversation in this noisy ce?"


    "But you never know."


    "Hey! This guy is so scared. Hehehehe!"


    As I was walking slowly toward the vacant lot, I heard a rather annoying sound.


    It seemed like he was muttering something that he thought I wouldn''t hear.


    But what can I do about this?


    Thanks to the reward I received recently, my senses have be very sharp.


    ''Anyway, you''re talking about a nobleman''s scapegoat?''


    Most of the upper echelons of the empire were owned by the nobility.


    Because there aren''t manymoners who have enough wealth to run a peddler''s shop.


    That may not be the case for small traders, though.


    A rough picture formed in my head.


    A top employee who pretended to be an ordinary merchant opened a street stall and staged a protest that wasn''t really a protest.


    It was an attempt to eat the yolk of thend I had worked on raw.


    ''That won''t do.''


    I slowly turned around and looked around.


    There were about 50 merchants who responded to my request.


    It seemed like most of the people upying the roadside had gathered there.


    "Let me ask you one thing. Whosend is this?"


    "What?"


    The merchants were agitated by the unexpected question.


    But I continued speaking calmly.


    "I asked whosend this is."


    "It''s just a public road, so it''s nationalnd."


    "Then whose country does it belong to?"


    "Well¡­"


    The merchant at the very front mumbled.


    He realized that no matter what he


    answered, he would be at a disadvantage.


    ''This guy is quick-witted.''


    Well, it didn''t matter anyway.


    There were going to be a lot of people who would answer anyway.


    I said, ring at the other merchant.


    "Answer."


    "Of course, it belongs to His Majesty the Emperor."


    "Then this road belongs to His Majesty. It was built by emptying the national treasury. Do you recognize it?"


    "Yes."


    "But why are you doing business on His Majesty the Emperor''snd without permission?"


    As expected, it appeared.


    The exclusive skill is selling out His Majesty the Emperor.


    I looked around the room with a smile of satisfaction.


    The merchants were speechless and just blinked.


    Of course, they couldn''t answer that.


    What kind of permission do you need to open a street stall?


    ''Would I allow something like that in the first ce?''


    Moreover, they blocked the road to the point where passage was almost impossible.


    I don''t know whatw they broke by not bringing thew book.


    Anyway, it could all be made illegal.


    There would certainly be uses that need to be roughly woven together.


    "No, then what happens to us?"


    A merchant mustered up the courage to ask a question.


    I gave a simple answer with an evil smile on my face.


    "Well, what''s the big deal? It''s just¡­a demolition site."


    "What?"


    "They''ll probably all be confiscated. I''ve already reported it to the Capital Police."


    "¡­"


    "..."


    This is a report that was submitted directly by a secret agent of the country.


    Demolition work has probably already begun by now.


    The merchants were all running around in a state of deep thought.


    In order to salvage even one thing.


    "What a swarm of locusts."


    I leisurely watched their struggle.

 Chapter 42: Balls Blown Off

    "Okay! This is normal."


    A neatly cleared road.


    Now, the street vendors that used to be plentiful on both sides have all disappeared. This was because the capital city police chief actively pushed them back.


    There was a justification formitting an illegal act on the Emperor''snd, so how could one possibly object?


    The hustle and bustle of Midias did not diminish even though the street vendors were gone.


    On the contrary, more and more customers were flocking in.


    ''Because word of mouth spread about the pottery and various tools.''


    Even families with rtively good circumstances couldn''t even think about something like a silver tter.


    Ny-nine percent of people living in the capital would use wooden cups, wooden utensils, etc. But what if a much prettier and more hygienic bowl came out? It was a natural result that it sold like hotcakes.


    The price was quite reasonable.


    The disadvantages of being somewhat weak to shock and heavy were not even considered.


    "Give me a set of bowls and a set of sses!"


    "Me too. Me too!"


    People were all eager to buy things.


    Since it was limited to one set per person, they had to visit the Midias store every day until the whole family had something to use.


    Of course, even so, the number of customers did not decrease.


    ''The rumors keep increasing.''


    The number of visitors from nearby estates was already increasing. In addition, wholesale inquiries were pouring in.


    "Let''s start releasing some supplies¡­"


    "No, Your Majesty."


    As I was muttering to myself, someone suddenly popped out and waved both hands wildly. It was the general butler, Miller Xavier.


    "There doesn''t seem to be any particr problem."


    "Increasing the production of fabric is not a big problem, but for other items, there is only one craftsman."


    "Ah!"


    Because I took so many good pictures of things, I had forgotten about them.


    Adam is in charge of pottery, and Theo is in charge of tools. It''s starting to get overloaded, so how about increasing production here?


    It wasn''t something that could be solved by squeezing. However, it was difficult to recruit craftsmen. Theo, that guy, copied the dwarf''s skills, but Adam''s skills are purely his own.


    ''I can''t teach him how to make pottery. I don''t even use a kiln to make it.''


    Business was going smoothly, but it felt like the brakes were being applied. Already, reselling my stuff was bing popr throughout the capital.


    Most of them were more concerned with putting food in their mouths than with acquiring good things.


    I''ll just leave it alone for now, but I can''t keep doing that. The buyers are the upper ss, and they go out as peddlers and sell them at high prices.


    ''Then the meaning of me changing the world will fade.''


    How can I maintain prices going forward?


    The answer was simple.


    All I had to do was just p a ton of stuff on there. Because if the quantity is excessive, it will naturally have to go down.


    Besides, I have to intervene in the distribution process. I''m saying this so that no one can mess around in the middle.


    "Please focus on increasing fabric production for now. We''ll think about the rest."


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    "And I''m going to create a top one. Are there any talents you would rmend?"


    "I''ll find out right away."


    "I know you''re busy, but could I ask you a favor?"


    "We''re hiring more staff, so things are getting better. Haha!"


    Deacon Miller Xavier continued to train sessors.


    The number of workers in the mansion and factory kept increasing, but there were not enough people to manage them.


    I don''t get heavily involved in personnel matters yet, but you never know what the future holds. Since the staff management tab was created, I''ve been able to catch those ckers right away.


    "Is there anything else you would like to report?"


    "Oh! It''s nothing serious. Someone just came out of the pce."


    "What? Why?"


    "His Majesty the Emperor has ordered you to enter the pce."


    "¡­!"


    For a moment, I felt like my whole body froze.


    Should I say that my blood bes as cold as ice?


    ''Why are you talking about such an important topic so casually?''


    Looking at me with a bewildered look, Butler Miller Xavier replied:


    "Aren''t you close cousins? Go and have a chat with each other."


    It seems like he''s very mistaken. I told him that my rtives aren''t the kind of people I can treat with kindness.


    I said, hitting my forehead.


    "Was there anything else you wanted to say? Like why he is calling me?"


    "There was no separate mention."


    "Okay! Okay. I''ll get ready right away."


    "Yes."


    Butler Miller Xavier hummed and walked away, but I couldn''t help butugh.


    The reason was that I couldn''t even guess why he had called me.


    ''Why can''t I just live like a king in my ownnd? Why does keep nagging me?''


    One, there was nothing I could do.


    The moment that monster draws its sword, those with the right to the throne will have their balls blown off.


    Of course, the first one would be me.


    "Shit."


    I couldn''t help but swear, but I had no choice but to quickly go to the pce. If I''mte, what are you going to hear from that entric person?


    * * *


    The atmosphere of the pce I visited after a long time waspletely different.


    Maybe it feels that way because the seasons have changed.


    But my unwillingness to go was still the same as before.


    Why on earth would Ie into this fucking ce?


    ''By the way, why emperor calling me again? I didn''t even use name these days¡­''


    The Emperor was rarely mentioned at trial. It was only used to drive out the upper-ss men disguised as small merchants.


    But that wasn''t a made-up thing, it was true.


    It was wrong to open a street stall without a permit and turn it into a mess.


    "I don''t think he would have called me for just that reason."


    Although his mental state was quite questionable, the Emperor was not a fool.


    But it wasn''t exactly fun.


    There''s no way he''d call me just to have a chat. It''s obvious that he''s going to make some strange demands.


    Like when he gave me thend i took from Titus and Braden''s estate.


    ''In the end, it was quite helpful.''


    Thanks to the fact that he opened a textile factory and ran it well, there was absolutely no gossip. Instead, the voices praising him only grew louder.


    That''s why I had such a positive influence.


    Of course, the Sierre nobles, including Count Titus, would have been unhappy.


    "As you well know, from here on out, you must go alone, Your Majesty."


    "Oh, thank you."


    After the formal guidance of the knights of the guard, I stood in front of the Emperor''s office. I grabbed the handle with both hands and opened the door with all my might likest time.


    "Ie to see His Majesty the Emperor¡­"


    But this time I couldn''t go in shouting loudly.


    It was not only the emperor who was waiting in the office.


    A woman in her 30s with impressive, luscious blonde hair. The Empress shook her teacup slightly with a smile.


    As befitting the queen of an empire, she had a dazzlingly beautiful appearance.


    But I could see the madness hidden in her eyes.


    ''She is a true madman with clear eyes. I can tell just by looking at her eyes.''

 Chapter 43: The Empress

    "Ie to see His Majesty the Emperor¡­"


    But this time I couldn''t go in shouting loudly.


    It was not only the emperor who was waiting in the office.


    A woman in her 30s with impressive, luscious blonde hair. The Empress shook her teacup slightly with a smile.


    As befitting the queen of an empire, she had a dazzlingly beautiful appearance.


    But I could see the madness hidden in her eyes.


    ''She is a true madman with clear eyes. I can tell just by looking at her eyes.''


    If the emperor is a madman, how can the empress be normal?


    ''What are your thinking? Come to your senses!''


    In front of the mad emperor.


    I couldn''t even imagine what kind of strange noises woulde back if I showed even the slightest sign of disarray.


    I said it as politely as I could.


    "It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty."


    "How have you been, cousin?"


    "Everyone is like Hahae, thanks to your surname. I just put a spoon on the already prepared food."


    "Hahaha! Your ttery has increased while I wasn''t looking."


    Emperor Charon burst intoughter.


    The frosty atmosphere was no different than before.


    But today, for some reason, it felt a bit softer.


    Roughly speaking, how different is it from before?


    It''s like the hair on the tip of an ant''s toe.


    It was such a tiny change, it was ridiculous, but I could feel it. Is it because my senses have be sharper?


    "I heard that the praise for Carriers is sky-high these days. Your face looks really good."


    "¡­"


    I stopped for a moment at the Empress''s voice.


    This was a tone that made it hard to tell whether it was apliment or sarcasm.


    Isn''t the word heaven usually used to refer to the emperor?


    My praise reached such a ce? It sounded like he was trying to criticize me by saying I was plotting treason.


    ''No, what did I do?''


    I was just selling good stuff at a cheap price, so why are you doing this?


    Moreover, it is said that the best quality was even given as a gift to the emperor.


    Actually, in some ways, it could have been just my own delusion of persecution.


    But isn''t the empress the woman who reached the top in the imperial family, where all kinds of intrigues were rife?


    I had to give the most wless answer possible.


    "How can that be apliment to me? It happened on thend you gave me, and it is all thanks to Your Majesty the Emperor''s grace."


    "Hohoho! How wonderful to have such an idea!"


    As expected, the empress''s reaction was indifferent.


    Even though it was just for a moment, an expression that seemed to suggest something was wrong crossed her mind.


    Wait a minute, isn''t that what you were secretly telling me a little while ago?


    ''Wow! She was a scary woman.''


    I swallowed dryly, feeling goosebumps rise up my spine.


    Then, Emperor Charon, who had been quiet, opened his mouth with a smirk.


    "Yes. I received the gift. You sent me something quite interesting."


    "I tried to select the best items possible, but I''m not sure if you''ll like them."


    "It''s okay. It''ll be perfect for use as a toilet bowl."


    "¡­"


    This guy was also the same, and I couldn''t tell if it was apliment or an insult.


    But when I saw that serious expression on his face, I wondered if he was really that kind of person. Anyway, it seemed like he liked the gift I gave him.


    Even though it''s just a bowl, he''s going to use it anyway.


    Well, I guess that guy has gold dust mixed in his urine. It has to be at least that good for a liquid to be suitable for the listener.


    ''Now, why don''t you reveal your true feelings? Why did you call me?''


    In fact, what I''ve said so far has meant nothing. I wonder if I''m having second thoughts or something, other than what I just said. I tried to slyly change the subject and elicit an answer.


    "Thanks to the escort you sent, I have more room to move."


    "You were ambushed by a group of bandits, so I can''t just sit back and watch. He probably be quite useful. I personally selected him. Besides, if you get killed by a sword, won''t you just arouse unnecessary suspicion?"


    There was a de hidden in the words spoken with a single smile. At the same time, it implies that he can kill me whenever necessary.


    I continued to answer, keeping my tension in check.


    "Thank you, Your Majesty. But for some reason, you seem to have a halo around you today. Did something good happen?"


    "Are you nning on ying fortune teller now? I haven''t even said anything yet, but you''re so right."


    "Ha, haha! Doesn''t that mean you care about His Majesty¡­ no, you revere His Majesty?"


    It was honestly a bit dangerous just now.


    I almost blurted out that I was very interested.


    This can be interpreted in several ways.


    It''s like coveting the throne of the emperor.


    Fortunately, it wasn''t a big problem because it was corrected quickly. The Empress also just looked on as if she found it amusing.


    "That''s good news. News of victory has arrived."


    "What region are you speaking from?"


    The empire was almost always at war.


    Because the borders will be stabilized only when neighboring countries are subjugated and made into vassal states.


    Abel Carriers'' activities in the North were in the same context. Emperor Charon said with a satisfied smile.


    "It''s the West. I heard it''s finally beenpletely pacified."


    "Ah, I apologize. The Western Desert Tribes have always been a pain in the ass."


    "So that''s what I''m saying."


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    "Seeing you governing the Midias region, I feel certain."


    For a moment, I felt that the atmosphere was ominous. This was because the emperor''s voice suddenly became gentle.


    As I was looking into those maddening eyes with an anxious expression, amand came down like a bolt from the blue.


    "You should go to the West. There''s a governor''s position opening up."


    No, what is this crazy guy talking about?

 Chapter 44: Transcendent Figures

    I immediately called up the character information.


    Last time, I was so nervous that I couldn''t learn much about the emperor.


    ''There may be another reason.''


    If it''s status information from a reinforced system, I might be able to figure out what''s going on. I


    I looked at the information window with eyes full of anticipation. But there were only words I had never seen before posted there.


    [Information on transcendent figures cannot be essed.]


    [If you want to see through your target, you have to have the skills to do so.]


    What the hell is this? This has never happened before, right? Now that I think about it, I think I know something.


    ''I have never met a transcendent person before.''


    This is a world of utterly dark fantasy. There must have been people like Auror Masters and high-ranking magicians, but I have never seen them before.


    Anyway, what does the system text mean?


    The fact was that the Emperor was also a powerful figureparable to such monsters.


    ''If I had harbored even the slightest resentment, I would have been torn to pieces.''


    Needless to say, I wasn''t very interested in power. What was given now was more than enough.


    How can a mere police officer afford a mansion the size of an apartmentplex?


    Besides, how do you manage to keep all those employees in line?


    I had no intention of going any higher.


    Emperor Charon seemed to have noticed my feelings and smiled wryly.


    "Well, I guess it might have felt like I was pushing you to your limits."


    "How could that be?"


    "You don''t have to be humble. It''s all written in your eyes."


    "¡­ ..."


    "To conclude, that''s not it. I''m just trying to use you because you seem to have good governing skills. If not you, who else would I entrust with such an important task?"


    It''s good to trust me, but I don''t need any of that twisted trust from the Iron Emperor.


    ''Can''t i just live like i used to?''


    I sent it with that kind of look in my eyes, but it seems like this empror interpreted it differently.


    "As expected, there''s no one I can trust but you."


    ''No! No!''


    I wanted to shout that inside.


    But I couldn''t bring myself to do that. If I''m disliked by this person, it doesn''t end with just death.


    How much blood was shed when Charon ascended the throne?


    It wasn''t for nothing that he was nicknamed the Iron-Blooded Emperor.


    ''Still, there''s some kind of clue... Wait a minute, maybe I can get through Empress''


    I immediately brought up the information window. I felt ufortable making eye contact, so I just nced over my shoulder. But somehow it was applied.


    Name: Cecilia Sierra


    Status: Empress


    Position: Imperial


    Rtionship: Very Bad....???


    Status: Suspected of ???, ???


    Overall Ability: SS


    [The opponent''s level is somewhat high.]


    [If you want to see through your target, you have to have the skills to do so.]


    This time again, the system failed to retrieve the character information properly.


    ''Wow! This woman is no pushover.''


    There was nothing worth salvaging because all the important parts were covered with question marks.


    But I noticed something quite important.


    ''Sier.''


    A surname that has been mentioned quite frequently so far. It was the aristocrats who shed with me on every issue, starting from the first trial.


    Naturally, their leader would be the Duke of Sierre.


    ''The empress was his blood rtive.''


    I thought it was strange that they were secretly pushing for treason from the beginning.


    The only fortunate thing was that Emperor Charon was not swayed by the Empress''s words.


    Even though he has an entric personality, we have a pretty good rtionship, don''t we?


    If I faithfully carry out my orders, no matter how much they try to restrain me, they will not be able to use me of treason.


    Now there was only one problem left.


    ''I really don''t want to go there with empty hands.''


    But I had no choice.


    "I will faithfully carry out Your Majesty''s orders."


    "Hahaha! I''ll just trust you."


    "However, there is one condition for that."


    "Hmm?"


    When I brought up the unexpected condition, the emperor''s brow furrowed.


    What he meant was, "Just do as you''re told, why are youining?"


    I quickly started exining before the weirdo started having a seizure.


    "The defense of the Duchy of Carriers relies solely on my personal force."


    "You should have chosen a knight, but you haven''t."


    "Because I haven''t met anyone I like yet¡­ ¡­ ."


    "We''re going to be together for the rest of our lives, so it''s not a bad idea to be cautious. So?"


    "Please give me some troops to defend the dukedom. Then I can leave with peace of mind."


    "That is indeed a reasonable request. I will send you my guard knights. Is that eptable?"


    Emperor Charon nodded willingly. But my demands are not over yet.


    "Can''t I pick the people to be drafted myself?"


    "¡­ ..."


    The expressions of the Emperor and Empress changed mysteriously.


    At that moment, I thought I had made a huge mistake. I don''t know the royal etiquette very well, so I might have said something wrong.


    After a bitterly cold silence, the Emperor opened his mouth.


    "Phehheh! Can you even call that a request? You are the one who will protect mynd, so it is right to elect them directly. Do so."


    "I am so grateful to you."


    I took an extreme example and often took a step back.


    ''I guess I''ll nevere here again.''


    I ground my teeth inside, but honestly, I couldn''t help it when he called.


    He''s a monster who can throw a guillotine party whenever he wants, so i have to be careful.


    ''Don''t touch me. If you mess with me, I might even try to take the throne. Okay? Got it?''


    Of course, it was something that was beyond my current capabilities.


    What''s the ghost doing? Why don''t you catch that crazy guy? And kill him!


    I was talking to some ghost...who might listen to my request but it''s seems I''m also going crazy as time went by...

 Chapter 45: This World Must Have Gone Mad

    To my surprise, the Emperor gave me the authority to draft his own knights. With a force of thirty people, guarding the Carriers Duchy was an easy task. Of course, I didn''t intend to pick just anyone.


    "No matter how many times they''ve been vetted, there are always bad guys out there."


    Moreover, the problem did not end there.


    Those whose loyalty to the Emperor was too strong were also excluded.


    Just imagine if someone like Cordell McNeil were thirty years old.


    Wouldn''t they search through the entire bedroom and tell the Emperor everything they know?


    Of course, that didn''t mean I was at a loss.


    I''ve lived a very healthy life up until now.


    ''But everything in moderation is good.''


    A person who will just diligently stand guard as ordered. Actually, that was enough.


    The interview for the Royal Guard Knight was a breeze. I took a quick look at their faces and quickly decided whether to ept or reject them.


    I can get a rough idea just by looking at the recent status and overall ability. When I returned with the thirty knights, the mansion was in chaos.


    "What the heck is going on? A knight from the royal guard out of nowhere, Your Majesty?"


    "That''s what happened."


    I sat down with my butlers, who were wide-eyed, and exined the whole story.


    Again, the reaction was not good...


    "It''s unfortunate, but this is actually a huge opportunity."


    "Just as you conquered the North, you will also perform great feats this time. Then, won''t you be given an even greater reward?"


    "If Your Majesty leaves, the mansion will be quiet for a while. I will do my best to maintain the status quo."


    Is both of them for real?


    Miller and Tobias exchanged opinions with excited expressions. It felt like they had already made ns for the future in their heads. It was absurd, but in fact, in a way, it was natural.


    ''It must have been tough for them.''


    How many things have I promoted so far?


    From building amodations for all officially contracted workers to the textile factory and the Medias shopping district.


    The butlers had to work like crazy. Things have gotten a little better now that we''ve entered a stable period, but it can''t be helped that there''s still a lot of work to do.


    Compared to before I possessed Abel Carrier''s body, when I was doing nothing.


    "You''re thinking about rxing first? Isn''t that a bit disappointing?"


    "Ha, haha! No way."


    "Ahem! It must be your imagination."


    When I hit the nail on the head, the butlers sweat profusely with awkward expressions.


    But I had no intention of reprimanding Miller and Tobias.


    Haven''t they been my assistant so far?


    There was only one person more honest than these two. Paul, the factory manager of a textile factory.


    That guy is someone who follows me blindly, so that''s why he''s like that. In any case, the butlers also needed sufficient rest andpensation.


    "You''ve worked very hard. Take this opportunity to go on vacation."


    So I was nning to give a big reward.


    Two pockets for a luxurious feel. I didn''t prepare it in advance, but I have plenty of this in my office.


    "Your Majesty?"


    "No, what is this¡­"


    Miller and Tobias opened the bag and couldn''t hide their surprised expressions.


    Although these two people were nobles, they were not very wealthy.


    You could say that it is a fallen family with only its name remaining.


    So, it was surprising that they got so surprised for just one hundred gold coins.


    "It''s vacation money. As you said, there''s no need to expand the business for the time being, so take turns having fun. It would also be nice to visit my parents'' house."


    "Ugh! Your Majesty!"


    "Thank you. I will be loyal to you forever!"


    I smiled broadly at the butlers who kept bowing their heads.


    If they continue to do a good job in the future, I n to provide various rewards.


    Sry increase, change of residence, etc.


    ''If you are loyal, what can''t you do?''


    It''s much harder to win people''s hearts than to make money. The butlers sent me off to take care of the overall business for thest time. Maintaining the status quo isn''t that easy.


    As soon as winter came, the textile factories had no choice but to stop. Because it probably won''t grow any more. Then, they either have to change to a different fabric or change the entire business.


    "Maybe I should look into fabrics that can be harvested even in winter."


    If that''s absolutely impossible, you can always turn theborers over to another location. If it was the butlers'' abilities, they would have been able to do it well.


    I toured the pottery workshop, tool workshop, and Medias shopping street in session.


    There were no major problems with production or sales. After spending a few days like that, the day of departure finally arrived.


    "I''m sure I''ve felt this way somewhere before."


    A gloomy atmosphere with dust flying around. The smell of being further and further away from civilization.


    There was a time when I couldn''t taste anything even though I was chewing and swallowing delicious food.


    I wondered what this feeling was, and it was exactly the same as that moment.


    The day I enlisted.


    ''I really don''t want to go.''


    But what can I do? It''s the Emperor''s order, so i have to pretend to die.


    I walked slowly and got on the carriage.


    Soon, my body, regardless of my will, continued to move westward.


    But, less than a day after departure.


    Suddenly, the carriage slowed down. Finally, the coachman opened the small window with a troubled expression.


    "Your Majesty..."


    "What happened?"


    "The road is blocked."


    "Why?"


    "I think you''ll have to see it for yourself. It''s hard to exin in words."


    It really felt like nothing was working.


    Adversity awaits you from the first day of departure. I got out of the carriage with a long sigh. Then I went to the front of the line. But, an absurd sight unfolded there.


    "You can''t pass the gate if you don''t pay the toll."


    They stop the procession even after seeing the g of the Duke of Carriers waving at the front?


    ''Ah, this world must have gone mad, from the emperor to the bandits.''

 Chapter 46: Huge Issue [1]

    It was an easy task to subdue the bandits.


    All i have to do is double the number of bones in my body. But I didn''t rush in.


    ''First, let''s find out why it turned out like this.''


    Isn''t it amazing? A close friendship with the emperor... In reality, it''s not like that, but it''s a royal procession that looks like it anyway.


    Even if they met a noble of some rank, they had to bow their head first. I couldn''t understand at all what they believed in to act like that.


    "I guess it makes the most sense to think that they took the drugs as a group. Huh?"


    As I looked around, muttering to myself, a certain scene suddenly caught my eye.


    The Carriers family crest, woven around a pole. Somehow, a lowly bandit got involved.


    These guys thought I was just a regr peddler and came out to rob me.


    If only the majestic sentences weren''t there, it would have looked like the top. I''m carrying a lot of supplies for the Governor-General''s Office.


    ''It''s funny. To encounter things like this from the beginning.''


    Anyone could tell that he was not a serf who ran away because it was difficult to make a living. Even so, the equipment, personnel, and surrounding formation were specialized.


    "Who are you...?"


    I was about to start looking up the name when the character information window suddenly popped up. It seemed that now i could use the system functions just by looking at the opponent.


    ''It''s great that I don''t need to give my full name. It saves me from a lot of hassle.''


    **Person Information**


    Name: Arzahill


    Status: Professional Bandit


    Position: Junior


    Rtionship: No acquaintance


    Status: Confident with a strong backing, prestige greater than one''s ability


    Overall Ability: D


    The opponent''s information was as expected. It was no different from the bandits I had seen in the Rellbrandt Estate.


    I''m just going to roughly clean up these guys and leave? The remnants will gather again and do simr things.


    They will rob everyone, whether they are a merchant, a traveler, or a high-ss person. It didn''t seem like a bad idea to just uproot it while also unlocking it.


    ''Another way to look after the people''s livelihood.''


    How much must these rotten bastards have tormented people? I nced to my right and blurted out a word.


    "Sir McNeil. Take care of it."


    "..."


    One, there was no response. As awkward silence lingered, the bandits burst into boisterousughter.


    "Hahaha! This is funny."


    "You''re acting like you''re some kind of noble. There''s no one more worth toying with than a vain fool."


    "Stop talking nonsense and give me everything you have."


    I felt quite embarrassed because I felt like I was just acting all alone. I furrowed my brow and touched the shadow next to the carriage.


    "No, you''re a knight escort, so why don''t you do something like this?"


    Swish.


    Only then does Cordell McNeil reveal himself. He shrugged his shoulders and answered as if it were no big deal.


    "I am not a sword that Your Majesty can swing around freely. I am a bodyguard who onlyes out in times of danger."


    "Isn''t this a very unstable situation? There are a lot of bandits up ahead."


    "It doesn''t look like anything special."


    Actually, Cordell was right.


    There were just a lot of bandits, but there weren''t any skilled ones in sight. All it took was a few swings of the gavel, without even having to test out any new skills.


    ''Still, I want to use that guy who only eats my food for free.''


    Honestly, isn''t that true? How much danger can there be for me, who only goes back and forth between the mansion and the courthouse?


    Of course, there was a guy named Peltron who attempted to assassinate me by manipting the northern nomads.


    But after that one failure, there was no news from the director. So in reality, Cordell is no different from a rice burrower.


    "Even like this?"


    I trudged forward and found myself surrounded. Then the bandits threw a noose and captured me.


    "Why are you doing this when you can handle it all with your bare hands?"


    Cordell let out a short sigh with a look of disbelief.


    It seemed as if he was asking if it was necessary to continue doing such strange things. It goes without saying, but I seriously intended to do so. I''m a person who overturnsmon sense.


    "Don''t move! If you do something foolish, your master will not be safe!"


    Before I knew it, a wide de was ced around my neck.


    A desperate situation where even a slight touch could put one''s life in danger. If he were to call himself an escort knight, he would have no choice but to move.


    ''I wonder if he''s a ck agent or something, let''s see what his skills are.''


    One, Cordell just hides behind the carriage.


    He didn''t do anything. The mercenaries I hiredst time are preparing for battle.


    ''How can hired mercenaries be more trustworthy?''


    Normally, if you were a mercenary, it would be normal for you to jump out when you were at a disadvantage.


    But the mercenaries who went with me to the Relbrandt estate were quite different.


    "To risk your life for the safety of yourrades¡­ As rumored, you are a righteous person."


    "Your Majesty, Carrier! Even if my body is ughtered, I will definitely save you."


    "To oppress such a great person, they are truly unspeakable."


    No, why is the ident circuit connected to that side?


    I just brought this situation on myself to tease that Cordell guy. It must have seemed like a noble sacrifice to the mercenaries.


    As the atmosphere flowed that way, the porters'' eyes also changed.


    "Ah! His Majesty risked his life for us."


    "I will definitely respond."


    "Let''s go!"


    The western expedition involved thirty porters and six mercenaries. In terms of scale, they were not much different from the bandits.


    One, the allies had incredibly strong psychic armament. The bandits could not help but be bewildered by the crowd of people rushing at them like zombies, regardless of whether it was water or fire.


    "Huh? No, if you do this, your master will die?"


    "Hey, you little shits! Listen to me."


    "Let''s solve it through words!"


    He must have been so terrified that the bandits were actually telling them to calm down.

 Chapter 47: Huge Issue [2]

    Meanwhile, my body was being dragged somewhere.


    From the bandits'' point of view, this was the best option.


    Only by protecting me can the madness of the porters be quelled.


    But the trick wasn''t very effective. No, it would be more urate to say that it has be an unusable card. Because someone suddenly appeared and cut down the kidnappers.


    Sweep! Squeak!


    "Ugh!"


    "Krrrrr!"


    The bandits fell limply, blood spurting from their necks, with eyes that were filled with disbelief.


    That was understandable, since he hadn''t even seen the shadow of the attacker. Of course, I was aware of all the movements.


    "Is this okay?"


    The person who cut down four bandits with mysterious movements was Cordell McNeil. I thought it was just a shiny apricot, but it seems like it has quite a bit of skill.


    The people who pretend to be strong actually have weak mentalities. I said with a meaningful smile.


    "Isn''t it enough?"


    "Didn''t I save you?"


    "There are still remnants left, and our forces are in danger."


    "You said you wiped out the entire bandit group, so why is it like this now?"


    "Well, there was no escort back then."


    "and!"


    Perhaps deciding that he could not win with words, Cordell clutched his head with a bewildered expression.


    One, I was just extremely pissed off.


    It seemed like he had no intention of moving yet. Because there is no obligation to protect porters or mercenaries. But I had a card that could move this squeaky-doo.


    "The price of the gift I will give to His Majesty the Emperor."


    "Why is that suddenlying up?"


    "If you listen well, I''ll just forgive you."


    "Isn''t that a finished story?"


    "I was just not saying anything. Can I file a civil suit now?"


    "Ugh!"


    Cordell groaned, his shoulders drooping.


    No matter what you say about ck Agent, he is still human in the end. They had no choice but to back down in the face of the enormous damages.


    "When is the deadline?"


    "I will be satisfied when my term as governor ends."


    "¡­ Phew! Good."


    I snapped my fingers and pointed somewhere. Then Cordell tilted his head. It seemed like he didn''t understand what it meant.


    Oh, this guy is so oblivious.


    "What are you doing? Why don''t you hurry up and clean up?"


    Eventually, Cordell had to put away his sword and join the battlefield. Now he look like a proper escort knight.


    ''I have to use it happily from now on.''


    * * *


    It wasn''t that difficult to clear out the bandits.


    Isn''t he a ck agent of the Imperial Guard Knights? With such a powerful person involved, a bunch of lowly bandits can be defeated in an instant.


    Whether it was because they intervened at the right time or because the porters who had rushed in without warning suffered minimal damage. But the voices of praise did not reach Cordell.


    "The bandits will fall on their own before the majesty of His Highness the Duke of Carrier!"


    "Ah, how long will you keep being so great, Your Majesty!"


    Perhaps because of his unpredictable movements, they seemed to think I was the one taking care of everything.


    Cordell looked back at me with a hollowugh.


    "Huh! I suspect you''re a group of lunatics. Did you bring along only fanatics?"


    "Do I look like a religious person?"


    "I think I heard people talking about a young are saint or something."


    "Because I''m so selective, that''s why it''s like that. What can I do with someone who was born with such kindness?"


    As I shrugged my shoulders and answered, Cordell''s face twisted.


    They say it''s fun to tease him like this. No matter what I say, there''s always a reaction.


    While they were talking for a while, all the bandits were captured. Not only that, the confession was alreadyplete.


    Did they just blurt it out on their own, fed up with the porters'' madness? But while I was quietly listening to the story, there was something that was quite annoying.


    "What were these guys talking about?"


    "I just want to be able to contact the Duke of Sierre. He said a letter would be all that was needed."


    One of the mercenaries reported with a puzzled expression.


    Derek was a very good listener.


    Because they were all united by passionate fandom. If you substitute it with loyalty, you can easily get around 90.


    In any case, it was not something that could be easily overlooked.


    ''The bandits are connected to the Duke of Sierre? This is a huge issue.''


    So much so that the Duke of Sierre''s political position was greatly shaken.


    Of course, I didn''t necessarily want that.


    I was just passing judgment, so I shed with them a bit. There were no personal feelings at all. However, if it is directly rted to people''s livelihood, the story is different.


    "Let me see his face."


    "Yes, I wille right away."


    Derek soon brought in a grim-faced bandit.


    Even though he was roughly brought down to his knees, the bastard''s eyes did not die. On the contrary, I felt very rxed.


    ''He still don''t know exactly who I am?''


    Actually, that didn''t really matter. The only question is how the Duke of Sierre and the bandits were rted.


    "Tell me again. Where are you sending the letter?"


    "If we heard the name of the person behind us, we wouldn''t be able to act like this, right?"


    "Really? Who is that? If you tell me, I''ll let you live."


    "How can i trust you? Pass this letter to the top of Darrell. Then everything will be over."


    Although we''ve been moving quite quickly, it hasn''t even been a day since we left the capital. The letter would be delivered soon.


    "Okay."


    I readily granted the bandit''s request.


    Because I was curious how these guys would turn out. Of course, I had no intention of sitting here and waiting.


    If I''m in a hurry, they''ll follow me.


    "Let''s go."


    "You even show kindness to bandits. How amazing!"


    I could hear Cordell turning around secretly, but I didn''t pay any attention.


    "Of course. That''s what a strong person is like. Sir McNeil, do you do your best even when dealing with ants?"


    "..."


    Ah, what a beautiful silence. After sealing Cordell''s mouth with just a few words, I quickly climbed into the carriage.


    The procession started off smoothly, as if no battle had been fought.


    A few days passed after that. The results of the letter came back.


    "Stop!"


    It''s not a bunch of dirty bandits, but an elite force blocking the road.


    This time, I unfurled the g properly, so there was no way they wouldn''t recognize me.


    If that''s the case, then they blocked the road on purpose.


    The Duke of Sierra could not have acted like this without going crazy.

 Chapter 48: Destructive Retribution[1]

    A group of about a hundred men began to advance. Heavy infantry carryingrge shields and five knights on horseback put some distance between themselves and the main force.


    If we continued like that, they would break through the nk and disrupt our formation.


    ''Typical hammer and anvil tactics. Well-trained guys.''


    Sometimes, the thieves also had a considerable number of members, including knights or mercenaries who hadmitted crimes and run away, bing leaders.


    However, even so, it was impossible to disy such a perfect military organization. Where on earth would you find a thief equipped with ance, a il, and te armor?


    I nodded lightly at Cordell.


    "Go and find out why they are doing that."


    "Me?"


    "If someone as skilled as a peacock were to do it himself, it would be embarrassing. Didn''t you clearly say earlier that you would listen me well?"


    Cordell McNeil stepped forward, unable to hide his trembling expression.


    Anyone could see that it was a hostile atmosphere. In this situation, it must be burdensome toe forward alone.


    Of course, I had no intention of just standing by and letting Cordell be put in danger.


    ''I have to intervene at the right time. The main character usually appears at crucial times.''


    Even if he is ck agent, having over a hundred elite soldiers was burdensome. Of course, the knights who awakened Aura were all warriors worth a hundred men.


    But is that power only Cordell able to use?


    The other side will also have umted sufficient knowledge. So he must havee on horseback armed. A guy who can''t even write won''t be considered a knight.


    "Oh! But aren''t you scared?"


    To everyone''s surprise, Cordell walked forward with a confident stride.


    As the distance from the leader narrowed, he lightly raised his right hand. The enemy soldiers eventually stopped walking. It was quite an impressive scene.


    ''They stopped because I gave them a signal? That means they''re willing to talk.''


    As expected, someone broke out from among the soldiers and shouted loudly. He was a middle-aged man with an impressive mustache that curved inward at the tip.


    "Do you have a guy named Arzahil with you?"


    "Yes, but who are you and where are you from?"


    "we are from the Duke of Sierre. If you understand what that means, hand over his soldiers."


    It was truly a response befitting a family of such high status to start shouting without even knowing who the other person was.


    But Cordell didn''t back down an inch.


    Actually, if I look at the value of the name, he''s one is no slouch either.


    "I am a knight of the Imperial Guard, assisting His Highness the Duke of Carriers in his undertakings."


    "So?"


    "There is no reason to hand over a captured bandit unless there is clear evidence."


    "¡­ Is that what Duke Carriers meant?"


    Cordell neither confirmed nor denied. The middle-aged man with the ck mustache frowned. He looked very ufortable.


    Well, I guess that can''t be helped.


    Because it would be burdensome to just press it down with force.


    ''I wonder what he''s going to say?'' .


    Lately, my reputation has been tilted toward that of a saint or a great monarch.


    But his original nickname was the Berserker of the North. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he reached the pinnacle in terms of military achievements.


    Because it was enough to silence most of the noisy northern peoples.


    Even if they are are a ve of a great lord, they must bow their head towards me at least once¡­.


    "All forces. Charge."


    Thud thud thud!


    At the softly spoken words, over a hundred elite soldiers took up their weapons. The mustachioed bastard seemed determined to ignore everything and just push through.


    ''But for what?''


    I just couldn''t understand it.


    Why don''t they just give me a proper reason, pay thempensation, and then take him away


    Why on earth do they are doing this?


    My doubts kepting, but I couldn''t even guess. Because it made no sense to me. So, there is only one conclusion.


    "I guess there''s something they want to hide."


    Doo doo doo doo doo!


    The five cavalrymen began to elerate. Judging from the way they split right away, it seemed like they were trying to target Cordell and the rear at the same time.


    It felt like asking a question.


    Which one would I rather protect, one escort knight or dozens of porters? When forced to make choices in a tight time frame, anyone would feel overwhelmed.


    But that story didn''t apply to me.


    ''I just have to get them all.''


    What''s the need to think deeply about it?


    Anyway, this is dark medieval, dark fantasy. I shouldn''t try to understand it rationally. If i just wipe out whatever the opponent does, that''s the end of it.


    "im finally testing out this skill."


    It was a situation that fit the name perfectly.


    Aren''t they the ones who challenged my authority and created an absurd situation?


    Then what should I do?


    I have to put a hammer in the big barrel and throw it away.


    ¡ºThe Beast''s Heart Activates¡»


    Tsk tsk tsk tsk!


    A red aura enveloped my entire body and burned me. It felt like the skill''s power was squeezed to its limit. I cast one more skill in that state.


    ¡ºActivation of Destructive Retribution¡»


    Immediately afterwards, a tingling sensation ran down my right arm.


    Wiggle!


    An unknown impulse welled up in my chest. The desire to burst out the power concentrated in the palm of one''s hand through the arm.


    ''No, this is a warning.''


    I felt like if I didn''t release the condensed energy quickly, I would be in danger.


    The method was as simple as the skill''s name. If i just hit them, that''ll be the end of it. I picked up the gavel without hesitation.


    "Tsaaaah!"


    Swoosh!


    As I raised my arms high with a shout, a truly transcendental burst of energy urred. It felt like pulling out a maple tree and swinging it around. But, isn''t it true that simr results actuallye out?


    "Huh?"


    Before I knew it, the gavel had grown to the size of a building. Of course, the objects did not actually multiply.


    The blue energy that shot out from my hand simply transformed into a giant hammerhead.


    Blue energy mixed with red light bursting from the beast''s heart.


    Suddenly, a lump of energy the size of a house came crashing down at incredible speed.


    Kwaaang!


    Kukugugugugugu¨D!


    The blow that struck the ground caused a tremendous aftershock. It wasn''t originally cast with the intention of crushing the opponent.


    It was just meant to scare them. However, the skill''s power was much stronger than expected.

 Chapter 49: Destructive Retribution[2]

    "Eww!"


    "Hey, it''s an earthquake!"


    "Jump down quickly!"


    The knights who were riding their horses suddenly flew away.


    If they get caught in that huge shock wave, they fall off their horse helplessly. In that case, the only way to increase the survival rate was to resort to some sort of legal action.


    Of course, the horses were not safe.


    "Ehehehehe!"


    Boom boom boom!


    Five knights were knocked down, and the advancing phnx of infantry stopped.


    The enemies were all crouching. They buried their shields into the ground to withstand the storm''s force. However, those who did not receive proper help from their colleagues were thrown backwards.


    "Ugh."


    "Eww!"


    "Hold on to each other!"


    After a while, the earthquake and strong winds that shook the earth died down.


    It was only one room, but the results were disastrous. The once peaceful public road turned into a mess, and no one could stand properly. Except for one person who cast the skill.


    "Hoooo¨D."


    I walked around the battlefield with a long sigh. As I passed the scattered soldiers, I noticed a middle-aged man lying face down on the ground. It was the very same guy who ordered the attack without warning.


    The man looked up at me with a nk expression.


    "Hey. Mustache."


    "Uh?"


    "If you ordered the massacre while knowing who I was, there must be a good reason for it. Let''s take it easy and not waste time."


    "What on earth are you talking about¡­?"


    I rammed the gavel into the jaw of the man who had been consistently ignorant to the end. A cold metallic sheen and a reddish aurabined.


    "There''s no need for a mouth that can''t even speak properly."


    Swish.


    As the gavel was raised high, the mustachioed man''s face turned pale, almost blue. It seemed as if he had a premonition of death.


    ''I''m acting again.''


    Of course, I had no intention of really killing this guy. If that was the case from the beginning, I would have justunched a catastrophic retaliation.


    If I had attacked these guys'' main force, the results wouldn''t have been like this.


    Because they would all be well-minced pieces of meat.


    "Ahhh! Those guys owe us a debt! That''s why we had to catch them!"


    The mustache waved both hands and exined rapidly. Even though it was an extremely urgent situation, the pronunciation was understandable. It seemed that the fear of death gave him superhuman strength.


    "Debt? What?"


    "Yes, yes, the owner of Sogaju does some small side business¡­"


    I looked around with a frown on my face.


    Only the big guys know, they don''t memorize other people''s children.


    If there was a butler in this situation, he would have answered right away. But this time, I didn''t bring Tobias with me.


    Because there is so much to do in the dukedom. In that case, I have no choice but to ask the escort knight.


    "But where did he go?"


    "Yes?"


    "I guess he got caught up in the skill and flew away. So what, you came here to get money?"


    "That''s right."


    "What does it have to do with you suddenly hitting me?"


    "That''s because I didn''t know there was a real Duke. I thought it was an imposter!"


    To be honest, it was a pretty usible excuse.


    Isn''t this a procession without much of an escort? What are the chances that someone as talented as a peacock would show up in a public ce like this?


    It was understandable that the mustachioed guy misunderstood.


    "So who is that Sogaju owner?"


    "Huh? You don''t know that he''s the next head of the Sierre Duke family?"


    "Do I need to know about that moneylender? If you don''t want to end up in jail, you''d better quit the moneylending business right away."


    "Ugh, ugh!"


    Isn''t that true? Would a guy who ys for bandits maintain a normal interest rate?


    Just looking at the fact that he mobilized his family''s troops toe get the money, the answer is clear.


    "I don''t know what kind of person that Sogaju Naburangi is."


    "His name is Skyler."


    "Yeah. Scar... Huh?"


    I absentmindedly recited the name that Moustache had said, and for a moment, my head felt dizzy. It''s like old memories areing back to me vividly.


    Then, an image quickly shed through my mind.


    ''Oh, that guy?''


    Of course, this memory was not mine. It was a scene that Abel experienced when he was young. In that short video, Skyler was portrayed as a devil.


    A guy who beat a maid to the point of death because she was an eyesore to him.


    ''He''s a psychopath.''


    The sight of him smiling brightly without even a hint of guilt was impressive. Abel, as a child, found the bastard quite disgusting. Even now, the remnants of that feeling remain.


    "I guess I have a rough idea of what kind of person he is."


    He was the kind of guy who shouldn''t even be in a rtionship. If there is no sin.


    But how could that be? He''s a piece of trash who lies as easily as eating rice andmits assault and injury on a daily basis.


    It seemed like something coppery wasing up. It felt like the shadow of a heinous crime was hanging over me.


    I grabbed the mustachioed guy by the cor and said,


    "Tell him. Those bandits will be thrown in jail. If he wants to see them, request a visit."


    Dump! As I released my grip, the bastard copsed limply. But instead of nodding, he just smiled broadly.


    For a moment I thought this guy had lost his mind. After a while, the guy spoke while fiddling with his mustache.


    "Hahaha! I don''t think that will happen, right?"


    At the same time, a scream rang out from behind.


    "Eww!"


    I looked back in a hurry and saw a group of people had rushed in and were taking away the bandits. It seemed that there was also a light cavalry lying in ambush in addition to the main force.


    I bit my lip and let out a hollowugh.


    "Huh! These guys are funny, aren''t they?"


    I had a feeling that it wasn''t something I should take lightly.


    Then I have no choice but to treat you with sincerity.


    ''Where should I start, you psychopath?''

 Chapter 50: Illegally Collecting Evidence [1]

    It was impossible to pursue those light cavalry right away.


    They were running away on purpose, so how on earth were we going to catch them? I''m not a bird, and I couldn''t catch up with a horse that had already moved far away. So, there''s only one thing left.


    "If I ask the mustache, something wille out."


    Besides, there are the five knights who fell from their horses earlier. It would be possible to figure out why Skyler was trying to take out the bandits. But surprisingly, it wasn''t an easy task.


    "I will exercise my right to remain silent. This is a matter of Gaju family dispute, so please summon the head of the family. I am Viscount Denzel Morales."


    That was what the mustachioed guy was saying. Here, "Gaju" refers to the Duke of Sierre. When it came to this, there was nothing I could do right away.


    ''I would like to use the ssic method.''


    If i just hit him a few times, it''ll blow easily.


    But that was not the right thing to do.


    How can someone as high as a judge of the empire conduct an illegal investigation?


    Besides, isn''t the opponent a vassal of the Duke of Sierre? It was impossible to hide itpletely.


    Of course, if i do things like water torture or sandbagging, my reputation will be tarnished.


    "Okay. Then. Let''s hand it over to the prosecutor''s office."


    "This happened near the capital, so please send it to the police."


    Count Morales demanded with a confident expression. It seemed like he was in high spirits because I was taking a step back. But I had absolutely no intention of granting his demands.


    "Do you have any connections with the Capital Police?"


    "No way. I just want things to be handled ording to thew."


    The criminal bastard''s specialty hade out. When I pressed for payment of the overdue amount, thepany changed the subject, saying that it was in difficult circumstances.


    Even in modern society, there are many cases of small debts not being repaid. The thing thates out at that time is to do it ording to thew. It was the same now.


    The guy who always sticks his duck feet out always says things like this. But I shook my head and took out arge book.


    "Can you see it?"


    "What is that?"


    "What is it? It''s the Imperial Code. Now, read from here."


    "Can the court order an investigation ex officio into a case it has be aware of?"


    "Me? The Supreme Judge of the Empire. This case? I experienced it myself."


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    The word ''where'' was missing from the legal text. What this meant was that you could designate it at your own discretion.


    "Do you have anything else to say?"


    "Nothing."


    "Yes. Then. Sir McNeil!"


    I immediately called the escort knight.


    Even though the capital was close, it was difficult to control a crowd of over a hundred people. If we just let it go like this, they would all run away halfway through.


    Of course, it would be safe if I, who has absolute power, apanied them. In addition, assistance was also essential.


    Because i can''t be on edge 24 hours a day.


    "But where on earth did this human go?"


    Cordell McNeil, who should have been responding to the call, was nowhere to be seen.


    Clearly, just a moment ago, we were fighting against the forces of the Duke of Sierre.


    "Ah?"


    I snapped my fingers as a scene suddenly came to mind. The heavy infantry carried their shields in front and were huddled together tightly.


    But Cordell couldn''t do that.


    He was probably caught in the aftermath of a devastating retribution. If so, he must be lying around somewhere nearby.


    As expected, a low groan was heard from the grass by the roadside.


    "Euuuu! Your Majesty¡­."


    "Oh, Sir McNeil! You''re alive?"


    "I almost died."


    "I''m fine, so stop talking nonsense ande out quickly."


    "...yes."


    Cordell, who had been sprawled in a hole beyond the bushes, suddenly sat up. In the first ce, it wasn''t an attack that would kill someone with that kind of skill. Didn''t even the heavy infantrymen who hadn''t mastered the aura survive? Then of course this person is okay.


    "Hey kid, you''re kidding."


    I nced at Cordell''s face.


    His expression was no different from usual.


    But somehow hisplexion seemed to have turned pale. And then, a gaze that secretly nced at me. At that moment, I realized.


    The fact that this escort knight was secretly trembling with fear.


    "I guess that''s the only way."


    Blue lightning engulfed in red mes.


    If we had seen the earth shake as a giant hammer swung, everyone would have had the same reaction. I wasn''t just amazed by the shape.


    Cordell McNeil is a knight of considerable stature. He would have felt firsthand the extreme power contained in the heart of the beast and its devastating retribution.


    I said with a sly smile, "Sir McNeil?"


    "Yes?"


    "Arrest all them."


    "Me?"


    "Then who will do it? Take the mercenaries and capture them all."


    "I am here solely to protect Your Majesty¡­ ¡­ ."


    He was a much more stubborn guy than I thought. I thought he would have be more refined by now, but the essence had not changed at all.


    No matter how tightly shut he was, he was helpless in the face of a real threat.


    Swish.


    As I took out the gavel, Cordell stamped his feet in haste.


    "Of course I should do it. I''ll be back!"


    This makes one thing certain. The stick is more effective than the carrot.


    ''Every motherfucker needs the same solution.''


    Taming Cordell was something that time would take care of anyway. Now it''s our golden one.


    It was time to trace the stench of crime emanating from Skyler Sierra. Of course, before that, we should hand these rotten guys over to the prosecutor''s office.


    Or who knows why more trouble they will bring me.


    ***

 Chapter 51: Illegally Collecting Evidence [2]

    Viscount Denzel Morales was sent to the capital with the knights. The captured bandits were lost, but the clues were notpletely lost.


    ''The key is Skyler Sierra anyway.''


    It was a fact that anyone could infer that the duke''s sessor was looking after the bandits. If you look around, you''ll definitely find something.


    "So all you''re doing is killing ne? In front of the Duke of Sierre?"


    Cordell McNeil grumbled with a discontented expression. That would be the case, since I also had to go into hiding unintentionally. The escort target is here, so what can I do?


    "If you want to find evidence, you have to work for days. Kids these days don''t have the guts. They don''t have the guts."


    They''re investigating and saying that we''re from the same noble faction.


    When I clicked my tongue, Cordell burst intoughter as if he found it ridiculous. It''s just that I was acting like a superior because my status is too high.


    "Ahem! That''s what I mean. I''m doing this myself."


    "So, why on earth are you doing that?"


    "We have to catch the bandits. Think about it. Those guys are just a day''s drive away from the capital. Is that normal?"


    "Of course not. And it can''t be all of them."


    "Then someone has to pull out the roots."


    "What I am asking is, why are you doing that, Your Majesty?"


    "Because no one does it. As soon as it starts, the Duke of Sierre pops out, so who has guts  to touches him besides me?"


    Cordell just opened his mouth, seemingly at a loss for words.


    Honestly, I have nothing to say.


    Because no matter how many times I thought about it, I was right.


    Isn''t the position that the Emperor created to do such a thing the Supreme Judge? I said that I would not yield to any external pressure and would establish justice.


    "That''s a valid point, but I''m asking if we can work more efficiently. This is a bit too much."


    "Do you want to just sneak into the mansion and look for evidence?"


    "Is that okay?"


    Cordell looked back with eyes full of anticipation. Interest is a ck agent of the Imperial Guard Knights.


    He was a man who was not only exceptionally skilled in military affairs but also extremely skilled in espionage. Even the most skilled operatives can handle infiltration and search.


    Then we will be able to obtain the evidence fairly easily.


    But I made a pitiful expression.


    "How can I do that, even though I am the person who stands at the top of the imperial judiciary?"


    There is a rule in my old world criminal procedurew that excludes illegally collected evidence.


    The content was such that evidence that did not follow due process was denied evidentiary value.


    Of course, there was nothing like that in the Imperial Code. It''s a medievalw full of holes, so it can''t be helped. But this principle had to be maintained, even if implicitly.


    Because this is the Middle Ages, wherew is alive and well.


    If i lose my honor and reputation, i can''t do anything.


    "I can never take the easy way out. But don''t worry too much. Our main force is heading west, isn''t it? They''ll definitely let their guard down."


    I sent away the mercenaries, the porters, and even the carriages. And then Cordell and I are hiding near the Sierre mansion.


    Everyone in the world will think that I am gone. Our golden boy Skr Sierra had no choice but to move. He might mistakenly think that he has more room to maneuver.


    ''Whether it''s trying to take out the mustachioed brat or trying to contact other bandits, he''ll do anything.'' Because it''s the nature of a thief to stumble upon his own feet.


    As expected, at midnight there was some movement in the Sierre mansion. Several carriages came out the back door and started to scatter here and there. It was a surprisingly stealthy and swift move.


    "Wait a minute. What happens then? Surely the surveince wasn''t discovered?"


    Cordell, who was watching the situation, had a confused expression on his face.


    I already expected that he would make some moves.


    But I never thought he''d send dozens of carriages at a time. What the heck is going on here?


    But I shook my head firmly.


    "Surely, they must have been conscious of us, but that''s not why they acted like that."


    "Then?"


    "Just look at what they''re doing. They''re not much different from ck Agents."


    "No, that''s a bit¡­"


    "I don''t mean to belittle it, but to be objective. What is the level from Sir McNeil''s perspective?"


    "Ugh."


    Cordell whetted his appetite. The agents'' conduct was certainly professional. Even to me, a novice in espionage, it all looked like it was in perfect order.


    "I guess that means they often use smoke screens. That means there are a lot of dirty ces."


    "What do we do now? There are only two of us."


    "What should I do, Sir McNeil? I would like to hear the expert''s opinion."


    "If it were me, I would start by burrizing an empty house, but that won''t work, right?"


    "Wouldn''t it be better to just throw away every single word? If you keep doing that, you''ll miss everything."


    "We have to take a picture. This isn''t the first or second time he''s done this, so we''ll be able to catch him eventually."


    Honestly, I thought so too. There are only two of us, what can we do? It''s torn apart so all I can do is try my best.


    "Go after those heading towards the capital."


    "What are you saying?"


    "I''ll take the other side."


    "Yes, then I will see you at the meeting ce."


    A ce where the onlymunication is through letters or magicalmunications.


    It is basic to decide on a time and ce for the appointment. After everything was over, we decided to gather at a hideout near the Duke of Sierre''s mansion.


    After Cordell McNeil left, I also climbed onto my hidden horse.


    ''Honestly, I''m not expecting much.''


    That was why they lined up and headed into the mountains. What on earth could possibly be in a ce like this?


    Since it''s a very uninhabited ce, there will probably only be hordes of monsters.


    But the carriages'' movements were strange. It''s only a matter of time before we disperse, and we''re secretly reuniting. And then soon they all gathered in one ce.


    ''Why do they gather in such a dark ce?''


    I guess there''s something here.


    I hid in the grass and carefully looked around the campsite.


    Then, there was a scene that was caught in a sh.


    White skin stands out despite the orange bonfire. Clothing that clearly had a luxurious feel to it. She was definitely not the type of person who would fit into a wild ce like this.


    ''Why on earth is a nobledy in a ce like this¡­''


    I craned my neck to get a clearer view.


    Thanks to the addition of the magnification, the field of vision has be increasingly clearer. Then, when the bonfire began to flicker loudly. Her face was locked into my eyes.


    ''Where have I seen her before?''


    Of course, it wasn''t me who met him in person, it was Abel''s memory.


    Was it Princess Justia?


    They were distant rtives and had met several times in the capital.


    Of course, it was quite a while ago.


    But wouldn''t this turn into a huge diplomatic problem?


    If those guys really kidnapped the royal family of a neighboring country, it seems like our Skyler has gonepletely crazy.

 Chapter 52: Princess Justia [1]

    No matter what the circumstances were, saving people was the first priority. If that happened, Skyler Sierra''s crimes would also be revealed.


    ''I never thought I''d be doing something like this.''


    Actually, isn''t this a huge clich¨¦? I saves the noble youngdy Justia from danger and falls in love with her...


    As I continued to think, I shook my head vigorously.


    "No. What are you thinking?"


    After searching through Abel''s memories, I remembered that Princess Justia already had a fianc¨¦.


    Isn''t that how it usually was?


    For noble people, children were nothing more than tools for political marriage.


    If I look at it that way, I''m the same, but this body is a very special case. I had to go to the battlefield before I even became an adult.


    There were several reasons for that decision, including saving Abel''s life and strengthening the imperial power.


    Anyway, that''s not important at this point. First of all, saving Princess Justia was the priority.


    "Who are you?"


    As I stepped forward, organizing myplicated thoughts, I immediately heard a voice full of caution.


    They were nning a crime in a ce like this in the middle of the night, so they must have been surprised when someone showed up.


    But I ignored it and kept walking.


    "He''s crazy. Just cut off his head and throw him away."


    "Yes!"


    A thick voice was heard from inside the campsite. Arge man sitting around a bonfire seemed to be their leader. As soon as the order was given, several of them drew their weapons.


    Swish! Swish!


    A battle stance without an inch of hesitation.


    "Look at them pulling out their swords just because they met someone at night. Don''t you think it''s too suspicious?"


    "That guy who''s already dead is really noisy."


    "Haha! Treating me like I''m dead the moment you see me? You guys are really bad."


    Wedge!


    As I was walking leisurely, a sharp crashing sound was heard.


    Two men emerged from the bushes on either side, swinging their swords.


    I thought the guys who were sneering at me from the front would make the first move, but it was a rather unorthodox surprise attack.


    One, I''m not the one who should be taken advantage of by these guys.


    Swoosh!


    The gavel, which was swung naturally, blocked the sword''s path. It was a perfect defense even without using the heart of the beast.


    ''This much is easy.''


    As time went by, Abel''s martial arts were rapidly bing more and more refined.


    I could say that I automatically rise to the ranks of the best.


    ''No, it''s a power I originally had.''


    Then why not just have it possess this body from the beginning?


    I shrugged my shoulders slightly towards the unknown being that may or may not exist. Because the crazy situation of possessing the young duke''s body wouldn''t have happened on its own.


    "Block the retreat!"


    While I was lost in thought for a moment, the enemies quickly formed an encirclement.


    They were definitely notborers used for simple tasks. Such coordinated movements can only be seen in elite soldiers.


    "It stinks. It smells like crime!"


    "This crazy guy!"


    The moment I sniffed, enemies came rushing from all directions.


    A sword strike that struck the rear first, then the sides and front sequentially. It was a basic, linked attack.


    Most people would have just been cut down without being able to respond properly. One hand can''t fight ten hands.


    But what if the skill gap is overwhelming?


    ¡ºThe Beast''s Heart Activates¡»


    Tsk tsk tsk! Kaga ga ga!


    As the red light shed, four swords flew into the air. The handle and the de were separated.


    The enemies all had their mouths wide open. This must be their first time seeing a sight like this. Because they''ve probably solved everything with their numerical advantage so far.


    "An empty cart makes the most noise, and those without skills tend to fall down all at once."


    Bam! Bam!


    The exciting sound of the blows echoed over and over again.


    It was the sound of me closing the distance in an instant and mming my enemies'' bodies.


    I wanted to hit them with full power, but I couldn''t bring myself to do it.


    Aren''t they important witnesses and criminals caught in the act?


    Besides, I, who stand at the top of imperialw, cannot suppress excessively.


    ''It''s harder to beat someone without killing them.''


    Don''t you hear that kind of thing in martial arts novels too?


    It is said that it takes several times more skill to subdue an opponent.


    That was exactly the situation right now.


    One, I was a monster who reached the pinnacle of military prowess with the nickname of the Northern Berserker.


    The enemies were just beginning to learn Aura. It is a natural result that they would be helplessly destroyed.


    Pubbuck!


    Every time the gavel danced, one by one, they started to faint.


    "Ugh, ugh!"


    "Crazy! This is ridiculous."


    "It''s a monster. It''s a monster!"


    They started to scatter in all directions.


    The borate chain of attacks from the beginning were nowhere to be found.


    All that remained was a terrified rabble. I didn''t bother to chase after the fleeing men, but instead entered the center of the campsite.


    After all, isn''t the goal to save Princess Justia?


    "this guy!"


    Then the man sitting in front of the bonfire got up. Suddenly darkness came all around.


    This was because the opponent''s enormous sizepletely obscured the light.


    Of course, it wasn''t a big deal to me. The beast''s heart had been raised, so my five senses had been enhanced to the extreme.


    "Do you know which family''s event this is and are you making a fuss about it?"


    "Hey, you think you barged in here without even knowing that? It was Skyler Sierra who ordered it."


    "...Haha!"


    The guy burst intoughter.


    I didn''t know it would suddenly hit the nail on the head like this.


    An ordinary person would be reluctant to even mention such a big shot. But I''m not the kind of person who cares about the sessor to that dukedom.


    "Come on, everyone, step aside and stop doing stupid things. You guys are probably seasoned veterans of the Duke''s household, so there''s no way you wouldn''t know who I am."


    "Why should we know about a guy like you¡­?"


    Chuck!


    Instead of answering, I shrugged.


    A sh of light suddenly illuminated my face.


    No, how can they not know this face of mine?


    A thickw book, a metal gavel, and a crazy handsome face. Anyone can see that I''m the star of the royal family, the highest judge, Duke Abel Carriers.


    But the opponent just snorted.


    "Haha! If you pretend to be a northern berserker, do you think we let you off the hook?"


    It seemed like they hadn''t even expected it. In fact, would you ever meet someone as talented as a duke in such a remote ce? It''s natural to be suspicious.


    "Haha! You even brought a thick book to imitate a judge. Is it aw book or something?"


    The bastard raised his weapon with a sinister grin.


    A warhammer modified into a two-handed mace scattered moonlight. As it turned out, it became a head-on hammer-to-hammer showdown.


    But I had no intention of ying with the gavel. I got a little scratched when that guy brought up thew.


    "You think I''m just carrying these around for show, but they actually have no use?"


    "Why? Are you trying to recite thew in front of people? That''s funny."


    "I do that sometimes, but I''m going to write like this now."


    I set up thew book, grabbed it, and held it high above my head. Then I mmed myw book into the opponent''s face.

 Chapter 53: Princess Justia [2]

    A sh of light suddenly illuminated my face.


    No, how can they not know this face of mine?


    A thickw book, a metal gavel, and a crazy handsome face. Anyone can see that I''m the star of the royal family, the highest judge, Duke Abel Carriers.


    But the opponent just snorted.


    "Haha! If you pretend to be a northern berserker, do you think we let you off the hook?"


    It seemed like they hadn''t even expected it. In fact, would you ever meet someone as talented as a duke in such a remote ce? It''s natural to be suspicious.


    "Haha! You even brought a thick book to imitate a judge. Is it aw book or something?"


    The bastard raised his weapon with a sinister grin.


    A warhammer modified into a two-handed mace scattered moonlight. As it turned out, it became a head-on hammer-to-hammer showdown.


    But I had no intention of ying with the gavel. I got a little scratched when that guy brought up thew.


    "You think I''m just carrying these around for show, but they actually have no use?"


    "Why? Are you trying to recite thew in front of people? That''s funny."


    "I do that sometimes, but I''m going to write like this now."


    I set up thew book, grabbed it, and held it high above my head. Then I mmed myw book into the opponent''s face.


    Swoosh! Crunch!


    It was a single blow that triggered the beast''s heart. Even if it wasn''t an official weapon, it had to have considerable power.


    ''Besides, thew code is a great weapon in its own right.''


    Wasn''t the book hundreds of pages long in the first ce?


    Moreover, the papermaking technology here was not very good. Because even just a dozen years ago, parchment was mainstream.


    The paper that made up the code was quite stiff and thick. If you stack hundreds of those, how could it not be heavy?


    "Ugh!"


    It was a natural result that the giant who was hit by thew rolled his eyes and passed out. I lightly stroked the book cover with a satisfied smile.


    Somehow, it felt like the other person''s dog oil was stuck on thew book.


    "The power is certain."


    I looked around with a big smile, but the atmosphere felt strange.


    Everyone just stood there nkly, not knowing what to do.


    I bet they didn''t know the captain would get knocked out by just one book. I stared at them and shook thew book lightly.


    "Who wants to get hit again?"


    "..."


    "Or bow down."


    Thump thump!


    It was a single word spoken without much expectation, but the enemies immediately fell t on the ground. Even the weapons were thrown away.


    ''No, is it really that effective?''


    As I was looking around with a puzzled look, my eyes suddenly met with Princess Justia''s.


    She muttered with a pale face.


    "Lord, God of Death!"


    What the heck is this?


    * * *


    The camp of the Duke of Sierra''s private soldiers was quickly cleared. It''s not that hard to capture unconscious guys. Besides, I didn''t even move myself. All I have to do is tell those who surrendered to do it. I just sat on the log that I was using as a chair and kept watch.


    "Are they all tied up?"


    "Yes, yes."


    "Then we need to finish the rest."


    "What are you talking about?"


    "Aren''t you one of these guys? Are you trying to sneakily pretend to be my ally?"


    "..."


    "Bind them together."


    "Y-yes."


    Since I couldn''t ask himself to be arrested, I specifically took charge of thest one.


    Anyway, there''s a lot of rope left. Just tie it up tight. I almost made thest guy a skein of yarn.


    "Ugh! Ah, no matter what, this is a bit¡­"


    "Was it bad?"


    "Yes, can you loosen up a little? I worked hard at that too."


    "Shut up. You''ll thank meter."


    After dealing with the private soldiers, I looked after Princess Justia.


    She was the third daughter of Duke Crawford and was characterized by her innocent face and slender figure.


    Truly the epitome of innocence?


    Judging from the fact that she mistook me for the god of death, she seemed to be quite fearful.


    "Are you okay?"


    "Yes, I feel a little better now. Thank you very much, Your Highness the Duke of Carriers."


    "No problem. I just happened to help you. But how did it end up like this?"


    The Duchy of Crawford was on the eastern border of the Empire.


    It was so far away that I almost didn''t recognize her.


    I never dreamed that we would meet in the mountains of the Duchy of Sierre.


    Princess Justia furrowed her brow.


    "I was on my way to a vi in the south to prepare for winter. But, out of nowhere, I was ambushed¡­"


    "It looks like all the escorts have been subdued."


    "No."


    "Huh? What do you mean?"


    "There was no escort from the beginning."


    What the hell is this nonsense?


    A princess of a country travels that long distance unprotected?


    When I gave her a quizzical look, she let out a bashfulugh.


    "I escaped while I was in the middle of moving. It''s no fun to travel if I have an escort knight by my side."


    Ah, I guess I get what''s going on.


    It was the reckless behavior of a woman that brought about this situation. Then she fell into the clutches of those criminals.


    "Anyway, I''m d you''re safe. I''ll send you to the capital for now. You can contact your parents there."


    "Yes, I guess so."


    I didn''t necessarily reprimand her for doing something like that. We''re not that close anyway, so saying anything would only result in resentment.


    All I had to do was give her a way to contact the Duchy of Crawford.


    I picked thergest carriage and cleaned out its interior.


    I nned to load the prisoners here like luggage and ride on the coach with Princess Justia.


    But then suddenly a strange sound was heard from somewhere.


    "Hey! You piece of trash. You dare sell me out to some old nobleman? Get out! Get out!"


    Boom! Bam!


    Crunch! Crunch!


    When I turned around in surprise, I saw Princess Justia beating up the prisoners.


    The long, two-handed warhammer used by their leader.


    ''I guess I should take back what I said about being scared.''


    Wow! If only she had more strength, she would have been called a great warrior.

 Chapter 54: Skyler Sierra [1]

    The dispatch of a western governor was put on hold for the time being. It was because such a huge incident had urred.


    "It''s not that I don''t want to go; it''s all that rotten basterds fault, so what can I do?"


    Of course, that doesn''t mean I can''t go west forever. Once the imperial edict was issued, it was impossible to refuse. However, it was not right to pass this incident on to someone else.


    ''Who on earth can handle that pressure?''


    It''s an incident involving the sessor to the Duke of Sierre.


    There was no one else who could take charge of it except me, the Supreme Court Justice.


    "But why is there no response?"


    "What are you talking about?"


    "The western region is just as important as the kidnapping of Princess Justia."


    "Yes."


    "Shouldn''t some guidelines have been given by now?"


    Isn''t there anything I can say?


    Either tell them to finish it quickly or mediate within appropriate lines. The emperor really didn''t move at all. This makes me feel even more anxious for no reason.


    "Just do what you always did."


    Judge Colund Emir gave a reasoned opinion.


    It was a statement that made me nod in agreement.


    When have I ever given consideration to me because I''m a big shot?


    There were instances where thends of powerful families were confiscated, and even the heirs of count families were imprisoned. Of course, they weren''t going to give him any leniency just because he was the sessor to the Duke of Sierre.


    But Joseph was different.


    From beginning to end, this guy only shouted opposition for the sake of opposition.


    "No. It is highly likely to have a very negative impact on Imperial politics and society. Let''s end it somewhere appropriate."


    It was such a tant defense.


    Joseph just protect him because they are from the same party.


    That''s why I say you shouldn''t let nobles get together.


    They''re just trying to make the irrational seem rational.


    "Let''s hear the results of the investigation first."


    I just turned a deaf ear to Joseph''s stubbornness. Anyway, that guy is useless except for taunting the Giovanni noble faction.


    Finally, we entered the courtroom.


    I was sitting down and being greeted by people as usual when suddenly a certain person caught my eye.


    A guy who sits with an arrogant attitude and grins as if he finds it funny.


    ''He really doesn''t listen.''


    Looking at his neatly trimmed blond hair and chubby body, he was exactly like the Duke of Sierre.


    That guy is probably Skyler.


    Since I only had memories from when I was young, the face felt very unfamiliar.


    This was the first meeting between the court and the prosecutors. He never showed his face during the entire investigation. It was all because of the Duke of Sierre''s influence.


    ''Even so, you won''t be able to avoid prison.''


    The evidence was already overwhelming. In addition to Princess Justia, other victims were also appearing one after another.


    Our beloved prosecutor Corbin Sears was biting and tearing like a hunting dog.


    "There are a total of 37 high-level human trafficking cases that have been identified so far. If we include those whose status is low and therefore cannot be traced, the scale of the damage is expected to be even greater."


    A grim-faced prosecutor, Corbin Sears, closed the trial proceedings.


    Even though his sins were being exposed one by one, Skyler didn''t care. He just crossed his legs and wiggled his ankles.


    ''No, is that okay?''


    I didn''t think so after seeing his arrogant attitude.


    Even if you can''t do it, it seems like you can easily lift over 100kg, but you can cross your legs?


    I was just amazed at the transcendent flexibility. Anyway, he''ll be as obedient as a sheep. Even though the capital city prison has been modernized, this was still the Middle Ages.


    Even if it were just confinement (imprisonment without hardbor), it would be incredibly painful. It''s dirty, there''s no sunlight, and the food is terrible.


    This is an environment where one could easily get sick.


    ''The diet will go well. You''lle out healthier, you punk.''


    I forced my lips, which kept rising, down.


    Then I stared at Corbin quietly. Now it was the prosecutor''s turn to sentence.


    "¡­ So, sentence the defendant to 20 years in prison."


    Honestly, I thought the sentence would be a bit higher. It''s a crime that deserves severe lifetime punishment.


    We also need to give the image of diplomatically severe punishment. But for Corbin Sears, this might have been the best option. I can''t do anything about it, but I can put pressure on that guy.


    ''He must have had a bit of a headache.''


    Still, 20 years wasn''t bad.


    While Skyler is in prison, he can be convicted of additional crimes to add to his sentence. I don''t think he would have done anything more than that. I immediately took out the gavel.


    "I hereby sentence the defendant to 20 years in prison. In addition, I hereby impose a fine of 2,000 gold coins for the relief of the victim."


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Thus, Skyler''s fate was decided.


    The guy is 22 years old. After serving his sentence, he will be in his 40s.


    He will spend his youth, which should be blooming beautifully, in a damp prison cell. Being dragged to the workhouse every day. It was the most fitting punishment for a wicked person.


    But Skyler just smiled broadly.


    ''Smile?''


    For a guy who ruined his youth, his reaction was too indifferent. I thought of the serial killer Lorenzo, who used tough and beg me to kill him quickly.


    Then, when the death sentence was actually handed down, he smiled and said thank you a lot. It was to show that he was not afraid of death, but his feelings must have been different.


    ''He did that on purpose. He was so scared I thought he was going crazy.''


    That guy will be the same too. The inside will be rotten and decaying. To find out if that was really the case, I immediately brought up the information window.


    Name: Skyler Sierra


    Status: Duke''s heir


    Position: Senior Advisor, Vice-Captain of the 2nd Sierra Division


    Rtionship: No acquaintance


    Status: Rxed due to believing corner, very bored with trial proceedings, listening with one ear and letting it go out the other.


    Overall Ability: A


    -----

 Chapter 55: Skyler Sierra [2]

    "Haa!"


    For a moment, I let out a hollowugh.


    Even though I haven''t even left yet.


    Everyone was watching the stage, so they must have seen my expression. No one said anything. Because everyone must have been feeling ufortable with that rotten attitude.


    "Let''s go now, Your Honor."


    "Phew! Let''s do that."


    At the urging of Judge Emir, I took heavy steps. I had a feeling that something really annoying was going to happen.


    Ominous feelings always hit you in the back of the head.


    As I was preparing to leave the mansion again, I received a visit from someone. It was Judge Colund Emir who was to preside over the court for the time being.


    The news he told me was quite shocking.


    "So Skyler was released?"


    "Yes, that''s right."


    It was ridiculous.


    The Correctional Service was clearly a court-affiliated unit, subordinate to the Chief Justice.


    But They''re releasing him without my order?


    Somehow, even though I punished the viin, there was no reward at all.


    "Huh! How is it?"


    "That is¡­"


    The Emir hesitated with an apologetic expression. It seemed like it was going to be quite a bit of awkward content.


    "It''s okay, feel free to talk."


    "The noble Giovanni factionunched a support offensive. That''s why Viscount Holt Almeida seems to have taken action."


    "Is the head of the correctional headquarters a member of your party?"


    "Unfortunately, yes."


    "Did thesee together as a group?"


    Skyler Sierra was more evil than Braden Alonzo.


    First of all, the scale of the crime itself was absurdlyrge. It was an issue that could even cause diplomatic problems.


    Not only Princess Justia, but also the nobledies of the western small countries were affected.


    They''re not going to punish that rotten guy?


    What will be of the empire''s honor?


    ''Not only will it fall to the ground, it will also go underground.''


    The moment I thought about that, a question arose.


    "What did the Duchy of Crawford and the Western Nations Alliance say?"


    "Surprisingly, there is no protest at all. It''s as if nothing happened."


    "I guess they threw some kind of reward to keep their mouth shut?"


    "Ahem!"


    Instead of answering, the Emir simply coughed. Of course, you don''t want to say out loud that you bought and sold justice with money.


    ''By the way, this is crazy. Sierra and Giovanni are holding hands?''


    The aristocrats of the empire were a race known for their mad fighting.


    Of course, I''m not saying there will be a fight in Congress.


    It was a story about a war of words between them trying to bring each other down.


    When you argue, the emotional rift tends to deepen. It was a group with such bad rtions that even the rtionship between them was meaningless.


    But why are they cooperating so drastically?


    "How could that happen if there wasn''t amon enemy?"


    The moment I blurted out a word, I felt a subtle gaze from somewhere.


    That was why Judge Emir looked at me with meaningful eyes. I shrugged my shoulders slightly.


    "Why? Is there something on my face?"


    "Here we are. Ourmon enemy."


    "Ah?"


    I forgot.


    I''m talking about the past when I excitedly yed with two noble factions. No, but it''s not like I did that on purpose.


    Who wants tomit a crime?


    Why are they making a fuss at me when he did something wrong?


    ''Of course, if you approach it this way, you''ll end up with neither food nor death.''


    These are the guys who used tricks to get a criminal sentenced to 20 years in prison out of prison.


    There''s no way he has anymon sense in his head. Beasts have their own way ofmunicating.


    "I guess I should set an example."


    "By now, the release process should be almostplete."


    "Let''s go to the correctional headquarters."


    "What on earth are you going to do?"


    "There''s no n. I just need to see what this crazy thing is all about."


    Once the process wasplete, there was no way to reverse it. In this state, there is no choice but to reveal Skyler''s additional crimes and arrest him again.


    But what difference would that make?


    It''s obvious that Viscount Almeida will let him go again.


    ''I need to rece the head of the correction headquarters with my own people.''


    Of course, that wasn''t something that could be done right away. Because the appointment of the director is the emperor''s job.


    ''Why don''t I take this opportunity to go to the pce and mobilize my great cousin?''


    That thought urred to me for a moment, but I quickly shook my head.


    Why did the Emperor entrust me with the position of Supreme Judge in the first ce?


    It meant to establish justice without yielding to external pressure. But they''re running away because I can''t solve one thing like this?


    ''He might tease me, saying that I''ve lost my utility.''


    Besides, asking for something itself was difficult. What do you want to hear from that stone-faced, iron-blooded emperor?


    I sat in the carriage, trying to sort out myplicated thoughts. But the difort did not go away. This is the first time that a ruling has not been epted.


    "We have arrived, Your Majesty."


    "Yes, thank you for your hard work."


    As soon as I said hello to the groom, I ran to the main gate of the correctional headquarters.


    If the release process hadn''t beenpleted, it seemed possible to stop it.


    At least give Viscount Holt Almeida a shout-out. But, contrary to my hasty mind, everything was already over.


    Thud! Thud!


    Because our fat golden boy, Skyler Sierra, was walking out. When I came face to face with him, I stood still. Soon Skyler began to grumble, his signature rotten smile on his face.


    "This is what happens when you blindly cry out for justice. Are you living alone in this world?"


    Getting lectured by such a psychopath was something I''ve only seen in my lifetime.


    Maybe because i was so angry, even the servant who followed me around was an eyesore.


    Hurrruk!


    A red me instantly covered my entire body.


    ¡ºThe Beast''s Heart Activates¡»


    "I will definitely beat you to death."


    Kwaaaaang¨D!

 Chapter 56: Loyal Candidate

    Needless to say, my gavel didn''t hit Skyler in the head. All it did was destroy the neat steps at the entrance to the correctional headquarters.


    One effect was clear.


    "Huh!"


    "Ugh!"


    Skyler was startled and fell over, and people poured out of the building. The stairs, made of solid rock, were reduced to ruins, leaving everyone breathless. It was quite satisfying to see them all curled up together with that guy.


    "Ugh! What kind of guy is that¡­? Huh! Y-Your Highness the Duke of Carriers?"


    I grabbed Holt Almeida by the cor as he ran out of the room.


    The face that had been twisted so ominously straightened out as if it had been ironed. It must have been a long and windy day because the mere head of the correctional headquarters went against the ruling of the highest judge.


    However, he didn''t look terrified.


    The emperor was indifferent to this matter, and the two noble factions joined forces to push it forward.


    Holt Almeida was probably promised a corresponding price for this decision. Sierra, the protection of Duke Giovanni will also continue.


    So, even though it may be rough, it won''t be scary. Even though I have great authority and poprity with the public, I am alone.


    "You wait and see. You can charge our family for the repairs to the stairs."


    "Haha! As you live, you may break things. I won''t necessarily hold you responsible for something like that."


    "Are you going to fix that with your money?"


    "No, that''s not it."


    "Stop making a fuss about taxes. It''s disgusting."


    I roughly pushed Holt Almeida aside and looked up the stairs. There were two middle-aged men standing there, dressed nicely.


    ''Sierra, Giovanni.''


    Two dukes who support the empire.


    Why did they march all the way to the correctional headquarters? It must be to get Skyler out.


    Soon the two dukes turned around and split into two. There was a sneer on their lips.


    "I hate to say it, but you guys are not going to make it."


    It seemed like we had to tie up Skyler, Holt Almeida, and show them true justice. Because then this world will be a more beautiful ce.


    Of course, that wasn''t possible right away. The Emperor''s orders take precedence.


    ''Oh, if I were the emperor¡­''


    Oh my! How can one have such an impious mind? I''ll be sent to the guillotine for blurting out what was on my mind without thinking.


    Even my thoughts must be careful.


    * * *


    With the Western dispatch dyed for several days, I have been trying to expand my intelligence in various directions.


    As a result, I was  able to figure out several facts. The price the Duke of Sierra paid for this incident was considerable.


    ''That''s why even Duke Giovanni took action and the Emperor remained silent.''


    The amount of money poured into saving one golden child was truly astronomical.


    No, in fact, it was a value that could not be bought with money. Because he gave up the rights he would never have sold. For example, gold mining rights and southern canal rights. It would take a goose thatys golden eggs to avoid a 20-year sentence.


    "By the way, didn''t they say that Skyler''s main activity area was the West?"


    The western part of the empire was an unstable region. Not long after the subjugation, guerri warfare broke out from time to time. There are still quite a few remnants of the fallen Kingdom of Deliat left.


    Don''t they say that times of trouble are opportunities? Skyler would have gone along with that trend too. Because society was so chaotic, it would have been easy to hide crimes.


    ''I can go and find out other charges.''


    The wealth of the Duke of Sierra must have been several times greater than mine. But will it be possible to do it like this next time?


    You can''t produce dozens or hundreds of geese thaty golden eggs. One day the funds will run out and Geumjok will be thrown in jail.


    "I feel a little better when I think about it that way."


    It seemed like the anger that had been building up to the tip of my head was finally letting up.


    Before leaving for the West, I went to work at the courthouse for thest time. Then, Judge Emir immediately shoved the settlement documents at me.


    "What is this? It looks really urgent."


    "The head of the corrections department has resigned. He hasn''te to work yet, even before the repairs are done. I can''t even contact him."


    "Wow! That person is also an artist when he leaves¡­Ah, isn''t that what you say in such a situation? Anyway, you''re saying that we need to select the person quickly?"


    "Yes."


    "But isn''t that something His Majesty should do?"


    "The rmendation of the Supreme Court Justice takes precedence."


    Are you saying that I made the choice to give to the Emperor?


    It was a procedure I really liked. If we can just bring in good candidates, we can put friendly people in ce.


    By the way, Viscount Holt Almeida wasn''t rmended by Abel.


    Since he didn''t owe them anything, he would have quickly epted the dukes'' request.


    ''Skyler, you''re next.''


    I signed roughly, internally cursing the former head of the corrections department. With this, the resignation has beenpletely epted.


    Those who are going to leave should leave quickly. Immediately afterward, Judge Emir handed over another document.


    "This is a personnel position that can be registered as a candidate."


    "Is there a standard?"


    "I only selected people who do not belong to the aristocratic political party."


    As expected, you are trustworthy.


    This guy knows how to do things well and is very good at it. He''s a really good person, except that he hates going far.


    I just pretended to go through the list.


    "Please send all the letters of intent and bring in anyone who is willing to do it. We will decide through an interview."


    Just looking at the documents, it was impossible to know who the right person was.


    I need to check the person''s information in person.


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    The Emir bowed his head obediently and left the office.


    I''d like to take him along this time, but then there would be no one to preside over the case.


    It would be a bit much to ask Joseph, who is known to be biased, to do something¡­


    ''Can''t that guy be reced too?''


    I wish we could take this opportunity topletely rece the judges.


    Anyway, there''s no one I can trust.


    While I was passing the time thinking about this and that, Emir Colund returned.


    "Someone hase running right now. Your Majesty."


    "This quickly?"


    "Because he happen to be staying in the capital."


    "Then let them in first."


    "yes."


    The first person to finally step into the office.


    I raised my head without much expectation.


    However, the opponent was a slightly unexpected person.

 Chapter 57: King Of Deliat

    While I was passing the time thinking about this and that, Emir Colund returned.


    "Someone hase running right now. Your Majesty."


    "This quickly?"


    "Because he happen to be staying in the capital."


    "Then let them in first."


    "yes."


    The first person to finally step into the office.


    I raised my head without much expectation.


    However, the opponent was a slightly unexpected person.


    "Zoooooooooooo! It''s such an honor to meet you!"


    Actually, I almost didn''t recognize it at first.


    Because I lost so much weight.


    The person who kept bowing with excessive courtesy was none other than Baron Relbrandt.


    "But why are you in the capital? Where is your territory?"


    "It is almost back to normal. It is all thanks to Your Majesty''s grace. Ah! Now, I have appointed my son as the acting lord."


    "He seem like a smart guy, huh?"


    "Yes, he''s much better than me. I''ll definitely introduce it to you next time."


    "Okay. By the way¡­."


    I smiled broadly and snapped my fingers.


    "Baron Relbrandt."


    "yes?"


    "pass."


    Honestly, isn''t it an obvious choice?


    Since he owe me his life, I couldn''t ask for a more loyal candidate.


    "Thank you! I will do my best!"


    Baron Relbrandt cheers with a moved expression.


    I looked at the sight with pleasure.


    But Judge Emir tilted his head.


    "Already passed? You''ve only nominated one person so far."


    "How many candidates should I nominate?"


    "There is no specific rule, but it is customary to have about three people¡­"


    "Then just send Baron Relbrandt up."


    "What?"


    "There is no legal problem, right? I am sure Your Majesty will understand."


    No, that person probably wouldn''t even care.


    Since I''m just going to take random guesses anyway, it''s better if there''s only one choice.


    My intentions are also reflected urately.


    I left the office, leaving the dumbfounded Judge Emir behind.


    "Please take care of the rest. I''ll see you next time, Baron Relbrandt. I''m very busy right now."


    "Ah, I heard you are going to the Western Governorate. I hope youe back in good health."


    "Yes, thank you for your hard work."


    * * *


    Western Empire, Deliat Dominion.


    The butler, Hojein Allegan, was troubled.


    In return for his alliance with the empire, he was given a high official position.


    But it was incredibly difficult to straighten out the chaotic political situation.


    "Oh my! How can everyone be so picky?"


    All the governors dispatched from the higher countries made the same demands.


    The content was to meet the imperial standards from start to finish.


    From military organization to religion and culture.


    Even though they were a defeated country, the oppression was too excessive.


    Even a mouse will bite a cat when cornered.


    If things continue this way, the barely-established Deliat Governor-General''s Office will copse.


    "I heard that some duke ising to be the governor¡­ It''ll be no use exining it this time either."


    Hojain sighed deeply and fiddled with his wide-brimmed hat.


    Then, an employee of the Government-General came running out of breath.


    "Your Majesty!"


    "What''s going on?"


    "The Governor has arrived!"


    The moment he heard the report, Hojaein came to his senses.


    The governor was a figure with absolute power.


    He was practically the king of Deliat.


    No, it was something even more incredible than that.


    Because he had a great position in the kingdom.


    Politically, no one could oppose it him.


    The moment you fall out of favor with him, the Imperial Army will sweep away the country once again.


    "Get ready to wee him¡­ ¡­!"


    Hojaein was flustered.


    They said he was dyed due to internal circumstances, but he arrived earlier than expected.


    What kind of temper does a duke have?


    Are you saying that he covered that distance in just two weeks?


    Wasn''t it normal to stop by the estates along the way and take a tour?


    But this governor waspletely different from the start.


    When he hurried out and looked, the governor and his party had alreadye inside.


    Although it was their first meeting, Hojein recognized him right away.


    A handsome man with natural blond hair and a chisel-like appearance.


    He felt like heknew what it meant to be dazzled by someone''s gaze.


    "Your Majesty, I greet you. My name is Hojein Allegan, the Consul."


    Hojein imitated the imperial etiquette as much as possible.


    When he did this, everyone nodded happily.


    He didn''t know that the vassal state''s officials would do something like this.


    One, the new governor just nodded his head vaguely.


    He didn''t seem very interested.


    Hojein furrowed his brow without anyone knowing.


    ''This time again, he is not a proper person.''


    For the imperial aristocracy, the position of Governor of Deliat was a kind of big back pocket.


    During he stay here, his daily routine was to have fun plundering and then going back to Lu.


    There is one reason for all the oppression up until now.


    It was to suck up as much fresh water as possible.


    ''You have to throw out a difficult problem to build up a reputation.''


    Hojein felt uneasy as he watched the governor looking around the building absentmindedly.


    After a while, he suddenly asked a question.


    "What is the biggest problem?"


    "What?"


    As if he didn''t know he would say something like that, Hojaein just gave a dumb answer.


    Then he suddenly came to my senses.


    "This, for now, is water control."


    "Not enough water?"


    "That''s right."


    "I heard that the remnants are causing chaos."


    "That is...."


    Why do the remnants of former country still linger in Deliat?


    It was because making a living was so hard.


    If the present were abundant, there would be no revival movement.


    But if the goal was to get a big piece of the action anyway, there was no use in talking about it.


    As he was trying to suppress a bitter smile, the new governor continued to speak.


    "If there is a way, do it. I will support you wholeheartedly."


    Hojaein couldn''t say anything and just blinked.


    Because it containedpletely unexpected words.


    "What did I hear? Support?"

 Chapter 58: Duchy Of Crawford [1]

    Upon arriving at the Deliat Dominion, my orders were simple: "Do as you wish."


    That was all.


    The locals would know the situation here much better than I do. For now, I just wanted to sit back and watch how things unfolded.


    Originally, the first priority upon arrival was to take control of the Government-General. But there was no need for that at all.


    All that was done was a few low-level officials, including Hojein.


    "If you don''t give me money, I won''t stick with you."


    It''s already been six months since my sry was dyed.


    This happened because the Government-General was penniless. Wage arrears is one of the words I hate the most.


    The solution was simple: I just had to stay still.


    "Even if the governor doesn''t use force, there will be money to give to the officials."


    Besides, isn''t it remarkable that Hojein is still hanging on even though his sry is dyed?


    I had been nning to employ the bureaucrats who have served me so far.


    Thankfully, they were all pretty useful people. Even the person in front of me had considerable ability and motivation.


    **Person Information**


    Name: Hojein


    Status: Count (vassal state)


    Position: Consul


    Rtionship: No acquaintance


    Status: Zeal for saving a country in dire straits, sincerity towards the people, shallow loyalty towards the empire, and suspicion towards the new governor.


    Overall Ability: A


    ---


    Although Hojein offered his country to the empire, he was a good man.


    Since there was no other way, they did it this way. What would have happened if they had just resisted without knowing they were no match for us?


    "We willpletely wipe them out and send new immigrants."


    This was the method by which the Iron-Blooded Emperor Eren subjugated the surrounding countries.


    Since they raised the white g here, they''re at least holding on to their breath.


    In a way, Hojein may be a traitor, but that doesn''t really matter to me.


    Weren''t there Japanese people who surrendered to Joseon during the Imjin War?


    I think it would be okay to understand it in that way. Besides, I was a member of the imperial family anyway, so as long as Hojein was useful, that was fine.


    "What''s important is not the evidence of Skyler''s crime but rather, what I''m worried about is how he''s going to live in the future."


    A sigh escaped my lips.


    I was taken straight to the official residence, and the condition of the building was dire.


    It seemed that the existing governors were demanding that all standards be met by the empire.


    No matter what, a person who is no different from the king of a country had a mud house.


    Compared to the buildings of the empire, it was almost like a barn. The only advantage is that the site is spacious.


    "Ha, haha. I am so sorry for being so shabby, Your Excellency the Governor."


    When one person held multiple positions, it was imperial etiquette to address him by the highest title.


    In some ways, it was a remark that could be seen as subtly belittling. But it didn''t seem intentional because Hojein was restless the whole time. If that was acting, it would not be an exaggeration to say he was the god of lies.


    "Surely this isn''t the most luxurious mansion."


    "I''m sorry, but you guessed exactly."


    I had already learned a lot about how the people of Deliat lived.


    Their life was far worse than that of an imperial serf. It was the result of defeat and harsh exploitation.


    But I never dreamed that even the Governor''s Residence would be in this state.


    "I guess this won''t work. This will require major reforms."


    It seemed like I had to move separately from Hojein. We can''t keep living in a house like this that''s falling apart, right?


    "Should I take a quick look around?"


    I walked around the official residence and looked around here and there.


    Deliat''s problems were not limited to one or two.


    As Hojein said, the water situation was the most urgent. Because there was no water to drink, the people were starving to death.


    Besides, if things continued like this, it would be impossible to farm even when spring came.


    All that was needed was to install a water supply and build an irrigation system.


    "The problem is I don''t have the money for that."


    The most fundamental reason why Deliat ended up like this was because the country became so desperately poor.


    Even if you have an innovative policy, you need money to implement it.


    "The Emperor gave me some money, but it won''t be enough to change the entire country."


    The shock I received from the Empire was actually nothing.


    Still, there was at least a roof there to block out the wind and rain. On the other hand, this ce looked like a bunch of hay tied together and ced on top of each other. I would say it feels quite simr to a thatched-roof house.


    "Is there no way to get money?"


    If there was such a thing, the previous governors would have sucked it up long ago.


    The Deliat Autonomy was literally on the verge of copse.


    Why would you choose such a ce no matter what?


    It was the moment when I started to hate my strong, crazy cousin.


    But then suddenly a shocking idea urred to me. "


    Aren''t the Duchy of Crawford and the Western Confederation nearby?"


    I felt like I had to do something shameless.


    ***


    "Ah, why am I like this these days?"


    Princess Justia was ovee with an inexplicable tion. Her hands were trembling and she felt anxious all the time. It was after she was kidnapped while sightseeing in the desert of the Kingdom of Deliat.


    "Are you okay, Your Majesty? Shall I bring out some tea and snacks?"


    "That''s okay."


    The maid asked with a worried face, but Justia only answered coldly. No matter what she did, she couldn''t relieve this feeling of frustration.


    Warm tea that calms the mind, delicious food that makes you feel happy.


    None of the activities, including exciting horseback riding and archery, were effective. So, the stereotypical suggestions from the maid were just annoying.


    "Your Majesty."


    "What is it?"


    When the maid called again, this time a sharp reply came out. However, she couldn''t keep scowling because an unexpected guest had arrived.


    "The Lord Soltri''s order is that Lord Izukaya has arrived."


    "Oh, tell him toe in."


    Soon a man with long blond hair appeared. A fluttering white cloak over a ceremonial suit of armor. The overall atmosphere was very splendid.


    But he didn''t look very nice. His in face and short stature made up for everything.


    Still, considering that he was the sessor to the Marquis family, he wasn''t an unattractive man.

 Chapter 59: Duchy Of Crawford [2]

    "Are you okay, Your Majesty? Shall I bring out some tea and snacks?"


    "That''s okay."


    The maid asked with a worried face, but Justia only answered coldly. No matter what she did, she couldn''t relieve this feeling of frustration.


    Warm tea that calms the mind, delicious food that makes you feel happy.


    None of the activities, including exciting horseback riding and archery, were effective. So, the stereotypical suggestions from the maid were just annoying.


    "Your Majesty."


    "What is it?"


    When the maid called again, this time a sharp reply came out. However, she couldn''t keep scowling because an unexpected guest had arrived.


    "The Lord Soltri''s order is that Lord Izukaya has arrived."


    "Oh, tell him toe in."


    Soon a man with long blond hair appeared. A fluttering white cloak over a ceremonial suit of armor. The overall atmosphere was very splendid.


    But he didn''t look very nice. His in face and short stature made up for everything.


    Still, considering that he was the sessor to the Marquis family, he wasn''t an unattractive man.


    "It''s been a while, Lady."


    "You never showed your face once. What''s going on? Why did youe all the way here?"


    "I''ve been busy with personal matterstely. I''ve also been following the princess''s footsteps." "


    Yes, I guess so."


    There was no way something good coulde out of Justia''s mouth.


    It''s been over two weeks since she returned, but Izukaya never visited even once.


    Even though they were obviously engaged.


    Not only did he notfort her, but he showed up a long timeter and acted all cool. It felt like dragon breath was rising from within.


    "I don''t really want to see you, so just go back today."


    "I came all this way, and you want me to just walk around in vain?"


    "I feel a bit like that right now."


    "Oh! You''re going too far. I came here despite all the rumors surrounding you."


    Snap!


    The moment she heard that sound, something in her head seemed to snap.


    Justia red at Izukaya with venomous eyes.


    "What''s the rumor?"


    "Oh, I misspoke. There''s no such thing."


    "Stop beating around the bush and tell me straight. What is it?"


    "Well, there''s a story about a woman who was kidnapped and then came back. She must have been swearing at those guys who had no basis inw..."


    "I beg your pardon?"


    In fact, she also knew that simr things were going around.


    That was why the maids collected the rumors. However, she didn''t want to hear that from her fianc¨¦.


    It was a truly indescribable feeling.


    Could she say that it has surpassed the limits of human anger?


    Atst, Justia was about to swear.


    She was about to use the vulgar expressions that the assants who kidnapped her used. But it was at that very moment.


    "Your Majesty, we have a guest. What should we do?"


    She was about to explode but calmed down for a moment. There were outsiders nearby, so it was impossible to lose.


    Justia answered as calmly as possible.


    "¡­ ¡­Who is it?"


    "I don''t know him very well, so I''ll just ry what I heard."


    "okay."


    "Ahem! The cousin of His Majesty the Almighty Emperor, and the lord of the Duke House, the stalwart support of the Empire. His name is Abel Carriers, the Berserker of the North."


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    Everyone looked dumbfounded at the maid''s words that poured out like a storm.


    Finally, Justia nodded happily towards her maid, because the face of the wonderful man who saved her came to mind.


    "Please bring him in quickly. Be as polite as possible."


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    There was an awkward moment. Izukaya smiled, but didn''t offer any exnation.


    He thought for sure that the kidnappers must have done something to her. However, the victims, including Justia, did not suffer any harm.


    That''s why that crazy guy named Skyler ced so much importance on marketability.


    Soon, a tall man appeared.


    "It''s been a while, Princess Justia."


    Although he had blonde hair simr to Izukaya, his aura waspletely different.


    A sculpted face and neatly groomed hair. In contrast to his handsome face, his muscles looked like they could burst open his tunic.


    Even with the loose clothing, it was hard to imagine how toned his body was. Justia stared at Abel for a moment, lost in thought. Then she smiled broadly and said,


    "Oh my! Look at my mind. I have kept my distinguished guest standing for too long. Please sit over here."


    She reached out towards the chair with a flushed face. But instead, Abel narrowed the distance between himself and Justia.


    "Before that, there''s something I need to give you first."


    "Ah! What is that...?"


    Just as she was about to answer with a smile, Izukaya, who had been watching the situation, suddenly intervened.


    "You are obviously engaged, aren''t you getting too close? And why on earth did youe here?"


    Justia with a blushing face and a benefactor so handsome that his eyes rolled back. It was something that he could naturally say as a fianc¨¦.


    Of course, Izukaya was not qualified. Hadn''t he doubted her chastity?


    A deep furrow formed between Justia''s eyebrows. She ignored her fianc¨¦''s words and spoke to Abel.


    "What do you want to give me?"


    "Oh, this is it. I thought you really liked it back then."


    What he held out was a two-handed warhammer used by the leader of the kidnappers.


    For a moment, madness shed through her eyes. It seemed like she finally realized why she had been so anxious all this time.


    Justia answered with a bright smile.


    "This is truly the best gift."


    Then she grabbed the handle of the warhammer. A tingling sensation ran down her arm.


    "Yes. This is it."


    Justia''s gaze turned to her fianc¨¦. Eyes that burned brightly. Izukaya felt like all the hairs on his body were standing on end.


    "Me, my own little bird. Why on earth are you looking at me like that¡­?"


    "Get out! You little coward!"


    Kwajik-!


    Abel blinked quickly at the refreshing sound of the blow.


    "I didn''t give it to you to do this. Anyway, I''m d you like it."

 Chapter 60: Thirty Concubines [1]!!!

    After a huge uproar, Justia had returned to her usual elegant appearance.


    It was a far cry from the violent swinging of the warhammer. It felt like a cat that had thrown a lot of punches and then acted like it was nothing.


    I calmly walked away as if nothing had happened, whether or not the short blonde guy who imed to be her fianc¨¦ was lying around.


    "How have you been?" I asked.


    "Thanks to you, everything was fine once the Empire certified that there was no physical harm," she replied.


    "Still, it must have been difficult," I said.


    "It''s okay. I came back safely, so I have to ept that."


    Surprisingly, Justia seemed very calm, even though all kinds of rumors wereplicating my thoughts.


    ''As expected, she is no ordinary women,'' I thought.


    Somehow, I felt like the armor suited her better than this fianc¨¦ of her.


    Oh, now is not the time to be thinking about that.


    What could possibly bring me from the Deliat Dominion to the Duchy of Crawford?


    It''s to express regret. So, I even brought me a nice(?) gift.


    I subtly brought up the main point.


    "By the way, it really is a beautiful country. It has wonderful natural scenery and wonderful buildings."


    The Duchy of Crawford was heavily influenced by the Empire. It couldn''t be helped since it was a country of coteral royal families in the first ce.


    Princess Justia and I are also distant rtives. It''s just lip service, but I have to start like this.


    That way, the person lending you money will feel less bad.


    "Compared to the capital of the Empire, it was like a rural vige. But the mountains and fields were beautiful, weren''t they?"


    "With the presence of Princess Justia, the people of this country must be truly happy."


    "Ohhohoho! You are too kind," sheughed.


    "So, can I ask you a favor?" I ventured.


    "Of course. I already felt bad because I had not repaid my benefactor. Please speak freely."


    "Then without hesitation¡­ I would like to request a loan from the Duchy of Crawford."


    I briefly exined the situation in the Deliat Autonomous Region. When she heard that I had been appointed governor, Justia''s eyes sparkled.


    "You''re asking me to help you persuade my father."


    "That''s right."


    "He is a bit of an odd person."


    Before we even got to the main point, she got straight to the point. In fact, if I used my status and position, it wouldn''t be difficult to meet the Duke of Crawford.


    Just by visiting, I would be warmly weed. But borrowing money was a different matter.


    The Duke of Crawford, Paley III, was known as a miser.


    "It''s not a difficult request. My father would do anything, if I said anything."


    Justia is the only golden princess of the duchy. She was so precious to him that he wouldn''t mind putting her in his eyes.


    ''Come to think of it, that Skyler guy really had a lot of courage to kidnap someone like this.''


    No matter how much I racked my brain, he was someone I couldn''t understand.


    Why would he do something like that when he have everything? I don''t think it''s just for fun.


    "Your Highness the Duke of Carriers?"


    Princess Justia waved her hand in front of my eyes. It seems like my brief moment of absentmindednesssted quite a while.


    "Oh, yes. How far did we get?"


    "Not far but I have a condition."


    "A condition? Why a condition all of a sudden?"


    "Do you have problem?"


    "No, I do not."


    Even if I have problem, it''s not like I''m in position to say anything.


    She smiled bashfully and nodded.


    "The condition is that I go to the Deliat Autonomous Territory to y."


    "There is no ce there suitable for a princess to stay."


    "Then you should make it. With the money I lent you."


    "Oh! Is that the way?"


    Of course, it''s just a rough approximation.


    She want to build a luxurious vi in a beggar country that is barely hanging on?


    The most urgent matter is how to make a living for the people. What kind of nonsense is this?


    Then what is the difference from the existing governors?


    This is money that the Deliat Autonomous Region will have to repay at some point, so this is tantamount to extortion.


    I shook my head with a serious expression.


    "First, the purpose of borrowing money is to help the people be self-sufficient. I cannot use that kind of money for personal gain."


    "Ah¡­!"


    Princess Justia lowered her head with a look of realization. Then, soon, she smiled even brighter.


    "I overlooked that fact. I apologize for making such a reckless request."


    "It''s okay."


    "I''ll tell my father well. We''ll arrange a meeting soon."


    "Yes, then I''ll take my leave¡­."


    "Take care, Your Majesty."


    I think she understood this well enough. I left the pce with a satisfied expression. But she was beyond imagination.


    * * *


    "So, that''s why you came together?"


    Hojaein looked at Princess Justia with nk eyes.


    "Yes."


    I couldn''t believe that the Golden Leaf of the Duchy of Crawford hade to a ce like this, even after seeing it in person.


    What is there to see in the Deliat Autonomous Region, which is chaos itself?


    I couldn''t understand it, but Hojaein had it from the beginning.


    "But I don''t know where to take you."


    "Let''s stay at the Governor''s Residence. I won''t be going there much anyway."


    "That''s how it''s always been up until now."


    The Deliat Autonomy had so much to take care of from start to finish.


    What Hojain did was rebuild the city, do flood control work, and eliminate the remnants of the group. In fact, the people''s self-reliance was put on the back burner.


    Because just what happened was enough to make me go crazy.


    ''So that''s what I''m going to do, but there''s a catch.''


    Princess Justia''s gaze was fixed on me.


    Then, whenever our eyes met, her face turned bright red and she quickly turned her head away.


    Anyone who looks at her can tell that she is a girl who is deeply in love. But I wasn''t interested at all.

 Chapter 61: Thirty Concubines [2]!!!

    Princess Justia''s gaze was fixed on me.


    Then, whenever our eyes met, her face turned bright red and she quickly turned her head away.


    Anyone who looks at her can tell that she is a girl who is deeply in love. But I wasn''t interested at all.


    Even though she''s a distant rtive, she''s roughly a 6th cousin, and she''s even engaged.


    ''It seems like she''s not the type to enjoy things like forbidden love... .''


    But then suddenly a memory popped into my mind.


    It was a real-time grand strategy game set in medieval Europe. When the lord died, the son would take over, but if there was no sessor, it was the end.


    So, a man was definitely needed in the family. If possible, even if it means incest.


    ''Isn''t there also the challenge of continuing the sibling line for three generations?''


    No grand strategy, it was just a medieval political game.


    But surprisingly, that is well-researched. In fact, incest often urred under the pretext of maintaining pure bloodlines.


    "Wait a minute, then!"


    It was only natural that Justia would show interest in me. But it''s still really awkward.


    It also bothered me that her fianc¨¦ was the sessor to a powerful family. Besides, she wasn''t the type of woman I wanted.


    ''I don''t like my wife who holds a warhammer and sets it up!''


    Of course, it wasn''t something that could be said for sure.


    Thanks to the princess, I was able to borrow a fairly generous loan.


    I guess I''ll have to draw a line and tell her, but will this woman listen to me?


    ''What can I do with someone that even the King can''t stop?''


    The thought of the princess staying at the governor''s residence already gave me a headache. But even so, I can''t just leave her in that crumbling mud house forever.


    ''I have to get out of this beggarly state as quickly as possible.''


    Justia followed me around wherever I went.


    Even the smelly slum shantytowns didn''t bother her. Even though it must be inconvenient to grow up like this.


    Since it hade to this, there was nothing I could do. All I can do is express my disinterest as best as I can.


    I looked closely at the people''s livelihood as if I were a workaholic.


    "I''m going crazy. There really isn''t anything missing."


    All the Deliat Dominion had was incredibly cheapbor. Food independence is not possible. There are no special products to sell to other countries.


    Because the terrain was desert everywhere, it was difficult to even get around. How on earth can I developnd like this?


    "We have no choice but to sell groundbreaking products¡­."


    The problem was that there was nothing like that. What on earth would you make in a ce where there''s nothing but desert and sand?


    While I was deep in thought, someone suddenly approached me. It was Princess Justia who unpacked her luggage in the dpidated governor''s residence.


    "What are you thinking about?"


    "I was just thinking about it something simple."


    "You look quite serious. I don''t think it''s something simple."


    "It''s difficult. I need to get Deliat back to normal as soon as possible, but there''s no food."


    "If it''s food, doesn''t the empire provide support?"


    I blinked at the unexpected answer.


    Then I soon realized one mistake.


    ''There''s no such word as ''future food'' here?''


    She might not have known that it wasn''t meant for real food. I continued the conversation and changed the subject naturally.


    "The food supply in the Empire will soon be cut off. I must find a way to be self-sufficient before then."


    "Oh, you''re talking about the future."


    "That''s right."


    "It''s not easy to revive a bankrupt economy. But if you look for it, you''ll find some pretty good methods. For example¡­."


    Princess Justia pointed to the ground near the residence. There was a small scorpion crawling slowly there.


    I tilted my head, not knowing what on earth she meant. I''m not saying we should sell things like fried scorpions.


    Finally, she said with a big smile, "Have you heard that my father has thirty concubines?"


    "Oh, I have heard it through the grapevine. The Duke is said to be a famous gentleman."


    "My father eaten enough to deserve it."


    "Wasn''t it for strategic reasons that he took concubines?"


    "Hey, he would never do that."


    "What?"


    "It''s really good for the male body, but there''s no way to exin it."


    Princess Justia blushed and turned her head away. It meant that she couldn''t say it outright.


    At that moment, I felt like my mind was clearing up.


    ''Scorpion booster?''


    Stamina has always been the number one concern of middle-aged men, regardless of time or ce. Because it''s a time when physical strain begins to build up.


    But there were still some doubts.


    Scorpions were abundant in the deserts of Deliat. If such a thing were a great elixir, then Deliat must have been a fairly wealthy country.


    It probably wouldn''t havee off this easily. As if reading my questioning eyes, Princess Justia opened her mouth.


    "Some of the scorpions in the Kingdom of Deliat turn into nts at certain times. That''s the point."


    The moment I heard her words, I nodded without realizing it. A small mushroom that feeds on insects.


    The identity of the health tonic seemed to be Cordyceps sinensis.


    If that''s the case, then the story is different. Not all scorpions will be infected.


    ''What if i could cultivate the fruiting bodies of Cordyceps militaris?''


    The Deliat Autonomous Region will be able to generate its own growth momentum. I gave my heartfelt greetings to Princess Justia.


    "Thanks for the great idea!"


    "No problem. If you need anything, please let me know. I''ll do my best to help."


    "Yes, I will do that."


    I nodded without hesitation. If she exerts her power, she may be able to open up a market for the Duchy of Crawford and the Western Alliance.


    It''s much more effective than doing it myself. However, it seemed like it wasn''t an empty promise.


    Princess Justia smiled brightly with a bright face.


    ''I can''t help it if she keeps falling for me.''

 Chapter 62: The Deliat Revival Project

    The Deliat revival project was put into action immediately. Fortunately, the Cordyceps sinensis here is not affected by the seasons that much.


    The problem was that it wasn''t very popr.


    "It''s almost like picking up a gold nugget on the street. Should I call it Cordyceps sinensis rather than Cordyceps militaris?"


    It was like the Himyas in Tibet, so many people had to crawl on the ground to find it.


    They were so rare that they were quite difficult to distinguish from a distance.


    After wandering around all day, I only found two Cordyceps sinensis.


    This wasn''t even enough to make a test sample.


    I''ll need at least a few hundred units to figure out the growth conditions.


    ''First, let''s check the efficacy.''


    I immediately called the locals together. I wasn''t just any random person; I was an official working for the Government-General. They started drooling as soon as they saw Cordyceps sinensis.


    It seemed to be quite a precious item to the people living here.


    "Where did you find that?"


    "I just picked it up while wandering around the desert over there."


    "Huh? That dangerous ce?"


    The managers who turned their heads to the ce I pointed to opened their eyes wide.


    On the outside, it looked like an ordinary desert, but I couldn''t understand why it was considered dangerous. But when I heard the exnation, I found myself nodding.


    "The scorpions of Deliat have a habit of leaping. They sting their prey regardless of its size."


    "Oh, it was really fast."


    "If you go into a scorpion colony, you have to wrap yourself up tightly. That''s the only way to survive."


    They said that you should wear protective clothing, like when removing a wasp nest.


    But I didn''t have to.


    Because of my superhuman senses, I can block scorpion attacks.


    Either stomp on them before they jump, or dodge and hold them down with something like a cane. The methods were plentiful.


    However, that''s something only someone like me can do. It was a skill that ordinary people could not even imagine. However, it is not possible to ask someone with great skills to do something like this.


    "Then could you please get me that protective suit?"


    "What are you going to use that for all of a sudden?"


    "If you don''t like it, you don''t have to do it."


    "What?"


    "You guys have to go to the scorpion habitat, but if it''s not necessary, there''s nothing we can do. We''ll just have to hit them with our bare hands."


    "..."


    The officials stood silently, speechless.


    Since I gave such a strange order out of nowhere, it''s inevitable that their minds would be in turmoil.


    But they had to run so hard that the soles of their feet were on fire. The amount of money that would fall into my hands was muchrger than I thought.


    "I will give one Cordyceps sinensis to the first person who enters. And I will give 20% of the harvest."


    Originally, there was nopensation for being mobilized by the Government-General. Because no matter what job they do, they were only given a sry.


    Of course, it has been dyed by half a year now. Anyway, I''ll be giving them a whopping 20%.


    It was an enormous reward, one that had never been seen before. A strange longing appeared in the eyes of the managers.


    But then, the person standing at the very end raised his hand.


    "I have a question."


    "Tell me."


    "Can I mobilize my family members?"


    The economy of the Deliat Autonomous Territory is on the verge of copse. There were few jobs, and quite a few families stayed home. It was natural that such questions would arise.


    I answered with a big smile.


    "Any means and method can be used, as long as it is not a crime."


    Soon, the managers disappeared in an instant. Even though I only blinked for a moment.


    ''The father who builds a family must be a superman.''


    It was a scene that made me feel a strange sense of sadness.


    After a few days, enough Cordyceps sinensis were collected for the experiment.


    The efficacy was also confirmed. I ate it pressed in the traditional Deliat way and it kept me up at night.


    Yet, there seemed to be almost no side effects.


    Of course, I''ll have to wait and see what happens in the long run.


    "It''s almost better than the blue pill. Even if you bring it to modern times, it''ll sell like hotcakes."


    But there was a problem with mass production.


    The traditional method was toobor-intensive. Moreover, there was a shortage of craftsmen who could make them.


    This was because the number of Cordyceps sinensis nts collected was extremely small.


    Even though it may be profitable, how many people would actually enter the Scorpion Zone?


    Everyone is so poor that they can''t even afford proper protective gear.


    ''So the only people who could make money from this were the nobles.''


    But, things will be different from now on.


    Now that I am the governor, all practices will be broken. Besides, there was no need to risk one''s life entering the scorpion zone anymore.


    If we knew the conditions for Cordyceps sinensis to grow, we could cultivate it and mass-produce it.


    That doesn''t mean I had any intention of selling it all.


    "We need to refine it further to extend the storage period." I intended to send it to nobles on the other side of the continent.


    Since we don''t have it to begin with, we can''t eat it, so is there really a need to have a low-price policy?


    I have to sell it at a high price, including the shipping cost. I immediately called together all the Dan-Hwan craftsmen of Deliat.


    Then I wanted to buy the know-how.


    Knowing how to make it will allow you to simplify the process and work the magic of division ofbor.


    But it met with resistance from the start.


    "Even if a knife is put to my neck, I won''t give up my skills."


    "You want to reduce useless processes? Where is that? Everything is a necessary process."


    "That''s right! If you simplify it like that, the efficacy will be reduced."


    From those who absolutely cannot reveal their information to old-fashioned craftsmen. They were just a bunch of old people with all sorts of weird personalities. But I had countless ways to stimte them.


    "In the name of the Governor, I will select the best single ring craftsman in Deliat. The person who creates the most effective single ring will be awarded a que of honor and a prize of 100 gold."


    "...!"


    The impact of 100 gold coins was enormous.


    Wasn''t this a time when the country was on the verge of bankruptcy? Where can you get such arge sum of money in these troubled times?


    Even if you make a hundred-day coin, it will only fill the stomachs of the nobles. Because they provide most of the raw material, Cordyceps militaris.


    "Is that true?"


    "Of course. I''ll also give 50 gold to the second best person. So please try hard."


    "Ah..."


    The craftsmen looked at each other.


    Even those who were making a fuss about not being able to leak the technology were able to get their appetites tickled.


    Because it was a reward that was worth it.


    Besides,petition has a way of shaking people''s hearts.


    ''Everyone must have thought at least once in their life that they were the best.''


    The governor from the empire has officially recognized it. How many craftsmen would not turn a blind eye to this?


    It is the process of bing a true master.

 Chapter 63: Fortune Follower

    In the midst of the confusion, I quickly added an exnation.


    "The winner is required to cooperate with me in sharing and improving the technology. Only those who are willing to do so should sign the application form."


    Of course, no one really listened to those words. Each of them was busy gossiping with their disciples. It felt like a contract that was passing by at an incredible speed, but whatever. I''m not going to steal their technology and abuse it.


    My intention is for us all to live well together.


    "Ahem! I''ll think about it for a bit and decideter."


    "We will also send a doctorter."


    The speech was lukewarm, but it seemed like no one would refuse to participate.


    I sent the craftsmen out with a big smile.


    Then I went into the inner room of the office. There were dozens of bowls lying there, isted.


    ''The rest isn''t that difficult. The problem is how to cultivate it.''


    I exposed the fruiting bodies collected from scorpions to various environments.


    The purpose was to find out the suitable food for cultivation and the conditions necessary for growth.


    Because I can''t keep inocting those bugs with spores all the time.


    They''re too dangerous for that, I know.


    However, the experiment was notpleted so simply. If it were easy in the first ce, there would be no reason to take the risk of collecting Cordyceps militaris.


    "Oh my! I''m not a graduate student, and here I am doing an experiment that I never thought I would do."


    I thought it would be better to leave this to someone else. The method is simple anyway. It just requires endless repetitive work.


    Knock. Knock.


    Someone knocked on the door. After I cleaned up the room that had been turned into aboratory, I went outside.


    "Who is it?"


    "Hello? Are you busy?"


    The visitor was none other than Princess Justia.


    The purpose of her body twisting and smiling bashfully was clear.


    ''That''s a good thing. If I let her participate in the experiment, she''ll lose interest in me.''


    It did feel a little awkward, but what can I do? We brought in a vice minister through a handsome man, so I can''t draw a clear line.


    There is no choice but to push them away little by little while tightroping. I hope she goes back to her fianc¨¦.


    "I was originally busy. I think it would be good if you could help me."


    "Oh! What is it?"


    "Pleasee this way first."


    I led her into the bedroom.


    Then Justia''s face turned bright red as if it was going to burst. I guess she was imagining something erotic, but it''s ridiculous!


    When she heard the details of the experiment, she gave a hollowugh.


    "¡­You were preparing something like this?"


    "Yes, because this mushroom will save Deliat."


    "Okay! Okay. What should I do first?"


    "You can start from number 188 as written in the n here."


    "I''ll do it from now on, so take a rest."


    "Thank you."


    Princess Justia quickly adapted to the experiment. It wasn''t because she had higher education, but it felt like she had quite a bit of work to do.


    Iy down on the sofa in my office with a big smile on my face.


    ''Let''s take a break. It seems like I''ve been working harder sinceing over to this world.''


    I was about to fall asleep when I heard a sharp sound from the bedroom.


    ng!


    "Piss off!"


    It seemed that Princess Justia had broken something while conducting an experiment.


    As expected, two of the bowls used in the experiment were broken.


    "It''s okay. Just go back to the number written on the bowl. Just step back so you don''t get hurt."


    I spoke in as soft a tone as possible, fearing that she might be surprised. But she didn''t seem that surprised.


    Instead, she just calmly pointed between the broken dishes.


    "No. That''s not it. Would you like to see this?"


    "Huh? What¡­ Huh?"


    Surprisingly, Cordyceps sinensis was in full bloom there.


    The body of a scorpion was so incredibly abundant that I had never seen it before.


    That meant the experiment was a sess.


    ''No, how long has it been since ahe came in?''


    As I was looking at Princess Justia, unable to hide my bewilderment, a hologram suddenly appeared.


    I opened the information window without realizing it.


    **


    **


    - Name: Justia Crawford


    - Status: Princess


    - Position: Prince''s sessor (nned)


    - Rtionship: Intimate


    - Status: A strange feeling towards ??, a feeling towards ??


    - Skill: One who is blessed with fortune


    - Overall Ability: SS


    ---


    It''s amazing to have someone with such incredible abilities so close to me.


    I guess this woman¡­


    "Should I hire her as an employee?"


    Of course, it was absurd to hire a princess from one country. In the first ce, she is a person who has no need to work.


    No matter how much I gave, all I would get in return would be a fart.


    ''But I feel guilty about using the term ''pretty boy'' again.''


    Anyway, thanks to Justia''s skill ''Fortune Follower,'' I figured out the proper cultivation conditions.


    The key now was to mass-produce this and turn it into a dry ring.


    That way, it can be stored for a long time.


    The current method can''t send it far because it''s too humid.


    ''I''ve ovee one big mountain, but there''s still a long way to go.''


    It seemed like I would probably have to go through many more experiments.


    Because I need to find out if the medicinal properties are still there even after drying the pills.


    To do that, i have to eat this first¡­


    "Ah, this won''t work."


    A good medicine for men in front of Princess Justia?


    Does that mean she is trying to seduce me openly?


    I stared nkly at the Cordyceps sinensis and then turned my gaze to the side.


    Then I saw her crescent-shaped eyes.


    "Would you like to try it?"


    No, why do you rmend that? People are scary.


    For a moment, the image of Justia beating her fianc¨¦ with a warhammer came to mind.


    I don''t want to be like that.


    "I guess I''ll have to refine it first. It''s important when it''s made into a single ring."


    As I hurriedly wrapped the Cordyceps militaris in a cotton cloth, she smacked her lips as if she was disappointed.


    But why is she looking eyes at my hand?


    Does she want to try Cordyceps sinensis?


    ''No, not when she''s with me.''


    I would never allow her to this.

 Chapter 64: Q&l Single-cycle Factory

    The cultivation of Cordyceps sinensis was extremely sessful. Because I had it made into a single ring by a craftsman, its effect was even better. I think it was because it didn''t have any impurities like scorpion skin and was much richer. It seemed that what Princess Justia had discovered was the optimal condition.


    "The base is oats. Low temperature, high humidity. That''s the key."


    Now, all that was left was to make the dry ring, but there was something else that had to be done first: the ultimate craftsmanpetition. As the days passed, the finished products began to arrive one after another.


    The judges were officials from the Government-General.


    To increase reliability, I conducted a blind test.


    It consisted of three married men, each testing the products by age.


    Thepetitionsted for a full ten days.


    The n was to take the pill once every two days and write down a review.


    "What''s the difference, really? It''s all about the effectiveness of the raw materials."


    But surprisingly, the judges'' choices were concentrated in a few ces.


    This meant that one single ring stood out among them. After a fiercepetition, the winner was decided by just one vote.


    "The first-ce winner of the artisan selection contest is Artisan Quaitun! The second-ce winner is Artisan Ras!"


    "Wow!"


    When the results were announced, cheers erupted everywhere.


    The craftsmen sat still, clenching their fists to maintain theirposure. However, one disciple couldn''t contain his excitement and shouted.


    How could one not be happy when one''s teacher is acknowledged as the best?


    I gave arge que to both Quaitun and Ras.


    "Thank you all for your hard work."


    "You''re wee."


    "Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity."


    The two craftsmen smiled brightly, delighted at the prospect of receiving arge bag of gold coins. But I didn''t give out the prize money right away.


    "The final step is to disclose the technology to me and cooperate in improving it."


    "What? Was there such a condition?"


    "This is the first time I''ve heard of this."


    Of course, everyone was tempted by the sum of 100 golden coins and didn''t listen properly.


    They probably didn''t even read the terms and conditions on the application form.


    I took out two pieces of paper and held them up with both hands, pointing out the conditions I just mentioned. The craftsmen nced at each other with ufortable expressions.


    It seems they were not happy about their know-how being leaked.


    It couldn''t be helped; it''s a family business that has been passed down for generations. If anyone could learn it easily, why take on apprentices?


    But there was no need to worry. I knew they would hesitate.


    "I will give you a share of the Danhwan factory. You will be able to make a living from now on without any problems."


    I could probably make a lot of money, a huge amount on a different level from what I''ve earned so far.


    When I exined the business structure and vision, the craftsmen''s expressions changed. Then, out of the blue, one asked:


    "After giving all this away, what will Your Excellency the Governor gain?"


    It was a valid point. On the surface, it might seem like I wasn''t taking anything. But Quaitun''s question was misced.


    "First, gain His Majesty''s trust. If we normalize the Deliat Autonomy, Emperor Charon''s trust in me will increase even more. Because I always get what I want."


    Moreover, my influence here would grow.


    I already had enormous power in the public sphere.


    As the Governor, who could resist my authority? However, deep distrust existed among the public due to the previous governors'' mismanagement.


    The Cordyceps sinensis extract business was expected to be the driving force behind Deliat''s transformation.


    Based on this, I must continue to invest in various areas.


    Besides, it wasn''t like I couldn''t make money. To begin with, I would own most of the shares of the Danhwan factory. But now was not the time to exin in detail.


    It may sound like a scam, but this was a time when words were absolutely necessary.


    "Do I look like someone who needs money?"


    The two craftsmen''s expressions became distorted.


    They finally remembered who I was: the Emperor''s cousin, Duke of the Empire, and Governor of the Dominion.


    Various titles and positions that described me came to mind.


    "I see."


    "I want Deliat to return to its former state as soon as possible. His Majesty the Emperor sent me to achieve this."


    "Ah! Your Excellency the Governor!"


    The two craftsmen hugged the ques tightly with expressions of admiration.


    Judging by the tears welling up in their eyes, they seemed quite moved. Of course, my true feelings were a little different from what they thought.


    ''I have a lot of wealth. But I won''t push away thepensation that should havee to me.''


    Isn''t that obvious? No matter how indifferent you are to money, how could you possibly hate it?


    Quaitun and Ras'' attitudes changed positively. It wasn''t just because they received the award, but it seemed to be due to what I said. It''s a famous quote that really hits deep.


    ''My head hurts a little, but it''s not difficult.''


    Learning the single-ring production process was not a big problem.


    Anyway, I wasn''t going to make it myself; I just needed to understand the overall framework.


    As expected, the most time-consuming part was the refining process. Both craftsmen boiled the ingredients to remove impurities andbined the essence with a herb called ''poro.''


    "Captives are key medicinal herbs that enhance the effect."


    "Oh! You use that too. What''s the percentage?"


    "It''s half and half."


    "I put less than that, so I guess I got second ce. Ugh!"


    "Your Danhwan has something to learn too. It tastes much milder. What else did you put in it?"


    "I put the poro in with the roots. It tastes sweet."


    "Ohh?"


    Quaitun and Ras shared their secrets andplemented each other''s weaknesses.


    We created a pill that was both effective and delicious. Additionally, I introduced a production process and a drying process that involved the division ofbor.


    "Are you saying that youpletely dried the single ring?"


    "If there''s moisture, it will rot quickly. Let''s just make it once."


    "Yes...."


    The two craftsmen looked uneasy but did as they were told.


    After all, I was the owner of the single-ring factory. Moreover, they promised to actively cooperate. How could skilled craftsmen speak two words at once?


    But the results were surprisingly good. It even became easier to eat because its size was reduced.


    "Hmm? This is better than I thought."


    The students who volunteered for the experiment were very enthusiastic about it from the first bite, even though they hadn''t experienced the full effects yet.


    "Don''t judge before it works."


    Although Quaitun reprimanded him politely, the disciple continued to voice his opinion.


    "No, it''s really different. I used to be a little put off by the richness of it. Now, it''s like eating a well-baked cookie."


    "Are you saying it''s delicious?"


    "Not to that extent. I mean, it''s much more edible."


    "Hmm."


    Honestly, I felt that way too.


    It was true that it was very tasteless if eaten as regr food. Since it was a health supplement, I just swallowed it without thinking about it.


    Anyway, a day passed like that.


    Quaitun''s disciple returned with a pale face.


    "No! I took that precious medicine, so why did this happen?"


    "Huh! That''s right. That''s really strange. It would be normal if you were still in good health."


    The two surprised craftsmen peppered him with questions. Then Quaitun''s disciple weakly raised his thumb and said:


    "I¡­ I couldn''t sleep a wink."


    That meant the effect was enormous. I pped my hands with a satisfied expression.


    "Okay. Then let''s proceed with production like this."


    ---


    There was an unprecedented event taking ce near the Government-General building. Propagandists started walking around, shouting loudly:


    "The best craftsmen of Deliat are establishing a single-ring factory. We are hiring workers, soe for an interview!"


    There was also arge poster, but the content was nothing special. In fact, there wasn''t a single word written on it. Instead, there was a map of the Danhwan factory and some drawings.


    The content was that if you did a rough job, you would be paid. However, people''s gazes were cold.


    "Aren''t those the Governor-General''s officials?"


    "That''s right. Everyone ran away, and only a few people remained, so why are you working so hard?"


    "Anyway, it''s true that this time too, things are not going well. How much has the Governor-General exploited us so far?"


    "Oh my! Instead of paying me for the work I did, they just took my money, saying it was taxes."


    "How many people have died from forcedbor? It is a hundred times better to just stay still and starve."


    Deep-rooted distrust was not easily resolved.


    People shook their heads and dispersed.


    I promise to never be fooled again.


    But the propagandists didn''t give up.


    Later, even Quaitun and Ras'' disciples were mobilized.


    Then, more and more people started to be interested.


    They was so hungry that they had to jump into the scorpion zone.


    Moreover, there are conditions that make such people vulnerable.


    "Just for the interview, we''ll give you a meal."


    "Huh? Is that true?"


    "Of course. Since you have nothing to lose anyway, consider it a scam and give it a try."


    "hmm...."


    The worry didn''tst long.


    People who had been scattering gathered in groups of three or four, and soon formed arge group.


    Towards the Q&L single-cycle factory.


    But, an unexpected problem urred.


    The point is that a crowd driven by hunger is extremely dangerous.


    "Hey, it''s bread!"


    "Give it to me first! I feel like I''m going to die right now!"


    It was like dog fight....

 Chapter 65: Luxurious Storage Box [1]

    "Oh, oh, oh!"


    "Block the entrance quickly! The building will copse if this continues!"


    The two craftsmen shouted at their disciples. This was a factory that had been renovated from a warehouse belonging to the Government-General.


    How many intact buildings are there in Deliat, which is almost in ruins?


    Of course, this ce wasn''t very sturdy either. With hundreds of people crowding in, it was enough to create an unsettling scene.


    ''If this continues, something big will happen. This won''t work,''


    I thought, watching the shaking factory. I picked up the gavel. It felt like if I didn''t mediate directly, a major ident would ur.


    Swoosh¡ª!


    I leaped into the air, crossed the crowd, andnded at the entrance of the factory.


    Despite someone falling out of nowhere, the applicants paid no attention. They were too busy pushing in and trying to snatch bread from the disciples.


    ¡ºThe Beast''s Heart Activates¡»


    "Stop!"


    I shouted, releasing a powerful shockwave along with a loud roar. Only then did the people stop moving.


    "What is this? My body isn''t listening to me."


    "Ugh! It feels like I''m frozen."


    "¡­ ¡­ Huh! Huh!"


    Most were simply shocked, but some went into a state of severe panic. I walked among them, twirling the gavel.


    "Okay, follow along. Keep order."


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    I recited it in a solemn voice, but no one responded.


    Of course, why would anyone follow the orders of someone they don''t even know?


    Instead, a strange antipathy began to creep up. Just as fierce expressions were starting to appear, the trembling voices of Quaitun and Ras were heard. Soon, the crowd had to rethink their actions.


    "Your Excellency, Governor!"


    "What brings you to such a shabby ce?"


    Ras'' words felt a bit excessive, considering there was no area I did not touch, including the facilities and personnel arrangements of the Danhwan factory.


    It seemed like he said that to tter me. But it worked. The mood of the interviewees changed.


    "The governor? He''s so young."


    "He just got a new job."


    "It was so quiet that I thought he weren''t here."


    "But is it okay for us to talk like this in front of everyone?"


    "Uh, ahem!"


    Despite their hunger, they still had some sense of reason left.


    In the Deliat Autonomous Territory, disobeying the Governor''s orders would not just end in a guillotine.


    "Maintain order," I said, staring at them with bleak eyes.


    Finally, the expected reaction came.


    "Keep order."


    "Everyone, let''s line up."


    The people who had been arguing until just now moved in unison. Quaitun and Ras looked at me with nk expressions.


    "I thought dignity was just a rumor, but it really exists."


    "It is truly an honor to work with you, Your Excellency the Governor."


    It wasn''t just because they had received some benefits. The loyalty of the two craftsmen already exceeded 60. That must mean the vision I showed was bright. Iughed off their gilding and went to the office.


    "Let them in one by one."


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    The first interviewer was no different from the others. A shabby, skinny body. But the look in his eyes seemed quite useful.


    ''Ohh?''


    I immediately brought up the information window.


    **


    **


    - Name: Donson


    - Status: Commoner


    - Rtionship: No acquaintance.


    - Status: Feeling guilty about having to beg for food every day, feeling no guilt about stealing, and being quite the money grabber.


    - Overall Ability: D


    ''Wait a minute, what? A one-hit wonder?''


    Just by looking at him, he was clearly on the verge of bing a thief. If I hired someone like this, I could end up with a single ring.


    The core process would be handled by craftsmen, but the packaging would ultimately be done by handymen.


    The employees selected this time were only going to be mobilized for simplebor.


    Rather than someone with outstanding abilities, a person with good spirit and kindness was best.


    "Here, take the bread over there."


    "Huh? You haven''t asked any questions yet."


    "That''s enough for the interview. We don''t have much time, so hurry up."


    "Ah yes."


    The interviewee, named Donson, walked out with a bewildered look on his face.


    As expected, the information window was the best for filtering out the long-tail.


    I could tell something was off-putting just by seeing his face.


    Just look at that.


    If I had chosen him only by looking at those sparkling eyes, I would have lost all the single rings.


    Of course, I nned to thoroughly prepare myself, so I wouldn''t be easily shaken off.


    Although there were nearly a thousand participants, the interviews werepleted in just one day. I selected 50 workers. Half of them had at least some experience with wood and were good with their hands.


    Quaitun tilted his head after checking the people who had been chosen.


    "If you have experience working with wood, may I ask why you chose that tree?"


    It was a very cute gesture for a short man. I smiled and answered willingly.


    "It''s to make a storage box."


    "Huh? Is there really a need for that?"


    Until now, Cordyceps sinensis pills have been delivered wrapped in oiled paper.


    This way, they will spoil less and be easier to transport. But now it was okay not to do that.


    Anyway, i can leave them at room temperature for a long time. But there had to be a locker. Suddenly, I remembered the resonance box.


    ''It would be good to put several rings in a rectangr solid shell.''


    "There is no one who does not know that Cordyceps sinensis Danhwan is a good health supplement for men."


    "That''s right."


    "But what about the eastern part of the empire?"


    "It''s probably not well known. The single ring spoils quickly, and the raw materials even worse."


    "You should be able to tell right away that this is a valuable item. Plus, it makes a great gift."


    Once long-distance transportation became possible, marketing became essential.


    Even if I say it''s effective in words, they only hear the words of a herbalist.


    It''s only when something catches your eye that you be interested. In the first ce, anyone who would buy Cordyceps Sinensis Danhwan would be vain.

 Chapter 66: Luxurious Storage Box [2]

    "There is no one who does not know that Cordyceps sinensis Danhwan is a good health supplement for men."


    "That''s right."


    "But what about the eastern part of the empire?"


    "It''s probably not well known. The single ring spoils quickly, and the raw materials even worse."


    "You should be able to tell right away that this is a valuable item. Plus, it makes a great gift."


    Once long-distance transportation became possible, marketing became essential.


    Even if I say it''s effective in words, they only hear the words of a herbalist.


    It''s only when something catches your eye that you be interested. In the first ce, anyone who would buy Cordyceps Sinensis Danhwan would be vain.


    "Ah, such profound meaning!"


    "Among the newly recruited workers, those who have experience handling wood will be put to work making storage boxes. The craftsmen, please take the remaining manpower and focus on producing single rings."


    "Yes, Your Majesty!"


    Now the factory had started operating in earnest. With thepany already short on manpower, workers were deployed to minor locations to increase production speed.


    Although it was somewhat crude, it was an excellent factory-style system for this level of division ofbor in the Middle Ages.


    The process of making dry short rings no longer needed to be touched.


    They''ll take care of it anyway. The important thing was to pull out a luxurious storage box.


    After quickly drawing the drawing, I called the workers together.


    "Can someone make this?"


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    No one raised their hand rashly. I broke the parts down into pieces forter assembly. It must look incredibly strange to their eyes.


    ''I can''t help it. If this is the case, I will have to teach them one by one.''


    It would take some time, but it wasn''t something that waspletely impossible.


    Because the difficulty level of making a wooden box is not that high.


    The problem is that it has to look luxurious and be produced inrge quantities. But then someone cautiously raised a hand.


    "I...."


    "Please speak."


    "I think I can do it."


    The person who spoke in a timid voice was a boy of small stature.


    Then, looks of distrust appeared from those around me.


    "There are no real carpenters here, and yet they make suchplicated things?"


    "Because you''re young, you have your own set of habits."


    I guess that''s why he reacted like that because his face was so young. Honestly, as long as you have the ability, looks and age don''t matter. I have no prejudice at all.


    **


    **


    - Name: Electr


    - Status: Commoner


    - Position: Single-Hwan Factory Employee


    - Rtionship: A distant subordinate


    - Loyalty: 10


    - Status: Relief at havingnded a job, eager to try anything, some suspicion toward employer


    - Overall Ability: B


    ----


    ''Oh! It''s changed a bit.''


    The situation was somewhat different from the time of the interview. At that time, it was about thest pride or something like that. I think it was probably because it was before and after hiring. As expected, I chose a good person.


    "Can you make just one?"


    "Yes, Your Excellency the Governor."


    Electr went straight to the workbench and started making something by himself. Even though it was the first time he had seen the drawing, his hand movements were unstoppable.


    ''I feel like he''s done this before.''


    Although he wasn''t a carpenter, he certainly seemed to have the skills to be one. While Electr was absorbed in his work, I called the staff together.


    "Our factory works for 50 minutes and then takes a 10-minute break. Including an hour for lunch, we work for a total of 9 hours."


    "Can you get back before the sun sets?"


    "Yes. I will build a ce to stay nearby, and if you want, i can rent it out for a low price. Lunch will also be provided by the factory."


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    The employees all gaped in surprise. In addition to being surprised, most of them looked like they couldn''t believe me. In fact, it was a natural reaction.


    ''The environment here is much worse than the Empire,''  I thought.


    When I first came to this world, I had to stick out my tongue countless times. Working conditionspletely devoid of humanity were the norm.


    If this is the case in the capital of the most prosperous empire, what about a country on the verge of copse?


    Non-payment of wages is a given, and it''s fortunate if they don''t beat you while ordering you to work.


    But the governor, who is the icon of distrust, offers such a great job. It was something they couldn''t help but be surprised by.


    "Is that true?"


    "Of course. However, since we are making high-quality products, we have to do our work properly. Defects? I won''t forgive even one."


    "If what you just said were truly kept, what could not be done!"


    "It will definitely be implemented as is."


    "Wow!"


    Theborers all cheered.


    The excitement did not easily subside. The sense of relief that they could now make a living must have run down their spines.


    But I kept a calm expression.


    ''At first, you''ll say things like you''re going to take out all your liver and galldder,'' I thought.


    As time went by, the urgency would fade away. They too would becent.


    If i continue to show favor, they will think it is a right. But there was no need to worry at all.


    ''Because I have a staff management window,''


    I thought. Those who were not sincere could just be kicked out. Anyway, there are plenty of people who want to work.


    ''In that sense, let''s take a look to see if we''re doing well after a long time,'' I thought.


    The advantage of the staff management window was that all information was disyed regardless of distance.


    Even in the distant Deliat Autonomous Territory, one could see the situation in the Carriers Duchy as if looking at the back of one''s hand.


    But then something that made me frown suddenly popped out.


    "Why are there so many people resting?"


    Even though it was broad daylight, more than 30% of the employees were resting. That too, with the butlers who are the managers.


    What the hell happened?

 Chapter 67: Potential Sons-in-law? [1]

    I sensed something unusual in the Carriers Duchy, but there was nothing I could do about it right away.


    Even if I ran like crazy, it would take a month to go back and forth. There was so much work to do in the Deliat Autonomous Region; how could I possibly go there?


    ''The butlers will take care of it. They''ve already set up the system well.''


    The textile factories, pottery, and tool workshops were all well-organized.


    I was able to get a rough idea of the indicators, although not as detailed as I was.


    The answer to who worked and when was very clear. When something goes wrong, it''s not easy to determine who''s responsible.


    But when I looked at the employee management window, there didn''t seem to be any major problems.


    ''It seems like it''s an external factor, but let''s just trust it and leave it to them for now.''


    Didn''t I give my butlers a lot of authority to do that?


    After I closed the hologram, I focused on the single-ring factory.


    Two days after assigning the task to Elector, a prototype was finally produced.


    Even though it was just starting to take shape, the storage unit seemed to be in pretty good shape.


    "It came out better than I expected. Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Electra."


    "Go, thank you."


    "Can you tell me how to make it?"


    "Yes, of course."


    The elector exined in detail the order and method of cutting the tree. The overall picture wasn''t much different from what I had envisioned. But the details were extraordinary.


    "If you don''t cut it like this, it won''t work."


    "Does it really have to be like that?"


    "Yes. Because it can get twistedter or break when cut."


    "I saw them making wooden boards at a nearby construction site. Other carpenters didn''t do that."


    "It''s because the materials are different. The papata tree used for storage is very hard."


    "Instead, it means that there is ack of sticity."


    "That''s correct. But when ites to making small boxes, nothing beats this."


    It was indeed a remark that only a carpenter who had experience working with local wood could make. I looked around the storage box that Elector had made.


    ''It''s perfect for division ofbor.''


    I quickly broke the process down to the second. Workers lined up along a single-row workbench.


    The first thing to do after cutting down the wood in front is to sand it down. Next came applying the finishing material, assembling, and finally filling the interior with velvet.


    Four rows of workbenches were installed inside the factory. When he worked like that, he was able to produce four finished products every 25 minutes on average.


    ''Production will increase soon. As they be more skilled, each process will be a little faster.''


    Of course, that wasn''t all.


    I was also nning to create a quality control team to inspect defective products. It was a storage box for expensive items, so even the slightest w could not be tolerated.


    Isn''t this a product that has my name on it?


    "Let''s proceed with the rest little by little, and let''s start working on this side slowly."


    The production system was gradually taking shape.


    So, what''s left is promotion. No matter how good an item is, what good is it?


    People have to know about it to be popr.


    In the Middle Ages, when news traveled painfully slowly, public rtions activities were a truly difficult task. One advantage I had that others didn''t.


    ''High status, enormous wealth, and¡­ awork of connections that will get me there.''


    I went straight to Princess Justia with the finished product.


    She was touring the Governor''s Residence, which was undergoing reconstruction. It seemed like she couldn''t stand it any longer and was going to build it herself.


    This could lead to problems with building ownershipter, but I didn''t really care. Since I''m going to be staying there anyway, I''ll just have to make a separate ce.


    The Governor''s Residence isn''t some kind of symbolic ce.


    "Hello, mydy."


    "Ah, Your Highness the Duke of Carriers. What brings you here? I thought you were busy with the factory work."


    "It''s almost finished. By the way, could you take a look at this?"


    I took out a box of the hot finished product.


    Although I haven''t put the dry ring in yet, the storage box itself is heavy. She touched its shiny surface with interest.


    "It''s quite luxurious. It has a heavy feel to it, so I think it would be a perfect gift for a man."


    "The reviews are quite generous."


    "It''s rare to find something this borate. And the inside is nice too. Is that where you put the medicine?"


    "Yes, I n to do that."


    "That''s a good idea. I think it will sell well."


    Even for someone as picky as Princess Justia, this was a very good start. Now it''s time to get to the main point. I opened my mouth carefully.


    "Now that the finished product is out, I''d like to give it as a gift."


    "Huh? For me? Didn''t you say it''s a good medicine for men?"


    "Ah, of course. Then, how about sending it to the King¡­?"


    "If that''s the case, I totally agree. I think he''ll be satisfied."


    After his first wife died, Duke Crawford took dozens of concubines.


    But as he get older, it''s time to start putting in the effort.


    ''As expected, it sells well.''


    I smiled with a sense of conversion and immediately thought of the next n.


    I should also spread the word to the nobles of the Duchy of Crawford. Furthermore, the n was to further spread it throughout the Western Union.


    Since I can take care of the Empire anyway, she just needs to take care of the West.


    But Princess Justia opened her mouth with a meaningful expression.


    "There is one condition."


    "Huh? What is that?"


    "You''re not nning on sending me alone, are you?"


    "Ah, that''s¡­"


    "And you say it''s a good medicine for men? It would be more credible if someone who has seen the effects exined it."


    "Are you saying I should go with you?"


    "Haha! Of course."


    Oh, I got caught.


    I knew it would turn out like this. If I decline here, I''ll lose a perfect promotional item.


    I guess I''ll have to start from the bottom and work my way up.


    But even that won''t be easy. Princess Justia, whose judgment is twisted, may exert an ufortable influence.


    ''Still, it''s not that far from the Empire, so it might be worth a visit.''


    A week would probably be enough.


    I was willing to spend that much. If only the dried persimmons would sell like hotcakes.


    Moreover, by joining the Western Nations Alliance, there was also personal benefit to be gained.


    There are many nobledies there who have received help from me, like Princess Justia.


    While I''m at it, I might as well get something in return. I nodded with a big smile.


    "Okay. Okay then."

 Chapter 68: Potential Sons-in-law? [2]

    "Are you saying I should go with you?"


    "Haha! Of course."


    Oh, I got caught.


    I knew it would turn out like this. If I decline here, I''ll lose a perfect promotional item.


    I guess I''ll have to start from the bottom and work my way up.


    But even that won''t be easy. Princess Justia, whose judgment is twisted, may exert an ufortable influence.


    ''Still, it''s not that far from the Empire, so it might be worth a visit.''


    A week would probably be enough.


    I was willing to spend that much. If only the dried persimmons would sell like hotcakes.


    Moreover, by joining the Western Nations Alliance, there was also personal benefit to be gained.


    There are many nobledies there who have received help from me, like Princess Justia.


    While I''m at it, I might as well get something in return. I nodded with a big smile.


    "Okay. Okay then."


    * * *


    ***


    Duke Paley III of Crawford looked dubious.


    As a person known for being a womanizer, he was aware of the existence of Cordyceps sinensis extract.


    But the problem was that he knew it too well. Because he''s been to the Kingdom of Deliat quite a few times to take that elixir.


    But the next day, the king''s attitude changed 180 degrees.


    "Hahahaha! Good morning!"


    "Did you sleep well?"


    "Thank you, this is truly the best experience I''ve ever had. It works much better than what I used to eat!"


    Look at that face, so full of satisfaction.


    Perhaps because his expression had rxed, he looked at least 10 years younger.


    But as they say, too much of anything is worse than not enough. I had to stop the king, whose confidence was fully charged.


    "Avoid consuming more than one box per month. It can actually be detrimental to your health."


    "It''s okay. It''s okay. A brave man like me can easily ovee such minor side effects."


    "But ording to the craftsmen¡­"


    "Okay. Just deliver three boxes a month. No, you said you could store them for a long time anyway? Just give me a year''s worth all at once."


    It was an atmosphere where it seemed like no matter how hard I tried to persuade him, it wouldn''t work.


    I made a troubled expression, but Princess Justia just smiled brightly. It probably just means deliver whatever you want. I had no choice but to nod.


    "Yes, I will do that."


    One pill of Cordyceps sinensis costs twenty gold coins. It was an expensive item, costing a whopping 200 gold per box.


    Although it was more expensive than some jewels, the king didn''t even ask the price.


    Because he was full of determination to buy it no matter how much it cost.


    ''How much money do i get in a year?''


    I sold a one-year subscription to one person and it cost 7,200 gold.


    Where else can I find such a high-value-added business that fails so hard?


    Moreover, if other nobles also purchased the single ring, they would earn hundreds of thousands of gold.


    I traveled all over the West with Princess Justia.


    But wherever we went, it was a total hit.


    There were already about 40 people who had prepaid for a year''s worth.


    "It''s so popr, it''s an unexpected sess."


    Princess Justia nced at the ledger and stuck out her tongue. Because the amount written was enough to surprise even the heir to the country.


    But I had already anticipated this situation.


    "Well, I only stopped by people who were worth living for."


    "I didn''t know that even nobledies would buy it."


    "It''s probably a gift."


    She wouldn''t understand.


    How many nobledies have returned safely to their families thanks to the Empire''s approval?


    Wouldn''t it be like pulling up someone who was falling into hell?


    ''At first , it was a token of gratitude, but they will continue to buy it in the future.''


    Once you see the effects, you can''t stop.


    There are no serious side effects to Cordyceps Sinensis Danhwan. The repurchase rate will probably be incredibly high.


    Besides, word of mouth will spread among thedies as well. Now that the original goal has been achieved, it''s time to head back.


    But then, suddenly, Princess Justia spoke to me in a sly tone.


    "Your Highness the Duke."


    "Your expression is quite impure. What could be going on?"


    "What''s wrong with my face?"


    "For a moment, it was sinister¡­ No. Let''s get to the point. What is it?"


    "I''d like to buy just one box of that too."


    "Oh, yes. Are you going to use it as a gift? I''ll wrap it nicely and send it to you."


    "No. Don''t you have some left over after selling it?"


    "This one?" I showed her the single-ring box I had brought as a sample. Then she nodded with a pleased face.


    "Yes."


    "The storage box is luxurious, but it needs more packaging when giving it as a gift. I''ll wrap it in a furoshiki and give it to you."


    "Okay. I need it right now, so give it to me quickly."


    "What do you mean?"


    Princess Justia handed me arge ruby.


    A jewel that is easily worth over 200 gold.


    The price is sufficient, but I cannot understand what her intention is.


    Tak!


    "Huh?"


    While I was briefly distracted by Ruby, she was already opening the locker. Cordyceps sinensis pills wrapped in shiny gold foil.


    It waspletely dried, but it was well-processed so that it didn''t crumble.


    ''It''s truly a luxury product.''


    If it weren''t for me, how would I have upgraded that squishy ring like that? I felt a moment of pride.


    But then Princess Justia suddenly started making strange noises.


    "Pewp!"


    A single ring that approaches the corner of the mouth, drawing a winding trajectory. I grabbed her wrist with a puzzled expression.


    "Why are you doing this?"


    "They say that if you do it like this, it will be well-received."


    "If it were regr food, then yes. But this is Cordyceps sinensis pills."


    "That''s right. If a woman has done this much, then you should understand. Please eat this quickly."


    "No, what is that¡­"


    "Eat! Eat! I said EAT!!!"


    There was madness in the eyes of the princess who was recklessly drinking the single-ring medicine.


    An illustration of Sarmatian nomads from around the 4th century BC suddenly came to my mind.


    You know how fathers and daughters used to kidnap men they had chosen as potential sons-inw?


    Princess Justia would probably have been more than enough.


    ''That''s why I didn''t want to get involved with her!''

 Chapter 69: Next Business Item

    "It is truly a shame that I have to send you away like this," Princess Justia looked at me with pitiful eyes.


    But what can she do? By order of Duke Crawford, she was forbidden to leave the country.


    He say that if sge hang out with another man, the rumors will spread even more.


    Ah! Thank you, Paley III, for saving me!


    I thought that perhaps this gift was given because of the effectiveness of the Cordyceps Sinensis Danhwan.


    It was a bit of a shame that she had such skills. Isn''t she a person with good fortune?


    The Cordyceps Militaris experiment was also sessful thanks to Princess Justia.


    But if I think about it for a moment, it''s a question with a clear answer.


    Imagine a woman looking down at you with a grumpy expression, a warhammer slung over her shoulder.


    She didn''t kidnapped on purpose, did she?


    She thought a prince woulde to save her like in a fairy tale.


    If I had gotten kidnap, I might have been able to escape on my own. Of course,mon sense would tell you that that wouldn''t actually happen.


    "It is the King''s order, so there is nothing I can do. I hope you stay healthy."


    Please, marry that guy named Izukayanji.


    Of course, I kept the thought to myself.


    Soon I set off with the long procession.


    The Duchy of Crawford and the Western Confederation were rtively well-off economically.


    There was no reason for them to stagger just because they had exported this much material.


    Besides, aren''t they buying it with the money they earn here?


    As markets became more active, politicians around the world weed the development.


    So much so that I received countless marriage proposals.


    How high do I think my poprity will go?


    I sat back in my chair, praising myself inwardly. Time passed by without stopping, and it was finally time to arrive.


    "Oh my! I''m so bored."


    There were still a few incidents when I was dispatched from the Empire to the Deliat Dominion.


    Since there were not many people, we sometimes encountered monsters and bandits.


    But now, there weren''t even such small events. Because the scale of the movement was so enormous that it could almost be called an army.


    In that situation, the mercenaries hired as escorts were also just loitering around.


    Like ying a game where you throw daggers and hit the target.


    Whirlirik! Bam!


    "Hey, I lost."


    "Kekekeke! Hand them over now. One Ceylon each."


    The game seemed fairly simple.


    It was basically a game where they would nail a nk to a tree and whoever hit it the most would win. It seems really trivial, but it still looks quite lively.


    When money is involved, everyone tends to get excited.


    That''s what makes betting fun. But I''m not interested.


    Do you think I''ll be happy if I win a few coins there?


    Me, with a fortune worth millions of golden?


    Of course, that couldn''t be the case at all.


    Why would nobles engage in strenuous activities like wrestling and hunting? It was because I felt such terrible boredom like I do now.


    "If there was something like a board game, it would be less boring¡­ ¡­ Huh?"


    I gained great insight from a single word I blurted out without thinking.


    I''m not the only one bored in this world, am I?


    It would be the same for all people, whether they are men, women, old or young, dogs or cows.


    Oh, shouldn''t thetter be omitted? What are you talking about? Animals love to y too.


    This is the next business item.


    * * *


    The money earned from selling Cordyceps Sinensis was reinvested in the Government-General.


    Not all of it, because the craftsmen''s shares and employees'' sries had to be deducted.


    Of course, even after deducting all the expenses, the profits were enormous.


    Even the loan borrowed from the Duchy of Crawford was enough to be repaid in a lump sum.


    Cordyceps Sinensis extract is truly a high value-added business. The margins are just so enormous.


    "I think this will be enough for the time being?"


    "That''s enough. I haven''t handled such arge sum of money recently."


    Hojein''s eyes widened as he looked at the pile of gold coins.


    Deliat was roughly simr to the Duchy of Crawford.


    Except for the natural environment, such as territory, poption, and economic scale, it was virtually identical.


    Only one thing waspletely opposite:Their attitude towards the empire.


    If they keepining for no reason, Deliat will end up on the path to destruction¡­ Oh, this isn''t really an important story.


    In any case, it was a medium-sized country, slightlyrger than the small countries of the West.


    Originally, it was normal to have to touch several hundred thousand goldens.


    But during the time when Hojein was in power, the country was always in a state of beggary. So even the governor of the autonomous territory couldn''t help but be surprised.


    "Start arge-scale civil engineering project with this. Aren''t there things you''ve only thought about but never done? I''ll lend you interest-free money."


    "Is that okay?"


    "You won''t be able to afford the interest for a while anyway."


    "That''s true, but the conditions are so generous to us¡­ ¡­ ."


    "It''s okay. My goals are different from those of the previous governors."


    When i make a positive change in the world, my power increases.


    Even though it may seem like they are just handing it out, they are actually reaping some benefits.


    Moreover, the financial benefits would also be enormous.


    As the Deliat Autonomy develops.


    Anyway, I am the owner of the single-use factory, and I will expand the business area infinitely in the future.


    Since there are no obstacles, I can say that Hojein can enjoy the benefits as he wish....even for while.


    Although his heart was dark, Hojaein was shedding tears.


    "Kuuuuk! This is the first time someone has thought of us this much. Thank you very much, Your Excellency the Governor!"


    Before I knew it, he was on his knees. I supported Hojaein with a somewhat embarrassed look on my face.


    ''No, why do he have to say it like that? It''s really nothing.''


    "Hey! People are watching. Stop crying and get up."


    "I will save this money as much as possible and invest it in the right ces. Not a single coin will be wasted!"


    "Do that, but there are some rules you must follow."


    "Just say the word and I will follow you wholeheartedly."


    "No matter what kind of activity you do, make sure the workers are paid their wages. From this day on, forced mobilization is prohibited."


    "Of course¡­what?"


    Hojaein just blinked his eyes with a bewildered expression.

 Chapter 70: Double-entry Bookkeeping Method

    Although his heart was dark, Hojaein was shedding tears.


    "Kuuuuk! This is the first time someone has thought of us this much. Thank you very much, Your Excellency the Governor!"


    Before I knew it, he was on his knees. I supported Hojaein with a somewhat embarrassed look on my face.


    ''No, why do he have to say it like that? It''s really nothing.''


    "Hey! People are watching. Stop crying and get up."


    "I will save this money as much as possible and invest it in the right ces. Not a single coin will be wasted!"


    "Do that, but there are some rules you must follow."


    "Just say the word and I will follow you wholeheartedly."


    "No matter what kind of activity you do, make sure the workers are paid their wages. From this day on, forced mobilization is prohibited."


    "Of course¡­what?"


    Hojaein just blinked his eyes with a bewildered expression.


    It seemed like he just couldn''t understand it.


    That''s understandable, because in this world, non-payment of wages was a daily urrence.


    If that''s the case even for the most advanced empires, what about small countries in remote areas?


    It''s going to be a mess.


    Even after I took office as governor, forced mobilization continued.


    At that time, the country was so poor that there was no choice but to just leave it alone. If not, the reconstruction project will not proceed at all.


    But now there is enough money. So much so that there is no need to maintain bad habits.


    "You just said that you would follow me wholeheartedly."


    "Oh, of course!"


    "But please remind them that it is given by order of the Governor."


    "Is that really okay?"


    "Yes, what I need is not money."


    It''s a powerful influence.


    There is no need to talk about the aftermath, so I will pass. Immediately I gave further orders.


    "From now on, we will use double-entry bookkeeping."


    There was no doubt in Hojaein''s mind. This guy is serious about normalizing Deliat.


    But you never know what people will do.


    There was a good chance that an official with an eye for money could slyly embezzle it.


    I exined the double-entry bookkeeping method.


    Actually, it wasn''t that difficult.


    Because we only record two items per transaction. It was simple when I thought of the scale. Just write the content from both sides and you''re done.


    "This makes it difficult to forge or omit. Error detection is also easy. However, the problem is that it is a bit cumbersome."


    "I will do my best to help you adapt quickly."


    "Okay. If you need to hire more people, post a job opening. I''ll do the interviews."


    "You must be very busy with construction, but you really need to do something like that¡­ ¡­ ."


    "Make sure all management goes through me. Oh, and there are Colmer and Drettin as field supervisors, right?"


    "Yes, probably."


    "Cut them both. Their reputations are so bad."


    "Ah yes."


    Hojaein nodded with a bewildered look on his face.


    This person probably won''t understand why I''m doing this.


    I was so bored on the way here that I kept looking at the employee management window. Since the Government-General was also under mymand, I hadplete ess to the bureaucrats'' information.


    The others were not particrly wed, but those two were quite vicious.


    They took a lot of bribes and secretly embezzled materials.


    Actually, the Governor-General''s Office didn''t really have much to say.


    Because my wages have been dyed for more than half a year. So, I''m trying to end it lightly by just sending them out.


    "I know I keep doing this, but it seems like I''m interfering too much. This is a necessary process, so please bear with it for a little longer."


    "No. I will listen carefully."


    "Ask the Empire for architects. If you pay them enough, they wille."


    "Yes."


    "Then, keep up the good work."


    "I will step aside, Your Excellency the Governor!"


    Hojaein answered forcefully and then ran off somewhere. Maybe to research Colmer and Drettin. What on earth did they do to deserve such a terrible reputation?


    "Ugh! Then should I start moving too?"


    Now that we have sessfullypleted our first sale, we need to spread the word to the Danhwan factory. We also need to make board games and sell them.


    There was some strange activity in the Carriers Duchy, but the single-ring factory was running smoothly. Because you won''t find a job this good anywhere.


    The staff were all burning with enthusiasm.


    "Ah, Your Excellency the Governor! You have finally returned."


    As I entered the factory entrance, the craftsmen greeted me.


    Judging by the fact that preparations were made to wee me, it seemed like the rumor had already spread. Well, it couldn''t be helped. Because they came into Deliat carrying a huge amount of supplies.


    "How have you been? How is your production?"


    "It''s increasing day by day. It seems like I''m getting used to it more and more."


    "What is the defect rate?"


    "It''s about 3%."


    To that extent, it was a fairly decent score. Most of the process is done by hand. I looked around the factory to see if there was anythingcking. But the division ofbor system I created was perfect. If only those workers who work like parts were okay.


    "Don''t be too enthusiastic, as it can lead to injuries or overwork. Be sure to strictly observe shift work."


    "Yes, of course."


    "We can expand the factory on the site next door. I''ll send someone over soon, so get ready."


    Quaitun and Ras nodded immediately. Since they had already set up a factory once, they seemed to have a feel for what to do. Immediately after, I called the elevator.


    "Mr. Electra."


    "Yes, Your Majesty!"


    "Can you make something like this?"


    I slipped out a drawing. It was much thinner than the single-ring storage box and contained all sorts of pictures, but Electra wasn''t fazed at all.


    "Of course. It''s just small in size, but the shape itself is simple."


    "Then please get started right away. When you''re done, I''ll promote you to factory manager."


    "What?"


    He seemed indifferent when he saw the drawing, but he seemed surprised when he heard about the promotion. I smiled broadly and nodded.


    "I will only treat you ording to your abilities. If you continue to do well in the future, I will reward you sufficiently."


    "Thank You, I will do my best!"


    "Is it so."


    As I was about to turn around after saying those words, Electra suddenly spoke again. This isn''t his style, so why is he like this?


    "I¡­ Your Excellency the Governor?"


    "What is it?"


    "Can I make just one more of this?"


    "Where are you going to use it?"


    "I want to give these to my younger siblings as gifts. They look really fun."


    He figured out what this was just by looking at two dice and a drawing board? He seemed to be a much smarter guy than I thought.


    "I''ll give you one when the finished productes out."


    "Thank you!"


    I briefly stared at the back of the elevator as it turned around, smiling.


    ''I need to put in a lot of fuel so that it can run smoothly.''


    As expected, you have to stir the water when ites to ying.


    By the way, when the finished productes out, who will I y with?


    It didn''t matter who the opponent was. If only he were not the Emperor¡­


    ''Hey, let''s not even think about unlucky thoughts.''

 Chapter 71: Enfer Trip [1]

    I was trying to create a kind of Monopoly, a wealth-building board game based on world travel.


    In Earth, it was released under names like Everybody''s Marble. The rules are simple, making it a fantastic business idea. However, it couldn''t be made in the exact same way.


    The papermaking and printing technology here is not very good.


    The paper was all parchment or pseudo-papyrus made from reeds.


    Of course, there was no such thing as woodblock printing. So, I chose thin wooden boards instead of paper as my material.


    It was abor-intensive task, but it didn''t really matter. This would start as a game for the nobles.


    Anyway, simr imitations would overflow in the future.


    "Your Excellency the Governor, the prototype has beenpleted," Electra said, handing over the item with an uncertain expression.


    But to my eyes, it seemed pretty usible, mainly because my expectations were so low.


    "I just need to add some more color here. I''ll make a separate storage unit too. Here''s the new drawing."


    "I''ll make it right away. But, Your Excellency the Governor, is there a problem?"


    "If you look at the rulebook, it says that gold coins are required. Shouldn''t you also make fake money and put it in?"


    "Oh, I didn''t make it on purpose."


    "Yes?"


    "This is a real money game."


    Originally, the target audience for this item was high-ranking nobles.


    Why would I want to decorate it as luxuriously as possible?


    I''m all doing that to sell it at a high price.


    Those of rtively high status were all thirsty for something to enjoy. Since there were no toys, they even went as far as eating food and vomiting. It was an attempt to relieve boredom through food and drink.


    "Fake money is too weak a stimulus for the aristocracy."


    If i do as Electra says, they''ll probably introduce gold coins on their own.


    In that case, they should have made it a crazy gambling game involving cash from the beginning.


    I''ll release the mild versionter.


    "Ah, I understand." Although it was a brief exnation, Electra nodded quickly. As expected, he''s smart.


    "By the way, what is the name of this game? I understand that the cities written on each square are imperialnds."


    "The name is... Let''s go with Enfer Trip."


    "Imperial Journey. What a perfect name."


    "Just wait a minute." I quickly yed with the quill. The words ''Enfer Trip'' are written in the most stylish way possible.


    I took calligraphy sses at the library, and I never thought it woulde in handy here.


    "Please engrave it on the top of the storage box and the rule board. It would also be nice to put it in the center of the game board."


    "Alright."


    "Then please endure it a little longer."


    "Haha! How could it be hard? It''s just what I''ve always done."


    Electra''s expression was confident.


    Mypliments seemed to have had a pretty positive effect. It seemed likely that this time too, a fairly high-quality prototype would be produced.


    ''It seems like all the work instructions have been given.''


    The expansion of the factory was left to the hands of the craftsmen and artisans.


    How do I distribute it? That too was a very easy task.


    Anyway, the target audience is high-ranking nobles. Since the single-cycle and consumer base are the same, it would have been enough to send it together to the upper level.


    "Wait a minute, I didn''t think about that. I have to eat all the distribution to increase my profits."


    Most nobles had at least one upper ss.


    It was to sell local specialties or to easily procure necessary supplies.


    But the Carriers'' Duchy had no upper hand.


    ''There is nothing to offer except wine, and most of it is consumed in the capital.''


    Of course, it must have existed in the past.


    That was back when the Carriers Duchy was doing well. Anyway, it was about time to start building the top.


    ''I guess I''ll have to start with the Western Nations Alliance for now.''


    With the experience I have umted, I need to expand my business area to the empire. I ran straight to the Governor-General''s Office and looked for Hojaein.


    The idea was to get some advice from local administrators.


    But then I heard an unexpected words.


    "You''re opening the top?"


    "Yes."


    "Then, I have someone I can rmend."


    "Really? Who are you to be so confident?"


    "Kuro Allegan is a very smart guy¡­."


    Chin!


    I put my hand on Hojaein''s shoulder.


    Then, the brightly smiling face slowly hardened. It seemed as if he had figured out the meaning of the smile that appeared on my lips.


    "If it''s Allegan, isn''t he a rtive of the consul?"


    "¡­"


    I have a really good memory for things like this. Then Hojaein quickly pped both his hands.


    "Well, in Deliat, surnames are divided into two categories: Allegan and Omir."


    "Aha?"


    In Vietnam, about 28% of the people were Nguyen. I think it would be okay to understand it that way.


    "What did Kuro do originally?"


    "My little brother is justzing around at home."


    No, this guy?


    He said they are not rtives! When I looked at him with a dumbfounded expression, Hojaein smiled awkwardly and added a word.


    "Haha! The man you give up is not considered a blood rtive."


    "Then shouldn''t you rmend it even more?"


    "But he once ran a toppany. It was doing pretty well before it was destroyed by the Empire''s invasion."


    ording to Hojaein, he seemed like a pretty capable person. I thought it would be a good idea to at least meet up. Since it''s a rmendation from the butler, it can''t bepletely random.


    * * *


    The Deliat Autonomous Region is currently experiencing a tremendous economic boom. Because a kind of New Deal policy was being implemented.


    "We have made a huge difference in ourmunity by providing financial and material support."


    "A reward will be given."


    It was truly the first holographic text in a long time. Originally, Skyler Sierra should have been put in jail and received punishment that he deserves.


    That golden child was blown away by the wind as he slipped away like a loach.


    ''What will it be this time?''


    I always feel this way, but this system is so fucking unfriendly.

 Chapter 72: Enfer Trip [2]

    The Deliat Autonomous Region is currently experiencing a tremendous economic boom. Because a kind of New Deal policy was being implemented.


    "We have made a huge difference in ourmunity by providing financial and material support."


    "A reward will be given."


    It was truly the first holographic text in a long time. Originally, Skyler Sierra should have been put in jail and received punishment that he deserves.


    That golden child was blown away by the wind as he slipped away like a loach.


    ''What will it be this time?''


    I always feel this way, but this system is so fucking unfriendly.


    Just tell me what the reward!


    But there was no immediate visible change.


    The character information window and employee management window were all the same.


    So then system saying there are changes somewhere else?


    ''Ill understand soon enough.''


    For now, the priority was to go meet Kuro Allegan. But then, I noticed a crowd of people gathered near the Governor-General''s Office.


    "They are  giving wages to all the workers? Does that make sense?"


    "They say that the money is being paid in the name of the Governor-General?"


    "Everything from the time I took office to the time I was forcibly mobilized has been given up!"


    "Haha! I guess I''ll have to live long to see this."


    I posted an announcement on the bulletin board, and people who knew how to write were spreading the word.


    It might have been less effective than releasing a propaganda poster, but the speed at which the rumor spread was still incredible. People tend to only listen to things that interest them.


    In the Deliat Autonomous Territory, the biggest concern is the issue of making a living.


    "The governor who came this time feels different."


    "Yeah. No one has ever said they''d pay us wages."


    "They even issued a decree that all employment contracts in the territory must be worth at least one shilling a month."


    "Wow! I don''t know if it''s okay to like it this much." As expected, the voices praising me grew louder and louder. But the opposite case was not easy either.


    "How do you know that if you keep doing that, it''ll suddenly turn into a mess?"


    "That''s right! It''s clear that they''re trying to hit us in the back of the head while we''re feeling safe."


    "It''s worse than tant expropriation. All governors have done that so far." Perhaps because they had been through so much, their distrust was deep-rooted. Even though I heard that sound right next to me, I didn''t care.


    ''They realize it soon anyway.''


    Didn''t the residents of the imperial capital show a simr reaction? But soon, everyone died dumbfounded at my words.


    Any announcement made in the name of the Duke of Carriers is to be believed without question. It couldn''t be otherwise.


    Because I showed them my trust. Probably the same here. Because the atmosphere of aversion to unpaid wages will never change.


    But then suddenly I heard this story.


    "I can admit that things are getting better thanks to the Governor. But will the other nobles follow suit?"


    "That''s right. It''s not like the Government-General is the only one giving out work, right?"


    The Deliat Autonomy has long suffered from exploitation.


    Naturally, the judicial function was virtually non-existent. If the governor doesn''t do his job, how can the trial be held properly?


    It was five minutes before the chaos, with no security forces even present.


    Even though things have improved a bit now, the perception was still the same. It is expected that illegal activities will ur openly.


    ''I''ll have to keep that in mind.''


    If I leave the room, the trial stops.


    This was because all power was concentrated in the governor. It was necessary to proceed in a way that only held the power of appointment like an emperor and distributed authority.


    There was no need for a legiture. Because I can just follow the imperial statutes.


    ''The administration is in the hands of Hojaein, so i just need to elect judges.''


    I wished there was a principled person like me who is obsessed with justice. In fact, it''s hard to find someone like that these days. But isn''t there such talent somewhere?


    As I was walking, lost in thought, suddenly my mind came to me.


    "Oh, I was on my way to pick the top manager just now?"


    The agony deepened because of the still unstable situation in Deliat. Let''s elect judges one by one. ''First of all, from Kuro¡­ ¡­ .''


    I arrived at the ce Hojaein had told us about, but there wasn''t a single person, not even an ant. It was a shabby, empty house with only a table in it.


    Even though it''s said to be ruined, isn''t it still the house of a former lord? Besides, doesn''t the butler, Hojaein, also live there?


    "What kind of home is this for the highest administrative authority of the autonomous region?"


    Although I felt absurd, I soon nodded.


    That was why the old appearance of the Governor-General''s residence suddenly came to mind.


    If Princess Justia hadn''t built a new one, it would have been worse than this. Originally, it was shaped like a thatched-roof house.


    "Are you there?"


    I knocked on the rickety wooden door and waited for a moment.


    Even though the inside was clearly visible, i can''t just go in. However, no matter how much time passed, no sign of life was felt.


    I had no choice but to sneak a step into the yard.


    "I''ll go in for a bit."


    No matter how many times I called, there was no answer. It was a strange thing.


    I''m sure Hojaein said there was a rotten bastard loitering around at home.


    I walked to the back of the house just in case. Then, someone''s voice was heard from the backyard.


    "Hey! Even though there''s plenty to eat, I still have to take care of a guy who doesn''t even have legs. Then my entire organization will be ruined. I have to cut out the rotten parts and exploit everyone from the bottom up."


    I wondered what the hell was going on,


    so I went closer to take a look.


    Eventually, what caught my eye was a young man observing an ant colony.


    A face that looks exactly like Hojaein''s.


    It seemed like the interest was Kuro Allegan.


    ''What did he just mumble? What, exploitation?''


    I guess he''s someone who doesn''t fit my style at all... Is it okay to pull him out?

 Chapter 73: Kuro Allegan

    Kuro spent his time observing the ant colony. What was so funny was that he didn''t even seem to notice that someone had approached him.


    I made a slight noise.


    Rustle!


    "Hello?"


    A stranger suddenly walks into his backyard, and he says hello first.


    Clearly, this one wasn''t normal either.


    Or maybe he''s an extraordinary person.


    I was trying to get to the main point quickly, in case there was any misunderstanding, but it ended up being meaningless.


    "I came here on the rmendation of the Hojein Butler. I heard you used to run the upperpany."


    "There was a time like that. It was going well until some thugs ruined it."


    Since the war had caused the Three Kingdoms to decline, the thug bastard was probably the Empire.


    Then wouldn''t the atmosphere be really strange?


    I am Dukeke of the Empire and a governor dispatched by the Empire. Of course, I didn''t feel bad or anything. I''m not a very patriotic person.


    Still, I have to say what I have to say something.


    "I''m sorry. I''m with those thugs."


    "Are you from the Empire?"


    "Yes."


    "What do you do?"


    "I''m a Governor."


    Kuro''s face distorted without mercy. I was about to hit him, but he suddenly fell t on the floor.


    "Oh my! A thug bastard in a great empire. The reason I went under was because I used a loan shark wrong. Are there a lot of usurers in Deliat? Yes, of course there are."


    This was such a huge change of scenery, he seemed more interesting than I expected.


    I didn''t really like the talk about exploitation.


    ''Then where should I take a look at his personal information?''


    **


    **


    **Name:** Kuro Allegan


    **Status:** Viscount (vassal state)


    **Position:** None


    **Rtionship:** No acquaintance


    **Status:** Aspirations for new heights, pessimism about the empty reality, severe lethargy.


    **Skill:** Employee Exploitation


    **Overall Ability:** A


    ----


    ''Not bad. But what is that?''


    The information window was no different than usual. But, isn''t the word skill sparkling? This seemed to be the reward I received this time.


    ''It would be nice if you could copy the skill. Princess''s ''One Who Is Followed by Fortune'' is said to be very coveted.''


    I focused straight on the glowing letters. Then a new window suddenly popped up.


    **<Skill Information>**


    **Title:** Employee Exploitation


    **Effect:** Can draw out 150% of employees'' capacity. Can be done simply by instigation.


    **Side effects:** If used too often, may cause riots.


    ---


    "Ohh?"


    Unfortunately, this reward is just for confirmation. It didn''t seem like it was copying skills. Still, it was a good skill that made me exim in admiration.


    So can make his employees more energetic just by talking?


    There are side effects, but where aren''t there? Just adjust it appropriately.


    In that respect, Kuro was truly the best middle manager.


    ''I can''t miss this guy.''


    I immediately handed over two pieces of paper.


    "What is this?"


    "The organization chart and contract. I''m going to organize the top. You see it at the very top?"


    "Yes, the head of thepany¡­"


    "Can you take that position? I''ll pay you well."


    Honestly, the odds were fifty-fifty. Because He may not want to work under someone else, or he may want to have his own top.


    "Are you saying I am the top manager?"


    "Yes, just follow a few rules and the rest will take care of itself."


    "What is that rules?"


    "The minimum wagew must be followed. Do not do anything unjust."


    "¡­ Is that all?"


    However, Kuro''s answer was somewhat unexpected. A minimum wagew was already in effect in Dware.


    Because I issued a decree that the monthly sry should be at least 1 shilling.


    But I heard that there are people who knowingly or unknowingly vite thew by tricking them, like firing them the day before payday.


    The administrative power of the Governor-General''s Office is still in shambles, so we are just going to wait and see, but we n to strike it down all at once. Anyway, I thought Kuro was thinking simrly.


    "They were talking about exploitation or something. I thought they didn''t even consider the governor''s promation."


    "Oh, that''s right. It doesn''t mean I won''t give you money."


    "What?"


    "Should I say that I exploit my employees'' passion? I''m good at motivating them."


    Now I get it.


    This guy was a natural cheerleader. It wasn''t really exploitation, it was just supporting them so they could work hard.


    ''If that''s the case, then that''s good.''


    Kuro immediately stamped his seal on the contract. It looked like a seal made when things went well, decorated with sparkling jewels.


    Besides, he''s a freeloader living off his brother''s family, but isn''t he still a baron?


    Of course, there would be something like that. The recruitment process went smoothly. But then suddenly Kuro''s question continued.


    "If you do that, you won''t be doing business with people, right?"


    "ve trading? Well, if necessary, I can do it."


    It may seem absurd to modern people, but this was a world of extreme dark fantasy.


    Even in the empire, aren''t most of the people serfs?


    Here, calling for the abolition of the caste system was nothing short of crazy.


    Moreover, Deliat was even incorporated into an autonomous territory.


    Prisoners of war were plentiful, and many escaped and were enved.


    How on earth can you stop something like that?


    The reality is that administrative power does not even reach half of the country.


    But what Kuro said was somewhat different.


    "Not just a simple ve, but something a little more expensive."


    "Yes?"


    "Well, you know? Sometimes even noble people fall."


    "...Ah!"


    It was only then that I realized the meaning of human business.


    Didn''t I have a simr trial just before I took office as governor?


    Skyler Sierra used to kidnap nobledies of the Western Confederation.


    "I guess that''smon here."


    "Originally, when public order is unstable, all sorts of things tend to happen. Anyway, since you don''t do business with people, I guess you just have to watch out for the Freta guys."


    "Freta?"


    "They call themselves the underworld, but they''re just a bunch of people who have a terrible life. If you don''t give them a good woman, they''ll retaliate like crazy."


    "Huh! Are they asking for something like that from above? What have they been doing up until now without subjugating?"


    "They are very secretive, and surprisingly, they pay well. Everyone tends to keep quiet."


    It just felt like they were avoiding it because it was dirty. Plus, it would give them extra ie, so they would just throw away the ves they got.


    "But what if they kidnap a nobledy? Do they collect ransom from her family?"


    "Probably so. First, hand it over to the Empire¡­"


    I couldn''t help but frown when I realized that such crazy talk was real. But then suddenly there was something quite refreshing.


    "Just dispose of it here. Why are they handing it over to the Empire?"


    "There must be some people watching over them. They must be people of considerable power or a fairlyrge group. Huh!"


    Kuro suddenly covered his mouth with both hands.


    It was a look in his eyes as if he had said something unnecessary.


    But why is it like that? He already said it all.


    ''By the way, isn''t this very suspicious?''


    I had a feeling that the organization called Preta might have some kind of connection with Skyler. I curled the corners of my lips and reached out to Kuro.


    "I''ll take care of the rest. Kuro, please take care of the upper part. It would also be nice to meet up with old acquaintances."


    "Of course. I will show you the results soon."


    "Okay. See you then."


    The steps returning to the Governor-General''s Office were extremely light.


    Because I got the clue to counterattack from an unexpected ce. If i can wipe out those Freta guys, i might be able to uncover Skyler''s other crimes as well.


    ''This time, I''ll catch you and put you in a perfect position, basterd.''


    ---

 Chapter 74: Time To Film A Spy Movie

    "Freta?"


    "They call themselves the underworld, but they''re just a bunch of people who have a terrible life. If you don''t give them a good woman, they''ll retaliate like crazy."


    "Huh! Are they asking for something like that from above? What have they been doing up until now without subjugating?"


    "They are very secretive, and surprisingly, they pay well. Everyone tends to keep quiet."


    It just felt like they were avoiding it because it was dirty. Plus, it would give them extra ie, so they would just throw away the ves they got.


    "But what if they kidnap a nobledy? Do they collect ransom from her family?"


    "Probably so. First, hand it over to the Empire¡­"


    I couldn''t help but frown when I realized that such crazy talk was real. But then suddenly there was something quite refreshing.


    "Just dispose of it here. Why are they handing it over to the Empire?"


    "There must be some people watching over them. They must be people of considerable power or a fairlyrge group. Huh!"


    Kuro suddenly covered his mouth with both hands.


    It was a look in his eyes as if he had said something unnecessary.


    But why is it like that? He already said it all.


    ''By the way, isn''t this very suspicious?''


    I had a feeling that the organization called Preta might have some kind of connection with Skyler. I curled the corners of my lips and reached out to Kuro.


    "I''ll take care of the rest. Kuro, please take care of the upper part. It would also be nice to meet up with old acquaintances."


    "Of course. I will show you the results soon."


    "Okay. See you then."


    The steps returning to the Governor-General''s Office were extremely light.


    Because I got the clue to counterattack from an unexpected ce. If i can wipe out those Freta guys, i might be able to uncover Skyler''s other crimes as well.


    ''This time, I''ll catch you and put you in a perfect position, basterd.''


    I tried everything I could to find out, but it wasn''t easy to track down Freta. That''s why after Skyler stopped being active, they disappeared without a trace. So I haven''t heard any rumours either.


    "I will issue a warrant for their arrest for now. The security forces have been greatly strengthened these days," Hojaein said with a confident expression.


    ''But why I''m feeling so anxious?''


    It was a strange thing.


    As our security capabilities increase, we should feel safer.


    In Earth, too, if the police patrol frequently, you feel reassured. But something felt off.


    Then, one incident suddenly came to mind.


    ''Didn''t the head of the corrections office just let Skyler go?''


    It was verymon for managers to do strange things like this. If that''s the case in the Empire, how much worse must it have been in the Deliat Autonomous Region, which was in shambles five minutes?


    Of course, the Governor-General''s Office had no major problems.


    Because Hojein has a good grip on his managers and these days he is giving them generous performance bonuses. But what about the newly appointed ones?


    ''When you suddenly get power in your hands, you want to wield it.''


    Perhaps the poorly trained security guards will try to do the same thing as before.


    I mean, I secretly ept it and give it to them in moderation.


    But who am I? Struggling on the front lines of public security services... Of course, most of them ended up dealing with drunk customers or taking on dirty and annoying tasks.


    ''That''s what happens to all new recruits who have only been in office for a few years.''


    But that still leaves a strong sense of professionalism as a police officer alive.


    "Let''s go to the police station."


    "Why are you there all of a sudden...?"


    "I was wondering if they were doing a good job. I sent down some new instructions, didn''t I?"


    I have drastically reorganized the Deliat Police Force. From tight patrol routes to shift work and solid rewards.


    Now they can livefortably without having to take bribes. But there is no way they wouldmit adultery...


    ''The problem is that it exists.''


    After looking through the staff management window, some of the security guards were behaving a bit strangely.


    Their sry is a little over 2 shillings, but they only spend a few goldens. Besides, they went to the entertainment district almost every day.


    Is this something that is logically possible?


    ''The bigger problem is that I have no idea what they''re doing.''


    I watched it for a long time and didn''t find anything particrly strange. They work a set amount of hours, but spend money like crazy?


    It was absolutely ridiculous. It''s not like theye from a wealthy family, though. While I was lost in thought, Hojaein''s guidance ended.


    "This is the newly built security force."


    "It''s good."


    The shape of the building looks quite familiar. When we brought in architects, the imperial style naturally spread.


    Surprisingly, the residents of Deliat did not react strongly. ording to Hojaein, this is all my fault. Since they have such high trust in the Governor-General, they want to follow him in everything.


    ''Ah, this guy''s poprity can''t be stopped even in foreignnds.''


    I couldn''t say it out loud because it seemed like I was praising myself.


    I just smiled happily inside.


    "No, what did I do wrong that you''re arresting me?"


    "You pickpocketed me. What''s so brazen about this kid?"


    Bam!


    The inside of the police station was noisy.


    Because it had been awless zone for so long, there were too many criminals.


    Half of them were arrested because they didn''t know thew, so they would probably be released. But there were some truly evil ones among them.


    "I will call the chief of police."


    "Wait a minute. What are they?"


    I caught Hojaein who was trying to go up to the second floor.


    Just then, some men with a fierce look on their faces were leaving the security force through the back door.


    Quite urgently, I mean. Then Hojaein burst intoughter.


    "He must be a member of the team leaving work. He may look like that, but he is a loyal worker here."


    "Oh yeah?"


    I heard you can tell a detective from a gangster by whether they have aputer in front of their desk.


    So I was just going to leave it at that. But then, out of nowhere, the character information window popped up.


    ''Wait a minute, those are the guys who were spending money like crazy at the red-light district.''


    Wouldn''t that make a difference? I pulled Hojaein with a meaningful smile.


    "Let''s go. It''s time to film a spy movie."


    "Huh? Governor, what''s that all of a sudden...!"


    It was time to show it to my feeble consul friend.


    I''m talking about the true face of the police force.

 Chapter 75 : Hammer Of Justice [1]

    I secretly tracked them.


    Even without professional espionage skills, it wasn''t difficult to keep up. The destination had already been decided anyway.


    As soon as it was time to get off work, where on earth did they go?


    As usual, they would spend a lot of money in the entertainment district.


    The trend had been the same for the past few days, so today would probably not be much different. As expected, they were moving towards the downtown area.


    Even though it was the way home from work, they walked with very excited gaits.


    Moreover, the conversation I eavesdropped on from up close was quite a sight.


    "I wish every day could be like this. When would I ever get to live such a dreamlike life?"


    "Haha! It''s all thanks to that idiot butler and governor. Do they know who we are and still hire us as security guards?"


    "I didn''t knowundering my identity was this easy. Hehehehe!"


    Hojaein''s face immediately became distorted.


    All the managers went through my interviews, but not the security guards.


    There are so many people to see, you know.


    So the responsibility for hiring them could only fall on the bailiffs.


    "Shhh! Calm down."


    I put my hand on Hojaein''s shoulder, who was getting angry, and spoke softly. We must not reveal our identity yet.


    We need to find out where the money came from. They had been spending money like water for several days. Of course, there must have been someone else paying them in the middle.


    With a sry of two Ceylon shilling, they can''t afford to go to any entertainment district.


    As expected, the three police officers made contact with someone in a corner of an alley. But at that very moment, Hojaein''s eyes grew wide as if they were going to pop out.


    "I, John Brooks?"


    "Do you know him?"


    "Yes, John Brooks. A famous war merchant. He made a lot of money from trade with the Empire."


    "Is from Deliat?"


    "He is being treated like traitors, just like me."


    "I guess he can still go out normally."


    "Of course. I do that too."


    "Ah."


    I nodded vigorously.


    There is almost no nationalism in this world.


    For the lower sses, below themoners, it didn''t matter who ruled.


    Recently, there has been an increasing trend of favorability toward the empire because I governed the territory so well.


    ''It seems like I''m praising myself again, but what can I do if it''s true?''


    That''s why the traitors'' scope of activity has expanded. There was even public opinion that it went well. Of course, I''m talking mainly about the lower sses.


    Anyway, what was important now was the rtionship between John Brooks and the sheriff''s officers.


    "But why would he fund the security forces?"


    "It would be something he do in return for something. That would probably be the most reasonable inference."


    "Let''s think about it that way for now and keep following them. Then, we''ll probably find evidence someday."


    "Whew! Yes."


    Hojaein let out a long sigh. There was quite a lot of emotion in that worried expression.


    He was  so busy that an incident like this even happens. How much of a headache must that be?


    I understand how he feel, but I still can''t stop. We have to find out what the hell those guys are doing.


    They''re obvious. It smells like crime, and i just leave it like that?


    As the highest judge of the empire, I absolutely cannot tolerate this.


    After a while, the police officers who received the money headed somewhere.


    In the heart of the entertainment district, in the most magnificent building. Of course, it''s not much different from the old Governor''s Residence.


    "Shall we raid the scene?" Hojaein''s eyes sparkled as if he were some kind of spy. But I immediately shook my head.


    "Let''s just wait and see. It''s more important to know who they''re in contact with than to spend money of unknown origin."


    "Yes."


    I bought a few drinks at a nearby store. It was sold in arge wooden cup, which was quite suspicious.


    Because of the strong scent, it was impossible to tell what it was made of. As I frowned, Hojaein burst intoughter and said,


    "It''s a traditional Deliat fruit wine. Its characteristic is that it uses everything that''s useful. That''s why the taste changes depending on the season."


    "I would believe it if you said it was vinegar."


    "Actually, there isn''t much of a difference. If you leave it for a long time, it can change like that."


    We stood in the alley and pretended to drink. In reality, we only pretended to drink.


    The purpose is spying, but it can''t be taken. I looked like a true drunkard.


    No one would suspect anything, since I was wearing a wide-brimmed hat, a favorite of Deliat people.


    After standing there for quite some time, three drunken guys finally appeared.


    ''Where are they going?''


    They threw gold coins at the waitresses who followed them. Then, they started to walk somewhere slowly. However, the direction of movement was very suspicious.


    "Why are they going out of town? There aren''t any houses there."


    Deliat was divided into rtively precise sections.


    Even though the inside of the city was a mess because of the war, things werepletely different outside.


    From scorpions jumping around to death worms popping out of nowhere. Plus the desert''s unpredictable weather.


    The moment you leave the city, there are many dangers lurking. If you sleep in a ce like that, there''s a good chance you''ll be found dead.


    "Let''s keep following them."


    "Yes."


    After returning the wooden cup to the store, we hurriedly chased after the security guards.


    Even though I was following them almost tantly, they didn''t notice at all. It seemed like they had drunk quite a bit of alcohol.


    Soon they headed to a dark ce outside the city. The dark desert was a ce where it was very difficult to find one''s way.


    But, as if they had been here many times, their staggering steps were unstoppable.


    I stopped Hojaein from jumping forward and put some distance between us.


    "Let''s take it slow from here. There''s no one here, so I''m afraid we''ll get caught."


    "I''m sorry. I was in a hurry."


    Since we chose the weird guys due to personnel mistakes,


    how much does hewant to fix it?


    I patted Hojaein on the back with an expression that showed I understood everything.


    Then I looked carefully ahead, and finally, there was a change. The faces of the police officers did not look drunk at all. Besides, aren''t they starting to be wary of all directions?


    "Ugh!"


    If I hadn''t taken refuge behind arge rock, I would have been caught.


    Perhaps thinking that they were safe, they turned on the torches.


    Soon after, a group of people followed the light and approached.


    Thud! Thud!


    A man on horseback and two carriages.


    Anyone who saw it would see that he was acting suspiciously.


    "Are the items ready?"


    "Okay, I''ll take them out right away."


    "I''ll load them quickly."


    "Yes."


    The security guards soon began digging through the sand. Then, a wide floor door appeared.


    ''Wow! They hid it in a ce like that?''


    It was truly a perfect disguise. The terrain of the desert was constantly changing. When the wind blows, the sand dunes move.


    They really were amazing, installing a secret underground room in a ce like that. It was pure admiration.


    And there was something even more surprising.


    "Isn''t that a person?" I asked the question with my voice as low as possible.


    Then Hojaein nodded heavily. The bailiff''s eyes also seemed to have caught sight of the people riding in the carriage.


    But it was at that very moment.


    Swish!


    The face of a man on horseback briefly illuminated by a torch.


    ''Huh? Where have I met him?''

 Chapter 76 : Hammer Of Justice [2]

    A man on horseback and two carriages.


    Anyone who saw it would see that he was acting suspiciously.


    "Are the items ready?"


    "Okay, I''ll take them out right away."


    "I''ll load them quickly."


    "Yes."


    The security guards soon began digging through the sand. Then, a wide floor door appeared.


    ''Wow! They hid it in a ce like that?''


    It was truly a perfect disguise. The terrain of the desert was constantly changing. When the wind blows, the sand dunes move.


    They really were amazing, installing a secret underground room in a ce like that. It was pure admiration.


    And there was something even more surprising.


    "Isn''t that a person?" I asked the question with my voice as low as possible.


    Then Hojaein nodded heavily. The bailiff''s eyes also seemed to have caught sight of the people riding in the carriage.


    But it was at that very moment.


    Swish!


    The face of a man on horseback briefly illuminated by a torch.


    ''Huh? Where have I met him?''


    Even though it was only a fleeting sight, a feeling of difort welled up deep inside me. I tilted my head for a moment, but then I realized his true identity right away.


    ''That servant who followed Skyler around! Isn''t that him?''


    Although we only met briefly at the entrance to the correctional headquarters, I remembered it clearly.


    The anger I felt back then is still vivid. I had a hard time holding back the urge to kill him right away. I looked back andughed.


    "Hojaein."


    "Yes, Your Excellency the Governor."


    "Just go back quietly. Then, as soon as the sun rises tomorrow, arrest John Brooks and those police officers."


    "I organized the security force, but I don''t have the authority to make arrests."


    "What''s the problem? It''s the governor''s order."


    "Ah!"


    Because I divided the powers, the consuls could only be involved in administration.


    The existing police force did not even exist, so Hojaein was in charge for a While .


    Should we say that the separation of powers has been achieved, at least roughly? But in Delia, there was a transcendent figure who had all the power.


    That was me, the governor. Whether it was a bailiff, a police officer, or a judge, if it was someone he had to criticize.


    Hojaein nodded with a stern expression, seemingly realizing the truth now.


    Then he left the scene as secretly as possible. I stared at Skyler attendant.


    ''I thought he would keep doing that, I know, he can''t break a habit.''


    Our Skyler stopped human trafficking just because she was called to trial once? Hey, how could that be?


    "Depart!"


    Dagdak! Dagdak!


    Chasing a speeding carriage was hard work. But there was not the slightestint.


    "This time, I will strike you with the hammer of justice."


    Because it was a perfect opportunity to tease Skyler Sierra. I can endure any hardship.


    But why aren''t I attacking them right away and just chasing them?


    Because they can always evade it.


    People who opened the floor door and came out climbed onto the carriage on their own feet.


    What this means is that they don''t even know they are being sold.


    They will realize this only after they reach their destination and are treated harshly.


    The reasoning was simple.


    If a person suddenly disappears, the police would definitely be notified. With only three agents who are sympathetic to human trafficking, the truth cannot bepletely hidden.


    But what if they left of their own ord, saying they found a good job?


    It was highly likely that even the family members did not report it.


    ''If I were to pursue more perfection, I would have sent some money home.'' In the name of the kidnapped person.


    Then you will know that they are truly living well.


    "Wow! But where on earth are we going? I''m dying from exhaustion."


    It''s already been half a day since I followed the carriage trail.


    It was such a considerable speed that it couldn''t help but raise the beast''s heart rate.


    However, it is natural to feel tired. It seemed like it would be much easier to just catch up in an instant.


    ''It feels like I''ve run two or three marathons in a row.''


    A time when I felt like I was reaching my limit. Finally, the carriage slowed down.


    A fortress built in a secluded ce on the side of a mountain. Although it looked abandoned on the outside, it was surprisingly full of people.


    The empty lot was bustling with carriages, each oneing from somewhere.


    "Okay! Those who have arrived, please move inside one by one!"


    "You must write your name and address to send money."


    Just seeing people yelling and ordering things seemed like they were giving real jobs.


    But there were more than one or two strange things. What on earth are they doing in such a remote fortress?


    Besides, all of the people who got off the carriage were quite beautiful.


    ''Most of them are lower ss.''


    I could tell that much just by looking at their shabby appearance.


    But, something felt a bit off. Because Skyler mostly kidnapped noblewomen. It seems like he was a little intimidated by thest incident.


    But there was someone who got off only after the vacant lot was cleared.


    A person being dragged around, tied tightly with rope. Although he looked quite worn out, it was not difficult to tell that he was a nobleman.


    Even though it was dirty, the shape of the dress was clearly different from that of the lower ss.


    ''Well then, that''s right. Does the dog stop pooping?''


    I took out the gavel with a smile of conversion.


    First, should I break that unlucky servant''s his head?


    I can do that much while he''s being arrested.


    "Your Majesty, are you ready?" Hojaein whispered urgently.


    "Yes, I am. Let''s move swiftly and quietly. We need to catch them all."


    Hojaein nodded, and together we stealthily approached the fortress.


    The guards were too drunk or too careless to notice us slipping past them. We positioned ourselves near the entrance, waiting for the right moment to strike.


    I raised my gavel, feeling the weight of justice in my hand.


    "This time, Skyler Sierra, you won''t escape the hammer of justice."


    At my signal, Hojaein and I stormed the fortress, catching the culprits by surprise.

 Chapter 77: Human Trafficking [1]

    The distance between me and the fortress decreased rapidly. Because they were rushing in at such a fast speed, the enemies didn''t even notice our approach.


    I checked to see if all thedies were in.


    "Oh no, what are you?"


    "Don''te in here without permission...!"


    The startled soldiers screamed, but it was toote to stop us. I was already within reach.


    "What can''t be done?"


    Kyaang!


    I pped the guy in front of me, and a clear, sharp sound echoed. It was an absurd situation, with the kidnapper wearing an iron helmet.


    Of course, having strong armor did not make the attack ineffective.


    "Krrrrr!"


    The center of the helmet dented, and the soldier''s body fell through.


    Knocked out with one hit.


    No, he can''t die. It''s not a shock the human body can withstand, though.


    ''The heart of the beast has grown.''


    The more I bring about positive change in society, the more my abilities are strengthened.


    It''s just a bit frustrating because the system is so unfriendly. I really liked the growth rate. I felt like I was being given a lot of support.


    "Okay, next! We don''t have much time, so move quickly."


    Bam! Bam!


    I swung my gavel as I moved through the soldiers without hesitation.


    It may seem like I''m just running wild, but that''s not really the case.


    This one also needs to be handled well so that the beast inhabiting Abel Carrier''s body can fully disy its skills


    I''m also Mr. Kang the Puppy, so I''m great at dealing with vicious dogs.


    "Kwaaah! It''s a... a monster!"


    "Everyone, calm down and form a siege!"


    "This is crazy! They keep falling down as soon as they get hit. How can I stop it?"


    "Hey, you little torturer! Haven''t you had a day or two of training? Shut up and move!"


    Oh, and there was a reason I called them soldiers. As you just heard, it was obvious that they had received professional training.


    A soldier posing as a kidnapper following Skyler''s orders?


    In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was a private soldier of the Duke of Sierre.


    ''Then the story will speed up.''


    Once the perpetrators of human trafficking are identified, I was not caught in the trap.


    Where in the world is there a real-life situation where training works out as nned? There are countless variables at y, just like right now.


    Pubberbug!


    The gavel, with its red aura, danced madly.


    Those wearing armor were sure to be struck down squarely.


    That way, the shock is transmitted to the inside without fail. What if their head gets smashed and they die?


    Since I had adjusted the strength cleanly, that wouldn''t happen.


    The human body is surprisingly quite strong. Of course, it will hurt so much that theycould die.


    That''s why I''m hitting them all over the ce.


    "Hey, wait a minute! Stop!"


    While they were happily fighting, someone shouted in a hurry.


    A man approached me, waving both arms widely. Since the situation was not very good, it seemed like they were going to try mediating it.


    I threw the soldier who had been holding me by the cor aside. It was just a light gesture, but the results were dire.


    Phew! Boom!


    "Ugh..."


    A healthy, adult male was sent flying through the air and crashing into a pile of junk.


    The opponent must have felt tremendous fear. I saw him throw a person with one hand right in front of my nose.


    I said, tilting my head from side to side.


    "What?"


    "I don''t know where you''re from, but how about we resolve this through conversation? Even if we fight, we should know the reason."


    A man who interrupted a fight by suddenly interfering.


    The bastard''s true identity was none other than Skr Sierra''s servant.


    I don''t know the name, but I remember that unlucky face clearly.


    He was just giggling when that son of a bitch got released. If I had been just a little less patient, I would have broken that bastard''s head instead of the stairs.


    So, it is inevitable that you will get a twisted answer.


    "Hey, don''t you know who I am?"


    "How on earth would I know? Are you some kind of celebrity?"


    "Okay. I''m really famous."


    "What nonsense..."


    The attendant''s words trailed off with a slightly dazed expression.


    It seemed like something was about toe to mind. Since I came here to reveal my identity anyway, it''s only natural that I answer.


    "Well, does this help you remember a little bit?"


    I held the gavel in my right hand and thew book in my left.


    Then I looked down at the attendant with a solemn expression.


    As if he were scanning the audience from the podium of a courtroom. Finally, the bastard''s eyes opened wide.


    Then I smiled brightly and muttered:


    "If you know, kneel."


    The servant''s face turned pale.


    It was a natural reaction.


    Who would have thought thathe  would encounter the highest judge of the empire in such a remote ce?


    That is, the person who was dispatched as the governor of Deliat. But, the look in the guy''s eyes that had been filled with shock suddenly changed.


    "I have done nothing wrong, so why do I have to kneel? Are you using your status as a weapon to disrupt the event of the Duke of Sierre? No, you even resorted to force."


    "Ha!"


    I couldn''t help butugh out loud.


    The bnce of power is also the same. How can he be so shameless?


    As expected, like the master, like the servant.


    For a guy like this, I have to show him the evidence right in front of his eyes before he will ept it.


    Of course, I could have avoided it until the end, but that was none of my business. As long as it''s reasonable, that''s fine.


    "The grand Duke of Sierre is holding an event in such a remote fortress? It''s very suspicious. What exactly is going on?"


    "Is it a crime to introduce a good job? If you want, bring in anyone and ask them. If they are innocent, you will have to pay the price."


    The attendant proudly stuck out his chest.

 Chapter 78: Human Trafficking [2]

    As expected, like the master, like the servant.


    For a guy like this, I have to show him the evidence right in front of his eyes before he will ept it.


    Of course, I could have avoided it until the end, but that was none of my business. As long as it''s reasonable, that''s fine.


    "The grand Duke of Sierre is holding an event in such a remote fortress? It''s very suspicious. What exactly is going on?"


    "Is it a crime to introduce a good job? If you want, bring in anyone and ask them. If they are innocent, you will have to pay the price."


    The attendant proudly stuck out his chest.


    It doesn''t matter whether I ask or not.


    The women whoe here probably don''t even know that they are being sold. But I epted his offer right away.


    "Really? Okay. Fine."


    As I started to walk briskly, the soldiers flinched and retreated.


    It was a natural reaction.


    Isn''t this a situation where you intuitively see your colleague getting beat up?


    I even picked up a grown man and threw him with one hand.


    Even those who have been trained cannot help but be afraid. As soon as the path opened, I moved straight somewhere.


    But it was at that very moment.


    "Now, wait a minute. Where are you going?"


    Cold sweat formed on the forehead of the attendant blocking the way.


    That must be proof that he was surprised.


    I grabbed the bastard by the cor with a sweet smile on my face.


    "Why are you asking?"


    "This is just a warehouse. All the people are inside."


    "That''s funny."


    Where does this guys sell his drugs? I''ve seen them put a fancy-dressed woman in there.


    I pushed the attendant aside and turned the doorknob.


    ***


    "Eww!"


    nk! nk!


    As expected, this ce was locked tight.


    It seemed there was a padlock and even a lock on it. Moreover, since the door was made of iron te and boards, it was impossible to force it open with any amount of force.


    But that''s only the case for ordinary people.


    ''There are no such restrictions here.''


    I immediately drew up my transcendent power. A powerful force that can destroy anything.


    ¡ºActivation of Destructive Retribution¡»


    Wiggle!


    A huge force started in my arms and flowed through my entire body. It felt so heavy that it was on a whole different level from when I used it before.


    Still, it was enough to aim at the target and pause the firing for a moment. But now, I felt like I couldn''t bear it without pouring out all this strength.


    ''I just tried to break the door, but didn''t the building copse as well?''


    I felt a strong sense of unease, but it was already toote.


    Once the skill is activated, it will only end if it hits the target. I dodged the gavel to avoid damaging the building as much as possible.


    Swoosh!


    A brilliant blue halo drew a line across the sky. Parts of the door and wall were exposed to the catastrophic punishment, and a strange sound was heard.


    Parsak!


    It felt like a sandcastle was copsing. As the gavel turned, a beam of light shot high into the sky.


    Soon, the corner of the fortress literally disappeared without a trace. As if some giant monster had taken a bite out of it.


    Pusssss....


    In the blowing sand and dust, I held someone''s hand. It was a woman wearing a dress that was torn in many ces.


    "I think this person would definitely testify?"


    "Oh, shit..."


    The servant was about to swear.


    The words that followed were probably orders to attack. But he never had that chance.


    My gavel was already flying.


    Bam! Thud!


    The attendant rolled his eyes and fainted from the blow. I curled the corners of my lips and blurted out a word.


    "This is an arrest in progress. If you want to end up like this guy, you can rebel."


    Soon after, the sound of weapons being thrown away could be heard here and there.


    Chaeng! Chaeng!


    Of course, the only option would be unconditional surrender. Since they''re going to jail anyway, they should at least take good care of their heads.


    ---


    The deepest part of the pce, the Emperor''s office. Emperor Charon was reading the report with focused eyes.


    Even today, the chief of staff, Adit, was sweating profusely.


    That was because His Majesty had not said anything for 30 minutes already. He knew that he had to hold on no matter what.


    If he broke his thoughts for no reason, he would just get scolded. The silence that had continued for so long was finally broken.


    "The restoration of Deliart is about halfway done. They achieved this in just six months?"


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    "They earned the money by selling that medicine?"


    "That''s what they say."


    Although it was all in the report, the Emperor confirmed it once again through the chambein''s mouth.


    That was because the content was so unbelievable.


    Wasn''t it the Deliat Autonomous Region that countless administrators have challenged so far?


    The report''s authenticity was questionable, as it normalized such a ce.


    "And they''re even making something this strange."


    In front of the emperor was a board game called Emper Trip. It looked quite interesting because the rules were easy but not too simple.


    One, he couldn''t try it right away. Because there were only two of us here. The chief inspector quickly handed over the next report.


    "It seems to be quite popr not only within the Western Alliance but also within the Empire."


    "If it looks fancy, it would be perfect for the nobility to enjoy. But then, wouldn''t it not sell well?"


    "They say that there are alsomoners'' coins with fake currency in them."


    "You make all sorts of strange things, and they all turn into money? That''s interesting."


    The emperor smiled and looked out the window.


    Lately, he had been really impressed with his cousin''s actions.


    In some ways, he was a threat to his position because Abel Carriers also had a right to the throne.


    But Charon didn''t think it was dangerous.


    "If he shows his teeth, only eternal rest will remain."


    The Emperor''s eyes and ears, his sharp dagger, will take away his cousin''s life. The lightughter soon turned into a bitter smile.


    Knock knock.


    While he was taking a moment to cool his head, someone knocked on the door.


    When the emperor was on duty, no one other than Adit, the chief chambein, was allowed in.


    And yet, someone knocked on the door? It meant that it was a very urgent matter.


    "Come in."


    Then the door opened and one of the Imperial Guard knights saluted.


    Judging by the markings on his armor, he was a ck agent like Cordell McNeil.


    "Your Majesty the Emperor."


    "What''s going on?"


    "The Duke of Sierre has been arrested and will be brought to trial shortly."


    "...what?"


    Emperor Charon looked bewildered for the first time in a long time.

 Chapter 79: The Famous Judgment Of Duke Of Carriers! [1]

    The capital of the empire, Perias, was abuzz with talk about an unusual event. There was a rumor that the Duke of Sierre had been taken to court and was to stand trial.


    "Does this make any sense? What kind of ploy are they pulling?" one person asked.


    "He didn''t go to the police or the prosecutor''s office; he went straight to the court. It starts getting really strange from here," another replied.


    Everyone who heard the rumor expressed doubts. The situation was far from normal.


    There had been many unusual legal incidents before, often for the benefit of the powerful.


    But what about now? A person who could be called the head of a powerful group was brought to court as a defendant.


    As people were muttering, a passerby intervened. Judging by his attire, he seemed to have just returned from out of town.


    "No, what are you all talking about? Haven''t you heard the news that His Highness, the Duke of Carriers, is returning?"


    "He went to be the governor of some autonomous territory. It''s only been half a year, and he''s already back?"


    "I happened to be going out to Delia to sell groceries, so I witnessed it clearly."


    "But what happened?"


    "It''s obvious what he''s doing. The pace of development in the Duchy of Carriers and Midias is incredible."


    Delia was known as a country full of barbarians.


    In reality, that wasn''t the case, but public perception was poor due to the national finances being bankrupt from defeat and constant rebellions. But everyone nodded their heads.


    That''s why the Duke of Carriers was mentioned.


    "Ah! As expected, he''s been showing off his skills there too!"


    "And he even came back to the dukedom again!"


    Of course, Able''s dispatch as governor was not over yet. He had juste back for a moment to pick up Skyler Sierre.


    Nheless, people cheered, thinking he was back for good.


    "Wait a minute, shouldn''t we be going to court right now?"


    "You can''t miss that great view!"


    In fact, the Duke of Sierre did not harm the people of the capital. But the image of his political party was not very good.


    Subordinate nobles wouldn''t pay their wages,mitting all sorts of atrocities on top of that. Perhaps because of this, the crowd heading to the courthouse continued to growrger.


    "Let''s go! See the famous judgment of His Highness, the Duke of Carriers!"


    ---


    I entered the courtroom with a calm face, but inside, I wasn''t at peace. There were so many spectators. We didn''t promote the trial, so why did people flock here?


    ''Oh, I''m feeling nervous for no reason.''


    Usually, I was okay with crowds, but wasn''t it a bit much for the courtroom to be overflowing


    In addition, the crowds watching from outside the building were enormous. It was almost like a concert by a super popr singer.


    ''No, it''s better. Those people will add new pressure.''


    From now on, I was going to find Duke Sierre''s weak points.


    Even a politically seasoned figure would be embarrassed by the jeers of thousands of people. We needed to guide the situation well so that it could happen.


    "We will now begin the trial of therge-scale human trafficking case against the Duke of Sierre. Salute your honor."


    Thud, thud, thud!


    At this moment, the audience usually bowed slightly and the reporter would salute. But today, the atmosphere was different.


    "E!"


    "The Duke of Carriers has returned!"


    "Please wave your hand just once, Your Majesty!"


    "You are handsome!"


    A loud cheer erupted out of nowhere.


    Not only the judges but even the court reporters and prosecutors looked shocked.


    Duke Sierre, who had been sitting with a gloomy face, also opened his eyes wide. On the other hand, I was looking around the room as solemnly as possible.


    As I slightly raised my hand, the sound diminished as if it were a lie.


    "The trial has begun, so please remain quiet."


    It was strange. So many people were under my control.


    My heart was pounding, but now was not the time to be sentimental.


    I bowed my head politely to the audience.


    I meant it as a thank you for following the instructions, but it ended up having the opposite effect.


    The courtroom, which had been quiet, began to hear whispering sounds.


    "He even show respect to lowly people like us. Your Majesty the Carrier is truly worthy."


    "Yes! Our Duke''s virtue is always great, no matter where."


    "Since when did he be our Duke? Be careful what you say."


    "I work for the Duke of Carriers. He is  my Duke or your Duke?"


    "That makes sense, but we''re in court. Keep quiet."


    "Ouch! Shh! Shh!"


    There was a briefmotion due to a few people, but the atmosphere quickly calmed down. This phenomenon urred because they respected me that much. It seemed as if my trial was truly sacred.


    "Let''s proceed with the procedure. Defendant, are you the Duke of Sierre?"


    "...Yes."


    nger Sierre furrowed his brow at Judge Emir''s question.


    Originally, it was standard to use a special honorific when addressing high-ranking noble.


    Wouldn''t you call a mere knight "sir"? But this was a courtroom, and Corbin was now the defendant. Where is that in the recognition process?


    ''Is he feeling a little scratched?''


    His expression turned sour, probably because he didn''t expect to be treated like this.


    Throughout history, the only time a duke was arrested was for treason.


    At that time, he could at least preserve some honor, but what about now?


    Weren''t he caught in arge-scale human trafficking case? It is shameful to the dignity of the high nobility.


    Of course, deep frustration will arise.


    "Inspector, please proceed with the interrogation."


    "Yes."


    After a few formalities, I turned to Corbin Sears.


    Typically, the imperial courts and prosecution offices distributed trials randomly.


    But this time, it was me beating the drum and the janggu. Moreover, a huge tycoon took the defendant''s seat.


    Without a hunting dog-level tform, I wouldn''t be able to ask proper questions.


    But Corbin Sears had been training hard enough.

 Chapter 80: The Famous Judgment Of Duke Of Carriers! [2]

    "Inspector, please proceed with the interrogation."


    "Yes."


    After a few formalities, I turned to Corbin Sears.


    Typically, the imperial courts and prosecution offices distributed trials randomly.


    But this time, it was me beating the drum and the janggu. Moreover, a huge tycoon took the defendant''s seat.


    Without a hunting dog-level tform, I wouldn''t be able to ask proper questions.


    But Corbin Sears had been training hard enough.


    "Defendant, have you ever mobilized private soldiers within your family to traffic women?"


    "What kind of nonsense are you talking about!"


    As soon as i hit on a sensitive issue, angry rebuttals erupted.


    It''s unpleasant enough to be dragged out to this ce, and now I''m even asking if he done something like human trafficking.


    It seemed like an issue that even a seasoned politician could not control his anger over. However, as expected of a leader of a political party, the Duke of Sierre shook his head firmly.


    "I swear on my honor, I have never done that."


    A stiffly raised head, an iprehensible gaze directed at me. I guess the shouting was just an act. The Duke of Sierre''s eyes were calm and settled.


    ''He''s sure there''s no evidence.''


    Of course, he has no reason to engage in human trafficking.


    A person who holds everything in his hands except youth. Why would he do something so embarrassing that he''d regret it?


    There is no such thing as a perfect secret in this world.


    "Are you saying that after seeing this?"


    I pulled something out at the perfect time.


    There were dozens of pages of documents with dense writing. The Duke of Sierre red at me as if to tell me not to talk nonsense.


    But our hound, Corbin Sears, continued calmly.


    "Here is a list of people who received women from the private army of the Duke of Sierre. They are all Sierre nobles. As the leader of the party, do you have anything to say?"


    "What the¡­ ¡­ ."


    That was a remark that hit the nail on the head.


    The women kidnapped by the family were only supplied to the relevant noble faction?


    What could be more suspicious than this?


    The Duke of Sierre was unable to answer properly and was hesitant.


    No matter how much he racked his brain, there was no way to exin it.


    Because he probably had no idea that his eldest son was doing such things behind his back. If he had known in advance, he wouldn''t have reacted like that.


    ''I bet he just grabbed it shamelessly.''


    But it''s already toote for that. Since he reacted like that, it would only be a waste of time to make excuses.


    Now the Duke of Corbin Sierre had to make a choice.


    Should he pretend to be crazy and embrace Skyler till the end? Or will he just cut off the tail and say it''s not rted?


    ''Now you''re just biting the vital points well, Corbin Sears.''


    I swallowed a pleased smile and stared at the Duke of Sierre.


    The expression of deep anguish shed through his mind only for a moment.


    Surprisingly, his face was rather calm. Then he quickly shook his head.


    "I don''t know. Every name on that list is my colleague. There was no such thing as bribery in the first ce."


    As expected, he came out as ignorant. In fact, denying it so openly didn''t mean much.


    Because all of the private soldiers of the Duke of Sierre who had already been mobilized for human trafficking had been arrested. We have also secured both statements and confessions.


    But this was a much-needed show.


    ''They are such big shots, i know.''


    I opened my mouth with a big smile. Now it was time to bring the y to a close.


    "Defendant."


    "Speak."


    "Then can you exin why the private soldiers of the Duke of Sierre moved? Surely you, who hold all military power in the family, wouldn''t say you didn''t know?"


    "¡­ ¡­ !"


    The Duke of Sierre''s eyes widened. It was an expression as if what was going to happen had finallye.


    A moment of silence followed. Finally, the answer I wanted came out.


    "Our family has already begun the process of session. Most of the authority has already been passed on to the sessor."


    "So you''re saying that Skyler Sierre nned all of this? And why?"


    "For my political stability¡­ ."


    The Duke of Sierre trailed off.


    It seemed he had guessed the consequences of what he had just said.


    Because it was an admission of the sins of his children and the tarnishing of the honor of the Sierre aristocracy.


    Now Skyler would be ruined by his father''s testimony.


    I stood up from my seat and looked around the room. Their eyes were all filled with anticipation. If they wished for it so earnestly, I should grant it.


    "I hereby pronounce my sentence. Corbin Sierre, who transferred his authority to his sessor, is innocent. Therefore, Skyler Sierre, the real culprit, is sentenced to 40 years in prison. In addition, a fine of 5,000 gold is imposed topensate the victims."


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    I swung the gavel more briskly than ever before.


    Come to think of it, it''s been a long time since I''ve used this for my own purposes.


    I just hit the heads of people and monsters I met. I stood there nkly for a moment, a thought suddenly urring to me.


    Immediately afterward, a tremendous cheer arose and shook the courtroom.


    "Wow! Another great decision!"


    "His Royal Highness the Duke of Carriers! Long live his Majesty!"


    "Hurrah! Hurrah!"


    It was the sound of the audience jumping up and down and cheering. But the content is a bit¡­


    ''Stop shouting ''Hurrah, Hurrah!'' If you do that, you''ll end up being beheaded for treason.''


    People hugged each other and rejoiced, whether I looked anxious or not.


    Those who stood out most were the victims and their families. They shed tears silently.


    No matter how prevalent the culture of disregarding life is, everyone has someone precious to them.


    How could they not be happy that their family came back safe and sound?


    ''I don''t have to wonder if I made the right choice.''

 Chapter 81: Skylar Sierras imprisonment

    Crunch! Crunch! Thud!


    The heavy iron bars closed with an ominous sound. This is the Capital Correction Headquarters. Although it appeared to be a prison, it was actually a giant mine. Those sentenced here would have a hellish experience until their release.


    "I am not a dog!"


    The inmate who had just arrived screamed, clutching the bars. His behavior was filthy, with venom still in his eyes.


    This bastard''s true identity was none other than Skr Sierra. The one who was spewing insults was me.


    "The rich want more, so they resort to human trafficking. And the nobles who ept it are truly a sight to behold."


    Strictly speaking, the entire Sierra aristocracy should have been punished.


    But if they insist that they bought it without knowing, that''s the end of it.


    Because this is a world where very is legal. In fact, putting Skr in jail was a huge deal.


    Even if the heir to the Duke''s familymitted a crime, who would punish him?


    Only someone as ignorant as me would ever think of it.


    "You are a prisoner who has been sentenced to 40 years in prison, so I will manage you thoroughly."


    As I was looking around the cell with a big smile on my face, someone suddenly spoke to me. The newly appointed head of the corrections department, Baron Aiden Relbrandt.


    Since I saved his life, this man has be my faithful servant. There will be no more Skr being released. Because I will not yield to any external pressure.


    "Please manage him well so that there is no preferential treatment."


    "I guess he''s such a big shot. I''ll pay a lot of attention to him."


    "Yes, I have a favor to ask."


    Baron Relbrandt bowed his head with a smile. I looked at Skr Sierra''s face onest time, curious about what kind of expression he was making.


    "Whew! Whoa!"


    But, the guy kept spitting like an enraged orangutan.


    "That guy!"


    Baron Relbrandt gritted his teeth at the sight. Then he quickly nodded his head. The guards, who received the signal, repeatedly struck Skr''s back and legs.


    Bam! Bam!


    "Kwaaak! Hey, do you think you guys will get away with this?"


    Even though the bastard was throwing a tantrum, the beatings showed no signs of abating. After a while, when his body was about to go limp, the beating with the club stopped.


    "Good. Please keep doing that until he listens well."


    I did not spare my praise.


    Blowing your nose without using your hands, this level of lip service is possible anytime.


    The guards smiled brightly and saluted.


    Skr is going to suffer a lot for a while. He has been living like this for 26 years, so do I think his terrible temper will just disappear all at once?


    He''ll probably run wild thinking he still has some power left and then get beaten up.


    Someday, when our precious child has been properly educated, I must visit. That sight will also be an interesting one.


    I walked outside, leaving the fallen Skr behind. Even though I solved a big case, I couldn''t just rest easy. There are still tasks left in the court that only the highest judge can perform.


    Besides, I had to take a look around the Carriers Duchy as well. I''m also curious about the current status of Midias'' factories and shopping districts.


    But, just as I was about to leave the correction headquarters, someone familiar, yet somehow undesirable, suddenly appeared.


    "It''s been a while, Your Highness the Duke of Carriers."


    "Uh¡­ Adit Viscount?"


    "Haha! Thank you for remembering. It''s an honor."


    "No problem. But what are you doing here?"


    In fact, the moment this person appeared, I had a feeling of an ominous future.


    Why would the chief chambein, who could be said to be the emperor''s closest confidant,e? Of course, it was my scary cousin who called me.


    "An imperial decree has been issued to enter the pce and report on the events that have urred."


    If you were the sessor to a duke''s family, you could be called a crown prince in the vassal state.


    This was an incident where a person like that ended up being sentenced to 40 years in prison. Of course, as the emperor, I had no choice but to ask what the circumstances were.


    Because it also has a political stance.


    But does that person care about that?


    He is the kind of person who wouldn''t even bat an eyelid if the Duke of Sierra came to him in person toin about the injustice.


    I guess he just called out of curiosity. Would hee up with some strange reason to harass me?


    "If you want to go, go for it. Let''s go."


    "Haha! I will take care of it." I followed the footsteps of Adit, the attendant, with a rather light heart.


    ***


    As we made our way through the bustling streets towards the pce, my mind raced with thoughts of what the emperor might want. The air was thick with the sounds of the city¡ªvendors shouting, children ying, and the distant tter of hooves on cobblestone. The imposing silhouette of the pce loomed closer with each step.


    When we finally arrived at the grand entrance, Adit Viscount led me through a series ofvish corridors adorned with rich tapestries and intricate carvings. The opulence of the pce always had a way of making one feel both insignificant and awestruck.


    "His Majesty awaits you in the throne room," Adit said, his tone respectful but with an underlying hint of urgency.


    As the massive doors to the throne room swung open, I was greeted by the sight of Emperor Charon sitting on his golden throne, his piercing eyes fixed on me.


    The room was filled with the scent of incense, and the atmosphere was one of restrained power.


    "Your Majesty," I said, bowing deeply.


    "Duke of Carriers," Emperor Charon replied, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "I hear you''ve been quite busy."


    "Indeed, Your Majesty," I answered, standing upright again. "I have been ensuring that justice is served, even against those of high status."


    The emperor''s lips curled into a slight smile, though his eyes remained cold.

 Chapter 82: Playing Time

    Chorus! Tododok!


    Two hexahedrons rolled around with a bounce and then suddenly stopped.


    The total number of dots appearing on the upper surface was 7. It was a lucky number, but it meant nothing in the context of the Enfer Trip game.


    The blue horse moved seven spaces,nding on Perias, the most expensivend. It was quite a stroke of luck, but the ce already had an owner. Threerge buildings had already been built there.


    "Hahahaha! You''ve been caught, Your Majesty."


    "Hmm."


    "The toll is 100 gold."


    "Can you give me a discount? I''ll go bankrupt if I pay all that."


    "Then the game is over."


    "¡­"


    nk! nk! nk!


    Towers of glittering gold coins continued to pile up before me. The amount of money already earned was over 500 gold.


    I have practiced Burumabul so much since I was little that I am quite good at it. There is probably no in earth who doesn''t know this game. But I never felt this thrill. It was almost like ying a game with gold bars at stake.


    ''I shouldn''t get caught up in this kind of thing.''


    That''s why I thought people would go bankrupt because of gambling addiction.


    But wait, since when have I been on an Enfer Trip?


    When that thought suddenly urred to me, I felt my blood run cold from head to toe.


    ''Oh, I washaving an audience, right?'' It started with a simple question.


    The board game I developed was also owned by the Emperor. Because the first-ss product was sent as a gift as soon as it was made.


    So the story about the Enfer Trip came up naturally. Then, empror decided to try a few rounds as a test, and he ended up losing 500 gold of the emperor''s money.


    ''It was so much fun that I couldn''t help but stop...''


    That was a really dirty and inconsiderate act


    I''m not usually like this, but after enjoying it for the first time in a while, I went a little overboard.


    "Ahem! This is embarrassing. I will donate the money I earned today to the Imperial Development Fund." Find adventures at m_v l|e-NovelBin


    It was a real-world bluff.


    The richest family in the empire is the imperial family. And what kind of development fund I''m talking about?


    But in order to appease the Iron-Blooded Emperor, I had no choice but to do something like this.


    How well did my bluff work?


    Emperor Charon curled the corners of his lips in a smirk.


    "It''s more exciting than I thought. It''s also fun to walk into a ce and see it perish."


    "..."


    "The title is also called ''Emfer Trip.'' It''s a game that fits perfectly with the end of the powerful."


    He really is crazy.


    How dare he interpret a healthy Monopoly-type game like that? It seemed like that person could burn people to death with just his harsh words.


    I forced a smile and tried my best to change the subject.


    "But why did you call me, Your Majesty?"


    Haven''t we only yed board games so far?


    There must be another real reason why he wanted to see me. I thought that would be the case, of course, if it was the Iron-Blooded Emperor Charon.


    Besides, hasn''t the story about the Duke of Sierrae out yet?


    The emperor licked his lips and waved his hand roughly. Then, the board game on the table was quickly cleared away.


    Ssssssss!


    ''is he a normal person? He''s movements are amazing.''


    I looked at the attendant Adit with a new expression of wonder. But the person just sat there silently, as if it was a given.


    Is this the vibe thates from being jammed?


    Before I could calm my surprised mind, the emperor''s mouth opened.


    "That was fun."


    "I worked hard to make it."


    "Not that. Your trial."


    "Ah, yes."


    I thought he was talking about the Enfer Trip, but I guess he was talking about trial.


    The time has finallye. He might ask why I made that choice.


    I waited for the question, gathering my thoughts. But what followed waspletely different from what I expected.


    "I heard that Deliat has returned to normal to some extent now."


    "Yes, the recovery work is in full swing. If things continue as they are, it looks like we will recover more than 80% within half a year."


    "It must be because you brought in a huge amount of money."


    "I just made good use of Deliat''s resources."


    "That is also your work."


    There''s no mention at all of the Duke of Sierre? It seemed like the sessor to the Duke''s family was nothing special.


    The entire noble faction is shaking, yet they are so calm.


    ''As expected of the Iron-Blooded Emperor''s way of thinking.''


    Anyway, I was able to answer without any difficulty.


    The practical work was done by the head butler, but I took care of the overall framework. The emperor nodded with a satisfied smile.


    All the governors up until now have only experienced bitterness and returned, so how proud must he be that I am the only one who has seeded. Because it raised the reputation of the royal family.


    But the Emperor''s words turned my head upside down once again.


    "So that''s what I''m saying."


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    "You, governor, just stay for another half a year. Just develop it enough to be able to pay tribute properly."


    "¡­"


    For a moment I was at a loss for words.


    The emperor did not even listen to the answer but suddenly got up and left. Refusal meant rejection. The audience thus ended with an absurd ending.


    On the way back to the Duke''s territory by carriage, I sat there with a nk expression for a while.


    ''No, is he crazy?''


    I built our foundations from scratch and created everything from scratch. Everything fromw to administration, economy, and social climate.


    In fact, from now on, no matter who goes, there won''t be any major problems reaching the 80% I mentioned.


    Perhaps within a few years, Deliat will be able to regain its original appearance.


    But he want me to finish that in half a year? To do that, I would need to invest more than twice as much money as I have now.


    "If I want to save time, I have no choice but to spend money."


    Of course, that doesn''t mean I''m going to rush things. It just means that we''re going to do it all at once. Anyway, it was an incredibly headache-inducing task.


    ''But I don''t think it''s impossible at all.''


    Deliat had a huge workforce. If I use them properly, it''s not that impossible.


    Besides, I have a fraudulent feature called the Employee Management Window. It''s as obvious as the back of your hand where they''re doing something stupid.


    "The question is where to get that money."


    Cordyceps sinensis and board games alone would not be enough. Lending the revenue generated there to the Deliat autonomous government was also not a good option.


    I''m not a phnthropist, so how long can I keep providing interest-free loans?


    "Uh?"


    At that very moment, my eyes fell on the bag of gold coins.


    At first, I only had 50 gold, but before I knew it, it had increased by more than ten times.


    It was a big difference from the board game. Then I thought I knew why the Emperor had said that.


    ''The price for sweeping up 500 gold is...''


    Wow! I didn''t see it like that, He''s really petty.


    The richest man on the continent, yet he put his capable cousin through such a tough time?


    Anger welled up inside me, but at the same time, I felt relieved. At least this way, he recognize me as someone on the same side.


    ''Brother! I''mpetent so you can use me, right?''


    No matter how much I screamed inside, my damn cousin never answered.

 Chapter 83: Kiss Of Death [1]

    Actually, I had no intention of returning either.


    If I hadn''t found evidence of Skyler''s crimes, he would have been held back for at least another half a year. Deliat still needed my touch.


    Isn''t that true? Imagine a new governor taking office in this situation.


    "If I don''t put some safeguards in ce, things will go back to being a mess like before," I thought.


    Now that there''s a lot to exploit, they''re going to want to make a good living out of it.


    I can''t allow one of my aplishments to be treated like that.


    I had to put the system in ce so that it could run properly no matter who sat in that seat. Of course, that would require the Emperor''s help.


    "The governor''s powers must be limited."


    That can be done after everything is in ce. For now, it was important to increase the capacity of the Deliat Autonomous Region.


    "Come to think of it, there was a problem with the Duke''s order too?"


    As I sat in the carriage, lost in thought, a memory from a while ago suddenly came to mind. I think it was when I was looking at the employee management window.


    Didn''t more than 30% of people who went to work during the day take a break?


    It has since recovered somewhat but is still frequent. About 20% of the time is always spent ying.


    "How can that be?"


    If I move ording to the work schedule I created, there will be no loss of manpower.


    The problem is that I can just go and check. But I still checked the staff management window. Because of the Emperor''s orders, the situation in Deliat also became very critical.


    "Kuro should do well."


    When I first met him, I thought he was some kind of empty-mouthed dreamer. Why aren''t there people like that?


    This is the talk of a fool who mes his own failures on external factors.


    But Kuro was the type who was ruined because the world was so cruel. No one knew that the country of Deliat would be so obsessed with the empire.


    "Oh? He''s already gone south?"


    Currently, Kuro has arrived in Lapitan, a small kingdom in the southern part of the continent.


    It''s simr in size to the Duchy of Crawford, so you''ll be able to see some nice gains. Wherever you go, health supplements and toys are in the spotlight.


    "Brothers are more capable as a pair."


    I closed the staff management window with a satisfied smile. Because I had finally arrived at my sweet home, the Duchy of Carriers.


    "It''s been a long time, Your Majesty."


    As soon as I got off the carriage, I heard a weing voice. It was the general butler, Miller Xavier, who came out to greet me at the entrance of the mansion.


    Looking at his brightly smiling face, he seemed quite happy. I shook his hand briefly and looked around.


    "It''s so quiet. Where did everyone go?"


    "Ah, that''s... There''s something you need to see first."


    The face of Butler Miller Xavier darkened for a moment. It wasn''t hard to guess that something was wrong. Because I had already noticed some strange movements in the staff management window.


    "Let''s go."


    "Yes, pleasee this way." Butler Miller Xavier guided me to the staff quarters.


    It was originally a smallmunal house built near a barn. But the size of the ce had more than doubled from before.


    "I guess you''ve been working hard."


    "Haha! It took longer than expected to meet the requirements Your Majesty mentioned."


    I asked for a sturdy brick house with no noise between floors or walls. Although it is public, it is equipped with a neat back room and bathing facilities.


    Typically, the houses of themon people of this era were made of rough, low-quality wood. In addition, livestock was often raised on the first floor. It was to prevent theft and share body heat.


    "There are many people who don''t even have that."


    In fact, even if you only had that much, you would be considered to be living quite well among themon people.


    Most of them lived in shacks that were barelyrge enough toy down their bodies.


    Homeless vagabonds would buy coffins and sleep in them with their sleeping bags. It was much better than being homeless.


    If it''s so cold that you freeze to death, you''ll be buried there.


    So the Duchy of Carriers was like heaven.


    Although they don''t own the property, i provide such great amodations. But why on earth do 20% of workers keep taking breaks?


    "A few weeks ago, one person started to get sick, and the disease spread quickly. So for now, we just quarantined them."


    "Ah...."


    As the weather gets colder and drier, our immune systems tend to weaken.


    Just because the amodations were so nice didn''t mean  they wouldn''t get sick.


    On the contrary, these types ofmunal housing were vulnerable to infectious diseases. Because we constantly encounter people as we live.


    It could be said that the homeless people living in coffins were actually safer. It''s a life that is automatically isted.


    "What disease is it?"


    If it was just a simple cold, it would have gotten better in a week or so. But it''s been like this for three weeks already.


    It would not be an exaggeration to say that it was almost like a gue.


    "Do you know what the disease is?"


    "It''s called the kiss of death... There are all sorts of symptoms, but the chills are particrly bad."


    "Is there a cure?"


    "Maybe because we kept them warm, they didn''t die. The problem is that no one has fully recovered."


    "What did the doctors say?"


    Doctors in this era were either priests or magicians. But thetter case was extremely difficult to meet.


    This was because the location of the tower was far from civilization. Midway up the snow-capped mountains of the northern continent, beneath the thousand-foot cliffs of the southern mountain range.


    This is the representative ce, but how can you get there?


    Of course, the church took priority. Because it''s much more essible. Butler Miller Xavier shook his head with a bitter expression.


    "All the priests are out of town, so they said they can''t send any priests here."

 Chapter 84: Kiss Of Death [2]

    "What disease is it?"


    If it was just a simple cold, it would have gotten better in a week or so. But it''s been like this for three weeks already.


    "Do you know what the disease is?"


    "It''s called the kiss of death... There are all sorts of symptoms, but the chills are particrly bad."


    "Is there a cure?"


    "Maybe because we kept them warm, they didn''t die. The problem is that no one has fully recovered."


    "What did the doctors say?"


    Doctors in this era were either priests or magicians. But thetter case was extremely difficult to meet.


    This was because the location of the tower was far from civilization. Midway up the snow-capped mountains of the northern continent, beneath the thousand-foot cliffs of the southern mountain range.


    This is the representative ce, but how can you get there?


    Of course, the church took priority. Because it''s much more essible. Butler Miller Xavier shook his head with a bitter expression.


    "All the priests are out of town, so they said they can''t send any priests here."


    "What? How isthat possible?"


    "After looking into it thoroughly, I found out that those pristis already been taken."


    "Who is it?"


    "Those¡­ are powerful people. I''m sorry. I should have taken action before the situation arose."


    Butler Miller Xavier simply bowed his head. In fact, it was an issue that could have been excused in any number of ways because the Carriers Duchy had never requested a priest before.


    Originally, I didn''t care whether theborer was sick or not. Moreover, this was the same for other nobles as well. They probably preempted the priests to protect their families from the gue.


    "It''s okay. Thanks to the sturdy construction of the dormitory, none of the employees died."


    Imagine if Butler Miller Xavier had taken my word for it and done shoddy work.


    If the amodation had been drafty, the workers would have died long ago. Like diseased vagrants, they probably wouldn''t have endured being sick in bed all this time.


    The result was nothing short of a mistake. Actually, I didn''t even think about it this far.


    Because I have such a strong body.


    Perhaps because he was the strongest warrior in the North, Able never suffered from a single illness.


    So, I don''t worry about getting sick at all.


    Anyway, it wasn''t that serious of a situation. Now that we know the cause, all we have to do is fix it.


    But the problem was that the matter was not that easy.


    "If we can''t invite a priest, then we''re left with only one option."


    "Are you suggesting a wizard? But it must be incredibly difficult to meet one."


    "Because they''re such reclusive loners?"


    "Yes, that''s right."


    "Still, we have to try to save them."


    The disease is called the kiss of death.


    The workers have been sick in bed for three weeks already. If things continued like this, some people might die from exhaustion. Before that, a definitive solution had to be found.


    I can''t make a cure, so I have to find someone who can.


    The Magic Tower was incredibly far away, but the wizard wouldn''t be there all the time.


    There must certainly be some who do not belong there or enjoy a wandering life.


    How many weirdos have I seen so far that defymon sense? Now that the decision was made, it was time to cast the bait.


    "Please keep this ce isted from now on. And you should go to the mercenary guild."


    "What''s going on there?"


    "I''m posting an ad for help. I need a wizard, right?"


    "Hmm."


    Butler Miller Xavier let out a low groan. It seemed like he thought there was no chance at all. But I smiled brightly and gave instructions.


    "The condition is that the gue must be curable, and the reward is a one-year set of good boosters for men."


    "Huh? What is that?"


    Cordyceps sinensis has not yet spread to this ce.


    Because it was so popr, there was a shortage of stock even in the West. But most people knew that.


    Originally, rumors about good things spread quickly, especially among the upper ss.


    "Just submit the request like that. If there''s no response, we''ll think about itter."


    "Yes."


    Still, Butler Miller Xavier looked suspicious.


    If i show him the effectiveness of Cordyceps Sinensis, he will immediately acknowledge it


    That couldn''t happen right away. There wasn''t enough volume, and it wasn''t useful anywhere.


    But isn''t that the same for me too?


    I remembered the past when I tried it several times and suffered while experimenting.


    I need to hurry up and save the prettydy.


    Oh, of course, leaving Princess Justia out of the candidates.


    * * *


    Crunch! Crunch!


    A man wearing tattered robes entered Perias. Then, soldiers with suspicious eyes blocked the gate. It was because his appearance was so shabby and his impression so menacing. A search and inspection began immediately because of the appearance that anyone could tell was likely to cause an ident.


    "You seem to be a foreigner. Do you have any proof of identity?"


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    Instead of answering, the man briefly lifted his robe. Then a staff in the shape of a snake climbing up was revealed.


    A sight that even shes a mysterious orange light. The soldiers frowned. It was an unusual item, but I had never seen it anywhere before.


    "What on earth are you talking about?"


    The blunt words came out for a moment.


    Someone suddenly appeared and blocked the soldiers'' path.


    "Haha! I apologize for being rude. Are you a sorcerer from Nermia?"


    "Exactly."


    "I''m sorry. My subordinates were confused and did not recognize the sign. You may pass."


    "Thank you."


    Thud! Thud!


    The man passed through the gate with a limping gait. Then the soldiers asked the gatekeeper questions with puzzled expressions.


    "If they are the sorcerers of Nermia¡­ are they the ones who create that strange potion?"


    "They say that if you kill someone, they poison the water and kill everyone. Can we bring in a monster like that?"


    Nermia was the magic tower of the great forest on the eastern side of the continent.


    The wizards there specialize in potions research, and they have quite a reputation.


    This was because sometimes, disasters of a magnitude simr to catastrophes would ur. Like the soldier just mentioned, an ident like a toxic substance leak.


    "Whew! But there''s nothing we can do. It''s not something we can stop."


    "Then what should we do?"


    "We must report to our superiors and monitor his every move. That is, until he leaves the capital."


    The gatekeeper immediately reported. For a while, the capital''s security forces moved diligently.


    They followed the dangerous person secretly and quickly.


    Regardless, the Nermia sorcerer was walking leisurely. Towards the original destination, the mercenary guild.


    "I''m too tired to go alone. I need to find someone."


    But then suddenly a phrase caught his eye. The advertisement filled more than half of the bulletin board.


    "Looking for a wizard who can cure diseases? The reward is¡­ a year''s worth of health tonics? It''s not even gold. What is that?"


    The sorcerer tried to pass the bulletin board with an indifferent look. But the mercenaries passing by red at him rudely.


    "Even if you have money, you can''t buy it. It''s called Cordyceps Sinensis Dan-Hwan, and it won''t let you get tired all night long. Oh, but looking at your face, I guess you don''t really need it."


    "Hehehe! You need to have a girlfriend to be useful in the first ce."


    A suddenint. In fact, harshnguage wasmon in mercenary society''s.


    It would be normal to respond with a few curses, but the Nermia sorcerer''s eyes gleamed. With an expression that looked as if he had been scratched terribly.


    "What are these rotten things?"


    Suddenly, a tremendous explosion shook the mercenary guild.


    Kuhwaaang¨D!


    The explosion sent a shockwave through the guild, rattling the windows and sending everyone scrambling for cover. Dust and debris filled the air as the sorcerer from Nermia stood at the epicenter of the st, his staff still glowing with residual magic. The mercenaries, once smug and taunting, now looked terrified and scrambled to assess the damage and check for casualties.


    The guild master, a burly man with a scarred face, burst through the door. His eyes narrowed as he took in the scene. "What in the hell is going on here?" he demanded, his voice booming over the chaos.


    The Nermia sorcerer, his robes now smudged with dust, met the guild master''s gaze with cold eyes. "I do not appreciate being mocked," he said, his voice low but carrying a dangerous edge.


    The guild master stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "This is my guild, and I won''t have you causing trouble here," he growled. "I don''t care if you''re from Nermia or any other damned ce. You''ll pay for the damage you''ve done."


    The sorcerer tilted his head slightly, his expression unyielding.


    "I Like to give you try."

 Chapter 85: Sorcerer Of Nermia [1]

    I received the report with a trembling expression.


    "So, the infamous magician from the Magic Tower caused amotion in the Mercenary Guild?"


    "They say he is called a sorcerer."


    "How much damage is there?"


    "Half of the building was destroyed and more than a dozen people were injured. Fortunately, there were no deaths."


    Chief Inspector Josiah Campbell had a calm expression, even though he was conveying some very ufortable content.


    As the person responsible for the overall defense of the capital, he was the emperor''s closest confidant.


    So, even if we had a superior-subordinate rtionship, there was no reason for me to feel inferior.


    Of course, his attitude wasn''t that bad. It wasn''t his fault that the crazy guy used magic in the city. And what''s more, it''s a very special thing.


    Sheriff Campbell was the first to rush to the courthouse because he knew I was looking for a wizard.


    Well, after the investigation ispleted, they just hand it over to the prosecution. There is no need to bother reporting this.


    Now that I think about it, there was something strange. I guess he went through all this trouble because he wanted something.


    There is absolutely no need for that.


    "I think you have something else to tell me."


    "Ahem!"


    "Please feel free to talk. As long as it is not illegal or unreasonable, I will listen."


    "They say you saved the man with Cordyceps sinensis pills."


    "Yes, I did."


    "Could I get a little something for myself? I''m so¡­ these days."


    At that very moment, I smiled broadly and my eyes lit up.


    Is hein debt to the Emperor''s entourage?


    It wasn''t a bad investment if I could buy his favor with just a few Cordyceps Sinensis pills. Plus, he might end up being great customers in the long run.


    "Aha! If you had told me earlier, I would have prepared it for you in advance. You looked so healthy that I didn''t even think about it."


    "It''s not that big of a problem yet."


    "I know. I know. When you grow up to a certain extent, you want to go higher, right?"


    "Heh heh heh!"


    I saved Chief Campbell''s spirit.


    This is also a sensitive topic for middle-aged men. How can someone who has only experienced 20 things know so much?


    The seniors I work with are quite old, so I picked up things here and there. I took a fancy box out of the drawer.


    It was a set of ten Cordyceps Sinensis pills.


    "It''s such a popr item that I guess I only have this."


    "Ah..."


    "When the items arrive, we will make sure you can purchase them first."


    "Thank you."


    Captain Campbell''s face, which had been momentarily disappointed, suddenly brightened.


    No matter what the price, this person will often buy singles.


    Once he see the effects, he can''t stop.


    When I say it like that, it sounds like a very addictive drug. Let me emphasize again that this is only a good tonic and health supplement for men.


    In their s*x activities.


    Ahem...


    Anyway, it was not a harmful drug banned by the country. Only the magicians of Nermia make things like that.


    "I guess I should meet him first."


    "What are you going to do?"


    "If there is no agreement, we will just take it to court. After all, relief for the damageses first."


    I met that rare wizard, but I had no intention of going beyond the bounds ofmon sens.


    Don''t you repent your sins? Then I nned to throw him in the cell.


    It''s going to be a huge hassle, but you can get the wizard through other routes.


    Chief Campbell nodded with admiration.


    "Your Majesty, your mindset is different. A normal person would try to take advantage of a high ground."


    "That''s too much praise."


    After a while, I went to the police station''s detention center.


    There seemed to be quite a few people arrested in the act, so the inside of the iron bars was bustling.


    But weren''t they all huddled in one corner?


    "I am the Judge."


    It seemed to be because of the sorcerer''s notoriety. That scene was pretty funny, so I wanted to leave it that way for a while.


    I looked back at the chief of police as I entered the interrogation room. "Please call him in so we can talk for a moment."


    "Yes."


    Investigator Campbell nodded willingly.


    Soon a man wearing tattered robes entered the dark room. His arms and legs were bound in heavy restraints.


    Considering that he was a wizard, the two knights who followed him had shining eyes.


    He looked like he was going to slit my throat if I made a mistake.


    I said, waving my hand lightly.


    "It''s okay, go out."


    "But Your Majesty, the sorcerers of Nermia are very dangerous."


    Instead of answering, I just smiled quietly, and the knights'' expressions became distorted.


    Only then did they realize who I was. If it were a normal member of the royal family, they would have to be protected even more.


    But I am a berserker who hase down to conquer the North.


    Any guy could be killed with one punch.


    "¡­All right."


    Although they still had worried expressions, the two knights backed off obediently. Only then was I able to speak alone with the sorcerer of Nermia.


    "The crime of assault that injured seventeen people, and the crime of destruction of a building. I guess I''ll have to give you about ten years in prison and pay five thousand gold inpensation."


    I went through the documents and listed the charges, but the other person''s expression did not change at all.


    He just stared at my face quietly. And then, all of a sudden, he started tough bitterly.


    "If I escape, that''s the end of it. Why? Do you think I can''t do it?"


    It was not an easy task to bind the wizard.


    Because I never know when or what he might do.


    There were countless cases of escapes through extraordinary means.


    However, it was not possible to always ce highly skilled knights.


    It''s just too much of a waste of energy to invest in just one prisoner.


    In that case, it would be better to take money and release him. But I had no intention of doing that.


    At least I should make him regret it.


    Isn''t it too much to break someone''s arms and legs just because they said something annoying?


    And on top of that, they even destroyed the building.


    If you cause an ident, it''s only natural that you pay a price for it.


    ''Are you trying to sneak out with the power of the magic tower and your own skills?''


    "I guess I have no choice but to give you back what you said. You''re definitely going to get 20 years."


    "Ha! Didn''t you just say ten years?"


    "The crime of contempt has been added. Why? Do you think you can''t escape now?"


    "¡­"


    Given the knights'' attitudes, it shouldn''t be difficult to guess my identity. Then you know very well that you have that ability.


    The sorcerer of Nermia muttered, then fell silent. It seemed like he realized that if he kept pushing, he would only end up losing money.


    As expected of a wizard, he''s quick at calcting.


    "What do you want?"


    "It''s simple. There''s an outbreak of an epidemic. I need you to treat the staff."


    "It''s not that difficult, so why do you need me?"


    "I have a lot of enemies."


    The sorcerer was deeply troubled.


    Actually, it wasn''t something I thought about for a long time.


    Where else can he get a deal this good?


    I even exempted him from prison.


    "Can I ask you one question?"


    "However much."


    "Is that the job advertisement in the mercenary guild that Your Majesty posted?"


    "That''s right. Originally, I was going to treat you like a gentleman. But someone caused an ident and this is how it turned out."


    "What kind of medicine is thepensation? Can I receive something else?"


    "Why? Are you going to fine me?"


    "yes."


    "It''s possible. But even if you have money, you can''t get it. Is that okay?"


    "Even so, it''s not as good as Cordyceps Sinensis, is it?"


    "Is this it?"


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    The sorcerer of Nermia stopped all movement.


    It felt like I was trapped in ice.


    Then, all of a sudden, he started shivering and jumped up.


    "Is that true?"


    I watched as the sorcerer''s eyes widened, the realization of the opportunity setting in. This was the moment to negotiate.


    "Yes, it''s true. But you''ll have to work for it. Are you willing to cooperate?"


    He swallowed hard, his arrogance from earlier slipping away. The reputation of Cordyceps Sinensis wasn''t something to take lightly, especially for those in his line of work.


    "I''ll do it," he said, his voice now measured and serious. "But I need assurances. I need protection while I treat the staff, and I need guarantees that I won''t be thrown back into a cell afterward."


    I leaned back in my chair, considering his demands. It was a reasonable request, and I had anticipated it.


    "Fine. You''ll get protection, and as long as you uphold your end of the deal, you''ll be free to go. However, any attempt to escape or cause harm, and the deal is off. You''ll serve the full twenty years."


    The sorcerer nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. He had no choice but toply if he wanted a chance at freedom and the coveted Cordyceps Sinensis.


    "Alright then. We have an agreement," I said, extending my hand.


    He hesitated for a moment before shaking it. "We have an agreement," he echoed.


    I called the knights back in, instructing them to escort the sorcerer to the medical wing under heavy guard. The outbreak needed immediate attention, and now we had the means to address it.


    As the sorcerer was led away, I couldn''t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. This wasn''t just about punishment or justice; it was about leveraging every opportunity to protect the capital and its people. Sometimes, that meant striking deals with the devil.


    Turning back to Chief Inspector Campbell, I gave him a nod. "Let''s keep a close watch on him. Ensure he has everything he needs to seed, but make sure he knows there''s no room for error."


    "Understood, Your Majesty," Campbell replied, his respect evident.


    As I left the detention center, I felt the weight of the decision lift slightly. The path forward wasn''t easy, but it was necessary. And if this sorcerer could indeed help quell the epidemic, then perhaps we''d alle out of this a little stronger.

 Chapter 86: Sorcerer Of Nermia [2]

    I took the sorcerer and traveled around Perias. The purpose was to visit the victims one by one and express my apologies.


    Only by showing some repentance like this could we reach an agreement. If I''m not going to impose a prison sentence, there should be clear mitigating circumstances.


    "Sorry."


    "After doing such a terrible thing, are you just going to say sorry?"


    "Here is a small amount ofpensation¡­"


    "Ahem! You should have given me that earlier. Our mercenaries break their bones every day, don''t they? I''m fine, so don''t worry too much."


    "Thank you for your understanding."


    "You must be busy, so please go quickly."


    The agreement went something like this.


    When I offered them too much money to refuse, they readily epted the apology.


    After all, financialpensation is the best, right? Only after visiting all the victims was the sorcerer able to be released.


    ''By the way, what was this guy''s name?'' I went straight to the documents and checked the personal information.


    Then, an incredibly long piece of writing caught my eye.


    "Vargas Tesmayor Dustoregiant¡­ Why is it so long?"


    "Because I use my parents'' and teacher''s names as my middle name. Just call me Vargas."


    "Yes, Vargas. Can you cure that strange disease?"


    It''s been four weeks since the employees fell ill.


    The symptoms were like a mild cold, but no matter how much they rested, it didn''t get better.


    After thoroughly investigating, I found that other patients had already recovered and left. Only the people living in the Duchy of Carriers and the Midias region were still affected. This could not have happened unless someone had put a curse on them.


    "Is this a curse?"


    "Yeah. If it weren''t, then it would be impossible¡­ What?"


    "It''s a curse."


    "No, what kind of crazy person would do that?"


    "We''ll have to find outter."


    "Okay. I''ll just trust you."


    "Why trust me?"


    Vargas looked at me with a puzzled expression. This guy just made a promise, and now he''s going back on his word.


    "Removing the curse wasn''t in the contract, was it? I promised to cure the illness."


    "Ah?"


    Now that I think about it, he might be right.


    The curse wasn''t even mentioned in the first ce. But there''s no way that kind of trick would work on me.


    "Since I didn''t treat the illness myself, there''s no need to give me Cordyceps Sinensis pills either."


    Experience more content on m v|l e''-NovelBin


    "Ugh! Okay, just wait a minute. I''ll do it no matter what. I''ll catch that damn bastard and make him kneel!"


    He should havee out like that a long time ago.


    "Do well in the future. Then I''ll give you priority purchasing rights, like the chief of police."


    "Of course. Hehe!"


    I turned away with a rotten smile.


    ''i can leave this to Vargas. Now let''s go look around other ces.''


    I''ve finished all the important work, so why am I so busy?


    While I was away for over half a year, things were going quite wrong with my business.


    ***


    Midias was entering the unseasonable holiday season.


    The reason was that as winter approached, the seeds of the grass had probably dried up. Because there was no material, the textile mills were shut down indefinitely.


    The stewards searched everywhere, but there were no usable materials. It was rare to find nts that grew well even in winter.


    "The price of fabric must have gone up?"


    "It''s still okay because we''ve been selling it so cheaply. Everyone is praising it and saying that it''s helping them have a warm winter."


    Butler Miller Xavier smiled brightly and ryed the people''s reactions.


    For some reason, my face felt hot. I felt awkward because they were openly talking about it.


    Of course, that wasn''t wrong. It was something done to enrich the lives of the people.


    "That''s too much praise. The problem is what to do in the future¡­ What is everyone doing now?"


    "Except for those recovering from illness, they were mobilized for other work, mainly maintenance work." The butlers were managing their staff quite efficiently.


    How can they aplish this much with such limited authority?


    I looked around the emptynds of Midias. It seemed they were preparing to start cultivating x fields in earnest starting next year.


    "They are even building a fence."


    "After all, we can''t ignore monster damage."


    "Where do they cut down the trees?"


    "It''s the forest over there."


    "Isn''t it right in front of you?"


    "The Walt wood is very recessed. We use the more durable Moldex wood."


    I examined the cut log as Deacon Miller Xavier exined.


    Unlike ordinary wood, it seemed to have a whitish interior and a tendency to split easily.


    Additionally, it wasn''t very useful as firewood because it contained a lot of moisture. It had grown so much, but it seemed like no one was cutting it down.


    ''Wait a minute, can''t I make paper out of this?''


    As I was looking out at the forest full of walnut trees, an idea suddenly urred to me.


    No, actually, it was something I had been thinking about for a long time. Because papermaking technology was so poor, board games were also made out of wood.


    The problem was that modern pulp could not be manufactured. In this world, machines are really simple things.


    Besides, how can I bleach and treat it with chemicals? But there was still a way.


    ''I know how to make hanji.''


    It''s so helpful that the experiential learning I went on while holding my father''s hand is helping me in this way.


    It was something I would see only if I lived long enough. No, it was something I only saw twice in my life. The question is whether walnuts can rece oaks.


    "I have no choice but to give it a try."


    "What?"


    "I was talking to myself. What is that building next to the textile mill?"


    "It was built to be used as a warehouse, but it''s empty now."


    "Please send a few people over there. And cut down about twenty walnut trees."


    "Yes, I understand."


    Butler Miller Xavier nodded immediately.


    He might wonder what on earth I''m trying to do.


    I guess that means he trusts mepletely. I smiled faintly and walked towards the tool workshop.


    ***

 Chapter 87: Reunion

    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    Even though it was the height of lunch hour, the sound of work continued to resonate.


    ''Oh!''


    I took a quick peek inside and let out a sigh of admiration. The tool workshop was decorated more nicely than I expected. I didn''t know it would be this professional.


    "Who¡­ Huh? Your Highness the Duke of Carriers?"


    "Aren''t you working too hard? Everyone is going to lunch."


    "Haha! No, we were the first ones to eat."


    "Oh, really? But where is Theo?"


    "Over there."


    I turned my gaze to where theborer was pointing, but the doppelganger guy was nowhere to be seen. All that could be heard was the sound of a hammer.


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    "Where is he?"


    "You won''t be able to see him very well because he''s short. Try going further inside."


    I tilted my head and walked away.


    Wasn''t Theo just a guy with an average build and nd looks? As I approached, I saw a short, hairy man swinging a hammer.


    The atmosphere felt like some kind of crazy dwarf craftsman.


    "Hey."


    "What? Didn''t I tell you not to disturb me while I''m working? No¡­"


    "Heh heh! Look at this guy?"


    "Oh, you havee? Your Highness the Duke."


    "You''ve grown a lot since Ist saw you."


    "Haha, I''ve gotten smaller though."


    "Do you even have the presence of mind to joke?"


    "Ahem! Ahem!"


    I grabbed Theo by the back of his neck as he coughed. The way he was thrashing and writhing made him look like a real dwarf.


    "Still, it''s amazing."


    "What? Me?"


    "Yeah, Theo. You worked hard and didn''t cause any idents."


    "That''s because of the god in the next room¡­ No. I''m quite satisfied with my life. My sryes in a lump sum, so it''s good."


    In fact, the reason this guy was so docile was thanks to Adam, the god of the earth.


    With a fearsome suppressor standing firm, what could a mere doppelganger do to break it?


    Of course, as Theo said, the treatment was good. I definitely took care of the capable people.


    So, wouldn''t everyone want to work at the Carriers Duchy and the Midias Textile Mill?


    "Let''s see. What were you making?"


    "I''m just doing what I''ve always done. Don''t Ick creativity?"


    Theo had the technology of a dwarf, but he couldn''t invent anything new.


    Instead, if i just gave him a drawing, he could make anything in no time. This is the kind of person I really need right now.


    "How about teaching your employees?"


    "There are some guys who are quite skilled. I have four of them as my disciples."


    "Okay. So, can you make something like this too?"


    I drew arge pot and atch. It was arge steamer that would soften the wood.


    It was just a rough draft scribbled on recycled parchment, but it surprisingly looked pretty good.


    I don''t have much talent for drawing, but I think my skills have improved because I''ve been doing it so often.


    "The form is simple. If you give me time, I can make it as much as you want."


    "Okay. Let''s start with this first. Once it''s done, there''s a warehouse next to the factory, right? Put it there."


    "Yep!"


    Theo shouted bravely and immediately called his disciples. Since it''s so big, it''ll be difficult to do alone.


    After watching the work for a while, I soon moved to the pottery workshop. Since I''vee this far, i should go see Adam too.


    But, as soon as I entered the building next door, I heard a loud voice.


    "Abel!"


    "Oh my! This is surprising. Why on earth are you screaming? You startled me."


    "I never raised my voice. I just conveyed my will directly."


    "Just do this."


    As i took the gavel out of form my robe, Adam made a stinging expression.


    It was a very awkward sight to see arge beast doing that. I continued the conversation while looking around the pottery workshop.


    "But why did you yell?"


    "Please fix this quickly. I''m going crazy because it''s so ufortable."


    Adam beat his chest with a frustrated expression. Here, there were no disciples, but everything was provided. I looked into the bedroom and saw an incrediblyrge and ornate bed.


    The private dining room and living room were also quite well decorated. It seemed like he had poured all his sry into this.


    "It looks like there''s nothing missing, so what''s inconvenient?"


    "Clothes. The butlers keep giving me things like this."


    "Ah..."


    Adam was wearing leggings that looked like they could burst at any moment. It''s a style mainly worn by imperial nobles, but honestly, I also found it ufortable. It''s also very embarrassing.


    "I couldn''t go to a human tailor, so I asked Theo."


    "Oh! That''s right. I heard he once transformed into an elf tailor. So he did it for you?"


    "That guy makes elf clothes. Would they fit me?"


    "He can just adjust the size."


    "It''s made by weaving together leaves."


    "Oh, that''s a bit¡­"


    A beautiful elf women wearing a leaf outfit?


    I would be thankful to God if such a scene unfolded before my eyes,


    but it did not suit Adam at all. It would probably look even more beastly than it does now.


    "So, wouldn''t I be so frustrated that I''d go crazy?"


    Adam, despite his appearance, liked shy and stylish styles. Perhaps, if he look at the leggings style alone, he liked it.


    So, even though it''s ufortable, he''ll probably keep wearing it.


    "I''ll try to find a tailor. But I don''t know if it''ll work out. Things aren''t going so well these days."


    "Oh, I heard everyone is quarantined because of the epidemic."


    "I invited the sorcerer of Nermia to cure illness, but it was a curse actually."


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    "Huh! What the hell are you doing out there, getting treated like that? Behave yourself."


    "I want to do that too. I don''t know why I keep getting involved every time there''s a trial."


    "That''s because you make the right decisions."


    "Ok?"


    For a moment, I let out a stupid noise. I never thought I''d hear something like that from Adam.

 Chapter 88: Confronting Chaos [1]

    "I want to do that too. I don''t know why I keep getting involved every time there''s a trial."


    "That''s because you make the right decisions."


    "Ok?"


    For a moment, I let out a stupid noise. I never thought I''d hear something like that from Adam.


    "Why are you so surprised? Don''t you know what kind of being you are in Perias?"


    "No, that''s not it, but I didn''t know you knew that either."


    "Those who are originally powerful and stubborn are bound to have a hard time. So, don''t give in."


    "I told you to behave yourself just now."


    "Do you mean keep doing that?"


    Adam turned away with an embarrassed expression. Clearly flustered, he pretended to busy himself with work. I smiled broadly and turned to leave.


    "I''ll try to find a tailor as soon as possible. One who keeps his mouth shut."


    "Okay."


    There was no need to go all the way to the shopping district; I felt like I had already seen everything I needed to. With the steamerplete, I nned to begin researching papermaking technology in earnest. There would probably be quite a bit of trial and error.


    ''I know how to make it, but the ingredients are different,'' I thought, recalling the experiments I tried while staying at the mansion.


    If things went well, I''d pick a smart kid and teach him. Maybe someone like Butler Tobias Wilkin...


    Oh, but that guy wouldn''t work. Since he''s in charge of the shopping district, he''ll be busy with all sorts of tasks.


    "By the way, wasn''t there one more thing?" I muttered to myself.


    A curse ced on the employees. Vargas would release it, but finding the culprit was another matter.


    ''I don''t know who he is, but if I catch him, he''s screwed. How dare they interfere with my business? Isn''t this a crime deserving of the death penalty?''


    They had cursed me¡ªthe duke of the empire, the supreme judge, and the governor.


    "Huh? Wait a minute."


    Strictly speaking, I wasn''t affected at all.


    The curse seemed to have appeared after I went to Deliat. The maids and butlers staying at the mansion were fine, and the employees of the shopping mall weren''t affected either.


    I decided to see Deacon Miller Xavier.


    By now, the walnut trees should have been cut down and moved into storage. As expected, I spotted the butler working with severalborers.


    "Butler Xavier."


    "Yes, Your Majesty?"


    "Did you happen to share the same amodations with sick people?"


    "Yes. It was the first building we built. We isted it immediately after the outbreak and prevented further damage."


    "Has anyone new moved in there?"


    "Yes, the Palmers had a baby, so they moved to a bigger room."


    "Is someone else going in there?"


    "Yes. I chose a sturdy young man named Margon¡ª"


    Before Butler Miller Xavier could finish speaking, I started running.


    The hairs on my body stood on end as a sense of foreboding gripped me. As always, ominous feelings turn out to be reality. The moment I reached my destination, it happened.


    **BOOM!**


    mes shot high into the sky with a thunderous roar. A surging, crimson aura engulfed the staff quarters. Finally, I shouted, filled with anger:


    "You crazy bastards! Do you know how much that building costs? No, what are you doing in a ce where there are patients?!"


    **Oh my!**


    I almost burst out in anger and broke the wall next to me.


    ***


    The scene was utterly horrific. The explosion had caused half of the wall to copse, and mes were spreading everywhere. But it wasn''t a real fire¡ªjust an unknown crimson aura enveloping the building.


    ''What about the staff?''


    I thought, more concerned with their safety than the ongoing battle between Vargas and the unidentified individual.


    "Cough! Cough! Huh? Your Highness the Duke?" A figure staggered through the rubble. It was Everett, aborer who mainly worked in the vineyards.


    How does I know he''s name when we''ve barely met? It must be thanks to the staff management window¡ªI had reviewed it so often that I practically memorized it.


    "Everett?"


    "Oh my! It is an honor. You even remember the name of someone as lowly as me."


    "You''re my employee, so of course I should know. How are you feeling?"


    "The moment I heard the explosion, I thought I was dead. But my body felt so light. Thanks to that, I was able to escape."


    "What about the others?"


    "I told Gavin to bring them while I cleared the way... Ah! Here hees."


    "Get as far away from the building as possible. Make sure everyone is out."


    "Yes!"


    Everett shouted bravely and ran back inside, filled with enthusiasm from receiving direct orders from me. He would easily carry out his assigned duties.


    Now, it was time to deal with the one named Margon.


    "This guy causes explosions wherever he goes," I muttered, recalling Vargas''s previous antics.


    I didn''t think much of it until he blew up the mercenary guild. But I never imagined he would cause my house to copse.


    **BOOM! BOOM!**


    I rushed to the back of the building where the constant explosions originated.


    The area looked like a battlefield.


    The young man named Margon had transformed into a monstrous incarnation of fire¡ªabout 3 meters tall, without legs, and with abnormallyrge arms.


    Vargas kept throwing something towards the fire, creating more explosions.


    Throwing explosives into a huge fire¡ªthis isn''t subjugation; it''s madness! I couldn''t tolerate such insanity on mynd.


    ''I just have to get rid of the curse''s source,'' I thought, frustrated by the unnecessaryplications.


    If this continued, the second dormitory building might be destroyed. I needed to resolve this before it caused a bigger problem.


    **The Beast''s Heart Activated**


    The red energy that enveloped my body burned brighter than ever, clearer than Margon''s. My anger had reached its peak, but I didn''t let it consume me.


    "Cold anger is the most terrifying thing."


    **Activation of Destructive Retribution**


    ''Lets end this chaos before it''s goes any further!''

 Chapter 89: Confronting Chaos [2]

    An indescribable sensation ran down my right arm¡ªa strong urge apanied by a burning pain. If I didn''t release this enormous force, I felt like my body would explode. But I suppressed the power and circled behind Margon.


    ''Where should I strike?''


    Destructive Retribution is a technique that strikes a single point with tremendous light and heat.


    The area of effect is wide, but it needs to hit urately. However, Margon''s body was unclear, as the crimson aura burned so fiercely.


    Besides, Margon was unlike any being I had encountered before. I had no idea where to hit to make it fatal.


    **Whoosh!**


    "Kekekeke! You finally showed up, huh?"


    As if sensing my presence, the incarnation of fire turned its massive body towards me, perceiving me as a more dangerous enemy than Vargas, who only threw explosive vials.


    But why does he react as if he was waiting?


    "We''ve never even met before, so why are you acting like we''re close?"


    "Have you forgotten me already? That''s so disappointing. We used to have so much fun."


    "What the heck¡­?"


    I scrutinized my opponent, trying to respond bluntly. But then it hit me¡ªthe voice was familiar.


    A voice that seemed to scratch the vocal cords to their limits. It was the same voice I heard the day I was attacked by the northern nomads.


    "Aha! Peltron?"


    "Yes, you remember now. But do you recall what happened before that?"


    "Oh, I have some personal reasons. I''ve been a bit vaguetely. So, how did we be close?"


    I tried to change the subject, hoping to buy some time. But Peltronughed heartily and shook his head.


    "I can''t tell you easily. It''s more fun when you don''t know."


    "What is our rtionship?"


    Peltron thrust his head forward, grumbling. His voice and mannerisms conveyed a joy in teasing me. Though his expression was hidden, I could feel his amusement.


    I stepped closer and said, "This is the kind of rtionship we have."


    **Swoosh!**


    The gavel, which I had suppressed to the limit, shone brightly. At the same time, a deafening thud echoed.


    **Oh my god!**


    The speed was so incredible that Peltron couldn''t react. His massive body, bent slightly forward, froze as the upper half flew cleanly away.


    His head, which had soared high into the sky, suddenly fell before me with a


    **puck**.


    "Kuaaaah!"


    Immediately, a painful scream struck my mind.


    "Ugh!"


    "Whoa!"


    The employees who were far away fell, clutching their heads. Peltron''s method ofmunication¡ªdirectly conveying his thoughts to the mind¡ªwas disorienting at first.


    But I stood still, unaffected, thanks to Adam''s influence.


    "Wow! I feel so refreshed," I said, nting my foot on Peltron''s head with a heartyugh.


    His response came quickly.


    "Yes, you! I will definitely get revenge¡ª"


    **Pusheeeee! Push! Push!**


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    Peltron''s body copsed into a ck mess¡ªthe same substance that had been inside the northern nomads.


    In the past, the amount was small and dissipated quickly, leaving us no choice but to ignore it. But Peltron''s size was so massive that it seemed possible to collect enough this time.


    "Oh! This precious thing!" I said, noticing Vargas eyeing the substance hungrily.


    But before Vargas could act, I grabbed the back of his neck lightly.


    "Hey, fellow sorcerer. Before you collect that, isn''t there something we need to discuss?"


    I nodded toward the ruined dormitory building, and Vargas''s face turned pale.


    "Ahahaha! I¡ªI couldn''t help it¡­" Vargas stammered, his face pale with fear.


    "When breaking something, you should have consulted with the client first."


    "Of course that makes sense."


    "I''ll be demanding a substantial amount ofpensation, so make sure to collect that first."


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    I released Vargas with a meaningful smile.


    Such high-level personnel are rare, and when they''re in my hands, I need to make the most of them.


    * * *


    "You''ve seen His Highness the Duke of Carriers'' movements?" one of the knights asked.


    "You mean striking a monster with a short gavel?" another knight responded.


    "Yes, exactly. What a hero from the North."


    "To be honest, I missed it. It was so fast."


    "They call him a Berserker, but that''s nonsense. It''s not a nickname that fits someone so cool-headed in realbat."


    Listening to the knights who arrivedte, I felt strangely embarrassed. Their detailed praise was more than what the general public offered.


    ''But what were they doing that brought them here now?'' I thought.


    I almost gave them an unpleasant look but soon understood their circumstances.


    They hade from a patrol on the outskirts for the Duke of Carriers, who was short on manpower. Besides, the battle had ended quickly, so their dy was understandable.


    "Khuuuuk! To think you would confront such a monster head-on for us¡­" one knight said, awe evident in his voice.


    "Thank you very much, Your Majesty!" another added.


    "The Duke himself saved me!"


    The respect from the employees was now stronger than before.


    Although I hadn''t yed a decisive role in the structure¡ªEverett and Gavin had done great work leading the people¡ªI had given the orders, and it had all be my achievement.


    But I didn''t feel entirelyfortable with the des.


    "Mr. Everett, Mr. Gavin?" I called.


    "Yes!" they replied.


    "Thank you both for your hard work. I''m sure there will be good news soon."


    "Thank you, Your Majesty."


    I nned to have Theo make a que with their names.


    From a modern perspective, it might not seem like a big deal, but the pride and loyalty gained from such gestures were significant.


    The position of Duke of Carriers in the Empire was one that could be passed down through generations, and this helped drive loyalty among the staff.


    With the curse lifted and the staff''s spirits high, I ordered the battlefield to be cleared and the quarters to be rebuilt. As I returned to the mansion, my thoughts wereplex.


    "You''ve been annoying me for a while now. Should I really go to the North?" I pondered.


    Peltron had been provoking me, trying to entice me to fight. Though he didn''t speak directly, his presence felt like a taunt.


    ''Oh, I shouldn''t follow his rhythm,'' I decided.


    The supreme ruler of the empire, Emperor Charon, was the only one who could control my actions. If I destroyed everything immediately, it would only frustrate them further.


    For now, I decided to focus on my responsibilities. I had a mission from the Emperor to carry out, and I needed to return to Deliat after a week in Perias.


    Before that, I intended toplete the paper mill system. Although I wouldn''t be able to build all the buildings, I would teach the process of making hanji before leaving.


    After spending a few daysmuting to and from the courthouse, Theo finally arrived with good news.


    "It ispleted, Your Majesty," Theo announced.


    "Really? Let''s see."


    I inspected the steamer inside the cabin. It looked exactly as depicted in the drawing, indicating that Theo had indeed acquired the dwarven technique.


    "Okay, then let''s get started."


    "What should I do?" Theo asked.


    "Put water in and boil it."


    "Okay, but you''re not going to put me on top of this, are you?"


    "What are you talking about?" I asked, puzzled.


    "Anyone can see that it''s a torture device."


    Hearing that made sense.


    The steamer was sorge that it could easily amodate several people if needed. But would I ever create something so insane?


    "If you keep talking nonsense, I''ll start with you."


    "Huh!"


    Theo kept his mouth shut and focused on maintaining the fire.

 Chapter 90: Paper Mill System [1]

    I was very satisfied with the performance of the steamer. In just four hours, the trunk of the walnut tree had be brittle.


    Because it was such a soft material, peeling it off was easy. It fell away as soon as I touched it. Now, it was time to boil the ingredients in lye water.


    Rattling!


    "You just need to separate the steamer pot. Like this," I instructed.


    "Good. Keep going," I encouraged.


    "Yep."


    Originally, I had nned to make a separate pot, but with time so limited, I had no choice but to do it this way. Later, Theo would create the proper tools for the process.


    After everything was boiled, the fibers needed to be mixed with mulberry leaves.


    However, there wasn''t any slush here, so I decided it was okay to use wheat flour paste instead.


    All I needed was adhesive to hold the fibers in ce. After that, the paper would be hung with a curtain, stacked, and dried. The final step would involve pounding the slightly dry paper.


    The purpose of this was to make the fibers tight and smooth. Completing the task required an enormous amount of work.


    "It''s okay," I thought. "There''s an abundance ofbor here."


    Thend and materials were also sufficient. The vacant lot in Midias provided plenty of walnut trees.


    "Mr. Paul," I called.


    "Yes, Your Majesty," Paul responded.


    "Please take care of the paper mill as well. We won''t be able to make fabric for the time being, so the workload won''t be too much."


    "Would that be possible? My body is already feeling achy," Paul said, rubbing his neck.


    Paul was very dedicated to his work and studies.


    Because he had entered schoolte, his academic achievements weren''t as strong as others''.


    So, he tried to make up for what hecked with his own efforts. His bloodshot eyes suggested he had studied all night again.


    "Don''t push yourself too hard. If the factory manager gets hurt, it will be more damaging," I cautioned.


    "Ugh! Your Majesty¡­" Paul immediately burst into tears.


    The problem was that heartwarming words often came out of my mouth without much thought. Hey, mister! Now is not the time to cry.


    "Okay, we don''t have time. We have to make a prototype today."


    "Yes!" Paul eximed, straightening up.


    The papermaking process was currently in its final stages. It was time to pound the paper, and I introduced a treadle mill into the process.


    Its form was simple, and it worked by just stepping on it.


    ''Later, I should make something like a millstone,'' I mused.


    Using the power of horses and oxen would make the work much faster and easier. Since we didn''t have motors, this was the only way to do it.


    *Crunch! Boom!


    Crunch! Boom!*


    The employees took turns stamping their feet on the step.


    After pounding the paper countless times, the finished product finally emerged.


    Although the edges were jagged, the inside was surprisingly smooth and sparkling white. It was of better quality than any paper I''d ever seen.


    "Wow! We made this?"


    "I''ve never seen anything like it before."


    "That''s right. The book I read a few years ago was yellow and tattered."


    "Have you forgotten who designed it? Of course, it has to be better than anything else," I remarked with a hint of pride.


    The employees couldn''t help but be amazed when they touched the paper.


    Even though they weren''t very familiar with writing, they reacted like that.


    Imagine those who wrestle with paperwork all day¡ªgovernment officials, tax collectors, merchants, novelists, painters.


    There would be no shortage of people who wanted good paper.


    This paper would probably create a huge demand.


    How long could we continue writing on parchment or papyrus when this paper was clean and free of blemishes?


    It was time to set the standards now.


    In Earth, the mostmonly used copy paper was A4, a four-fold cut of the battery.


    I was nning to use a simr method here.


    I set the aspect ratio of the paper-cutting machine to 4:3. If we cut it four times like this, it would be about the same size as an A4 sheet of paper.


    Of course, it wouldn''t be exactly the same.


    ''I miss the metric system so much,'' I thought with a sigh.


    This was a medieval dark fantasy world.


    There was no proper system of weights and measures. The rulers determined lengths based on things like the length of the king''s feet or arms.


    I wanted to create an unchanging scale, even if it was just for myself, but it wasn''t of much use. How was this any different from the arbitrary units of length thrown around everywhere?


    Unless I became the emperor and decided on the weights and measures...


    ''Ah, I shouldn''t keep thinking like this,'' I reminded myself, shaking my head vigorously as I looked at the finished paper.


    Honestly, I didn''t expect sess from the beginning.


    The environment here was quite different from earth, but perhaps because the ingredients were good, the results were very satisfactory.


    "Please cut the edges and make four cuts," I instructed.


    "Yes, Your Majesty," the workers responded.


    They ced the paper into the mold and handled the saw carefully, worried they might miss the mark. But since I was cutting it while it was still fixed, the probability of failure was low¡ªas long as I was careful.


    "I''ll cut it in one go with proper force," I assured them.


    "Yep!"


    *Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!*


    I heard a satisfying sound, and soon a finished product the size of an A4 piece of paper popped out. I tried rubbing my fingers against several sheets of paper.


    The sticity was much better than I expected.


    Could it beparable to modern copy paper? Of course, it had a soft texture, unlike chemical pulp. It was made traditionally, but where else could you find something like this?


    I picked up the finished copy with a satisfied expression.


    ''Finally, It''s ready.''

 Chapter 91: Paper Mill System [2]

    The sticity was much better than I expected.


    Could it beparable to modern copy paper? Of course, it had a soft texture, unlike chemical pulp. It was made traditionally, but where else could you find something like this?


    I picked up the finished copy with a satisfied expression.


    ''Finally, It''s ready.''


    I picked up the finished copy with a satisfied expression.


    "I guess we can focus on the paper mill in the future. We''ll need more employees, right?" I asked.


    "I think so. It''s more difficult than spinning," Paul replied.


    "I''ll pick some and send them to you, so do your best."


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    "I''m going to hire a dedicated lumberjack, and don''t forget to nt the seedlings."


    "Of course."


    Walnut trees were abundant but not infinite. If we kept making paper, we would eventually run out of materials.


    So, Imanded them to nt more than twice as much as they harvested before heading off to find Butler Miller Xavier.


    "Haha! I didn''t know it would be this good. It''s truly amazing, Your Majesty," Xavier eximed.


    As expected from someone close to ink, he immediately recognized the excellence of the paper. I could already see the greed in his eyes.


    He would want to use it for work right away, but this item already had an owner.


    "I''ll give you enough when the quantity is secured, so don''t look at me like that for now."


    "So, is this going to court?" Xavier asked.


    "No. First, we need to promote it. We''ll send it to the pce."


    "Ah!"


    Up until now, whatever I made, I ensured the emperor received it first.


    That way, there wouldn''t be any aftereffects.


    Plus, it was an incredibly good way to promote it. Once the royal family and the government started using it, it would spread to the public in an instant. But I didn''t want to give it directly.


    "I''m so busy with work. I''ll see youter," I said, making my escape.


    Even if it looked like I was running away in a panic, it was all part of a meaningful action.


    I had sucked up some of my cousin''s gold coins by ying board games.


    What if he got mad and suddenly started swinging his sword? If that happened, not only Butler Miller Xavier but countless others would lose their jobs.


    As I made my way out of the workshop, the sound of bustling activity and machinery faded behind me, reced by the quiet rustling of the forest''s edge.


    The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the path, and I couldn''t help but feel a sense of satisfaction.


    The sess of the paper production was a significant milestone, not just for the kingdom but for me personally. It was a tangible result of my efforts, something that would undoubtedly change the course of history here.


    But there was still much to be done.


    I walked briskly toward the estate''s main building, where I knew Miller Xavier would be waiting.


    As I approached, I saw him standing on the front steps, his hands folded neatly in front of him, his expression as unreadable as ever.


    "Your Majesty," he greeted me with a slight bow as I approached. "The preparations have been made, as you requested."


    "Thank you, Xavier," I replied, nodding.


    "Let''s get to work."


    We walked inside together, the door closing softly behind us.


    The interior of the building was a stark contrast to the bustling activity outside.


    Here, everything was calm and orderly, with the scent of polished wood and old books filling the air. Xavier led me down a hallway lined with portraits of past rulers and into a small, well-appointed study.


    On the desk in the center of the roomy severalrge leather-bound ledgers, each one meticulously organized by Xavier.


    I could see that he had already started working on the financial records for the paper mill, as well as drafting the initial contracts for the distribution of the new product.


    "You''ve done an excellent job, as always," I remarked, taking a seat in the leather chair behind the desk. Xavier stood across from me, his eyes sharp and focused.


    "Thank you, Your Majesty," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "I trust everything is to your satisfaction?"


    "It is," I confirmed, flipping through one of the ledgers.


    "But there''s still more to consider. The paper mill is just the beginning. We need to think about expanding production, hiring more workers, and securing a reliable supply of materials. And then there''s the matter of distribution."


    "Indeed," Xavier agreed, his tone thoughtful.


    "The demand for this new paper will be immense, especially once the court and the royal family start using it. We must be prepared to meet that demand without overextending ourselves."


    "Exactly," I said, leaning back in my chair.


    "We need to strike a bnce between quality and quantity. We can''t afford to sacrifice one for the other."


    "Agreed," Xavier nodded.


    "I will begin drafting a n to expand the mill and hire additional workers. As for the distribution, I suggest we start by targeting the major cities and towns, particrly those with a significant number of schrs, merchants, and government officials. They will be the ones most in need of high-quality paper."


    "That''s a good idea," I said, tapping my fingers on the desk.


    "But we should also consider sending a small quantity to the neighboring kingdoms as a gift. Let them see what we''ve created and start building demand beyond our borders."


    "An excellent strategy, Your Majesty," Xavier said, a small smile ying at the corners of his mouth.


    "I will make the necessary arrangements."


    "Thank you, Xavier," I said, standing up and walking around the desk. "I knew I could count on you."


    "It is my honor to serve, Your Majesty," he replied with a bow.


    As I left the study, my mind was already racing with thoughts of what was toe.


    The paper mill was just the first step in a muchrger n.


    If everything went ording to my designs, this small kingdom would soon be the center of innovation and progress in the entire region.


    But first, there was still work to be done. And I was ready to get started.

 Chapter 92: Paper Mill System [3]

    Paper had truly taken the world by storm. It was thin, light, clean, and the ink dried well. There was nothing better than this for recording things.


    Naturally, demand was higher among the nobility than among themoners.


    "Your Highness, the Duke of Carriers?"


    After finishing my morning work, I was taking a quick walk. But then, out of nowhere, someone addressed me. It was someone I had never met before.


    "Who are you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "Nice to meet you. My name is Rufus Schultz. I run a small business in the South."


    It was a rather humble introduction, but he was actually quite a big shot.


    Count Schultz was famous as a merchant in the southern part of the continent. Moreover, he was a figure who could be said to be the central axis of the Giovanni noble faction.


    ''It may not be as bad as the Sierra nobles, but it''ll still be rough, right?'' I thought.


    When our precious Skyler was released, he secretly showed his hand. It wasn''t a very good memory for me¡ªa perfect situation to be treated with contempt.


    But the fact that he stuck his face out meant he really wanted to secure the paper.


    "Count Schultz is not a mere merchant. But what brings you here?" I asked, feigning ignorance.


    I had the upper hand at the negotiating table, so there was no need to show my cards. Then Rufus Schultz spoke with a sour expression.


    "His Majesty the Emperor praised the paper highly. He said he had never seen anything so wonderful in recent times."


    "That''s too much praise. In fact, there are better things out there," I replied modestly.


    "Haha! The fabrics, Cordyceps sinensis powder, and Enfer Trip that Your Majesty has made are also amazing," Schultz continued.


    I couldn''t help but be surprised.


    It was true that inventions weren''t limited to just paper, but Count Schultz had precisely identified the point. He was known for his sharp wit, so much so that he was called the giant of the South.


    I couldn''t even figure out how he managed to see through my thoughts.


    I let out a snicker.


    The purpose was obvious, and the wordy was meaningless.


    "What do you want?" I asked directly.


    "Please supply us with the paper. We will buy it all at a good price."


    "The supply to the empire hasn''t been properly delivered yet," I pointed out.


    "Of course. I don''t n on selling it to the South right away. I have to do it step by step," Schultz assured me.


    "Really? Then how much do you n to pay?" I inquired.


    Once paper was invented, parchment would quickly be obsolete, no matter the cost. Count Schultz let out a low moan, his face expressionless.


    "Hmmm¡­"


    He might have been pretending to think, but I suspected he already had a figure in mind. Finally, Rufus Schultz began to speak.


    "1 shilling per sheet¡­"


    But at that moment, someone suddenly interrupted, holding up two fingers.


    "I will pay double that. How about 2 shillings per sheet? Your Majesty," a middle-aged man with a plump body and noble attire said.


    The person who had interrupted was also unfamiliar to me.


    Before he could continue, a skinny nobleman intervened, holding up three fingers.


    "I''ll pay 3 shillings per sheet!"


    It was truly an absurd scene. I was simply walking in front of the court and had been suddenly bombarded with offers from nobles.


    ''Is this the situation where they want my money taken?'' I thought.


    Of course, I had no intention of signing an exclusive contract with anyone. I nned to sell to the highest bidder at the time.


    Paper might not be a fish, but the high demand made the marketpetitive.


    "If the maximum offer is 3 shillings, then so be it," I announced, deciding to sell the first 500 sheets to Count Schultz.


    "I''ll buy them for 4 shillings!" Count Schultz raised his hand again.


    Parchment the size of an A4 sheet of paper currently cost about 3 shillings. His offer was indeed tempting. I counted down with folded fingers.


    "5, 4, 3, 2, 1¡­ I will sell the first 500 sheets to Count Schultz. Okay, then," I dered.


    I took Rufus Schultz into the courthouse to draft a contract quickly before anyone couldin.


    ''But how long will the pricest?'' I wondered.


    My original goal was to change society positively. Like fabric, paper should be made essible to everyone, as its uses were endless. It could even be made into armor.


    I smiled broadly as I watched Count Schultz write up the contract.


    ''Consider Duke Giovanni''s retribution for my actions,'' I thought, feeling satisfied with the oue.


    As the contract was finalized, I couldn''t help but feel a sense of aplishment.


    The paper was not only a remarkable invention but also a significant step toward influencing the broader market.


    The demand was high, and the nobility''s eagerness to acquire it was a testament to its quality and potential.


    "Your Highness, I appreciate your trust in me," Count Schultz said as he finished signing the agreement. "I''ll make sure the payment is delivered promptly."


    "Thank you, Count Schultz," I replied. "I trust you will handle the distribution carefully. It''s crucial that the paper is made avable to those who will truly value it."


    As he left, I took a moment to reflect on the implications of this sess.


    The paper''s introduction had the potential to reshape record-keeping,munication, and even art. It was an opportunity to change the way information was preserved and shared.


    I headed back to my office, where the staff was already buzzing with activity.


    There were preparations to be made for the continued production of paper, and I needed to ensure that everything was running smoothly.


    As I walked back to my office, the weight of the situation settled on my shoulders. The sess of the paper was just the beginning. There were so many aspects to consider¡ªproduction, distribution, pricing, and the potential bacsh from those who stood to lose from this innovation.

 Chapter 93: Raymond Mill Flour Theft Case [1]

    Count Schultz received the first batch, but it was never released to the public. Since he paid a high price, it was only fair that he would expect corresponding benefits. "I''ll probably put it out in the South, which is my main stage," he mused.


    How he conducted his business was of no concern to me.


    Production would continue to increase regardless. With the Midias problem somewhat resolved, it was time to return to my main business¡ªnot the courts, but the governorship of Deliat.


    "Why do I suddenly really not want to go?" I muttered to myself.


    The original goal of 80% recovery was already ambitious, but now they wanted more. Moreover, the goal setting was vague¡ªraise it to a level where it''s okay to pay tribute?


    Didn''t that mean I''d have to sit in the governor''s seat until I felt like I''d be the emperor? The thought made my head spin.


    But as a former civil servant, I was strict about following orders. Doing things properly was a problem forter.


    "Your Majesty, we have a guest," Cordell McNeil suddenly spoke up, emerging from the shadows.


    I wasn''t surprised because I had noticed the noise in advance, but anyone else would have been startled.


    "How long are you going to keep doing this?" I asked.


    "As a knight of the escort, I must stay close to the Duke," Cordell replied.


    "When I fought the incarnation of fire, I couldn''t even see the tip of your nose."


    "I was at  meeting with the Imperial Guard knights back then, wasn''t I? The ck Agent has his own duties as well."


    "Yes, yes, I guess so," I said, walking away, yfully grumbling. Cordell McNeil had his circumstances.


    He had to pass on the information he had collected while escorting me to his superiors. He must have been quite busy in many ways. Besides, he probably never dreamed that an ident would ur in the Carriers Duchy.


    "But why you came to bring news of Sir McNeill? Where are the servants?" I asked.


    "Actually, I didn''t receive it. I just found out about it while scouting the area. I was in the bell tower just a moment ago."


    "Ah, I see," I said, impressed by his loyalty.


    As Cordell McNeil had said, a servant soon came running and announced the visitor''s presence.


    "Who did you say the guest was?"


    "This is Judge Emir Colund."


    "Please bring him to the living room."


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    As I turned around, a thought suddenly urred to me. It wasn''t business hours yet.


    What on earth brought him all the way to the Carriers Duchy? Even if it were close to Amman Perias, it would still take an hour by carriage.


    "Now that I have guests, should I offer them some tea?"


    Despite the dark world I lived in, it still had everything. The nobility often enjoyed tea, though the teacups and the teapot were all made of silver, making the handle too hot to drink from immediately.


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    I didn''t bother with wrapping the handle in cloth¡ªI thought it would look odd.


    There was even a maid whose job was to hold the silver cup''s handle for me. It wasn''t like I was checking the temperature of a stove or anything.


    "It would be great if we could make a tea set out of porcin... Oh?"


    I suddenly thought. Adam''s products were mostly trays and cups. Because they were easy to make, they could be mass-produced. But now it was time for sales to start dropping. The time hade to seek change.


    Since I had been pleasing themon people, I should also satisfy the needs of the nobles.


    I was enjoying imagining new business ideas when a knock on the door interrupted me. A familiar voice followed.


    "Nice to meet you, Your Honor."


    "I am on leave. Isn''t Judge Emir the presiding judge now?" I replied.


    "Haha! That was just a temporary assignment. How have you been?"


    "Yes, thank you for your concern. Please have a seat."


    "Thank you," he said, sitting down.


    Even though they were subordinates, they were still customers.


    Politeness was necessary.


    I poured us strong tea. The silver cup had cooled down enough that there was no need for the maid to check the temperature.


    "It smells good. Where is it from?" Judge Emir asked.


    "It''s a weed growing around the house," I said.


    "Pfft!"


    He almost spat out the tea, ring at me with resentful eyes. It seemed he wondered why someone of my status was ying such a prank.


    "By the way, what brings you here? It doesn''t seem like something that would warrant a sudden visit," I inquired.


    "Ha, haha. That''s true, but... something quite troublesome happened," he replied.


    "Why can''t it be resolved on its own? Didn''t you delegate all the authority you have?"


    "But the parties strongly desire the presence of His Highness the Duke of Carriers," he admitted.


    "What are you talking about? Since when have they been arguing about such things?" I asked.


    The capital court randomly assigns cases.


    Judges only had the power to refuse; they could not choose trials as they pleased. But now the parties were trying to choose the judge?


    That was absurd.


    In times like this, the answer was to just follow procedure. But I couldn''t help but be intrigued by Judge Emir''s next words.


    "The parties are crying out loud in front of the court. They are denouncing their pitiful circumstances."


    "It''s not like it''s some kind of mortal sin. What are they doing?" I asked, puzzled.


    "People who feel sorry for them are pouring in petitions," he exined.


    I sat with my brow furrowed, lost in deep thought.


    If I listened, it seemed like it would set a bad precedent, but if I ignored it, I feared public criticism. It was a nerve-racking situation.


    No matter what choice I made, it felt like it was going to be the worst.


    "Let''s find out what''s going on," I decided.

 Chapter 94: Raymond Mill Flour Theft Case [2]

    In times like this, the answer was to just follow procedure. But I couldn''t help but be intrigued by Judge Emir''s next words.


    "The parties are crying out loud in front of the court. They are denouncing their pitiful circumstances."


    "It''s not like it''s some kind of mortal sin. What are they doing?" I asked, puzzled.


    "People who feel sorry for them are pouring in petitions," he exined.


    If I listened, it seemed like it would set a bad precedent, but if I ignored it, I feared public criticism. It was a nerve-racking situation.


    No matter what choice I made, it felt like it was going to be the worst.


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    "Let''s find out what''s going on," I decided.


    "First of all, it is theft. The individual stole food because it was difficult to make a living."


    Stealing due to hunger? What was this, some kind of Jean Valjean scenario?


    The more I heard, the more it became a headache. Given the narrative, sympathy was naturally bound to arise.


    "Okay, I''ll take it," I said.


    "Are you sure?"


    "There''s nothing we can do. However, we shouldn''t just listen to the demands of the parties involved."


    "Then..."


    "I should announce that I will follow the original procedure and take charge of it."


    "Ah!"


    Judge Emir Colund nodded with aplicated expression. At first nce, it seemed like things were being resolved, which was a relief, but inside, he might feel a bit ufortable.


    After all, I had just passed the work onto my subordinate.


    I patted Judge Emir on the shoulder. "Don''t worry too much. Just buy me a meal next time."


    "Thank you, Your Honor."


    But it was at that very moment that something happened.


    [Judge Emir has developed a strong sense of respect for you.]


    [Loyalty ability has been created for Viscount Emir Colund.]


    [Increases your control over the judge in question.]


    **


    **


    **Name:** Emir Colund


    **Status:** Viscount


    **Position:** General Judge, Acting Presiding Judge


    **Loyalty:** 20


    **Status:** Relieved from the resolution of a difficult situation, apologetic toward superiors, heart as strong as a tree


    **Overall Ability:** B


    ----


    I smiled broadly as I opened the staff management window.


    ''So now I can take him with me even if he doesn''t want to go?''


    Emir didn''t like to travel abroad much. It had been the same when I went to the Relbrandt estate.


    Even though it was a proposal from the highest judge, there had been fierce resistance.


    Of course, I had no intention of taking Colund right away. Without him, the courts wouldn''t work the way I wanted them to.


    ''Why don''t I make him my sessor now?'' I thought.


    But that was something I shouldn''t have said. Only the emperor had the right to appoint personnel. I closed the information window with a satisfied smile.


    * * *


    Perias was heating up with a unique issue. The capital city court had announced it would do things ording to principles.


    "Even the Duke of Carrieres has a cold side."


    "Isn''t it too much to sentence a person who is so skinny that they can''t eat to a heavy penalty for stealing some flour?"


    "Actually, he said he did it to feed the kids. He said it while starving himself."


    "Oh my! Poor thing."


    People''s reactions were roughly like this.


    Voices of sympathy for the defendant erupted from all over. In fact, this was a natural reaction.


    It had gotten a little better recently, but originally, we all lived without much. However, there was also some opposition.


    "The trial hasn''t even started yet. What kind of heavy sentence is this?"


    "I said I''d do it by the rules. What''s the problem with that?"


    "You might as well beg on the street if you''re that hungry."


    "Yeah. If you can steal something, doesn''t that mean you have a lot of energy left? Have you tried finding a job?"


    There are always cold-hearted people, no matter where you go.


    Thanks to these critical voices, the courts were able to catch their breath somewhat.


    After a few days, the day of the trial finally arrived.


    "We will now begin the trial of the Raymond Mill Flour Theft Case. Salute your honor."


    *Thud thud thud!*


    I stood on the podium with a calm expression, but suddenly, cheers erupted from here and there.


    "Didn''t you say to do it ording to procedure? But why is His Highness the Duke of Carriers here?"


    "I picked it at random, so you probably got it."


    "Hey, how many judges are there in this court? You must havee to show mercy!"


    "Ugh! We believed in you! Zu..."


    Voices of praise resonated throughout the courtroom. Even though it wasn''t my decision to be here today, the sight of all kinds ofpliments pouring in made the corners of my mouth twitch upward.


    ''Oh, this is not the time,'' I reminded myself. I forced a serious expression and raised my right hand slightly. The room fell silent as everyone focused on me.


    "Proceed," I said.


    "Yes, Your Honor," Judge Josef Padi responded with an unusually lively tone.


    He seemed pleased to see me back.


    After all, how many troublesome cases had we dealt with together?


    I wouldn''t have been able to attend a trial involving the Sierra aristocracy, so I had ordered that they be excluded unconditionally.


    I knew that bringing the case to court was necessary, but it felt somewhat absurd to have a grand audience for what was essentially a procedural matter.


    As I flipped through the relevant documents, the details of the case unfolded.


    The defendant had stolen flour to feed his starving children. The situation was indeed dire, and I couldn''t help but feel some sympathy for him.


    Still, what needed to be done had to be done. I stared at the defendant and essed his information.


    **


    **


    **Name:** Basset


    **Status:** Vagabond


    **Position:** None


    **Rtionship:** No acquaintance


    **Status:** Expectations regarding the promised amount, confidence based on outstanding acting skills, and strong intentions tomit evil.


    **Skill:** Acting


    **Overall Ability:** B


    ---


    The information on the hologram was surprising. What kind of person was this?

 Chapter 95: Raymond Mill Flour Theft Case [3]

    I was in a state of deep distress.


    The situation with the character named Basset was unsettling, to say the least. I hade here intending to take things lightly, but now my mind was swirling withplications.


    ''He thought I could just let this slide? That''s absurd.''


    If so, how could the word "evil" even be justified?


    Initially, I was confused, but as time passed, my confusion turned into anger.


    It was true that Basset was a homeless vagabond, but did poverty always equate to goodness? Absolutely not.


    In any society, good and evil coexist. Moreover, human morality is often shaped by circumstances and environment.


    ''Let''s not jump to conclusions.''


    Everyone has a little devil inside their heart, and there might have been extenuating circumstances.


    What if Basset had stolen out of fear, perhaps threatened to do so? I nced at the prosecutor, who continued his questioning.


    He wasn''t a figure of remarkable growth like Corbin Sears, but he was a seasoned veteran in his field.


    "At least don''t conduct your investigation sloppily...''


    "That''s all," he said.


    Huh? It''s over already?


    It seemed like only a few words had been exchanged, but the questioning was already finished. I was so surprised that I just blinked.


    ''I know you want to wrap this up quickly, but this is a bit much.''


    Shouldn''t there at least be some semnce of thoroughness? I quickly summoned the inspector''s information window.


    **[Personal Information]**


    **Name:** Johnny Duckworth


    **Status:** Viscount


    **Position:** General Inspector


    **Rtionship:** ¡ª¡ª


    **Status:** Boredom from long public service, loss of interest in trivial trials. Sharp, sharp angles.


    **Overall Ability:** C


    ''Look at this guy. A Runak?''


    I had thought he was a veteran, but he turned out to be a sryman with no enthusiasm.


    If you approach court with a mindset of quitting at any time, how can you expect proper results?


    He just asked some formal questions and ended it. I sighed inwardly and looked at the defendant again. A pitiful sight, looking up with tears in her eyes.


    ''Wow! Look at this level of realism. It''s worthy of an Oscar Award.''


    Perhaps because the skill was so ingrained in him, Basset''s acting was at an incredible level.


    It was so impressive that even the coldest of hearts would feel sympathy. That''s why people sent petitions. Plus, he was receiving voluntary, free legal representation.


    This world had no public defender system.


    "The defendant''s two children had already been starving for three days at that time. As a father, he had to do whatever it took," thewyer concluded, and sighs erupted from the audience.


    It seemed they were intent on maximizing public sympathy. In fact, it was a very suitable strategy.


    Because I had a reputation as a judge who was friendly to themon people, some even called me a saint.


    ''But what can I do? I have my own interests.''


    Of course, I couldn''t fully see through people''s minds, but being able to read even fragments of their thoughts was a tremendous advantage.


    Isn''t it the same now? I could infer the defendant''s intentions just from a few words. I waited until the murmurs died down and then spoke slowly.


    "Defendant."


    "Ugh! Yes, Your Honor."


    "As a father, it breaks my heart to hear that your children were starving."


    "I''m sorry. Even under those circumstances, I shouldn''t have stolen the item¡­"


    "Of course, but there is something called leniency."


    "That would mean a lot. What about the children? How are they now?"


    Concerned eyes turned toward the defendant. The scrutiny must have been quite burdensome, but the answers flowed smoothly as if rehearsed.


    "They''re okay. They''re doing well, thanks to your help."


    "It looks like you don''t have a home. Where are you staying?"


    "It''s a government office building on the outskirts of the city."


    It wasmon for vagrants to stay in unusual amodations, but it was rare for a couple with two children.


    At this point, another sigh rippled through the courtroom. Even those who lived without sympathy seemed moved. I continued asking questions, ignoring the reactions of the audience.


    "That''s a poor environment. How old are the children?"


    "Seven and six years old."


    "How did you end up on the street?"


    "My wife passed away when our house caught fire. I couldn''t work properly afterward, so I was kicked out of thend we were farming."


    "How long has it been?"


    "A little over a year."


    "Where was the burned house?"


    "Uh¡­ It was in the Barony of Relbrandt."


    "To be more precise."


    "It was a small vige on a hill north of the territory. It was called Picant."


    The defendant hesitated for a moment before naming a ce.


    At that very moment, I smiled meaningfully. It was because he mentioned a very familiar area. It seems he chose a distant ce on purpose, thinking I wouldn''t be able to check it.


    "Very well. Court reporter."


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    "Quickly call the head of the correctional headquarters. I will summon him as a witness."


    "Yes!"


    This time, there was no need to send an inspector as we had done when requesting cooperation from the church.


    Baron Relbrandt would respond to my summons immediately. As expected, the witness arrived shortly thereafter.


    "Was there a fire in the vige of Picant a year ago?" I asked.


    "Yes, twenty houses werepletely burned down. It was such a significant incident that I remember it vividly."


    At that time, Baron Relbrandt had not yet been reced by his doppelg?nger, so I received a straightforward answer. I nodded and continued my questioning.


    "Were there any survivors? The defendant mentioned a man and two children."


    "No. No one escaped at that time. The fire broke out suddenly in the early morning."


    It would be impossible to conduct a census in a distant, rural territory, but if there had been survivors, they would have certainly remained in Baron Relbrandt''s memory.


    It had been quite a shocking incident. I narrowed my eyes at the defendant.


    "I see. You survived that hell, so why didn''t you ask for help?"


    ¡­


    A terrible silence fell over the courtroom.


    Defendant Basset said nothing.


    Even his outstanding acting skills were of no use now. I had hit the nail on the head. I was going to drive the point home.


    "You said your children were in the residence hall? Court reporter, bring them here immediately."


    "Yes!"


    The court reporter''s voice boomed with authority.


    Unlike when I had summoned Baron Relbrandt, his gaze was sharp, as if he were ready to sever Basset''s head right then and there.


    After quite some time, the court reporter returned, apanied by a pair of siblings who looked as if they had been through a lot.

 Chapter 96: Raymond Mill Flour Theft Case [4]

    "I see. You survived that hell, so why didn''t you ask for help?"


    ¡­


    A terrible silence fell over the courtroom.


    Defendant Basset said nothing.


    Even his outstanding acting skills were of no use now. I had hit the nail on the head. I was going to drive the point home.


    "You said your children were in the residence hall? Court reporter, bring them here immediately."


    "Yes!"


    The court reporter''s voice boomed with authority.


    Unlike when I had summoned Baron Relbrandt, his gaze was sharp, as if he were ready to sever Basset''s head right then and there.


    After quite some time, the court reporter returned, apanied by a pair of siblings who looked as if they had been through a lot. G


    I smiled softly at the frightened children.


    "Kids, don''t be nervous. We''re here to clear your father''s name."


    "Yes."


    "Okay, then answer me this: Where did you live a year ago?"


    "It''s a vige very far away," the boy answered.


    Given that it was only the words of a seven-year-old, I could understand it even if the exact ce names weren''t mentioned. I smiled broadly and continued asking questions.


    "Yeah. Good job. I heard there was a flood there back then. Do you remember?"


    "Uh¡­ I think that''s what it was."


    "Your house was washed away by the flood, and you ended up here. Right?"


    "Yes!" The child, who had been looking around nervously, smiled brightly as he spoke. His face beamed with confidence in his answer.


    But then, I turned my gaze sharply toward the defendant, Bassett.


    "The details differ from what the children remember."


    "That, that''s¡­!"


    "Of course, I''m sure you''ve already discussed it. Even if you weren''t sure if it was a fire or water."


    The audience was shocked. Somethingpletely different from the testimony had juste out.


    "Are you saying that everything I''ve told you so far is a lie?"


    "Wait a minute, then surely¡­ those kids aren''t your real children?"


    The gallery filled with murmurs.


    The shock was palpable. Everyone had understood Bassett''s circumstances and felt sorry for him. With this, the theft case seemed nearly concluded.


    Originally, it was a simple legal issue. All that remained was the decision of whether to be lenient toward him or not.


    But I had no intention of ending it here.


    ''It still smells bad.''


    Even though his lie had been exposed, Bassett''s expression remained calm.


    His face had turned pale, but he was gradually regaining hisposure.


    Honestly, he wouldn''t beat up a middleman for stealing a few sacks of flour, would he.


    He''s probably thinking he can just serve a few years and then walk free. But I don''t think it''s right to let it go at that.


    I decided to throw out the words that had remained ambiguous until the very end.


    "Let me ask you one more thing. Did you start that fire back then?"


    "Huh?"


    Bassett''s eyes, which were just starting to regain theirposure, wavered greatly.


    It seemed like he hadn''t expected such a question out of nowhere. He was on trial for a flour theft case, so what did the fire in Picant Vige have to do with it?


    But I had every right and reason to ask.


    The doubts that had been sprouting in my mind had already borne fruit.


    "Why are you so flustered? Like you really did start that fire."


    "No, no, no way. I, I don''t know anything¡­ I''m just a victim."


    "If you answer with a trembling voice, it will only increase suspicion. You need to exin clearly why you ran away from there. Right now."


    I looked down at Bassett with a stern expression. In earth, even if the defendant confessed, it would be of no use.


    It''s clearly stated in the Constitution and the Criminal Procedure Act that a defendant cannot be punished when his confession is the only evidence.


    But there''s nothing like that here. If you wanted to survive, you had toe up with some kind of rational reason.


    ''Of course, I don''t have high expectations.''


    The suspicion that Bassett started the fire was just that¡ªa suspicion, with no evidence whatsoever. I just poked at it because something didn''t smell right.


    But at that very moment, the girl who had been quiet until now slowly raised her hand. I waved my arm to quiet the room and then got straight to asking a question.


    "Okay. What''s your name?"


    "Helen."


    "If you have something to say, feel free to say it. But you have to be honest."


    "Yes, I don''t lie."


    "Okay. Go ahead."


    Finally, Helen pointed at Bassett and said, with a cold expression you wouldn''t imagine from a six-year-old child, "That man set the fire. He stabbed my mother with a knife before that."


    "Did you see that happen?"


    "Yes, I was going to the back room. That''s when I got caught and brought here."


    The whole story was revealed by a six-year-old child.


    Adults tend to ignore children.


    At that age, they think, kids don''t understand. What would a child know even if they saw it? Something like that.


    But children are human too, and by the age of five or six, they have sufficient cognitive abilities. Enough to even understand the meaning of death.


    I picked up the gavel with a very distorted expression.


    "I sentence defendant Bassett, who caused great harm to themunity through murder, arson, and theft, to 60 years in prison."


    *Bam! Bam! Bam!*


    The death penalty would have been too merciful for a guy like that. I want to make him rot in hell and die a painful death.


    ***


    Murder, arson, and theft.


    Some might ask why such a guy was kept alive. That''s understandable, considering the maximum punishment in modern society is death. But this is a world of utterly dark fantasy. Life in prison is much more painful than death.


    ''Besides, the chances of being released are less than 20%.''


    Especially in the case of long-term inmates who were incarcerated for 10 years¡ªmore than half of theme out disabled.


    But, would I just send a guy like Bassett to the guillotine? Such a merciful sentence should not have been handed down to a heinous criminal.


    ''I have to give him a taste of hell.''


    Besides, there was another reason why he had to be caught. Isn''t this the monster that destroyed an entire vige? A guy like that gets arrested for simple theft andins about it?


    "It''s strange. It''s so strange."


    "What are you talking about?"


    As I was muttering to myself, I heard Baron Relbrandt''s voice next to me.


    I was currently on my way to see Bassett in prison. I was going to give him a taste of hell first, and then I was going to drop some bait. If you lure him into a plea bargain, he''ll confess anything.


    "No. How about Bassett?"


    "I didn''t give him any special treatment because he was sentenced to 60 years. I just sent him to the Erset mine."


    "That''s enough."


    There were three workhouses in the Capital Correctional Facility.


    The first was to be mobilized for quarry and wall repairs, which was the easiest.


    Next was the nearby open-pit mine.


    Originally, this was the end, but a new, toughest part had been created.


    The Erset mine, which had been closed down recently, was selected as the new work site.


    Since the ground was very unstable, there would probably be a huge number of casualties. In a ce like that, of course, you have to deploy guys who don''t mind dying.


    nk!


    "Here it is, Your Majesty."


    "Thank you."


    Baron Relbrandt opened the iron gate himself.


    A cloud of dust rose up along with a sour smell. The conditions were so poor that it made you wonder if people could live there, even though it was a newly constructed building.


    It was probably built like this on purpose because this is a world where the human rights of violent criminals aren''t taken care of at all.


    Knock knock.


    "C-164. Get up."


    Baron Relbrandt kicked the sagging man with his foot. Unlike when he spoke to me, his tone was very stern.


    A man with disheveled hair, bound in heavy restraints, raised his head feebly.


    A person who had lost his name and was now called C-164. It was Bassett, the vicious criminal.


    After a while, Bassett''s gaze slowly turned around. From Baron Relbrandt to me.


    "Kwaaak!"


    Crunch!


    He started having violent fits.


    How could he not go crazy and freak out when I was the one who put him in prison for 60 years?


    But I just waited with cold eyes for the struggle to end.


    ''So what can he do?''


    The restraints and chains were tightly binding his entire body. Bassett just screamed. He couldn''t do me any harm. Oh, there''s one more disgusting thing left.


    "Kyaaaaak!"


    He spat phlegm. But his actions didn''tst long.


    Bam!


    "Whew!"


    Baron Relbrandt quickly struck his head, causing Bassett to copse helplessly, drooling.


    "You look so pathetic. I thought you would have been reformed by now."


    "It''s only been three days. He hasn''t really gotten a taste of prison yet."


    "I''ll make sure he''s educated on your next visit."


    "It seems like he''s determined to carry the burden alone until the end, but I doubt that willst."


    "Well, if he keeps his mouth shut, he''ll be locked up for 60 years or die before then."


    Swish.


    At that moment, Bassett raised his head. It seemed like he had figured out something from the conversation between me and Baron Relbrandt.

 Chapter 97: "The Fall of Count Coughlin" [1]

    "Well, if he keeps his mouth shut, he''ll be locked up for 60 years or die before then."


    Swish.


    At that moment, Bassett raised his head. It seemed like he had figured out something from the conversation between me and Baron Relbrandt.


    As the man finally spoke in a hoarse voice, he said, "If I confess something, will you let me go?"


    I couldn''t believe the audacity.


    "He must be crazy, talking nonsense so shamelessly."


    "Did you think that meant I wanted you to open your mouth?" I asked sarcastically.


    The man, showing a rare bit of sharpness, responded, "You''re smart at times like this. But don''t get your hopes up about getting out. I''m not one to talk nonsense."


    "So... is this a plea bargain?" he inquired, his voiceced with a mixture of desperation and curiosity.


    "You''re quick-witted," I acknowledged. "If you''re agreeable, I could shorten it to 30 years. What do you think?"


    The offer was clearly tempting; after all, it meant cutting his sentence in half. When faced with such a realistic proposition, Bassett''s eyes lit up as though he had already tasted freedom.


    ''I asked.''


    Had I merely said I''d let him go, he might have dismissed it as absurd. But the idea of reducing his sentence to 30 years seemed usible, so he was eager to cooperate.


    "What do you want?" he asked cautiously.


    "It''s simple. The truth."


    "Yes?" he hesitated.


    "You didn''t just steal the flour because you were hungry, did you?"


    Bassett, who had been ying along, suddenly hardened his expression.


    It was clear he interpreted my words as a demand to frame someone else. But what I really wanted was the truth behind the flour theft.


    "So what?" he asked, still unsure.


    "How can I trust that you''ll keep your promise?" he countered.


    "You''re already being punished. You have nothing to lose anyway. Isn''t it better to take a risk and gain something?"


    After a moment''s thought, he finally nodded with a determined look on his face. "Great."


    What he revealed next was shocking. Bassett had been involved in an affair with an unidentified person whose task was to intercept all orders from the Carriers Duchy.


    The flour was intended for Midias, where it was used to make paper, specifically to bond fibers with flour paste.


    ''So, they were nning to sabotage my business. But who was behind it?''


    There were only two people in the capital who might have done something like this: the Duke of nger-Si¨¨res, who recently had to send his sessor to prison, and Duke DeAndre Giovanni, who was secretly suffering losses due to the release of paper.


    The former had an obvious motive, but somehow, I felt it wasn''t him.


    Skyler counterattacking right after getting hit by a medium didn''t fit his style. The Duke of Sierre was too calcting to make such a reckless move.


    "So, thetter is more likely," I mused.


    Duke DeAndre Giovanni and I were mere acquaintances.


    The only incident between us was when he moved the former head of the corrections office to release Skyler, a request from Sierra''s side, so it was hard to see it as an act of rejection.


    ''That makes him even more suspicious.''


    In situations like this, the original culprit often emerges unexpectedly. If someone intended to sabotage the production of hanji, suspicion would naturally fall on Duke Giovanni.


    Of course, I had no solid evidence yet; it was just a feeling.


    "Wait a minute, wouldn''t this cause problems with hanji production?"


    Given Bassett''s theft of the flour, it seemed inevitable that such an oue would ur. But there hadn''t been any reports from the paper mill.


    The reason was simple: the glue used in making hanji didn''t require high-quality wheat orrge quantities.


    Any flour from the market would suffice.


    ''So, they figured out that wheat flour is used in making papers?''


    This incident was likely just a test to see how I would react if there were supply problems with the flour. Explore more stories with m,v l''e-NovelBin


    "Then, can I use this to my advantage?"


    * * *


    The Duchy of Carriers had been bustlingtely. They were sending people out to acquire high-quality flour.


    Simr movements were observed in the Midias shopping district, where notices were posted offering to pay for goods with flour instead of gold.


    Additionally, the supply of hanji, which had been gradually increasing, had suddenly stopped.


    "It''s clear there''s a major problem at the paper mill," the butler reported.


    Arge, heavily built man wearing a bracelet adorned with jewels¡ªCount Coughlin¡ªsmiled sinisterly at the news.


    His parchment sales had dropped by more than half due to the poprity of paper, and even his Giovanni noble colleagues looked at him with concern.


    He couldn''t even throw a party because of his financial troubles.


    "Those rat bastards are really good at turning things around," Coughlin remarked.


    Despite his dull exterior, Count Coughlin was quick-witted. After years in the Imperial Diet, he knew how to recognize subtle sarcasm.


    If parchment didn''t sell, he could always turn to other leather products, but the losses were still significant.


    The money he''d invested so far would never return.


    "We can''t continue like this. It''s time to try something different."


    When Bassett was captured, they should have dealt with the situation properly.


    Stealing flour alone wasn''t enough to halt paper production; the Duke of Carriers would surely find a solution.


    Suddenly, the butler spoke up again.


    "I''ve heard they''re recently getting yellow dye from Midias. Like flour, they''re epting it in exchange for gold."


    "Really? Isn''t the South famous for dyes?" Coughlin asked.


    "Yes, Count Schultz often deals with them," the butler replied.


    "Hehehe! I guess I can hit them again this time," Coughlin mused.


    Count Schultz, a fellow Giovanni noble, would dly provide all the yellow dye if asked. It didn''t matter if this caused problems in paper production.


    "After all, I can offer Schultz some other benefit," Coughlin thought.


    Would Count Schultz, who dealt in a variety of goods, really go bankrupt over one type of paper? Coughlin nodded with satisfaction.


    "Go quickly. Tell them I''ll buy everything for the time being."


    "Yes, sir," the butler answered.


    It felt like a toothache that had suddenly vanished. Soon, parchment would sell as well as before.


    Additionally, if he could eliminate the unemployed craftsmen, he could open his own paper mill.


    "It''s thrilling just to imagine," Coughlin thought, sipping wine as he reclined on the sofa.


    The talent of the Carriers Duke in creating new things was undeniable, but if he couldn''t protect his interests, he''d end up being beaten and fed to the dogs.


    "It''s not like the right path is the only one, but you''re naive. Consider this a lesson in life," Coughlin sneered.


    But as he waited, the butler never returned with any results. It was alreadyte afternoon. Sensing something was amiss, Count Coughlin struggled to rise from his chair, ready to instruct a servant to investigate.


    Then suddenly,


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    The office door burst open, and a group of people rushed in.


    "What the heck is this?" Coughlin shouted angrily, his face flushed, not just from the alcohol.


    "Who on earth could be this rude?" he thought, incensed that someone would dare act so brazenly in his own estate.


    But the intruders remained unfazed, ignoring his outburst.


    "Are you Count Jeff Coughlin?" one of them asked.


    "You don''t know, even though you can see me?" Coughlin replied, incredulous.


    "Well, it''s just a formality," the man said, smirking. "After all, how could we mistake the best body in the council?"


    "What the hell is this rotten bastard saying...? Oh my, you''re the Sears family''s darling prosecutor. Is this what your father taught you?"


    There was only one prosecutor from the Sears family. Corbin''s lips curled into a smirk as he looked at Coughlin with a disdainful re.


    "You''ll being with us today."


    "Where?"


    "Where? To the detention center. Take him."


    "What, what did you say? This can''t be happening. Guard! Guard!"


    Coughlin shouted, trying to resist, but the officers were too rough.


    In the end, Count Coughlin was bound like a captured wild boar and dragged off to the prosecution headquarters.


    Count Coughlin struggled against his restraints as he was hauled through the corridors of the estate, his face flushed with a mixture of rage and disbelief.


    The sight of his guards, usually so vignt, standing back with uncertain expressions only fueled his anger further.


    "How dare youy your hands on me! Do you know who I am?" Coughlin bellowed, his voice echoing off the walls.


    The prosecutor, Corbin, walked beside him, unimpressed by the disy.


    "Yes, Count Coughlin, we''re well aware of who you are. That''s precisely why you''reing with us."


    Coughlin''s eyes narrowed as he tried to make sense of the situation.


    "This is madness! On what grounds are you arresting me? I demand to know!"


    Corbin nced at the count, his smirk growing wider.


    "Oh, you''ll find out soon enough. But for now, let''s just say that certain truths havee to light, and they aren''t very ttering."


    The vague response sent a shiver down Coughlin''s spine.


    He had been careful, or so he thought, to cover his tracks in all his dealings. But now, as they stepped outside and the cool evening air hit his face, a sinking feeling settled in his gut.


    This wasn''t just a power y. They had something on him¡ªsomething serious.


    As they reached the waiting carriage, Corbin nodded to the guards, who roughly shoved Coughlin inside. The count nearly stumbled but caught himself, ring daggers at the prosecutor.


    "You''ll regret this," Coughlin hissed. "I have powerful friends. You think you can just take me in like somemon criminal?"


    Corbin chuckled as he climbed into the carriage, taking a seat opposite the count.


    "Your powerful friends won''t help you this time, Count. In fact, I suspect they''ll be distancing themselves as we speak."

 Chapter 98: "The Fall of Count Coughlin" [2]

    I stared nkly at Count Coughlin, who had been captured. This was the mastermind who had been manipting Basset from behind the scenes, aiming to disrupt paper production.


    ''i caught the culprit using yellow dye as bait, but it''s a bit disappointing,'' I thought.


    Actually, I can''t hit a medium with something like this because the damage wasn''t that great.


    But it would be a pretty useful weapon for me. This incident could ruin Count Coughlin''s reputation, leading to him being stripped of his seat in the Imperial Diet.


    That''s why he insists so vehemently on his innocence.


    "I-I definitely won''t. It''s just that my subordinates were acting on their own¡­"


    Count Coughlin waved his hands wildly, speaking passionately. On the other hand, I just smiled broadly. No matter how much he struggles, it''s no use.


    "The butler has already confessed everything. He even detailed how he came into contact with Basset."


    "That''s a lie!"


    "Oh, I have also received testimony from the servant who delivered the orders. So please stop making excuses."


    "Ugh!"


    The Count grabbed his head and groaned strangely. It seemed like the stress was quite extreme. Well, it''s a different position in the National Assembly, so I guess he doesn''t want to lose that great title.


    ''I also feel a bit burdened by the fact that I am on the same side as the noble Giovanni faction,'' I reflected.


    Aren''t I already at the point where I can''t go with the Duke of Sierre? There''s no benefit to increasing the number of enemies. This case was meant to be apromise at a very moderate level.


    "Actually, there is some intention to reach an agreement," I said.


    "Really?" Count Coughlin''s face lit up with hope.


    "What would I gain by stripping the Count of his seat? It would only cause resentment."


    "Ahhhh! If you do that, I''ll pay any price. What do you want?"


    "Hmm..." I pretended to be in deep thought. Mary gain is of little use. In times like these, you have to get what money can''t buy.


    ''By the way, he said he was making parchment?'' I remembered.


    The advent of paper was signaling the doom of parchment, so they resorted to such a foolish move. It was decided what to take in return for the agreement.


    Count Coughlin raised his eyebrows as I smiled meaningfully. He seemed to think the story was going well. But how about this?


    "I heard you run arge ranch in your territory."


    "That''s true," he admitted.


    "I hope give me that."


    "What, what?" The Count looked shocked.


    The County of Coughlin consisted mostly of extensive grasnds, the perfect location for livestock farming.


    The Midias region also had ample fields. If I set up a ranch there, I could make a lot of profit. The old man in front of me would suffer some losses, but it''s still better than losing his seat, right?


    "I don''t intend to take everything. Just send me the sheep and the geese. If you do that, I will write a petition for exemption from punishment."


    "Isn''t this too much to ask?" he protested.


    "You''re going to withdraw from the parchment business anyway, right?"


    "That''s true, but¡­," he hesitated.


    No matter what he do, he can''t beat paper.


    First, even aside from their hides, sheep were very useful animals. Count Coughlin''s mind was probably spinning quickly, calcting the pros and cons.


    No matter how much he racked his brain, there was only one conclusion.


    Even if he were to hand over the entire ranch, it would be a much better deal to keep his seat in the National Assembly.


    Still, to make it easier to calcte the pros and cons, I suggested one more thing.


    "I will prioritize purchasing items from Count Coughlin. Let''s start with some cowhide. How about 200 pieces?"


    "Huh?" Count Coughlin seemed taken aback.


    In winter, wool and goose feathers sold much better than leather.


    They were intended to be put in pillows, nkets, etc., or made into clothes.


    Since I wasn''t taking the livestock right away, he could reduce the losses a bit.


    Sheep need to be sheared periodically, and geese can be plucked three or four times.


    Count Coughlin nodded, his judgment having been made.


    "Good. You clearly said only sheep and geese."


    "Yes. And just in case, I''m telling you this: from the moment you make the promise, ughter is prohibited."


    "Ahem! Sir, would I ever do something so fatal?" Judging from the way he stuttered, I guess he was trying to evade the point a little.


    But that won''t happen. I''m going to send someone right now to count the livestock.


    "Please send it to me as soon as the congrattory message is ready. Until then, you must take good care of it."


    "Of course."


    "Okay. Then use it."


    I signed the contract right away.


    The condition was that the sheep and geese would be handed over at the moment of transfer, and that he would be given a letter of exemption from punishment.


    ''Not a bad deal,'' I thought.


    But is it okay for the person who is the highest judge to do this?


    Right now, I am not the judge; I am the victim. So, I guess I could just let it go and get somepensation.


    I smiled and shook hands with Count Coughlin.


    "Thank you. Let''s keep in touch often in the future."


    "Haha! Good."


    The incident that started with Basset''s theft ended like this.


    * * *


    "Your Majesty, what do you mean?" Butler Miller Xavier looked dizzy.


    I told him to build a ranch in Midias, one that is extremely sturdy and capable of housing thousands of livestock. I felt a little sorry for him for no reason.


    They are very busy right now with the expansion of our paper mill. But what can I do?


    I can''t just let that many livestock loose and raise them.


    "There is still some time left, so there is no need to rush. I have decided to receive it once the consecration ceremony ispleted."


    "Thank goodness."


    "Just know that for now. But don''t be toozy. The deadline is at most half a year."


    "Yes, I understand."


    I deliberately timed it to coincide with my return from Deliat. That way, I can write a request for exemption from punishment.


    ''What''s left now?'' I wondered.


    I might not be able toe back for the next half year. So, it would be better to take care of most of the important things before I go.


    As I was thinking about it, I suddenly thought of Adam.


    Although he had the appearance of a beast, he was still quite tolerable these days.


    He had his hair neatlybed and was wearing noble clothes. Honestly, in my eyes, Adam looked a bit more handsome than Count Coughlin.


    At least he had a fit body.


    "I think it''s time to change my clothing style," I muttered.


    Actually, it''s something I''ve been thinking about for a long time. It''s not like it''s just a day or two since I''ve been feeling dizzy because of the shiny, dangling robes.


    And these fucking leggings.


    These were pants that I couldn''tpromise on no matter how many times I thought about it. The problem was that unless I''m wearing armor, I had no choice.


    ''Then I have no choice but to make it myself.''


    The imperial nobility all had a dedicated tailor at their side.


    To fill my vanity, I need to stick to a unique and sophisticated style in a way that is difficult for others to follow.


    As a result, bizarre shapes often became popr, just as leggings and a short vest were standard attire for the imperial male nobility.


    "A tailor¡­," I mused.


    Anyone who was good with their hands would already have an owner. In that case, I had to discover a new character. Besides, this time I was nning to make a new bait.


    I yed with the quill pen, drawing a belt, pants, shirt, and other items.


    ''Wow! As expected, the writing feels smooth.''


    No wonder they say it can''t bepared to parchment or something like that.


    I was deep in my work when suddenly, someone knocked on my office door.


    *Knock knock.*


    "Come in," I called out.


    The person who entered was Vargas, the sorcerer of Nermia.


    He always had a gloomy expression on his face, but surprisingly, there was a quirky side to him.


    If not properly controlled, there was no telling what kind of idents could ur.


    When I told him to cure the gue, he ended up destroying the staff quarters. Perhaps because he had been studying the material left behind by Peltron, things had been quiet recently.


    "What''s the matter?" I asked.


    "You know what we collectedst time? I have the rough research results," Vargas replied.


    "Oh, really? Recite it."


    "This substance is a by-product of the demigod."


    "Demigod?" I asked, somewhat confused.


    "Yes, I think that will be easier to understand. I looked into it and found that there is a simr existence here," he continued.


    "Are you talking about Adam? He is said to be the god of the earth," I responded, trying to make sense of what he was saying.


    "Of course, the church won''t acknowledge it. They think it''s almost like a monster," Vargas said, his tone indifferent.


    "It is self-proimed," I muttered.


    Anyway, it seemed that Peltron had gathered the northern nomads with his demigodly power. Then he would have been beaten by Abel and run away.

 Chapter 99: Zipper

    ''Seeing him provoking me like this, I guess he recovered his abilities.''


    But I had absolutely no intention of going along with his wishes.


    There''s so much to do, so why go to the North where there''s nothing to see?


    Let''s just let go of old grudges.


    ''Keep provoking me. Who will respond?''


    I tried to erase thoughts of Peltron from my mind because it wasn''t really a threat yet.


    Of course, it couldn''t bepletely ignored. If he interfere with my business like this, I will be very upset.


    "I have to leave for a while; is there any way to stop that bastard''s scheme?"


    "Of course. If I set up a magic circle, I can detect the approach of his substance."


    "Okay. Then stay here and take care of it."


    "Are you going to relieve me of the debt I have to repay?"


    "If you work hard for six months, I''ll forgive you the entire amount. How about that?"


    "Oh! As expected from your reputation, you are very generous."


    Just by observing hm for a day, I could see how well he treated my employees.


    The sry is the highest in the capital, and they work shifts without fail.


    Moreover, there was absolutely no coercion or abuse, and the atmosphere was one of mutual respect.


    It would be like heaven to Vargas, who had been wandering the world.


    "I feel like I want to just sit down."


    "That''s okay. If you want, I can even set up ab for you."


    "Really? Usually, members of our magic tower are always ostracized."


    The sorcerer of Nermia was busy detonating something without warning.


    No matter how precious the wizard was, there would be no noble who would bring in such a monster¡ªif you don''t want your house to be a mess, that is.


    But I didn''t really care.


    If he is concerned about an explosion, he can set up hisb farther away.


    Besides, there was so much money in the garage that there was no way I wouldn''t hire someone.


    Of course, he still have to be careful.


    "Instead, you will receive generouspensation for the damages."


    "Then isn''t it no different from now?"


    "I won''t stop you from researching your favorite potions. You won''t find such conditions anywhere in the Empire."


    "That''s true, but¡ª"


    "If you remain quiet from now on, I can supply you with Cordyceps Sinensis for a long time."


    "¡­ ¡­ It''s a solid leash. I''ll do a little bit of potion research."


    "Okay. Let''s write a contract first."


    I tried to put aside the paper I had drawn this and that on.


    Then suddenly, Vargas asked a question.


    "But what is that?"


    "I''m trying to make new clothes. I''m thinking of several things."


    "The buttons look really small."


    "If they''re too big, they won''t look cool."


    Small buttons are standard on shirts.


    Since we didn''t have stic, I thought we''d have to use a substitute or paint the metal white.


    "It looks difficult to make. It must be expensive, right?"


    "It''s okay because I''m going to wear it."


    "How?"


    "You know, this stuff?" Vargas pointed to the ck liquiding out of Margon''s body. I think it was a byproduct of the demigod.


    "You can make small things with this?"


    "Yes, in a way¡­ ¡­ ."


    The exnation continued in an excited voice.


    But I didn''t understand even half of it because there was so much magic terminology flying around.


    That''s the point, after all.


    By using the byproduct of the demigod, it is possible to shape even forms smaller than a grain of rice.


    I said, snapping my fingers, "I need to start by making something other than buttons."


    "Huh? What is that?"


    "Zipper."


    ***


    The clothes in this world were all incredibly ufortable.


    Of course, I also wore strange clothes to look cool.


    But even those people wouldn''t be able to help but buy and wearfortable and good clothes if they came out.


    ''Let''s make a prototype first.''


    I drew the shape of the zipper in detail from memory.


    The habit of looking closely at everything was quite useful at times like this because I was able to make a rtively urate drawing.


    "Oh? That''s a very unique shape. Aha! Is this how you interlock and undo them?"


    "Right. You figured it out. Can you do it?"


    "Of course. But what ingredients should I use?"


    "Hmm...."


    I was lost in thought again.


    Since there''s no stic, of course, I''ll pass.


    So what''s left is metal, and if possible, it''s better if it doesn''t corrode easily.


    Fortunately, there were suitable materials avable.


    Brass is prettymon here too.


    It is used as a material for church ritual vessels and brass instruments.


    "Brass. Something with a bit more zinc content would be good."


    "How much?"


    "40%."


    I picked it up somewhere and immediately knew that it was the strongest because it''s better if it doesn''t break easily.


    Vargas nodded willingly and picked up the drawing.


    "Can Ie and get the ingredients if they run out?"


    "Oh, right. How much can you use that for?"


    "It doesn''t take much of the byproduct of the half-body to be made. What I''ve collected this time will probably be enough for about three months."


    "Wait a minute, what do you mean bying to get it?"


    "It''s here too. Half-body."


    I opened my eyes wide at the words he blurted out while tilting his head.


    That''s why Adam, who is active as a potter, came to mind.


    ''Oh, right. That guy was a self-proimed god too?''


    Judging by Vargas'' reaction, it seemed that Adam could also create byproducts.


    I''ll have to ask the person directly how to do it.


    "Okay. You go quickly and make a prototype."


    "Yes."


    I headed straight to the pottery studio.


    However, a small park that had never been seen before was created behind the building.


    What looked like ck dirt appeared to be work materials or waste.


    ''No, what if I just pile them up here? I''d rather build a warehouse or something. I guess I''ll have to tell them to clean it up quickly.''


    I clicked my tongue and entered the workshop.


    "Here."


    -You''re here.


    Adam slumped down on his chair, seemingly having just finished working.


    He said this while letting out a grumble.


    -It''s cool, but I really don''t like it. I feel like I''m going to die every time I move.


    "That''s why I came here to solve that."


    -How?


    "I''m going to make a new style of clothes. What do you think?"


    When I showed him the drawing I had done in my office, Adam''s eyes widened.


    In particr, he couldn''t take his eyes off the tuxedo.


    I guess he likes that style.


    -What, what is this?


    "The fit is wide, so you won''t feel ufortable anymore. There''s a zipper here, so it''s easy to put on and take off."


    Adam had veryrge thighs, which made it difficult for him to wear regr clothes.


    Look at it now¡ªaren''t your leggings puffed out like they''re going to burst?


    But all the problems could be solved with a belt and a zipper on the pants.


    -Wow! That something like this can exist! But when did they start making it?


    "We haven''t started yet. We have to start by producing the zippers."


    -I heard it won''t take long.


    "That''s right. Maybe we''ll see each other soon? But there''s one condition."


    -What?


    "I need a byproduct of the demigod. Vargas said you can make it too."


    ¨D¡­


    Adam was silent for a while.


    It seemed like a very difficult proposal.


    Of course, there would be various difficulties.


    For example, to create a byproduct of a demigod, a huge amount of resources are required.


    Or perhaps, he have to make serious sacrifices? Continue your adventure at m|v-l''e -NovelBin


    But Adam''s answer waspletely beyond my expectations.


    -Not a demigod.


    "Uh?"


    -I''m not some demigod; I''m the god of the earth!


    Oh, so that was the annoying point?


    So there is no big problem in producing it.


    I spread out both hands and tried to calm Adam down.


    "Yeah. Okay. Let''s say it''s a byproduct of God. But how much can you make?"


    -It is generated every time I use my strength.


    "Huh? Then where is all that?"


    -I piled it up because I didn''t want to throw it away. It''ll evaporate over time anyway. Of course, it''ll take quite a while.


    "Wait a minute, you piled it up? Where?"


    -Didn''t you see it on your way here? It''s right behind the workshop.


    "Haa!"


    I blinked and let out a hollowugh.


    ''So, does that mean that all of that mountain is a byproduct of the demigod?''


    It was a muchrger amount than I expected¡ªenough to make it okay to unzip it countless times.


    "If I''m going to throw it away anyway, I''ll just use this. Is that okay?"


    -Of course. But make my clothes quickly first.


    "I''ll bring the prototype as soon as ites out."


    -Don''t expect it.


    I immediately called Vargas and ordered him to take the byproduct.


    The precision machining didn''t take that long.


    I guess it was because it was a work that involved magic anyway.


    The problem was that it was difficult to obtain the byproduct of the material, the demigod.


    ''Because guys like Adam and Peltron aren''tmon.''


    Vargas held out the zipper with a proud expression.


    A long piece of worsted fabric with teeth set closely together and sliders filled in.


    It didn''t look much different from the product I knew.


    Because it was made of brass, it felt a bit more antique than stic.


    "Huh? It''s a lot better than I thought."


    "I also tried making the small button you mentioned."


    "This isn''t bad either."


    Vargas'' precision workmanship was absolutely perfect.


    I tried moving the zipper several times and it never failed to work properly.


    Ziggy! Ziggy!


    Besides, the sound it made when opening and closing was the same as I remembered.


    "Okay! This is it. Okay, let''s gather some employees who will work hard."


    I couldn''t wait to see how the new clothes would turn out with these innovations.

 Chapter 100: Martin The Apprentice Tailor

    Arge notice was posted on the bulletin board of the Midias shopping district. The content was about recruiting tailors and seamstresses.


    "It seems that Duke Carrier is up to something again."


    "If you''ve ever handled clothes even a little bit, you''d think it doesn''t matter whether you''re young or old, male or female."


    "Huh! What kind of hiring conditions are these? Then, wouldn''t my wife or daughter also be able to pass?"


    "Oh, I see. I''m sure anyone said it was okay."


    "Ssup! But letting the womene is a bit¡­"


    "That''s right. Didn''t thest human trafficking incident also use jobs as bait?"


    "Hmm."


    People''s reactions were somewhat negative. It was because Skyler Sierra had caused such a big ident.


    But public opinion quickly changed.


    "No, but His Highness the Duke of Carriers posted it."


    "I can trust him. Everyone is in an uproar because they want to get into the dukedom or Midias."


    "That''s right. The amodations are also very nice."


    The jobs created by Duke Carrier were incredibly popr. This was because they offered shift work and significant benefits.


    "When ites to weddings and funerals, isn''t it true that they even give bonuses? Only nobles and knights would turn down such an enormous benefit. "


    "But I don''t know how to sew at all, so it won''t work."


    "I can''t help it. I have to tell my wife and daughter to go."


    "It would be nice if the family could stay together in the same dorm. It''s like sneaking in."


    "Isn''t that a bad idea?"


    People immediately sent their families to the Duchy of Carrier. However, they were not able to be assigned a ce to stay.


    This was because one building copsed due to the Margon incident, and there were so many workers. Although the result was disappointing, people were somewhat satisfied. If family members get good jobs, it will be much easier to make a living.


    However, not everyone applied with only good intentions.


    "Be careful not to get caught. If you do get caught, you have to deny it and say it has nothing to do with us."


    "Of course."


    "If you seed, I will ept you as my official disciple."


    "Yes!"


    Apprentice tailor Martin nodded with a stern expression.


    Since he had learned something from looking over his shoulder, he wouldn''t be rejected from the job.


    The key was how well he could figure out the fashion secrets of the Duke of Carrier.


    Because the style of the high-ranking nobles and the royal family was originally of interest to everyone.


    Cosette, the personal tailor of the Count of Arsenault, smiled rottenly.


    "Haha! How stupid."


    It didn''t matter if he failed.


    If he just drew the line and said they didn''t know each other, that would be the end of it.


    Whether he knew Cosette''s feelings or not, Martin tied his brown hair tightly and strengthened his resolve. Whatever the secret, he would definitely find it out.


    But from the moment he set foot in the Duchy of Carrier, his eyes widened.


    "The floor¡­ seems better than the capital?"


    Martin lived in a run-down neighborhood on the outskirts of town.


    Like other lower-ss houses, it was a house with a piloti structure mixed with a barn. Whenever it rained, the ground would always get muddy, and the smell of excrement would numb his nose.


    But what about here?


    Even though it was just a street for carriages, the road was neatly paved. Besides, even though it rained yesterday, he didn''t see a single puddle. It seemed like the rainwater had all flowed out through the long, dug drain.


    Dagdak! Dagdak!


    "Whoa! Whoa!"


    As he was looking at the floor with a nk expression, he heard a loud noise behind him. It looked like a carriage wasing along a well-paved road.


    Martin identally stepped aside, tripped on the curb, and fell over.


    Kkudangtang!


    "Oh my!"


    "Hey, are you okay?"


    The carriage stopped right in front of him. The coachman asked a question with a worried expression.


    Martin jumped up, dusting himself off.


    "Oh, yes."


    "There is a separate sidewalk in the Duchy of Carrier. You must go only to the ce where you are standing now."


    "Yes?"


    As he tilted his head at the sound he had never heard or seen before, the coachman burst intoughter. It seemed like Martin''s reaction was quite funny.


    "At first, everyone looks like that. But once you get used to it, it can''t get any better. It''s okay if the carriage goes by at full speed."


    "Oh, I see. There''s no need to bump into anything."


    "Are youing for an interview?"


    "Yes, that''s right."


    "Get in. Since you''re going anyway, I''ll take you to your lodging."


    "Thank you."


    Martin sat beside the coachman and looked around the Duchy of Carrier. It wasn''t as shy as the downtown area of the capital, but it had a neat and stylish feel.


    Everything, from the roads to the buildings, was neatly organized.


    "Okay,e here. I hope you do well. Let''s work together when we have the chance."


    "Yes, take care."


    Martin bowed to the coachman and entered the magnificent building before him. It felt like a territory administrative office.


    But when he saw the crowd of people walking out, his thoughts quickly changed.


    "Huh? Isn''t this the interview ce?"


    He hurriedly grabbed a man and asked him a question, receiving an unexpected answer.


    "That''s right."


    "But where are you all going?"


    "I''m on my way to work. This used to be our dorm, but since there are so many applicants, we''re using it as a waiting room for a while."


    "Yes?"


    He couldn''t hear anything else.


    Is it possible for a simpleborer''s quarters to be this nice? The man replied with a sly smile.


    "That''s how it is for all first-time visitors. Okay."


    People moved around leisurely, smiling.


    They were obviously from the same lower ss as him, but they all had a clear appearance.


    The clothes they wore had a rough design, but the fabric itself was quite nice. After working under a tailor for a long time, only those kinds of things caught his eye.


    Martin suddenly had this thought.


    "Wouldn''t it be much better to just get a job here?"


    ***


    "What the heck, all this stuff crawled in here?"


    I weeded out those with bad conduct through interviews. It''s not that I discriminate against people because they are from the lower ss.


    It''s just excluding people whose status includes the words ''evil deeds.''


    More than half of them fell at once, but it didn''t matter. There are plenty of applicants anyway.


    ''But there''s not a single person with the skill registered.''


    When looking at the character information window, there were some people with incredible abilities.


    For example, Princess Justia, who was called ''one with good fortune.'' Kuro Allegan, who was entrusted with the top position, also had a skill called ''employee exploitation.''


    The most recent thing I saw was a ''performance'' by a vicious criminal named Basset.


    Surely, there are some tailors with great talent. However, such people do not move easily.


    Because the floor is so narrow, I might end up blushing. If your image gets worse, it''ll be hard to get re-employed when you get cut.


    "It''s unfortunate, but there''s nothing I can do. It''s not like I necessarily need a skilled tailor."


    Anyway, I was nning on having just a few suits tailored. The rest just need to be stamped out ording to the specifications


    It is the first time in the Empire of Empyre that a ready-made clothing business has been established.


    ''It''s changing the paradigm.''


    It didn''t matter if a skilled tailor didn''t apply.


    I just have to pick someone who is good with their hands and teach them. I nodded toward Deacon Tobias Wilkin.


    It was a signal to let the next interviewer in. Finally, a young man with a tense face carefully opened the door. The brown hair tied up in a ponytail somehow gave off a sophisticated vibe.


    "Nice to meet you. Please have a seat."


    "Yes? Yes."


    But that was my mistake. Judging by his haphazard appearance, this man was not a skilled tailor. But just in case, I immediately brought up the character information window.


    **


    **


    **Name:** Martin


    **Status:** Commoner


    **Position:** Apprentice Tailor


    **Rtionship:** No acquaintance


    **Status:** Somewhat nervous from unfamiliar espionage, amazed by the astonishing sight, and contemting evil deeds.


    **Skill:** Designer


    **Overall Ability:** A


    ---


    ''Oh?''


    I let out a sigh inwardly. Because he was the best character I''d ever seen.


    The words "I''m hiring you" almost came out, but I kept my mouth shut for now. The reason was that his condition was very suspicious.


    ''He came here to spy? But he''s debating whether or not to do something evil. What the hell is this guy?''


    Anyway, the interview had to proceed, so I asked some formal questions.


    "Have you ever worked as a tailor?"


    "I have learned it by looking over shoulders here and there."


    "Have you ever tried making clothes yourself?"


    "Yes, but I buy the fabric and sew the clothes for my family myself."


    "So you''re saying that you don''t have any experience at all?"


    "Yes. I''m working on this and that and buying tools. I''m trying to learn in earnest."


    "If you get hired, you don''t have to worry about tools. The factory will lend you everything."


    "Oh! Is that so?"


    Martin looked around with a smile. I''ve never had an interviewer do something like that before. Everyone was busy expressing their sincerity because they wanted to get hired.


    But this guy was different.


    He nced around the inside of the amodation and the view of of the Duchy of Carriers outside the window with interest.

 Chapter 101: It鈥檚 Time To Leave

    "If he really came here as spy, he wouldn''t have that look in his eyes, right?" Besides, he wouldn''t have looked at it so openly.


    But then suddenly, something strange happened. Martin''s character information floating in the air changed in real-time.


    ''Huh? This is possible too?''


    Surprisingly, the words "Spying" and "Malicious Activities" disappeared from the Status tab.


    Instead, "Curiosity" and "Anticipation" filled the space. It wasn''t difficult to guess why this change had urred.


    ''I guess he changed his mind.''


    If he like the ce he infiltrated as a spy so much, he''ll just settle in.


    It was a very usible story. It''s true that I was a little reluctant, as I had originally approached it with bad intentions.


    On the other hand, I thought it was a good thing. Anyway, it''s unlikely that a skilled tailor will change jobs. It would have been a good choice to just absorb this spy.


    ''Besides, no matter what he do, he can''t escape my sight.''


    If I monitor him through the employee management window, I can capture everything he do.


    I ended the conversation briefly. "If you work hard, I will take care of you until the end."


    "Uh¡­ yes."


    "So, please show your trust. The amodation is still under construction, so it will take a few months for you to move in."


    "Is this a simr building to this one?"


    "Yes. I''m not the type of person to skimp on employee benefits. You can starting to work tomorrow."


    "Yep!" Martin answered vigorously and returned with a smiling face.


    I smiled wryly and muttered to myself, "I wonder what the old Able would have done in my ce."


    He doesn''t seem like such a foolish person. I don''t know anymore. Sometimes people make stupid choices even when it''s obvious.


    ---


    Midias was growing explosively. Vargas''boratory, staff quarters, ranch, and garment factory were built at the same time.


    With all kinds of suppliesing in, even well-paved roads were of no use. There would probably be dissonances here and there.


    ''I wish I could control everything, but... there''s no such situation right away.''


    Now it''s time to leave for Delia.


    "I will take good care of you," I said.


    "Don''t worry too much. I''ll do my best."


    "Yes, I will only trust Deacon Xavier. Thank you for your hard work."


    I waved lightly at the butlers who came out to see me off. It was at that moment that the carriage was about to leave the Duchy of Carriers. Suddenly, a loud shout was heard from somewhere.


    "Your Highness! Pleasee back quickly!"


    "I will wait with a grateful heart!"


    The workers who had taken over the entire hill were shouting with their hands together. Some people could not hold back their emotional waves and even cried out loud.


    "It''s incredible that such a great person has to go through such a long and difficult journey¡­"


    "Sigh! I hope you are at peace wherever you are."


    Judging by the size of the ce, it seemed like almost all the employees hade out. It''s not worth having such a grand send-off.


    ''Actually, I didn''t do much for them.''


    I was just sharing some of the wealth I got for free by possessing Able body.


    And it wasn''t just losses that were suffered. I made a lot of money through various businesses. Still, to have such a reaction, their life up until now must have been quite difficult.


    I was staring nkly out the window when the coachman suddenly spoke to me. This guy''s name was Brandon, I think.


    It was the very person who had a tearful expression on his face as he got off without stepping on his own back.


    "Your Highness, may I just say a few words?"


    "Yes, feel free to talk."


    "Why is everyone happy?"


    "I can''t say I know anything about that."


    "It is all because Your Majesty has shown hope and trust."


    The coachman smiled happily and chatted excitedly. There might be a job somewhere that pays a lot of money.


    However, it is said that there is no employer who takes care of the birthdays and congrattory events of his subordinates.


    He kept praising me until my mouth was watering, but my face turned red for no reason. Praise can make even a whale dance, but it''s a bit strange when it''s done right in front of the person concerned, right?


    "Thank you for thinking of me as such and not treating me like a fool."


    "Oh, that can''t be true. If someone were to underestimate and deceive Your Majesty, he would be severely beaten."


    "Haha!"


    Brandon''s antics brought a cheerful smile to my lips. This was all proof that I had done well so far.


    ''Let''s not lose my original intention in the future.''


    Whether the world is dark fantasy or hell, I will walk the path no matter what. With that determination, I leaned back against the chair.


    For over a week, the journey went very smoothly. Perhaps because the escort troops were with us, there were no bandits or monsters attacking us.


    But it was at a time when I was crossing the western part of the empire.


    Bam!


    The carriage, which was turning a corner, suddenly slowed down.


    "Ugh! I''m sorry, Your Highness." Mr. Brandon quickly looked behind him and checked the passengers'' safety.


    Cordell McNeil and I were possessors of supernatural physical abilities. Even if something sudden happened, we were able to respond adequately.


    "We''re fine. What''s going on anyway?"


    "It looks like there was andslide. The road ispletely blocked."


    I looked out the window. The long, narrow path was gone, and a ck pile of dirt had piled up like a mountain.


    "We have to find another way. Can we turn around and go back?"


    "It''s a bit of a dangerous course. We have to pass near theva field over there."


    Continue your journey on m|v-l''e -NovelBin


    "Ah..."


    The Magretta volcano in the western part of the empire was an area known for its magma eruptions that urred unexpectedly.


    Normally, it would be okay to just pass by, but sometimes it would cover the entire area in an instant.


    If you were unlucky, you could die a violent death in the blink of an eye.


    This was exactly the kind of ident Brandon warned about.


    "I''d rather forge a new path. Or dig like crazy."


    All I had to do was just clear away whatever was blocking the road. Sure, it might take a few days, but don''t we have a sturdy lock here?


    When I looked at him with a secret look, Cordell made a disgusted expression.


    "Your Majesty? Surely you wouldn''t tell me to dig a hole?"


    "I haven''t even opened my mouth yet. Don''t jump to conclusions."


    "Somehow, I had a feeling that the you say that. I''m telling you this out of concern, but I''m not a knight of the Carriers family..."


    "I know. You are ck something."


    "I am an agent."


    "Anyway, you''re saying you can''t dig?"


    "Wow! Look at this. Isn''t that what you were going to order me to do?"


    I shrugged my shoulders slightly.


    Then I got out of the carriage and looked west. The Magretta volcano was incredibly quiet. But for some reason, a feeling of unease rose up in me.


    ''They said it was the calm before the storm. There was no need to go to such a dangerous area.''


    However, breaking new ground was incredibly difficult. I don''t know if it would be different in a wide field, but this is a quiet path in the middle of a mountain.


    But why did wee this way?


    If we don''t pass near the Magretta volcano, the trip will more than double in time. It''s a little rough, but this is the shortcut.


    Knock knock!


    I opened the carriage''s cargo box and took out a shovel.


    ''This is a situation where I can''t do anything. In that case, there''s no other way than to tackle it head-on.''


    I''ll show you the possessed digging of a reserve sergeant...


    Oh, I was exempted from military service when I passed the police exam. Anyway, I''m saying that my skills aren''t dead yet.


    "No, what if Your Majesty does something like this?"


    Brandon approached with a pale face. How could one not be surprised when a man as tall as a peacockes out carrying a shovel?


    But I''m not the type of person to brag about my high status or to leave things up to others.


    "It''s okay. I have to do what I have to do. Besides, it''s not like you can get help, right?"


    "Ah..."


    Boom! Boom!


    Whether Uncle Brandon was fidgeting or not, I started digging. As the movements were full of skill and power, the pile of dirt was quickly cleared away.


    But suddenly, a grumbling sound was heard from behind. It was Cordell McNeil''s bold voice.


    "Is this really the case?"


    "What?"


    "If you step forward like that, what will be of me?"


    "A trash knight who just stands there and watches his escort take the lead?"


    "You said it. You finally said it."


    Cordell shook his head and began to dig.


    Soon after, Brandon arrived carrying rope, a sack, and other things. It looked like they were trying to tie up rocks and roll them down a slope. But it was at that very moment.


    Boom! Bam!


    "Eww!"


    He thrust the de hard, and a scream erupted with a sharp sound.


    The scream caught everyone off guard.


    Cordell jumped back instinctively, his hands tightening around the hilt of his shovel, while Brandon dropped his tools, his face paling.

 Chapter 102: Devil Of Mountain [1]

    It wasn''t me who scream it, but a voiceing from under the ground.


    "Huh? What is this?"


    "That''s right. Why is there a human voiceing from the dirt?"


    "Let''s dig it up first."


    "Yes."


    As I cleared the area with my shovel, the screamer appeared.


    But it didn''t look human at all.


    Dark skin, a horn on its forehead, and golden eyes that glowed ominously.


    It looked like...


    "A devil?"


    Anyone would answer that way.


    As expected, Cordell McNeil''s expression suddenly distorted.


    "Damn, I got the bad feeling about this."


    "Why? What is this?"


    "You just said it. The devil."


    "No, is that true?"


    "Unfortunately, it is true. Your Majesty, you have a friend who brought you to court."


    "Are you talking about The God of the Earth."


    "Yeah, You can think of it as someone who stands on the opposite side of him. To be exact, he''s not a real devil."


    "I guess he''s half-demon."


    "Oh! That''s correct."


    One guy suddenly came to mind when I heard Cordell''s exnation.


    Peltron, who united the northern nomads and emerged as a great threat to the empire.


    He too would be a simr being.


    Anyway, I figured out the identity, but I still had questions.


    "What on earth were you doing here?"


    ¨D...


    The half-demon didn''t answer at all.


    He just looked up at me as if he found me strange.


    I''ve be a lot more handsome since I came to this world, but my tastes are still the same.


    "I won''t date anyone who isn''t a human woman. So don''t be interested." Your journey continues at m v|l-e''-NovelBin


    -You really are a strange guy.


    "What?"


    ¨DA soul that shines so brilliantly... How could a human be like this?


    "I saved the you who was buried in andslide, but as soon as I saw you, you said nonsense. Am I going to bury you again?"


    -you won''t do that.


    The half-demon smiled mischievously.


    And then, all of a sudden, he just jumped up.


    Thud thud thud!


    Dirt and rocks fell instantly.


    It must have weighed at least several tons, and it was truly a tremendous force.


    "No, you got out easily. Why on earth were you doing that?"


    ¨D... This is a question that doesn''t necessarily need an answer.


    He turned his head and responded calmly, but I instantly noticed his feelings.


    Hasn''t everyone experienced something like this at least once?


    I''m talking about the experience of falling down in front of a lot of people.


    At that time, the embarrassment was greater than the pain.


    So, either he can''t get up right away, or he run away immediately.


    It seems like this guy was thetter.


    ''Did he just wait for us to leave?''


    Even if he was half-devil, he would have been a little flustered.


    What kind of crazy person would try to dig through andslide with a shovel?


    Most people would choose to go back, even if it is far.


    It was at that very moment when I was about to ignore him and finish digging.


    ''Huh? No way?''


    A thought suddenly popped into my head.


    I asked the half-demon who was shaking off the dirt from his body.


    "Then can I ask you something else?"


    -I would have ignored you originally, but you seem interesting, so I''m listening. What is it?


    "Thisndslide. Did you cause it?"


    ¨D...


    He didn''t say anything.


    The once yful gaze had sunk deeply into a shadow, as if nothing had happened.


    Now, curiosity was gone, and hostility was creeping in.


    It seems that I hit the nail on the head.


    "I guess you''re some kind of mountain devil."


    ¨D...


    The opponent was still silent.


    Although it was just a rough guess, it was a somewhat well-founded guess.


    Adam, who freely handles stones, dirt, minerals, etc., is the god of the earth.


    This guy caused andslide, so he must be the devil of the mountains.


    But then again, it seemed like it hit the mark, like a cow backing off and catching a rat.


    -Can humans have precognition or the ability to read minds? Without the power of God?


    "What are you talking about? I just assumed."


    ¨DYou are still a strange guy, even when I see you again. Okay. If that''s the case, what are you going to do?


    "The story is moving fast."


    -I don''t know what you''re talking about.


    "Don''t you understand? You caused thendslide?"


    -Yeah.


    "Then it''s your responsibility to restore it. Put it back to how it was immediately."


    The mountain devil looked at me as if he were dumbfounded.


    It seemed like he felt more than hostility, but rather absurdity.


    I guess that''s the only way.


    Most people would have been busy begging for their lives or running away as soon as they saw the guy.


    But I wasn''t scared at all.


    ''Even the god of the earth was steamed, so what about the devil of the mountain?''


    If it''s not enough, just smash the pot.


    I nodded my head with that mindset, but soon my thoughts had to change.


    Tsk tsk tsk tsk!


    This was because the ck energy released from the opponent''s body engulfed the entire area.


    "Ugh! Your Majesty, be careful."


    Cordell groaned and blocked my path.


    A person who is usually naughty and disobedient responded this seriously?


    He must have felt an overwhelming sense of crisis.


    Actually, I was also surprised by the aura emitted by the mountain devil.


    ''Has there ever been an opponent this strong?''


    Strictly speaking, there were some who defied expectations.


    Emperor Eren, Empress Zarina, Princess Justia, etc.


    I''m talking about people whose character information window isn''t fully disyed.


    ''Then this guy too?''


    The moment my will was stirred, holographic words appeared before my eyes.


    [Information about an unknown subject cannot be confirmed.]


    The system''s functionality has grown significantly over the years.


    However, I still had to go through the full name verification process to bring up the character information window.


    I said, lightly touching Cordell''s shoulder.


    "Hey, calm down. We have no intention of fighting."


    ¨DYou should use some sophistry. After making such a demand?


    "No, that''s right. You''re just going to do something like this and leave? Hey, even if you''re the devil, there''s no way you''d have no conscience."


    -Haa!


    The opponent blinked with a hollowugh.


    Cordell McNeil also looked dumbfounded.


    Where have you ever heard something like, "The devil has no conscience?"


    But I was confident.


    There is no gap in my logic.

 Chapter 103 : Devil Of Mountain [2]

    The system''s functionality has grown significantly over the years.


    However, I still had to go through the full name verification process to bring up the character information window.


    I said, lightly touching Cordell''s shoulder.


    "Hey, calm down. We have no intention of fighting."


    ¨DYou should use some sophistry. After making such a demand?


    "No, that''s right. You''re just going to do something like this and leave? Hey, even if you''re the devil, there''s no way you''d have no conscience."


    -Haa!


    The opponent blinked with a hollowugh.


    Cordell McNeil also looked dumbfounded.


    Where have you ever heard something like, "The devil has no conscience?"


    But I was confident.


    There is no gap in my logic.


    "You seem to be mistaken. Conscience is also a type of intelligence. Aren''t all things in the world rted? Why do you do something that will ruin your reputation?"


    -That''s my existence...


    "Hey! Listen to me for a moment. Why do you do such bad things to humans?"


    - It''s to steal the spirit energy. Every soul has a special power.


    "Look at that. So what''s the easiest way to fool people?"


    -Showing strength?


    "Wrong. It''s a matter of gaining favor. If the other person trusts me, wouldn''t they believe me no matter what I say?"


    -Oh?


    The mountain devil nodded, perhaps because he was intrigued by the story.


    When I thought this was the moment, I pointed to the pile of dirt and rocks and continued speaking.


    "It''s the same now. Instead of causing andslide to instill fear, you should save people in trouble."


    -No, does that mean you''ll like me?


    "This is a real big deal, you devil. Don''t you know how to make an image?"


    -How do you do that?


    "Let''s start by changing the face. If you''re a demon, you should be able to transform."


    -Of course.


    Sweep!


    A dark aura rippled, and the opponent transformed into my appearance.


    It felt like looking in a mirror, perhaps because the shape was exactly the same.


    But I shook my head firmly.


    "You don''t have any individuality. What are you going to do by imitating others? Are you going to be a fake for the rest of your life?"


    -No way!


    "You have to have an identity. Your own identity."


    -Hmm.


    The mountain devil thought about it for a long time, then took on a different appearance.


    This time, it was a face that was a mix of me and Cordell.


    "Hey, you uncreative kid."


    In the end, I coached him carefully.


    It was something like this.


    How much higher can your nose be?


    What about the eyes?


    Then, a fairly usible result came out.


    Actually, I had no creativity whatsoever.


    I advised him to look like a famous celebrity I saw on TV.


    Well, what does it matter?


    There is no such person in this world.


    "That''s perfect. I''ll keep doing this from now on."


    -What next?


    "You have to help people. Then they will give you their spirits without you having to force them away."


    -I don''t know how to do that?


    I was momentarily speechless at the other person''s question.


    But I used my wits and averted the crisis.


    "Okay. Then tell me how to do it first."


    -It''s simple. I just have to put my hand on their head.


    "So what''s the result?"


    -No big deal. The spirit will recover over time. Of course, the person will be a bit dazed for a while.


    "What? It''s not that threatening."


    ¨DSome beings living in the Demon World make contracts to have their soulspletely taken away.


    I felt like I was starting to get the hang of it.


    Just as Adam was a clumsy demigod, so was this guy.


    Even though they looked simr, they weren''t real devils.


    ''Is there room forpromise?''


    Isn''t that true?


    Adam also appeared at first as a hideous monster.


    But what about now?


    He was a full-fledged member of the Carriers Duchy.


    There''s no reason this guy couldn''t be like that.


    ''It''s great that the ability also looks outstanding.''


    If it''s enough to cause andslide, it can do other things too.


    I said, putting my right hand forward.


    "Just keep doing that. If you keep helping people, they''ll bow their heads on their own."


    -I''ll have to think about it. It hasn''t actually been proven yet, right?


    "Then try it somewhere."


    I said, pointing behind me with my thumb.


    Then, at that very moment, I felt quite a lot of movement.


    There happened to be a group approaching the path.


    "Hello. Can you tell me what''s going on?"


    A man who appeared to be the head of the group greeted me.


    I briefly exined the situation.


    There was no need to speak at length.


    It''s obvious that the road was blocked by andslide.


    "This is going to be difficult. It''s going to take a long time to go around the Magretta area."


    "But we can''t go through the volcanic zone. It''s too dangerous."


    "The weather looks like it might rain. If this continues, the product might spoil."


    Soon several leaders came and inspected the blocked road.


    Worried sighs erupted from all sides.


    I shrugged and looked at the mountain devil.


    Then the guy nodded as if he understood.


    -Don''t worry too much. I''ll try to do something.


    The upper echelons asked with wide eyes.


    "What on earth are you nning to do?"


    -Please wait a moment.


    Soon the mountain devil stretched out both his hands into the air and began to mutter something.


    I couldn''t understand the content, but one thing seemed certain.


    ''Surprisingly, you''re good at showmanship?''


    Doesn''t it feel like you''re doing something great?


    It was as if I had taught him one thing, and he knew ten.


    After a while, the dirt and rocks that had been blocking the path began to flow away.


    Kurrururur!


    It was truly an amazing sight to see nature moving as if it were alive.


    Cordell McNeil opened his mouth with a hollowugh.


    "Wow! That''s really amazing."


    "Right? This is my first time seeing something like that. It''s incredibly powerful and a pretty good ability."


    "No. Not him. Your Majesty."


    "What?"


    As I tilted my head at the suddenment, the exnation followed immediately.


    "I''ve never seen anyone boil a horse with words. In fact, isn''t His Majesty the Duke even scarier?"


    Oh, I guess you could feel that way.


    I deliberately gave a crooked smile.


    Then Cordell''s face turned pale.


    ''Ugh, ugh! I''m scared.''

 Chapter 104 : Devil Of Mountain [3]

    After a few minutes, the obstacle waspletely removed.


    "Ohhhhh!"


    "Wow, this is possible!"


    "Are you a wizard?"


    The leaders raised their arms and cheered. I thought I would suffer a huge loss without any way to move, but it was resolved so smoothly.


    How could I not be happy?


    The mountain devil scratched the back of his head at their enthusiastic voices. It seemed such a strong reaction was unexpected.


    "Uh¡­ well, I guess that''s what it is," he said, scratching the back of his head and answering awkwardly.


    After a while, the upper echelons went to their respective stalls and brought back a lot of things.


    "This is our gship product, soe and try it."


    "This is Meissen fabric from the Schultz Counts. It looks very luxurious when made into clothes."


    "It''s nothing special, but try this. It''s carefully dried beef jerky."


    "Oh, thank you," the mountain devil replied, seemingly embarrassed by the indiscriminate gift-giving.


    Holding a bundle of items, the mountain devil looked nkly and then blinked, turning his gaze to me.


    "Why is this happening? Humans have never done this to me before."


    "It''s the difference in appearance and behavior. Look at what you''ve done. It''spletely different from before."


    "That''s true."


    "Does this prove what I said?"


    "Hmm¡­"


    Honestly, I couldn''t help but admit it. The result was perfect, so how could he deny it? But the devil of the mountain shook his head until the end.


    "Not enough. They haven''t bowed their heads to me yet."


    "Say that you will give them a blessing. Something like, ''May your journey be filled with good luck¡­''"


    "Do you really have to go that far? It seems like the devil''s reputation is¡­"


    "That''s even more evil. It''s hiding your true intentions and deceiving people."


    "Oh! That''s right."


    The mountain devil caught the leaders who were trying to return, then he said exactly what I had told him.


    I thought it would be a bit awkward, but surprisingly, he was good at acting. He even added some ir to it.


    "If I just ept it like this, my heart will be too ufortable. Everyone,e here. I will give you a blessing."


    "Oh! Really?"


    "You can bring all the porters too."


    "Oh my! You don''t have to go that far."


    The upper echelons waved their hands vigorously, but their feet were pointed toward the peddlers. Soon, hundreds of people were standing in a long line.


    "May your journey be filled with good luck and glory¡­"


    "Thank you, wizard."


    "You may feel a little weak, but that is because your soul has temporarily connected with the celestial realm."


    "Oh! Is that so? That''s great!"


    "Okay, next."


    Countless people volunteered to offer their heads. The mountain devil absorbed everyone''s spirits and then burst intoughter.


    "Wow! I didn''t know it would be this simple¡­ Later on, I got to the point where I could barely absorb the spirit energy."


    "I guess it went beyond the eptable range."


    "So I just pretended to suck it up."


    "How is it?"


    "You''re the best. I can''t help but admit it."


    "Okay. Then can I pass now?"


    "Of course!"


    The mountain devil nodded willingly.


    What was the reason for teasing this guy in the first ce?


    I was going to let them figure out how to resolve thendslide themselves. Now that we''ve achieved our goal, we should move on quickly.


    ''There''s no need to get involved with a guy like this.''


    If he''s a half-god like Adam, that might be fine, but isn''t it a bit different for a half-demon? It was hard to trust the image, and I felt like something big was going to happen.


    "Okay, thanks for your hard work."


    I quickly went back to the carriage.


    As I climbed into the passenger seat and leaned back against the cushion, a sense of relief welled up in me.


    I would be able to pass through the Magretta volcano zone safely.


    But then Cordell McNeil called out to me with a frown on his face.


    "Your Majesty."


    "What is it now?"


    "I think there''s a minor problem."


    "Huh? Did anotherndslide ur?"


    I stuck my head out the window, but the path was still neatly cleared. After a while, Cordell shook his head slightly and said, "No, look to the side."


    "What on earth is there¡­?" I inadvertently turned my gaze to the side and was left speechless.


    A ck squirrel was sitting on the cushion, staring nkly.


    Two adorable horns adorned its head.


    Golden eyes shone ominously. It was exactly the same as the half-demon symbol we had just seen, except the fur color was different.


    "Are you the devil of the mountain?"


    "Huh."


    "Why did you get in the carriage?"


    "I thought it would be fun."


    "Isn''t this your hometown? Can you just leave so easily?"


    "The natural environment is constantly changing. Volcanoes like this didn''t exist hundreds of years ago. Do you think I have a hometown?"


    To be honest, that was true. This guy must have lived a very long time, just like Adam.


    ''I don''t want to take him, but how do I get him away?''


    I racked my brain, but no good idea came to mind. The mountain devil seemed genuinely pleased with this situation.


    But it would be a bit much to beat him up and chase him out¡­ He hasn''t done any harm yet, has he?


    ''If I y it well, I might be able to use him.''


    Didn''t even the Nermia sorcerer, who was like a walking disaster, get epted? As long as he was controlled, it didn''t really matter even if he was a half-demon.


    "Don''t cause any trouble."


    "Make people give up their own spirits. Right?"


    "Okay. We''ll be together forever, so let''s make a name for you."


    "Name?"


    "I can''t keep calling you the Devil of the Mountain. I''m Abel Carriers. This is Cordell McNeill."


    "I don''t have anything like that."


    Oh, I forgot. Was it me who named Adam?


    So, that means this guy has to go through a simr process. Well, is there anything to think about that would be difficult?


    Originally, spontaneous naming was the best fit.


    "You look like a sugar glider, so let''s name you Shuguri. What do you think?"


    "Whatever. It doesn''t sound bad."


    "Good."


    I stared at Shuguri quietly and brought up the character information window.


    [Information on transcendent figures cannot be essed.]


    [If you want to see through your target, you have to have the skills to do so.]


    As expected, this guy was just like the emperor or the demigod. Well, seriously, he''s a being called the devil, so how could I see through him so easily?


    ''It''s okay. So what if I can''t see it?'' At first, they only talked about it, but in an emergency, they would just take out the gavel, and that would be it.


    When he tries to climb over someone''s head or cross the line, Adam handles it well by showing overwhelming strength, right?


    A simr method would work for Shuguri too.


    "By the way, what are you good at?" I asked, curiositycing my voice.


    "Why do you ask that?" came the response.


    "I only take you with me if I have a use for you. Otherwise, why am I taking you in?"


    "I''ll just follow you."


    "No. Go back. Those who don''t work, don''t eat. Don''t you know that saying?"


    "Wow, that''s so damn decisive. I can control natural phenomena to some extent," they admitted.


    "Like causing andslide?" I inquired, intrigued.


    "Yeah. Of course, not exactly."


    Of course, it would be like that. If they hadplete control, they wouldn''t have been swept away by thendslide they caused.


    ''Huh? That''s surprisingly useful.''


    As soon as I heard their words, numerous ideas came to mind.


    Even just considering Deliat, isn''t that so?


    What if he could control the desert''s brutal sandstorms? What if it were possible to make it rain during the dry season?


    Perhaps people''s lives would have be much more affluent.


    "Enough. Pass!" I decided.


    "Oh!" came the enthusiastic response.


    "Instead, you must exercise your abilities whenever I ask you to."


    "If you have enough spirit, there''s nothing you can''t do," they assured.


    "Leave that to me."


    Anyway, Deliat is overflowing with people.


    It''s not hard to enchant someone with just a few words. I filled the boring journey with countless ways to utilize Sugar Glider.


    So we returned to Deliat after almost two months. But the atmosphere of the city, which should be full of energy, was strange.


    Should I say that it feels simr to when I first took office?


    ''Oh, this is a bit strange.'' It''s always said that bad feelingse true.


    Deliat hadpletely reverted to its former self. The government-funded construction projects that had been underway at a breakneck pace had led to a sharp decline in jobs.


    "Is that why there are people sitting out on the streets?" I wondered aloud.


    Most of them were in a shabby state, waving their arms helplessly in the air. It was an effort to somehow catch the eye of passersby. That way, the chances of begging would increase a little.


    ''If I go to the Government-General, I''ll know why it turned out like this.'' I headed straight to the city center.


    If ordinary citizens were in that state, there''s no way officials would be okay. The Government-General building also looked shabby. It''s newly built, so it should be clean.


    "Are you serious? It really looks the same as before," I muttered in disbelief.


    "Yeah," Cordell McNeill also shook his head, clearly unimpressed.


    I let out a long sigh and strode into the building. But then, a group of people appeared and blocked the road.

 Chapter 105: "Chaos in the Government-General"[1]

    *Who are you?*


    "This isn''t a ce for just anyone toe in. If you don''t want to get caught, get out."


    Judging from his demeanor, he was definitely not amon thief. However, their uniforms were not uniform enough to be called regr troops. Should I say they are like mercenaries or private soldiers of lower-ranking nobles?


    So, they don''t recognize the governor, and they''re talking like that.


    "Open the way. This person is¡­"


    Cordell stepped forward and immediately tried to reveal his identity. But I quickly raised my arms. It wouldn''t be fun if it were exined that easily.


    "Let''s see how far it goes."


    "Oh, yes."


    As Cordell McNeil stepped back with a nk expression, the crowd blocking his way burst intoughter.


    "Hahahaha! These guys have lost their fear."


    "It''s funny how they''re acting like they''re something special."


    "I guess I''ll have to start by crushing his face. Whenever I see a handsome guy, my destructive instincts kick in."


    They all had fierce-looking faces. Most people would tremble in fear upon meeting them. But that wasn''t the case for me. Because there''s no use trying to show off your looks. Before my gavel, everyone is equal.


    "I just ask one thing. Where is Consul Hojein Allegan?"


    "When are you talking about? That guy was dealt with a long time ago."


    "Dealt with?"


    "That''s right. We rule this ce now."


    Of course, that was 100% nonsense. No matter how small Deliat is, how can those guys rule the country?


    All they have to show off is their battered faces andrge sizes.


    By the way, it looks like something happened to Hojaein.


    If the power of the consul had been alive and well, this could not have happened. The foundation for the Government-General and government-funded construction has already beenid. The funding was also sufficient. I''ve been paying my taxes diligently at the factory I built.


    But at that very moment, a thought crossed my mind.


    "Ah!."


    I have a rough idea of what is going on.


    It must have been the work of a local leader who was displeased with the Governor-General''s event. Maybe there wasn''t just one person behind it. Whatever happened, it was clear what had to be done now.


    "The moment I draw the hammer of justice, your fate will be sealed."


    "What the hell are you talking about?"


    They taunted me, but I ignored them and continued talking.


    "So when you see it, crawl on your own."


    Of course, no one made a wise choice. Then what should I do?


    I have to clean it up neatly. I had my heart reced after a long time. From human to beast.


    ***


    *Thud thud thud thud!


    Boom!


    Thwack!*


    An unexpected loud noise erupted from the Government-General building. Immediately afterward, desperate screams rang out over and over again.


    "Kwaaak!"


    "Kuaaaah!"


    "Hey, save me!"


    The sturdy men were thrown around in strange positions. The reason was that all their limbs were broken.


    Shuguri, who was watching the scene, opened his eyes wide. Shuguri thought he was just a skinny guy, but he was hiding such supernatural powers. It was a truly absurd scene.


    ''''Was he originally that strong?''''


    A mysterious monologue came out unintentionally. Then Cordell McNeil shrugged and answered.


    "You didn''t know?"


    Of course not. He never shown him anything.


    "If you''re a devil, shouldn''t you be able to see through that much?"


    Shuguri never even thought about that. But even now, he can''t figure out anything.


    "Why?"


    He can''t see. It''s like there''s a thick fog.


    It was something iprehensible. He clearly looks like an ordinary human, but he is so powerful that he blocks the insight of a half-demon.


    Shuguri scratched his head with his short front paw. The ck squirrel was doing that, and it was so cute. But Cordell, who was watching that scene, furrowed his brow. Because he knew very well what the nature of this little horned beast was.


    "I''ll tell you in advance, I do not acknowledge your existence."


    "Why?"


    "Because I am a believer in the Aramid religion."


    The priest who testified in Abel''s first case was a member of the Aramid sect. Probably more than half of the people I met in passing were Aramidic believers. Because it was a religion that spread widely throughout the empire.


    Shuguri trimmed his horn with a calm expression.


    "Then what are you going to do?"


    "It means that if you do something stupid, I will cut you down."


    "That''s funny. Your master has already promised to cooperate with me. Don''t you think that''s presumptuous?"


    "He is not my master."


    "Ha! You''re struggling with that guy''s single word?"


    "Umm¡­"


    Cordell McNeil let out a long sigh.


    Duke Abel Carriers, as he have seen so far, is an absolutely wonderful person.


    However, that does not mean that he followed orders to the letter. The ck Agent moves only ording to the Emperor''s will. But he never once rebelled.


    ''Why would I get hammered for no reason?''


    A monster that bursts out blue shes while surrounded by a crimson aura. In Cordell''s eyes, Abel was portrayed like that.


    He was more fair and just than anyone else, but he was extremely cruel to those who were not human.


    What if Cordell McNeil intentionally cross the line? Whether it was a ck agent or something else, his head would have been smashed.


    But then suddenly, a rotten smile appeared on Cordell McNeil''s lips.


    "It sounds like you can''t be flustered?"


    "Of course. We don''t have a superior-subordinate rtionship."


    "Every time you request something, you have to show off your skills. Who is the master and who is the servant?"


    "That''s it¡­"


    Shuguri trailed off. When I thought about it, it seemed like what that sly knight said was right.


    Isn''t that so? He just have to do as he was told, but who would understand if he insisted that they were on an equal footing?


    "No!"


    Shuguri tried yelling at him, but all he got in return was a pouty expression and a shrug.


    Cordell smiled secretly as he looked at the back of Shuguri, who was shaking.


    ''Haha! You''re talking back, so let me give you some real advice.''


    ***


    It wasn''t difficult to get rid of the guys who had upied the Government-General Building. Although they were well-equipped and well-trained soldiers, they were nothing more than mere thieves.


    Since less than half of them had awakened the Aura, they had no choice but to fall into the trap of their weaknesses.


    No, actually, it wouldn''t have mattered even if they were pretty decent knights. I can handle that much on my own.


    "Whew! It''s been a while since I''ve felt some relief."


    I walked deep into the Government-General building, past the groaning soldiers lying on the ground. In the past, it was clearly a space where managers were busying and going in a tightly organized office.


    But now, the ce was littered with bottles of alcohol and trash. What on earth happened that made it so unmanageable?


    This used to be the butler''s office.


    When I opened the door, it was normal to see Hojein Allegan busy working.


    However, there was an odd person sitting there. A very skinny body, with dark circles under the eyes. It seemed like he was drunk, not tired. The smell of alcohol was permeating the room.


    "Haha!"


    It was a scene that made meugh out loud. As if he heard my voice, the man who had been putting his feet up on the desk raised his head.


    "Huh? What kind of guy are you?"


    "Then who are you, that you are sitting in the seat of the butler?"


    "Well, I am the butler."


    "Who picked you?"


    "I don''t know anything about that, but listen here! Get this rotten guy out of here right now!"


    The tough-looking man shouted nervously.


    But no one ever came here.


    All the guys who were messing around came in with their arms and legs broken. I''m not the type of person to handle things this violently.


    But now, my anger was rising to the top of my head.


    How could he destroy a foundation that was so wellid in just two months?


    These people are clearly part of Deliat, but how can they destroy the roots of national development in this way?


    Experience exclusive tales on m v|l e''-NovelBin


    It must have been truly crazy. Or maybe they are a people who don''t care whether their country falls or not.


    "Ah! That makes more sense. Aren''t you from Deliat?"


    "Can''t you see it? Do you think this body would fit in with this country town?"


    "I see. You look like you''d be having a dance party with monsters in the wild."


    "What?"


    Until now, no matter what I said, he just ignored it, but it seemed like he couldn''t stand this one.


    The original intention was to not look down on someone''s appearance, but this guy''s w happened to be exactly that.


    Of course, there was no point in arguing any further. Just catch them, beat them up, and find out who''s behind them.


    That''s it.


    But suddenly, I felt very uneasy.


    Somehow, I feel like there''s no point in trying to control this guy.

 Chapter 106: "Chaos in the Government-General"[2]

    "What is your name?"


    "Why should I tell you?"


    "There should be something written on the tombstone. Don''t beat around the bush and answer the question."


    "Damn it! It''s Fidel. Okay? Why isn''t anyoneing! I said, get this guy out now!"


    Finally, a unified statement was made.


    As long as it wasn''t a pseudonym, I should be able to retrieve the bastard''s character information now.


    ''Let''s see what kind of guy he is.''


    **


    **


    **Name:** Fidel


    **Status:** Commoner


    **Position:** Self-proimed Governor (Forced upation), Professional Swindler


    **Rtionship:** No acquaintance


    **Status:** Hangover from drinking too much, irritated by annoying things happening, a total viin.


    **Skill:** Devil''s Torture


    **Overall Ability:** A


    ----


    For a moment, I flinched.


    This guy had better abilities than I thought, and he even had skills.


    It''s rare to find a character like this, but why does he have to be a viin?


    ''If I can''t use him perfectly, then he''s not a guy I should let wander around in peace.''


    In fact, most people have at least one little devil deep in their hearts.


    As we live, we may act in somewhat immoral ways depending on the situation.


    I have seen many evil people in the courtroom so far, but this was the first time I''d seen a guy this tant.


    Guys like Braden Alonzo and Skyler Sierra also pretended to be fine on the outside.


    "I will ask youter about the crime of daring to act as governor."


    First of all, the life or death of the bailiff was of the utmost importance.


    I grabbed Fidel by the cor.


    "Where is the Archon of Allegan?"


    A dreary voice hung heavy on the air, but the bastard''s response was calm.


    He grumbled with an expression as if to say, "Why are you doing this so annoyingly?"


    "Why are you looking for him from me? Why don''t you go to Allegan''s hometown first?"


    I felt extremely ufortable.


    What on earth does this guy believe in toe out like this?


    Anyone who goes against the imperial ceremony in Deliat will be sent to prison.


    ''Did he  get drunk and have a headache?''


    His alcohol-damaged brain might have made crazy decisions.


    If not, he has a very strong backing.


    I think thetter is more likely¡­


    "Who cares? Just get rid of it."


    I looked around, pulling Fidel''s body tight.


    The coat I had taken off just then caught my eye.


    Most people in Deliat wore thin clothing.


    It was to block the strong sunlight and strong sandstorms.


    If I stretch that out, it''ll be a good object to tie up a person with.


    Kwak! Tight!


    I tied Fidel''s hands and feet in an instant.


    "How dare you touch the butler''s body! Can''t you untie this?"


    "Oh, man, that''s fucking noisy. You''re under arrest now. So shut up."


    "Who are you to be arresting me?"


    "Me? Governor."


    "What are you talking about? Why is the Governor suddenly here¡­?"


    Fidel''s eyes, which had been blinking nkly, opened wide.


    It seemed like he finally realized who I was.


    But strangely enough, the leisurely expression on his lips did not disappear.


    Does that mean he''s confident that he can cover it up even if he gets caught acting like a butler?


    I couldn''t figure out what was going on, but one thing was certain.


    "Usually, during an arrest, various things happen."


    "What are you talking about?"


    "For example, if a criminal resists violently."


    "It''s already tied up tightly."


    "I''m the kind of person who always tries to live righteously, but sometimespromises are necessary."


    Baaaak!


    I quickly brought down the gavel I had raised high.


    It was to fix this rotten bastard''s mind.


    So I didn''t hit him hard enough to kill him.


    I just scolded him enough to instill some manners.


    Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!


    "It seems excessive to call it a reprimand."


    "Really? I think it''s suitable."


    "Well, if Your Majesty so wishes, then so be it."


    "It seems like you''ve be a bit more perceptive these days?"


    "Haha! Whose fault is it all¡­ No."


    Cordell McNeil, who had been watching the situation, spoke with a pale face.


    Fidel had already lost consciousness.


    Now that he''s been beaten up so badly while still drunk, it''s only natural.


    At this point, the punishment has been met.


    It was time to find out how far this situation had spread.


    "Let''s go to the police station."


    "Yes."


    To keep the Government-General from doing anything strange.


    That was the very purpose of the police force''s existence.


    But the current situation was five minutes away from a mess.


    Administrative power was virtually non-existent, and the city lost all its vitality.


    It must be said that the police chief is also responsible for this situation.


    ''If he had done his job properly, this wouldn''t have happened.''


    The police station building was right next to the Governor-General''s Office.


    But when I got there, I saw an even more absurd sight.


    "The chief of police is not at his post. Please make an appointment ande backter."


    The gatekeeper''s remarks were truly spectacr.


    He say such things knowing who I am?


    ''Let''s see what kind of guy he is.''


    If I search for people who do janitor work, I''ll find them right away.


    However, the Deliart tab itself had disappeared from the employee management window.


    I didn''t open it that often because I thought something might happen, but a huge change happened overnight.


    ''Why did it turn out like this?''


    It wouldn''t just be because the Governor-General''s Office was taken away.


    It seemed like that was because it wasn''t run on my money anymore.


    This is also a government office.


    "What do we do now?"


    I burst outughing at Cordell''s question.


    "No, shouldn''t the words "opening the way"e first?"


    "It''s not like we''re enemies, so there''s no reason to do that."


    Actually, I wondered when this person would ever act like a tongue in the mouth.


    Don''t just keep nagging me.


    It didn''t matter whether Deliart disappeared from the staff management window or not.


    I am the real ultimate authority in Deliat, even though I am not shown on the hologram.


    No matter what you do, the Emperor will watch over you.


    I nced at Cordell McNeil and said:


    "There is a reason for that. The rotten parts need to be cut out."


    Swish! Paaaaak!


    The gavel, which had been slowly being raised, came down like lightning.


    ***


    I didn''t want to resort to such barbaric measures either.


    If you want to resolve the issue through legal procedures in an elegant and sophisticated manner.


    As in the capital city of Perias.


    But withwbreakers running around, will talking alone solve the problem?


    "Then we have no choice but to resort to force."


    Before I knew it, there were countless corpses(?) scattered around me.


    Actually, they didn''t really die; they just passed out.


    It looks kind of creepy because there isn''t even a single movement.


    They are all security personnel.


    Even though the true master of Deliat returned, they disobeyed the order.


    ''It is certain that they are guilty.''


    I walked down the hallway and opened the door to the chief''s office.


    I heard some noise inside, but I paid no attention to it.


    I was confident that I could block whatever came in.


    Spin! Thump!


    As expected, a sharp, blood-red sword was thrust right in front of my eyes.


    But the blow of conversion was blocked in vain.


    This was because I changed the trajectory by pushing the ck surface with my fingertips.


    ''Oh! This works.''


    There was no hesitation, and the attack was so fast that it stung a little.


    But I didn''t show it at all and just nced at the de stuck in the door frame.


    The force was so strong that it went in more than halfway deep, even though it is fairly hard wood.


    "It''s been a while."


    As I slowly moved my gaze and spoke, a middle-aged man with a stern face came into view.


    Lukon Omir.


    Surprisingly, this person was the chief of police, whom I had personally appointed.


    He was clearly a passionate and very righteous person.


    ''What on earth changed the interest rate?''


    He don''t care what the Governor-General does, and now he''sunching a surprise attack on the Governor-General?


    It waspletely different from two months ago.


    Moreover, it wasn''t just behavior that changed.


    He had gained so much weight that his once cautious and strong appearance had turned into that of a greedy pig.


    Chief Omir furrowed his brow and growled.


    "Why did youe back? It seemed like you were eating well and living well in the empire."


    "It is to carry out His Majesty the Emperor''s orders. That was the reason I took up the post in the first ce."


    "Nonsense! You''re nning on raising Deliat and eating her too. Do you think we don''t know that?"


    What the hell is this?


    How much money have I invested in Deliat so far?


    Oh, of course, I didn''t spend that much cash.


    All I did was teach the Cordyceps militaris cultivation method and create a board game.


    But these things provided the foundation for the economy to revive.


    In fact, it was growing explosively.


    "It''s disappointing. I brought back Deliat, who was on the verge of death, to normal."


    "History proves it. Every governor has done it."


    "Please give your personal assessment after the work is over. Of course, after I am in prison."


    "Even if you are a duke of the Amman Empire, your authority will not work here. Strike!"


    Tadadadadada! Shhh!


    Arge number of security guards poured out of the office.


    Despite the surprise attack, I was ready.


    The situation had be chaotic, but my focus remained.


    The guards, though numerous, were no match for my skill and resolve.

 Chapter 107: Psychological Blow

    Tadadadadada! Shhh!


    Arge number of security guards poured out of the office.


    Despite the surprise attack, I was ready.


    The situation had be chaotic, but my focus remained.


    The guards, though numerous, were no match for my skill and resolve.


    Even just looking at it roughly, it seemed like there were easily over twenty people.


    How can so many people push through with such force in such a narrow space?


    Even for someone with great skills, it wouldn''t be easy to ovee. But that only applies to normal humans.


    "Oh, I really don''t want to solve this by force."


    ¡ºThe Beast''s Heart Activates¡»


    Tsk tsk tsk tsk!


    The red energy burned more intensely than usual. It felt like the cold anger that had started in my heart was projected as it was.


    Actually, I was enduring a lot.


    No, isn''t that right? How hard I tried to normalize Deliat.


    He''s going to disparage all of that and distort it as if it had evil intentions?


    ''I feel a huge sense of betrayal. Really.''


    How on earth did I elect this piece of trash as chief of police? A sense of self-loathing clouded my mind.


    In times like this, I just need to think about one thing.


    "Why am I making things soplicated? If something is wrong, I should fix it right away."


    ¡ºActivation of Destructive Retribution¡»


    Wiggle!


    The only attack skill that is cast consecutively. Although it was monotonous, I was confident that my power was stronger than anyone else''s.


    Shuhwaaaaak! Kuhwaaaaang!


    Arge hole appeared in the police headquarters building as a brilliant beam of light poured out. It was truly amazing to see one side of the wallpletely disappear.


    Enough so that the police officers who were rushing toward me just stared nkly for a while.


    ''Even though we''ve finally built a new building, there''s no way to make it more certain.''


    From now on, whenever the police officers saw a copsed building, they would think of me.


    Who is the real governor of Deliat? Look at it now. They are so scared that no one even thinks of rushing in.


    I stared at Lukon Omir and muttered softly,


    "Will you die or will you ask for forgiveness now? Choose carefully. I will give you exactly 10 seconds."


    The tone was polite, but the content was anything but.


    Can''t make good decisions? Then the ending was decided.


    I will shatter him into pieces like that copsed wall.


    Fear spread across the faces of the security guards. Finally, the countdown waspleted.


    "Do you still have the heart to dare?"


    I asked the question with a smile, and at that moment, everyone fell apart at once.


    They dered surrender one after another, as if they simply could not bring themselves to face them.


    "Oh, no."


    "Look at this. I''ve already thrown away my weapon!"


    "Where would a low-level official like us have the authority to make decisions? We just did what we were told."


    There were many stories in detail.


    When I heard it, it sounded usible.


    Because if he had spoken the truth, he might have gotten beaten up instead of being able to keep his position.


    Isn''t that exactly the atmosphere going on right now?


    They have taken control of the Government-General and the National Police Headquarters at will.


    ''But I don''t have the heart to just forgive him.''


    Once they start seeing things like this, they''ll find themselves making the same choices over and over again. They will realize who the true owner of the Government-General is and will not even think of resisting.


    How can those who are worse than mercenaries be called officials?


    It''s normal to have at least a minimal amount of loyalty.


    But first, I had to make him my ally.


    ''The biggest problem is that I have no one on my side.''


    Although there have been many great administrators in office, none have been able to normalize Deliat.


    After all, the governor was just an outsider.


    They only pretend to listen to me in front of me, but they''re probably doing all sorts of strange things behind my back.


    I''ve only been gone for two months, and it''s be such a mess. The Imperial forces on the border may be feared, but they will take time to arrive.


    In the meantime, they must have eaten Deliat inside out and run away to their heart''s content.


    ''I need to create a solid power base in the leadership. For example, by giving more power to Archon Allegan.''


    If Hojaein''s leadership had been stronger, there wouldn''t have been such a big problem. The Governor-General''s Office wouldn''t have been taken over like it is now.


    But I felt like I had forgotten something really important.


    "Ah! Butler."


    If Deliat had be like this, Hojein Allegan would not have been safe either. Wasn''t he a great official who kept his position until the end, even in a country that was in ruins?


    I ended up blowing away all that talent.


    I quickly took one step at a time toward Lukon Omir. Then I pointed to Cordell McNeil, who was following behind.


    To be precise, I''m talking about Fidel, who is tied up tightly.


    "Do you know that guy well?"


    "Hmm."


    Chief Omir let out a low growl. Fidel was originally supposed to be in control of the Government General. But, how could such a person have been captured like this?


    Then, I had to see it as the same situation as the police headquarters. I smiled broadly and raised my right hand.


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The red mes burned and created an overwhelming sense of oppression. Of course, I don''t know how the other person will feel. I guess my guess was roughly correct.


    Before I knew it, Lukon Omir''s face had turned pale.


    "If you don''t want to end up like Fidel, you''d better answer honestly. Where is Hojein Allegan?"


    "¡­"


    The opponent couldn''t open his mouth easily. It seemed like it was quite sensitive information.


    That doesn''t mean there''s nothing we can''t figure out. Because he didn''t seem like a great person who wouldn''t bow down to overwhelming power.


    Tsk tsk tsk tsk! Snap!


    Chief of Police Omir was held helplessly by me. Unlike a little while ago when he had made a surprise attack with curiosity, he looked quite lethargic.


    Well, I guess it''s understandable to be scared, having seen entire walls of buildings being torn down.


    Soon I started to tighten my grip.


    "You don''t seem to understand if I speak like a gentleman, but treason can be punished summarily. If you want to live a normal life, you''d better speak up quickly."


    "What is that¡­ ¡­ ."


    "I won''t kill you. I''ll make you live the rest of your life in pain. Isn''t death too lenient?"


    "Ugh!"


    Lukon Omir''s face suddenly distorted. The pain seemed to be beyond endurance. In the end, there was no choice but to surrender to him.


    "Sand dunes northwest of the city. Floor gate."


    "hmm?"


    For a moment, I tilted my head. For some reason, it felt like a very familiar ce.


    * * *


    And filled with yellow. A fierce wind blew and shook my whole body. I let out a short sigh at the unfamiliar yet familiar sight.


    "Ha! I didn''t know I''de here again."


    "Yes, that''s right."


    Cordell also knew this ce quite well.


    Isn''t this the midpoint where Skyler Sierra kept the women?


    By running a criminal organization called Preta.


    After digging about 10cm of dirt, a thick floor door appeared. There was no lock or anything like that.


    The sand dunes act as natural camouge, so you wouldn''t know you were walking right over them.


    Bam! Bam!


    I opened the door wide, and a sharp sword light shot out. It seemed like they attacked me right away because I tried to enter without any signal.


    "It''s not as expected."


    It''s a hideout owned by a criminal group, so this is to be expected.


    I snatched my opponent''s sword away with a light gesture. The reason this feat was possible was simple.


    This was because the difference in strength and speed was so overwhelming.


    Bam!


    Instead of a gavel, a fist was thrust into the enemy''s face.


    "What are you going to do if you carry something this dangerous around?"


    He muttered as he pushed the attacker aside.


    dump!


    The man copsed helplessly, and soon the entire basement was revealed.


    The atmosphere waspletely different from that time when they had lured women by saying they had jobs.


    It has be muchrger after undergoing expansion work, and it has been decorated quite luxuriously. It felt like a secret vi of a nobleman.


    ''Did they exchange them for expensive items to save up the gold coins because it would be obvious if they stole them?''


    It was a fairly credible guess. Otherwise, there would be no way to keep prisoners in a ce like this.


    Rustle!


    Suddenly, there was a noise from inside the hideout. As I passed the pile of stuff, a friendly face appeared.


    It was Allegan, a shabby giant wearing a robe.


    "Your Majesty, you are here."


    "Oh! Your Excellency the Governor! D, finally¡­ ¡­ ."


    The Allegan custodian staggered toward him and held out both hands.


    With such a strong reaction, it seems like he must have had a hard time. I decided to especially listen to this old man''s whining.


    But it was at that very moment when I was about to give him a warm hug.


    Swish! Boom!


    My eyes became dizzy with an eerie sensation at my waist.


    "Ehhhhhh! It''s so easy, aren''t you letting your guard down?"


    A mean smile appeared on the pitiful-looking face of Hojein Allegan.


    ''The betrayal of a confidant I trusted so much. This is quite a psychological blow.''


    Since it was a surprise attack while they were defenseless, everyone would have suffered severe injuries.


    But there was one thing that the Allegan Consul overlooked. It turned out that I was much stronger than I thought.


    A smile appeared on my lips and the gavel was slowly raised.


    "uh?"


    The moment Hojein let out that stupid exmation, a divine punishment fell upon his head.


    Boom!


    I can hear the sound of a bones breaking.

 Chapter 108: Administration Scandal Case [1]

    Who would have thought that Hojein Allegan was the mastermind behind all this? To be honest, it was apletely unexpected result. Of course, the other person would have been quite surprised as well.


    He stabbed me in the stomach with arge knife, but I was still standing.


    "Oh, well, how?"


    Hojein''s chin was shaking, as if he was quite surprised.


    Oh, is that because i hit my head? But it didn''t hit that hard.


    No matter how angry you are, you should at least try to talk.


    I smiled broadly and slowly spread my left arm, with the de held in my hand.


    *Snap, crack, snap!*


    A red aura that burns brightly. What saved my life in that split second was the heart of the beast. I was able to capture the opponent''s subtle movements thanks to the skill effect.


    I looked down at Hojein and said, "Why did you do that?"


    "What?"


    The answer I got back was incredibly shameless. The expression on his face, as if he didn''t understand English, was pure innocence itself.


    ''Wow! What kind of sociopath is this?''


    A hollowugh escaped my lips at the look in his eyes that showed not a hint of guilt. Still, I asked the question one more time.


    "Deliat was quickly bing normal. And didn''t you give the consuls sufficient sries and authority?"


    The question was, what iscking that is making this happen?


    Until now, Hojein Allegan has held the position of consul withoutpensation. Wasn''t the reason to see Deliat standing up straight?


    The other person''s expression became distorted. It seemed as if his strong will was shaken by what I said.


    "That¡­"


    Finally, Hojein''s mouth opened, his expression very frowning. But then I felt a subtle pressure on my left arm. I gritted my teeth and let out a short sigh.


    "Ha! It''s hopeless."


    This was because the opponent was secretly putting strength into the sword.


    What does this mean? The intention is to take advantage of the moment of carelessness and poke at me again.


    "No, just a moment."


    "Don''t be a jerk. There''s no need to talk anymore."


    *Snap!*


    As I applied force to my left hand, the de bent like a sheet of paper. Then, I punched Hojein Allegan in the face with a punch filled with anger.


    *Crunch!*


    "Grrrr!"


    This time, it was a heartfelt punch without any mercy. It was probably even more shocking than being hit by a gavel.


    Hojein, who had fallen backward, rolled his eyes. The viin who caused Deliat to regress has finally been arrested. Although it was a bit coercive, there couldn''t be a more efficient way.


    ''No, no matter how hard I tried to have a rational conversation, it wouldn''t have worked.''


    From the beginning, everyone from the management to the citizens was filled with barbaric thoughts. It seemed to me that the Empire was the same, but it was especially bad here.


    I felt that way even more because the country hadpletely fallen apart once. If so, a very powerful treatment would be needed.


    ''Everything from A to Z needs to be reformed.''


    * * *


    Those who were eating away at the Government-General were arrested one after another.


    Because so many people participated, the police detention center was about to burst. It didn''t really matter, though, because they were nning to try dozens of people at once anyway.


    Of course, the procedure is arbitrary.


    ''The police that are supposed to investigate are a mess, and the prosecution is also full of people involved.''


    Still, the trial will proceed smoothly. Anyway, all the criminals were caught, and all the evidence was out there. If it''s like this, it''s just a standard for punishment...


    No, actually, there was nothing like that. I could have just passed judgment as I pleased because the imperial code was still applied in Deliat.


    Three days after Hojein Allegan was captured, the first trial was finally held.


    "We will now begin the trial of the Government-General''s State Administration Scandal Case."


    Since there was no associate judge, I had to conduct the entire process myself. So, I lightly omitted the question of asking him to salute me.


    ''It feels a bit unfamiliar.''


    I had seen Judge Josef Padi do it so often that I knew I couldn''t make a mistake.


    As Hojein sat down as the defendant, a loud noise erupted from the gallery.


    "Hey, hey! You piece of trash!"


    "You don''t even know the grace of the Governor-General, and you are ruining the country?"


    "They say that the amount of taxes they''ve avoided so far is enough to build a small park in gold."


    "I didn''t think the Allegan family would be like that, but they''re all the same."


    The voices were unanimous in their fierce condemnation. There were parts that resonated with me, so I wanted to hear more, but I couldn''t.


    *Bang, bang, bang!*


    "Be quiet."


    I tried to calm the heated atmosphere by striking the gavel. But the excitement did not easily subside because most of the audience were wageborers who made a living thanks to government-funded construction projects.


    ''I can''t do this well. I''m not as shameless as Josef.''


    Of course, I was also a tough person.


    If you don''t have guts, you can''t even do police work.


    He said that he trained by rolling around here and there on site.


    "Quiet!"


    *Boom!*


    As the gavel came down with a rebuke, silence finally fell. It wasn''t just because of the loud ringing sound.


    It was because the beast''s heart, which was pulled up in an instant, emitted a powerful force. Most of the audience probably felt their hearts sink.


    "Ahem! Since there is no prosecutor to proceed with the proceedings, this trial will proceed at the discretion of the court. Is the defendant''s name Hojein Allegan?"


    "¡­Yes."


    "The amount of embezzlement on paper was 50,000 gold. But why was there only half that amount of money in the hideout?"


    Hojein, who had been chewing his lips, soon lowered his head. His head was probably spinning. Which one is more beneficial? But even so, it didn''t make much of a difference.


    "Stop worrying. Even if you try to hide the embezzlement, you won''t be able to use it for anything."


    "What does that mean?"


    "If you just consider the crimes you''vemitted so far, you''ll be in prison for the rest of your life."


    "That''s ridiculous! I just stole a few gold coins¡­"


    "Defendant!"


    I shouted at Hojein, who was talking nonsense.


    Then everyone''s attention focused on me.


    A silence so thick fell over the room that you could hear a pin drop. Finally, I stabbed him with a wedge-like thrust.


    "Whose dog''s name is 25,000 Golden? Isn''t that the total wealth of the Allegan familybined?"


    It was arge sum of money that even the imperial aristocrats would be astonished by. Even if he were the governor of a small country like Deliat, he would only be a local figure.


    ''So that''s why your eyes rolled back.''


    What if a huge amount of taxes were collected, and you could do with it whatever you wanted?


    Anyone would have been tempted. It must have felt like it was all his own money.


    ''There''s no response.''


    Even though I urged him again, Hojein''s mouth would not open. Now was the time to gently coax him.


    "Okay. If you tell me where the rest of the money is hidden, I''ll cut your sentence in half."


    "Excuse me?"


    "Yes."


    "Please exin in detail. From where to where."


    Oh, you''re so quick-witted. I hit it just as I thought, and then tried to shorten it to say something like this. The author probably doesn''t know what the original sentence was.


    It was a kind of three-pronged operation. But then you can''t use tricks. After thinking for a moment, I soon spoke with confident eyes.


    "25 years out of 50 years."


    "Did you really intend to punish me so harshly? After all, I have devoted myself to Deliat!"


    To be honest, I thought it was great. But Hojein''s achievements are a thing of the past. Aren''t you currently under arrest for embezzlement and dereliction of duty?


    The mistakes were so great that they overshadowed the good work.


    I said, pointing to the audience.


    "Defendant, how are those people looking at you?"


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    Hojein looked back absentmindedly. I couldn''t see his face, but it probably had a puzzled expression. Because so many people were looking at him.


    "Hey, why are you looking at me like that?"


    "Because you took away their hope. Because you clipped the wings of Deliat, who was trying to fly high. Why don''t you realize that yet?"


    "I, I just did the same thing as the previous governors! What''s wrong with that?"


    Actually, if you look at it from a different perspective, he was right. Because past governors squeezed Deliat to make their own money. But I''m not the type of person to get caught up in that kind of bullshit logic.


    "That doesn''t mean you''re allowed to embezzle and neglect your duties. Do you have anything else to say? Are you not going to confess?"


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    Hojein kept his mouth shut, his fists trembling. His appearance still showed that he couldn''t admit his own mistakes.


    Negotiating a plea deal for that guy? Isn''t that too merciful?


    ''It''s hidden money anyway, so we can find it by hitting other guys.''


    I immediately picked up the gavel.

 Chapter 109: Administration Scandal Case [2]

    I immediately picked up the gavel.


    "I hereby sentence the defendant to 60 years in prison. In addition, in order to trace the whereabouts of the embezzled funds, I will seize his assets for the time being."


    "Oh, no!" Hojein jumped up from his seat and screamed. Then he looked at me and spoke passionately.


    "Didn''t you clearly say 50 years? Can the judge say this and that?"


    ''Yeah, that''s okay with me,'' I thought.


    I wanted to say something like that, but I held back because it was a courtroom. I raised the corners of my lips and answered Allegan''s question.


    "You didn''t tell me where the rest of the embezzled funds are. That''s an additional charge of treason."


    Oh, I almost forgot to mention that. Then I looked at the audience and opened my mouth.


    "All the money that was embezzled will be recovered, and Deliat will be normalized. I apologize for any inconvenience caused."


    As I bowed my head politely, a thunderous cheer erupted from the audience.


    "Whoa! I''m alive!"


    "Ugh! Thank you, Your Excellency the Governor!"


    "Hurrah! Hurrah!"


    "Please don''t leave now, Your Majesty!"


    I am probably the most trusted governor in Deliat. I didn''t want to let down their enthusiastic cheers.


    ''I''m sorry, but I have to go to the Empire someday. This time, I will make sure that the system never copses.''


    During my retreat, I made a resolution to myself several times. The trials continued one after another. Since there were so many people involved, it was inevitable.


    There was no way to look down on a low-ranking official who did as he was told.


    I need to establish a proper precedent now so that no one will do anything foolish in the future. After sending so many people to prison, the work was finally done.


    I left the court with a tired face.


    "Ah!"


    A long sigh escaped me. It was practically like starting everything over again.


    There was a huge administrative vacuum because most of the officials were in prison. For the time being, no public affairs would function properly.


    That is until I select managers from the educated ss and set up the administrative system right.


    "It''s already getting dark in front of my eyes?" As I was walking along, organizing myplicated thoughts, someone approached me.


    "Your Excellency the Governor."


    Suddenly, I looked up and saw a rather wee face standing there.


    His true identity is Kuro Allegan. He was the chief executive officer in charge of the distribution of Cordyceps sinensis pills and board games.


    He was also a brother of Hojein Allegan. Oh, this is really suspicious.


    "Let me ask you one thing. Were you aware of this situation?"


    Kuro Allegan lowered his head with a bitter expression.


    "I am ashamed of my brother for doing such a thing. If I may make ame excuse, I would like to tell you that I was not in Deliat."


    "You had no idea?"


    "I noticed something strange recently, so I sent a letter to Your Excellency the Governor."


    "It looks like it crossed in the middle."


    "Looking at you in front of me now, it seems so."


    Honestly, I find it hard to trust people anymore. What do you do if you determine through the character information window that the person is not a viin? It can always changeter.


    I went straight to check Kuro Allegan''s condition.


    ''Regret, resentment about your brother''s choice?''


    It certainly seemed like this person had nothing to do with the embezzlement case.


    Well, wasn''t the Kuro upper ss a group that faithfully paid taxes to the Governor-General?


    He can''t do anything with money that''s already out of his hands. If it were relevant, there should have been different content floating around in the character''s status.


    "All right."


    "Do you believe me?"


    "There''s no way I wouldn''t trust the Allegan leader. I just asked out of concern."


    "I understand. You had no choice. The embezzler and I are brothers."


    Kuro furrowed his brow. It must be so frustrating. My brother left and brought shame on the family''s reputation.


    "Anyway, there will be a lot of work to do now. How about the Chief Commander refrain from traveling abroad and help me out a bit?"


    "Now that the sales channels are almost all open, the lower-level managers will take care of it. I will help them in every way, including material and spiritual support. Including your share."


    "Thank you for saying so. Let''s go."


    "Yes."


    I invited Kuro Allegan to the Governor''s Residence. I had a lot to say. But what are you trying to do by calling in a senior executive at this critical time?


    ''This is the moment when this person''s skills are needed.''


    Kuro Allegan. Possesses the skill ''Employee Exploitation.''


    I was going to put this horrible man in the position of consul.


    ***


    The administrative vacuum in the Governor-General''s Office was filled with Kuro''s upper-level staff.


    Since everyone was well-versed in ounting, they were able to handle money-rted tasks with ease. The most important thing right now is the investment of public funds, so it was truly the best choice.


    ''Ah, I want to take them all away.''


    These are the talents that Kuro Allegan has worked hard to cultivate.


    I would let those who wanted to stay, but I had no intention of forcing them to stay. If you use too forceful a method, they will only think about running away. There is no choice but to gently coax them with good treatment.


    ''Those who want toe wille.''


    The perception of management in Deliat was not very good.


    Because in Joseon Dynasty terms, it felt like a government official. Since there is no sry, exploitingmoners is the norm.


    Whenever public funds came to the Government-General, they were busy embezzling them, saying it was money for the blind. But now it''spletely different.


    ''The treatment is better than most other workces.''


    In addition, they were given uniforms and identification badges to help them feel proud. Of course, it seemed a bit crude to me, but there were employees who were tempted by these benefits.


    A sense of belonging has a tremendous impact on human identity.


    "Thank you for your hard work." I was wandering around the office and said hello to my coworkers.


    Then everyone was startled and stood up from their seats.


    "Huh! Your Excellency the Governor, what brings you here?"


    "I''m thinking about my work environment. Is it a bit overwhelming these days?"


    "No problem. Even though we''re busy, everyone is working happily."


    I''m giving them 1.5 times the sry they were getting at the top, so that''s what it should be.


    These words were on the tip of my tongue, but I held them back with superhuman strength. Fact assault should only be done between friends or enemies.


    I handed over a basket containing cookies and drinks.


    "Please eat this while you do this. Thank you for your encouragement."


    "Oh my! No. Why are you doing all this¡­?"


    One of the employees waved his hand furiously. But the position of the hand changed in an instant.


    The skill of pretending not to win and epting it was somehow unusual.


    ''I guess I need to be careful with this one.''


    I looked closely at the name tag engraved on the badge.


    I gave them the uniform and badge, and I thought it wasfortable. Because I can call up the character information window without having to enter their full name.


    ''Sawyer Gibson.''


    I had my hopes up, but he wasn''t that dangerous of a person. It didn''t seem like he was receiving any bribes; he just seemed like a person who was good at socializing.


    Well, the sry is high, so is it really necessary to take such a risk?


    "Then, thank you for your hard work."


    "Yes, thank you, Your Excellency the Governor."


    After looking around the office, I went straight to the auditorium.


    Although the name was given to it, it was different from the building everyone knew. It''s called a lecture hall, but it''s basically just a converted warehouse.


    Actually, this is eptable in Deliat. Because it is such a backward area.


    There were a lot of people gathered in the auditorium. Still, it wasn''t that noisy. This was because there were a few employees to maintain order.


    "Your Excellency the Governor! Are you here?"


    "Yes, how much have you gathered?"


    "It feels like everyone who knows how to write has gathered here. The line stretches all the way to the back of the building."


    "It might be a bit difficult, but it''s not bad. It means it''s popr."


    "Of course. Everyone respects the Governor so much." The staff praised me endlessly, saying it was all thanks to my reputation.


    It wasn''t ttery to win favor, but it did have some real influence. However, that could not be seen as all.


    ''Because the treatment was good to begin with. The Governor-General''s virtue only added a little favor.''


    This is probably the most urate analysis. I waved my hand slowly to tell him to stop talking nonsense.


    "The interview will begin. Let us in one by one."


    "Yes!"


    Soon after, my specialty, filtering out people just by hearing their names, began.


    Anyone with even the slightest bad disposition will be eliminated. We hired people who had a high level of job enthusiasm.


    However, the interview, which was supposed tost 10 seconds, was getting longer and longer.


    It was for a slightly embarrassing reason.

 Chapter 110: New Law

    "It is an honor to meet you, Your Excellency the Governor!"


    "Yes, nice to meet you. What is your name?"


    "This is Leslie Bandro."


    "What did you do?"


    "I worked in ounting at the top."


    "Until when?"


    "Until yesterday."


    ''What on earth does this mean? You move after it''s confirmed that you''re changing jobs. How dare you act so recklessly. ''


    Anyway, I had already made up my mind.


    ''This is eptable.''


    With four years of experience working at the top, he was full of respect for me and enthusiasm for his work.


    How could I not choose a guy like this?


    As we were about to end the interview, Leslie raised his hand.


    "Your Excellency the Governor."


    "Yes, go ahead."


    "Could you please just give me your autograph?"


    "Yes?"


    I was just blinking at the sudden request.


    A lowly noble from a vassal state asking something like this from the highest-ranking royal family of the empire?


    No, let''s put aside the fact that it''s rude.


    Anyway, I don''t care about empty formalities.


    But is this realistically possible?


    ''If I think about it, we are the ones who destroyed Deliat.''


    It was certain that his feelings toward the Governor-General were not good.


    Up until now, officials dispatched from the empire have repeatedlymitted corruption.


    "Ugh! I was rude. I apologize, Your Excellency the Governor."


    As I remained silent, Leslie Bandro bowed his head.


    He looked embarrassed and sorry.


    I was watching that scene and nodded btedly.


    "Okay. Where should I put it?"


    "Here."


    "Yes?"


    Leslie immediately held out his coat¡ªa thin cloth that Deliat people always wear.


    He want me to sign over here?


    I was like, what the hell is this, I''m not even an athlete.


    Still, I dipped my quill in ink.


    It''s not that difficult, is it? There''s no need to refuse.


    Swish! Swish!


    Fortunately, the coat was made of a material that absorbed ink well.


    It wasn''t anything fancy like a signature; it was just my name written in cursive.


    Still, Leslie Bandro was so happy he almost burst into tears.


    "Oh my! Thank you, Your Excellency!"


    "Oh, yes. I will contact you if you pass, okay."


    "It doesn''t matter if I fail. Today is the best day of my life." Read new chapters at m_v-l''e|-NovelBin


    Leslie left the interview room, jumping up and down.


    I chuckled slightly and stroked my chin.


    It was a little embarrassing, but honestly, I didn''t feel that bad.


    ''This is what it feels like to have a passionate fan.''


    I often heard people cheering. But this was the first time I had been asked for an autograph.


    Everyone had a hard time with me because of my high status.


    But the moment I met the next interviewer, I felt a deep regret.


    "Your Excellency the Governor."


    "Yes?"


    "Excuse me, could you please give me an autograph?"


    "No, but I don''t think there''s a need to lie down like that?"


    "Give me the glory, just as you did to Mr. Bandro!"


    "This is¡­ ¡­ ."


    I looked embarrassed, but I signed anyway.


    But then the next person made the same request.


    Plus, all the interviewers lined up and held out all kinds of objects, asking for an autograph like Leslie Bandro.


    After repeating this hundreds of times, a bad thought suddenly urred to me.


    ''Oh, should I not hire that guy?''


    * * *


    Even though the country was in ruins, there were still countless talented people in Deliat.


    It just hasn''t seen the light of day yet.


    I found a gem in the mud and wanted to process it neatly.


    What is absolutely necessary for that is...


    ''School.''


    It was not intended to raise the overall educational level of the nation.


    It''s just an attempt to mentally arm the newly elected managers.


    How did the once diligent Hojein Allegan change?


    There was now that prevented such an incident from happening again.


    ''I have to prevent it in advance.''


    I know that too.


    Even if I build a system with numerous checks and bnces and procedures, there will inevitably be holes.


    Because it was humans who did all that.


    Of course, they may fall into mannerisms or make wrong judgments.


    But now there was not even the slightest barrier to prevent absurdity and injustice.


    It''s an environment where the powerful can abuse their power at will.


    ''What if it wasn''t me wielding that sword?''


    The judges of the empire followed my precedent to some extent.


    Because the authority of the Supreme Court remains alive.


    But this ce is a wastnd ofw.


    Since I was rebuilding from scratch, I was determined to get everything right.


    "Of course, the intention is good, but the problem is that it''s incredibly annoying."


    How could it be easy to overhaul thew and establish a system?


    Moreover, there is no one here to even put our heads together and discuss things.


    Having to rely on my memory for everything was absolutely terrifying.


    ''I wish I could at least cut down on writing a little bit... huh?''


    As I was muttering to myself while holding the quill pen, a good idea suddenly urred to me.


    Anyway, isn''t thew I''m creating now something that the managers need to be familiar with?


    In that case, there is no need to do it alone.


    I walked straight toward the Governor-General''s Office.


    "You should be prepared to lose your arms. You are ves to the text. No, you rookie managers."


    Of course, I used it separately, but I had no intention of doing it with my bare hands.


    Even if they give me a golden coin, my reputation won''t go down.


    As I was moving with a sinister smile on my face, I suddenly heard someone''s voice next to me.


    "When I see you like this, you really seem like the devil."


    It was my escort, Cordell McNeill, who followed me like a shadow.


    What is he talking about?


    This is all for Deliat.


    ***


    "Evidence collected without following due process cannot be used as evidence."


    I read the neww in a loud voice.


    Actually, it wasn''t anything particrly special.


    Because it is the result of squeezing out memories.


    Even though I''m good at memorizing, I''m not good enough to chew through the entirew code.


    So the order was messed up.


    The exclusion of illegally collected evidence is originally Article 308-2 of the Criminal Procedure Act, but here it is simply Article 14.


    ''So what? As long as it works well wherever it is, that''s fine.''


    Square! Square!


    Every time I opened my mouth, the sound of the quill ying sounded like an orchestra.


    This was because 50 new managers were in the process of being appointed.


    ''Wow! Automatic hunting is the best after all.''


    It would have taken me a very long time to revise all of that code.


    My arms must have been overworked.


    Besides, the managers will have to write it down separately.


    Because there aren''t even basic printers here.


    ''Should I make metal type?''


    Vargas, the sorcerer of Nermia, was able to mass-produce extremely precise crafts.


    Perhaps even grain-sized letters would be possible.


    I thought that if things continued like this, the typewriter woulde out before metal type.


    Of course, to do that, you need to start with mechanical engineering¡­ ¡­ .


    "Wow! There''s a lot to get dirty about."


    "Yes?"


    "Oh, sorry. I was just talking to myself. Where did I end up?"


    "It is a judicial review."


    "Let''s continue. The court may, when it deems it necessary, conduct an examination of evidence at its own discretion¡­ ¡­ ."


    After about two weeks of auto-hunting, the end was finally in sight.


    It was the first code ofw in which criminal procedure and criminalw were separated.


    Moreover, now even sentencing standards have been set.


    This somewhat limits the judge''s discretion.


    It wasn''t that unreasonable, though.


    It simply prevented felonies from being punished lightly and misdemeanors from being punished severely.


    ''This is enough.''


    In fact, things like this used to bemonce.


    Those with connections to the court or who were of noble birth always received lighter punishments.


    Is it okay to do anything as long as they pay a small fine?


    But themon people were different.


    If the victim was a nobleman, he could be sentenced to death or imprisonment for even the slightest offense.


    Even fines andpensation were added on top of that.


    ''If it were me, I would definitely not make that kind of decision.''


    But what about the other judges?


    If they don''t want to give in to external pressure, they have to have at least some excuse.


    There''s nothing I can do about it because the sentencing standards are like this.


    I tried to see as much as I could.


    He hits the middle-aged man while saying this.


    Then, even a judge who does not have a strong backing will be able to make a proper decision.


    It will definitely have a positive impact.


    "Okay. Let''s just announce it and apply it¡­ . I guess I can''t do that."


    Why?


    Because there is no judge to judge.


    I was practically alone in Deliat.


    There were predecessors, but most of them were not human.


    ''I''m going to go back. How can there be nothing right in this country?''


    It seemed like it would have to be selected from among the newly elected officials.


    If you look closely and see someone with a strong sense of justice, you should pick them out.


    Of course, before that, I had to go through all the trials myself.


    Fortunately, there haven''t been manywsuits recently.


    Because these are such dangerous times, everyone is taking precautions.


    However, it was not possible to avoid a trial altogether.


    As people live, all kinds of conflicts are bound to arise.

 Chapter 111: Civil Case [1]

    "We will now begin the trial regarding the inheritance and division of property of the Kuroso Brick Factory," I announced.


    This time, it was a civil case, not a criminal one. The owner of a brick factory had died, and his two sons were fighting over who should receive therger share of his estate.


    Inheritance trials were quite rare in the Empire and in Deliat. If the court intervened, the matter was usually resolved quickly. The reason for this phenomenon was simple.


    "Because the mediation is done in a way that benefits the side that did more lobbying."


    What a world where giving bribes is natural!


    Naturally, the new code contained harsh penalties for bribery. Internal departments and external agencies were also set to monitor the courts in the future.


    But since that future hadn''t arrived yet, all kinds of gifts were still pouring in.


    Before entering the courtroom, I didn''t know what the case was about, so how did I know?


    The tedious imperial legal procedures didn''t apply here. Deliat only adhered to the code ofws I created.


    I had established a basis for examining all aspects of the incident. That''s why the gift offensive was even more intense.


    It was well known that I would be the judge.


    Naturally, all gifts were either returned or sent to the national treasury. I rejected them all because they wouldter send me valuables and such anonymously.


    Why would someone send a bribe from an unknown sender?


    ''I guess it means, "Look at the item first, and if you want it, contact me."''


    The intiff and the defendant were sitting side by side, though some distance apart.


    I red at them sharply, and the atmosphere became as cold as ice. With the highest authority in Deliat watching, who wouldn''t be scared?


    "Before we begin the trial, I have something to say. intiff, defendant," I called out.


    "Yes?"


    "Yes."


    They both responded in surprise, having been called out so suddenly. I maintained a solemn expression and continued speaking.


    "How much lobbying do you think will overturn the trial results?"


    "... "


    "Bribery charges will be punished separately from thiswsuit. So please, do not deliver valuables to the court. Are those who im to be morally perfect this petty?"


    The nobles imed they were born different frommoners¡ªmentally and morally superior beings. That was the definition of nobility in this world. I was pointing out exactly that hypocrisy.


    The nobles sitting in the audience all blushed. Some turned their heads away, while others just left the courtroom.


    Along with embarrassment and shame, there must have been resentment toward me.


    ''What can I do? It''s all true.''


    People who think they''re better than everyone else bribe others to get a bigger inheritance? It''s so frustrating.


    I quickly flipped through the papers. Most of the information was already familiar to me, as I had reviewed it all yesterday. But there were a few additions from this morning.


    ''Did the defendantmit theft to reduce the size of the inheritance?''


    The second son was used of stealing part of his father''s inheritance. Of course, there was no evidence yet; it was just an allegation raised by the eldest son.


    It would be nice if responsibility were clearly stated. Then it would be easy to make a judgment.


    ''But an inheritance? I''m weak in civilw.''


    Civilw is a procedure for resolving disputes between individuals ording to thew. Whatever the oue, there was bound to be dissatisfaction.


    In this case, the party that received the smaller share of the inheritance would me me. If everyone, including those two, could make a decision that was eptable, then that would be fine.


    ''But that''s not something I can control.''


    I just look at the evidence and facts and make a judgment. I looked to my right and began going through the trial proceedings.


    "intiff, please present your defense."


    "Yes! Mr. Lucier Vandro, the original owner of the brick factory, wanted to pass the factory on to his eldest son, Jansen Vandro."


    But as soon as he started talking, the defendant''swyer suddenly stood up from his seat.


    "I object!"


    No, I never thought I''d hear that line in real life, not just in a movie or drama. I was a little taken aback, but I nodded anyway.


    "Go ahead."


    "Mr. Lucier Bandro wanted to pass the factory on to his second son, Mr. Asen Bandro. In the first ce, the intiff has never worked a single day in the brick factory!"


    "What are you talking about? Mr. Jansen Bandro was a dutiful son. How could that be possible in Deliat, where primogeniture wasmon?" The intiff''swyer refuted the im with a faint smile.


    Originally, whether it''s a mystery or a trial, emotions shouldn''t dictate actions. If you y something like Mafia, you''ll end uppletely broke.


    Still, that person''s attitude felt really ufortable, as if they were already arrogant, as if they had already won. Of course, he was very polite when he spoke to me.


    ''That makes him even more irritating. Ah, let''s calm down. I shouldn''t bring personal feelings into a trial.''


    I straightened my mind with superhuman self-control.


    Meanwhile, the war of words between thewyers continued. There was nothing more to hear anyway because they were just busy criticizing and belittling each other.


    Land! Land!


    "Calm down."


    Only when I banged the gavel and spoke did the bickering stop. I looked straight back at the defense attorney.


    "I will not ept your objection. We have not even reached the stage of epting evidence yet. We have only just begun our defense. intiff''s attorney."


    "Yes!"


    "Please continue your argument."


    "All right."


    The unlucky-lookingwyer continued his argument. Of course, the defendant was also given the opportunity.


    Actually, the content was nothing special. The first and second sons argued over who had done more work.


    This situation arose because the president died suddenly and left no will. In that case, we have no choice but to rely on testimonies.


    Soon after, employees of the brick factory appeared as witnesses. But conflicting stories erupted at the same time.


    "Mr. Jansen practically lived in the factory."


    "What are you talking about? Mr. Asen is the true sessor. He has always been with the boss."


    My head throbbed. I couldn''t find anything particrly revealing in the system either. If this were a criminal trial, half the people here would be lying.


    ''But these aren''t bad people. They just have different positions and are making opposing ims.''


    If this were a case where good and evil could be distinguished, a clear judgment could be made even in aplicated civil case.


    I  just need to catch the bad guys for their criminal activities. But now, there was only suspicion of the second son''s theft. There was no evidence.


    If that''s the case, then the answeres down to one thing.


    ''Isn''t it just a matter of finding the real craftsmen?''


    What would be the most important job in a brick factory? Of course, making excellent products. I got up from my seat and took off my cumbersome robe.


    Then, bewildered reactions erupted here and there.


    "Oh, no? Your Honor?"


    "If you suddenly do this¡­ ... ."


    A judge taking off his robes during a trial?


    They had never seen anything like this before. I looked at the audience with indifferent eyes and said,


    "I don''t think we''ll be able toe to a conclusion just by talking amongst ourselves here."


    "Then how do you intend to decide?"


    "We have to prove it. Who is the real¡­ ... ."


    "You mean the sessor?"


    "No. The craftsman. As far as I know, Mr. Ryker Bandro has been making bricks for a long time. It is written in the documents submitted here. He must be very proud."


    "Yes."


    "Then it''s simple. Try making it yourself. In front of me."


    For a moment, the expressions on the intiff''s and defendant''s faces changed. I suddenly realized the true identity of the craftsman.


    As the intiff and defendant exchanged uneasy nces, the tension in the courtroom grew palpable.


    The murmurs from the audience only added to the charged atmosphere. They hadn''t expected this turn of events¡ªneither had I, honestly, but sometimes the simplest solution was the best one.


    The sole bench of the Dware Supreme Court appeared in its entirety.


    Of course, I was the only one, but I couldn''t ignore its majesty.


    Because the court has never directly stepped forward to verify anything.


    Besides, the audience members who came out unexpectedly were probably dumbfounded.


    ''How is it? The true taste of an acting court.''


    I put up a line at the entrance to the brick factory and isted the people.


    Because it might get in the way while you''re working.


    They won''t interfere and will only watch the movements of those two brothers.


    "Okay, then,e this way one by one. Court Knights!"


    "Yes! Governor¡­ ¡­ No, Your Honor."


    "Take the defendant to the other side of the factory. Our voices must not be heard."


    "All right."


    The courtroom officers, who seemed somewhat nervous, moved the defendant.


    It was inevitable.


    It would also be awkward for them to operate outside the court.


    Finally, I looked at the manuscript and got to the main point.

 Chapter 112: Civil Case [2]

    "Exin to me how bricks are made."


    "Hmm. That, that¡­" The eldest son, Jansen Bandro, nced at the people, mumbling. It seemed like something was on his mind.


    ''Oh, right.''


    I nodded as if I understood everything, knowing what the other person was thinking.


    "I''m not asking you to reveal your know-how. I''m just asking you to exin the general method. After all, I''m the only one who''s going to see it up close."


    "That is true, but¡­"


    "If you''re still worried, there''s one more thing I can do."


    I went straight back to the audience and said, "Is there anyone here who has any expertise in brickmaking? I would like to ask for some advice."


    Then, surprisingly, several people raised their hands.


    ''So that''s why he hesitated.''


    Of course, there would be people frompetingpanies, so they might be a bit reluctant, even if there isn''t any special secret recipe.


    Only after they were all cleared did Jansen''s expression brighten somewhat.


    "Then let''s get started. Our bricks are made from y mined from floodins¡­"


    Soon the exnation began. A careful voice and deliberate actions. He seemed a little nervous.


    It''s only natural to break out in a cold sweat when the most powerful person in the country is watching him. Still, there were no major problems with the progress.


    Jansen poured the y into a mixed mold and shaped it into a straight form.


    "We will now begin the drying process."


    Deliat boasted the perfect climate for drying things. It was the dry season, and the sun shone brightly all day long.


    Soon, the audience began to leave one by one, unable to ovee the boredom from the lengthy process.


    But I waited without wavering an inch. While the bricks were drying, Jansen lit a fire in the kiln.


    "It''s all done. Now we will begin the firing process."


    Soon, a sweltering heat rose inside the factory as bricks lined up in a row were ced into the kiln. I nodded slightly as I watched the scene.


    ''It''s not much different from what I know.''


    In fact, baking bricks did not require advanced technology. Ultimately, the mixing ratio, drying time, and firing temperature would determine the quality of the brick.


    How consistently well they execute that process will be the standard for judging a craftsman.


    By the time evening was almost over, Jansen had finishedying ten bricks.


    "I had a bit of a hard time doing it as fast as I could, but the result isn''t bad."


    "Thank you for your hard work. Mr. Jansen, you can go home."


    "Yes."


    Although it was quitete, I called the defendant straight away. The second son, Asen Bandro, approached, hesitating. His face was filled with irritation and discontent.


    "If you ask me to make bricks in just half a day, how is that any different from asking me to produce defective products?"


    "Are you saying you need more time?"


    "Of course. Our factory does not make ordinary bricks. They have regr and beautiful patterns."


    Come to think of it, the colors of the bricks Jansen made were also quite unique.


    They looked pretty good,parable to marble. When I fostered various businesses along with the New Deal policy, these were the results that emerged.


    I shrugged my shoulders, feeling inwardly pleased. "I never gave you a time limit. I just told you to try to make it themselves."


    "Okay, then."


    Only then did Asen''s expression soften, and he brought out several kinds of y. The molding process began by cing themyer byyer in a mold.


    It was a very quick and skillful move. But, strangely enough, I felt a sense of difort.


    ''Why is that?''


    To be called a craftsman, one must be able to make smooth progress with even the slightest movement.


    Clearly, Asen Bandro was moving in that direction. Actions without an inch of hesitation. Quick and urate hand movements.


    This person was clearly a craftsman.


    ''I just can''t figure it out.''


    When I said that I would verify it myself, Asen looked confident.


    Just now, didn''t the eldest son finish his work while sweating profusely?


    If that''s the case, then the answer is definitely out there. Perhaps the second one is the real craftsman and true sessor.


    ''He said you needed more time, but it''s so fast?''


    After the molding process waspleted, Asen ced the bricks outside. Compared to the first one, Jansen, the time required was shortened by almost half.


    "Since we started in the evening, it takes at least two days. It needs to get enough sunlight to bake well."


    "Okay. Then I''ll see you when we do the firing."


    "Yes."


    I asked the court reporters to guard the brickyard, then returned to the official residence.


    But no matter how much Iy down, I couldn''t fall asleep. It seemed to be because of the feeling of difort I had earlier.


    "No way."


    I kicked off the nket and jumped out of bed. I felt like I needed to take a walk to clear my head.


    The streets of Deliat at night were extremely quiet. But the entertainment district where the bars were gathered was bustling with activity.


    ''It looks good.''


    Drunkards put on an unseen performance. It was the same in every country and every time period, transcending gender and race. Experience more content on m v|l e''-NovelBin


    Still, I didn''t feel offended. Because everyone was smiling happily.


    "Ugh! Life is good these days. There are even jobs that hire people like me."


    "In the past, it was hard to even smell alcohol."


    "Yes. It''s great to make money. I can enjoy it like this."


    "Isn''t this all thanks to His Excellency the Governor? It is because he saved the country that such luxury is possible."


    "That''s a given! I bow to the Governor''s residence every morning."


    "Hahaha! This guy, you''re really joking."


    "No, I''m telling you, are you serious?"


    "Then why don''t I just stay still? I pour water and pray for His Excellency the Governor every day."


    "Whatever you do, isn''t it all for Him? Don''t be needlessly angry."


    I heard people talking. All of them praised me. It was just a simple drinking conversation, but my face turned red for no reason.


    ''I didn''t do much, but... ''


    I''m not someone who has achieved any great moral standard.


    I simply moved to develop my personal abilities ording to the emperor''s orders.


    And yet, all kinds of praise poured in.


    Perhaps it was because of the unprecedented pace seen in this era. I felt proud at the same time because it seemed like society had changed that much.


    "If this continues, I''ll get caught."


    I quickly turned up the cor of my coat.


    If it were an empire, it wouldn''t be like this, but this was Deliat.


    Because the clothes were so loose and roomy, there was no problem in disguising myself. Besides, since I dressed so inly, it wouldn''t be easy to recognize me.


    As I passed the red-light district and headed out of town, we finally came across the brick factory. Perhaps because the surroundings were so dark and deserted, an eerie atmosphere prevailed.


    ''Huh? But why aren''t there any guards?''


    I had told the court reporters to extend their duties here.


    But no one is visible? Why are they ignoring my orders?


    "Oh, that''s not it."


    Two knights were seen nodding off, leaning against the wall near the entrance.


    It''s a normal situation to be upset, but I''m not that angry. When you work night shifts, it''s natural to feel sleepy.


    ''PTSD ising on.''


    I passed the court articles with a chill, reminding me of my military days.


    The inside of the brick factory was extremely quiet. That''s why I couldn''t fall asleep easily. There''s nothing suspicious, so what are you protecting?


    ''But I have to look at it anyway. Who knows, someone might break the bricks?''


    It was the first trial to be held since the promulgation of the neww. If there is a w here, I will be in trouble from the start.


    I had worked so hard to create it, so I couldn''t just let it fall apart so easily.


    I watched the bricks quietly. I was nning to organize some of the thoughts I had had the other day.


    ''If I stare at this, what kind of inspiration mighte to me?''


    It all happened because of these uniquely patterned bricks.


    As I was thinking about it, Mr. Jansen''s work suddenly caught my eye. A pile of colorful y, made with somewhat clumsy craftsmanship.


    It was somewhat different from what the original brick factory owner, Lucerne Bandro, had created.


    ''Surely his father is much more advanced.''


    Blue and white waves curve beautifully. It was so naturally connected that the entire wall seemed like a single painting.


    It also felt like I was looking up at the sky. No wonder bricks are sold at high prices.


    I think I understand why the two sons fought so fiercely over their share of the inheritance.


    Rustle!


    But that was exactly when it happened.


    ''hmm?''


    I was quietly admiring the wall when suddenly I heard a noise.


    The courtroom reporters were still nodding off. In that case, the opponent''s identity is an intruder. I held my breath as much as I could and watched the movement.


    He walked slowly and quietly to the ce where the bricks were piled.


    Soon, an ominous sound was heard.


    Swish! Swish! Swish!


    ''Moving bricks?''


    It seemed like he was touching Mr. Asen''s work, which was still drying.


    The finished bricks would have had a much more refined sound.


    ''I don''t need to look any further.''


    I quickly sat up and grabbed his arm.

 Chapter 113: Civil Case [3]

    Kwak!


    "Oh my god!"


    "What are you doing here?"


    Surprisingly, the intruder''s identity was Asen Bandro.


    What was someone who looked like he would win doing here in the middle of the night?


    I came to organize my thoughts, but it felt even moreplicated.


    I red at my silent opponent and urged him once more.


    "If you fail to properly fulfill your calling, you will be held greatly responsible."


    "No, that''s¡­ ¡­ ."


    "By the way, Mr. Asen, there was also a controversy over theft, right? Is that what you mean by stealing?"


    What Asen held in his hands was a brick of extremely high quality.


    A naturally flowing pattern was revealed, like in the work of Mr. Ryker Bandro.


    Of course, it can''t be otherwise.


    "This was made by your father."


    "¡­ ¡­ !"


    As if he had hit the nail on the head, Asen Bandro''s eyes widened.


    ***


    The answer was clear just by looking at the fact that he came to swap the artwork in the middle of the night.


    A true craftsman wouldn''t do something like this.


    But questions still remained.


    ''Obviously, Asen''s sleight of hand was much better.''


    A leisurely attitude and movements without an inch of hesitation.


    To anyone who looked at it, the second son, Asen Bandro, seemed to be the true sessor.


    But why on earth did he do something like this?


    I looked at the other person with a questioning look.


    But then an unexpected answer came out.


    Not from Asen''s mouth, but from apletely different ce.


    "He never learned the process of sintering. Our father passed away so quickly."


    A smallntern came on, illuminating the interior of the brick factory.


    The face of the newly introduced character was also quite familiar.


    Because the first intiff in this case was Jansen Bandro.


    Perhaps that person knew Asen woulde here.


    When I saw that calm expression.


    "But he still have to show the baking process." Continue reading at mvl


    "I guess he was thinking of applying some y on the outside. If it''s thin, it''ll fall off quickly during the firing process."


    But there was something even more strange.


    A representative example was Asen''s outstanding sleight of hand.


    That was the biggest problem.


    "It looks to me like he have good skills with y."


    When I asked the question, a bitter look came over Jansen''s face.


    Eventually, the information that had been hidden until now was revealed.


    "You saw it correctly. It was my younger brother who inherited my father''s talent."


    "But why didn''t he know the entire process?"


    "Well, that guy hated working in a ce like this."


    The whole story was like this.


    Originally, the Ryker Brick Factory did not produce as many different products as it does today.


    All they did was make thick, yellow bricks, which aremonly seen in Deliat.


    However, there has been a drastic change recently.


    The demand for bricks exploded due to therge-scale investment by the Governor-General.


    In addition, orders for better-quality items also came in.


    "These works were created in that process."


    "Yes. My father was the only one who could create such a unique pattern. That''s why the brick factory was able to grow so rapidly."


    "Is that why Mr. Asen Bandro was interested in you?"


    "He probably still don''t have the heart to run a brick factory himself."


    "Huh? What does that mean?"


    "Ask him yourself."


    As Jansen shrugged and stepped aside, I turned my gaze to Asen.


    He still had his head down and a gloomy expression on his face.


    Even though he had bad intentions, he seemed to know shame.


    "Are you really going to sell the brick factory?"


    "¡­"


    "You have to answer straight. If you don''t want to spend decades in hellish prison cells."


    "Ahem! That''s not true."


    "I heard you didn''t learn the firing process. How are you going to run a brick factory then?"


    "Of course...."


    Asen nced at Jansen.


    At that very moment, I could sense Jansen intentions.


    ''He''s going to leave the work to his brother and livefortably?''


    Jansen can''t stand it anymore and says he wants to be independent?


    If he give up the factory then, the first one will have no choice but to live with tears in his eyes.


    It''s a business that''s like a legacy from their father, so he probably don''t want to hand it over to someone else.


    It was a truly petty conspiracy.


    "I don''t think there is any need to verify further."


    Now, I have the answer.


    I let go of Asen and turned around.


    Of course, they will have to pay a big price for today''s work.


    Because they tried to deceive the Supreme Court bench.


    Then suddenly Jansen came up to me and spoke to me.


    "Your Excellency the Governor."


    "What is it?"


    "Can you please look after my worthless little brother just once?"


    "Yes?"


    He''s the guy who tried to take over the factory by switching out the works.


    Even though he is younger siblings, the etiquette was normal.


    In fact, isn''t that amon urrence in families of high status?


    Even if they were lower-ss nobles of a vassal state, it wouldn''t be much different.


    Still, he want me to look at it?


    "Can you tell me why?"


    "That guy inherited his father''s talent. If he learns properly, he''ll probably be much better than me."


    "Hmm."


    To be honest, Jansen''s technique felt a bit awkward.


    But isn''t that something that can be polished and refined?


    If this is the technology that Deliat has been developing rapidly, it would only have been learned in a year.


    I tried to shake my head firmly.


    But the next words caught me off guard.


    "I don''t think our father would have wanted brothers fighting over something like this."


    Oh, really.


    When he say it like that, my heart really weakens.


    But there were still some questions that remained unanswered.


    "You were the one who filed thewsuit in the first ce."


    "If I had stayed still, my brother would have moved anyway."


    "You want to take the high ground first before your opponent prepares?"


    "I went to see awyer, and he said that''s what I should do. Besides, I wanted him toe to his senses."


    "Thewsuit was a bit of a turn-off."


    "Yes, but it didn''t work."


    "Then, did you have awyer do the lobbying too?"


    "I heard that''s the basics."


    I nodded with a heavy expression.


    "Okay, I understand. I will actively ept Mr. Jansen''s opinion."


    "Thank you. Your Majesty is truly a saint!"


    "No problem."


    I briefly red at Asen, who was standing there hesitantly, and then I left the brick factory.


    I just couldn''t sleep, so I came out and found something unexpected.


    Because it''s now clear who is good and who is evil.


    But Jansen Bandro''s request made things even moreplicated.


    * * *


    The next day.


    The trial regarding the inheritance of the Ryker Brick Factory has been reopened.


    ''It''s a bit stuffy, but he''s a dependable first child and a talented second child.''


    Which one was a more suitable talent varied depending on one''s perspective.


    Besides, no one really knows what President Ryker was thinking.


    The attention may have turned to the second child who joinedte.


    Anyway, I''ve alreadye to a conclusion.


    "I hereby dere that, as a result of the court''s ex officio verification, there was no one who was the true craftsman like privious owner of factory."


    "Oh, that can''t be!"


    "Oh my!"


    Sighs erupted here and there.


    Ryker Bandro''s bricks are a popr item among the nobility.


    The oue of this trial will determine whether you can purchase the goods.


    Normal production will be possible only when a true craftsman sits in the CEO''s seat.


    But, no one was chosen?


    ''It''s natural to have a strong reaction.''


    If that''s the case, then the factory will definitely close.


    One, I had absolutely no intention of making such a strange decision.


    "But there was someone who had the ability to run the factory and produce the finished product."


    "Oh!"


    The audience looked at the manuscript and the defendant with eyes full of anticipation.


    I continued speaking, staring straight to one side.


    "The share ratio has been decided at 6 to 4. Mr. Jansen, please run the factory well, and Mr. Asen, please focus on technical skills."


    The winner of this civil suit was the eldest son, Jansen.


    However, this does not mean that the difference in shareholding ratio wasrge.


    If you cut it too short, will that talented bastard stick to the factory?


    You have to do something moderately to get the motivation to do it properly.


    Suddenly, I heard people talking.


    "Ah! That''s a fair decision. How can someone who can''t even make a finished product manage and supervise the whole thing?"


    "Mr. Ryker really liked his second child in hister years¡­ ¡­ ."


    "If he were alive, the oue might have been different. But now, His Excellency the Governor''s decision is absolutely correct."


    The overall mood was that the results were reasonable.


    But the defense seemed unable to ept the decision.

 Chapter 114: Civil Case [4]

    "I object!"


    "I''m in the middle of a sentencing trial; what kind of rudeness is this?"


    "But I still have to say what I want to say. Isn''t that why we havewyers?"


    Honestly, he was right. It was his duty to protect his client''s interests until the end.


    I nodded willingly, intending to hear at least a final argument.


    "Okay, I''ll give you time, but keep it short."


    "It only took Mr. Asen six months to reach that level. From now on, he just needs to learn how to use the kiln and the firing time."


    "So?"


    "If he were given just a few months, he could make wonderful wavy bricks like Mr. Ryuker."


    The audience stirred at thewyer''s shout.


    When I heard it, it seemed quite refreshing. If they just wait a little bit, the brick factory would be back to normal.


    Then, the nobles'' hobbies could be resumed quickly.


    ''That''s funny.''


    That kind of low-level logic could be destroyed in one blow. I stared at the defendant with a nk expression.


    "That know-how."


    "Yes."


    "Who will teach it to him?"


    "Of course..." Thewyer nced at the intiff''s side.


    There was only one person who had mastered Mr. Ryuker''s techniques from start to finish.


    Now there was no way to know the kiln temperature, the timing of removal, or the know-how thereafter, without going through Jansen Bandro, that is.


    "The emotional rift has deepened to the point where it''s a legal dispute, so should he just teach him the technique? I hope there''s no knife fight or anything."


    In reality, sibling conflicts were amon urrence. What wouldn''t people do for power and money? This is a dark fantasy world that is as savage as it gets.


    Of course, in my opinion, Jansen wouldn''t do that. It wasn''t because he trusted his younger brother but to uphold his father''s legacy.


    Didn''t he ask me to cover up Asen''s mistake yesterday?


    "If there is nothing more to say, I will now conclude the trial."


    "Whew!"


    A sigh of relief escaped from Asen''s side.


    Even though the stake was only 60%, he was able to maintain management rights. But the trial was not over yet.


    I said, ring at the defendant.


    "Who did you say was thewyer there?"


    "Yes, Your Honor. This is Kenny Palmer."


    "Please stand in the middle for a moment."


    "Yes."


    Kenny Palmer walked out, looking bewildered. It seemed like he was really ufortable with all the attention being focused on him.


    But it was impossible to disobey.


    Was this not my order as the Governor and Supreme Judge of this country? What kind of punishment would he get if he went against it?


    "Do you know why I called you?"


    "Oh, no."


    "It''s because of thewyer''s attitude. Who the hell said you should meddle in court? Why do you interfere during the opposing party''s argument?"


    This man appeared in court with an arrogant expression throughout, as if he thought they had already won, so there was no need to listen to anyone else.


    That was the general impression I got. It seemed like others felt the same, too. I could hear voices of discontent bursting out here and there.


    "That''s right. I felt really ufortable when I saw that person."


    "If it were me, I would never have entrusted him with a trial."


    "There are even rumors that Mr. Jansen was lured into filing awsuit from the beginning."


    "Really? Looks like he smelled money strongly."


    As he was criticized by many people, Attorney Palmer''s face turned red.


    He was brazen enough to hold his head up high, but it seemed that he wasn''tpletely shameless. He must have had something to say, so he continued making excuses until the very end.


    "It''s a kind of trial strategy, deliberately making it seem advantageous..."


    "Ha!"


    A hollowugh burst out involuntarily. Find more chapters on mvl


    Is there aw of conservation of nonsense?


    When people gather, there is bound to be at least one strange person among them.


    Weren''t there people like that in Earth too? The kind who shame victims into giving up on their trials as part of some twisted strategy.


    I couldn''t stand to see that kind of behavior in my courtroom.


    "I''m not telling you to act ethically. But at least keep your dignity. Don''t bring shame to the reputation of the legal profession."


    "...Yes."


    "You may go now; I have to pass sentence."


    Attorney Palmer left the room with his shoulders slumped. I looked back and forth between Asen and Jansen. It was finally time for the trial over the inheritance of the Ryuker Brick Factory toe to an end.


    "I sentence Asen Bandro to six months in prison for attempting to deceive the court by switching the artwork."


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    A look of surprise appeared on Jansen''s face. It seemed like he hadn''t expected this oue.


    ''I never said I would let it slide. Those whomit the crime of contempt should be punished with a hammer.''


    Isn''t that obvious?


    ***


    The courtroom fell silent, the echo of the gavel still resonating like a final warning.


    Jansen Bandro remained frozen, his usually stoic expression betraying a flicker of disbelief.


    Asen, on the other hand, looked crushed¡ªhis shoulders sagging as if the weight of the sentence had already begun to press him down.


    Asen''swyer, Kenny Palmer, stood speechless, staring at his client as if expecting somest-minute reprieve, but none came.


    The audience whispered among themselves, a mix of relief, judgment, and concealed satisfaction rippling through the room.


    "Bailiff, take the defendant into custody," Able ordered, his voice calm yet authoritative. The guards moved quickly, securing Asen''s wrists in iron shackles. The nking sound was a harsh reminder of the trial''s harsh reality¡ªfamily ties meant nothing when weighed against deception and greed.


    Jansen watched his younger brother being led away, his conflicted emotions visible for the first time.


    He had wanted justice, not vengeance, but the line between the two had blurred throughout this ordeal. Was it truly justice when it felt so hollow?


    Turning his gaze to the judge, Jansen cleared his throat. "Your Honor, I¡­ I didn''t expect it to end this way. He''s my brother. He may have been wrong, but¡ª"


    Able raised a hand, silencing Jansen.


    "This court does not punish on whim, Mr. Bandro. The verdict stands not to sever familial bonds but to remind all that thew is impartial. Your brother''s actions were not just a slight against you¡ªthey were a slight against the integrity of this institution."


    Jansen nodded slowly, understanding but not fully epting. "What happens to the factory now?"


    "The factory''s operations will continue under your management," Able replied.


    "However, it is crucial that you adhere to proper business practices. The reputation of Ryuker Brick Factory rests on your shoulders now. Honor your father''s legacy, not just in name, but in the way you conduct your business."


    Jansen exhaled, feeling the weight of responsibility more than ever. "I will. I promise."


    Able''s gaze softened, just a fraction. "See that you do."


    With the trial concluded, the courtroom began to empty.


    Nobles,moners, and merchants alike filed out, their hushed conversations echoing through the grand hall.


    Jansen remained, watching as Asen was escorted through a side door, disappearing from sight. It was a sobering image¡ªthe once-proud brothers now divided by bars and legalities.


    As the room finally cleared, Jansen approached hiswyer, a man whose sharp mind had helped secure his victory. "Thank you for your efforts today."


    Thewyer nodded, though his expression was solemn. "Victoryes at a cost, Mr. Bandro. It''s best to remember that."


    Jansen left the courtroom, stepping into the bustling streets where life continued as if nothing had changed. But for him, everything was different. He had won the trial, retained control of the family business, and upheld his father''s legacy. Yet, the victory felt like a double-edged sword, cutting deeper than he had anticipated.


    He paused, ncing up at the sky as if seeking answers from a ce beyond his reach.


    ''What now?'' he thought. With Asen gone, the brick factory was his alone. But the sess of Ryuker Brick Factory would no longer be measured by bricks alone¡ªit would be measured by how he navigated this uncertain future, bncing ambition with the heavy burden of brotherhood lost.


    As Jansen walked away, he couldn''t help but wonder if, in the pursuit of justice, he had lost something far more valuable: the trust of his family.


    The factory chimneys in the distance puffed steadily, sending thin trails of smoke into the darkening sky, a silent testament to the enduring legacy of Ryuker and theplex web of loyalty, betrayal, and responsibility that bound the Bandro brothers.


    For Jansen, the real trial had only just begun.


    The days that followed the trial were a whirlwind of adjustments for Jansen.


    Every corner of the Ryuker Brick Factory felt different, like the air had thickened with unspoken questions and wary nces from the workers. Asen''s absence was palpable, a lingering shadow that stretched over every decision Jansen made.

 Chapter 115: Tsunami [1]

    The Ryker Brick Factory gradually became more active. Of course, the product hadn''t been released yet. This was why Jansen devoted himself to research, wanting to further improve his skills.


    ''By the time Asen is released, won''t he be a respectable as his father was?''


    Able wasn''t much of an art person, but Jansen''s bricks looked quite nice. Judging from the nobles'' reactions, they certainly needed some more polishing.


    Anyway, it seemed like Able had concluded his first civilwsuit quite well. Of course, this also included the disposition of attorneys Asen and Palmer.


    Maybe that''s why, after a long time, a pleasant holographic phrase appeared.


    [The promulgation of thewid the foundation for the rule ofw.]


    [The people of Deliat begin to trust the Governor-General''s Office because of this meaningful precedent.]


    [However, this isrgely due to your reputation.]


    [If Abel Carriers leaves, there is a 60% chance that it will be restored to its original state.]


    [A reward will be given.]


    [Obtain an item summon ticket.]


    "Ugh!"


    A strange sound came out of Able''s mouth unconsciously. It was fortunate that no one was around, but if someone had seen it, it would have been quite embarrassing.


    -What are you doing?


    Oh, there was something. It was the voice of the mountain devil, Shuguri, who always slept stretched out on the windowsill of the Governor-General''s office.


    This guy was always sleeping because he was busy concentrating on the energy he receivedst time. It seemed like he finally felt like getting active.


    -But why is it so noisy?


    "What are you talking about? It''s quiet now."


    ¨DI heard all sorts of strange sounds. They were all praising you.


    "Do you even pay attention to that?"


    - It''s amazing. The fact that there''s someone like you. People tend to change when they gain power.


    "Ha! Isn''t that what a guy who only lives in the mountains says?"


    -Of course. What do you think of me? I can see right through you, the dark intentions of humans. Huh?


    The way he yawned and drooped was cute, in a way that didn''t match his true nature.


    No, originally, it was said that angels were scary and devils were tempting.


    ''What a strange man.''


    Able turned his head out the window with a sly smile. The scenery that Shuguri saw every day was changing differently every day.


    Infrastructure and newmercial buildings were being built as nned.


    In fact, there wasn''t much to say about the living infrastructure: roads, bridges, water and sewer systems, schools, hospitals, government offices, cultural buildings, etc.


    It was qualitatively different from what modern people think, although it only had a name.


    ''It was worse than the poorest country on earth, but how have we developed this much?''


    When such social infrastructure grows, economic activity bes smoother.


    Deliat''s potential was enormous. If only it could continue like this.


    "No matter which governores, the country must be run normally."


    To do that, Able had to quickly establish the rule ofw and create a mechanism to check power. Aplex, intertwined, and bnced system needed to be created. Then the governor would not be able to act arbitrarily.


    Knock! Knock!


    When his mind was filled withplicated thoughts, something cold touched the bridge of his nose and cheek.


    "This is¡­"


    Able lightly swept his face and found a clear, transparent liquid there.


    When this freezes and crystallizes, it bes trash that falls from the sky.


    What kind of rain is this in Deliat, which is always clear and blisteringly sunny?


    Able looked up at the sky with a bewildered expression, and it was dark even though it was broad daylight.


    At the same time, an ominous sound was heard.


    Rrrrrrr!


    A mysterious feeling that something was about to happen. It was like a virtual thunderstorm was going on in his head.


    "Oh, that''s right! Rainy day!"


    Deliat was a city built on a in near the desert. There were no four seasons, only dry and rainy seasons.


    Almost all the rain that would fall in a year came down explosively in two or three months. This would create a huge area of floodins, and countlesskes would form in the desert.


    "I prepared hard, but isn''t it a bit too fast?"


    Able thought there were only one or two months left until the rainy season came. He immediately summoned the Governor-General''s officials.


    "Are we all here?"


    "Yes, Your Excellency the Governor."


    "It''s raining a little bit. Is this a sign of the rainy season? I don''t know the weather in Deliat very well."


    "That''s¡­"


    The managers nced at each other. They seemed a bit reluctant to express their opinions. Not knowing why, Able shrugged his shoulders and said, "Please speakfortably. No one will tell you if you are wrong."


    Then, as the atmosphere rxed slightly, everyone opened their mouths.


    "It seems like the rainy season has been brought forward."


    "No. This happened often. It woulde and go, and then after a month or two, it would really start."


    "There have been many cases of heavy rain at this time of year, causing great damage. We should not jump to conclusions."


    "But there''s a much higher chance that it''s just a regr drizzle."


    Able thought the answer woulde out quickly, but surprisingly, a tense standoff ensued.


    Even local officials who had lived there for a long time could not predict the weather.


    Actually, this was normal because the climate was originally very changeable.


    Isn''t weather forecasting wrong even when you use experts on supeputers?


    There''s nothing like that here, so they had no choice but to leave it to heaven.


    ''No matter what, we''ve reached a conclusion.''


    Even if it was just a drizzle, it wouldn''t hurt to prepare in advance. The rainy season woulde soon anyway. If they had prepared thoroughly, the damage would have been much less thanst year.


    "Start operating the central headquarters now and as quickly as possible¡­"


    Bam!


    As Able was about to give instructions to the managers, the conference room door opened violently.


    Even though he wasn''t an authoritarian person, this was crossing the line. He knew they were having a meeting, but how could someone be so rude?


    Able felt like he needed to give a sharp reprimand, if not a disciplinary action. But that couldn''t be done, because the next words were so surprising.


    "Your Excellency, Governor! The embankment is copsing!"


    ''It hadn''t even rained much yet, and this was already happening?''


    Able couldn''t understand it at all, but now was not the time to lose his mind. He quickly opened the window.


    One, the raindrops weren''t very heavy. It was a bit more than before, but was this all that the embankment could offer?


    ''That''s ridiculous. It''s a facility that waspleted not long ago.''


    However, in the ce pointed out by the manager who had intervened, a phenomenon that made one doubt one''s eyes was urring.


    "Over there!"


    Suhuaaaa...


    It was pouring down a ton of rain only near the river, as if the game was bugged. It was nothing short of a disaster.


    Able looked around at the headquarters managers and shouted.


    "First, issue an evacuation order!"


    * * *


    Oh my gosh!


    A heavy metal sound echoed through Deliat. Officials from all over the city were ringing bells like crazy on towers. It meant to evacuate to higher ground quickly.


    In fact, most of them were already running away in a panic because the people of Deliat had seen the river overflow countless times.


    "Wow, this is crazy."


    When Able arrived, it was right after the rainy season ended. As it turned out, it was his first time seeing such an incredible scene.


    Of course, there had been big typhoons and floods in earth as well.


    But the river didn''t swallow up half the country or anything. It felt like watching a movie about a tsunami.


    "Surely this can''t happen every year?"


    Able asked a question absentmindedly, his expression bewildered by something. Then, one of the officials who followed quickly stepped forward.


    "It''s not this bad. And this time, the flooded area is muchrger than usual."


    "More than anything you''ve ever seen before?"


    "I have lived in Deliat for 40 years, and this is the first time I have seen such heavy rain. And the rainy season hase so early."


    Even the locals were surprised, so you could tell how serious the situation was.


    Able watched the situation from the bell tower. There was no trace of the embankment that had been built two meters higher than before.


    Some of it was broken by the rushing water, and now it waspletely submerged.


    Looking at the condition, it seemed like it would have to be raised at least 5 meters to be effective.


    ''No, who builds embankments that high?''


    There had never been a flood like that before. Able thought he had prepared properly in his own way.


    "Let''s build temporary bridges between the buildings to rescue the isted people. We ced them in each bell tower, right?"


    "Yes!"


    "You can start working straight from here. I''ll go over there."


    "Be careful!"


    "I''m fine, you guys take care of yourselves."


    "Your Excellency, Governor¡­!"


    The managers'' eyes turned red at those worried words. Able simply didn''t want to lose the employee he had worked so hard to hire. He turned around with a bewildered expression.


    Now was not the time to be distracted by trivial matters.


    They needed to move as fast as possible to save even one more person.


    Grabbing adder and a rope, Able quickly jumped over to the roof of the building.

 Chapter 116: Tsunami [2]

    Tada! Ttaa! Ttaa!


    Even a distance of several dozen meters was not a big problem. When I activate the heart of the beast, I gain superhuman physical abilities.


    "Everyone, please pass this way!"


    "Huh! Huh! Thank you. Huh? Your Excellency the Governor? Why are you in a ce like this?"


    "I''m busy, so ignore me even if I''m happy to see you! Your lifees first!"


    "Oh, yes, yes!"


    A few citizens recognized me, but I pushed them away. I was going to die from being swept away by that tsunami-like current, so where would I have time to even say hello?


    So i connected the buildings withdders and ropes, and i ended up with a pretty nice bridge. If i move slowly, i won''t fall.


    "Phew! That''s enough. Let''s see..."


    The embankment had copsed, but the flood preparedness was quite good.


    Citizens were also evacuating in an orderly manner. It seemed like it would end without major casualties if the river water hadn''t risen any further. Of course, the economic loss would be significant.


    "That''s interesting."


    But then, from somewhere, Shuguri''s voice was heard.


    I nced back and saw that the guy was clinging to my coat. It seemed like he had been like this ever since he came to the Governor-General''s office.


    "What are you doing here? No, what do you mean it''s interesting?"


    "Usually, demigods are quite mild-mannered, right? But this guy is really violent."


    "Wait a minute, what?"


    "The one who caused that is a demigod."


    Shuguri was the devil of the mountains.


    He could cause all sorts of natural phenomena, fromndslides to floods.


    Of course, the lineage that was less rted to me had less power. Well, let''s skip over such trivial things since they aren''t important.


    ''Is this chaos caused by the providence of Mother Nature or the work of a demigod?''


    A wave that burst from deep within my chest spread throughout my body. The beast''s heart began to race through his blood vessels. It seemed that anger amplified the power of the skill.


    I gritted my teeth and smiled bitterly.


    "Ha! This rotten bastard."


    They dare try to destroy my achievements? I felt like I would feel better if I held the other person ountable, whether they were a god or someone else.


    How on earth do I do that? If I follow the procedure, i should first restrain the other half. There would be no prosecutor or police officer who would do such a thing.


    "Then, shall we first try arresting a private citizen in the act?"


    ***


    I ran like the wind along the rooftop of the building. Then the managers behind me shouted something loudly.


    "Your Excellency the Governor! You are in danger!"


    "Come back quickly!"


    But my steps never stopped.


    Tadadadada!


    Instead, I just ran faster toward the river.


    "Ugh! Why on earth would you want to go into a ce like this?"


    I heard Shuguri''s disgruntled voice. It wasn''t even funny. The cause of the disaster is there, and we are just leaving it alone without punishing it?


    "That can''t be. I''ll just destroy it. If you''re anxious, just drop it. Why are you still hanging on?"


    "Because I think it would be fun."


    "Do you have the will to resolve this situation?"


    "I can help you, as long as you don''t attack that demigod directly."


    "Aha?"


    In fact, I brought Shuguri here to use him in ces like this.


    With his ability, it would be easy to create waterways or levees. Of course, this time it didn''t work out that way.


    He had been lying around all day absorbing spiritual energy, so what do you want me to do for you? Anyway, I thought he might be of some help now.


    "Then let me go there. Is that possible?"


    I had made it to the outskirts of the city, jumping across rooftops, but I couldn''t go any further. How could I advance when even the castle walls were submerged in water?


    It''s not like I can run on water.


    But what if there''s a Shuguri?


    "It''s not that difficult. Take a good look. The greatness of this body¡­!"


    He took on an odd pose, spreading out his long front paws. It felt like seaweed dancing and swaying. Then, surprisingly, the water surface began to bulge.


    Soon,rge rocks began to appear one after another. Like stepping stones.


    "Yes!"


    I picked up the shoce and stuck it to my coat. He had tremendous power to manipte nature, but when it came to using his body, he was a total idiot.


    So, he was buried in thendslide he caused and couldn''t go anywhere.


    That''s why this guy transformed into a small form. It seemed like the light form was easier to handle. Anyway, I figured it would stick together well, so I kept running forward.


    Tadak! Tadak! Swaaaaaaahh...


    ''Wow! This is no joke.''


    Every time I stepped on the stepping stones, my whole body swayed.


    The strong wind caused raindrops to pour down like hail.


    Moreover, because the rock was submerged in water, its surface was extremely slippery. I managed to keep my bnce thanks to my superhuman sense of bnce, but the bigger problem was ahead.


    "How do you know where he is?"


    "I can track the energy. Fundamentally, there''s not much difference between the demigods and this body, which is a true demon."


    It seemed that way to me too.


    Even Adam, who called himself the god of the earth, got angry when people called him a demigod.


    Didn''t this guy show an extreme reaction when I called him a half-demon? Every time he used he''s ability, a dirt-like byproduct was created.


    They are just in different camps.


    "Okay. Then you guide me."


    "Like this? Even if I return to the main body, it doesn''t seem like it''ll work."


    "No, I just want you to tell me the direction. I don''t expect anything from you anyway."


    "What? I made a road for you, and now you''re hitting me in the back of the head? I suddenly don''t want to do it."


    "Once this is over, I''ll let you eat as much spiritual energy as you like."


    "You should have said that earlier. It''s diagonally to the right here."


    The negotiation was very easy. Because there''s no better bait for this guy. Shuguri climbed over my head and actively told me where he was.


    "I''ll make a stepping stone on the left. Jump over there!"


    "No, why the left?"


    "It''s too deep ahead, so the timing isn''t right. I''ll go back!"


    "Navigation performance is killing me!"


    "What are you talking about? That thing is running away. Speed up!"


    The guy was pulling his hair this way and that and screaming excitedly. Not the rat from Ratatouille, or Remy. I felt quite bad, but I held it in because the matter was what it was.


    ''Yeah. Right now, the priority is to beat that half-demigod guy.''


    The opponent must have realized that I was a threat because he retreated at incredible speed.


    At the same time, the river that had swallowed half the city also began to recede. Then the shouts of people who had climbed up to the bell tower or the roof of a tall building were heard.


    "Wow!"


    "Oh, how could that be!"


    "Your Excellency the Governor pushes away the torrential rain!"


    "There were rumors going around the empire that you were a saint. Was it really true?"


    "He performed miracles, and yet he is only a saint? He is a god!"


    It was almost a sphemous statement, but no one found fault with it. I guess that means it looked like I was doing something great. The truth is, that demigod is just running away.


    "But where on earth are you going?"


    "Until that cowardly bastard can''t move anymore"


    "When is that?"


    "He won''t be able to go that far. With that much strength, even if hea only half-demigod, there''s no way he''s be fine."


    "It''s nice to hear that."


    I tried to increase the speed even more. But I couldn''t run like I did on t ground because I''m jumping around on the stepping stones.


    "Oh, shit. Can''t you make the road a little better?"


    "This is the maximum for me too. I don''t have enough spirit to do anything more."


    "Why are you so vaguely useful!"


    "If you have time toin, just run faster."


    "Arai!"


    Tadak! Tadak! Tadak!


    Maybe it was because of Shuguri''s annoyance, but it was bing easier to concentrate. No, it''s probably because I''ve gotten used to the beast''s heart over time.


    Now it was even possible to predict where the stepping stones woulde up. I jumped ahead and ran over the rock before it could break through the water.


    Then it felt like I was racing on water.


    "Your Excellency, the Governor has performed another miracle..."


    Swaaa...


    People''s voices of surprise were heard, but they were soon buried in the heavy rain.


    This was because it was now quite far from the city. As a result, the storm grew stronger. It seemed like I would probably meet my counterpart soon.


    But it was at that very moment when I was about to step on the stepping stones.


    "Huh?"


    As soon as I heard Shuguri''s embarrassed voice, I felt a sense of emptiness.


    I couldn''t help but be confused too.


    Contrary to expectations, my feet sank deep into the water.

 Chapter 117: Tsunami [3]

    "If you have time toin, just run faster."


    "Arai!"


    Tadak! Tadak! Tadak!


    Maybe it was because of Shuguri''s annoyance, but it was bing easier to concentrate. No, it''s probably because I''ve gotten used to the beast''s heart over time.


    Now it was even possible to predict where the stepping stones woulde up. I jumped ahead and ran over the rock before it could break through the water.


    Then it felt like I was racing on water.


    "Your Excellency, the Governor has performed another miracle..."


    Swaaa...


    People''s voices of surprise were heard, but they were soon buried in the heavy rain.


    This was because it was now quite far from the city. As a result, the storm grew stronger. It seemed like I would probably meet my counterpart soon.


    But it was at that very moment when I was about to step on the stepping stones.


    "Huh?"


    As soon as I heard Shuguri''s embarrassed voice, I felt a sense of emptiness.


    I couldn''t help but be confused too.


    Contrary to expectations, my feet sank deep into the water.


    ***


    Able let out a strange scream as the river water poured into his mouth.


    "E!"


    He was a swimmer, but he knew he was no use in these rapids. One would be swept away before even having the chance to swim. But Able didn''t just float away. Using his immense strength, he buried his legs into the riverbed, like a deeply rooted tree.


    ''Ugh!''


    He groaned inwardly, slowly moving forward. Although his progress was slow, he was still moving. Eventually, he managed to get his head out of the water; it seemed like they had finally reached a shallow ce.


    "Phuha!"


    Able gasped for air and quickly turned his head. Shuguri was hanging onto his coat, clinging with all his might to avoid being tossed away.


    "Hey! The stepping stones didn''t go all the way up. What the heck is going on?" Shuguri shouted.


    Able had sensed Shuguri''s ability and jumped to the exact location, but the rock had only risen halfway, failing to serve as a proper stepping stone.


    Because of this, they were both thrown violently into the river.


    "That guy interfered with my authority," Shuguri said, gritting his teeth.


    "Is he that strong?" Able asked, his voice calm but filled with curiosity.


    "Of course not as much as me. He just added a bit of lethal force." Shuguri snapped, his anger ring at theparison to a demigod.


    Able inwardly smirked.


    ''I like these because their scratch points are really simple.''


    He looked ahead, frowning. After crawling through the water, he finally saw the end, but immediately felt a strong energy in front of him.


    A demigod, likely the culprit behind this mess, was in that violent storm.


    Able took the gavel out of his bosom. Now was the time for the final battle.


    "You dare threaten the lives of my people? Come out! You rotten demigod!"


    Able''s words echoed, though no one else was listening. He was fully immersed in the role of Abel Carries, and his defiance felt natural.


    Then, the opponent revealed himself.


    The strong wind that had been blowing gradually died down. It was as if the area around the demigod''s lower half was extremely calm, like the eye of a typhoon.


    The demigod''s appearance was simr to Adam''s¡ªa monstrous figure over two meters tall with muscles that seemed ready to burst.


    The main difference was theck of hair; his skin was covered with fine scales, marking him as a creature of the river.


    "A human being who hase this far! It''s amazing," the demigod said, his voice rumbling like thunder.


    "Why are you doing such a thing if you''re so surprised?" Able shot back, undeterred.


    "Well, this is my mission..."


    "Stop whining. I know a few people who are half-demigod, and they all say there''s no such thing."


    Able''s tone was dismissive. Adam was the only one he knew personally, but it wasn''t an unfounded statement. He also had a bad history with a guy named Peltron from the North.


    Regardless of whether they were half-god or half-demon, they were just beings living in this world.


    They were not from the heavenly or demonic realms, nor could they return to such ces.


    "What are you talking about? I am the guardian deity of this river. I have a duty to protect the floodin!" the demigod roared.


    As expected, he was someone Able couldn''t reason with. Ignorant people with firm beliefs were terrifying, and this demigod was no exception.


    "I heard floodins form when the rainy seasones anyway. They won''t disappear just because you''re not bothering them," Able replied, his patience wearing thin.


    "How dare a human like you try to teach a god?" the demigod sneered.


    Half the city was underwater, and Able''s anger red at the demigod''s arrogance.


    "Ha! You''re really screwed."


    Able''s arm began to glow with a brilliant blue light as his catastrophic retribution surged.


    The skill hadn''t been activated yet, but his fury seemed to project through it. Able didn''t care how his abilities yed out as long as they defeated this demigod.


    "I will put an end to your tiresome rtionship with Deliat," Able dered.


    Despite the dangerous situation, this ce had be his second home, and he was determined to protect it.


    Able''s right arm and gavel shook violently as catastrophic retribution threatened to unleash its power.


    ''Just hold on a little longer. I''ll let you taste blood.''


    Able braced his legs and prepared to leap forward, aiming to rush in and crush the demigod in one swift strike.


    But at that moment, a holographic message suddenly appeared before his eyes.


    [You have made a huge difference in themunity by influencing countless Dware people. A reward will be given.]


    Able frowned at the unexpected message.


    ''Of all times, why now?''


    As if responding to his discontent, the hologram shimmered again.


    [A skill has been created. First cast privilege! Consumption cost is waived. Would you like to activate it right away?]


    ''Still, I can''t stand this.''

 Chapter 118: Extreme Choice

    The system never disyed things like consumption values in the first ce. But now there was a new skill, so it didn''t matter.


    "I''ll just try it once," he thought.


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Green mes shot up behind him, almost as if they were screaming to be let out. He couldn''t understand why they were whining like this when they weren''t even alive. Of course, he had no intention of refusing.


    "Okay. So what''s the new skill?"


    As soon as Able voiced his curiosity in his head, a hologram popped up.


    ¡ºExtreme Choice Activation¡»


    "Hey, wait a minute! Why is skill name like this?"


    Doesn''t the term ''extreme choice'' usually mean something like ''let''s live''? If he had known the name would be like this, he would have thought it over again.


    But the skill had already been activated.


    [Extremely amplifies either attack power or defense power. However, abilities that are not applied will be reduced by half or less. 5 seconds of selectable time.]


    Fortunately, there was no incident requiring him to risk his life; it was just that the attack or defense power was heavily weighted toward one side.


    "What if I don''t press anything?"


    While he was pondering it, the countdown ticked down in an instant.


    "5, 4, 3, 2, 1. End."


    [Auto-select ''Attack Power.'' You will be a ''ss body.'']


    There was no special penalty; one of the two options was just automatically selected.


    "Not bad. I was going to choose attack power anyway," Able thought to himself, but he still felt uneasy. Maybe it was because he was feeling down, but the pouring rain began to feel painful.


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    Swaaa¡­


    "Oh, oh? Maybe it''s not just my imagination?"


    The system said Able defense was down, but could raindrops actually hit him like this?


    It was just a guess, but if that was the case, he would need to fight with the utmost care. But things didn''t go as he thought.


    Knock knock!


    "Ah..."


    Able suddenly heard a sound and looked down to his right; his forearm had swelled to twice its size. It was the sound of his body copsing, unable to withstand the catastrophic punishment.


    If more time had passed, his arm might have exploded. This meant that a decisive move had to be made right now.


    "Haa, either way!"


    That demigod still didn''t know much about Able fighting abilities. If so, the first sh could be an unexpectedly big opportunity.


    Phew!


    As soon as Able hit the ground, a tremendous explosion erupted.


    A hole four meters in diameter appeared, and his body was thrown forward, narrowing the distance between them in an instant.


    "This, this is¡­!"


    Therge face of the surprised half-demigod came right before his eyes. At this rate, they might end up kissing. Startled, he quickly turned around.


    "Eww! It''s dirty!"


    "You were the one who came!"


    "No matter what, it''s ugly!"


    "What the heck is that¡­?"


    Oh my god!


    The other person''s telepathy was suddenly cut off. That was why Able swung the gavel abruptly.


    It was perfect timing, but it felt like Able arms couldn''t hold out any longer. He couldn''t understand why the skill kept activating on its own.


    People might get a little angry; it''s not like he couldn''t express his anger rationally.


    [Destructive Retribution is a difficult skill to master. To master it perfectly, improve the system''s functions.]


    Out of nowhere, a holographic message appeared. The system had suddenly started talking a lottely. Before, it just passed on information, but now it was even trying to have a conversation.


    "Oh, this is not the time."


    Able shook his head vigorously. He almost got caught up in the system''s trickery.


    Weren''t they in a life-or-death battle right now?


    "I''m fighting with my defenses cut in half. I don''t have time to be distracted now."


    Able quickly pushed the hologram away and focused on his movements.


    The half-demigod, furious to the point of hair loss, was unleashing merciless attacks. It was shooting something like a water cannon from its mouth, and it felt like getting hit was not an option.


    Push it! Quagagagagak!


    As expected, the rock hit by the blue energy shattered into pieces, as if cut by a waterjet cutter.


    ¨DKuaaah! You are putting a lowly hammer into this noble body of Delia! I will kill you!


    The bastard was writhing in pain, his whole body convulsing.


    A devastating punishment had properlynded on its chest. If it had been any other living thing, it would have died immediately.


    Even the demigod''s body had a 20-centimeter dent in it. But surprisingly, it still seemed healthy, given how it continued firing water cannons.


    "But I can''t stand being referred to in the third person."


    If a cute kid did that, wouldn''t it be okay?


    The demigod Delia didn''t look much different from Adam. How could a beast like him say such things?


    "As the governor of this ce, I just can''t stand by and watch¡­"


    "Stop talking nonsense and look ahead! If this continues, I''ll end up in trouble too!"


    As Able was dodging the water cannons, an urgent voice echoed. He nced over his shoulder and saw Shuguri with a tired expression. It was remarkable that he held on without falling, even in such a fierce fight, but now it seemed like he had reached his limit.


    The cute creature''s arms were shaking.


    "Are you stupid? Do you really have to hang there?"


    "Then what should I do? If I get caught in the rapids, I''ll be swept away. Then it''s a pain toe back."


    "This will do."


    Able grabbed Shuguri and stuffed him into the front pocket of his coat. A violent reaction erupted.


    "Whoa! What the hell are you doing? You son of a bitch!"


    "Even if you help me, it''s a pain. Just stay quiet. I''m really busy right now."


    "Ouch!"


    Shuguri stuck his head out and watched the situation with interest. He was dodging the water cannons pouring down like crazy, moving with possessed agility.

 Chapter 119: The Guardian Deity [1]

    "Is this worth doing?"


    Delia''s uracy was poor. It felt like he was shooting without looking at his target, perhaps still reeling from the shock of the devastating punishment. If so, now was the opportunity.


    "I have to hit him one more time before hees to his senses."


    After all, it was burdensome to fight with weakened defenses.


    The answer was always quick and easy. He gradually closed the distance while avoiding the water cannon sts. But as he got closer, he couldn''t find any angle to break through because the opponent was firing so wildly.


    "It won''t work. Let''s just hit it here."


    Catastrophic retribution was basically a melee attack, but it could still exert a strong influence from a distance due to its wide attack range.


    Phew! Here we go!


    "Cha-ha-ha!"


    Able shouted while dodging a water cannon flying straight at him. A sharp energy stretched forward and struck Delia''s face.


    Thump!


    -Kuaaaah!


    The opponent''s scream echoed with a loud noise. At the same time, the countless streams of water suddenly stopped pouring.


    "Yes!"


    Able ran quickly, shouting for joy, determined to finish Delia off this time. But just as he got within striking distance, Delia spoke.


    "How dare this lowly wretch!"


    Pfft!


    A beam of blue light burst from Delia''s body. An explosion echoed, despite the absence of explosives.


    "Huh, huh?"


    There was no need to understand because Able body floating in the air told him everything.


    "I''m flying!"


    "Oh, shit!"


    Caught up in that unknown explosive force, it was such a waste to lose this opportunity.


    If Delia recovered, the battle would be increasingly difficult. He kept swinging the gavel until the very end, even though he was pushed back by an enormous force.


    Able tried to attack until the veryst moment.


    ¡ºActivation of Destructive Retribution¡»


    Suhua-!


    All the strength was leaving Able body. It seemed that using catastrophic retribution was no longer possible. Still, the blue sh he shot hit Delia squarely on the temple.


    "Oh! He''s going over there."


    The enemy''s form copsed along with Shuguri''s scream. It seemed like thest bastion had really fallen. Soon, the force that had been pushing him away suddenly weakened.


    Knock!


    Ablended on the ground and picked up the fishing that was rolling around. It was torn to shreds by the fierce storm but still seemed usable. Not for its original purpose, but for binding.


    "Okay, shall we begin?"


    "What?"


    "I told you before. Arrest the criminal in question."


    "What is that?"


    "I am the governor and the supreme judge, not a police officer. I will arrest him and hand him over."


    "You''re going to judge everything anyway, so isn''t it all the same?"


    "Oh my! There has to be a procedure for everything in the world. That way, there will be fewer mistakes and fewer people who get wronged."


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    Able tied Delia''s arms tightly.


    Come to think of it, didn''t this guy shoot a water cannon from his mouth?


    He made sure to block that safely too.


    Finally, Able felt a little relieved after securing the over Delia''s mouth.


    In this way, they managed to eliminate the culprit that had been tormenting Deliat every year. Perhaps from now on, when the rainy seasones, half the city wouldn''t be submerged.


    "Wait a minute, didn''t you say this guy name was Delia?"


    -He himself revealed that.


    "But the ce I rule is Deliat?"


    -It''s simr.


    "It doesn''t feel like we''ve defeated the disaster. This guy was talking about a guardian angel earlier."


    - Hey, no way. How arrogant must those demigods be to ept such a position?


    Shuguri shrugged his shoulders.


    These half-assed transcendent beings were just a product of chance.


    Some of the lost powers of gods and demons have simply leaked into the natural world.


    It was definitely not some lofty intention or anything like that.


    As far as Able know, that''s what happened.


    "Huh? What is this being''s name?"


    Kuro Allegan, who was temporarily serving as the butler, asked with a mysterious expression.


    Able  answered nonchntly.


    "It was Delia."


    "Delia?"


    "yes."


    "Oh! This is it!"


    "Why? What''s the problem?"


    "That well you see¡­ ."


    The story that came out of Kuro Allegan''s mouth was quite surprising.


    The origin of the city-state called Deliat.


    The one who created a space in the desert where people could live was Delia.


    So I¡­


    "Did I really beat up the guardian deity?"


    -If you just look at the results, it''s exactly like that.


    "No, then why is he causing trouble?"


    If he''s a guardian deity, shouldn''t he be protecting the city?


    Able won''t be acting up like he did today.


    After thinking it over carefully, Shuguri came up with a pretty good idea.


    -You can just ask him.


    "Oh, I see."


    Since Delia was in custody anyway, there was plenty of room for questions and answers.


    Able immediately shook the unconscious guy awake.


    "Hey, wake up."


    -Hmm? Hmm?


    Perhaps because he was a demigod and had a strong body, he appeared to be quite unharmed even after being hit by three devastating punishments.


    Immediately afterwards, Able quickly asked a question.


    It''s true that true feelingse out when you''re half-asleep.


    "Hey, Delia. Why on earth would you do something like that?"


    Then, a fierce response poured out immediately.


    -You guys didn''t perform the ritual!


    "Ah?"


    The sudden answer left everyone stunned. The phrase carried such weight that it was hard toprehend at first. The guardian deity, Delia, had mentioned something that felt out of ce given the current situation.


    -You guys didn''t perform the ritual!


    Delia repeated, eyes zing with resentment.


    The context of the statement was baffling. A ritual? No one had mentioned any such thing before. Was this really the reason why the guardian of Deliat had been tormenting the city instead of protecting it?


    "Wait, what ritual are you talking about?"


    Kuro Allegan, who had been silently observing until now, stepped forward, his face disying a mixture of confusion and curiosity.


    Delia, still restrained by the fishing, spat out her words with a sense of betrayal.


    -The ritual to honor the protector, to recognize the guardian! For decades, you people have forgotten. You stopped honoring me, stopped paying respects, and now you wonder why I bring storms?


    The room fell silent. It was as if the revtion had punched through the tension, bringing with it a flood of guilt and disbelief.

 Chapter 120: The Guardian Deity [2]

    The reason Delia caused a stir was simple. This was because the annual rituals had been stopped at some point.


    "If it was so important, why didn''t you do it?"


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    "Well¡­"


    Kuro Allegan trailed off at the question that was asked without thinking. At that moment, I realized one thing.


    ''Ah, it''s because of the empire.''


    It seemed that the country was devastated by the defeat and the ancestral rites were discontinued. The country had no money to offer sacrifices.


    "So you''re going to flood half the city?"


    ¨DAfter listening to your story, it seems like you''ve been holding back for quite some time.


    It was about ten years ago that Deliat was absorbed into the empire. If no sacrifices were made since then, it was quite a long period of time. But is it right to say that patience is good?


    "But if you''re angry, you have to figure it out on your own. What if you take your anger out on kind people?"


    -Ask yourself. Why are you doing this to me?


    "Whether you are half-god or half-demon, you are all the same¡­"


    -What kind of nonsense are you talking about? Whoa! Squirrel Thunder!


    The shoce that popped out of my front pocket drop-kicked me in the face.


    But even so, it didn''t hurt at all since it was only about 100 grams. I roughly waved my hand to st it away and then walked over to Delia. Now it was time to settle the matter.


    ''I can''t go through this chaos every rainy season, right?''


    It''ll probably be okay for a while because I was holding onto this rotten half-demigod. But what if I leave for the Empire?


    ''There will be no one to control it.''


    If so, there is only one way. There was no way to change his mind except through negotiation.


    "Delia."


    -Hmph.


    "No, let''s talk. We can''t keep being ufortable like this, right?"


    -I can''t vent my anger with just my mouth shut.


    "Of course. A sacrifice? I can do it as much as you want. I just want you to understand that the country has been devastated by the war."


    - That''s an interesting story. But it won''t fill the gap left by that.


    "I''ll give you ten years'' worth at once. How about that?"


    -Hmm.


    Delia looked sullen, but I was sure of it.


    ''This guy came over here.''


    His mind was alreadypletely made up, but he didn''t seem to want to ept it right away. Maybe he''s doing it for the sake of appearance.


    Since he is a legendary figure here, it was necessary to adjust him appropriately.


    "Let''s take this opportunity to make the story a little more solid."


    -What does that mean?


    "You didn''t cause this mess, but some evil being did."


    -Oh?


    "The guardian deity was resurrected and stopped the flood. I think we can conclude it like this."


    ¨D¡­!


    Delia''s expression suddenly darkened. It seemed like his heart was greatly moved. I smiled broadly and held out my right hand.


    "Deal?"


    -Okay. I ept.


    "Yes!"


    -But who takes charge of the existence of evil?


    "Oh, that one? There''s a guy who''s just right for that."


    I took the Shuguri out of my front pocket. Immediately, a strong reaction erupted.


    -Can''t you let this go? How dare you touch the noble demon''s body!


    "Oh, so you''re not upset because the role is bad?"


    - I Am originally evil


    I didn''t know it could be this simple. I guess I overestimated these guys.


    ''There really is nothing normal in this world.''


    ***


    Delia never appeared in court. Instead, rumors about him swept through Deliat.


    "The Guardian Angel has finally returned!"


    "They said he dealt with the demon that caused the river to flood together with His Excellency the Governor!"


    "Aha! So that''s he was able to run on water?"


    "As expected, everything will be solved if he steps forward. Look. The guardian angel has returned."


    "Khuuuuuu! Your Excellency the Governor! Take me."


    There seemed to be some strange noise mixed in, but anyway, the response was very good. Delia also seemed very satisfied, as she went to the river every day to eavesdrop on people''s conversations.


    Oddly enough, that guy''s form bes almost invisible when he goes into the water. So, even when approaching through the rapids, I had to rely solely on Shugle''s sensing abilities.


    In any case, the urban flooding incident ended on a very positive note.


    ''This is the best ending.''


    At least the citizens who suffered flood damage were not terribly unhappy.


    It seems that the belief that the guardian deity would protect the city served as a strong support. Still, the recovery effort was not easy. It was because Delia had turned the city into a mess.


    "No, is that actually a good thing"


    -Why?


    "It was a building that had to be torn down at some point anyway."


    Most of the citizens of Deliat are extremely poor. The ces they lived were shabby houses or squatter tents on the side of the road. Although the economy has improved somewhat these days, that doesn''t mean everyone can live in a nice house.


    ''Let''s get rid of it all and build public housing.''


    Like the staff quarters of the Carriers Duchy.


    First, I should rent it out cheaply for a long term and have them pay it back slowly.


    Aren''t Im just giving it away too much?


    The empire had a great influence on Deliat''s development. The previous king may have been arrogant, but the sabotage was too severe. Of course, this side also had something to say. What can I do if that guy closes his eyes and holds out until the end?


    The Imperial Army must also resort to extreme measures.


    ''In any case, it is a business that needs government support.''


    I immediately called Kuro Allegan and ryed the instructions I had just thought of.


    I thought they were making too much of me since I wasn''t even an employee of the Governor-General''s Office, but I thought it would be okay. Surprisingly, this person¡­


    "This is a wise decision. I will implement it immediately!"

 Chapter 121: Labor Standards Act [1]

    "This is a wise decision. I will implement it immediately!"


    He loves working so much. It''s not like he can just give me any task. There was a preferred type.


    ''When the development of Deliat bes clearly visible.''


    Even though he may seem like a total rascal, Kuro Allegan was a true patriot. He works much harder than the upper-level tasks. He doesn''t even have much money.


    Anyway, thanks to the new governor, the Governor-General''s office was running smoothly. Thanks to that, I was able to focus solely on supplementing thew code.


    Although the fear was sessful, there were still some areas that werecking. In particr, the rights and obligations of the citizens of Deliat needed to be reestablished.


    This was because the working conditions were still extremely poor and the tyranny of the nobles was still prevalent.


    "But why don''t they want to do this?"


    How could it be easy to write a massive book based solely on memory?


    Moreover, it was a task that required a lot of caution. Because all of this will have a huge impact on the people.


    After all, worrying alone wasn''t a good choice.


    ''Should I gather the smart man together and have a discussion?''


    There is a saying that if a modern person were to fall into the Middle Ages, he would be unrivaled in knowledge. In fact, it would not have been easy for an ordinary person to do so. There are countless experts here too. Stay connected through mvl


    Think about it. Socrates was born in 470 BC, and Pythagoras was born around 570 BC. Can an ordinary modern person be said to be superior to them?


    ''You can tell just by looking at me right now.''


    Able Carrier''s incredible status and personal transcendent powers.


    If these things did not exist, would the system have achieved the positive social change it desires? It would never have been aplished. He probably just lived and died as an unusual medievalmoner.


    So I decided to gather the intellectuals of Deliat together and have a heated discussion.


    "If the government supports me, I will pursue knowledge like crazy."


    That''s part of human nature. I''m going straight to Kuro Allegan...


    I was about to call out, but I held back for a moment.


    ''Let''s leave the busy people alone and use the other kids.''


    The current Archon of Allegan was working day and night. I can''t burden a person like that any further. I immediately called the managers together.


    "Your Excellency the Governor."


    "Okay, is everyone here?"


    "Everyone except those who went to the scene has returned."


    "Okay. Then please gather some people like this."


    While I was waiting, I passed out notes to everyone that I had scribbled down. It says intellectuals from all walks of life, and next to that, their upations are listed as tax collectors, artists, etc.


    I think you know what I mean by this.


    But then suddenly an older official raised his hand.


    Was it Hosen Mirta? He is a local figure, but I hired him because he seems to be quite alert.


    I nodded immediately. It''s good that you can express your opinion so freely.


    "Mr. Hosen Mirta, please speakfortably."


    "I am deeply moved that Your Excellency the Governor recognizes my humble name."


    "No problem."


    "It''s nothing special. You said people from all walks of life, but most intellectuals are from noble families."


    "I guess so. After all, they probably have more time to study thanmoners."


    "I doubt they will ept the Governor-General''s request. The mood among the nobles is not good these days."


    "Why?"


    "Because taxes are incurred¡­"


    "Aha!"


    The nobles of Delia did not pay taxes. In fact, that was human nature.


    Even In fact, that was human nature. Even in modern times, when taxws are strict and surveince is tight, there are still a huge number of tax delinquents.


    In the rtively rxed Middle Ages, there were many people who resorted to expedients. The nobles of Deliat also evaded taxes under all sorts of strange pretexts.


    Of course, I cut it off in one stroke.


    "Are they trying to act like a citizen without paying taxes?"


    "Most of the native nobles of Deliat are following suit."


    "Then what are they dissatisfied with?"


    "That¡­"


    Hosen Mirta nced furtively out the window to the east. At that very moment, I was able to realize what kind of individuals were expressing their discontent.


    "These are things that came from the empire."


    "Ahem!"


    The imperial people were the true ruling ss of Deliat.


    Even if they were a semi-noble person on the maind, they could live a luxurious life here.


    Because the discrimination based on ss was so severe. Probably, obtaining a single business license would be easier than eating cold soup.


    they''re asking Deliat to pay the profits generated there, are they unhappy with that?


    ''They''re crazy.''


    One, what can I do if I have aint? Here, I am thew.


    They im to advocate the rule ofw, but if they did, they could have just handled it ording to procedure.


    "I''ll take care of those. You just worry about how to gather the intellectuals."


    "Are you talking about people other than nobles?"


    "Yes, I guess I can just call everyone in the neighborhood who is said to be smart."


    "But it won''t be easy for them to give up their livelihood. They also have to make a living."


    I put my hand on my forehead at Hosen Mirta''s answer. No, in this day and age, you think you can use someone for free¡­


    ''Oh, that was the standard here?''


    To order someone to do something using their authority and then wipe their mouth clean.


    Even in the empire, such cases of wage arrears were countless. Of course, it would happen much more often in the underdeveloped Deliat.


    In order to prevent such a situation from happening, there was a system that had to be put in ce first.


    What the heck is that?


    ''Labor Standards Act.''

 Chapter 122: Labor Standards Act [2]

    Able couldn''t help but notice the harsh realities faced by themoners in both the Empire and Deliat.


    The average monthly wage was about 2 Ceylons, which was absurdly low but sadly reflected reality. Half of this meager ie went to food, leaving them living hand to mouth.


    To survive, they had to save 12 shillings a year, buy clothes, and pay rent, making life a constant struggle.


    It was no wonder the birth rate was so high;bor was directly tied to survival. But still, Able found it too little.


    This was not aint made out of populism or a sense of superiority¡ªthis world was riddled withbor exploitation.


    No matter how much one worked, it was impossible to achieve even a minimal standard of living. Workers were often forced to stay in "coffin" or "rope" dormitories. The former he understood, but thetter?


    ''You''re talking about rope,'' he thought grimly¡ªa ce where people slept while hanging from a long rope to avoid being bitten by rats or bugs.


    In the morning, the ropes would be cut, waking the workers abruptly.


    The cruelty of it was appalling. If this was the norm in the Empire, then Deliat was even worse.


    "We will enforce the Labor Standards Act," Able announced firmly.


    "What is that, Your Excellency the Governor?" someone asked.


    "Please look at this," Able said, handing out copies of the newly established code ofws.


    Thew book, concise and straightforward, could be read in minutes. It covered working hours, rest periods, night shifts, safety, prohibition of workce bullying, identpensation, and employment contracts.


    He nned to set up abor office and appoint inspectors to ensurepliance.


    "One, there will be strong opposition," Hosen Mirta voiced his dissent, reflecting the general sentiment among the managers.


    Able knew that whenever he proposed something, Mirta would always find a reason to oppose it, making him an unlikely ally.


    However, Able appreciated this challenge; it made him think twice.


    ''How can a man who can''t even persuade his subordinates be qualified to be a leader?''


    Able thought, smiling softly at Mirta. "But we have to do it anyway. We must prevent a situation where people work but don''t get paid."


    "The job market will shrink," Mirta argued.


    "We just need to create a lot of good jobs. We''re already doing that, aren''t we?" Able countered.


    Thebor market in Deliat was indeed evolving. From the Q&L single-use factory to the Ryker Brick Factory, workers'' conditions had started to improve.


    As quality jobs increased, the bullies would have fewer workers to exploit and eventually would be forced to offer fair wages.


    Still, the reality was harsh. There were always people exploiting the vulnerable, forcing the elderly into unsafe jobs without proper equipment.


    This world was full of madness. "That was a very good idea, Mr. Hosen Mirta," Able said.


    "Thank you, Your Excellency the Governor," Mirta replied.


    "But, may I give you an example?" Able asked.


    "Yes."


    "What would you do if I took all your possessions and forced you to work for free?"


    "Then, Your Excellency the Governor would be severely criticized. The reputation you have built up until now would crumble," Mirta answered.


    "And what if you''re so immoral that you don''t care about criticism at all?"


    Mirta fell silent, clearly grappling with the hypothetical scenario. He imagined losing everything and being forced to find another job, desperately hoping to use connections to get back on his feet. But what if Able decided to wield his influence against him?


    "I will make sure you don''t earn even a shilling a month," Able continued with a warning tone.


    Mirta bowed his head, clearly shaken by the possibility. Able sensed the tense atmosphere in the conference room and smiled broadly.


    "Surely, I wouldn''t do that, would I? Let''s discuss how to prevent such incidents from happening again."


    "That is a valid point," Mirta conceded.


    "If there is anything that should be removed or added, please let me know," Able invited. After some thought, the managers began voicing their suggestions.


    "There are cases where wages are paid in kind, like grain or cloth, but it should be standardized into currency."


    "Let''s create a standard contract that everyone can understand."


    Continue reading on mvl


    "We need support programs, like providing benefits to businesses with good reputations."


    "Maybe offer tax savings?"


    As the meeting progressed, the managers presented good ideas, though some were too ambiguous to be codified intow. Able noted everything, recognizing that while some ideas could be policy, others might only be practical as administrative measures.


    "Okay. Let''s start by setting up thebor office. Any volunteers?" Able asked.


    Mirta, who had been reflective since their earlier conversation, raised his hand. "I will try, Your Excellency the Governor."


    Able was surprised but pleased. Mirta was meticulous, and Able felt he could trust him. "Thank you, Mr. Labor Commissioner."


    "It is an honor, Your Excellency the Governor," Mirta said with newfound resolve.


    Deliat''s government structure was informal and small, relying on existing job titles. But as society changed rapidly, Able realized it might be time to reorganize the government.


    ''I just want to rx, but it seems the world won''t let me.'' Able thought, knowing this mission was originally set by the Emperor.


    When he learned that the opposition was mostly from imperial nobles, he saw the solution clearly.


    "If it''s nobles from the Empire, ignore them," Able instructed. "We''ll just proceed."


    Able''s decision was firm, and his eyes glinted with resolve. The tension in the room thickened as he looked around, assessing the reactions of those present. Some nodded in agreement, recognizing the necessity of the newbor policies, while others shifted ufortably in their seats, contemting the repercussions.


    "We must lead by example," Able continued. "If we don''t enforce thesews in our ownnds, how can we expect anyone else toply? And if the imperial nobles refuse to adapt, they will find themselves increasingly isted."


    The managers exchanged nces. The Governor''s stance was clear¡ªthere would be no exceptions, no leniency for those clinging to the old ways. Able''s reputation and authority were the driving force behind this movement, and few dared openly oppose him.

 Chapter 123: Labor Standards Act [3]

    The establishment of the Ministry of Labor and the promulgation of the Labor Standards Act were carried out quickly. Because the governor''s reputation was so high, thew was easily established.


    Most workces, including construction sites, factories, and farms, readily epted it. At the same time, when it was announced that a vocational school would be established, the atmosphere was rather weing.


    "Do you guys know that?"


    "What do you mean?"


    "If you go to the bulletin board of the Governor-General''s Office, you will see the tax receipts and disbursements ledgers posted in their entirety."


    "Huh! You''re going to make it that transparent?"


    "In addition, the support n for the training field is also included."


    "With all this passion and dedication, who would oppose it?"


    Most people reacted like this.


    There was no significant opposition from the native nobles of Deliat, either. This was because the governor''s trustworthiness was so great that it reached the heavens.


    But the nobles who came over from the empire were different.


    "If it''s the Duke of Carriers, isn''t he the one most favored by His Majesty the Emperor?"


    "But why is he making policies that are disadvantageous to us?"


    "Something feels strange. You followed me all the way here, but you didn''t even call me once."


    "You don''t think we are imperial nobles, do you?"


    "That might be true. I heard he was originally a very shy person. I heard he doesn''t even throw parties."


    "This doesn''t seem like the time to be doing this. Shouldn''t we convey our intentions?"


    "Okay."


    They sent dozens of petitions, but there was no response from the Governor-General.


    The Ministry of Labor was established, andbor inspectors visited every workce. Naturally, dissonance was bound to erupt at this point.


    "What are you saying now?" Viscount Mason Hubert asked with a flushed face. The young official dressed in ck answered with a nk expression.


    "I just asked to see proof that the farm workers were paid their wages."


    "Why should I give something like that up?"


    "This is a necessary procedure forbor supervision and investigation. If you continue to refuse, we will have no choice but to enforce it."


    "What? Hey, listen! Get these guys out now!"


    A group of people rushed out at the loud shout. They were private soldiers loyal to Mason Hubert. In many cases, ordinary vassals did not have separate fiefs because titles were mostly given to a count or someone who worked as a royal official.


    But in vassal states like Deliat, the story was different. Here, he had the same authority as a count. That''s why he could have dozens of elite soldiers and knights.


    However, thebor inspector didn''t even bat an eyelid.


    "This act is treason. Are you not afraid of the wrath of the Governor?"


    "I only follow His Majesty the Emperor''s orders. No one can interfere with thend He has given us!"


    "Your sophistry is very strong. Didn''t you receive the farm you secured in Deliat from the previous governor? In return for your lobbying?"


    "How insolent! What are you doing?"


    As soon as Viscount Hubert shouted, the soldiers moved.


    They were an elite force, well-equipped with weapons and armor.


    Cheers! Cheers!


    The training conditions also looked very good. If things continued like this, it seemed like the managers would be in big trouble.


    But it was at that very moment that thebor inspector, who had been looking around with indifferent eyes, blurted out a word.


    "Do you get paid to work?"


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    The soldiers who had been rushing forward slowed their pace. Soon, they started ncing at each other''s faces. Honestly, they were curious about how much each person was getting paid.


    But under normal circumstances, they wouldn''t have been able to ask.


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    "The average wage in Deliat is 4 shillings a month. It has risen quite a bit, hasn''t it? It is the result of the Governor''s generous investment. But do you get paid that much?"


    "Well, we''re going to borrow weapons and take care of our amodations here."


    "ording to the Labor Standards Act, high-risk jobs must be equipped with safety equipment. In addition, allpensation must be paid in cash. Is this being properly observed?"


    The faces of the soldiers changed mysteriously. Isn''t this like kicking away the country''s attempts to protect their rights through thew? Soon, everyone''s eyes turned to Viscount Hubert.


    "Your Majesty."


    "What are you doing instead of cleaning up those guys?"


    "Will you take care of our wages?"


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    Mason Hubert was speechless. Of course, he was nning to rece theirpensation with amodation and equipment rental fees as he had been doing so far. Then, anger filled the soldiers'' eyes.


    "Hey, I shouldn''t have done this kind of job!"


    "Didn''t that guy just say that? He says he''ll get paid 4 shillings a month no matter where he goes."


    "I don''t know why I''m doing this kind of private work."


    nk! nk!


    The soldiers began throwing away their weapons and taking off their armor. Eventually, they went to thebor inspector andined about their grievances.


    "What happens to the money I haven''t received yet?"


    "After the Labor Office reviews it, we will do our best to help you receive it. Just tell us the period of time you worked and your name."


    "Oh, thank you!"


    Thebor inspector, who broke the soldiers'' will to fight with just a few words, approached Viscount Hubert and extended his hand.


    "Now give it to me. The ledger."


    "Fuck!"


    Mason Hubert, his anger reaching the top of his head, spat out a torrent of curses. Simr incidents were happening all over Deliat.


    The imperial nobles, soon hit by the hammer of the Ministry of Labor, gathered their strength.


    "What should we do?"


    "We need toe up with a n quickly. If we continue like this, we''ll end up paying a huge fine."


    "Are you crazy? Punitive damages? And they want ten times the amount of the unpaid amount."


    "This can''t go on like this. Let''s all go together."


    "Where?"


    Mason Hubert paused for a moment and spoke with a solemn expression.


    "The pce."

 Chapter 124: Labor Standards Act [4]

    The Pce of Roses was the heart of the imperial residence, where Empress Cecilia Sierre presided.


    Arge number of nobles gathered in this secluded space, all of them loyal members of the imperial faction.


    "What brings everyone here?"


    Empress Cecilia Sierre asked softly, holding a porcin teacup with elegance. She had been in a good moodtely, particrly because the luxurious goods from the Carriers Duchy were delivered to her first.


    This tea set, in particr, was a one-of-a-kind item, and she had set up this gathering partly to show it off. She wanted everyone to see the teacup that so many nobledies were coveting.


    Soon, a middle-aged nobleman with a stern expression bowed and spoke up.


    "May I speak first?"


    "Yes, go ahead, Viscount Hubert," the Empress replied.


    "I regret to inform you that there are acts of barbarism taking ce in Deliat," he began, his tone serious. "The native nobles are celebrating, but we, the imperialists, are facing a cold reception."


    "Huh?"


    The Empress looked around the room with interest. Theirints werepletely different from what she had heard. Her brow furrowed slightly.


    She had expected them to discuss thetest trends among thedies, but instead, they were droning on about boring politics andining about their own interests.


    Cecilia Sierre was furious but maintained a warm smile. Showing her displeasure would only turn her into the subject of gossip.


    "So, you''re saying that the Governor is causing harm to the pro-imperial nobles?"


    "Yes," Viscount Hubert confirmed.


    "How?" she asked.


    "They are harassing us by implementing something called the Labor Standards Act. They even expelled all the private soldiers who were meant to guard the farms," he exined.


    "Oh, that?" the Empress responded, recalling the Labor Standards Act initiated by Duke Abel Carriers.


    The act had sparked intense debate in the Imperial State Council, but ultimately, Deliat had stabilized rapidly.


    Most of the people there were now overjoyed, and the Governor had promised to transform the country into a paradise.


    The Empress spoke with a dreary look in her eyes, the corners of her lips curling upward.


    She saw no need to hear moreints.


    "Do you know something?" she asked.


    "What are you talking about?" the nobles asked, puzzled.


    "I mean the Labor Standards Act," she continued. "It''s truly an evilw of the highest order."


    "His Majesty the Emperor made that," she added.


    "...What?" the nobles stammered.


    "Didn''t you hear what the Governor said when he promulgated thew? He dered it was dedicated by His Majesty, the benevolent Emperor, out of a desire for the good of Deliat."


    The imperialist nobles of Deliat, including Mason Hubert, were left speechless.


    They had ignored the Governor''s words at the event, and now fear filled their minds.


    They realized they had been attempting to undermine what was, in fact, the Emperor''s own achievement.


    "We''ve made a terrible mistake. We should leave immediately," Viscount Hubert said hastily, bowing and trying to make a quick exit.


    However, a pure white smile appeared on the Empress''s lips. She wasn''t about to let these insolent nobles go so easily.


    "You know there are no secrets in the pce, right? There are many ears that hear and eyes that see," she warned, her voice eerily sharp, like a dagger cutting through the air.


    The imperial nobles of Deliat left the Pce of Roses with pale faces, deeply shaken by the Empress''s words.


    * * *


    Able was relieved that Deliat''sbor standardsw had been established quite smoothly. While there were still shes here and there, the resistance was not fierce.


    This was because everyone had panicked as soon as they heard that the emperor had created thew.


    ''I really, really didn''t want to sell my cousin''s name, did I?'' Able thought to himself.


    But what choice did he have when there was nothing more powerful than the emperor''s decree? His opponents were imperialist nobles. Wouldn''t it be easier to resolve things by involving the highest authority?


    *Knock, knock.*


    "Your Excellency the Governor, may Ie in for a moment?"


    A voice called out as Able lounged around in his office. Quickly, he opened thew book and put on a solemn expression. He knew very well who that person was.


    "Yeah, Kuro Allegan, Pleasee in," Able said.


    "Are you stillpiling thew code? It must be really hard work," Kuro Allegan remarked as he entered.


    "Don''t mention it. This is all for Deliat," Able replied.


    "As a citizen of this country, I am so embarrassed that I don''t know where to put myself," Kuro said, his tone polite and respectful.


    It was truly remarkable how much Kuro Allegan had changed from the noisy traveler of old. As the saying goes, a ce makes a person.


    "But what''s going on?" Able asked, sensing that Kuro had more to say.


    "An envoy has arrived from the Empire."


    "Uh¡­ from the Empire?" Able questioned, his mind momentarily freezing.


    "Yes," Kuro confirmed.


    Able''s mouth hung slightly open.


    Envoys were usually noisy beings, often drawing attention long before reaching their destination. For someone from another country to arrive without notice was unusual.


    Kuro Allegan scratched the back of his head, appearing just as confused as Able.


    "This is my first time experiencing something like this, so I was a bit flustered. I think it might be due to the influence of Your Excellency the Governor."


    "Really? Who''s here?"


    "His name is Count Kadisin."


    "Ah, it''s him," Able said, recognizing the name immediately. It wasn''t that he waspletely unacquainted with Count Kadisin; rather, the connection stemmed from the memories of Abel Carrier.


    Nevertheless, it wasn''t a difficult greeting to manage.


    Kadisin was a typical imperialist nobleman and felt like an elder within the family¡ªdistantly rted to Able, in fact.


    "Okay, I understand. I''ll make sure to meet him."


    "Please, Your Excellency the Governor."


    "You must be busy, so take care of your work."


    "Yes," Kuro said before excusing himself.


    Able made his way straight to the reception room of the Governor-General''s Office, where a middle-aged man with white hair and green eyes stood up to greet him.


    "It''s been a while, Your Highness the Duke of Carriers," Count Kadisin said.


    "How have you been, Count Kadisin?"


    "Well, I''m working at the castle today or tomorrow."


    "What are you talking about? I hope you live a long and healthy life," Able responded with a warm smile.


    "Haha! You''ve really changed a lot. That''s a relief."


    "I can''t live in sadness forever, can I? Thank you for your concern."


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    Able nodded respectfully, drawing on Abel''s memories. The old Abel had been quite a wreck, and Count Realf Kadisin seemed like a surprisingly kind person.


    ''I thought all the imperialists were just stubborn fools,'' Able mused, recalling the recent shes with those who had relocated to Deliat in an attempt to block the Labor Standards Act, only to be scolded by the Empress.


    ''Was it effective tounch a gift offensive in advance?'' Able wondered.


    Given the Empress''s position and personality, he doubted she would have supported him outright. Even though she was now a member of the royal family, she originally hailed from the Duke of Sierre.


    Anyway, Able was grateful for her unexpected backing. When something good happened, it was only right to express gratitude promptly.


    "But, what''s the matter up to here? There''s probably nothing so urgent that you need to send a messenger," Able said, sensing that something unusual was at y.


    "It''s not because of anything else; it''s because of this," Count Kadisin replied, producing a sealed letter from his coat.


    Able''s eyes widened as he recognized the paper¡ªit was one of immense authority.


    "This is an order from His Majesty the Emperor."


    "Why all of a sudden?"


    "He said you cane back now. Let me read it first," Count Kadisin exined, his tone cautious.


    Able took the letter, a bewildered expression crossing his face. As he prepared to read, a sudden thought struck him.


    "I don''t think I should kneel. As far as I know, there''s no such requirement in imperial etiquette."


    "Just read it," Count Kadisin urged.


    "I know. I''ve received these in the North too."


    "Phehehe! Now you''re good at joking," Count Kadisin chuckled.


    "So, you''re telling me to go back to the Empire?"


    "Yes."


    "But it says ''I can''e back?"


    "Yes?"


    Count Kadisin tilted his head, confused by Able''s question. It seemed he didn''t fully grasp the implications.


    "Well then, I need to make you aware of it properly," Able said. "Doesn''t that mean this is optional?"


    "If you take it at face value, it''s not wrong, but¡­"


    Count Kadisin''s voice trailed off. It wasn''t difficult for Able to guess what he was hinting at¡ªonly someone daring would interpret the Emperor''s orders as optional.


    But Able was sincere in his stance.


    ''Deliat''s system has not yet been properly established,'' he thought.


    Thebor standardsw was only the beginning. There was no checks and bnces system in ce, nor had there been any reduction in authority.


    If a new governor were appointed now, things would likely revert to the old ways.


    ''With the recent changes, many will be eager to exploit the system for their gain,'' Able mused.


    ''I''ve put in so much work, and now he expect me to return to the Empire and watch it crumble?''


    Able resolved firmly, even if dirt got in his eyes, he wouldn''t allow that to happen.

 Chapter 125: New Governor [1]

    ''Deliat''s system has not yet been properly established,'' he thought.


    Thebor standardsw was only the beginning. There was no checks and bnces system in ce, nor had there been any reduction in authority.


    If a new governor were appointed now, things would likely revert to the old ways.


    ''With the recent changes, many will be eager to exploit the system for their gain,'' Able mused.


    ''I''ve put in so much work, and now he expect me to return to the Empire and watch it crumble?''


    Able resolved firmly, even if dirt got in his eyes, he wouldn''t allow that to happen.


    I looked at Count Kadisin, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.


    "Do you know why they are calling me?" I asked.


    "At the State Council, the voices of the imperialist nobles were loud. Why would you keep such a great man as His Highness the Duke in such a foreignnd?" He replied.


    "Isn''t that His Majesty the Emperor''s intention?" I countered.


    "He seemed to agree, but he didn''t directly state his opinion."


    I smiled broadly after hearing Count Kadisin''s answer. So this was an order with no special meaning. The Emperor probably doesn''t care whether I return or not.


    "Please wait a moment," I said, and went straight back to my office to write a letter.


    Although the exnation was long and tedious, the gist was simple: "I''m not going."


    Count Kadisin''s face turned pale after hearing the gist of the story. Even though he is my cousin, how could I refuse the Emperor''s orders? He seemed to be thinking, "Where can such crazy things happen?"


    "What on earth are you doing?" he asked, baffled.


    "I want to finish the work more perfectly. I will provide you with amodations, so you can rest for a few days and then go. I am busy with official business, so this is myst stop."


    I quickly moved on to the next n.


    * * *


    "Is everyone here?"


    "Yes!" came the powerful response from the room as I looked around.


    This is the Governor-General''s conference room, with nearly 200 people gathered, regardless of age or gender. Everyone''s eyes sparkled brightly, full of expectation. I smiled broadly.


    "The reason we have invited you is to promote development in various fields."


    "Is it true that if I faithfully produce results, His Excellency the Governor will be my guardian?" A man hastily raised his hand, asking the question.


    Our eyes met for a moment, and I recognized him.


    ''Pierce Russo. A promising sculptor, I think?''


    Arge man with a bushy beard, he looked like a bandit, but his fingers were long and thin, capable of delicate carvings.


    However, there was one problem: all his works were disgusting, depicting things like vicious monsters and horribly dead corpses with too much realism.


    ''They say the difference between a genius and a madman is only a sheet of paper.''


    I nodded and answered firmly, "We will also provide support at the national level."


    "Oh!" came the excited response.


    "But you have to produce faithful results. I think you know better what I mean."


    Pierce let out a low groan, lowering his hand weakly. He seemed heartbroken, but I couldn''t help it. We can''t allow such monstrosities into the city.


    Then I smiled broadly and said, "Okay, now let''s kill each other."


    Everyone stared at me in astonishment.


    I quickly added an exnation.


    "It was meant to be a way to show off your skills by dividing into different fields. If you are so poor that you fall outside the standards, of course, your support will be cut off."


    "Aha, that''s what you meant."


    "I hope you will work hard for the development of Deliat. You are the future of this country."


    "Ugh! Your Excellency the Governor!" they shouted, eyes red with emotion.


    I may wonder why they were so moved, but it couldn''t be helped. Deliat had suffered a huge blow that would take decades to recover from¡ªfate of all defeated nations. But here was someone promising arge-scale investment.


    "Everyone, go back and get the results. Ask the Governor-General''s officials here for any necessary items."


    When I turned my head briefly, the managers'' faces were pale. They were already overwhelmed with the establishment of the new Labor Office, and it seemed we would have to hire more new employees and create additional offices.


    ''There''s no time. It''s impossible to keep insisting that I won''t go.''


    Continue your adventure with §Þ??


    If the Emperor repeatedly requested, I would have to return even if I had work left to do.


    He hasn''t said anything yet, but I never know when my wayward cousin might change.


    I went straight back to the Governor-General''s Office and summoned Kuro Allegan.


    "I''m sorry to bother you when you''re busy."


    "It''s okay. I guess you called because it''s very important."


    "That''s true, but I''m still sorry."


    "But what''s going on?"


    "I n to expand the government offices."


    The Deliat Governor-General''s Office consisted of the Ministry of Labor, the National Tax Service, the courts, the police force, and the prosecution headquarters. It was concise and poorly named.


    "First, I n to create an education office and a vocational school under it."


    "So you''re nning to assign the talented people we met today as instructors?"


    "Yes, that''s right. In addition, the police force will be promoted to the National Police Agency, and the prosecution headquarters will be the prosecution office. They will be ced under the Ministry of Justice along with the courts."


    "Is the Ministry of Justice a means of keeping the Governor-General in check?"


    "For now, yes."


    To achieve separation of powers, the legitive power of the Governor-General had to be transferred to the National Assembly.


    However, that was the Emperor''s prerogative, not something I could do. So, we decided to create several surveince agencies in the Governor-General''s Office and the Ministry of Justice.


    "It would be good to have an organization in the Empire that reports the corruption of the Governor-General of Deliat. Let''s call it the Board of Audit and Inspection," I suggested, reminiscent of the Office of the Inspector General in the Joseon Dynasty, though different in that it reported to the Emperor rather than advising a King.


    In any case, it was clear that the organization was designed to prevent the governor from abusing his power.


    "And in the future, the position of consul will disappear."


    "Then what happens to me?" Kuro Allegan asked.


    "Since you were originally a temporary worker, you should return to being a wild man."


    "Ah¡­ it''s a shame. It was really fun up until now."


    Kuro Allegan had devoted himself to state affairs wholeheartedly. Of course, he might change like his older brother, Hojein, but so far, he had shown the traits of a true leader.


    Who would have thought a man who lounged at home and thought about building a top would grow up like this? No one truly knows what happens to others.


    Looking at Kuro Allegan''s bitter smile, I felt likeughing for no reason.


    ''He can''t rest.''


    I intended to make a request to the Emperor straight away: Kuro Allegan is the perfect fit for the position of Governor of Deliat.


    He''ll be faithful now, but what if this person changester? Just like the Hojein Allegan.


    ''The Board of Audit and Inspection, the prosecution, the police, etc., will take care of it.'' If he crosses the line too far, the Empire will intervene.


    * * *


    Deliat was in the midst of a major transformation. Government finances were bing more sound daily, and quality jobs were increasing. The term ''wage arrears'' had practically disappeared.


    People lived with these words in their hearts: "Is this a country?" Not out of discontent, but in awe, as if to say, "It''s heaven!"


    Deliat''s sess became an example to neighboring countries. The Kingdom of Crawford was particrly enthusiastic, requesting that a governor be sent to them immediately.


    ''Somehow, it feels like Princess Justia''s influence is strongly present.''


    I imagined her swinging arge warhammer, eyes gleaming. Shivering slightly, I prepared for my final moments in Deliat.


    It had been half a year since the golden heir of the Sierra family had killed Skyler.


    The Emperor''s order to return hade after four months, but I managed to serve the full term, aiming to maximize the transparency of the Government-General.


    "Of course, there will be changes here too," I said.


    "Probably so. Once you have even a little power, you want to wield it as you please."


    "Please take good care of this ce. Do your best to maintain this system for a long time."


    "I will definitely do that."


    "Well then, let''s sit down."


    I stood up from my desk chair and stretched out my right hand to the side. It was a symbolic ritual to hand over the position to Kuro Allegan.


    "Does this mean that from now on I''m the governor?"


    "Yes."


    Kuro Allegan had a mysterious expression. He probably never thought he would end up in this position.


    I immediately brought up the character information window.

 Chapter 126: New Governor [2]

    **Person Information**


    **Name**: Kuro Allegan


    **Status**: Viscount (vassal state)


    **Position**: Governor-General


    **Rtionship**: Strong bond


    **Status**: Heart-filled enthusiasm, endless burning patriotism, loyalty to the Empire and the Emperor.


    **Skill**: Employee Exploitation


    **Overall Ability**: A+


    I wanted to find out his current state of mind, and it was better than I thought. Even though he had ascended to the position of governor, he showed no signs of pride or arrogance.


    "Did I pick the right person this time?"


    I felt somewhat reassured, but also a little uneasy. This was because the character information window did not show the future. Well, it doesn''t really matter to me anymore.


    I''m a person who will be leaving soon.


    "Does it feel different?"


    "I feel proud, but also a heavy sense of pressure. I feel like I shouldn''t do anything carelessly."


    "I hope you never lose that heart again."


    Even though he didn''t mention it, I knew who he was talking about. I said goodbye to Kuro Allegan. Now, it was really time to part ways.


    Continue your story on §Þ??


    As I was leaving the Government-General building, I suddenly sensed unusual movement. As I turned the corner and entered the central hall, arge number of officials were gathered there. They all had familiar faces.


    "Your Majesty, Governor! Are you really leaving?"


    "We are not ready to stand alone yet."


    "Please reconsider just once!"


    I was a strong supporter of Deliat¡ªa breakwater that blocks imperial interference and a true monarch who develops internal capabilities.


    I feel very embarrassed saying this about myself, but what can I do if it''s true? Anyway, these people are patriots who were carefully selected. It must have been a great pleasure to see Deliat grow.


    It''s impossible not to feel anxious when the leader of such a great change disappears. I looked around at the managers and spoke.


    "I am an outsider. I am merely a person dispatched from the Empire. This is where the Deliat people live. Wouldn''t it be meaningful if you helped nurture it?"


    "Your Excellency the Governor¡­"


    "My role is toy the foundation, but I will not lose interest in thisnd. So I look forward to the day we meet again."


    "Kuuuuuuuu!"


    Although it was a short speech, the lobby of the Governor-General''s Office was filled with tears. It feltpletely different from when the staff at Carrier''s Duchy saw me off.


    They were shedding tears of happiness because there was a glimmer of hope that Deliat would rise again.


    Soon after, several employees handed me a bouquet of flowers¡ªa flower blooming profusely in the desert. It must have been incredibly difficult to obtain, but the sincerity was truly admirable.


    "Thank you for everything, Your Excellency the Governor."


    "Stay healthy, everyone."


    The staff waved until the carriage waspletely out of sight. But the farewell wasn''t just that.


    "Wow!"


    "Hurray for Your Excellency the Governor!"


    A huge crowd poured into the street and blocked the carriage. Then, the cheering began, along with deafening apuse. I opened the window and took hold of their hands one by one.


    The cheers, like fireworks, choked me up.


    "Thank you. See you next time."


    * * *


    After leaving Deliat, I set off on a quiet journey. If you just cross the border, you''ll be in the Empire, and surprisingly, the security here is quite good.


    Of course, this did not apply to ordinary people. I was rtively safe because the Imperial Army sent a cavalry unit.


    "There''s no need to go this far."


    "It is His Majesty the Emperor''s order. I heard you suffered hardships during your journey."


    The Captain of the Knights mentioned what happened in the Magretta volcano area. That''s because some rotten bastard caused andslide. I looked straight back at Shuguri.


    The guy was scratching his ear with his hind paw, making a fuss for no reason.


    -Ah, the weather is nice.


    Judging from the way he was talking nonsense, he seemed to be quite embarrassed. After all, how would a half-horse get caught up in andslide that he himself caused?


    "That happened. But how far will you protect me?"


    "I will only go as far as the Figueroa estate."


    "There''s not much time left. You''re having a hard time because of me."


    "No problem. I do this because I enjoy it. I also get to see the famous gavel. Can I see it just once?"


    "Yes, that''s right."


    What do you like? Since it was the Emperor''s order, he followed it, and since I was his escort''s target, he readily epted it. If only he were a rich bum, I probably wouldn''t have bothered to look at it.


    ''By the way, it''s really quiet.''


    Even though it is a quiet trading route, is it really possible that there is no sound at all?


    Normally, naturally urring noises would resonate from all over the ce. In this deep forest, there isn''t a single bird sound¡­


    "But, Your Highness the Duke."


    At that moment, when something seemed questionable, the captain of the knights suddenly spoke. I answered with a puzzled look.


    "What''s going on?"


    "Aren''t you being too pushy these days?"


    Oh, my. Was it strange that the Imperial Army volunteered to be the escort itself?


    Before we knew it, the carriage had stopped, and we werepletely surrounded. I looked back at the knights with a dumbfounded expression.


    "What are you doing now?"


    "Is this some kind of punishment?"


    The captain of the knightsughed bitterly, twirling the gavel between his fingers. Before I knew it, the drawn sword was hanging around my neck.


    ''It''s fast. You''re notcking in skill.''


    I don''t know who sent him, but the possibilities are endless. I''m a person with quite a few enemies. But it was really strange. Do they think I can''t resist because I don''t have a weapon?


    It was as if he thought he had won everything.


    ''I''ve never surrendered, you know.''


    The price ofcency is always bitter. I smiled broadly and grabbed the captain''s head.


    "Punishment is good. I enjoy it too, don''t you?"


    Immediately afterward, a picturesque flying knee kicknded squarely on his face.


    *Kwajik!*

 Chapter 127: Trevor Warren [1]

    It goes without saying that I am strong even without a gavel.


    Able Carrier''s transcendent power is not limited to mere weapons.


    "Krrrrr!"


    The knight captain, who had rolled his eyes and fainted, slowly copsed. The lost horse trudged along without knowing what was going on.


    "Sir!"


    The knights'' panicked cries echoed through the forest. It seemed as if they had never imagined that the captain would fall in just one blow.


    "This Isn''t the time to be worrying about others."


    I rushed towards them like the wind.


    Tada! Shhhhhhhh!


    Then, immediately, a sharp counterattack began. As expected, it was a coordinated effort worthy of the Imperial Knights. Putting aside the embarrassment, they quickly got into abat stance.


    But the problem was that the opponent was me.


    A downward kick that spun around in midair struck the knight''s helmet.


    "Huh?"


    A human body made of flesh and bone collided with arge lump of iron. But the resultpletely overturned everyone''s expectations.


    The helmet dented, and the knight''s body flew away.


    "What kind of nonsense is that!"


    "Why doesn''t it make sense? It''s happening right before your eyes."


    I moved straight toward my next prey.


    But that was just then.


    Tingle!


    I felt a prickle in my chest.


    It wasn''t because I was attacked by an opponent but because I felt an overwhelming sense of crisis for a moment.


    Should I say that it''s as if I''m going to get in trouble if I just go in without thinking? So I instinctively pulled back.


    Woof! Wedge-!


    "Ugh!"


    A bright beam of light shed before my eyes, apanied by an ominous vibration. As I tilted my head back, a force that seemed to tear space apart shot out.


    ''What is this?''


    It wasn''t the kind of power that the knights I had just faced could produce. I could tell the level of my opponent just by taking a quick nce at them. The skill gap was so big.


    Soon, someone appeared through the bushes. Perhaps the author is the one who just did that move.


    "As expected, you are amazing. You have the skills to be called the Berserker of the North."


    "You are?"


    "Even if you''ve never been to the West, you probably know about me."


    "¡­ ¡­Who was it?"


    I tilted my head and blinked. It wasn''t my intention to tease; I just did it out of genuine ignorance. Human memory is not inherently urate. Besides, things that are not recalled often tend to be forgotten.


    Although I absorbed most of Abel''s memories, I couldn''t remember who the other person was.


    ''I think I''ve seen him somewhere.''


    Tall, slender body, and gently flowing blond hair. A yful expression and mysterious green eyes. And there''s even a fluttering red cloak...


    No, there''s no wind, so why is it fluttering like that?


    "Oh! He''s quite the lunatic. Like someone who is calm even when his escort is in danger."


    I vented my frustrations at someone whose nose I couldn''t even see.


    Then, a dark doll suddenly appeared from the shadows.


    "I''m not crazy enough to wave my cloak with my own hands."


    "How can you be less useful than Shuguri if you''re a ck agent?"


    "Huh? Me? I''ve been putting in so much effort in the dark, and you don''t even notice it¡­ ¡­Sob!"


    "Stop acting like this doesn''t suit you and just tell me who that person is."


    "You really didn''t know? He''s themander of the 1st Western Corps¡­ no, the deputymander."


    After hearing Cordell McNeil''s story, a certain person finally came to mind.


    Trevor Warren, deputymander of the 1st Army Corps in the West. Although he was talented enough to upy a high position at a young age, he was a person who was often talked about.


    The story is that he is so self-willed that he doesn''t get along with the military.


    ''Let''s see how weird he is.''


    ===


    **


    **


    **Name:** Trevor Warren


    **Status:** Sessor to the Count''s family


    **Position:** Deputy Commander (Western 1st Corps)


    **Rtionship:** No acquaintance


    **Status:** The loneliness of a genius, strongpetitive spirit towards the northern berserker, and no interest in military affairs.


    **Skill:** Transcendent Aura Talent


    **Overall Ability:** S¨D


    ===


    Although his actions were ordinary, his abilities were surprising.


    ''S¨D? Transcendent aura talent? That''s amazing at such a young age.''


    At face value, he was in his mid-20s at best.


    A person like that came and pioneered so much in this field and rose to the position of deputymander?


    If I had been more interested in military affairs, I could have be the youngest corpsmander¡­ ¡­ .


    Oh, that would be difficult. With such outstanding skills, why not?


    ''Abel Carriers already became the youngest legionmander at the age of 18.''


    Maybe that''s why he felt a sense of superiority towards the northern berserker. Because I ate up all the achievements that he could have taken.


    Anyway, that''s none of my business.


    "Themander of the 1st Western Corps¡­ ¡­ No, what is the deputymander doing here? Even doing such a ridiculous thing."


    "Oh, this? The imperial nobles asked me to take care of it. They even gave me this famous sword as a gift."


    Whoosh!


    Trevor swung his well-bnced sword lightly. It was just a simple movement, but it felt heavy.


    This must mean that his skills are extraordinary.


    ''But what? You just took it and ate it because the imperialist nobles told you to?''


    He seemed even crazier than I thought.


    Moreover, isn''t he revealing his background without hesitation?


    Why on earth would you do something like that if you weren''t stupid? I couldn''t understand it at all.


    "So what do you want to do?"


    I didn''t ask why. Since he''s a guy who lives as he pleases anyway, how could something like that be possible? It would be cleaner to just ask him to reveal his purpose.


    Then Trevor Warren held his stomach and giggled.


    "Heh heh heh! You''re as funny as I thought."


    "Why do you think so?"


    "It''s the first time anyone has asked me that question. Everyone just yells at me, asking why."


    It''s worth knowing.


    Who would stop a guy who went from being a genius to a nerd by just a sheet of paper?


    Everyone will either keep quiet or just think about taking advantage of me.


    Just like right now.

 Chapter 128: Trevor Warren [2]

    "I haven''t heard an answer yet."


    "Honestly, I didn''t care what the Emperor''s faction demanded. You were their target in the first ce."


    "You don''t mean to suggest a test of skill, do you?"


    "Why do you think so?"


    Trevor suddenly asked, his expression hardening. What I just said seemed to have pressed a button in the Trevor mind.


    ''Oh? This is the scratch point, right?''


    Iughed and answered as if it was no big deal.


    "Isn''t that obvious? I wouldn''t rush in knowing I would lose."


    "So what you''re saying is, you''re stronger than me?"


    "Why? Don''t you think so?"


    Bam!


    The distance was about 7 meters, but the sound of it moving could be heard from here. Trevor Warren tossed the ornate sword aside.


    This is the famous sword that the imperial nobles gave him.


    Chaenggang!


    Then he quickly pulled out an old sword from his waistband. Although the appearance was very in, it was very well maintained.


    "We''ll have to see how long it will be. Let''s decide this here. Who is the most powerful person in the empire?"


    Before I knew it, Trevor''s tone of voice had changed. It seemed like manners were thrown out the window.


    ''Yeah. It has to be that bad to hear the sound of a p in the face.''


    Think about it logically. He was merely the heir to the Count''s family, and I was the Emperor''s cousin and Duke. It meant that the gap in status and authority was enormous.


    But he stilles out like that? It was something only a truly madman could say or do.


    For example, there''s a guy like Skr Sierra.


    "Is this a formal duel?"


    "There is no need for notarization in a man''s fight. They just kill each other and die."


    "Oh, yes, yes. You must be foolish."


    "Come on!"


    Tadadadada!


    The battle was absurd from the start. Trevor was the one who shouted for them toe, but he ended up running first.


    No, how weird of a mindset do you have to have to act like that? It was truly an absurd situation, but I couldn''t justugh it off.


    Despite his foolish appearance, his skills were real.


    Suhuaaang¨D!


    The scene where the sapphire aura tore through the air was truly spectacr. A 3-meter-long beam of light poured in without fail.


    It would be scary if you swung it around carelessly, but the swordsmanship was so perfect. No wonder he became a deputymander when he was only in his mid-twenties.


    If he suppress your superiors with his skills, who on earth would listen to him?


    I immediately took out my gavel and responded to my opponent''s attack.


    ¡ºThe Beast''s Heart Activates¡»


    Tsk tsk tsk tsk!


    A red aura poured out, taking the shape of a fire dragon, blocking the aura.


    Then Trevor sharply twisted his wrist, turning the de almost at a right angle.


    It was amazing that such movement was possible while swinging the sword more than halfway.


    It was a skill that was hard to believe even after witnessing it in person.


    Soon, the aura twisted like a snake, turning and aiming for my left side.


    Oh my god!


    It seemed like a turning point, but the result was, of course, a failure.


    As far as I know, there is no way I will be hit by the opponent''s attack.


    But I felt a strange sense of difort.


    ''Is he feeling confident?''


    Trevor stepped back once and then charged again.


    "Stop acting like this doesn''t suit you and just tell me who that person is."


    But this time, it was the same method¡ªa sword technique that leapt out in absurd directions while being swung with full force.


    I''ve only seen it once, but it''s already familiar to me.


    So I tried to flick it lightly and then counterattack right away.


    At that very moment, something strange happened.


    Phookang!


    ''This is crazy!''


    The sword strike aimed at his side broke once more and shot up toward his armpit.


    If I hadn''t twisted my body with all my might, I would have been fatally injured.


    They say he was a genius of the Warren family, and his skills were truly real.


    ''I feel confident again.''


    The opponent''s movements became more nimble.


    Although he was usually a scoundrel, it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was now a martial arts god.


    Jjeong!


    I knocked away all of Trevor''s persistent attacks.


    But this was just bait.


    The truth will emerge at the crucial moment.


    I instinctively knew that the moment was imminent.


    ''If I use catastrophic punishment, I can break it.''


    But that skill didn''t have the option of ''moderately.''


    To achieveplete control, the system''s functions need to be further improved.


    That doesn''t mean I can kill the empire''s top-tier power holder.


    Because it''s all a national loss.


    ''There is only one way. Give flesh and take bones.''


    Of course, the flesh I gave was incredibly hard, so it wouldn''t be easy to pierce through.


    I activated the skill with a meaningful smile.


    ¡ºExtreme Choice Activation¡»


    This time, there was no need to waste time on automatic selection.


    I knew exactly what I had to do.


    "Select ''Defense.''"


    "You will enter the ''Water Fist'' state."


    This will reduce the attack power by half, but the defense power will be the strongest in the world.


    I ignored the aura of my opponent, who wasing in sharply, and leapt forward.


    Quaching!


    Trevor''s eyes widened as I lunged forward,pletely ignoring his deadly aura. He must have thought I''d gone mad. But there was no hesitation in my movements. My body was like a boulder rushing through a storm¡ªunstoppable and unyielding.


    The instant his sword connected with my side, I felt the impact reverberate through my bones. But the pain was muted, dulled by the ''Water Fist'' state. The force that would normally tear through flesh now felt like a hard shove.


    Trevor''s expression shifted from confidence to disbelief. He clearly didn''t expect me to tank his full-powered strike like that. His movements stuttered for just a second¡ªenough time for me to make my move.

 Chapter 129: Trevor Warren [3]

    Trevor Warren was a promising talent from a young age. He demonstrated exceptional skill not only in aura but also in swordsmanship.


    Earl Warren spared no support, dering that finally, someone had been born who would bring honor to the family.


    This was evident when the third son took the position of sessor, surpassing his older brothers.


    But could excessive expectations be detrimental?


    Trevor became more and more entric as the days passed.


    Isn''t that still the case now?


    How dare he surprise the Emperor''s cousin, the Duke? If someone were to shout at him, "Are you crazy?" he''d probably reply, "When we grow up, we start fighting each other. What, are you going to punish me for that? I might be the next Grand Master?"


    In reality, Trevor possessed the skills to make even the most aplished Auror Masters shiver, and he was still in his mid-20s. If such talent were not utilized, it would be a massive national loss.


    Moreover, how much of his major had he umted so far?


    Trevor Warren''s performance in the war with Deliat was also remarkable.


    There was even talk of appointing him to the governor''s seat. But the reality was different.


    "Trevor Warren? You mean that wayward fellow? Well, he''s not bad."


    "But you canpare him to His Highness the Duke of Carriers right?"


    "Of course, the Northern Warrior is far superior."


    "He''s the one who held off half a million barbarians with just the dirty Northern Legion!"


    "And he expanded his territory enormously. Deliat? Isn''t it just a tiny piece ofnd? It''s a desert, so it''s not of much use."


    This was the assessment from social leaders and the public.


    It was true that Trevor was also excellent, but there was a fourth-dimensional wall he couldn''t ovee¡ªa huge mountain called Abel Carriers.


    "I''ll knock you down and prove to everyone that this Trevor Warren is better!"


    Churirillit!!!


    A unique swordsmanship with extreme changes was disyed.


    Although he had already been blocked twice before, Trevor gained confidence.


    He had only spread it out lightly, but he could feel Abel being burdened. If he really went for it, Trevor thought he could win.


    The sword strike, with a trajectory as winding as a snake, was directed at Abel''s left thigh. It seemed like it was going for the side or armpit but ended up going straight down.


    ''Okay!''


    Clearly, the opponent did not react properly.


    Soon, the blue-green aura would tear apart the opponent''s body. But then Trevor heard an iprehensible sound.


    Thump!


    "Huh?"


    Doesn''t this feel like hitting a metal te? If you hit te armor with a blunt object, it would make exactly that kind of noise.


    But even as he opened his eyes wide and looked, he couldn''t find anything strange.


    Abel Carriers was wearing only a thin coat of Deliat doublet.


    There was no way they had added something like a sheet of iron inside. Moreover, bare skin was visible through the torn clothes.


    "What on earth is going on?"


    Perhaps because the result was so unrealistic, Trevor''s mind was filled with bewilderment.


    But that was only for a moment, as Trevor continued his swordsmanship with a smooth flow. If it didn''t work out once, try twice or three times.


    As he continued to swing his sword, the frequency of his attacks increased exponentially. In a short period of time, he had already hit Abel five times.


    Thud thud thud!


    But this time, all he could hear was the sound of metal tes hitting each other, and surprisingly, his opponent was fine.


    Moreover, Abel was smiling brightly, as if he didn''t feel any pain.


    "No, how can something like this be considered a person!"


    Trevor Warren wielded his sword frantically. Before long, his aura reached maximum output.


    He lost his self-control and pushed his strength beyond his limits. This would allow him to unleash a moment of transcendent force but would also cause serious internal injuries. If he had no luck, he might have be a permanent wreck.


    Still, Trevor gave it his all.


    ''There''s no way I can''t get over this blunder!''


    He lived a life superior to anyone else''s, to the point where he was called the empire''s new star.


    Besides, this nickname wasn''t just given to him. It was called by none other than the Empire''s greatest swordsman, Jerome Castro.


    That was how sparkling his talent was.


    Isn''t the opponent someone who reads lines in court?


    Even though Abel had some fame in the past, now he was just a minor figure.


    ''Your skills were clearly poor. You couldn''t properly respond to my swordsmanship, right?''


    It just didn''t make sense for a human body to withstand the aura. Trevor looked exhausted, but his fighting spirit was not dampened. He seemed to believe there must be a weakness somewhere.


    "Whoaap! Die!"


    "Tsk tsk! That was a long way."


    Abel Carriers finally opened his mouth. He clicked his tongue and started to m Trevor''s attack. Defense had beenpletely ignored.


    Thud thud thud!


    Countless sword strikes hit Abel''s entire body, but he paid no attention. He simply lifted the gavel, which was engulfed in red light, and swung it sinctly.


    Baaaak!


    It was an ordinary blow, but the effect was tremendous. Trevor Warren''s movements came to a halt as the hammerhead mmed into his temple. It was because the attack hit the vital spot precisely.


    As Trevor stumbled to the ground, he suddenly saw Abel Carrier''s feet. In the brief moment of hesitation, a follow-up attack was already underway.


    Bam!


    Trevor''s head fell back, and his eyes widened sharply.


    "Kreuk! So this is why he''s called the Berserker of the North¡­"


    Trevor''s vision blurred as pain shot through his skull, the world around him spinning out of control.


    He tried to steady himself, forcing his trembling legs to hold his weight, but it was as if the ground beneath him had turned to water.


    Abel Carriers stood over him, the gavel still burning with a faint red glow, a mocking grin stered on his face.


    "Is this all the Empire''s new star has to offer?"


    Abel''s voice was calm, almost disappointed, as if addressing a failed student rather than a fierce opponent.


    "You''ve got talent, but you''re far too reckless. Throwing yourself into battle like a mad dog won''t get you anywhere."


    Trevor''s pride burned hotter than his injuries.


    He struggled to rise, every muscle in his body protesting. His aura flickered weakly around his sword, the once vibrant blue-green hue now faded and sputtering like a dying me.


    The humiliation of being lectured, of being dismissed so easily, cut deeper than any wound.


    "You¡­ bastard¡­"


    Trevor gasped, his voiceced with pain and anger. He forced himself to his feet, staggering back into a fighting stance.


    He couldn''t let it end like this. He wouldn''t be overshadowed by this man who was past his prime, this relic of an era that had long since faded.


    Abel watched him with an amused expression, his gavel resting casually on his shoulder.


    "Still got some fight in you, huh? Good. But you''re still not ready."


    Trevor charged forward, channeling every ounce of his remaining strength into a final desperate attack.


    His sword cut through the air, its trajectory unpredictable and wild, a reflection of Trevor''s own untamed spirit.


    For a moment, it looked as though the de might finally find its mark.


    But Abel moved with a speed and precision that defied his seemingly casual demeanor.


    His gavel swung out in a fluid, effortless motion, intercepting Trevor''s strike with a resounding sh. The force of the impact sent a shockwave through Trevor''s arm, and he felt his grip falter.


    His sword was wrenched from his hand, spinning out of his grasp and ttering uselessly to the ground.


    "Damn it!"


    Trevor cursed, his breath ragged. He stumbled back, unarmed and vulnerable, his vision narrowing as exhaustion threatened to overtake him.


    He had thrown everything he had at Abel, but it still wasn''t enough.


    Abel didn''t press the attack.


    Instead, he stood there, his eyes locked onto Trevor with an unreadable expression.


    For a moment, Trevor thought he saw something like pity in Abel''s gaze, and it only made the defeat sting more.


    ...And soon enough Trevor loose his consciousness and his body went limp on the ground

 Chapter 130: Trevor Warren [4]

    Able shrugged his shoulders as he looked at his crumbling opponent.


    ''That''s not it.''


    The reason Able was called the Berserker of the North was very simple.


    It was just because he went out to the battlefield every day and swept away the enemy.


    If he caught you, you would never be taken prisoner. He would definitely kill whoever his opponent was.


    However, Trevor Warren seemed to be somewhat mistaken. That must have been because Able looked so overwhelmingly strong.


    ''By the way, even though it''s torn in half, it''s not like it''spletely unusable, right?''


    There was a definite feeling that the attack power had been weakened, but as long as he could hit urately, it didn''t seem to matter.


    Wasn''t that just a huge sess? Ignore the opponent''s attack and go in to hit a vital spot! There was no need to go to great lengths to create an opening.


    "It''sfortable and nice. I should use it often."


    Able looked around with a satisfied smile.


    Knights were strewn all over the ce, badly injured. And Cordell McNeil, standing alone and dumbfounded, was smiling brightly and putting his sword away.


    Slurp! Bam!


    "Ah! Are you finished?"


    That man was no ordinary man, taking down a dozen knights all by himself.


    Besides, wasn''t this a situation where you subdued someone without killing them?


    Able looked at Cordell with interest and then shrugged. It meant that it was nothing special.


    "Yes, he was definitely worth his name. It was a bit of a hassle, though."


    "As expected, Your Highness, the Duke of Carriers is the greatest monster I know."


    "¡­."


    Was this apliment or an insult?


    Leaving Cordell McNeil''s iprehensible ramblings behind, Able headed straight back to the carriage. It was to find the groom who was hiding somewhere.


    "Mr. Brandon?"


    "Oh! Your Highness, I am d you are safe."


    "I''m always fine. Are you hurt?"


    "No I''m not hurt Your Highness, I was well camouged so they could not find me."


    Brandon was sticking weeds here and there in his clothes.


    There was a lot of room in a Deliat-style coat to hang things. Because it was so fluffy and the fabric wasn''t tight, it felt like a natural ghillie suit.


    "Well done. You have good taste."


    "Don''t worry. If Ick the strength, I should learn survival skills like this."


    "Could you help me out for a moment? I need to carry them all."


    "He''s a criminal transporter! Just leave it to me!"


    Brandon ran to where the fight took ce. It felt like something was really exciting.


    Able had a feeling that if he gave Brandon a job in the Capital Police Force, he''d do well. He walked away, his mind wandering.


    It wasn''t hard to get Trevor Warren and the Western 1st Corps Knights.


    They came here well prepared from the start. There were two wagons loaded with food and camping supplies tost several months.


    Throwing away the useless stuff and cleaning up, it looked like a decent convoy. The problem was that there was no one to drive the other two carriages.


    "There''s no choice. Let''s each take one."


    "Yes? Your Highness the Duke?"


    "You''re good at riding horses, so what can''t you do? Just teach me how to handle it."


    "Oh my! I can''t believe this."


    "You don''t have to worry."


    "I will teach you with all my heart."


    Learning to drive a carriage wasn''t that difficult.


    Honestly, it was a lot easier than horseback riding. Besides, Brandon would take the lead, so Able just had to follow along.


    The problem was that Cordell McNeil''s learning speed was extremely slow.


    "Hey, why isn''t it working well?"


    "I''m doing fine. Just ry the promised orders. Most people will understand."


    "That''s exactly what''s so difficult."


    "You''re not pretending not to be able to do it on purpose, are you?"


    "Eh, hey! What are you talking about!"


    Judging from the visibly embarrassed look on his face, Cordell must have genuinely hated it.


    If he''s a ck agent of the Imperial Guard, he''ll do all kinds of dirty work, right? It was a bit strange that only that one thing was missing.


    After deviating from the path five or six times, Cordell''s face turned bright red.


    "If there''s one thing I can''t do, it''s driving a carriage."


    "Why?"


    "I had a big ident when I was young."


    "Oh my! Looks like you got hit by a carriage."


    "No. I brought it. The statue of my father that was made at a very high price. I was so angry at that time that I got motion sickness just looking at a carriage¡­ ."


    As Able was listening to this absurd answer, a thought suddenly urred to him.


    ''Oh, this guy was just as much of a jerk as Trevor.''


    If judged by his appearance alone, he might have been a much worse person.


    Anyway, after taking a few beatings, Cordell was able to drive the carriage somehow. Actually, if it weren''t for the joke, he could have done it a long time ago.


    They moved slowly along the trade route to the empire. As they were walking along like that for a while, suddenly a loud noise erupted from behind them.


    "Eww! Aaaah!"


    Everyone was startled by the sudden scream, and the carriage stopped.


    Able looked back with a dumbfounded expression and saw Trevor Warren going crazy, iling his arms and legs like a child throwing a tantrum.


    "Under...."


    Everyone said he was quite crazy, and as soon as he woke up, there was chaos.


    Able had no choice but to go straight to the loading dock. Then a scream of anger was heard.


    "Can''t you stop this right now?"


    "Why should I do that?"


    "Even if you are the highest judge, you cannot arrest us. No matter what crime we havemitted, we must be sent to a military court!"


    Able thought it was just a rumor, but surprisingly, there was some basis to it.


    Actually, that wasn''t wrong. Knights belonging to the Imperial Army must naturally be court-martialed. But Trevor knew one thing and not two. Able put his hand into his robes with a meaningful smile.


    Wince!


    Trevor shuddered, as if he thought he was going to get hit with a gavel. It looked like what he got hit with earlier hurt quite a bit.


    But Able had no intention of hitting him in the first ce. He just took out the Imperial Code that he always carried with him.


    "Now, read it."


    "Arresting a criminal in the act? What does that have to do with me?"


    "No, it''s five lines down. What does it say?"


    "¡­ ¡­ In the case where the offender is a soldier, are the police investigations and military prosecution investigationspared?"


    "It says ''police investigation'' in front, right?"


    "So?"


    "It means you have to go to the police station first. So keep your mouth shut and be quiet."


    Swish!


    Able said, taking out the gavel.


    "Please resist a little. I hit you earlier, and it felt good."


    "¡­."


    Only then did Trevor Warren shut his mouth. Oh, he really listened well.


    Is this why people need to be skilled in both civil and military affairs?


    Of course everyone needs to learnw...Who knows when it mighte handy?

 Chapter 131: Ten years of community service [1]

    The capital of the empire, Perias.


    Abel Carriers returned, but the city was as usual. Normalizing Deliat was a huge achievement. Isn''t this something that no administrator has ever been able to aplish?


    Despite such achievements, there was no weing ceremony or anything like that. That was why Duke Carrier returned so quietly.


    But soon, the imperialist nobles began to stir.


    "Have you heard that story?"


    "What are you talking about?"


    "They say the Imperial Divinity is being held by the Security Forces."


    "If he''s divine¡­ that bastard from the Warren family? He may have been a bit retarded, but he''s not a great man who wouldmit a sin."


    "I heard he had a big ident this time."


    "No, what on earth is going on that a nobleman was arrested by the police?"


    "They attacked His Highness, the Duke of Carriers."


    The nobleman''s face turned pale as he listened to the story.


    Even though he had a reputation as a traitor,mitting such a terrible act was unimaginable. Another nobleman, who had been listening silently, asked a question.


    "How injured is His Highness the Duke?"


    "Hey, why are you saying such a thing? Isn''t he the one who wiped out the northern tribes? Of course, he said he was fine this time too."


    "So that means Trevor Warren lost."


    "Probably so. What a shame. No one saw the match of the century."


    "Win or lose, His Highness, the Duke of Carriers, had the upper hand in every way. But the detention by the security forces is taking longer."


    "They''re not really going to punish him, are they? They''re both part of the Emperor''s faction. Why don''t they settle this through some sort of agreement?"


    "If it''s the unconventional behavior he''s shown so far¡­"


    The imperialist nobles were unable to continue speaking until the end. No matter how much they thought about it, they couldn''t figure out the answer. It''s not like they went into Abel Carrier''s mind or anything.


    But just then, Earl Warren called the nobles together.


    "Ah, you guys are here."


    "Are you here? How are things going with your son?"


    "That''s why I came here to talk about it. There''s going to be a military court in the end."


    "That''s fortunate. Who was the Chief Military Court Judge of the First Western Army Corps? He must have been lower in rank than that fellow Trevor."


    "They say the case won''t be transferred to you."


    "So what happens then?"


    "The Emperor himself will judge."


    "Huh!"


    Earl Warren''s fellow nobles looked dizzy.


    The emperor would only hold trials in cases as outrageous as treason. It had quite a strong political meaning. Wasn''t this originally a system used to punish enemies?


    "If we leave it like this, we''re really going to be in big trouble."


    "I''m already feeling intimidated by other noble factions, so how can this be?"


    "No matter what happens, we have to stop it!"


    The imperialist nobles shook off their seats and stood up in excitement. It seemed like they felt a sense of crisis that they had to do something.


    But at that moment, someone asked a very important question.


    "If we want to stop this trial, shouldn''t we go see His Majesty the Emperor?"


    "I guess so¡­ Huh?"


    "Okay, just a moment. I''ll be backter. Something urgent just came to mind."


    "It is possible to make a request to His Majesty. However, there are rules and procedures for everything. When you are ready, call me."


    The fellow nobles who were nning to apany Earl Warren disappeared in a hurry. It was like cockroaches scurrying away when you turn on the light.


    Suddenly, anger appeared on Count Warren''s face.


    "Those damn bastards! Those guys who usually ask for a spot in the 1st Corps¡­!"


    If the Emperor was offended, Trevor wouldn''t be the only one in trouble.


    But Earl Warren couldn''t give up on his son.


    Wasn''t Trevor the key person who would make the family great again? Earl Warren gritted his teeth and walked forward.


    * * *


    "No, when did I ever want something like this?"


    All that was needed was to give Trevor and the other knights an appropriate punishment. I didn''t even have to do it myself. Anyway, that''s something the military court will take care of.


    All I have to do is hand over the information investigated by the police. But then, the Emperor immediately summoned Trevor Warren. So, this outrageous thing happened.


    "I''m going to go back. What is this as soon as I get here?"


    "I should have just sent them to the 1st Western Corps."


    Cordell McNeill also looked troubled, as if he had not expected this result.


    Even to that idiot, this situation didn''t seem normal. Well, it''s not like it''s a huge incident, so why are you holding a trial?


    In any case, since it had been decided from above, I had to go to the Emperor''s court.


    I''m both a victim and an important witness in this incident. I was nning to go home, restfortably, and take a look around the workce.


    From the start, the smell of disaster tickled my nose.


    "Bring His Majesty the Emperor here!"


    When I heard the chief''s shout, I jumped up from my seat. Because being offended by that monster is tantamount to suicide.


    We need to act quickly so that no one can find fault with us.


    The Emperor nced around the audience and then walked up to the podium. Normally, this would be my ce, but today, that person was the judge.


    "Okay, sit down."


    As the Emperor waved his arms and chanted, the people quickly lowered their postures. It seemed like everyone had the same mindset as me. If you procrastinate and get caught, your life will be miserable.


    "Whatever the verdict, please finish it quickly. Please."


    I sat still, trying my best to hide my resigned expression.


    Finally, the voice of Judge Josef Padi, who sounded very nervous, was heard.


    "I will now begin my report on the Carriers Duke raid incident."


    As the trial proceedings progressed, the defendant''swyer stood up with a grim expression on his face because it was everyone''s turn to speak. But he couldn''t open his mouth.


    This was because the Emperor raised his right hand to stop the speech.


    "No red tape, Trevor Warren."


    "Yes? Yes! Your Majesty!"


    "Do you admit your guilt?"


    "¡­ Of course. It was clearly my mistake for not being able to control mypetitive spirit!"


    He only said one word. Nevertheless, Trevor immediately admitted everything.


    A confession obtained with only dignity was a method that would never work in a modern court. There is no criminal who would get caught up in such a trick, and it is also procedurally incorrect.


    But here, that man''s word isw.


    No one can argue with that.

 Chapter 132: Ten years of community service [2]

    "I see. Does thewyer have anything else to say?"


    "No. I just wanted to say that it was a mistake made in the heat of youth, and I hope you''ll be lenient."


    "Then the story bes simple. I will pass sentence right away."


    Even if the trial procedures of the Empire of Enfer were very simple, isn''t this too fast? It won''t even take five minutes until the sentencing.


    In any case, the defendant admitted to all charges. Probably, the verdict wouldn''t be unfavorable to me.


    "No, there was no need to be nervous. I was the one avoiding it in the first ce."


    But something felt really uneasy. There must be a reason for installing it like that.


    Suddenly, as I was looking at the stage, the Emperor made a mysterious expression.


    Should I say it''s a feeling that''s a bit like smiling or not?


    "Usually, it''s just a cold stare or a mocking face, as if they''re going to freeze the person to death."


    I shuddered as I recalled that man''s usual behavior. Finally, the Emperor spoke in a solemn voice.


    "Defendant Trevor Warren attacked Duke Abel Carriers while on vacation. However, the victim emerged victorious and was not injured at all."


    As the Emperor paused for a moment, there was a slightmotion among the audience. I can''t speak loudly like I do when I''m judging, but I can speak in a whisper.


    "The divinity of the Empire was subdued without even being able to exert its power?"


    "No, then how strong is His Highness the Duke of Carriers?"


    "Should I consider him to be on the same level as people like Geomseong  or Changhyul?"


    "You mean he is same level as those two Grand Master?"


    "He have pioneered such a feat at such a young age. It is no wonder that the Divine of the Empire is proud."


    Geomseong and Changhyul were the representative Grand Masters of the Empire. Monsters who have built a realm that no one can match.


    Am I on the same level as those people?


    "Oh my! Isn''t that too much of an overstatement?"


    Even though the people were making a lot of noise, the Emperor didn''t say anything.


    Normally, it would be normal for someone to interrupt you and spew out harsh words.


    Now that I think about it, somehow that person¡­


    ''I feel like he''s enjoying this situation".''


    The Emperor''s lips were curled upward. The appearance of intentionally avoiding eye contact with me. Then, he waved his right hand roughly. Surprisingly, the audience''s voices suddenly died down.


    Is that what they call charisma?


    But it was at that very moment.


    "Ah, Your Majesty! All of this is my fault for not raising my children well. Please punish me instead!"


    A middle-aged man suddenly barged in, knelt down, and shouted at the top of his lungs. It was Trevor''s father, Count Earl Warren.


    There were people from all walks of life here watching. But it is so sad that someone who could be called the highest-ranking noble would even throw away his pride and beg. It was a rather rare scene.


    "It had toe out like that."


    Didn''t countless people die every time the Iron Emperor Charon held a trial?


    It was the his nature to tame anything that got in the way. If Earl want to save his favorite son, he have no choice but to get on his knees.


    Count Earl Warren''s appeal was desperate.


    So much so that even unrted people look at it with pity. But no emotion appeared on the Emperor''s face.


    "Hey, you loser. Look at me. I''m the victim, and I''m okay."


    I shouted that in my head, but I couldn''t get the words out. If I''m not careful, I might get involved too.


    Finally, Emperor Charon opened his mouth. Everyone held their breath, waiting for the terrible sentence that was about to be handed down.


    "First, I will remove Trevor Warren from his position for viting military discipline."


    This was a natural course of action. Even if he had been tried by a military court, the result would probably have been the same. Then, I''ll quietly bring it backter.


    Aren''t all armies like that? Because the arms are supposed to bend inward.


    "The second is to be stripped of his knighthood and ordered to performmunity service."


    For a moment, the audience became agitated. Count Earl Warren, who had been resting his forehead on the floor, also raised his head.


    If the sentence ends here, it would truly be the greatest mercy.


    At least he won''t have to go through hellish prison life. Community service? Wouldn''t it be possible to do something like that?


    But the Emperor''s subsequent sentence shocked everyone.


    "Community service is to be done for ten years in the Carriers Duchy. The person in charge is the owner of the area, so don''t cause trouble and be well. That''s all."


    Kuung!


    No, Why the hell that empror sending this crazy basterd at my ce?


    The courtroom was frozen in shock, disbelief spreading like wildfire. Ten years ofmunity service? In my territory? I almost stood up in protest, but the cold realization struck me¡ªthis wasn''t an act of mercy; it was a sentence designed to annoy me.


    Trevor, the same idiot who attacked me out of sheer arrogance, would now be my problem. The Emperor''s expression, sly and unreadable, told me everything. He was enjoying this spectacle, this twisted show of power.


    It wasn''t just a sentence for Trevor. It was a subtle warning for me. No matter how strong you are, no matter what title you hold, you''re still under my thumb. The Emperor had turned a simple military punishment into aplex game, forcing me to y along.


    I nced at Trevor, whose face was a mix of relief and humiliation. His father, Count Earl Warren, looked like he had been given a second chance at life. For them, this was salvation. For me, it was nothing but a nuisance.

 Chapter 133: Ten years of community service [3]

    Trevor Warren was already a burden.


    Wasn''t this the person everyone''s eyes were focused on? Did that mean I should just let him eat rice and vegetables for free without doing any work?


    ''Of course, that won''t work.''


    The Duchy of Carriers and the Midias region were different from ordinary fiefdoms.


    Those who did not participate in the family business were not allowed to survive. This was the will of the first Duke of Carriers to ensure that no threat was ced upon the Imperial Family.


    It wasn''t mandatory, but there was no reason to break it.


    ''That''s a pretty good excuse.''


    If anyone tried to settle in the Carriers Duchy, they could be driven out, iming it was the order of the ancestors.


    But that only applied to general cases. It''s the Emperor''s decision, so why object?


    If he want to die the most miserable death holding hands with my family, then do so.


    "This is a headache."


    I frowned at Trevor Warren.


    The guy had his head held high, and his eyes were ring. As expected, this guy was beyond imagination. It was evident that he hadn''t lost heart at all despite all the hardships he had gone through.


    Come to think of it, the court had definitely found him wrong.


    ''It seems like he couldn''t be rude to the Emperor. But why is he doing this to me?''


    When I looked at him as if I found it ridiculous, he snorted and shot me an insolent look.


    "I haven''t done it in a few days, and you be like this again. Should I give it a hammer massage every day to you bring it back to your senses?"


    "¡­ ."


    "Close your eyes, man."


    As I spoke, swinging my gavel, Trevor finally averted his gaze. As they say, a mad dog gets better with a bite, right?


    I was deeply troubled.


    Was it possible to properly utilize this rotten guy while reforming him? I would have liked to have him do border guard duty.


    Before long, the Knights Temr would return to the Imperial Court. Now that I''m back, they''re not going to keep lending me their troops.


    ''The question is whether this guy is doing his job properly.''


    Even in the imperial army, where discipline was tight, didn''t he act however he pleased?


    Since surveince was rtivelyx here, it was obvious that he would just lie down somewhere and sleep soundly.


    It would be better if I took him with me and kept an eye on him.


    ''No, that''s annoying.''


    It would probably just be a pain to both of us. I wouldn''t know if it was just pretty. I felt like spending every hour with that guy would be bad for my mental health.


    So, I decided.


    "Butler Xavier?l."


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    "Send him to the staff quarters."


    "But there are no detention facilities there at all."


    "There''s no need to lock him up. He''s doingmunity service. Just make him work like the other workers."


    "Yes?"


    Butler Miller Xavier''s eyes widened. Even though he was ordered to domunity service, isn''t he the sessor to the Count''s family?


    Moreover, he is an incredibly skilled person who is close to being a Grand Master.


    "There will be considerable dissonance."


    "If he doesn''t listen, call me. I''ll just beat him to death."


    As I red at him with bleak eyes, Trevor''s expression distorted.


    He seemed very offended by being told to treat him the same as ordinaryborers. Well, since he was born a high-ranking noble, he must have a considerable sense of privilege.


    I ask someone like that to do chores?


    ''The self-loathing will be enormous.''


    That was precisely the punishment he was given. Where is it that you don''t go to jail? It''s no exaggeration to say that it''s a hell of a ce where royalties are earned.


    ''If i leave it to Butler Xavier, he will be out of control.'' I don''t know what nonsense he might do when I''m not looking. It was time for some new surveince system.


    But then suddenly, I noticed a man loitering around.


    ''Oh? He''s here?''


    I immediately tapped Trevor and said, "Do you see that guy?"


    "That''s the knight we used to travel with. He''s quite skilled, but he''s still way below me."


    "What matters is where he belong."


    "What does that have to do with me?"


    "He is Imperial Guard Knights, ck Agent."


    "¡­"


    Trevor Warren''s mouth, which had been babbling, was shut tight. ck Agent is a highly trained espionage officer.


    The eyes and ears of the emperor who works in the dark. There could be nothing more terrifying to this guy.


    "He knows everything. You''d better be careful. You don''t want to see your entire family wiped out."


    Trevor was silent for a while.


    Then, he started walking with shaky steps, following the guidance of Deacon Xavier. His slumped shoulders seemed to speak volumes about his state of mind.


    Watching Trevor''s shoulders slump as he walked away, I couldn''t help but smirk. The usually arrogant son of a noble family now reduced to amon worker¡ªwell, it was quite the sight.


    I turned away and began to think about my next move.


    The Emperor had sent Trevor to the Carriers Duchy for a reason. But was it just to punish him, or did the Emperor see some hidden potential in this infuriating guy?


    Whatever the case, it wasn''t my job to mold Trevor into something useful. My priority was to keep things in order, especially with all the eyes watching my every decision.


    Butler Xavier stood by, still looking slightly flustered.


    "Is there a problem, Xavier?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "It''s just... Your Majesty, the staff quarters are not exactly secure. We''ve never had to manage someone like Trevor Warren. There could be risks¡ª"


    "Then make it secure," I cut him off sharply. "He''s not going to run away. His pride won''t let him. And if he tries anything stupid, the ck Agent will handle it."


    Xavier nodded, but I could see the doubt flickering in his eyes. It was understandable. Managing a vtile noble like Trevor wasn''t something they taught in butler school.


    "Don''t overthink it, Xavier. Just keep an eye on him. And if he refuses to work or causes trouble, let me know immediately. We''re not pampering a spoiled noble here. If he needs a reminder of his ce, I''ll be more than happy to provide it."


    "Yes, Your Majesty." Xavier bowed, though his unease remained evident. He hurried off to make arrangements, and I found myself alone again with my thoughts.


    This wasn''t the first time I''d been tasked with handling someone troublesome.


    The Imperial Court was full of ambitious nobles and opportunists, each one looking for a way to outmaneuver the others. Trevor was just another piece in the game, albeit a particrly troublesome one.

 Chapter 134: The Reluctant Lumberjack [1]

    "Pleasee in."


    "Damn, this is a dormitory¡­ ." Trevor Warren furrowed his brow.


    The room Butler Xavier led him to was just a single, modest space. Of course, the environment wasn''t that bad¡ªa bed, a desk, a bookshelf, arge wardrobe, and a sliding wooden window. It was a bit inconvenient that the bathroom and shower were shared, but it still had most of the basics.


    "Haa!"


    Trevor scoffed, the room''s simplicity feeling more and more absurd the longer he looked. He couldn''t help but keepughing at how basic it seemed. It felt worse than the Imperial Army barracks.


    That feeling was understandable, considering Trevor was the deputymander of the 1st Western Corps.


    Though he was now doingmunity service, he had once held a high position, like that of a count.


    Knock knock!


    Trevor sat on the bed, sighing deeply when suddenly someone knocked on the door.


    "What''s going on?" he asked sharply, his voice filled with irritation. The response, however, came in a tone that seemed equally irritated.


    "Isn''t this the room where Trevor lives? Room 307, I think."


    "Yes."


    "What? Really? No, you can''t give me that answer now? Come out now."


    "What are you saying?"


    Trevor threw himself onto the bed, ignoring the voice outside. He had nned to spend his ten years ofmunity service just practicing on his own. But the visitor seemed determined not to leave him alone.


    Knock knock!! Knock knock!


    The knocking persisted, growing more forceful. Trevor worried the door might break.


    He had no choice but to get up. Even the most highly trained knights couldn''t withstand noise pollution.


    Bam!


    "Oh, really!"


    Trevor grumbled as he threw open the door. Just then, something suddenly flew towards his face. Reflexively, he caught it¡ªa piece of clothing that looked quite thick.


    "Change your clothes quickly ande out. If you don''t listen, I''ll knock again."


    "... ."


    The man who threw the overalls looked about Trevor''s age. He was a big guy with a darkplexion, appearing quite healthy.


    "Haa!"


    Trevor''s sense of absurdity grew even more as the man walked away without waiting for an answer.


    But Trevor couldn''t ignore him. If he didn''te down quickly, the man would likely start knocking again. Trevor grumbled to himself as he slowly changed into the work clothes.


    "It''s not that bad," he muttered. It was just a in, thick garment, but it felt nice, as if the lining was made of good material.


    As Trevor stepped outside the dorm, he saw the man from earlier waiting for him.


    "Let''s go."


    " where?"


    "I don''t have much time, soe quickly. Oh, you can call me Bernard."


    Soon, Trevor found himself holding arge axe, with a helmet-like hat ced on his head. Bernard handed each item to him with quick movements.


    "Tighten your chin strap."


    "What?"


    "It''s got a buckle attached. Hey, that''s why it''s hard for newbies."


    Bernard''s rough hand brushed under Trevor''s chin, securing the helmet with a perfect fit. Oddly enough, it felt better than a regr helmet.


    "Today, we are going to cut down a Walt tree. The other colored ones are Moldex trees. We will only work on this one."


    "Are you telling me to be a lumberjack now?"


    "If you don''t work, you won''t be given food. And of course, you won''t be paid either."


    "I told you I don''t need that?"


    "I heard that Mr. Trevor came here with nothing. How are you going to live without money?"


    "Well, I¡­ ."


    Trevor thought of saying that, as the sessor to a count''s family, he didn''t need to worry about such things. But the words remained stuck in his throat.


    What was his current self like? Here he was in the Duchy of Carriers, with nothing and no connections. In reality, his situation wasn''t much different from Bernard''s, the man standing before him.


    They both had to work together today to cut down the Walt tree.


    "Are you using any force?"


    "In my own way."


    "Then let''s start from that side. It''s better to cut down the big trees first."


    "Isn''t smaller easier?"


    "The quality of the material is different. It takes at least 10 years to grow soft and white inside."


    "I don''t think they notice even if you mixed in smaller ones."


    "Of course, the people working in the factory over there would be like that. But you know what I mean."


    "... ."


    Trevor looked at Bernard strangely.


    How could a mere woodcutter speak like some kind of craftsman? But Bernard shrugged as if his attitude was perfectly natural.


    "This is a precious opportunity given to me by His Majesty the Duke, so I must do my best. Come on, let''s get to work."


    "What opportunity¡­ ."


    Bernard started chopping down a tree, keeping a reasonable distance from it. Trevor Warren stood there ufortably for a moment before he slowly picked up the axe.


    One swing would be enough for this kind of weak wood.


    Woohoo!


    Trevor raised his aura, and a low vibrating sound filled the air. But the result waspletely different from what he expected.


    Phew! Bam!


    "Hmm?"


    Rather than cutting it down in one blow, the axe de merely sank deep into the wood. It should have fallen with one hit, but this result was truly strange.


    However, Trevor was close to a grand master level, so he found the problem almost immediately.


    "The handle was too long, so the swing wasn''t delivered properly."


    With a sword, the hand and de were close, almost like holding a lump of iron directly.


    The axe''s handle, however, was over ten times longer than the de, whichplicated the aura transfer. It didn''t take Trevor long to adjust.


    Boom! Boom!!


    Massive walnut trees, the size of houses, began falling one after another. It was as if the god of lumber had descended.


    Workers nearby looked surprised but soon returned to their tasks, focusing intently as if apetitive spirit had suddenly sparked.


    "This is pretty good," Trevor muttered.


    An axe was not ideal for channeling aura, so he ended up practicing unintentionally. If he didn''t handle the power delicately, the aura would cut off.


    After a while, enjoying the unexpected training, someone called out to Trevor.


    "Just a moment."


    "What a pity. Things were going so well."


    "Just stop for a moment."


    "Why is that?"


    "It''s break time. In the case of a logging camp, if you work for an hour, you have to rest for 30 minutes."


    "... ?"


    Trevor looked bewildered. Resting for half of the work time? Today, he had used his aura, so he had cut down many trees, but on a normal day, a dozen might be the limit.


    Why spend so much money hiring people for such little work?


    "He seem to have lost your mind," Trevor muttered.


    Thest words were, of course, directed at the Duke of Carriers. But it didn''t take long for Trevor toe to a new realization.


    Trevor watched the other workers as they leaned against the fallen trees or sat on stumps, sipping water and chatting idly. He couldn''t understand theirid-back attitude. To him, it was nothing but wasted time.


    Trevor Warren just wanted to get the hell out of here but s that dream could note true at least 10 years.

 Chapter 135: The Reluctant Lumberjack [2]

    Water poured out through several holes in the walls, filling themunal shower room of the Carriers'' Duchy worker quarters.


    The floor and walls were densely packed with tiles, adding to the room''s clean and luxurious appearance. Trevor stood there, dumbfounded by what he saw.


    "This is crazy¡­" he muttered, still in disbelief.


    Trevor could understand why lumberjacks worked for an hour and rested for 30 minutes¡ªtheir work was incredibly difficult and dangerous.


    He understood the need for work clothes, protective gear, and tools; these were all essential for cutting down trees efficiently.


    But this luxurious shower room was another matter entirely.


    When he pulled the handle, warm water poured out for a while, allowing the workers to wash away the sweat and dust from their bodies and eventher up with soap.


    "There is no such thing as nobility," Trevor thought, stunned by the level offort.


    It would be difficult to find bathing facilities this clean anywhere else in the empire. The tiles on the floor and walls were incredibly smooth, making Trevor wonder how they were made.


    It was not a facility one would expect for ordinary wage earners.


    "What are you doing? You have to hurry so the next person can wash too. Hurry up and clean up," Bernard said, snapping Trevor out of his daze.


    Bernard poured a thick liquid on Trevor''s head, and after rubbing it with a rough cloth, it foamed up quickly.


    "Okay, I''ll do it," Trevor said hastily, taking over. He didn''t like other men touching his body, so he quickly moved his hands to wash up.


    After finishing his shower, Trevor stepped out, only to be met with another surprising sight¡ªa variety of dishes served in the restaurant on the first floor of the amodation.


    Bernard picked up a te and began piling on food, taking quite arge amount.


    Trevor asked with a puzzled look, "Can you just take it like that?"


    "Just enough to eat. I''m pretty big, so this much should be enough. Mr. Trevor, hurry up and get yours," Bernard replied.


    "Yeah, yeah," Trevor answered, still struggling to understand.


    In Trevor''s experience, letting people serve themselves would usually result in chaos. Unless the group was highly disciplined, fights would break out over food.


    But contrary to his expectations, the restaurant was peaceful. People lined up one after another, leisurely scooping up food.


    "This can''t be happening¡­" Trevor mumbled, tilting his head in disbelief.


    In the Western Corps, distributing food often led to chaos. Soldiers would fight, iming they deserved more.


    But here, the atmosphere waspletely different; it was like a noble banquet hall. Only those whocked worry about food could maintain such elegance.


    ''Hmm? Come to think of it, is it like that here too?'' Trevor thought.


    He decided to be a bit more honest with himself. He had been in situations where he was served fancy food in luxurious settings.


    But for the soldiers of the 1st Western Corps, even as a regr imperial army, the supplies were poor. Soldiers received weapons and armor, but maintaining them was their responsibility, and the costs came out of their pockets.


    "Wait a minute, who''s going to pay for the meals? And the lodging?" Trevor asked.


    "His Highness the Duke provides it so we can work hard," Bernard replied.


    "Even so, people quickly bezy¡­" Trevor muttered.


    "There''s no way that will happen. People who don''t do their jobs properly get fired," Bernard exined.


    "How does he figure that out? There''s no one watching," Trevor challenged.


    "His Highness just knows everything. You''ll see today; everyone did their best without exception."


    Trevor nodded slowly. It was unbelievable.


    The work was hard, yet everyone was enthusiastic. Even in the Imperial Army, where soldiers were heavily armed with mental discipline, there was no unit quite like this.


    Despite his skepticism, Trevor picked up a spoon and fork, but theborers around him were using something else.


    "Why are you holding two of those long sticks?" Trevor asked, pointing.


    "Oh, this? They''re called chopsticks. This is how you use them," Bernard said, demonstrating deftly.


    Trevor watched as Bernard picked up food and ate it with ease. It was an unfamiliar tool, but it seemed surprisingly effective.


    However, since he wasn''t used to it, Trevor opted to stick with a fork.


    The food consisted of tbread, stir-fried meat, and sd with dressing.


    Normally, Trevor wouldn''t have paid much attention to such simple fare, but the scent alone was incredible, making his mouth water.


    Wagjak¨D!


    Trevor wrapped the stir-fried meat and sd in the bread and took a bite. The crunchy texture filled his mouth, and he paused, surprised by how delicious it was.


    Despite being ordinary food, it tasted extraordinary, not just because he had worked hard and sweated all day but because the ingredients were fresh and the dishes were prepared with care.


    "Are you okay?" Bernard asked.


    Trevor was unable to respond. Chapter Discover:


    ''Ordinaryborers eat this kind of food?'' he thought in disbelief. Compared to the serfs in Warren County, the difference in treatment was like heaven and earth.


    After finishing their meal, everyone dispersed, leaving Trevor with nothing to do.


    He grabbed Bernard, eager to understand more.


    "Where is everyone going?" Trevor asked.


    "Now that work is over, it''s free time. Those who want to y can y, and those who want to study can go to night school," Bernard exined.


    "Evening ss?"


    "Night school."


    "Why study?"


    "We can''t be a lumberjack forever. As we get older, we need to find work that doesn''t rely on physical strength."


    "He make amoner do that?"


    "Anything is possible in the Duchy of Carriers," Bernard said with a smile.


    "Haa!" Trevor let out a hollowugh.


    In the Earldom of Warren, the serfs barely worked properly. They would drag themselves around like zombies until someone picked up a whip.


    Trevor had always believed that only strong pressure could keep people in line. But this ce was different.


    Everyone moved on their own, and everything ran smoothly without a supervisor in sight.

 Chapter 136: A God In Human Form

    They imed Duke Carriers knew everything.


    ''If that''s true, then he''s a god. It''s all nonsense. This idolization has gone too far,'' Trevor thought, shaking his head. It just didn''t make sense.


    "What if those thick-headed guys rise up in a group?" Trevor muttered.


    Nobles often adhered to a policy of keepingmoners ignorant to prevent uprisings.


    Only by keeping people unaware of their potential could they control them.


    "Get up and get going, what does that mean?" Bernard asked, frowning. It seemed Trevor''s muttering had hit a nerve.


    Just as Trevor was about to make an excuse, a group of workers passed by. They greeted Trevor warmly.


    "That''s the new recruit who was said to be very strong."


    "Thanks to you, it''s been easier to gather materials. Keep up the good work."


    "If you keep improving, you might get promoted soon. Stay motivated," they encouraged.


    Trevor blinked, bewildered by the sudden praise. He watched them until they turned a corner and disappeared from sight.


    Bernard''s previously tense expression softened. "It''s not as you think. His Highness and we have a rtionship of mutual benefit."


    "What do you mean?" Trevor asked.


    "Hope and loyalty. Ask anyone here, and you''ll get the same answer. All of us are ready to risk our lives."


    "Why on earth would you do that?"


    "If I die or get injured, His Highness the Duke will take care of my family until the end," Bernard said, emphasizing thest part.


    Trevor still looked unconvinced. Gaining the loyalty of subordinates wasn''t easy, and many people had tried and failed. A loose rtionship of trust seemed bound to break at some point.


    "If you keep doing that, you''ll definitely get into big trouble," Trevor said, shaking his head as he walked unsteadily toward his quarters.


    ***


    Able was sitting on the sofa in his office, reading a report. Since he had been away for so long, he needed to figure out how the business was going. But nothing in the report stood out as particrly special.


    "Is this perfect?" he thought.


    Beyond maintaining the status quo, the business was now in the process of developing its own momentum. The rules he had set were strictly followed.


    For example, things like a certain level of employee welfare and strict work regtions. Able had insisted that no one should work without overalls and protective gear.


    "The problem is that there are people I haven''t interviewed," he mused.


    In reality, there was no real need for these interviews since bad employees could simply be fired. He could view as much character information as needed from the management window.


    However, frequent personnel turnover would only increase anxiety among the staff. It was more important to provide a sense of stability and set an appropriate example.


    That way, the business would be a workce everyone wanted to join.


    In fact, it was already seen as such, but Able wanted the Duchy of Carriers to feel even more like heaven. After all, he had to be a role model for imperial society.


    "I will definitely conduct interviews while I am staying at the mansion. Bring all the new talents you have," Able instructed.


    "Yes, Your Highness. What about the people I selected while you were away?" Butler Miller Xavier inquired.


    "You chose well, but please quietly let these people go. Their work attitude is not good."


    "Haha!"


    Butler Xavier burst intoughter.


    Able tilted his head, wondering why he wasughing suddenly, and the answer quickly followed.


    "There''s a saying going around among the employees these days," Miller said, chuckling.


    "What is it?" Able asked.


    "That His Highness the Duke has surpassed the level of a saint and has reached the realm of a god. They are calling you a god in human form"


    "Really?" Able responded, finding the rumor truly absurd.


    Despite all his efforts, this still didn''t seem right to him. It was just a story he heard, so why was he reacting so sensitively?


    This was a world where, unlike on Earth, a real God existed, and priests could perform miracles by borrowing divine power.


    "Besides, they have tremendous influence in this world," Able thought.


    Only in the capital of the empire could one be overshadowed by the emperor''s authority. In other areas, the clergy''s prestige often surpassed that of the lords.


    In some small western countries, rulers were even chosen by the church. With such a high status of God, what could anyone expect from Able?


    "That''s too much. Every rumor has its source," Able said, trying to dismiss the thought.


    "We will strictly enforce the rules," Xavier assured him.


    "How is he doing?" Able asked.


    "Who...?"


    "You know, the guy who came to domunity service."


    "Oh, you mean Trevor Warren. He''s adjusting surprisingly well."


    "Is that so?" Able responded, surprised.


    He had sent Trevor to a logging camp on purpose, intending to give him a taste of hardship. But apparently, Trevor was doing just fine. Able had expected him toin about having to do such work.


    Noticing Able''s puzzled expression, Butler Xavier smiled and exined, "He also has a pretty good reputation among the employees. Thanks to him, the work is bing easier."


    "Huh! Is this your calling?" Able said, slightly amused.


    Trevor had always struck him aspletely self-centered, but this was surprising. It was absurd, but Able quickly put Trevor out of his mind; he was too busy to dwell on someone like that.


    "Are there any other agenda items?" Able asked, shifting focus.


    "This is thest one."


    "What is it?"


    "This is a summons from the court."


    "Huh?" Able was taken aback. He was the one and only Supreme Judge of the Empire, so who would dare summon him?


    Chapter Read:


    For a moment, he thought it was a prank, but the court summons was genuine. Butler Miller Xavier exined the details.


    (Pleasee back soon, Your Highness. I''m struggling with the many trials.)


    "I don''t want to go, but I can''t refuse, can I?" Able sighed.


    "Your Highness."


    "Yes?"


    "You should live a long life. You should work hard so that everyone can be happy."


    Able looked at Miller Xavier with a dumbfounded expression.


    Even his butler seemed influenced by the employees. Was there truly no way to avoid going to work?

 Chapter 137: Back To Courtroom [1]

    The court I returned to after a long time was still bleak and gloomy. Business-like managers moved around in sparkly outfits that didn''t fit the atmosphere at all.


    "Oh, right. I said let''s change this first."


    As soon as the textile factory was set up, I tried to change my robes, but my trip abroad ended up taking longer than expected.


    By the way, I need to make Adam''s clothes fit too. "Let''s start right after work today."


    It''s time for the fashion business to get on track. Wasn''t that what zippers were developed for? But this damn trial was the problem.


    "Judges are just doing their job¡­"


    Bam!


    I opened the office door roughly and went in. I was going to say something like, "Howzy must you be to have so many trials piling up?"


    But I couldn''t. Everyone was working like crazy. They were so busy that they would prepare for the next case as soon as one trial was over.


    Even Josef Padi, who used to be so squeamish, shouted, "Oh, you came! Finally!"


    "His Majesty has returned!"


    "Eww! Zu..."


    The judges who spotted me raised both their hands. Then they all started running at the same time.


    "No, are these people crazy as a group?" I staggered back at the absurd sight. For some reason, I had a feeling that if I got caught by these guys, it would be very bad.


    "I don''t know why, but let''s jump anyway."


    As I was about to turn around and run away, I suddenly saw a surrounding me.


    It seemed like the judges who had already gone out the back door had blocked the hallway.


    "No, how can people who eat rice and lezy around move so quickly?"


    I was grabbed by many hands and dragged into the office. Soon, documents began to pile up on the desk. The judges repeatedly bowed deeply and rubbed their hands together. It felt like they were praying earnestly to God.


    "Please, please. Please, God of Law. Please, save me from this hell of a trial."


    "There are too many difficult cases. Let''s start with this first¡­"


    "What are you talking about! The Duke of Carriers is mine!"


    "No, what are you talking about? Even cold water has its ups and downs! Your Majesty, I am the most senior person here."


    It seemed like the heavy workload had taken a toll on them. After I calmed down the judges, I started directing traffic. This. This.


    I guess things aren''t going well without me?


    "It didn''t seem like this before. Why is it like this?"


    "The biggest problem is¡­ Your Majesty the Duke."


    "Huh? Me?"


    "Yes."


    I was left dumbfounded by Emir Colund''s answer. It was more absurd than when the judges prayed in groups.


    What on earth did I do wrong to be the root of this problem? I only developed Deliat as per the Emperor''s orders.


    "Why?"


    "That''s because Your Majesty''s fame has grown so much that all sorts of incidents have been happening."


    "Ah!"


    At that moment, a certain trial suddenly came to mind. An evil man who set fire to the vige, killed the people, and even kidnapped children to make them beg.


    I uncovered the truth about that Bassett and sentenced him to 60 years in prison.


    "If you feel even the slightest injustice, you can file aint with the capital court. So everyone has no choice but to die."


    "Can I refuse?"


    "Most of them are sent back to the district court, but sometimes that doesn''t work."


    "Why?"


    "If the social impact is big or if they are a big shot."


    I thought I knew what he meant. As for the case of Bassett, which I mentioned earlier, it wasn''t originally my case to take on.


    I had no choice but to do it because that guy kept hitting his forehead in front of the court. The former is a general case, while thetter was likely a request from a local authority.


    "Is it because I don''t discriminate between parties that the big shots are requesting a trial?"


    "Ahem!"


    The Emir simply coughed loudly. But everyone could see that it was a silent affirmation.


    "Everyone has be a puppet." I didn''t really care what the image turned out to be.


    Because I will treat everyone who appears in court without any discrimination. I don''t know if that''s true justice, but at least it prevents anyone from being wronged.


    It is because of my appearance that there is a flood of requests for trial. This meant that there were no clear standards or trustworthiness in the trials of this era.


    "I''ve be conscious that I have toe to you to get a fair judgment. This is not right, really..."


    It seemed that simply creating a good precedent was not enough.


    After all, other judges don''t have a strong backing. You can''t help but be swayed by all kinds of lobbying and threats. But it wasn''t something I could step forward and stop.


    How are we going to catch everything that''s happening in the shadows? If I tell them, it''ll just be aughing stock.


    "Okay, just send me the cases that you absolutely cannot handle. I will ept this one exception."


    I shouldn''t keep making precedents like this, but this time, there was nothing we could do.


    Aren''t they all looking at me earnestly with haggard faces? As the highest adult in the court, I must set an example. But then suddenly, a strange scene caught my eye.


    Is there something ck shaking around the edge of my cheek?


    "Hmm?"


    I nced over and saw Shuguri sitting on my shoulder, pping both hands.


    "That''s right! Everyone worship me!"


    "No, wait a minute. What are you doing?"


    "I was trying to suck up some of their spiritual energy because they were doing a good job of it."


    "Hey, No you can''t do that!"


    "Why?"


    What would happen if he absorbed the spirits of people who were on the verge of death from exhaustion? It''s something that could lead to group death from overwork.

 Chapter 138: Back To Courtroom [2]

    What would happen if he absorbed the spirits of people who were on the verge of death from exhaustion? It''s something that could lead to group death from overwork.


    "There is something like that. Just bear with it for now."


    I pressed Shuguri head with my left hand.


    But the judges'' expressions suddenly became mysterious. Even though I spoke softly, how could they not hear something whispering right in front of their nose?


    "He''s the one who''s raising it."


    That''s what I said, but it seemed like Shuguri didn''t like the answer. Because he kept kicking my ears.


    Bang! Bang!


    Of course, it didn''t hurt at all, but I absolutely had to stop it. This guy was trying to ruin my reputation.


    Kwak!


    "Kkuek!"


    I reached out with my left hand, grabbed Shuguri, and wiped the sweat off my forehead with it. It''s like using a handkerchief. Then the judges immediately nodded.


    "Aha! So that''s what it was for."


    * * *


    The first measure to prevent judges from being overworked was to confirm cases.


    If you know how things work, you can make quick and appropriate decisions.


    But this damn neighborhood has to go into court without knowing anything.


    ''It didn''t matter at Deliart.''


    Since I was a king, Ipiled thew code as I pleased¡ªfrom the Constitution to criminalw, criminal procedurew, and civilw. I squeezed my memory so that I could respond to almost anything.


    Of course, i could have confirmed the incident in advance. But what about the empire?


    Judges only have discretion in making decisions; other internal rules were extremely strict.


    ''It seems to me like they''re trying to blind the judge.''


    Why would they give less time to think? They must be trying to get the verdict they want by deceiving us with wordy.


    First of all, to change this...


    "I have to meet the Emperor."


    Isn''t that an obvious result? All authority on this earthes from that person.


    My head is already starting to hurt, and it wasn''t just because of the guy who had been banging on my ear since earlier.


    ¨DHow can you treat me like that? I can''t forgive you. Human!


    "Your results have been very good so far. So you should listen to me, right?"


    The mountain devil Shuguri has not properly tasted spiritual energy for a long time.


    He just causedndslides and lived off of people''s fear because there was no trick at all. But things changed after meeting me because people have generously offered their sincere spirit.


    -I admit that.


    Shuguri just made an angry expression and secretly put his fist away. It seemed like he didn''t want to bother me for no reason.


    "I''ll take good care of your spiritual energy, so please stay quiet now. I need to think about it."


    -What are you thinking?


    "I want to change the internal rules of the court, but to do that I have to negotiate with the Emperor... No. What am I talking to you about?"


    Shuguri doesn''t know much about human society. It was because he had been alone for such a long time. Would you get an answer from that guy? It''s fortunate that I don''t hear any nonsense.


    -Is that the only way?


    "huh."


    -Then the conclusion is certain.


    "What is that?"


    -You can''t do it because you''re scared.


    "What, sacred?"


    There are very simple ways to piss a guy off.


    All it took was a little blow to his pride, and that was it. Asking basic questions like Shuguri or mentioning interests or hobbies¡ªfor example, someone who has a record of 199 losses and 1 win and is teased for being bad at it.


    ''But does this sound right?''


    Who wouldn''t be afraid of that crazy Iron-Blooded Emperor? It''s quiet these days, but I never know when it might explode. And I want  to go there and negotiate in person? What kind of crazy person would do something like that?


    "Wow! I have to do that."


    My heart, which had been agitated for a moment, calmed down in an instant.


    Will the Emperor listen to me? It seemed much more likely that he would blow my head off for having my eyes set on power.


    -I can see it. I can see it.


    "What."


    -The fear growing in your heart.


    "Just a minute, Shuguri."


    -What?


    "This isn''t just nonsense; is this real?"


    - Of course. What do you think of this great mountain demon? I know the hearts of humans very well.


    To be honest, it was closer to bullshit. How can someone who knows people''s hearts so well live like that all this time? Of course, with this stupid head of his, I thought it might be possible.


    "Okay. Then maybey you can see through the Emperor''s heart?"


    ¨DNo matter how high your status, you are still human. It''s no different for me.


    "Oh?"


    Somehow, it seemed like the answer was in sight.


    If i take this guy with me, it will be of great help. If he could at least roughly understand the Emperor''s mind or heart, i might be able to find a solution with this body''s outstanding ability to improvise.


    I immediately applied for admission and waited while doing my work.


    Then, not long after, a reply came. Perhaps because it was a request made by the Duke, permission was granted very easily.


    I headed straight to the Emperor''s office.


    "It''s been a long time, Your Majesty the Emperor!"


    As always, I showed my loyalty with perfect manners and a loud voice. Of course, Emperor Charon''s attitude was the same as before.


    "Are you here?"


    A nk face with a bleak look in his eyes. It seemed like he was asking why I came, even though nothing special was going on. So, I immediately unpacked the bundle I had brought.


    "I brought some nice porcin and tea leaves, Your Majesty."


    The tribute presented by the Duke of Carriers had to pass through several hands.


    It''s about making sure it''s not dangerous and passing it on. As I was taking out the items, the chief chambein, Count Adit, approached me.


    But, the Emperor suddenly said this.


    "Did you put poison in the tea?"


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    No, is this person real?

 Chapter 139: Talk with Empror

    I waved my hands in panic at that absolutely crazy sound.


    "Poison? How could I, Your Majesty''s loyal subject, do that?"


    But the emperor''s twisted mind was not easy to sway.


    "Poisoning usuallyes from the person closest to you."


    I wanted to say, since when have we been so close? But if I said that, he''de up with another twisted remark.


    Is that all there is between us?


    ''It''s so hard to deal with him.''


    Well, isn''t that obvious?


    If it weren''t for that crazy eloquence, he wouldn''t have been able to win the political battle with the nobles.


    But why is he using that on me?


    ''I have to get out of this situation as fast as possible.''


    I racked my brain trying to figure out a way, but the more I thought, the more anxious I became, and no real solution came to mind.


    Just when it seemed hopeless, Adit spoke up while examining the teacup and tea leaves.


    "There is no problem, Your Majesty."


    His words felt like a voice of salvation to me. Now that Adit had verified it, wasn''t the ordeal over?


    Of course, that didn''t mean the emperor''s pressure disappeared.


    If it''s him, he could twist things in an outrageous way and still send someone to their doom.


    "That''s right. Sit down."


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    Fortunately, Emperor Charon did not make any more excuses. He wore his usual calm expression, as if nothing had happened.


    ''Wow! Someone just went between heaven and hell.''


    My heart was racing, but now wasn''t the time to be swayed by personal feelings.


    Why did Ie all the way to this horrible ce?


    It''s to overhaul the absurd rules of the court.


    ''Should I take a quick look to see if my ability works?''


    As I''ve been solving all sorts of problems, the system''s functions have greatly improved.


    Now, I can bring up the character information window even if I don''t know the opponent''s name.


    So, wouldn''t I be qualified to see through the Emperor''s profile?


    [Information on transcendent figures cannot be essed.]


    [If you want to see through your target, you have to be worthy of it.]


    ''Damn it.''


    I was slightly hopeful, but as expected, I still couldn''t open it.


    In this case, I had no choice but to resort to alternative measures.


    I''ll have to figure out the Emperor''s true feelings using Shuguri ability.


    ''Do your best.''


    I rubbed my chest gently because Shuguri was hiding in the front pocket of my shirt.


    As I gave the signal, I felt a squirming movement.


    -Don''t worry. What do you think of this body?


    I almost called him a stupid half-demon, but now was not the time.


    Immediately after, I began to recite the lines I had prepared.


    "Your Majesty! I am sorry to inform you, but I have a matter to ask of you."


    "¡­This is interesting. I get to talk to you like this. Go ahead and say it."


    "Please change the court''s trial rules. It is difficult to make a proper judgment at the moment."


    The emperor was silent for a while.


    I needed some kind of reaction before I could change course, but the silence was suffocating.


    However, I had a n.


    Knock knock.


    When I lightly tapped my chest, Shuguri wiggled.


    But I still didn''t get the answer I wanted.


    ''Why aren''t you saying anything?''


    I was pushing forward because I trusted him, so when this happened, I was utterly confused.


    That''s why I scratched my chest, signaling for Shuguri to tell me something.


    Then the emperor, who had been watching, spoke up.


    "This is apletely different action from the serious content. Is it because you are itchy?"


    "Oh, yes. It was like that for a little while."


    "Is it difficult to make a proper judgment? Why?"


    "That¡­"


    I exined the court''s situation in as much detail as possible, but the emperor didn''t seem to hear anything. He just fiddled with the teacup I had given him as a gift.


    Judging from his expression, he didn''t seem to like the gift very much.


    ''I should have just brought Cordyceps Sinensis instead.''


    The emperor is still young, but he may have problems with his functions. Like Vargas, the sorcerer of Nermia.


    Considering he has no children so far, maybe it''s true?


    ''Oh, this is not the time to be thinking like that.''


    If I lose focus, I will never know when another poison joke might be thrown at me.


    I waited for the emperor''s answer, my mind wide awake.


    After a while, a snickering sound was heard.


    "The court''s trial rules are at the discretion of the Supreme Court. Why don''t you change them yourself?"


    No, who doesn''t know that?


    He was the one who created it in the first ce, so if i use someone of sphemy, of course, I need permission first.


    "But this shakes the foundation of thew code. How can i do it without Your Majesty''s approval?"


    I spoke passionately, like a minister pleading to the king in the Joseon Dynasty, acting like a true loyal subject.


    Then, the emperor''s mouth curled into a slight smile.


    "That''s interesting. Do whatever you want."


    Finally, he gave an answer. It seemed like he really liked the performance.


    I bowed my head, cheering inwardly.


    "Thank you. The judges will greatly appreciate Your Majesty''s wishes."


    "Enough. It''s useless to listen to such nonsense."


    He answered bluntly, but I could tell he was pleased.


    Couldn''t I push it one step further?


    Actually, this is something I can handle myself, but just in case.


    "Your Majesty, I would like to change my robes¡­"


    "What are you saying you want to change?"


    "The current robes are not very dignified."


    "Didn''t I design that?"


    "¡­"


    Thud!


    It felt like a rock had dropped in my head.


    This answer waspletely unexpected.


    Didn''t Josep Padi once say it was a baseless tradition?


    He said they started wearing it 50 years ago.


    ''Were you boasting about knowledge before you even became that guy?''

 Chapter 140: An affair case [1]

    It was a huge task to change two things that the Emperor had created.


    It wasn''t something particrly disrespectful, but I could still get caught.


    For example, he might say something like:


    ''Do you want to change everything like that? Then why don''t you be the emperor?''


    ''Are you even trying to change the emperor?''


    Even though I just summarized it, my head was already spinning.


    I looked up with a pale face and saw a twisted smile on his face.


    Soon, the emperor''s calm words continued.


    "Just kidding. It was made 50 years ago, and I wasn''t even born then."


    "I was shocked because I thought I had made a big mistake."


    "That''s enough. Do as you wish. But how are you going to change it?"


    "I''ll show you right away."


    I immediately asked Adit for a pen and paper.


    Maybe my drawing skills have improved, but even though I just roughly sketched it, it turned out pretty well.


    When the shape was finallypleted, the emperor nodded.


    "Not bad. Let me make mine first."


    "Yes. What?"


    I was answering absentmindedly when I was startled.


    Why does the emperor need robes?


    ''Does he n on conducting trials himself often?''


    He showed generosityst time, but there was no guarantee he would continue to do so.


    This guy''s thrown too many wild cards to expect consistency.


    Anyway, I had no veto power.


    "I''ll try to make it neater, but more extravagant than this."


    "Okay. Now go."


    "...Yes."


    After setting an example, I quickly left the room.


    Only after I hadpletely left the pce did I breathe a sigh of relief.


    ''My heart is pounding, but at least I seeded.''


    Honestly, I never dreamed it would turn out this well.


    I built up a lot of favor by giving all the credit to the emperor.


    But the opponent is the embodiment of politics.


    Wasn''t he the person who manipted all his enemies with his crazy, twisted mind and transcendental speaking skills?


    "If I had been able to understand his intentions from the beginning, I wouldn''t have had to gamble like this."


    I hit my chest with a very angry face.


    What was that just now?


    Don''t worry about it?


    "Hey, what are you?"


    -That''s a bit of a¡­


    "What''s the matter?"


    -There was a devil in the pce.


    "Isn''t that you? Or are you talking about the Emperor?"


    - Neither. Another demon interfered with my abilities.


    "Uh?"


    -Besides, he was definitely stronger than me.


    "¡­"


    It somehow felt like a demon that the emperor wouldmand.


    So, I guess I was sabotaging Shuguri.


    "No, wait. What do you mean?"


    Doesn''t that mean my attempts have been found out?


    That demon must have told the emperor everything.


    "This is awesome."


    * * *


    Fortunately, the emperor never said anything after that.


    I acted with the utmost caution and changed the court''s trial rules.


    Since I couldn''t just use the Deliat version, I made some modifications to suit the actual circumstances of the empire.


    Of course, this does not mean that the judges'' work was significantly reduced.


    ''We were just given time to make a wiser decision.''


    There''s no need to go to trial, only to end up confused and making strange conclusions.


    In any case, things had be easier.


    Trial assignments were also actively changed, considering various situations.


    That''s why I was able to take on difficult cases.


    "Shall we go and see what''s going on?"


    There were ten bundles of documents on the desk in the office.


    The one at the very top was probably the most difficult case.


    I turned the first page with a solemn look in my eyes.


    Swish.


    But, from the beginning, there were some really harsh words in it.


    "Pa-patriot?"


    Honestly, I never imagined I would be handling a case like this. The content was simpler than I thought. The area is the County of Antonio in the north.


    It was an incident where the father assaulted his son because he was not managing the estate properly. The defendant is, of course, the son.


    In the North, it was a territory of a certain size that was well-known, and there was something that made judgment even more difficult. The vassals were divided into two groups and fought fiercely.


    ''The same thing happened with the Kuroso Brick Factory incident in Deliat.''


    The employees'' testimonies were conflicting and thus meaningless. It would probably still be the same now. Both sides will only say things that are beneficial to themselves.


    ''It''s hard to judge. No matter who you raise your hand for, you''ll get cursed at.''


    But I had a character information window. If possible, i can use Shuguri to see through their inner self. I prepared for trial right away.


    "We will now begin the trial of Count Antonio''s family''s crime of treason. Salute your honor."


    It was the first time in a long time that I heard Judge Josep Padi shout.


    But did he really have to use the word ''salute''? Then, somehow, it feels like my son did something wrong. Judges are supposed to always remain neutral, you know.


    ording to the revised trial rules, procedures such as the examination of evidence could bepleted in advance. But since there were so many issues piling up, this time we decided to just do it the way we were.


    It''s not really a big limitation for me. However, the results of calling up the victim and defendant''s personal information windows were somewhat disappointing.


    ''Oh, I can''t tell the difference again.''


    It was an incident where it was impossible to determine good and evil, as the positions of both sides were different. As I was sitting there frowning, I suddenly heard Shugul''s voice.


    -Hey, it works this time.


    "Oh! Really? What''s going on here then?"


    -Yeah. They like a girl?


    "¡­"


    "¡­."


    Oh, wait a minute. This wasn''t a case of unfilial piety, it was an affair?


    I stared at the document in disbelief, my mind racing as I tried to make sense of the revtion. An affair? How did this slip through the cracks?


    I nced around the courtroom, observing the tense faces of the attendees. It seemed no one else had caught onto this yet. The implication was serious¡ªan affair could disrupt everything, from reputations to alliances.


    I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the task ahead. I needed to dig deeper into the matter.

 Chapter 141: An Affair Case [2]

    I sat still, my brow furrowed.


    My head was in an extremelyplicated state.


    ''How on earth should I solve this case?''


    The story about the lord''s tyranny was actually just an excuse.


    Grady, the son, was furious with his father for stealing his lover.


    The more absurd details start now.


    ''A father who covets his child''s woman, or a woman who quickly gives in to temptation.''


    This isn''t some 200% erotic American drama.


    It''s truly a sight...


    I nced back at the audience.


    Perhaps because the term ''unfilial piety'' was quite strong, there were quite a few people present.


    Since my reputation is so high, I guess more people gathered.


    Is this where the Count''s affair is revealed?


    ''It''s going to be a lot more of a headache than it is now.''


    I raised my hand and stopped the prosecutor from questioning the witness.


    Then I called both sides together.


    "We''ll take a short break, so let''s meet in the conference room in the back."


    "Huh? What''s going on all of a sudden?"


    "The person in charge of this case is¡­ Attorney Anderson Cantrell."


    "Yes."


    "Do you know that there is another person involved with both the defendant and the victim?"


    "Yes? There was no such testimony at all."


    "It''s a serious matter, and I don''t think it''s something we should not discuss in a public ce."


    "All right."


    Inspector Cantrell nodded readily.


    But there was opposition from the defendant''s attorney, that is, Grady''s side.


    "Why should we do that? We don''t want to do that. Please conduct the hearing immediately."


    It seemed like they had prepared themselves mentally.


    An attitude of not caring even if the identity of the woman caught between them is revealed.


    Well, Grady had nothing to lose.


    Not only had his lover been stolen, but he had also been stripped of his position as sessor.


    ''The funny thing is that it was Count Antonio who filed the suit.''


    That guy must be quite narrow-minded.


    In any case, the trial could not proceed like this.


    First, i needed to confirm the intentions of both parties.


    I dismissed the defendant''s argument.


    "We will adjourn. The hearing will be heldter, so please leave."


    Then the audience rose from their seats and began to leave the courtroom.


    They all had puzzled expressions.


    "I hope there''s something wrong with His Highness. Has he suddenly be unwell?"


    "Hisplexion looks fine, but has he figured out something we don''t know about?"


    "No, he must have been flustered too. How could something like that happen withmon sense?"


    "Oh my! If I thought my son did that, I would be enraged."


    There would be a lot of conflicting opinions, but they wouldn''t find an answer.


    This case would be dealt with quietly.


    Eventually, I was able to meet the defendant and the victim separately.


    First, from  father''s side.


    "Nice to meet you, Count Antonio."


    "It is an honor, Your Highness the Duke of Carriers. I am sorry to have to meet you on this asion."


    "Never mind. But, do you have any ns to withdraw thewsuit?"


    "Of course. How could I forgive that scoundrel?"


    "But then the shameful story of Count Antonio''s family will be revealed. Your son wants that."


    "...yes?"


    Count Antonio''s face became nk, as if he was taken aback.


    He can''t help but be surprised when something like thises out of the blue.


    Because nothing has been revealed yet about the third person, the woman who caused the affair.


    I continued speaking with a knowing expression.


    In times like these, O have to be strong to break the vain momentum.


    "This time, the trial rules have changed. Now, judges can investigate the case in advance."


    "Oh, is that so? I thought Your Highness the Duke had some kind of divine gift of foresight, as rumored."


    "I''m just an ordinary person. Anyway, after doing some research, I found out that the woman is at the center of everything."


    Of course, it''s a tant lie.


    As soon as I returned, I negotiated with the Emperor and immediately began his first trial.


    There wasn''t even enough time to look through the case documents.


    But Count Antonio could not have known such details.


    As I got to the point right from the beginning, my opponent''s expression became distorted.


    "It will certainly be a great blow to the honor of the Count''s family. Everyone will look down on the name Antonio."


    "¡­"


    Count Antonio said nothing.


    This person''s goal must have been for the incident to end with just assault.


    That would also be an excuse to strip his son of his position as sessor.


    But if the other person blows everything up, it will be a real disaster.


    "Surely you''re not going to do that. His reputation will be ruined too¡­ ¡­ ."


    "People who have nothing to lose tend to be reckless."


    "Then what should I do?"


    "How about you take care of the household chores internally? Start by dropping thewsuit."


    "That''s the problem because it doesn''t work well."


    "Why?"


    "Ahem!"


    Count Antonio coughed loudly and then opened his mouth cautiously.


    His face was slightly flushed, making it seem a bit awkward to talk.


    "My wife is ufortable with our son."


    "Just a minute. If you say wife¡­."


    "Yes. She said it was hard to live face to face, so she asked me to kick him out quickly."


    It was much more monstrous than I thought.


    Who would have thought that one person could destroy such a historic Count''s family like this?


    But then suddenly I had a strange feeling.


    ''No, the defendant and the victim are all nobles. They must have seen some pretty people often.''


    How great must it be to do this?


    I felt like I had to see the woman in person.


    Originally, it had nothing to do with the procedure, but my keen intuition told me so.


    "Then, could you please call her over? I will try to persuade her."


    "Is that okay? My wife is quite pretty."


    "So?"


    "If by any chance His Majesty catches her eye¡­."


    "Hey! What do you think of me? I understand your concern, but don''t worry."


    "All right."


    Then Count Antonio brought in a woman whose face waspletely covered with cotton thread.


    Absurdly, there were six knights with strong physiques following her.


    ''Wow! If I had fought those guys on Earth, I would have lost without a doubt.''


    It felt like a whole bunch of UFC heavyweight female fighters were rushing in.


    I wondered how pretty she had to be to be so overprotective.


    Soon, a voice as clear as a whistle rang through the conference room.


    "I heard you were looking for me."


    "¡­."


    I looked at the woman without saying a word.


    It wasn''t because I was fascinated by the alluring and mysterious atmosphere.


    It was just because of the holographic text that appeared before my eyes.

 Chapter 142: An Affair Case [3]

    Then Count Antonio brought in a woman whose face waspletely covered with cotton thread.


    Absurdly, there were six knights with strong physiques following her.


    ''Wow! If I had fought those guys on Earth, I would have lost without a doubt.''


    It felt like a whole bunch of UFC heavyweight female fighters were rushing in.


    I wondered how pretty she had to be to be so overprotective.


    Soon, a voice as clear as a whistle rang through the conference room.


    "I heard you were looking for me."


    "¡­."


    I looked at the woman without saying a word.


    It wasn''t because I was fascinated by the alluring and mysterious atmosphere.


    It was just because of the holographic text that appeared before my eyes.


    [Information on transcendent figures cannot be essed.]


    [You can unlock some of these features with an item summon ticket.]


    [Would you like to use it?]


    An item summoning ticket obtained by promulgating aw in Deliat.


    I was wondering how to use it, but it seems that it only applies in certain situations.


    I''m talking about events like opening an information window for a transcendent character like now.


    ''What should I do?''


    I hesitated for a moment, but my worries didn''tst long.


    If i open up information about a transcendent person, it will be of great help in my future life.


    For example, i might be able to see into the emperor''s inner thoughts.


    ''Huh? But why didn''t ite up then?''


    There was no way to determine the reason immediately.


    Well, that person might be a few levels higher in ss.


    Anyway, I couldn''t not try this.


    My gaze went straight to the confirm button.


    Then a card appeared with a sh of light.


    It looked like that was an item summoning ticket.


    [The information viewing function has been enhanced.]


    [As your level has increased, you can see through transcendent figures.]


    [However, this function only applies to non-human beings.]


    ''Huh? What is this?''


    I finally opened the function, and now there are these restrictions?


    I felt like I had wasted my item summoning ticket.


    But it was at that very moment.


    =====


    Name: Liliana


    Race: Half Subus (Half demon)


    Status: Countess


    Position: None


    Rtionship: No acquaintance


    Status: Confidence from having a solid back, eyes set on another prey, aspirations for higher ground.


    Skill: Fascination


    Overall Ability: S


    =====


    ''Now, wait a minute. She wasn''t human?''


    I thought she was just a witch who would charm people, but she was something beyond my imagination.


    I quickly tapped my chest.


    Since Shuguri is in the same ss as me, he would have some information.


    Then, immediately, a blunt voice came into my head.


    ¨DHa! There are still things like that wandering around. I guess I''ll have to live a long life to see this.


    "Why are you doing that?"


    -We don''t treat them like demons. They suck not only your spirit but also your life force.


    "Then what happens?"


    ¨DAll the energies will be mixed together, and you will have a turbid magic. It is a matter of creating your own limitations.


    In any case, it was certain that it was a being that harmed people.


    If that''s the case, I can''t just leave it alone.


    The already fine Count''s house looks like it''s been destroyed from the inside.


    "Everyone else, please go out for a moment."


    "Huh? No, why on earth would you give such an order?"


    As soon as he said he would have a private meeting, Count Antonio jumped up.


    ''No, what is this guy thinking?''


    Does he think I''m doing this to get Liliana?


    I felt a sudden surge of anger, but perhaps that was a natural reaction. After all, rich Antonio was fascinated by a half-subus.


    I nodded with a calm face.


    "We will be questioning witnesses. There is no reason for the victim to attend."


    "Ah!"


    "Prosecutor Anderson Cantrell will be there too, so you better stop imagining things. Have you forgotten who I am?"


    "¡­ ¡­ I''m sorry, Your Highness."


    Count Antonio backed away hesitantly, hiding his embarrassed expression.


    Finally, I looked straight at Liliana and said, "A half-demon who has mixed in with human society. It would be fine if she had stayed quiet, but it would be a problem if she caused trouble."


    "Your Honor, I guess you don''t care about me."


    It was just a warning to back off. But then, right away, a frightening nce came in.


    For a moment, my vision became dizzy, and Liliana''s face appeared dozens of times prettier. No matter which woman you bring in, she is iparable.


    But soon, a red aura arose and began to envelop my entire body.


    ¡ºThe Beast''s Heart Activates¡»


    Tsk tsk tsk tsk!


    Then, my blurry vision returned to normal. It seemed like the skill''s effectpletely blocked the charm.


    I nced over and saw that Attorney Anderson Cantrell was still mumbling. The sight of Liliana staring nkly and drooling was like being on drugs.


    "It''s no use, so why don''t you stop?"


    I stared at the other person with a calm expression.


    "What the hell are you¡­ You''ve never done anything like this before? Are you not human?"


    "What are you saying? Is the highest judge of the Empire a demigod or a half-demon?"


    Soon, the energy pouring out of her suddenly decreased. It seemed she had realized that her charm skill was not working. But Liliana didn''t stop trying.


    "Your Honor, don''t you think I''m pretty? You can have me as much as you want."


    I guess she always managed to get out of a crisis by seducing someone. So,ments like that came out naturally. But this time, she met the wrong person.


    I could now see Liliana''s true colors.


    "Oh my, it''s so ugly."


    "¡­ ¡­ !"


    Liliana''s expression twisted, and for the first time, a crack appeared in her confident facade.


    She wasn''t used to being talked to like that¡ªespecially not by someone who could see through her.


    The red flush of anger quickly reced her once seductive demeanor, and her eyes red with a dangerous glint.

 Chapter 143: An Affair Case [4]

    There were about three Half-Demon that I knew of.


    The Half Demon I can say I''m closest to is Shuguri.


    The second is Feltron, with whom I had a bad rtionship in the past.


    Thest one is Liliana, standing in front of me now. These guys generally had a unique aesthetic sense.


    ''Actually, when I first met Shuguri, he was like a monster.''


    Right now, he seemed to like the shape of a ck squirrel. People also liked it and said it was cute.


    In any case, Liliana''s appearance was puzzling from a human perspective. Her skin, with white dots on a brown background, felt repulsive from the start.


    Moreover, her eyes were small, and her head was quiterge. If there''s one good thing about her, it''s probably her voluptuous body?


    But wouldn''t a woman only be considered beautiful if her face supported it?


    "What did you just¡­ say?"


    "I''m sorry. I saw your true self."


    "I am here in my capacity as a countess. Please speak carefully."


    Liliana expressed her soft anger. But my attitude didn''t change.


    I didn''t want to be polite to a half-demon who was fooling people.


    "Will you be able to maintain your position even if the fascination with Count Antonio is lifted?"


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about."


    "Your identity has already been revealed. Half-subus."


    Tsk tsk tsk tsk!


    I immediately took out the gavel. Then, a red me began to burn brightly, pushing out all the energy in the room.


    Soon, the hazy eyes of Prosecutor Anderson Cantrell returned to normal.


    "Huh? Huh? What, what''s going on here? This isn''t a person."


    "It''s the charm of a half-subus. Everyone mistook her for a peerless beauty."


    "Huh! How could this happen!"


    As expected, Liliana''s true nature was not enough to gain the favor of humans.


    Of course so. Unless you have extremely unique tastes.


    "The overwhelming halo-like effect has disappeared, but it still feels good."


    "Yes?"


    I couldn''t help butugh out loud at Anderson Cantrell''s mutterings.


    Anyone can see that it''s close to a monster, so what are you trying to do now?


    Then, Inspector Cantrell scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed expression.


    "Ahem! That''s not to say it''s good. I''m not in a position to be picky right now."


    "What are you talking about now during the witness examination?"


    "If I''m going to grow old and die as a bachelor, I''d rather be with a half-subus¡­ Oh, no."


    Anderson Cantrell wiped the sweat from his forehead, perhaps noticing my cool gaze.


    I expected a prosecutor as passionate as Corbin Sears, but even he didn''t seem to be normal.


    In any case, in this state, Count Antonio''s mind would have also returned.


    "Mr. Cantrell, please bring in both the defendant and the victim."


    "All right."


    Soon, Count Antonio and Grady entered the conference room. They were ring at each other and bickering. Then, as if he had noticed me, he quickly straightened up.


    "Your Honor, how did Liliana''s investigation go?"


    "It''s over."


    As I pointed at her, Count Antonio ran toward her in one stride.


    "Oh! Ma''am, are you okay¡­ Huh? Why are you like this?"


    "Honey!"


    "Who are you? No, Your Honor! Where did Liliana go, and what kind of monster is this?"


    "Oh, shit. I almost made it, but that damn judge got me screwed."


    "What, what did you say?"


    As expected, the expected reaction erupted.


    Count Antonio stepped back hesitantly, his face turning pale. Moreover, the defendant Grady also had an equally astonished expression.


    It seemed like he was very shocked after seeing Liliana''s true colors. I called the two people to the center.


    "I hope this pointless squabble will stop now. Isn''t this all because of this half-subus''s tricks?"


    "Your Majesty the Duke."


    "Why? Do you still have feelings for that being?"


    "That''s not it, but¡­."


    Count Antonio''s expression was extremely somber. When he came to his senses, his pride seemed to have been greatly hurt.


    ''Well, I guess that can''t be helped.''


    Wouldn''t it be embarrassing to fight over a son and a woman?


    In that sense, there was only one way to wrap this up neatly. I immediately called the defendant over and whispered something to him.


    "Everyone is responsible for this. Do you agree with that?"


    "Yes, that''s right."


    "You may still have some resentment in your heart, but it will soon be resolved. Aren''t you two rted by blood?"


    "Yes."


    "Go and apologize to your father first. Then he will dly extend his hand."


    "But the person who filed thewsuit¡­."


    "Why is that? Do you still see that half-demon as your lover?"


    Whoever filed theint first, this was caused by a half-subus. In my opinion, I had to save face here for my father.


    "Wouldn''t that be the only way to regain your position as sessor?"


    "All right."


    Grady nodded with a stern expression. It seemed like he had decided something after hearing what I said.


    "Father, I was so foolish that I brought something bad into the house. I bow my head and apologize."


    "Uh¡­."


    Count Antonio was speechless, perhaps not expecting his son to ask for forgiveness so quickly. I had a feeling that the atmosphere was going to be awkward, so I quickly intervened.


    "Count Antonio."


    "Ah, yes! Your Highness the Duke."


    "A sincere apology is an act of courage, isn''t it?"


    "Oh, of course. When did you grow so much? I almost didn''t recognize you. Ha, haha!"


    Count Antonio, who was bursting intoughter, patted his son on the back. At the same time, he also apologized and repented his mistakes.


    "I''m so sorry, too. I showed my ugly side too many times."


    "No, Father."


    "Okay. Let''s go home now."


    "Yes."


    The two people hugged each other with relieved expressions. Then they looked straight at me with a stern expression.


    "Your Honor."


    "Go ahead."


    "I will drop the charges. Instead, please punish that half-subus. Just like that doppelganger back then."


    "I will do so."

 Chapter 144: An Affair Case [5]

    "I''m so sorry, too. I showed my ugly side too many times."


    "No, Father."


    "Okay. Let''s go home now."


    "Yes."


    The two people hugged each other with relieved expressions. Then they looked straight at me with a stern expression.


    "Your Honor."


    "Go ahead."


    "I will drop the charges. Instead, please punish that half-subus. Just like that doppelganger back then."


    "I will do so."


    Of course, I intended to do that. If such a monster is wandering around, there will be more victims. I had to make sure that didn''t happen. Like Theo, who is working as a cksmith.


    ''But what can I use it for?''


    The doppelganger had absorbed numerous experiences and was very talented.


    But the half-subus only knew how to seduce men. If I take her to the Carriers Duchy, it''ll just be a headache.


    I wondered if putting her in jail would have much meaning. She''s lucky if she don''t get caught by a guard there.


    "Shuguri. Isn''t there a good way?"


    "Are you saying you don''t want her to cause trouble?"


    "Huh."


    "What are you thinking so hard about? Just send it to the church."


    "Oh?"


    The surrounding area is filled with divine power, so he will probably suffer to death.


    Of course, the lifeline wouldn''t really be cut off because demigods and half-demons are almost immortal beings.


    "Eeeeek! Do you think I would submit to the judgment of a human being?"


    When things didn''t go as nned, Liliana started to act violently.


    If by any chance the fascination were to break, she might have been able to escape the crisis that way.


    A half-demon has much stronger physical abilities than an average knight. But the problem was that the opponent was me.


    Thud!


    I kicked the podium, flew up, and mmed the gavel down. It was a movement that was literally like lightning.


    Suhuaaaaa¨D! Stop.


    The hammer, engulfed in a crimson aura, stopped in front of Liliana''s nose. Soon, a tremendous storm poured down.


    Her hair fluttered madly, and her cheeks trembled. She stood still with a bewildered expression.


    "The reason I didn''t execute you earlier is that there are rules for disposing of things in the empire."


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    "Count Antonio and his sessor Grady are men of loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor. The crime of ruining their rtionship is by no means light. If you wish, I will impose a harsher punishment."


    Liliana, who had been standing there nkly, stammered and opened her mouth. It seemed like her will to solve the problem by force hadpletely disappeared.


    "Wow, what''s the difference between the original punishment and the more severe punishment?"


    "Ten years ofmunity service. This must be done at the church. Do you want to know more?"


    "No! Not at all!"


    "I will lock you in the basement of the chapel. You will suffer in a space filled with divine power."


    It was a punishment that I came up with spontaneously, but it seemed to work perfectly. Liliana''s face, which had been messy, turned pale.


    "Are you really going to let me go after ten years?"


    "If you say you want to leave the empire and live quietly, then."


    "¡­ ¡­ Okay. I ept it."


    Liliana answered with her head bowed. This brought the incident to a clean conclusion, even without a proper trial.


    * * *


    I started the trial again right away.


    Actually, there was no need for psychology anymore.


    The parties involved had simply reached an agreement, and Liliana epted the punishment. All that remained was to make it known.


    "I hereby sentence the intiff to withdraw hisint and terminate the criminal proceedings with an amicable settlement."


    Boom boom!


    The audience was chaotic, each one talking among themselves.


    They were looking forward to an exciting trial, but it just ended so suddenly. However, the atmosphere didn''t be tense or anything.


    "Wasn''t it a serious situation to the point where you could almost call it the end of immorality?"


    "And he reconciled the two of them in just one hour?"


    "Haha! Is that possible?"


    "Or did His Highness the Duke of Carriers point out the misunderstanding with surprising insight?"


    "Oh my! That''s the most likely guess."


    "Yes. Otherwise, it''s an impossible story."


    There hasn''t even been an official statement, so what if the story flows that way?


    Of course, I yed a huge role.


    "One, I cannot ignore the crime of destroying a family. I hereby order Liliana to serve ten years ofmunity service."


    All eyes turned to Liliana, who was sitting with her head down. People tilted their heads with puzzled expressions.


    "Ten Years Of Community Service? What is he talking about all of a sudden?"


    Is heu saying that that woman caused trouble in Count Antonio''s house?"


    "Then, it makes sense that the rich people fought."


    "Oh my! No matter how great love is, it shouldn''t separate parents and children."


    "How beautiful must she be for something like this to happen? I''d like to see her once¡­ ¡­ . Ayat!"


    The man who was leaning over to look at her face was startled.


    It seemed like his wife, who was sitting next to him, had stepped on his foot. Antonio and his son left the courtroom in peace, and Liliana was taken away somewhere.


    ''I''ve already told the church about it, so they''ll take care of it.''


    Still, you never know.


    I just wanted to check in on her sometimes. If something goes wrong as expected, I must correct it immediately.


    "Well then, should I start selling some clothes?"


    The trial must have ended early. I was determined to give momentum to the business that had been going sluggishly.


    And I''ll change this cumbersome and unfashionable robe.


    But then, a quiet voice was heard from the side.


    "Your Honor?"


    "Huh? What is it?"


    "There is still this much trial left. Where are you going?"


    Josef Padi wore a somewhat evil smile. For a moment, this thought urred to me:


    ''Actually, I think this guy is more suited to being a half-demon.'' I was held captive and had to prepare for the next trial.


    Shit.

 Chapter 145: The Collapse of Mount Justinian [1]

    The trials that followed were of a rather troublesome kind. It was simr to the second case I took on while possessing Abel Carrier''s body.


    That''s why it''s there: the transfer ofnd between the County of Titus and the County of Braden. It was returned to the direct control of the imperial family, and then I took it back.


    That ce is now the Midias region.


    "Territorial disputes are the most difficult."


    Isn''t this an area that is difficult for judges to control? Originally, irresolvable disputes between nobles were settled through duels. If things became excessive, it could lead to a war of attrition.


    Finally, the emperor issued a decree granting priority to the trial.


    ''It sounds difficult, but it''s not really a big deal. It just means toe to court and try to resolve it.''


    The reason was that they would gather troops and pretend to fight like that, and then they would rebel.


    In the empire, the emperor''s word wasw, so all kinds ofwsuits were filed. But it is unlikely that a local court can handle matters that are difficult to resolve even in the capital.


    So, there were numerous territorial disputes that were not properly assigned.


    "This is something that only I can do."


    Even if he was a seasoned judge, his rank was at best a count.


    He was a single-generation nobleman with only one title the size of a booger. Since he could not have a sessor, his actual power was also extremely weak.


    Although it was a title created to elevate the status of judges, it was often ignored. In cases of territorial disputes or major social events, they are not very effective. It was inevitable.


    So, that''s why empror gave me the position of Supreme Court Justice.


    "Why does and war have to happen?"


    The conference room where witness questioning began. I just threw out a word.


    Then, as if they had been waiting for it, a fierce fight broke out between the two sides.


    "The owner created a mine on the mountain behind the estate."


    "No. We just dug a tunnel in our territory. We never invaded yournd."


    "What are you talking about! I can hear you little rats digging with pickaxes underground."


    "Because the stone rings. You don''t know such a simple truth. What an unbelievable intelligence."


    "What?"


    "Where is this human being, spitting out curse words?"


    "And you keep being stubborn!"


    "stubborn? Even talking nonsense needs to be contained."


    "Want to have a go at it?"


    "Come on. Come on. You little shit."


    Trying to grab someone by the cor in the conference room was standard. It seemed like they might end up fighting each other. I struck the gavel with a solemn expression.


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    "Be quiet. We are currently questioning a witness. What are you talking about?"


    "Ahem!"


    "Hmm."


    Only then did both sides be quiet, with a hollow cough.


    The incident was caused by a mine between the County of Valdei and the County of Justinian.


    But I had looked at the relevant documents in advance, so I could understand the fundamental reason.


    ''Those guys would have fought even if it weren''t for the mines.''


    The imperial county was asrge as any small western state.


    So, you could say it was a kind of country.


    Counts Valdei and Justino were old enemies. There was a deep resentment between the families thatsted for over ten generations. In fact, there was no way to solve this.


    A beggar who lives by mediating appropriately. The problem now is that I have to take on that role.


    ''It''s hard to reconcile, so I just have to make them ignore each other.''


    As I watched the two counts quietly, my head started to throb. But then suddenly, a brilliant idea urred to me.


    At the very moment when I was absentmindedly picking up the slipper and trying to wipe the sweat from my forehead.


    -Hey! You rotten bastard. I told you not to do something like that!


    "Your fur absorbs sweat well. The size is just right."


    -Carry a handkerchief with you!


    "Even if I have it, I''ll use you¡­ Wait, try using this?"


    A mountain on the border of a territory. If I just block it there, there won''t be much interaction between the two families, right?


    ''It seems like this is an issue that requires a business trip.''


    * * *


    Fortunately, the destination was not too far. It was a bit further away than the Erset mine I had visited before.


    Still, to this extent, it can be said to be in the suburbs of the capital because it''s a distance that can be reached in one day.


    If I go out for an overnight stay ande back, there won''t be any problems with my work afterwards.


    "I don''t know what to do with myself, thank you for taking such great care of me."


    "Please spend tonight at our Valday Castle."


    "Ha! You mean to say that you wanted to wee His Highness the Duke to such a shabby ce? We have prepared a first-ss guest room in Castle Justino. I am sure you will like it."


    The two counts ttered him without fail. They must be struggling to get a slightly more favorable verdict. But I had no intention of granting their demands.


    "Okay. I''ll take care of where to sleep."


    "Huh? Oh, yes."


    "Then I can find out where you sleep¡­ ¡­ ."


    Count Justino, who had been clinging to me until the end, was crushed by a single nce from me. I thought I would get scolded if I continued talking.


    Actually, I was preparing to do that. Still, the two counts were not oblivious, and now they kept their mouths shut. After quite some time, we finally arrived at the mine that was the cause of the problem.


    "This is it. But, I heard there are tunnels in the Valday County too?"


    "Yes, that''s right. That rotten bastard... no, he''s digging holes on the other side."


    "Are you saying you work on multiple ces at once?"


    "They are blinded by greed. The ground will definitely be unstable."


    Count Justino grumbled, the corners of his lips curling up. Then Count Valdey immediately refuted.


    "We are only working on one tunnel. We had to drill several tunnels because the mining volume was insufficient."


    "Is it stable now?"


    "Yes, that''s why we''re only deploying miners to one location."


    I haven''t checked yet, but it doesn''t seem to be a lie. Because Count Valdey''s answer was full of confidence.

 Chapter 146: The Collapse of Mount Justinian [2]

    Abel haven''t checked yet, but it doesn''t seem to be a lie. Because Count Valdey''s answer was full of confidence.


    Of course, it didn''t matter what the truth was.


    Able walked around the mine, pretending to look for something.


    "Except for this mountain, there is no other ce where the two counts meet?"


    "Yes, because Mount Valdey is long and narrow."


    "What nonsense are you talking about? This is Mount Justinian, Your Majesty the Duke."


    It was just a simple question, but it was the beginning. Now, it seemed like the emotional rift was so deep that they even fought over ce names.


    Able walked around the mountain, shaking his head. He was nning to check out the mine on the other side as well.


    ''Surprisingly, it''s systematic here too?''


    Even though Count Valdey had started mining a littleter, the mine entrance was very clean. The miners were also working briskly. It seemed like there hadn''t been any dangerous incidents or safety idents recently.


    After carefully examining the inside of the tunnel, Able called the two counts together.


    "Listen carefully."


    "Yes!"


    "Yep!"


    It was a critical moment when a single word could have changed the course of business.


    Even people who were treated like kings in each region could not help but feel nervous.


    The faces of the two counts were filled with anticipation and worry at the same time. But Able was determined not to give them the answer they wanted.


    "Starting today, the Justino and Valdei mines will be closed. In addition, this mountain will be designated as a restricted area."


    "That''s right¡­ Yes?"


    "No, Your Majesty! What do you mean? I''ve never had an ident before, and you want me to close it?"


    Naturally, the two counts jumped up and down in their seats. It couldn''t be helped because the mine was generating significant profits. But what Able said wasn''t without basis.


    Just a little while ago, Shuguri had thoroughly investigated the ground.


    "So far, we''ve been lucky. But if we expand any further, it''ll alle crashing down."


    "How long will that take?"


    "Judging by the speed of work, it should bepleted within half a year."


    "Why is this suddenly happening?"


    "Arge space has been created inside as the flow of groundwater has changed. It looks quite unstable."


    Able thought he knew what Shuguri was talking about. So, that meant a sinkhole was being created. He recited exactly what Shuguri had said.


    "No, how can you know the inside just by looking at the outside?"


    "I can''t believe it, there haven''t been any problems so far."


    Even after hearing the exnation, the two counts objected. But Able had no intention of bending.


    "Stop all operations immediately andpletely empty the tunnel. This is my order as the Supreme Judge."


    "¡­"


    "Oh, I understand."


    Although their faces lookedpletely iprehensible, they had to nod. Able''s status and position were too high for them to dare disobey the order.


    Soon, mining on both sides ceased.


    Of course, the miners also came out of the mine with faces showing that they did not understand English.


    "Let''s get started slowly."


    "Okay."


    Able nned to use Shuguri''s powers to copse the tunnel.


    Then, what if he designated this entire mountain as a no-go zone?


    The border between the two counties would disappear altogether. Then wouldn''t there be less fighting? There wouldn''t be much opportunity to see each other''s faces in the future.


    Able sent Shuguri away and got into the carriage. He nned to observe the situation while leisurely sightseeing around the area with the two counts.


    ''I guess I have no choice but to admit it.''


    It''s a mine that would copse someday anyway, and this is the way to save countless lives.


    Able didn''t think they would me him for closing it early if they saw the mountain copsing before their eyes.


    Soon, as if Shuguri had used his powers, a heavy vibration began.


    Kurrururur!


    "Oh, no, what is this?"


    "Really? Is the tunnel really copsing?"


    The two counts were astonished. It hadn''t even been half a day since Able''s warning. But then, the whole mountain really started to copse.


    Kookung! Kookugung! Boom!


    With a tremendous roar. Of course, it didn''t really create a huge hole or anything. There was just a huge earthquake, and the corner of the mountain sank and caved in a bit.


    It probably wouldn''t be too dangerous unless there was more space underground.


    ''But it''s enough of a justification.''


    It''s such a dangerous ce that they can''t just keep people out. Of course, it was impossible to block all entry by the general public, but one thing was certain.


    ''You can''t set up a gate or a fortress and station troops there.''


    Able looked back at the two counts and said:


    "It was really close. If I had been just a little bitter, there could have been a big ident."


    "Oh, I see."


    "You are truly amazing. How can you know so much about the underground world¡­"


    Count Valdei quickly agreed, but Count Justino was the problem.


    That old man had been talking strangely since earlier. Should Able say he had a suspicious personality? But he calmly gave the answer he had prepared in advance.


    "Do you remember the Erset Mine case among the trials I handled in the past?"


    "Of course. You convinced the monster toe forward as a witness."


    "Actually, it''s not a normal monster. It''s a god of the earth, a kind of demigod."


    "Aha! I''ve heard of that."


    "I learned the method of ground surveying from that friend. I thought it mighte in handy."


    "I see. Now I understand. Why did Your Majesty have to rush things so much?"


    After even convincing the suspicious old man, the case was solved in an instant.


    The territorial dispute trial was naturally canceled, and the two earls also lost their reason to fight. Able thought everything would fall back into ce.


    But surprisingly, there was a visit from clergy from the religious sect.


    "Your Highness?"


    "Yes, go ahead."


    "Can you¡­ please tell me a prophecy just once?"


    No, what the hell were these people talking about? Why were they asking him that?

 Chapter 147: Aramid Order

    In the first ce, aren''t miracles, revtions, and prophecies the main specialties of priests?


    Why on earth would hee to me looking for something like that?


    Although I was speechless, I decided to listen to the story anyway. The church might be dealing with a problem too big to solve on its own.


    "I am always grateful to the Aramid Order. They helped me imprison the half-demon, and they are always kind to the people."


    Of course, I was a little disappointed when the gue broke out. They knew the nobles were trying to monopolize the clergy, but they ignored it.


    Of course, it wasn''t that I didn''t understand. If they just appeared indifferent, the church could benefit enormously by sucking up donations from the nobles.


    Anyway, that''s all in the past. I didn''t really hold it against them.


    "That''s too much praise. We are simply following Aramid''s wishes."


    "But what kind of prophecy is this all of a sudden? Is there anything unpleasant going on internally¡­?"


    "There are some minor issues, but they aren''t serious enough to cause the church to tilt. I, as a bishop, can guarantee that."


    The Aramid Cult was thergest religious group in the Empire, but it wasn''t enough to establish a papacy. Even when the imperial power weakened, the political scene was too intense for religion to interfere.


    Anyway, the leader of the Aramid Order was only the Archbishop. The one who came to me was the second-inmand, Bishop Braulio.


    Although a fairly influential person visited, I couldn''t just ept his request.


    "Now, I want to hear your real purpose."


    "I heard the story of how you resolved the territorial dispute in Mesqueta Mountain."


    "Where?"


    "You know, Valdei, the border of the Countship of Justino."


    At the time, I didn''t think much of it, but everything the two counts told me was nonsense.


    Isn''t this ce called by a different name?


    ''They lied about their nomination just to get a favorable verdict?''


    Now that I think about it, they were both really narrow-minded people.


    "Ah! It was a territorial dispute."


    "Yes, you predicted a catastrophe just by taking a quick look."


    "Oh my."


    I ended up hitting my forehead.


    Didn''t I clearly exin that I used thend ssification method I learned from Adam?


    Of course, there''s no such thing, but it seems like the rumor is spreading in a strange way again. Everyone was talking about me being a saint or a god, and now they''re even saying I can prophesize?


    I was terrified of what woulde next. I shook my head vigorously and made sure to emphasize, "I never made any prophecies. I just looked at the ground carefully and noticed the danger early."


    "But if you could stop by the church once and say something nice¡­"


    "You haven''t told me your real purpose yet."


    I cut off Bishop Braulio''s words. I couldn''t afford to listen to this nonsense any longer. There''s already a mountain of pending trials.


    After a while, the mouth that had been hesitating finally opened.


    "I heard that, thanks to Your Highness the Duke''s selection, the number of people living in poverty has decreased."


    "I can''t say that people are eating well and living well. It''s just that fewer people are starving to death."


    "No one has solved the problem of poverty. No matter how hard the church tried, it was useless."


    That goes without saying.


    For the lower sses to improve their standard of living, society itself must change.


    The gap between rich and poor in medieval Ennd was so dire that it cannot even bepared to that of modern world. It was the same in the Empire of Enfer, a dark fantasy world.


    No, it might have been much worse.


    There are monsters here. Even going to the mountains to dig up grass roots and eat them meant risking one''s life.


    ''But why is this person talking so much?''


    Usually, if someone''s meaning isn''t clear, it means they have an inner feeling that''s difficult to express.


    I looked straight at the person who was just rambling nonsense.


    "So what anyway?"


    "The church is having a hard time these days. It''s because believers are superstitious."


    "Huh? Superstitious?"


    "Haven''t you been hearing it a lottely? People are saying that His Highness the Duke is a saint or a god."


    "Ah, that¡­"


    It''s not like I started the rumor; how could I stop people from talking?


    Moreover, I gave a clear exnation. They just didn''t listen.


    "Ah! Of course, I do not mean to me Your Highness. Thete Duke and Duchess were believers of Aramid, so I asked if you would visit by chance."


    I frowned at Bishop Braulio''s words. The church did a lot of good things in its own way.


    Of course, they used divine powers in exchange for money, but they also did free volunteer work often. So, I had a pretty good image of them.


    ''Something feels a bit off¡­''


    If I were to interpret the statement just now roughly, it went something like this: Life has gotten better recently, but why aren''t donationsing in? It''s all because of this weird superstition that you''re a saint or a god.


    So, solve it myself by visiting the church and proving that I''m a believer.


    Of course, I looked at it from a rather twisted perspective, but this was almost exactly what I thought.


    They just spoke politely and indirectly.


    Their true intentions wouldn''t be much different from my interpretation.


    I said, looking at the priests with a cold gaze, "Get out."


    Bishop Braulio''s face stiffened for a brief moment, but he quickly regained hisposure. His lips tightened, but he didn''t challenge my words. Instead, he slowly stood up from his chair, giving a slight bow as a gesture of respect.


    "Your Highness, I apologize if I''ve offended you. I only wished to speak on behalf of the faithful."


    I stayed silent, watching him. His demeanor had shifted; he was no longer the insistent clergyman trying to negotiate his way through the conversation. Now, he was cautious, almost calcting. The veil of religious humility had slipped for a second, and what I saw beneath it was ambition.


    "As I said before, I understand your dedication to Aramid''s teachings, but perhaps the Duke''s presence at a service would calm the people. Superstitions grow stronger in the absence of guidance."


    I remained quiet, keeping my eyes on him. He wanted something more than just a public appearance, but he wasn''t going to reveal it here. Not in my presence, not with so much at stake. If the church really was struggling with donations, I had little doubt that they were grasping at straws to maintain their influence.


    "Your Highness," Braulio continued, voice softer now, "I must remind you that the church has been a steadfast ally to your family for generations. The faithful have looked to the Duke''s household for leadership, and in these uncertain times, a show of unity would bring much-neededfort to the people."


    He was ying the loyalty card now, appealing to tradition and obligation. I didn''t care.


    "I''m not interested in parading around to soothe the people''s unfounded beliefs," I said tly. "If they''re superstitious, then perhaps you should ask yourself why your sermons aren''t working."


    Braulio blinked at my response, and for the first time, he looked genuinely taken aback.


    I could tell he didn''t expect such bluntness. Perhaps he assumed he could manipte me through the weight of religious influence, but I wasn''t about to be swayed by vague insinuations of divine duty.


    "The church should focus on its own matters, Bishop Braulio. If donations are low, find another way to fill your coffers. I will not serve as a tool for your maniption of the masses."


    There was a flicker of something in Braulio''s eyes. Anger? Resentment? He suppressed it well, but I could feel it lingering just beneath the surface. Still, he kept his voice calm.


    "As you wish, Your Highness. We will continue to do our part, as always."


    He gave another bow, this one far deeper than the first, before turning and making his way out of the room. The sound of his footsteps echoed in the silence after he left, and I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples.


    The church was growing desperate, and that meant they''d soon start pulling more tricks to secure their power. If they couldn''t squeeze the nobles for donations, they''d turn to the people. But using me as their pawn? That wouldn''t happen.


    The real question was: How far would they go?


    * * *

 Chapter 148: The Tailors Dilemma

    Although they were treated rather harshly, the Aramid Church did not react at all. It seemed like they were just going to pretend it never happened. Well, it would be much easier for them to save face that way.


    "Tsk tsk. That''s what those so-called priests think," I muttered to myself.


    Of course, that wasn''t the intention of the entire Aramid Order. It might have just been the misconduct of some priests, including Bishop Braulio. I can''t find out the truth, but I decided to think of it that way. I feel more at ease if I just turn off my nerves.


    "I''m so busy, why are they making such a fuss?" I sighed.


    Due to the prophecy of Mount Mesqueta, territorial disputes have multiplied. Everyone returned to their own territories and made a fuss about clearly delineating the boundary lines.


    ''I''m not a surveyor or anything,'' I thought, annoyed.


    So, I was rejecting all non-serious matters while issuing strict warnings to each territory. Then, I noticed that the number of cases assigned to me was gradually decreasing.


    "Phew! I can finally put my worries aside," I said to myself.


    Actually, it wasn''t that difficult. It''s a difficult trial for ordinary judges, but I can just push through it like a bulldozer.


    Moreover, because my reputation and trustworthiness were so high, agreements were usually reached. There were even marriages between two families that were in territorial disputes because I mediated them.


    ''Let''s take a rest now,'' I decided.


    Since it was the weekend, I was nning to just sleep in. But that couldn''t be done because there was a lot of pending business waiting for me.


    "When on earth are you going to make my clothes?" Adam''s words echoed out of nowhere in my mind.


    In addition, Deacon Miller Xavier also issued a citation.


    "Your Majesty, His Majesty the Emperor has sent word asking why there has been no news," he said.


    "What news?" I asked, confused.


    "You said you would give him a set of clothes, so why hasn''t he received anything yet?"


    "Oh, that''s right," I replied, suddenly remembering.


    Why on earth did I want to get into the fashion business or something?


    ''No, no,'' I quickly corrected myself.


    It was something that had to be done unconditionally. How long am I going to wear glittery costumes while passing judgments? Am I going to walk around in a fancy dress outfit with leggings?


    "Then let''s get started quickly," I said, determined.


    "Don''t forget to start with mine," Adam''s voice reminded me.


    "Okay, I got it," I muttered.


    Of course, it would have been a mistake to start by fitting Adam''s clothes first.


    Even cold water has its order of precedence, and naturally, the emperores first. Just in case people start saying that I did it for my half-sama first, I don''t want useless rumors to spread.


    I went straight to Midias. The sheep and geese I had received from Count Coughlin were growing well. Even the ranch business was on track.


    ''The textile factory is also running smoothly,'' I thought, pleased.


    If we use worsted yarn produced there, we can make a decent suit.


    "It''s just starting to arrive in stock, so it hasn''t been released on the market yet," one of the workers informed me.


    "Well done. By the way, isn''t there a tailor here named Martin?" I asked.


    "Oh, I think I''ve heard that name before," he replied.


    "Please call that person," I requested.


    Martin had a skill called "designer." I guessed he could make exactly the style I wanted. Of course, he wouldn''t be used to it yet, so he''d need to work on honing his skills.


    ''I could do it myself, but there''s no sewing machine here,'' I mused.


    I don''t know anything about traditional methods, either.


    Soon, a young man came running out of breath.


    * * *


    Martin had been feeling very goodtely.


    At first, he worked undercover for the purpose of spying.


    But the treatment of employees at Midias'' factories was surprising¡ªfar better than what the dedicated tailors of ordinary nobles received.


    His sry was beyond anything he could have earned with his limited experience, which only came from training. On top of that, he was provided with excellent amodations and meals worth appreciating.


    "Where on earth can you find a heaven like this?" Martin thought.


    So, Martin decided to settle down at the Midias textile factory.


    The promise he had made with Cosette, Count Asrenault''s personal tailor, waspletely forgotten. Even as an official disciple of that man, he would have been overworked and underpaid.


    He much preferred working under themand of His Majesty, the Great and Benevolent Duke of Carriers.


    Moreover, here he could develop his abilities to his heart''s content. The tools were provided endlessly, and he could practice with leftover fabric as much as he pleased.


    Although he had only been there for half a year, Martin''s skills improved at an incredible rate.


    "Wow! This is a total work of art. It''s a masterpiece," Uncle Jamie on the next line eximed in admiration.


    Martin readily handed over the stuffed animal he had been working on.


    "Take it and give it to the kids as a gift."


    "Is that okay? It seems really well made."


    "Hey, I was just practicing," Martin said casually.


    The stuffed animal looked like something a noble family''s baby would cherish. Jamie smiled and pulled something out of his bag.


    "This is a backpack I made. It''s sturdy, so it''ll be useful. Though, it doesn''t look that great."


    "Oh my, what are you talking about? You made it really well."


    "It''lle in handy when the holidayse," Jamie added with a grin.


    "Thank you," Martin replied.


    The people he worked with were so kind that every day felt enjoyable.


    Besides, the workload wasn''t too demanding.


    The factory had a strict schedule¡ª50 minutes of work followed by a 10-minute break¡ªwhich made things more manageable. Martin thought he could keep doing this job until he grew old and worn out.


    One day, on his way back to his amodations, someone approached him. It was Hans, the building manager.


    "Mr. Martin, you have a guest," Hans informed him.


    "Me?"


    Martin asked, puzzled. In fact, he didn''t know many people in the imperial capital. His home was in the County of Arsenault, quite far from here.


    "Who could it be?"


    "He didn''t reveal his identity. But, considering he came all the way here, he doesn''t seem like a strange person," Hans reassured him.


    The Duchy of Carriers was heavily guarded, especially with the emperor''s knights still stationed there.


    So, Martin wasn''t too worried and followed Hans toward the reception room at the hotel''s entrance to meet the visitor. But as soon as he saw who was sitting there, a familiar sense of unease settled in.


    "It''s been a long time. It''s already been half a year¡ªwhy haven''t you contacted me?" said Cosette, Count Asrenault''s personal tailor.


    And that''s exactly why he hade.

 Chapter 149: The Spys Miscalculation

    Martin let out a low groan.


    In fact, he had long since erased any memories rted to this person.


    Wasn''t this the best job where he could keep his back warm, his stomach full, and even draw a picture of the future? His coworkers were all kind and good people.


    Would he throw away this great fortune and be Cosette''s assistant?


    ''That''s crazy.''


    What idiot in the world would make such a choice? But when he met the other person''s gaze, a chill ran down his spine.


    Cosette was smiling brightly as if he knew everything. Words befitting the mean smile flowed from his lips.


    "I wonder if you''ve heard much about your hometown. There are a lot of people who want to work as tenant farmers these days, so thepetition for space is fierce. How are your parents?"


    At first nce, it sounded like a normal conversation. But why did he bring up the story of the County of Arsno and his parents as soon as he saw him? Of course, this was a subtle threat.


    ''If you don''t cooperate, your parents will lose their livelihood.''


    Moreover, they wouldn''t just be kicked out of their tenant farms¡ªsomething much more severe would happen.


    Martin''s heart shook relentlessly, like the great bell in the central tower that tolled the time.


    ''Damn, what do I do?''


    The faces of his parents and younger siblings back home came to mind. If Count Arsno wanted to, they were nothing more than fleeting lives that could be swept away in an instant.


    If you fear destruction, you have to choose.


    To whom will you be loyal?


    "Why is there no answer?"


    The corners of Cosette''s mouth went up as if they were about to burst. It seemed that he had noticed his wavering feelings.


    The conflict continued for quite some time.


    However, as time passed, Martin''s face became moreposed. The peace he regained began with this very thought.


    ''Will that really happen?''


    Would a big shot like Count Arsno really be so obsessed with one style of clothing?


    It was certain that this whole thing was nned by Cosette. But what kind of grand conspiracy could a mere tailor hatch?


    Maybe it was because he had studied hard while attending night school, but his head was spinning.


    ''Besides, if ites down to it, I can support them.''


    Martin''s current sry was 15 shillings. It was on par with the skills of some of the most skilled technicians in the imperial capital.


    It could even be considered better, as it provided excellent amodations and meals.


    Even if he worked hard on the farm all year long, the money he earned was only a few silver coins.


    In that case, it would be better to bring the whole family here. At Medias, he could also teach his younger siblings how to read and write.


    ''Of course, all of this is only possible with His Highness the Duke of Carriers''s permission.''


    Would he really ept a bunch of lowly rural worms?


    Anyway, since all the workers wanted toe in, it was a chaotic situation.


    ''If it doesn''t work out, that''s okay. I can just take it somewhere else.''


    Wherever they went, life would be much better than in the County of Arsno.


    Martin was thankful that his parents were not serfs. If that were the case, he wouldn''t have even considered leaving the territory.


    Then he looked at Cosette with fierce eyes.


    "Do you think that kind of threat will work?"


    "What?"


    "You think I might lose my job as a tenant farmer? Then I''ll just leave."


    "Are you now going to betray the favor of Count Arsno?"


    "I never received it in the first ce, so what are you talking about? And please be careful what you say."


    "Ha! This guy has finally lost it."


    "Don''t do this or that. I''m not your apprentice tailor anymore."


    "Heh! You?"


    Cosette burst outughing, as if taken aback. Then he expression hardened, and he red at him with gloomy eyes.


    "Show me what I can do..."


    "That''s enough. What can a mere tailor do?"


    Cosette was at a loss for words.


    If you think about it, isn''t that true?


    A tailor is just someone who makes clothes. He was not a man of high status. There was no reason for nobles to rely on him to make their clothes.


    "Don''te back again. And I''ll tell you one thing."


    "Is it worth listening to?"


    "It would probably help tremendously."


    "Then say it."


    Martin took a breath, gritted his teeth, and growled.


    "Coming here made me realize that Cosette''s skills as a tailor were truly poor."


    "This is crazy!"


    "I''ve said everything I wanted to say. Goodbye."


    Martin jumped up from his seat and ran straight out.


    Cosette, left alone in the drawing room, kicked the chair and grumbled.


    "You dare betray me? We''ll see. You piece of trash."


    A torrent of curses poured out. Cosette turned away with a sinister look in her eyes.


    But he couldn''t move his body.


    It was because of the sharp de hanging before his eyes.


    "Huh, huh!"


    He gasped in surprise, and suddenly a hard voice was heard.


    "You are being hasty. The conversation is not over yet."


    "Who are you? And what are you talking about?"


    "You will need to recount the details of what you just discussed with Mr. Martin, in front of His Highness the Duke of Carriers."


    The figure who suddenly appeared from the shadows was none other than Cordell McNeil.


    Cosette''s face turned pale¡ªpale as white paper.


    * * *


    I had noticed Martin''s strange behavior a while ago.


    I took a closer look through the employee management window. I epted him because of his skills as a designer, but the words "espionage" and "evil deeds" appeared at the beginning. Of course, those words changed quickly.


    ''By the way, that''s surprising. That ge made that choice.''


    I had heard stories that people regard the Duchy of Carriers as some kind of heaven. It is such an incredibly nice ce to live.


    Moreover, it was even more valuable because not just anyone could enter. It must have had a big influence on Martin''s choice. Now that I''m a person with a lot to lose.


    "So what is he?"


    "He was the one trying to extract information from Midias and use it for something."


    "Even if Mr. Martin knows, it wouldn''t be a big deal, right?"


    "It seems like they were trying to copy His Majesty''s party style."


    "Yes?"


    No, what kind of stupid attempt is this? In the first ce, I don''t even attend parties, let alone host them.


    As I looked at him with an expression that said I didn''t understand, Cordell McNeil continued to exin.


    "I guess he was nning to show Count Arsuru something in His Highness''s style."


    "What is the reason for that?"


    "Cosette will gain trust, and the Count of Arsenault will gain poprity in high society."


    "He nted a spy for just that reason?"


    "There are many other benefits as well. If he get this information, it will be useful to him someday."


    "Then...."


    I trailed off. In the end, the oue of this incident will be like this.


    ''Count Asrno nted a spy in the Carriers Duchy.''


    It was quite a provocative issue and one that could have easily escted into a major problem.


    Of course, if i don''t make an issue of it, it will be covered up without anyone knowing. As if he had anticipated the words I would swallow, Cordell immediately shook his head.


    "Count Asrno didn''t seem to be involved. The operation was too sloppy for someone of his stature to have ordered it."


    "Is this the sole action of Cosette?"


    "I found out through various sources that he was not a very important person. Of course, I will have to look into it further to find out the exact details."


    Count Asrno was a representative imperialist nobleman. Even though I''m the kind of person who can handle anything regardless of party affiliation, I didn''t want to sh over something like this.


    Besides, Martin ended up not being a spy.


    "I haven''t been harmed, so let''s just move on."


    "Still, we must punish that Cosette. And let Count Arsenault know."


    "I''ll take care of that."


    Since we''re not that far apart, I think it would be better to resolve this through dialogue rather than conflict. I nodded readily to Cordell McNeill''s suggestion. However, one question still remains.


    "I have a question."


    "Ask me anything."


    "I don''t have a specific party style in mind, but let''s just say there is one."


    "Yes."


    "How can you be popr by trying that first?"


    Didn''t they say that thepletion of fashion is the face?


    If your appearance is not good, then whatever you wear is meaningless.


    Oh, of course, I wasn''t secretly criticizing Count Asrno. He''s a pretty decent middle-aged man. I''m just purely curious. Then Cordell McNeil smiled meaningfully.


    "Your Majesty, you still don''t know."


    "What?"


    "How popr are you in Imperial society."


    "Yes?"

 Chapter 150: The Dukes Walk

    I had no dealings with the nobles. There was no need to, as I was extremely busy with court work and business. To be honest, I thought it was a waste of time. Why do nobles throw parties and socialize?


    ''It must be to show off wealth and further consolidate power.''


    There may also have been an intention to find a good marriage partner, as marriage is a very basic form of alliance. But in my case, I didn''t need any of those things.


    The power of the Supreme Court is one of the top five in the empire. Moreover, their social status was almost beyond their reach. Aren''t I''m the Emperor''s cousin and a person with the title of Duke?


    ''If I try to go any higher from here, my balls will fly off.''


    It would have been a better choice not to even try to gather power. I shook my head slowly and said, "I didn''t know the world''s opinion was like that."


    "Why don''t you n a party while you''re at it¡­?" Cordell McNeil suggested.


    "Okay."


    "Aren''t you going to get married? If you are His Highness the Duke, you can dream of true love."


    Of course. There isn''t a single person who opposes my love life or marriage. But I didn''t want to do that yet.


    "I have no intention of getting married."


    "You are a hot-blooded young man, don''t you think so?"


    "Isn''t sir McNeill boilingtely?"


    "Ahem! How could that be?"


    I thought it was a bit strange that he was subtly suggesting that I throw a party. He was doing this to find ady to serve.


    As I looked at him with a dumbfounded expression, Cordell McNeil hurriedly averted his gaze.


    ''I guess it''s a bit painful.''


    Anyway, let''s wrap things up here. Now it''s time to start seeing the results. I waited pleasantly, tapping the desk lightly. Then, soon, a cautious sound was heard.


    "Your Highness, this is Martin."


    "Oh,e in."


    Martin appeared with a trembling voice. He came in with a set of clothes.


    The slim-style suit silhouette caught my eye. Say goodbye to the imperial style that is just shy and unnecessary. I wear neat and stylish clothes and go out...


    Chomp!


    "Uh?"


    I took off the cloth with great anticipation, and what I saw was truly astonishing.


    First of all, the form was eptable. I measured the dimensions exactly and even told him how to make it.


    Martin is a very handy worker, so he could have made it in no time. The problem was this fucking imperial aesthetic. I was so dumbfounded that I ended up shouting without thinking.


    "Take off the sparkle!"


    ***


    As you might expect, Abel Carriers is an Imperial.


    But I was someone who lived in apletely different social world in the modern era. I just couldn''t get used to all those fancy cubic designs, gold leaf, and ornate floral patterns.


    If I look closely, i might feel dizzy.


    ''How on earth did Abel wear something like this?''


    If I think about it, it was much morefortable when I lived in Deliat. i only wear white, baggy clothes because it is such a hot country.


    "This won''t work. I''ll have to modify the heads of those imperial bastards."


    "Huh?"


    Cordell McNeill made a dumbfounded sound, as if he had heard my monologue. I didn''t really mean to do anything to anyone''s head.


    "I''m going to change your perception."


    "Aha! That''s what you meant."


    "It seems like you''re teasing me on purpose."


    "No one would ever think that the merciful and just Supreme Judge of the Empire would do such a thing¡­"


    "I think Sir McNeil would do it."


    "Hey, no way."


    "There is even a proverb that says a fool can control a person."


    "Haha!"


    Cordell McNeil smiled awkwardly and slyly distanced himself, as if I were going to hit him in the head with a gavel.


    "Oh, no?"


    "How could that be? Come over here and check the clothes."


    "It''s okay. I''m just wearing armor anyway."


    "I guess you like parties? You could wear it asionally."


    "Because of the mission, I''ll take my leave then."


    Sweep!


    Cordell disappeared in an instant. I don''t know what trick he used, but even when I activated the beast''s heart, I couldn''t find any trace of him. It seemed like he was really hiding.


    "What a pity. That idiot needs to be remodeled first."


    I looked back, my mouth watering.


    Then Martin''s face, pale as snow, came into view. He seemed quite surprised that I was being so unpleasant. Well, in the empire, everyone prefers a shy style.


    "From now on, please remove all these decorations. Go for a style that is as simple as possible, but with just a few ents. In that sense, this tie is really well made."


    "..."


    There was a part of me that wondered if this should be called apliment. The tie''s shape was so simple.


    Since they probably didn''t know what it was used for, they probably just made it ording to the blueprint.


    After I gave my feedback, I tried to send Martin away, telling him to hurry up and make a proper finished product. But he didn''t raise his hand right away.


    "Can I tell you one thing?"


    "Yes, go ahead."


    "Your Highness''s opinion... I don''t think it will work."


    "Yes?"


    "It''s not the design the people of the Empire want, and it feels too nd. It''s not enough to be popr."


    "Haha!"


    I let out a smallugh.


    It wasn''t because Martin was being presumptuous. I wee feedback. I had no intention of blocking such legitimate criticism altogether because only the loyal speak bitter words.


    But I was determined not to ept Martin''s opinion. The result was obvious.


    "Would you like to make a bet with me?"


    "How dare I be so rude¡­"


    "Don''t think too hard about it. What if this style bes popr?"


    "Then I will truly devote my whole heart and soul to making your clothes."


    "Have you been doing it roughly up until now?"


    "Oh, no. How could that be?"


    "Haha! I know. I know. If I lose, I''ll promote you to a full-time tailor. No matter what style you bring, I''ll wear it withoutint."


    Perhaps then Martin''s reputation would also be enhanced, because I would be the one in charge of the Duke of Carrier''s clothing exclusively. If he''s lucky, he might even get a title. Martin''s eyes widened in surprise and joy.


    ''But will it work out the way you want?''


    There is truth, regardless of East or West, past or present: they say the face is thepletion of fashion.


    * * *


    As soon as I reached Perias, I called my coachman.


    "Uncle Brandon, please let me off here."


    "Huh?"


    Aren''t I''m the one who rides a carriage to the courthouse every day?


    When I suddenly asked to get off, he seemed quite flustered.


    "Oh, did I do something wrong...?"


    "No, no. Not at all. I just feel like walking today."


    "Then what should I do?"


    "You don''t need to drive the carriage during the day. Let''s meet here again in the evening."


    "Yes, I understand."


    When I answered with a calm expression, Mr. Brandon seemed to feel relieved.


    Of course, judging by his face, it looked like he still had a few questions. But I didn''t bother exining further and just stepped off onto the side of the road.


    ''Ah, this feels refreshing.''


    My slightly loose-fitting suit pants were much morefortable than the tight leggings I usually wore. It was a proper outfit,plete with a belt and zipper.


    The top consisted of a crisp white shirt, a tie, and a jacket that was slightly tapered at the waist. It was distinct from the doubletsmonly worn by noble men.


    Even though I had only walked about 20 meters, I could feel people''s eyes on me. My clothes were unfamiliar to them.


    "Wait a minute, is that person by any chance...?"


    "Isn''t that His Highness, the Duke of Carriers?"


    "That''s right!"


    "How can you be so sure when you haven''t even met him in person?"


    "Where can you find someone that handsome?"


    "Well, even if he''s not the Duke, he have such a dazzling appearance... but aren''t he''s clothes a little too in?"


    "Yeah. There''s not much decoration on them."


    The aesthetic sensibility of the bankrupt empire had trickled down to themon people as well. Since they were used to seeing extravagant clothing every day, they believed that only shy outfits were good.


    "But because he''s so cool, he look good in anything."


    "He''s just a face to adorn. There''s no need to add anything extra."


    "Yes! Exactly."


    "He''s really tall. Come to think of it, those shoes look really cool too."


    "They lookfortable. Maybe I should try getting a pair like that."


    Celebrity fashion is something people tend to imitate. It''s like products endorsed by famous figures sell quickly. In this world, those in power yed that role.


    That''s why I was born with the best conditions: status, position, reputation, and appearance. There was nothing I needed to feel ashamed of.


    I gave a brief greeting to the citizens I passed.


    Of course, I couldn''t greet everyone individually¡ªthere were just too many people. Even a simple wave of acknowledgment drew surprised faces.


    "Oh, His Highness, the Duke of Carriers smiled at me."


    "Oh my! Do you think he fell in love with me at first sight?"


    "Snap out of it. What are the chances someone like us could end up with him?"


    "When I get married, I want to dress my husband like that."


    "You still haven''te to your senses."


    A spring breeze blew through, sending the girls'' hearts aflutter.

 Chapter 151: The Rise of the Textile Revolution

    At first, all the attention was on me, but as time went on, they started talking about clothes more and more often.


    There were quite a few opinions that it lookedfortable. Modern people would never agree with this, but this was the Middle Ages.


    Leggings and corsets weremon, and almost all clothing was tied withce. Even the nobles couldn''t dress or undress themselves without assistance.


    ''This should be enough for promotional effects,'' I thought.


    I nned to use the crowdedmutes to and from work as my runway. There would be a flood of inquiries in the future because most of the unique and good items were located in the Midias shopping arcade.


    Isn''t that the case even with something like nail clippers? It''s a tool that didn''t exist until recently, but now it''s be a necessity of life.


    After doing that a few more times, I finally got a response. As if I had been waiting, I opened a clothing store in Midias.


    Surprisingly, it was people from noble families who rushed in. Of course, the person in question didn''te in person.


    "I am Croven, the butler of Count Elisone. I heard that you sell His Highness''s clothes here."


    "Oh! Where are we going to set up first? We are from the Earl of Bellingham. Could you give us just one set of clothes?"


    "No, what does it matter where youe from? Stop talking nonsense and just get in line."


    "What did you just say?"


    "What, you want to have a go? We were sent by His Majesty, the Marquis of Paelun."


    "Ahem! Ahem ahem!"


    They came from so many different ces.


    But how did those local lords send people already? I just walked along the street during mymute to and from work.


    ''Usually, they would appoint their sons as proxy lords, and each woulde to the capital and take a seat.''


    All power in the empire emanates from the Emperor.


    If they are not well informed about the situation at the center, they will inevitably be eliminated. Isn''t that why everyone is trying so hard to get into the National Assembly?


    "How is it?" I asked, smiling confidently.


    Martin shook his head and said, "As expected of His Majesty the Duke. It seems that no one can match you when ites to creating new things and making them popr."


    "Then hurry up and make the clothes first. If you want to take care of all those customers, you''ll have to move quickly."


    "Of course. That much can be done in no time."


    Although he lost the bet, he didn''t show any sign of difort. Even though his workload had piled up, Martin just smiled brightly.


    ''Does still think he''s been recognized?''


    In fact, this guy''s skills were impable. If i teach him one thing, he has the talent to grasp two or more. I had a feeling he would be the best tailor in the empire someday.


    "First, get the measurements and then start production. I have other things to do."


    "Oh, are you going to present clothes to His Majesty the Emperor?"


    "No. Butler Xavier will do that."


    "Oh, I see."


    Perhaps thinking it would be rude to ask further questions, Martin only nodded in greeting.


    I left the Midias shopping district with a sly smile. Why am I the only one left to do the work when everyone else is doing it?


    ''Oh, I''m busy. Now I have to make clothes for themon people too.''


    The time hade to use the huge amount of materials I''d been hoarding. The suits we''ve been promoting so far were just the beginning.


    Anyway, I guess that''s something you''d only wear on formal asions. I wanted to create clothes that would be widely used on a daily basis. That way, we could have a positive impact on society.


    ''It will probably have a much bigger impact than if the fabric had been released cheaply.''


    Just because i get the materials cheaply doesn''t mean the price of the clothes will go down significantly.


    There may be some impact, but there''s nothing we can do about the costs incurred elsewhere. I still have to pay to go to a tailor and have your clothes made. So, it wasmon to make and wear them at home.


    "But if it''s made in a factory, there''s no need to do that." I muttered to myself. Why not just buy something that fits your size and wear it?


    If that were the case, I''d be able to buy clothes at a much cheaper price. My heart was already pounding at the thought of improving the system''s functions.


    But suddenly, a chilling sensation passed through my entire body.


    "Huh? What is this?"


    Immediately afterward, a loud noise erupted along with a terrifying shockwave, right in the forest at the edge of the Carriers Duchy.


    Kukugugugugugu! Pfft!


    A mushroom cloud rose out of nowhere. As I stood there, dumbfounded, I realized something. Isn''t there a wizard living over there whose mental state is questionable?


    "Vargas, this guy¡­"


    Didn''t I tell him not to cause any idents for the time being?


    Even with serious threats attached.


    The only saving grace was that Vargas''b was very far away. I deliberately ced it a good distance from the mansion, and I think that was a good decision. I would never know when or what might happen.


    Isn''t that the guy who blew up the mercenary guild as soon as he entered the imperial capital?


    ''What the hell are his doing now, Vargas?''


    I got on my horse and passed a textile factory. The employees who hade out were tilting their heads, surprised by the unexpected incident.


    "Everyone, please bring me some water. As much as you can!"


    "Yes! Your Majesty!"


    Although it was an urgent order, the employees moved in unison. The sight of them running to the well with buckets felt quite solid. As expected, loyalty must be nurtured at all costs. Everyone is so dedicated, even in emergency situations.


    I felt strangely proud.


    ''There''s chaos over there, and here I am getting sentimental.''


    I quickly approached the forest to the northwest. Soon, a building appeared with ck smoke rising from it. But, surprisingly, Vargas''b seemed mostly intact, despite the huge explosion.


    "If it was that much of a st, wouldn''t it be normal for there to be no trace left?"


    Still, just in case, I kept my distance and cautiously approached.


    "Vargas! Where are you?"


    "Cough! Cough! Whoosh! Whoosh! Here I am!"


    Soon, a man covered in what looked like charcoal soot crawled out from behind the building. Still, it seemed that he had conducted the experiment outside, as if he had some conscience as thin as an ant''s tear.


    "What''s going on?" I asked. Vargas raised his right arm, holding a potion that glowed in various colors.


    I had no idea what on earth could have caused such a huge explosion. Vargas gave me an innocent smile.


    "This is dye."


    "It''s a unique color, but it doesn''t seem to be of much use."


    "Huh? How could that be? I can wear the exact color I want!"


    "Then the story changes."


    "You can use it anywhere."


    "What?"


    "Let me give you an example. It''s basic for clothes, but you can also paint on ss or wooden boards. Itpletely changes the original color of the material."


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    For a while, I was speechless. So when I color something, doesn''t that mean it has no thickness? Can paint of this level exist?


    After quickly gathering my thoughts, I asked, "How much does it cost to make?" Of course, this was the most important question. What if there was a great feature? It could only be used in business if the unit price was right.


    Vargas smiled, revealing his white teeth.


    "It''s because I spent a lot of money on the experiment, but the dye itself doesn''t cost much. About 2 goldens per bottle. This amount can easily dye a bundle of fabric."


    It seemed to be based on what''s produced at the Midias Textile Factory. One bundle probably weighed about 100kg. The efficiency was much better than I expected.


    "How long does it take to dye?"


    "Of course, it happens quickly. There''s no need to stop."


    "Good job. Very good job."


    I praised Vargas and held the potion up to the sunlight. It felt as if the Milky Way was spread out before my eyes. This substance could create enormous wealth. The paradigm of dyeing itself would change.


    "Okay. Let''s get started. I want to introduce this to our textile factory. How much can you give me?"


    "Yes?"


    Vargas looked surprised. It was a natural question for me to ask. There is clearly an original producer, but you have to sign a contract to get the item.


    Legally speaking.


    But Vargas'' thoughts seemed to be a little different.


    "Ugh! Your Majesty the Duke!"


    "No, why are you acting like this?"


    "Honestly, at first, I thought you were just one of those noble bastards trying to take advantage of me."


    "No matter how much this guy confesses his true feelings, his words are a bit¡­"


    "But Your Majesty is different! Kheungheung!"


    Simr incidents often ur in people''s lives.


    You work hard on a n, report it, and then your boss slyly takes the credit for it. Even in modern times, when there are many watchful eyes, isn''t that the case?


    ''If it''s the Middle Ages, where anything can be buried, it would be even worse.''


    The current situation should have been handled that way originally. Projects carried out by thepany are owned by thepany.


    Vargas is under my employ. But I didn''t have the heart to be

 Chapter 152: The Price of Popularity and Power

    The current situation should have been handled that way originally. Projects carried out by thepany are owned by thepany.


    Vargas is under my employ. But I didn''t have the heart to be


    Vargas must be so useful.


    Who knows what mighte next? What if another universal dye like the one we just made appears?


    ''i have to think of it as an investment for the future.'' I quickly found a suitablepromise.


    This guy will keep helping you if you make a mutually satisfactory offer.


    "Let''s build a manufacturing nt."


    "Isn''t this something you can make by yourself?"


    "No, let''s just do it like that in name only. As the factory''s reputation grows, it will also help build a brand."


    "Aha!"


    "Then it would be easy to divide the shares. How about 6 to 4?"


    "Then I..."


    "6."


    Vargas just stood there, blinking. It seemed like it took him some time to understand the situation. After a while, the guy slowly shook his head.


    "No. I don''t know much about how the world works anyway. I just know how to make potions."


    It was a typical foolish thing to say.


    ''I don''t know, so he figure it out?


    '' It was no different from saying that it was okay to just take everything away.


    ''He would be good prey for greedy and evil guys.''


    But for me, Vargas was the goose thatid the golden eggs. Why on earth would I do something as stupid as cutting open the goose? I nodded readily and said,


    "Okay. Then I''ll take 51% of the shares. I''ll take care of everything else, so you just focus on experiments and production."


    "Are you really going to do that?"


    "You''re the type of guy who''s easy to scam. What are you going to do if I have bad intentions?"


    "Well then, I guess I should just blow it all up. That''s my specialty."


    "Wow! That''s a bit scary."


    "Hehehe!"


    Vargas and I shook hands andughed heartily.


    * * *


    A versatile dye that appears at just the right moment.


    This was a substance that was no different from a fraud. You could dye arge roll of fabric with just 2 goldens.


    The cost of producing fabric would be much lower. When cheap and good products are supplied in abundance, it''s bound to create a big ripple in the market.


    ''But it''s okay. This is a town where productivity is at a near-destructive level.''


    Moreover, all the wealth was concentrated in the upper ss. This is a world where it wouldn''t be strange if the winds ofmunism were to blow.


    But the existence of a knight with immense power maintains the status quo. Revolution also has to be dealt with to some extent.


    Each and every one of them is worth a hundred, a thousand. But will this continue to be the case in the future? What if hundreds of thousands of people rush in?


    ''If I stabilize society, people won''t even think about revolution. Just stop people from gathering.''


    It''s a good ce to live, so why would anyone do something like that? Then the Empire of Enfer willst much longer. But why on earth is it like this?


    ''I''m one of the upper ss of the empire. If something like a revolution were to happen, how difficult would it be?'' In that sense, they do all kinds of business.


    But what the heck is this?


    "Your Highness the Duke of Carriers, please stop the excessive poprity craze!"


    "This will bring great chaos to the order of the empire!"


    Old men with white hair were shouting loudly.


    For a moment, this thought urred to me: ''Where am I? Who am I?''


    I was hearing some really serious nonsense. It''s true that I was a bit dizzy, but I didn''t lose my mind at all. I just stayed silent because it was so absurd.


    But why on earth was I forced into such a crazy situation?


    ''I came with a light heart because they asked me toe to the National Assembly after a long time...''


    The old nobles were talking like that.


    Everyone has a desire for fame. I couldn''t say anything just because it was popr. But my identity was the problem.


    "I''m afraid something unpleasant mighte out. Zu ..."


    So it seemed like I really did something wrong.


    ''It must be treason.''


    A royal family more popr than the emperor of the empire? And on top of that, that guy is a duke with the right to the throne?


    I think you''ll get the answer just by watching a few historical dramas.


    From the emperor''s perspective, he would want to find fault with something and destroy it.


    ''But that''s possible even if it''s not particrly popr.''


    What was the imperialw like? If you hang it on your nose, it''s a nose ring. If you hang it on your ear, it''s an earring.


    If the Emperor had wanted to, there would have been no one left alive in this ce.


    Because the best of the empire, the Grand Masters, woulde rushing in and cut them all down.


    Anyway, their argument was this:


    "So what do you want me to do?"


    "Please reduce the amount of cloth. Some people may like it, but those who make a living by weaving will lose their way of making a living."


    "What, if I do that, will my poprity decrease?"


    "Probably so. Also, please refrain from making judgments that are too biased towards themon people."


    It seemed like he was nning to say everything he wanted to say at this opportunity. I let out a hollowugh and wiggled my chin. It meant to tell me to try more.


    "Huh? And what else?"


    "I would like to ask that the wages of the Dukedom of Carriers and Midias be lowered. There are voices of discontent here and there because so many talented people are flocking there."


    It really became more and more spectacr. Need talent? Then, it would have been enough to treat them ordingly.


    Anyway, there is a limit to the number of people I can hire. If the pay is decent, I''ll probably get a job near my house. Why would they bothering all the way to Midias?


    ''I can refute each and every one of them.''


    First of all, the basic way to make cloth was to spin the thread on a spinning wheel at home and weave it on a loom. But those were all just side jobs.


    Besides, how many people actually live off of fabric? What was even more absurd was that I had already hired arge number of such people.


    ''In the end, no one was harmed.''


    The second demand was for a biased verdict. No, why are he''s telling me that imitted a sin? This wasn''t even worth refuting. In the end, it''s like they''re telling me to take their side, no matter what the truth is.


    Thest one was to lower wages.


    ''People want to use talent, but don''t want to pay a lot of money?''


    The reason I treat my workers well is simple. Is it because I feel sorry for the people living in poverty?


    No, it''s because I want to live this good duke''s life for a long time.


    When the red wave ofmunismes,


    your heads will be hung in the streets. No matter how strong the knight is, he can''t withstand a barrage of weapons.


    ''What a bunch of ungrateful people.''


    There would be no point in talking to such closed-minded people for a hundred days.


    So how do I end this ridiculous situation? Do I have anything to think about? It''s simple.


    "I guess it doesn''t really matter to me whether I am popr."


    "Why does it happen like that?"


    "How can I stop people from liking me? Should I just make a fool of myself?"


    "Ahem! That''s not it."


    "In the end, this is what matters. Whether or not I harbor treachery. Whether or not His Majesty the Emperor doubts me."


    "¡­!"


    The eyes of the Imperial Council members opened simultaneously.


    I didn''t expect them to react like that, but I went a step further with an indifferent expression.


    "What are you going to do? Let''s go ask His Majesty the Emperor. Is it likely that I willmit treason?"


    A considerable amount of time passed, but no member of parliament opened his mouth.


    I guess they were probably scared. It''s a bit odd to ask the Iron-Blooded Emperor such a question.


    "I thought you were prepared for something like this since you were talking about something so unpredictable."


    I stood up from my seat and continued speaking with a snicker.


    "Be honest. Does it bother you that I and the people are making a lot of money?"


    There was an ufortable atmosphere in the room.


    Did I hit the nail on the head? So what? Just like those people, I too have something to say.


    Now, it was time to strike onest blow.


    "Everyone, work hard. Don''t just think about how to eat."


    ***


    Able nced at the uneasy faces of the nobles, their expressions a mix of frustration and hesitation. He couldn''t help but smirk inwardly. Their greed, their fear¡ªthey were so transparent. He had stirred the pot, and now he could watch them scramble to regain their footing.


    ''They can''t refute it, can they? Because, deep down, they know I''m right.''


    He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms casually, his gaze sweeping across the assembly. The silence dragged on, each noble seemingly waiting for someone else to make the first move. Able had already won this round. The tension in the room was palpable, but no one dared to challenge him openly.


    One of the older council members, his face pale with a mixture of concern and weariness, finally broke the silence. "Your Highness," he began, his voice thin and wavering, "no one here questions your loyalty to the empire. It is simply that... we are concerned about the implications of your influence on the lower sses."


    Able raised an eyebrow, feigning interest. "Oh? Do continue. What exactly do you fear? That themon people will rise up because they''re no longer starving? Or that they''ll start thinking for themselves?"


    The man swallowed hard, his hands trembling slightly. "No, Your Highness, we only wish to maintain order. Rapid changes often lead to instability."


    "Instability," Able repeated, his voice soft butced with sarcasm. "You mean, you''re afraid that if the people have too much power, you''ll lose yours."


    The room seemed to freeze at his words. The truth had been spoken, and there was no way to take it back. For a moment, Able thought one of them might try to argue, to throw out some flimsy excuse, but no one did. They couldn''t. Their fears were too obvious.


    "Order is important," Able continued, his tone shifting to something more authoritative. "But you can''t maintain order by keeping people oppressed. The empire won''t survive like that¡ªnot in the long run. The world is changing, and we must change with it. Otherwise, we''ll be swept away."


    His words hung in the air, and for a brief moment, he almost felt a pang of sympathy for them. Almost. They were relics of an era that was quickly fading, clinging desperately to a system that no longer worked. But Able? He was a part of the future¡ªa future they feared.


    "Now, if there''s nothing else," Able said, rising to his feet. "I believe we''re done here."


    The nobles exchanged uneasy nces, clearly reluctant to let him leave on his own terms. But what choice did they have? None of them had the courage¡ªor the power¡ªto stand against him. Not here. Not now.


    Able gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, then turned and strode out of the room without another word. As the heavy doors closed behind him, he allowed himself a small smile.


    ''They''lle around. They always do.''

 Chapter 153: A Stir in Perias [1]

    Rumors of the surprise hearing in the Imperial Parliament spread at an incredible pace, enough to create a stir throughout Perias in just one day.


    "Huh! His Highness, the Duke of Carriers, is trying to gain poprity in order tomit treason?"


    "It seems the old pigs in the Imperial Parliament have collectively lost their minds."


    "No, they''re the one who didn''t even create the Knights Temr in the first ce. But what kind of treason is this?"


    "Since he won''t do what they want, they must want to somehow tie it up."


    "Well, our lives have improved so much thanks to His Majesty the Carrier. I guess that''s what made it so unpleasant."


    "Tsk, tsk, tsk! Those people without a conscience."


    The reaction of themon people was extremely violent. Even if they couldn''t make eye contact normally, wouldn''t it be possible to at least curse at each other behind each other''s backs?


    Whenever the congressmen''s carriage appeared on the street, it was met with a barrage of disgruntled stares. But that didn''t mean anyone could yell at them.


    What if someone caused a fuss in the city and the courts ended up intervening?


    It''s possible that one might end up being dragged before the Duke of Carriers, the person involved in the rumor. That is, bing a defendant.


    Of course, the members of the Imperial Diet shamelessly ignored public opinion. They seemed to think it would be a passing breeze. But the criticism did not easily subside.


    The knights'' gaze was also ufortable.


    "You''re crazy. Did something like that really happen?"


    "Yes, Deputy Commander."


    Trevor was meeting with his old subordinate and hearing the news.


    "I''m not a deputymander anymore. So, roughly... call me senior."


    "But you will return someday, right?"


    "I don''t know."


    A bitter smile wandered around the corners of his mouth. In the next ten years, the power rtions within the imperial military would have already beenpletely turned upside down.


    The forces that believed in him and followed him would have been torn to pieces.


    Reassemble subordinates who are living new lives? It would probably not be an easy task.


    The vested interests within the military at that time would not have remained silent. Besides, these days, Trevor was starting to feel less and less like going back.


    "We will all wait for the Deputy Commander."


    "Okay. Don''t do useless things and do your best in your assigned position."


    "Yes?"


    "Loyalty is owed to His Majesty the Emperor, not to me."


    The subordinate knight who came to find Trevor had a sad expression on his face. The image of his superior, who was always so confident, remained only in his memory.


    Now, Trevor was just a simple worker with an axe. There wasn''t even a hint of confident expression on his face. A feeling of regret filled the knight''s heart.


    "Don''t look at me like that. I''m satisfied enough."


    "If the Duke of Carriers crosses the line, please let me know. You are not being punished but are doingmunity service."


    "So, don''t worry too much. You won''t have toe here so often from now on."


    "What is that¡­?"


    "Live your life."


    Knock, knock!


    With that, Trevor stood up from his seat. His attitude suggested there was nothing more to say. Then suddenly, he left the living room.


    "I''m going to bete. It''s pointless to have an interview."


    Although Midias is a ce that no one can enter, that doesn''t mean visiting it ispletely prohibited.


    If someonees to visit, like now, they can meet at any time. Plus, Trevor''s work schedule was flexible, so he could make enough time to meet up.


    Since he could take vacation days whenever he wanted, no one noticed. But Trevor didn''t really want to do that. Recently, he had developed a new interest.


    "I wish this would end soon."


    As Trevor hurried to the logging site, someone called out to him.


    "Excuse me, just a moment."


    "Huh? What''s going on?"


    "Are you a logging worker?"


    "That''s true."


    "Can you give me a moment?"


    "I''m on my way back from an interview, so it''s quite difficult."


    "Aha! So you''re Mr. Trevor?"


    "Do you know me?"


    "Yes, I heard from Mr. Bernard. He said I coulde out this afternoon."


    Trevor looked at the other person with a questioning look in his eyes. With her brown hair tied back tightly, she didn''t look like an ordinary person. Most men in the empire had short hair.


    "I guess I''ll have to check with the supervisor."


    "There''s no need for that. The supervisor is here too."


    "Oh, is that so?"


    "Pleasee in for now."


    The ce the brown-haired man guided Trevor to was a recently built building.


    What on earth was going on with this dukedom? Something new appeared every day. As they went inside, various clothes caught his eye, but it was a style Trevor had never seen before.


    "Which country''s costume is this?"


    "It''s from the empire."


    "No way. I''ve never seen it in the capital, let alone the outskirts."


    "Of course. Only His Highness, the Duke of Carriers, wears it."


    "Hmm."


    Trevor groaned with difort. At present, he had somewhat calmed down. Could this be a stage of adapting to the life given to him?


    But the lump in his heart did notpletely disappear. In the end, it was because of the Carriers operation that things ended up like this.


    Of course, Trevor was wrong too.


    "Would you like to try it on?"


    "Why are you making this offer to me? Did the Duke of Carriers tell you to do it?"


    "No. I just thought it would look good on you. You have a nice body, don''t you?"


    Trevor''s face remained unchanged even in the face of praise and encouragement.


    He didn''t feel anything, as the shape of the clothes was so different from what he usually wore. Then the brown-haired man spoke again with a puzzled expression.


    "You asked without any introduction. My name is Martin. I work as a tailor at the Midias Textile Factory."

 Chapter 154: A Stir in Perias [2]

    "You asked without any introduction. My name is Martin. I work as a tailor at the Midias Textile Factory."


    "What do you think of these?"


    "This is truly a revolution. You can''t get a morefortable and formal outfit than this."


    "Is that so?"


    "I guarantee it."


    "Then give it to me."


    Trevor nodded, although he still looked uneasy. Lately, he had been enjoying building rtionships. This was one of his new interests. Trevor figured it wouldn''t be a bad idea to know a tailor. As soon as he took off his overalls, Martin helped him into the clothes. Trevor struggled with the zipper and waistband, but it wasn''t too hard to get used to.


    All he had to do was grab the end and lift it up, and for the belt, just insert a metal bar into the hole.


    Soon, Trevor, wearing a jacket, stood in front of the mirror.


    "It must be expensive to light up your entire body. How did you manage to get it?"


    "I didn''t buy it. His Highness the Duke gave it to me as a gift."


    "What a truly kind-hearted master."


    "Yes, what a great person he is."


    In fact, the phrase "kind-hearted" had a slightly sarcastic tone, but Martin took it at face value, as he genuinely believed it. Feeling embarrassed, Trevor smacked his lips for no reason.


    "It''s not bad... is it?"


    Soon, the image reflected in the mirror became amazingly bright. The clothes weren''t as ufortable as leggings and doublets. However, Trevor thought it might be a bit cold if he went out like this, since spring hadn''te yet.


    "Okay, you can put this on as your coat."


    Dark blue trousers and jacket, slightly darker tie. In addition, Trevor wore a ck coat, making him look like a tall gentleman. Martin put on his leather shoes and even oiled them beforebing Trevor''s hair. Trevor looked in the mirror, dumbfounded.


    "What is this...?"


    "Isn''t it cool?"


    The inside of the suit shop was enveloped in silence for a while. Although quite some time had passed, Trevor still looked incredulous. No matter how he thought about it, this seemed so far ahead of its time. Now he understood why Martin said that.


    "It''s true. It looksfortable yet formal. At this level, it must be quite expensive."


    "Of course. It hasn''t even been released on the market yet, and the fabric is top-quality."


    Trevor shook his head and quickly tried to take off the clothes. Even though the sry of a lumberjack was good, he couldn''t wear such expensive clothes. Now, he was neither the sessor to the Warren Counts nor had he lost his position asmander of the 1st Western Army Corps.


    "Oh, you can just go as is."


    "Why?"


    "You could call it a kind of modeling fee? Whenever you visit the capital, please wear this."


    "Is that okay?"


    "Yes, His Highness the Duke of Carriers is paying special attention to it."


    "..."


    That damn Carrier.


    It was a name Trevor heard dozens of times a day here. And then there were the endless voices of praise. Maybe because he encountered it so often, he didn''t even get angry anymore. There was only a hollow smile on his lips.


    "Thanks anyway."


    "Yes, take care."


    Trevor left the suit shop and headed straight to his lodgings. He realized he''d missed his morning shift too. He was nning to look around and explore his new interests. Recently, one of those interests had been board games. Since the games were provided free of charge as part of employee welfare, he could enjoy thetest version to his heart''s content.


    As soon as Trevor changed his clothes, he ran straight to the game room.


    "Hey, you''re early today, Trevor."


    "I missed my morning shift because of an interview. Why are you out so early, Marcel?"


    "I''m off duty today."


    "The security forces must be nice. They get to rest for a whole day every two days."


    "I have to work the night shift instead."


    "That''s easy. Didn''t I tell you? In the 1st Western Corps¡­ ¡­ ."


    "Please stop bragging."


    "I told you it''s true."


    "Oh my! Here we go again."


    Trevor greeted a young man named Marcel without hesitation.


    After a few empty words, the game began.


    "The subject is Abel''s Journey, is that okay?"


    "Huh! Have you already forgotten yesterday''s humiliation?"


    "Damn, it''s so frustrating. Just forget about the past. Hurry up and bet your money."


    Trevor took the silver coins out of his pocket and put them in the bin at the corner of the table.


    "Are you saying you''re going to risk everything from the start? Of course, I can''t lose."


    Marcel also threw in 1 Ceylon confidently.


    The board games created by Duke Carriers were fundamentally gambling games.


    The original purpose was just for fun, but really, what could be more fun than betting?


    Betting money was a natural phenomenon.


    But this was the game room of Midias.


    The maximum amount that could be bet was 1 shilling per person per day.


    Since it was the Duke of Carrier''s order, no one thought of disobeying it.


    Whoever wins, no more bets would be ced.


    "Let''s start."


    But that was exactly when it happened.


    ng!


    A silver coin flew in from somewhere andnded in the betting box.


    After a while, a handsome young man came and sat down.


    "I''ll participate too."


    "New heroes are always wee."


    At that moment, Trevor raised his head and was at a loss for words.


    Because the person who appeared out of nowhere was such a big shot.


    "What about you?"


    Surprisingly, the person sitting at the table and chair was the owner of thisnd, Abel Carriers.


    But Trevor was the only one who was shocked.


    Marcel shuffled the cards and dealt out the tiles nonchntly.


    Abel ced the tokens here and there as if it were a given.


    Trevor asked with a dumbfounded expression,


    "What are you doing here¡­?"


    He almost became rude to him for a moment but held it together with superhuman patience.


    Then came a reply that seemed like it was nothing serious.


    "I came to y games."

 Chapter 155: Playing Games

    Trevor looked incredulous.


    It seemed clear that he thought there must be some kind of ulterior motive.


    ''But did I reallye here just to y games?''


    Enfer Journey was a board game that Abel had put a lot of effort into creating.


    It was a method of increasing points by exploring various terrains with the heroes yers possessed, but there were quite a few variables. If you didn''t make the right choices at every moment, you''d end up falling behind.


    It was very appealing because it required both luck and strategy.


    It was much more colorful than Enfer Trip, so yers wouldn''t get bored.


    "What kind of person is this¡­ Huh?" Trevor, muttering to himself, ended up putting the token in the wrong ce.


    It seemed like he was quite embarrassed that he ended up ying a board game with Abel out of the blue.


    Still, the world ofpetition is a cruel one. Abel moved his heroes mercilessly and took control of all the valuable exploration areas.


    It was originally supposed to be Trevor''s spot to im, but since he made a mistake, there was nothing that could be done.


    "It''s so delicious."


    "Ugh," Trevor groaned.


    After that, Abel steadily umted points.


    Maybe because the beginning went so well, Marcel couldn''t catch up with him either, despite being quite talented.


    "I''m going to lose the game because of a beginner''s mistake," Marcel muttered.


    "There are days like that, but next time it won''t be the same," Abel said reassuringly.


    "I know Mr. Marcel''s skills very well. So, aren''t you saying this out of courtesy?" Marcel asked with a hint of disbelief.


    "Ahhh! If I get fired up again, I''ll easily get 200 points. Anyway, I had fun today, Your Highness," Marcel admitted with a grin.


    "Then I''ll see you next time. Take care," Abel replied.


    "Yes, Your Majesty," Marcel responded before leaving.


    After Marcel left, Trevor was left with his head in his hands.


    The average monthly sry for a lumberjack was 12 shillings.


    Compared to a few years ago, the wages were unimaginably high.


    But that didn''t mean you could spend silver like crazy.


    "Eeeeek! We lost because of a mistake at the beginning. Let''s do it one more time," Trevor said, his frustration evident.


    "Want to bet money?" Abel asked slyly.


    "Of course..."


    Trevor, who had been growling with a red face, trailed off because the maximum daily bet in the casino was 1 shilling.


    No matter what you did, betting more was forbidden.


    Abel couldn''t ignore the rules either.


    "If you just want to y the game, I can handle you as much as you want," Abel offered.


    "Good. This time I''ll show you my true skills!" Trevor dered confidently.


    But a momentter, Trevor was holding his head in frustration once more.


    This was the reason for his overwhelming defeat again.


    Somehow, it felt like steam wasing out of his head.


    "Are you okay?" Abel asked, feigning concern.


    "Eugh! You said you were busy with the trial, but how can you do so well?" Trevor groaned in frustration.


    In fact, it was quite natural. Abel was the one who had created the game in the first ce.


    He knew all the strategies.


    But he didn''t mention that.


    The other person might feel tricked.


    ''There are plenty of creative and efficient builds out there,'' Abel thought.


    Being the creator of a game didn''t necessarily give an overwhelming advantage.


    Doesn''t that happen often, even in modern times?


    yers tend to use strategies that the developers never intended.


    "There are many other games, so take your time and enjoy them. Okay, I''ll take my time," Abel said, preparing to leave.


    "Excuse me, can I ask you something?" Trevor called out.


    As Abel was leaving the arcade, Trevor came running up to him and grabbed him.


    Since Abel wasn''t that busy, he nodded readily, curious about what Trevor was thinking.


    "Go ahead."


    "I received a set of clothes and shoes today. You gave them to me," Trevor said.


    "Who was it from?" Abel asked.


    "There was a tailor named Martin."


    "Oh, that''s it. I just delegated full authority," Abel exined casually.


    "What does that mean?" Trevor asked, confused.


    "It means that it was Mr. Martin, not me, who chose you as a model."


    "Ah..."


    In reality, Abel hadn''t given Trevor any special treatment.


    He thought of himself as just another employee, without any excess or deficiency.


    When Abel answered nonchntly, Trevor''s expression turned dizzy, as though he had misunderstood.


    For example, Trevor may have thought Abel was trying to bribe him for something.


    Trevor furrowed his brows in thought, then asked another question.


    "Then what brings you here today? I''ve been living here for a while, but this is the first time I''ve seen you."


    "Sorry, but Ie here quite often to clear my head. Plus, I like exining new games when they''re released," Abel answered.


    "That¡­"


    "If you don''t believe me, ask Mr. Marcel. He seemed quite friendly with me today," Abel added, dismissing Trevor''s suspicions.


    Trevor was at a loss for words.


    It seemed like he hadn''t realized Abel had been so disinterested in him all along.


    "If you have nothing more to say, I''ll be going. Thank you for your hard work," Abel said, waving dismissively and leaving the arcade.


    Then he smiled meaningfully.


    ''Did I do that for no reason?''


    In fact, what happened today was just a passing fancy.


    Abel was curious about what Trevor was thinking and how he lived his life.


    If it came down to it, Abel was considering epting Trevor as a knight of the Carriers Duchy.


    Of course, he would have to evaluate the surroundings and Trevor''s actions first.


    ''You''re a bit quick-witted. I''ll leave you be for now,'' Abel mused.


    If he extended his hand too soon, it would only cause trouble.


    He had to wait until Trevor came to him on his own.


    That''s why Abel felt like he was handling a cat.


    Arge cat with sharp ws hidden inside, so it would be more appropriate to call it a tiger.


    "Anyway, you''re mine, Inma," Abel muttered to himself with a grin.

 Chapter 156: Hugo Yeats [1]

    Midias'' clothing store was a huge sess as soon as it opened.


    Isn''t this ce full of cheap, durable, and good-quality items?


    It is much more cost-effective to buy them than to make them at home.


    There was no way the ce wouldn''t be crowded with customers.


    Of course, there were still some areas that needed improvement.


    ''There''s ack of diversity.''


    Imagine if everyone on the street wore the same clothes.


    Wouldn''t that be a bit weird?


    Sometimes it happens when things are trendy, but usually, you want to wear something a little different.


    There is a desire in the human heart to show off one''s individuality.


    There was a need to produce clothes in a variety of styles, even if not as many as modern ones.


    "Still, it sells well."


    Midias'' clothing store had to close soon.


    Although we had prepared a considerable amount of supplies, they disappeared in an instant.


    I watched with pleasure as things went well.


    How could you not feel good when your money is being multiplied?


    Then suddenly, I noticed people lining up in front of a suit store.


    ''Are they butlers of a noble family?''


    Products such as T-shirts, pants, and wool coats were aimed at themon people.


    On the other hand, suits were clothing for the nobility.


    They deliberately maintained a high price policy, but they still enjoyed immense poprity.


    "It seems that His Highness the Duke''s publicity was effective."


    The person who suddenly approached and spoke was Deacon Tobias Wilkin.


    He was the person in charge of the Medias shopping district.


    I smiled even more broadly as I received the report.


    When you look at the actual numbers, you can see how huge a sum of money came in.


    There appeared to be more than ten sacks of newly piled gold coins in the warehouse.


    It is still continuing to increase.


    "Not bad."


    "But there is something I am worried about."


    "What is it?"


    "I heard there are already tailors making simr products to ours."


    "Ah."


    I let out a short exmation.


    But it wasn''t a big deal.


    That much waspletely predictable.


    Isn''t this a world without copyright or patentws?


    It''s not strange if someone follows suit.


    "It''s okay. I''ll tell you to do that."


    I was content topete on brand image and product quality.


    If it''s clothes from the Midias shopping arcade, the world will recognize them.


    Of course, anyone who pretends to be that person must be eradicated.


    Let''s briefly exin our ns for the future, and Deacon Wilkin nodded vigorously.


    "Your Highness, you truly have a keen eye."


    "Haha! Don''t mention it. Anyway, I know you''re busy, so don''t worry about me."


    "But how can that be? Since you came all the way here, the butler should help."


    "Really. Go and get to work quickly. I can go with Mr. Brandon."


    "Ah, then I will go first."


    "Yes, thank you for your hard work."


    After Butler Wilkin left, I got into the carriage.


    I was determined to stop striding around the city in a suit.


    Because no further publicity was needed.


    ''It''s still winter, so should I make something like a goose down padding?''


    The warehouse was filled with goose feathers.


    Rather than using them as pillow filling, it seemed much better to make them into coats.


    After all, wool coats are somewhat heavy and difficult to maintain.


    As I was brainstorming new business ideas, I felt the carriage slowing down.


    It seemed like they had already arrived at the court.


    "See youter."


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    After saying hello to Mr. Brandon, I walked briskly to work.


    I felt really good today.


    I guess it was because the fashion business was very sessful.


    But what awaited me at the courthouse was devastating news.


    "Your¡­ Your Majesty?"


    Judge Josef Padi, who came to see me in the morning, looked at me with a mean expression.


    I felt like I knew why he was acting like that.


    "Why? Have you received some difficultwsuit?"


    "I just received this case; how do you know about it? It''s so hot, it''s almost on the verge of burning."


    I didn''t bother to reveal how I noticed.


    Even if Joseph lives with a clear conscience, the assault on facts must have been painful.


    "What''s going on?"


    "It was quite a hit."


    "Hey! How can someone who is a judge say that? Please keep your dignity."


    "I learned something from someone. He was holding a hammer and smashing people''s heads together¡­ ¡­ ."


    No, are you trying to criticize me now?


    It was a waste of time to hold back my words for fear of getting hurt.


    As expected, this bastard has to be defeated first.


    "So what? Please exin it clearly."


    "Oh, do you happen to know the Marquis Yeats?"


    It was a name I hadn''t heard much ofte.


    But I could quickly think of one person.


    "Are you referring to the Eastern Lord, Hugo Yeats?"


    "Yes."


    "Why that guy?"


    "He got drunk and caused a disturbance, injuring several people."


    "Hi!"


    Hugo Yeats was a member of the royal family.


    He was the emperor''s uncle and even helped him considerably in his ascension to the throne.


    So, it was impossible to punish him for just any minor incident.


    How on earth does an ordinary judge treat a first-ss public servant?


    He was the kind of person who wouldugh at any prison sentence given to him by Colund or Josef.


    With just one order from the Emperor, he would be released in no time.


    It was certainly a difficult trial.


    ''But would it be the same if I did it?''


    I really, truly became curious.


    If it is a fair judgment for anyone, how will the Emperor react?


    What if I upset him when I test myself?


    My head becameplicated with all sorts of thoughts.


    But I couldn''t just let this incident pass.


    ''What are the beliefs I have kept until now?''


    I have been judging everyone fairly and equally.


    What? Hugo Yeats is a royal and a public servant?


    "Me too, you punk. I''m also an royalty."

 Chapter 157: Hugo Yeats [2]

    The trial date approached in an instant.


    Because this was a case with so much evidence and so many witnesses, there was no need to conduct a lengthy investigation. Besides, Hugo Yates had also admitted everything¡ªwith an arrogant expression.


    "Man, I really am a crazy person."


    It''s as if he''s saying, *"If I admit it, what''s the point?"* I guess he believes in his position and strong support. Naturally, the investigation went back to the drawing board, and the Marquis of Yeats became more and more ted.


    During that time, I received a visit from someone.


    "It''s been a while, Your Highness the Duke of Carriers."


    "Nice to meet you, Marquis Gilmore."


    I stood up and greeted him politely. Marquis Gilmore was the Prime Minister, who supervised all the officials of the empire. In fact, I should have considered him to be one step higher than me if we look at it by position, not by status.


    "But, what brought you here?" I asked with a puzzled expression.


    The Gilmores were also one of the most renowned families in the Empire. Of course, it wasn''t unrted to the Duke of Carriers. I guess we''d have to go a bit further back to exin it all.


    "I would like to talk about this trial."


    "Oh, you mean the Marquis of Yeats?"


    "Yes."


    "Judges are not permitted to ept any requests."


    Of course, this was a theoretical discussion.


    Even though it is written in thew, how many people actually follow it? When pressure from outsidees into y, judges are bound to copse because there are always greater powers.


    But that story didn''t apply to me at all.


    "Your Highness the Duke of Carriers is famous for being fair and just. However, when judging a case, shouldn''t we also consider the context?"


    "I guess you''re saying that we should be a little more considerate since we''re from the same royal family."


    "Not only that. He yed a major role in helping His Majesty the Emperor ascend to the throne. He also devotes all his energy to the defense of the Empire."


    There''s a saying: *A fool who has no hope of sess.* If you have no lips, your teeth will be sensitive.


    That must mean that the Empire needs the power of the Marquis Yeats.


    But is he really a great person who should be tolerated despite such embarrassment? If he continues this in the future, won''t it only tarnish the Emperor''s honor?


    I stared at Marquis Gilmore. "What does that have to do with this case?"


    "I am telling you that this is a matter of consideration."


    "Sigh."


    A long sigh escaped me. Isn''t this a request from an older adult of considerable status? It was burdensome to refuse outright.


    Then what should I do?


    "I understand. I will refer to the Marquis of Yeats''s contributions."


    "Haha! You have such a broad mind. Don''t you think people will praise you?"


    For a moment, I almostughed out loud. If the Marquis of Yeats were to be spared, the reputation I''d built up until now would be shattered. *Am I crazy to make such a choice?*


    When even the prime minister came to try to change the result, I felt even more resentful.


    Should I say that it only sharpened my resolve? After Marquis Gilmore left, I prepared for the trial with a heavy heart. But then, someone knocked on the office door.


    "Knock, knock."


    "Your Honor, I am Emir Colund."


    "Come in."


    "Yes."


    Judge Emir entered, breathing somewhat heavily. He had a troubled expression, and the atmosphere felt ominous.


    "What''s going on?"


    "The Marquis Yeats¡­."


    "What about that guy?"


    "He is kneeling in front of the pce."


    No, what the hell is going on here? This isn''t the Joseon Dynasty; why is he doing this?


    ''This guy is really smart.''


    * * *


    "Phew, phew! Please kill this poor bastard!"


    A middle-aged man was crying loudly, tears streaming down his face. Though he was apologizing, his voice was filled with resentment. The man charged with drunken disorderly conduct was none other than Marquis Hugo Yeats.


    Of course, he couldn''t have been sincere when he asked to be killed. ''No way. He''s doing this to survive.''


    I felt like I came for nothing. It was a very ugly sight, truly amazing that facial skin could be that thick.


    "As a public official, I can''t even maintain my dignity. I deserve to be punished!"


    If he came here to apologize for his mistake, why would he talk about public officials? It must be a plea for leniency since he has done this much.


    I looked around and snorted. I was curious to see what other people''s expressions were. But then, a group of people came rushing in and took their ces behind Marquis Yeats.


    "Your Majesty, please have mercy."


    "It is true that the Marquis of Yeats did wrong, but he is very important. It would be a national loss to imprison him!"


    "Yes, please listen to the voices of our officials!"


    It was bing more and more theatrical. Come to think of it, aren''t all those people imperialist nobles? *I really want to hit them all in the face.*


    I suddenly felt I understood the emperor''s struggles, having to do politics with men like them. Oh, wait. Who am I even sympathizing with right now?


    "Hello, Your Highness the Duke of Carriers."


    I wasughing bitterly, thinking of nothing, when someone came up to greet me. It was Corbin Sears, the prosecutor at the DA''s office. But why was I meeting this person? Well, the defendant who was supposed to appear in court was in the wrong ce.


    We must go and catch him quickly.


    "Are you ready?"


    "Yes!"


    Inspector Sears had a determined look on his face. Well, when else would I get to do something like this? It''s not every day a marquis gets forcibly arrested.


    "Execute it."


    "All right."


    Soon,rge men began to swarm in, investigators brought from the Capital Police Force. If it were them, they''d finish the job neatly.

 Chapter 158: Hugo Yeats [3]

    Soon,rge men began to swarm in, investigators brought from the Capital Police Force. If it were them, they''d finish the job neatly.


    I''ve had a lot of trouble because of the Marquis Yeats.


    "What is this? Where do you think you areing in so carelessly?!"


    A middle-aged nobleman suddenly stood up and started shouting. It seemed like he was extremely ufortable with being interrupted.


    Well, is it really possible for such a reaction toe out? They think they''re doing something great.


    But that was wrong. If youmit a sin, you must be punished. Where are you trying to escape to like a loach?


    "Please step aside. You are the Marquis Hugo Yeats, correct?"


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    Corbin Sears stepped forward and checked the documents. It was an arrest warrant issued in my name. But the Marquis of Yeats neatly ignored it. Then he called out to the Emperor again.


    "Is this truly Your Majesty''s will? If so, I will dly ept it. I will remain loyal to the end! Hehe!"


    The Marquis of Yeats, crying disgustingly.


    I really wanted to give him a hard time, but I couldn''t do it. It must be handled ording to procedure, no matter what. That guy''s definitely going to find fault.


    "Marquis Yeats, you are under arrest for aggravated assault."


    "The investigation has already beenpleted, so what''s the point of arresting someone?"


    "Well, that''s because you didn''t show up even though we issued a summons several times. We can''t proceed with the trial while waiting for the defendant."


    "Aren''t you now asking for forgiveness from His Majesty? Get out of here, you worthless bastards!"


    "Ugh...."


    Inspector Sears took a deep breath and nodded to the security guards. Then, an arrest operation wasunched immediately.


    "Where did these rotten bastards put their hands? Hey, look! The escort knights!"


    "Protect His Excellency, the Marquis of Yeats, immediately!"


    Eventually, even the knights brought by the imperialist nobles began to move. If this is the case, wouldn''t it lead to bloodshed?


    ''I guess there''s nothing I can do.''


    Honestly, I just wanted things to go ording to n. So, wouldn''t it be better to just stand far away and watch? But when the knights are mobilized, the story changes. The security forces were well-trained, but they were not very skilled at handling Auras. Doesn''t that make sense?


    When one reaches a certain level, one bes a knight, not a police officer.


    *Shing!* *Woof!*


    "Stand back. If youe near, I will cut you down."


    "Hmm."


    A halo of light appeared on the sword. Judging from the fact that he could materialize an Aura freely, he seemed to have considerable skill. I guess that''s the only way. Among the imperialist nobles gathered here, at least one was a viscount. In addition, he was a high-ranking official working for the royal family or government agencies.


    Since they were escorts led by such high-ranking officials, it was basic for them to be at least a ''Manifestation Knight.'' Here, the term "Manifestation Knight" refers to a state where one can materialize an Aura by drawing one''s sword.


    ''If we continue like this, we''ll definitely be pushed back.''


    The legitimacy lies with Prosecutor Sears and the police, but the difference in force was too great. Think about it. How can the weak restrain the strong?


    "I can''t help it."


    Since this is an emergency, the big shots in the judiciary have no choice but to step in.


    No, but who is that?


    ''Of course, it will be me.''


    Step, step. The solid soles of her shoes made a clear, crunching sound as they struck the marble floor. Soon, people''s eyes were focused on me. A tie and suit jacket fluttered in the breeze. It was a fashion rarely seen here.


    ''If I put a cigarette in my mouth, this would look like a proper noir film. Oh, but there''s nothing like that here, right?''


    I suddenly appeared and looked around at the people. Then my eyes met with Marquis Hugo Yeats''s.


    "When will youe to court? Without the defendant, we cannot proceed with the proceedings."


    "It is a priority to apologize to His Majesty the Emperor. All poweres from Him."


    It was a forced logic, but it hit the nail on the head. No matter what verdict I make, one word from the Emperor changes everything.


    Of course, that hasn''t happened yet. Emperor Charon hasn''t expressed any particr opinion so far. But what if someone like the Marquis Yeats made such a desperate request? There''s ample room for the oue to be different.


    But that''s only after all the procedures areplete.


    "It''s up to the court to decide what takes precedence. Stop making a fool of yourself and go back."


    "What did you just say? I can''t believe you''re looking so shameful right now."


    If we look closely, the Marquis Yeats was a member of the royal family. So, he''s probably talking to me in a tone that''s neither good nor bad but rather something in between. Anyway, he''s much older than me¡ªmaybe my uncle.


    ''Are you going to keep being difficult until the end?''


    If that''s the case, there are ways to handle this too.


    I approached the Marquis of Yeats and let out a dreary Aura.


    "What did you say a little while ago?"


    "Haha! Did you eat your ears?"


    "I tried to resolve this through conversation, but it seems like that won''t work. You''re being rude, far too rude."


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    The other person seemed speechless at the sudden, informal speech. After a while, Marquis Yeats''s eyes wavered. It seemed he finally realized who he was dealing with.


    But it was already toote to turn back.


    "How about this? Unable to bear the insult, I challenge you to a duel."


    "Oh, wait a minute¡­ ¡­ ."


    "Why? Are you more willing to cooperate now?"


    Isn''t your duel opponent the monster among monsters, the Berserker of the North? Who the hell would want to fight me?


    Oh, of course, there''s a way out.


    "If you don''t want to fight, just follow me quietly. Then I''ll spare your life."

 Chapter 159: No One Is Above The Law

    Eventually, the Marquis Yeats was brought to trial.


    "We will nowmence the trial of His Excellency, the Marquis Hugo Yates. Salute your honor."


    Crazy, crazy! It looked no different than usual¡ªspectators and court reporters paying respectfully. Even Judge Josep Padi, who shouted in a loud voice, sat down. But the content was a bit strange.


    "Your Majesty? Riot?"


    Not only did he use honorifics for the defendant, but he omitted all the important details. If it were true, it would be correct to call it the special injury case of Hugo Yates.


    I red at Josef. As expected, the guy suddenly had a stinging expression on his face. He seemed to realize what I was trying to point out.


    "Judge Padi."


    "Yes, Your Honor."


    "Just follow the procedure. Who are you to change the name of the case?"


    "¡­I''m sorry, I''m sorry."


    Until now, I have never said anything about this guy''s quiet behavior. It''s a bit annoying, but he doesn''t cross the line. But this time, the farting was excessive.


    ''I guess this was just a remark in case something goes wrong.'' That is if he is found not guilty or is reinstated by order of the Emperor.


    The Marquis of Yeats will retain his position, so he can make all sorts of fuss about it.


    Perhaps then Josef would say something like this: ''Your Majesty! I did my best. Didn''t you even purify the name of the incident and publish it?''


    It was obvious what their hidden intentions were. I''ve been meaning to give it a try sometime, and today is that day. I guess I won''t be able to act so openly from now on. If this guy has any sense, that is.


    "¡­That''s all."


    The defendant''s questioning and evidence examination were over in an instant.


    Because the charges were admitted, the trial proceeded as a summary trial.


    "The defendant swung a sword while drunk, injured twenty people, and showed no remorse. Please sentence him to 15 years in prison."


    The prosecutor''s sentence was appropriate. He was just like Alonzo Braden, who enjoyed hunting humans. He was also arrested for whipping thirty tourists.


    The Marquis of Yeats cut down twenty men with his sword, so he deserved a simr sentence. But the Marquis Yeats did not seem to think so.


    The defense attorney''s final argument followed.


    "The defendant was drunk at the time. He was in a state of mental weakness, so I hope the sentence will be reduced."


    I was secretly a little surprised. There is such logic here too!


    After all, wherever people live, they are all the same.


    ''Surprisingly, there is a provision for mitigation of punishment for mental weakness in thew.''


    The problem is that the judges have so much discretion, but most things are covered.


    Of course, I didn''t want to look at this guy at all. If there had been a proper apology andpensation, the oue might have been different.


    But the Marquis Yeats did not take any action. He only knelt before the pce and asked the emperor for forgiveness.


    ''You should have done that in front of the victim.''


    As Article 10 of the Criminal Act, deals with mental and physical disabilities.


    It was a provision that reduced the punishment if a crime wasmitted while in a state of mental or physical incapacitation.


    But at the same time, there were exceptions, and that was this: ''Actions that are free in their cause.''


    If you foresee the urrence of danger and cause mental or physical disability yourself, the mental weakness reduction will not apply.


    Marquis Hugo Yates already had several instances of swinging his sword while drunk. Only, no one was hurt during that time.


    But this time, he caused a ruckus at the party. The victims were nearby and unaware of the Marquis of Yeats''s behavior. In that case, it could be seen that there was a possibility of foreseeing the urrence of a risk.


    "Dismissed."


    I said with a determined expression. Then thewyer''s eyes became dizzy, and the Marquis of Yeats abruptly rose from his seat.


    "No, what kind of ill feelings do you have towards me that makes you do this!"


    It was a truly absurd idea. But I think I know why they came to that conclusion. Because originally, people judge others based on themselves.


    ''If I am like this, others will be like this too.''


    So, all good people know that they are good, and all bad people know that they are bad.


    For Marquis Yeats to say something like that must mean that he has ill feelings in his heart. It was quite easy to guess the reason.


    It must be because not everything went the way he had nned. He was brought here without even being able to ask the emperor, and his request for a reduction in sentence due to drunkenness was also rejected.


    I looked at the Marquis of Yeats with calm eyes and said:


    "Defendant."


    "Tell me. Let me hear what grounds you used to reject it."


    "Have you reached an agreement with the victims?"


    "Do you really have to do that?"


    "Of course. Only then can we truly stand at the starting point of atonement. How can you im to be mentally weak when you can''t even do such a basic thing?"


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    The arrogant Marquis Yeats''s ramblings finally stopped. Doesn''t that sound right to anyone? If he show that he''s are repentant, people will not say anything afterward. But it was as expected.


    Just because he hear a warning once doesn''t mean trash bes normal.


    "You can''t punish me for that. I am! The greatest contributor to this country!"


    It''s out again. That fucking noise. Although I was shocked, I continued speaking without showing it.


    "Whether the defendant is a public official or not, it has nothing to do withw enforcement. If he didn''t want to be punished, he shouldn''t havemitted the crime in the first ce."


    "This person!"


    "I hereby sentence the defendant, Hugo Yates, to 15 years in prison and a fine of 2,000 gold. This will be given to the victims aspensation."


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    The gavel fell carelessly and struck the wooden board. At that, the Marquis of Yeats''s face turned bright red. It seemed like the feeling of humiliation was much greater than the feeling of despair.


    He must be doing that because he is confident that he can get out of it. Because one word from the Emperor could change fate.


    ''I don''t care if my position is put at risk because of this.''


    There can be nopromise in righting wrongs. I raised my head proudly and looked around the room. This incident was of great importance to the imperialist aristocracy.


    Like the Marquis Yeats, aren''t they all public servants? Under the protection of the highest authority in the empire, he has never been punished for anything he has done.


    But, the privileges that had been passed down for over a dozen years disappeared overnight.


    How could there not be a bacsh? But what I received was not criticism, but apuse.


    p, p, p, p!


    "I knew this would happen! His Highness, the Duke of Carriers, is not one topromise."


    "I thought you only hated the Sierra nobles."


    "No. He just destroys all the sinners."


    "Yes. In front of him, party affiliation and such mean nothing."


    "But isn''t this a bit dangerous? After all, he is the Emperor''s most favored public servant."


    "Hmm! That''s a bit¡­ ¡­ ."


    Of course, there were some voices of concern. After all, they put the top contributor in jail.


    "Hey! Do you think he''ll be safe after doing this?"


    The Marquis of Yeats threw away even the dignity that was left, which was as small as an ant''s tears. But there was no one who agreed with his rebuke.


    Even the imperialist nobles were shaking their heads.


    I looked at the courtroom reporters, not caring whether he was being rude or not.


    Isn''t the sentencing already over? Then, the execution of the sentence should have begun right away, but he was still standing there nkly.


    "What are you doing? Get him admitted right away."


    It seemed like I was using very difficult words, but the meaning was simple. I''m telling you to put him in jail. Only then did the knights of the court arrest the Marquis of Yates.


    "Excuse me."


    "What, what are you doing! You rotten things!"


    Although his attitude was polite, his touch was extremely rough.


    Finally, Marquis Yeats was led out, and I bowed my head to the audience. Then again, thunderous apuse broke out.


    At that moment, I was sure. ''Justice was set straight again today.''


    As the Marquis of Yeats was dragged away, his furious yells echoed in the courtroom.


    But I paid him no mind. Justice had been served, and that was all that mattered.


    The crowd''s apuse began to die down as people slowly filed out of the courtroom. I stood up from my seat, feeling a strange mix of satisfaction and exhaustion.


    Trials like this always took their toll, not physically, but mentally. Seeing people like Yeats, with all their arrogance and entitlement, reminded me why the empire needed justice to be blind.


    As I prepared to leave, Josef Padi, still standing by his bench, approached me cautiously. His earlier blunder clearly weighed on him, and now he looked hesitant to speak.


    "Your Honor... I, uh, wanted to apologize again for my earlier actions. I overstepped¡ª"


    "Josef," I interrupted, my voice steady, "you need to understand that the courtroom is not a ce for personal feelings or fears. Thew applies to everyone, regardless of their status."


    His face turned a bit pale, and I could tell he was trying to find the right words. After a moment, he simply nodded and muttered a quiet, "Understood."


    I walked past him, out of the courtroom, where a group of reporters waited eagerly. Their faces lit up the moment they saw me, and their notebooks flipped open in unison.


    "Your Honor! A moment, please!" one of them called out, pushing through the crowd. "What message does today''s sentencing send to the rest of the empire?"


    I paused for a second, knowing full well that whatever I said would be in tomorrow''s headlines. I turned to the reporter, looking her straight in the eyes.


    "It sends a clear message," I began, my voice unwavering. "No one is above thew. Whether you''re a peasant or a noble, justice does not discriminate."


    More questions followed, but I didn''t linger long. My words were enough, and there would be plenty more to say in theing days.


    As I exited the courthouse, the bright sun stung my eyes for a moment. The fresh air outside felt like a relief after the suffocating tension in the courtroom. The streets were bustling with activity¡ªpeople going about their lives, unaware of the trial that had just concluded.


    I made my way toward my carriage when a familiar voice stopped me.

 Chapter 160: The Emperors Command

    It was quite surprising news that Marquis Hugo Yates had been sentenced to 15 years in prison. This trial caused a great uproar throughout the empire.


    Naturally, all kinds of stories leaked out from the royal family. Most people responded that it was a good decision, but some also thought it was an excessive ruling.


    "Your Highness, I think you should go to the pce."


    "Did His Majesty issue an edict?"


    "¡­Yes."


    Butler Miller Xavier nodded with a heavy expression. In fact, it was a reaction I had already expected. The first-ss contributor had been arrested, so there was no way the emperor would remain idle.


    I thought they would call me, but I didn''t expect it to happen this quickly. The order had been issued the day after the trial ended.


    ''What can I do? Now all that''s left is to face it head-on.''


    Isn''t this the result of setting justice straight? I was fully prepared for that. I got into the carriage with a solemn expression on my face.


    "How on earth did he know?" asked the groom, Uncle Brandon, with a worried look.


    "Your Highness, just say the word. I will devote myself entirely to running until we cross the imperial border."


    It seemed like he didn''t know I wasn''t going to die.


    ''Actually, it''s a somewhat simr situation.''


    Ominous rumors were already circting that the emperor was angry.


    "Why are you saying such things? Since His Majesty has summoned me, I must naturally respond. Please, head to the pce."


    "Ugh! Your Majesty..."


    Uncle Brandon drove the carriage with tears in his eyes. I wanted to clear up the misunderstanding quickly, but it seemed like I wouldn''t be able to.


    No matter what I said now, it wouldn''t work. Soon, the carriage slowly stopped in front of the pce. I was afraid that if I kept muttering, I might burst into tears, so I hurriedly got out of the carriage.


    "I''ll be back soon, so please wait."


    "Yes, I understand, Your Majesty. Sob!"


    "Hey! I told you it''s okay."


    As I was about to turn around with an awkward smile, the reddened faces of the knights came into view.


    No, why is it like this here? From the looks of things, it seemed like they had heard the rumors too. I''m going to pay the price for this trial now.


    ''That''s true, but not to that extent.''


    Of course, there would be some consequences. However, it would be impossible to impose such a harsh punishment. My reputation was too high, and I had a good reason for my actions.


    "From here on out, you''ll have to go alone."


    "Thank you for your effort."


    "¡­I hope there''s good news."


    "Oh, yes. Thank you."


    Usually, the knights of the guard didn''t speak about personal matters.


    They were trained to be faithful to their duties like machines. But now, one immediately offered words of encouragement. It was a world where you had to live by seeing things the right way.


    "Ha!"


    I opened the door to the inner chamber of the pce with a deep breath.


    Then, the face of Emperor Charon, leaning sideways on the throne, came into view.


    His cold gaze seemed to freeze everything, his expression indifferent. It looked no different than usual, but today it felt more ominous for some reason.


    "Your Majesty."


    "Alright. We see each other often, so what''s the need for formalities?"


    The emperor waved his hand dismissively. Still, I finished my greeting exactly ording to pce etiquette, ensuring no one could find fault with it.


    ''I''m not the type to mince words, so let''s get straight to the point.''


    I was ready to exin why I had destroyed Hugo Yates. I was determined to pour everything out and calmly ept the results. But the emperor''s next words werepletely unexpected.


    "Cousin."


    "Yes, Your Majesty?"


    "Go east and take care of the Marquisate of Yates."


    "I have the honor of serving the public... Wait, what?"


    I looked up at the emperor, bewildered. I couldn''t grasp his hidden intention. My cousin''s poker face was just incredible.


    ''I came here to exin the cause, didn''t I?''


    Wasn''t this the same man who had been hailed as a first-ss contributor?


    Yet, whenever he got drunk, he''d start wielding a sword. And do you know what''s truly cunning?


    Not all his victims were nobles, even though people of various social statuses were always nearby. What did that mean?


    ''It wasn''t that he was too drunk to remember.''


    Clearly, the Marquis of Yates swung his sword with careful intent, targeting only those who wouldn''t cause too much trouble if harmed.


    How could a man like that continue acting like the empire''s greatest contributor?


    In the end, it would only tarnish the emperor''s honor. I came here to talk about this, and now I''m being told to take over the Marquisate of Yates?


    "Your Majesty, I''m a bit dull. I find it difficult to understand what you''re saying."


    "Ah, I forgot to mention the word ''exination.'' Of course, I was going to tell you."


    "I am so grateful to you."


    "The reason is nothing special. The Marquisate of Yates hasn''t sent taxes in several years."


    The Empire of Emper was a perfectly centralized state. In the past, under the feudal system, lords handled everything, from passing down titles to collecting taxes.


    But now, with imperial power firmly established, the government controlled it all. Titles were maintained only if a portion of the harvest was paid.


    ''Even for someone living recklessly, isn''t this crossing the line too far?''


    If you displeased the emperor, you''d lose everything.


    Emperor Charon looked at me with an amused expression, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.


    "Didn''t the public officials exempt him from taxes for several years? I''ve been lenient for long enough."


    "Ah!"


    Now I understood. The Marquis of Yates hadn''t paid taxes even though it was due.


    But what is this? Wouldn''t the emperor turn a blind eye to it? It seemed Yates had thought this was a benefit granted to him and continued to dy payments.


    But now, it appeared the emperor no longer intended to overlook it.


    ''Why all of a sudden?''


    Wasn''t this the man who yed the biggest role in cing the emperor on the throne?


    The justification for not paying taxes was weak. I looked at the emperor with questioning eyes, and he snorted.


    "The hunting season is over."


    A pile of sand and gravel. Once the rabbit is caught, the hunting dogs be useless. It was a rare, cold-blooded thought, truly fitting for Emperor Charon.


    ''No, but why me?''


    Wasn''t I the one who sent the Marquis of Yates to prison? And now you want me to raid his territory too? It was the perfect move to shape my image.


    ''Are you trying to use me as a sharp sword rather than a fair and just judge?''


    My head was spinning from all theplexities, but one thing was certain: I had no right to refuse. If I wanted to end up like Hugo Yates, I could push back. But who would take such a risk?


    "¡­I will obey the emperor''smand."


    Of course, there was no way I would do something so reckless. Besides, it wasn''t an unreasonable order.


    The Marquis of Yates''s reputation had already plummeted. His image wouldn''t be further damaged if I did what was necessary.


    ''Then I''ll make sure no one can find fault.''


    I tried to leave the pce with a solemn expression. But suddenly, I heard the emperor''s voice from behind.


    "Oh, cousin."


    "Yes, Your Majesty?"


    I turned around and naturally knelt, as if I had no intention of leaving in the first ce.


    "The movements are sharp."


    "Thank you for thepliment. But what brings me back here?"


    "The clothes you sent."


    "I hope they were to your liking."


    "They don''t fit."


    It was a tailored suit. How could it not fit? Clearly, this was an attempt to nitpick.


    I racked my brain, trying to find an excuse. But before I could respond, the emperor spoke again.


    "I bulked up recently. Do it again."


    What kind of emperor builds muscle? It was absurd, but what choice did I have?


    "Yes!"


    I answered briskly and left quickly. I didn''t want to hear what else he might say if I lingered. As I closed the door and turned away, I heard the emperor''s softughter.


    ''Oh my! That joke is a bit harsh.''


    ***


    As Abel stepped out of the throne room, his thoughts were racing.


    The sudden shift in responsibilities had caught him off guard, and the conversation with the Emperor left him feeling uneasy.


    The moment the heavy pce doors closed behind him, Abel let out a long sigh, trying to gather hisposure.


    His boots clicked against the marble floors as he walked down the grand hallway, each step feeling heavier than thest.


    **Why me?**


    The question echoed in his mind. It was one thing to bring the Marquis to justice, but to be tasked with overseeing his territory? That was an entirely different burden.


    Abel clenched his jaw. The Emperor had always been unpredictable, but this? This felt like a test¡ªa test of loyalty, a test of resolve, or perhaps something more insidious. **Does he doubt me?**


    "Your Highness," a voice interrupted his thoughts. Butler Xavier was waiting near the entrance, his usual stoic expression giving away a hint of concern.


    "Is it done?" the butler asked quietly, his eyes flickering with worry as he nced toward the throne room.


    Abel nodded but kept his voice low. "For now. His Majesty hasmanded me to oversee the Marquisate of Yates."


    The butler''s brow furrowed, clearly taken aback by the news. "But, Your Highness, after what happened in court¡­ this seems¡ª"


    "A convenient move," Abel finished the sentence for him. "Yes, it''s not without itsyers. But His Majesty has spoken. There''s no room for debate."


    Xavier nodded solemnly, knowing full well that once the Emperor gave an order, it was absolute. "Then I shall make the preparations for your departure."


    Abel hesitated for a moment, his mind still wrestling with the Emperor''s cryptic behavior.


    "There''s more," he said, his voice slightly strained. "His Majesty made a... request. Apparently, he''s bulked up and expects his tailored suit to be redone."


    Butler Xavier''s eyes widened, barely concealing his surprise. "The Emperor? Bulking up? Your Highness, that..."


    "Is absurd, yes. But tell that to His Majesty," Abel muttered. "It''s just anotheryer to whatever game he''s ying. Prepare for both the journey and the suit adjustments."


    With that, the conversation ended, and Abel moved toward the waiting carriage.

 Chapter 161: The Unplanned Expansion

    Although Abel had received the Emperor''s orders, he did not set out for the Marquess of Yates immediately.


    "I can''t go alone; i have to go with the tax collectors from the imperial government. My role is to supervise them," Abel thought, realizing the weight of his task.


    "By the way, it''s troublesome to keep leaving my post," he muttered to himself.


    There were already so many businesses underway, and it seemed they would have to refrain from further expansion until reaching a certain level of stability. Most things would work out on their own if left alone, but the fashion business was just taking its first steps. He had to oversee it for a while to ensure it didn''t go astray.


    ¨DAhem! Ahem!¨D


    As Abel was looking around the workce, he suddenly heard a cough. It was a sound that didn''t hit his ears but rather his mind directly. There were only two people in the Carriers Duchy who could do that. One was Shuguri, a spirit that sat in his pocket and ate his spiritual energy.


    The other was Adam, who worked in a pottery workshop.


    "What are you doing here?" Abel asked, looking at the being in front of him with a puzzled expression.


    Adam had ventured out into the shopping district of Midias, which was odd because he usually avoided going out due to his intimidating appearance. Today, however, Adam was out in the open, even wearing the suit Abel had tailored for him.


    "How are the clothes?" Abel inquired, curious.


    "This is exactly what I wanted," Adam replied, striking various poses. "Not only is it stylish, but it also fits my body perfectly."


    Adam''s behavior reminded Abel of the main character from *Beauty and the Beast*. The problem, however, was Adam wandering around the Midias shopping district. "What good is wearing a fancy tuxedo?" Abel thought.


    They say that the facepletes the fashion, but this wasn''t a good result.


    "Oh my! Adam, you''re so cool!" a voice eximed.


    "A sturdy build, a fierce face, and a warm gaze. Perfect!"


    "Can I have your autograph, please?"


    What was happening now? Abel blinked in confusion as a dozen or so women rushed over. They were all pretty, and while they didn''t seem to be nobles, they appeared toe from well-off families.


    "He must be using some kind of power of a demigod," Shuguri piped up from Abel''s pocket.


    "Can you feel it?" Abel asked.


    "No."


    "Oh, you''re just jealous."


    -That''s right. I want to do that too, but I can''t, so I''m doing this.


    Abel rolled his eyes. "You''re leeching off me, so be quiet for a bit."


    Shuguri was content to steal the spirits of people who bowed to Abel. It was practically automatic hunting for the creature, so it remained stuck to Abel like gum. Whenever Abel''s spiritual energy overflowed, Shuguri would curl up on the office sofa, digesting the energy.


    Despite everything, Adam was proving to be an unexpectedly good model. Abel thought, "I should sell the suits a bit cheaper now. Separate them by size." But this would require productivity to support the demand, and currently, they were struggling to handle even the existing volume.


    The fashion business was too popr.


    "Butler Wilkin?" Abel called out.


    "Ah! I''m sorry, Your Highness. I didn''t realize you were here," the butler apologized.


    "That''s understandable when you''re busy. How much stock do we have left?"


    "It''s almost gone. The tailors are working overtime, but if this continues, we may need to take a few days off."


    "If you rush things, you''ll only cause idents. Put up a notice saying the shop won''t be open tomorrow."


    "Is that alright, Your Highness?"


    "Of course. It won''t reduce the demand for our products, and besides, it''s time to change the style."


    Until now, Midias'' clothing store had only sold beige T-shirts, ck pants, and brown wool coats. But with the dyes from Vargas, they could now create a wider range of colors. There were even ns to make women''s clothing soon.


    "It''ll probably sell really well," Abel mused. "Women are more interested in fashion than men." For now, though, themon people didn''t distinguish their clothes by gender. They wore whatever they could afford.


    However, once you moved up into the middle ss and above, fashion became shy. Corsets were used to tighten the waist, and skirts were puffed out with various tools. "You can''t change noble culture all at once," Abel thought. No matter how light and stylish the clothes he made were, if they didn''t sell, it wouldn''t matter.


    Suddenly, Abel had an idea. "What if the Empress wears the clothes I made? Just like the suit, it could be a huge sess." He smiled meaningfully. He was already making new clothes for the Emperor, so it would be perfect to pair them as a set.


    "Let''s wrap things up," he instructed. "Post the notice as soon as possible."


    "Yes, Your Highness."


    As Abel was about to leave, someone ran toward him from afar. It was Vargas, wearing a robe that hadn''t yet exploded from one of his usual idents.


    "Your Highness!" Vargas called out.


    "You didn''t have another ident, did you? I told you to keep things quiet for a while."


    "Oh, of course not! I just had a great idea!"


    "What is it?"


    "You know the universal dye? You can dye hair with it too! I just tried it."


    Come to think of it, Vargas'' hair was pitch-ck today, a stark contrast to its usual uneven shades.


    Somehow, Abel felt like he should open a beauty salon too.


    "I wasn''t nning on expanding my business, but fate seems to have other ns for me," Abel muttered, wondering if this was a revtion from the gods telling him to earn more money.


    Though, of course, Abel didn''t need more money. He chuckled. "But why am Iughing?"


    ***


    I started developing new clothes right away. The original dress was too cumbersome and heavy. This was an inevitable result, as I preferred shy and extravagant styles.


    So, is everyday wear pretty andfortable? That was definitely not the case. Usually, I wear something like yellow pajamas and only dress up when I have to go outside. Of course, it was an incredibly annoying task.


    ''In what era am I living?''


    I wanted to make clothes that were much simpler and more stylish. They had to be suitable for wearing to formal asions without any shame. A one-piece with a jacket wouldn''t be bad.


    What do you call wedding guest fashion? Actually, it probably wasn''t reallyfortable clothes, because you can''t beat something like a pair of bodysuits.


    ''But it''s still a lot better than that ridiculous dress.''


    I sat Martin down and gave him some orders. As I exined while drawing the diagram, he quickly nodded.


    "I think I know what that feels like."


    "How long will it take?"


    "If you just give me a day or two, that will be enough. How many sets do you need? I''ll send them in a variety of colors."


    "Don''t worry, just hold on tight."


    Martin looked confident. Well, the one-piece was a little different, but the rest wasn''t much different from what I''d been doing so far. Haven''t I made countless men''s jackets?


    "Then, thank you for your hard work."


    "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."


    I left Martin''s seat so he could concentrate on his work. Then I headed straight to the Medias shopping district. Even though it was getting dark, the ce was incredibly crowded. It felt like all the people who had finished work had gathered there.


    "I guess I should make something like a streetlight."


    Even though torches were hung here and there, it was still terribly dark. I felt uneasy, thinking something might happen.


    ''You have to prepare in advance.''


    The timing was perfect, as I was on my way to meet Vargas. Aren''t Nermia''s sorcerers also basically wizards? I guess I could easily make something like a magtern, but maybe I expected too much.


    "Yes? We can''t do that. We specialize in making potions."


    "No, then what can I do?"


    "Uh... attack magic?"


    "Arai!"


    I couldn''t bring myself to call him useless. This guy had done so much for me.


    "The lights are fine, so what about the beauty salon?"


    "Butler Wilkin had already built a building. He''s thinking of remodeling it. What do you think?"


    "The location is good. It''s close to the city."


    "I intentionally distanced it from the Medias shopping arcade. I thought it would look good next to a suit store."


    Look at this guy. He has such a great sense. In fact, both suit shops and beauty salons were spaces for the aristocracy. The privileged ss is originally a group of people who want to be set apart.


    They probably don''t want to step foot into the bustling Medias shopping district. Especially since you have to go to the beauty salon in person, it had to have a more luxurious feel.


    "Then you know how to make ss?"


    "Of course. If you can''t do that, how can you call yourself a wizard?"


    I was just talking and not being able to do even the most basic things like a magtern. Anyway, it turned out very well.


    If you want to be a ce that everyone wants to visit, you have to show how fancy and nice the inside is. Moreover, it could satisfy the vanity of those who frequent beauty salons.


    "We''re going to fill this entire front with ss. Can you do it?"


    "This much? That''s all?"


    "Oh. It can''t be just like that. It has to be solid."


    "It''s not difficult, but it will cost a lot of money."


    "It''s okay. I''ll pay a high enough price."


    In this world, ss was an object that only wizards could create. Moreover, if I wanted to use strengthening magic, it would cost a lot of money. It didn''t matter, though. Anyway, customers who use beauty salons would end up paying a lot of money.

 Chapter 162: The Salon Scheme

    "We''re going to fill this entire front with ss. Can you do it?"


    "This much? That''s all?"


    "Oh. It can''t be just like that. It has to be solid."


    "It''s not difficult, but it will cost a lot of money."


    "It''s okay. I''ll pay a high enough price."


    In this world, ss was an object that only wizards could create. Moreover, if I wanted to use strengthening magic, it would cost a lot of money. It didn''t matter, though. Anyway, customers who use beauty salons would end up paying a lot of money.


    "We need hairdressers, but I guess it would be a bit much to hire barbers?"


    "Why don''t we just pick someone with good skills?"


    "Since our main customers are noble youngdies, we have to differentiate ourselves."


    Even though it''s a fantasy world, isn''t it based on the Middle Ages? People here couldn''t help but be very conservative.


    A male barber taking care of a nobledy''s hair?


    ''Oh my! I''m dying. I''m dying.''


    Just like the female knights who escort the noble youngdy, the hands of women were needed here too.


    Besides, I couldn''t leave it to just anyone.


    How much vanity do you have that you would want to receive services provided bymoners?


    As the imperial maid had to be of noble birth, at least the daughter of a bar or knight.


    "i can ask Deacon Xavier about this."


    These days, Butler Miller Xavier is busy recruiting talented people.


    The reason is that the size of the Carriers Duchy and the Medias businesses has grown, and there is a shortage of workers.


    But then suddenly, a loud noise erupted.


    "please wait a moment!"


    "Oh, really. Please don''t stick out like that. People will be surprised."


    "Escort the nobles! This is my duty."


    "You''re always absent when I need you."


    "Ahem! Who would have thought that something like this would happen while I was away for a moment?"


    "What the heck?"


    The person who appeared from the shadows was Cordell McNeil.


    People were saying things like they were surprised, but in reality, there was no one around.


    The beauty salon remodeling work was just beginning.


    By the way, what was this old man trying to say by popping out again?


    "But why did you shout ''just a moment''?"


    "Oh, recruiting people. I think I''d be good at that."


    "Yes?"


    "Weren''t you trying to recruit the daughter of a bar or a knight?"


    No, how would you know that when you''ve never said it out loud?


    As I looked at him with a bewildered expression, Cordell smiled meaningfully.


    "I also have a really good instinct when ites todies."


    "Aha! Is that so?"


    "Of course. A person who has never been in a rtionship is qualitatively different from someone¡­"


    Stop.


    I heard a sound like something snapping in my head.


    I felt like my patience was being stretched to the limit.


    Sensing the danger, Cordell McNeil quickly distanced himself.


    ''That guy is just too quick-witted for nothing.''


    I was thinking about whether I should smash the pot with the gavel.


    "Huh? I didn''t say that with Your Highness in mind."


    "Who said what?"


    "But why did I feel alive for a moment?"


    "It must be my mood. I need to continue the conversation, soe this way."


    "No. I''ll just talk about it here."


    There was definitely some hesitation until a little while ago.


    I was thinking, can I beat this guy?


    But now it was solidified.


    Only by hitting him once would the anger that had built up in my chest be relieved.


    "Stop talking and just die!"


    "Eww!"


    Tadadadada!


    As the gavel was drawn and swung, Cordell McNeil started running like crazy.


    Of course, with that kind of footwork, he wouldn''t be able to escape from me.


    The distance narrowed in an instant between us.


    But it was at that very moment.


    "Ten by tomorrow!"


    "Hmm?"


    "I will bring in people who are beutiful and skilled."


    "Is that really possible?"


    "Oh, of course."


    The sooner people could be saved, the better.


    What are you talking about when we haven''t even started remodeling yet?


    Of course, there are many other things to prepare as well.


    If you were to suddenly tell me to cut my hair, would I be able to achieve any style?


    You need to learn from experts and use good tools.


    "Okay. Let me just take a look."


    "Really?"


    "Instead, you should bring in people who are reliable."


    "Oh, I guarantee it. You won''t be disappointed."


    Cordell McNeil said with a pounding of his chest.


    And then, all of a sudden, he started whispering something to me.


    "But who is in charge of the beauty salon?"


    "It hasn''t been decided yet."


    "What if I do that?"


    "... ."


    Instead of answering, I just looked at the other person quietly.


    Then Cordell tilted his head.


    It seemed like he didn''t understand why I was doing this.


    Why did I suddenly cut him off in the middle of a conversation?


    Because I figured out this guy''s n.


    "Why? Is there a woman among them who is secretly meeting with Sir McNeil?"


    "Huh! How about that?"


    "Oh my! This guy is for real!"


    Bam!


    In the end, I broke my promise and ended up smashing Cordell McNeil''s pot.


    * * *


    Preparations for the opening of the beauty salon were progressing steadily.


    Vargas was in charge of the sswork, while Wilkin was in charge of the rest of the decoration.


    Since he is the person who decorated most of the Midias shopping district, I trusted him this time too.


    Meanwhile, I visited a tool workshop.


    "It''s been a while."


    "Oh, you havee? Your Highness the Duke."


    "Huh? Why aren''t you in the form of a dwarf?"


    At first nce, Theo seemed like an ordinary person.


    But there was something strange about his handsome face and pointy ears.


    "This time it''s an elf?"


    "There was no host nearby, so it couldn''t maintain the same form for a long time."


    "So, are you going back and writing about the forms you transformed into in the past?"


    "Yes."


    "Aren''t you ufortable?"


    "My disciples didn''t really care. They already knew I was a doppelganger."


    "It''s a monster, so you''d be afraid."


    "Since Your Highness the Duke acknowledged it, I just epted it. Everyone''s loyalty is no joke."


    "Me too."


    I scratched the back of my head with an embarrassed expression.


    I never thought I''d hear such subtle praise from this guy.


    Doesn''t that mean he''s lived well up until now?


    "By the way, how are the new friends?"


    "they''re so creative! They''ve already created something like this."


    Theo showed me a gold shell-shaped piece of metal.


    At first, I had no idea what this was.


    But I realized it right away when I saw the candles ced around me.


    "Is this a device that automatically turns off the candles?"


    "Yes! You have a keen eye."


    "Then what about this?"


    "It''s a cheese cutter. Just raise and lower the handle, and it will cut into square shapes. You can also easily divide cake."


    They were simple but very interesting objects.


    It seemed like they would be used as often in everyday life as the tools I designed.


    "These can be released as is."


    "I understand. But, Your Highness?"


    "Hmm?"


    "It seems there are some poorly made copies circting on the market."


    "Ah, I guess it''s about time for that here too."


    There were already tailors who copied my style.


    That''s why we put a unique mark on the products released by the Medias clothing store.


    To differentiate it from other products, we use universal dyes.


    This really doesn''te off easily unless the clothes are damaged to some extent.


    It seemed like the tool workshop needed simr branding.


    "From now on, we will engrave this kind of mark on our products. Can you do the same?"


    I drew a picture without hesitation.


    It was simr to the seal of the Duke of Carriers, but it felt much more streamlined.


    In addition, the first letter of Theo''s initials, T, was also included.


    "No, this is¡­ ¡­ ."


    "It means your product."


    Theo looked at me with wavering eyes.


    He was a guy who was oppressed by Adam''s power and was always looking for an escape route.


    But at some point, he adapted and became an excellent employee.


    How could I not find it pretty?


    "I think it''s a fair reward. I''ll give you an extra 1% of the tool workshop''s profit, so work harder."


    "Ugh! Ugh!"


    "Don''t be fooled. It''ll make your nose run."


    "Ugh!"


    Theo was crying like a baby.


    But it was at that very moment.


    "The tears of a doppelganger? These are precious!"


    Vargas, who had entered the tool shop out of nowhere, thrust a ss bottle under Theo''s face.


    It was a really touching scene, but this bastard threw the candle?


    ''Why does it seem like there isn''t a single normal person among my subordinates?''


    Sigh. I''m a sane person, so I have to put up with it.

 Chapter 163: The Unconventional State Council Meeting [1]

    Arge number of nobles gathered in a building as grand as the pce. This was the Imperial Diet, and today was the day the State Council met.


    The ministers and members of each department walked forward with solemn expressions on their faces. It seemed like they hade to discuss a very important matter.


    "I''m so nervous abouting to a ce like this," Josef Padi said, rubbing his hands andughing bitterly.


    Judge Colund Emir frowned. He felt like he could directly sense the other person''s ambition.


    "You feel nervous when you make that expression?"


    "It''s a pleasant sensation. Judge Emir, can''t you feel this heavy air?"


    "Well¡­"


    Colund knew it well too. Something significant was going to happen today. Otherwise, would those old roons be preparing for the State Council with all their heart and soul? Usually, they left everything to their aides and didn''t even look at the documents.


    Finally, Marquis Gilmore stood up and looked around the room.


    "The State Council meeting will now begin. His Majesty the Emperor will be entering, so please adjust your attire."


    Rustle. Rustle.


    Thewmakers moved quickly, straightening their suits. Colund Emir observed them with renewed curiosity.


    Until recently, the clothes of nobles had been adorned with all kinds of precious metals and jewels. However, since the opening of the Midias suit shop, it was no exaggeration to say that a revolution in style had urred.


    A ck suit and white shirt were now the basic attire. Individuality was expressed only through small details, such as handkerchiefs and ties.


    These were all changes brought about by Duke Abel Carriers.


    ''Even the robe¡­''


    The cumbersome, glittering outfits were soon reced by neat, purple robes.


    Now, the solemnity of the judge seemed toe alive. Colund watched the nobles with sparkling eyes, as if experiencing a new sensation.


    After a while, the emperor entered and sat down on the high seat.


    "Then, let us proceed with the State Council proceedings."


    "The minor details are fine, let''s move on."


    "Yes, Your Majesty."


    Since his ession to the throne, the word ''unconventional'' had always followed the emperor. Of course, the Duke of Carriers evoked a simr sentiment, as he always tried something new and surprised people. But the simrities ended there.


    The two had a big difference in what they considered ''good.'' Abel Carriers was a man ofmon sense, but one could never predict what Emperor Charon would do.


    Just like now.


    "First item on the agenda. The southern Kingdom of Kuiret has sent a representative to seek an alliance."


    "What did they offer?"


    "Negotiations haven''t gotten that far yet."


    "Kuiret? That''s a country I''ve never heard of."


    "The name recently changed. The previous name of the country was Rhinod."


    "Ah, there. Isn''t that a small ind nation?"


    "...Yes."


    "If it''s a worthless proposal, I''ll kick you out of the prime minister''s line."


    "Understood, Your Majesty."


    Not a single vote was held to discuss alliances between nations. It seemed this situation was familiar, as no member of parliament expressed their opinion.


    The second agenda item came up right away. Marquis Gilmore spoke with a worried expression.


    "There are ominous rumors going around these days that are disturbing public sentiment."


    "That''s interesting. What''s it about?"


    "The poprity of the Supreme Court justices is said to be through the roof."


    This wasn''t even a discussion about national affairs¡ªit was about someone''s poprity. Yet the conference room was enveloped in a terrible silence. The emperor''s previously calm expression hardened.


    But Marquis Gilmore seemed undeterred. In fact, it seemed he thought this was his opportunity.


    "Because public sentiment was so negative, we had to be careful about gathering information."


    "So? What''s the conclusion?"


    "There are too many disrespectful stories circting."


    "What, are you implying treason?"


    "¡­!"


    Until now, Marquis Gilmore had been beating around the bush. It was an irreverent topic, but he was subtly implying treason.


    The poprity of Abel Carriers was metaphorically suggesting a threat to the emperor''s throne.


    The chilly atmosphere in the conference room was reminiscent of the icy northern regions. Judge Colund Emir clutched his chest as his heart pounded in his chest.


    His whole body began to feel cold as sweat poured down.


    ''This is madness. Absolute madness!''


    Discussing treason in front of the Iron-Blooded Emperor Charon was life-threatening. One misstep, and you could face dire consequences.


    But Marquis Gilmore knew how to y the political game. He never actually used the word "treason."


    With a feigned bewilderment, Marquis Gilmore adjusted his statement.


    "No, surely such an uneptable thing would never be nned. As we are both members of the royal family, it seems these rumors started without reason."


    Though he verbally denied it, he had sessfully nted the idea that Abel Carriers had a im to the throne.


    The emperor, however, was far more cunning than Marquis Gilmore. He understood the implications immediately.


    "There are people who want my cousin to take power? That''s amusing."


    Emperor Charon directly addressed the heart of the matter. Colund felt his face pale.


    This cab meeting, held in ce of the absent chief justice, had spiraled into madness.


    He nced to his right, seeing Judge Josef Padi looking equally pale. But Josef''s condition was likely for different reasons.


    "Please don''t drag me into this," Josef kept muttering under his breath, only concerned about his own survival.


    Colund shook his head involuntarily. If Abel Carriers was used of treason, his close associates would also be implicated.


    As Colund briefly looked away, the members of the National Assembly began to mor.


    "Your Majesty! The Duke of Carriers'' influence is truly concerning."


    "I don''t doubt his loyalty, but you can never truly know what is in a man''s heart."


    "I fear those around him may try to manipte him."


    All eyes turned to Colund and Josef. Emperor Charon also stared at them, his gaze cold enough to freeze them to their bones.


    "What do you think, my juniors? Do you believe my cousin harbors ill will toward me?"


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 164 The Unconventional State Council Meeting [2]

    "What do you think, my juniors? Do you believe my cousin harbors ill will toward me?"


    "The Supreme Judge has been solely devoted to his duties and has never abused the powers granted to him by Your Majesty. Such a thing will never happen," Colund responded swiftly.


    But Josef Padi remained silent, his mind racing as he calcted which side would benefit him more.


    Luckily, the emperor soon turned away.


    "That''s how I see it as well. They are associate judges of the Supreme Court. They cannot make disparaging remarks about their superiors."


    Despite Colund''s defense, thewmakers remained resolute. It seemed they were determined to remove Abel Carriers from his position as chief judge.


    His upromising rulings had made him many enemies among the high-ranking nobles.


    The emperor twisted his lips at thewmakers'' persistent calls for action.


    "There is only one way to prove it. We need evidence or testimony."


    Bam!


    With a flick of his fingers, a figure emerged from the shadows.


    Though it was a startling sight, no one in the room was surprised. It was the emperor''s personal guard¡ªa ck agent of the Knights Temr.


    "Did you call, Your Majesty?"


    "What is the current security detail of Abel Carriers?"


    "He has one close escort and thirty knights stationed around him."


    "And the size of his forces in the Carriers Duchy?"


    "Only thirty patrolmen, none of whom have learned Aura."


    The senators'' faces contorted at the agent''s report. They had expected far more from such a prominent noble family.


    But then, the emperor muttered something that silenced the room.


    "Wait a minute. You can plot a rebellion with just thirty men? Then what about the other nobles?"


    He scanned the faces of the assembly members before continuing, his lips twisted in a cruel smile.


    "I can''t run the government while constantly worrying about treason. From now on, all territories must maintain their troop levels below that of the Duchy of Carriers."


    Boom!


    Thewmakers were left speechless by the sudden decree.


    Marquis Gilmore, the one who had started this whole affair, had gonepletely pale. Eventually, the nobles fell to the floor, begging for mercy.


    After all, no territory could maintain order with only thirty people.


    "Sire, please reconsider!"


    The long-standing n of the nobles had crumbled to dust.


    Thewmakers were left in a state of disarray. Whispers echoed through the grand hall of the Imperial Diet, each noble casting nervous nces at their peers.


    The sudden decree from Emperor Charon had shattered their carefullyid ns, leaving them grasping for any semnce of control. Even the most experienced politicians seemed shaken, unsure of how to proceed.


    Marquis Gilmore, who had confidently brought up the motion just moments ago, now stood ashen-faced, his once proud posture deted.


    He had gambled on using Abel Carriers'' growing poprity as a means to challenge the Duke''s influence, but instead, it had backfired spectacrly. The emperor''s unexpected order had thrown everyone off bnce.


    "This cannot stand," muttered one of the ministers under his breath.


    "Thirty men? How can we run our territories with only thirty men?"


    Another minister, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. "We would be defenseless. The emperor has gone mad with power."


    But despite their muttering, no one dared to openly oppose Emperor Charon. The fear of retribution was far too great. Colund Emir, still trying topose himself, looked around and saw the fear in the faces of his peers.


    Even those who had been outspoken moments ago were now silent, eyes downcast, afraid to meet the emperor''s gaze.


    Judge Josef Padi, who had been eerily quiet throughout the proceedings, finally found his voice. He took a deep breath and stepped forward cautiously.


    "Your Majesty," Padi began, choosing his words carefully, "surely there is a middle ground to be found in this matter. The security of the empire depends on the strength of its territories, after all."


    The emperor''s cold gaze turned to Padi, and for a moment, there was nothing but silence in the room. It felt like an eternity before Charon finally spoke, his voice like steel.


    "Are you questioning my judgment, Judge Padi?"


    Padi quickly shook his head.


    "Never, Your Majesty. I simply wish to ensure that the empire remains strong, especially in these uncertain times. With rebellion rumors and external threats, reducing the military capacity of the territories could make us vulnerable."


    Emperor Charon leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing as he studied Padi.


    The tension in the room was palpable, and Colund Emir could feel his heart pounding in his chest. It was clear that the emperor was testing them, pushing to see who would break under the pressure.


    After what felt like an eternity, Charon waved his hand dismissively.


    "I have no intention of weakening the empire, Judge Padi. My order stands. Thirty men for each territory. And if any noble believes they cannot rule with such a force, then perhaps they are not fit to rule at all."


    The finality in the emperor''s tone left no room for further discussion.


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    The message was clear: those who could not adapt to his will would be swept aside.


    Marquis Gilmore, still pale, opened his mouth as if to protest, but quickly thought better of it. The consequences of defying the emperor were far too great.


    Charon rose from his seat, signaling the end of the session. Thewmakers bowed as he departed, his personal guard following closely behind. As soon as the emperor was gone, the tension in the room loosened slightly, but no one dared to speak openly.


    Colund Emir exchanged a nce with Josef Padi, both of them knowing that the implications of today''s meeting would be felt for a long time.


    The emperor''s decree had effectively crippled the power of the nobility, forcing them into a precarious position. And Abel Carriers, whether he intended to or not, had be a central figure in the political storm.


    As the nobles slowly began to leave the hall, Colund couldn''t shake the feeling that today had only been the beginning. Something far more dangerous was brewing beneath the surface.


    And with Abel Carriers'' growing influence and Emperor Charon''s iron grip on the empire, it was only a matter of time before everything erupted.

 Chapter 165 A Taxing Situation

    "Oh, it''s annoying," Abel muttered with anguid expression as he got into the shaking carriage.


    "No, what kind of tax collection are you talking about? That too, in the Marquisate of Yeats, which I had already tamed. When I arrive, I''m probably going to be met with resentful looks."


    "I''m not used to living a life of being hated."


    "That''s difficult for me too," Shuguri, who was hanging on Abel''s pocket, shook his head. The reason for his response wasn''t because he understood Abel''s predicament. Shuguri found it difficult because he had fewer opportunities to suck up spiritual energy.


    "I just want to go on vacation like this."


    "Then you''ll have to go south. The east is far from a ce for recreation," Cordell McNeil responded to Abel''s monologue.


    He had heard quite a bit about how the South was a great ce to unwind, filled with numerous inds of diverse cultures, endless white sand beaches, and a warm tropical climate.


    It was the perfect setting to experience something exotic. It had be a standard for imperial nobility to buy an ind and build a fancy vi there.


    ''I have three, but they''re all near the capital,'' Abel thought. The Abel Carriers of the past wasn''t interested in recreation.


    "I guess I should build a vi in the south."


    "Hehehe! I really hope so. I''ll go with you and get some benefit," Cordell chuckled.


    "Wow! I suddenly don''t want to do that"


    "Money is meant to be spent, Your Highness."


    "I''ll have to ask His Majesty the Emperor to change my guard. I don''t like it when Sir McNeil eats all my money away."


    "Why are you doing this? Between us?"


    "What is our rtionship like?"


    "Close friends who share a shadow?"


    "Ugh!"


    Abel let out a short sigh, followed by a hollowugh. Now, Cordell McNeil and he had be close enough to joke around like this without any hesitation, having spent so much time together.


    While they were chatting, the carriage suddenly came to a halt.


    They had already entered the Marquisate of Yeats, so it seemed they had arrived. Cordell McNeil naturally reached to open the passenger door.


    However, Abel quickly blocked his arm, sensing something was wrong.


    "Why are you doing that?" Cordell asked, confused.


    "Wait a minute. Something''s wrong¡­"


    *Thud! Thud!*


    Immediately afterward, a violent impact struck the carriage.


    "No way! As soon as I get here, this happens!"


    ***


    "Get out, you rotten things!"


    "Why are you making it so difficult for us, who are already living well, to live?"


    "What do those guys from the capital know that they came here to tell us what to do?"


    "Go back!"


    Several angry voices shouted outside, apanied by the sound of rocks striking the carriage. The stones were about the size of a fist, thrown by the people of the Marquisate of Yeats, who were blocking the tax collection detachment. It was a ridiculous situation.


    "They don''t even notice the g," Cordellmented.


    "That''s right. Just by looking at it, they should know it''s untouchable," Abel agreed.


    The party''s escort was none other than the Knights Temr, with high-ranking members of the royal family among them.


    Even if they weren''t familiar with the capital''s elite, the people should have recognized the danger of their actions. It was practically a death sentence.


    Abel quickly patted Cordell on the back. "Just scare them enough to send them away."


    "Aren''t you going to arrest them?"


    "If they don''t disperse, arrest them. It seems like someone is inciting them."


    "Ah!"


    Cordell nodded, understanding.


    Weremoners willing to go to such extremes for nobles? This kind of behavior would have been impossible without some unimaginable level of saintly persuasion.


    Exploitation was a basic part of medieval dark fantasy society, after all.


    Abel told Cordell to handle the situation, but Cordell remained in the carriage, staring nkly at him.


    "Aren''t you going?" Abel asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "Why me?"


    "Oh, really. This guy is at it again. Should I imprint him again?"


    Abel said, exasperated,paring the situation to a whack-a-mole game where he had to hit them on the head every time they acted up.


    Cordell coughed awkwardly before finally getting out of the carriage. "


    Ugh, ugh! That''s really violent¡­ Eww!"


    *Bam!*


    A flying rock hit Cordell square on the forehead, making him blush in embarrassment.


    Cordell, his face reddening, drew his sword. "I will take care of everything!"


    "You look like you really don''t want to do it. Just step back. The other knights can handle it."


    "No! This is the perfect job for me."


    With a swish, Cordell McNeil disappeared in an instant, leaving no sound of footsteps.


    The ck Agent''s skills were at their peak, his movement incredibly fast. In the blink of an eye, he had reached his destination.


    Soon, the sound of steel rang out.


    *Chae Jae Jae Jaeng!*


    In a matter of moments, Cordell had cleared away the rocks.


    "Can''t you stop right now!"


    Cordell shouted. His words called for them to cease, but his actions seemed more like a challenge to rebel. Despite Cordell''s apparent eagerness, the stone throwers scattered.


    "Eek! Hey, it''s a knight!"


    "You can never win against a knight! Run away!"


    "Ugh! Please save us! We don''t know anything!"


    Cordell let out a frustrated sigh as the situation diffused without any real resistance. With the chaos settled, Abel called for the knights to gather.


    "We haven''t even reached the castle, and this is already happening. I guess we''ll need to get some information before proceeding," Abel said thoughtfully.


    "Your Majesty, that sounds like a wise n," Cordell agreed.


    "Does anyone know anything about the Marquisate of Yeats?" Abel looked around, but no one raised a hand. Not surprising, as all of them were natives of the capital.


    "If things start like this, future missions will be even more challenging," Abel continued.


    "We agree, Your Majesty," Cordell said, nodding.


    "I think we need to gather information first."


    "Huh? We''d be too conspicuous like this," Cordell pointed out. Wearing shining armor would definitely attract attention.


    "That''s just a disguise. Pretend you''re mercenaries. Everyone, take off your armor and put away your weapons."


    "Like this?" one of the knights asked, bewildered.


    "It''s much better. Rough up your hair a bit and smear some soot on your faces."


    After making the adjustments, the group surprisingly looked like mercenaries. The knights and mercenaries weren''t too different at first nce, after all.


    "Okay, just bring the cart in," Abel instructed.


    "Do we really have to go this far?"


    "You experienced it firsthand. This ce isn''t friendly to us, and we''re here to do the dirty work of collecting taxes."


    "Hm," the knights nodded in agreement. However, Abel was still skeptical.


    Knights, who devote their lives to swordsmanship, doing espionage? It was bound to be clumsy, and the risk of their identities being revealed was high.


    To prevent any mishaps, an expert was needed.


    "Sir McNeill?"


    "Huh? Why are you calling me all of a sudden?"


    "There''s something you need to do."


    "Surely not what I''m thinking. I''m His Highness the Carrier''s personal escort!"


    "I''ll go with you too."


    Cordell''s face turned pale as he realized he couldn''t refuse.


    "Then¡­ surely not?"


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    "You guessed right. You''re now the captain of the mercenary army. Take your ce."


    "No! Do we really have to do this? There must be cleaner mercenaries out there!"


    Cordell''s cry was venomous, but no one sided with him. epting his fate, Cordell scratched the back of his head.


    "Come to think of it, you''ve never seen mercenaries like that before, right? Especially not when they enter the city from outside."


    "That''s right," Abel replied with a smirk.


    Cordell''s mood soured as he resigned himself to the task. It seemed like he really hated the idea of shedding his clean-cut image. But despite the difort, Abel thoroughly applied the soot, camouging them well.


    "This is the camouge cream application skill of a reserve sergeant," Abel thought proudly as they passed through the gate, their faces darkened.


    However, a guard who had been watching them stopped them in their tracks.


    "No, what on earth happened to you?"


    "It was such a difficult request that I couldn''t help it," Cordell answered, trying to maintain hisposure.


    "These days, mercenaries walk around so cleanly. You should wash up. The river outside has fresh water."


    "Oh, yes¡­"


    "Pass!" the guard said, waving them through. Cordell''s face darkened even more after hearing the soldier''s scolding, clearly upset about getting covered in soot for no reason. Abel shrugged slightly and walked past the gate.


    "Anyway, the result is good, right?"


    "Oh my! What am I going to do with this Duke? Really?"


    Cordell gritted his teeth and growled, but Abel wasn''t scared at all. It''s just soot on your face, so you can wash it off.


    "Oh man, you''re so ill-tempered."


    ***


    The carriage continued its slow march, the rhythmic creaking of the wheels asionally punctuated by the rough terrain. Abel leaned back against the seat, rubbing his temple. The brief skirmish outside left him feeling uneasy, but it was nothingpared to the uneasy tension lingering in the air.


    "Do you think this incitement will escte further?" Abel mused, looking toward Cordell, who was now seated across from him, wiping away the soot from his face with visible frustration.


    Cordell grunted, clearly still annoyed about the earlier event. "If it''s a peasant uprising, it''ll be over quickly. But if there''s a more influential figure pulling the strings¡­" He left the sentence unfinished, letting the possibility hang.


    Abel narrowed his eyes as the carriage rattled forward. "That''s what worries me. Someone is stirring them up, but for what purpose?"

 Chapter 166 The Marquisates Dilemma

    Thanks to Abel''s wit, the group was able to pass through the gate without any inspection. Now, all that remained was to find out the public sentiment of the Marquisate of Yeats. In any case, all rumors were bound to gather in taverns or mercenary guilds.


    But since they weren''t real mercenaries, they settled down in a shabby bar. Abel was nning to leisurely gather information while drinking.


    As expected, people''s recent interest was in the collection contingent.


    "Not only did they imprison His Majesty the Marquis, they even raided the granary of the estate."


    "They say that in the capital, you open your eyes and get your nose cut off. Isn''t this really too much?"


    "That''s right. How much help has our Lord Yeats provided to the Empire?"


    "Your Majesty the Emperor is so heartless. Tsk tsk!"


    The people seemed disappointed with the Empire''s actions. The story circting was that the Marquis Yeats had done nothing wrong. Abel looked back at the group with a puzzled expression.


    "Isn''t that impossible?"


    "That person''s usual behavior is a bit¡­ off."


    The general evaluation of the Marquis Yeats was that of a typical tyrant¡ªarrogant and prone to extreme violence when drunk.


    However, even the lower sses on the maind supported their lords. It was something iprehensible. The Marquis was a man whomitted all sorts of evil acts under the pretext of being a first-ss public servant.


    "Let''s listen a little more."


    "Yes."


    They focused on the noise around them. But before long, the tavern was enveloped in an eerie silence. How could a ce where everyone was chatting and drinking together be this quiet? As that question arose, someone shouted.


    "It''s them! They''re the contingent of tax collectors who''vee to rip off our country''s finances!"


    People jumped up from their seats at the sudden outburst. They all had ominous expressions on their faces. It was a situation even more absurd than the remarks of themon people defending the Marquis of Yeats.


    ''The soot on your face has been washed away, but your disguise remains the same?''


    Abel thought as he observed the crowd.


    They had only been passing through and came into a crowded establishment¡ªa ce with a shabby bar in one corner, full of noisy drunks. It was a tavern that could be found anywhere.


    But how, in such a ce, could they know that Abel''s group was part of the collection force?


    "The situation seems very strange, Your Majesty," one of the knights remarked.


    "I think it''s because of Sir McNeill," Abel replied.


    "No, why me? I painted my face ck and did everything you told me to do," Sir McNeill protested.


    "You said that just now. ''Your Majesty.''"


    "Ah?"


    "How many people in the world get to hear such honorifics?"


    It was certain that no one in the Marquisate of Yeats would hear that title. Cordell McNeill looked foolish, as if only now realizing his mistake. He had been addressing Abel like that all along, but Abel had no intention of ming him.


    "Just kidding. You didn''t say much anyway. Besides, who cares what other people are talking about? Everyone is busy with their own conversations."


    "Ah, I see!"


    "It seems like this was a nned incident from the beginning," Abel observed. Things had been strange ever since they entered the Marquisate of Yeats.


    ''Aren''t you going to get stoned out of nowhere?'' Abel wondered. It felt like everyone already knew they were a collection contingent.


    ''Come to think of it, there was something strange about the soldiers'' eyes.''


    It was as if they were looking for someone in particr. It was likely that the information about their entry into the city had leaked from there. Up to this point, the situation was fairly clear.


    ''So what should we do?''


    At this moment, the situation was on the verge of a battle. What could they aplish by fighting against people who, by all appearances, were just wageborers?


    Not only was the original goal of gathering information difficult, but even the collection mission could be moreplicated. They might even get arrested for being rioters who started a fight.


    "Oh, what should I do?" McNeill asked, clearly worried.


    Abel frowned at the question. No matter how much he thought about it, there was only one answer.


    "Sir McNeill?" Abel said.


    "Yes?"


    "Can you subdue them without causing any harm?"


    "It''s going to be difficult. The space is limited, and the number of opponents¡­ is more than eight times our size."


    "Sweep them away?"


    "I am enough on my own."


    "Then what are you worried about? The answer is right there," Abel responded calmly.


    "Huh? Are you going to cause trouble here?" McNeill asked in surprise as he turned to face Abel, who smiled broadly and shrugged.


    "Of course, it should stand out."


    "Aha! That, that''s right?"


    "Except for Sir McNeill," Abel added.


    "Huh?"


    "Please hold them off for a bit while we get out."


    With those words, Abel quickly slipped away. It might be difficult, but McNeill probably wouldn''t die. After all, Cordell McNeill was a ck agent of the Imperial Guard. Abel trusted that McNeill could handle the situation.


    He opened the back door of the tavern roughly. Bam! But he couldn''t just run away like that.


    "No, why don''t you go, Your Majesty?" one of the knights following Abel asked, confused. Instead of answering, Abel motioned to show the situation.


    A veritable wall of humanity stretched before them.


    "It feels like we''re surrounded."


    "Oh no! What should we do?" the knight eximed.


    It seemed like the people hade out of the Marquisate of Yeats specifically to target the collection force. Abel stopped the knights who were about to draw their daggers. He stepped out with a solemn face to try and resolve the situation.


    "Everyone? Can we just talk for a moment?"


    He asked hopefully, but there was no answer. Well, then, there was nothing else to do. Abel really hated violence, but if the people continued to show force, he had no choice but to respond in kind.


    "If you continue to show off your strength, we will have no choice but to demonstrate ours."


    Those were sincere words. If Abel pulled out his gavel, there would be a disaster. It didn''t matter how many enemies there were. Abel Carriers had been through much darker times. But the townspeople didn''t seem to understand that.


    "Phehehe! This is a show of force? Can''t you see our numbers?"


    "No matter how strong you are, one hand can''t defeat ten hands."


    "No, make that a hundred hands," the leader taunted.


    There were only five people in Abel''s group, while the number of opponents was in the hundreds. The numerical gap was at least one hundred to one. But numbers didn''t determine the oue of battles.


    ''If you break their will to fight, the battle is already won,'' Abel thought.


    Fear could grip even the most elite troops, rendering them unable to continue. Abel and his knights only needed one strong move to crush their enemies'' morale.


    "Okay, let''s get the facts straight first," Abel tried again, but the crowd ignored him.


    "I have a question for everyone here. How much are you paid for your work?" Abel asked loudly, hoping to shift the focus.


    "What the hell are you talking about?" one man snapped.


    "I''m just asking. How much is the sry, and how much do you pay in taxes?"


    Asking about their economic situation was a rather rude question, but it was one that could provoke interest. Abel added a more troubling remark to fuel their curiosity.


    "You''re not earning less than four shillings a month, are you? There''s a country called Deliat under the Empire, and the average wage there is just about that."


    "Well, we have enough¡­," the man began but quickly fell silent, likely realizing they weren''t paid that much.


    ''The general wage in the old imperial capital was two shillings a month,'' Abel mused.


    Now, wages had risen to over 10 shillings, thanks to rapid economic growth and new job opportunities.


    But what about the Marquisate of Yeats? It was likely worse off than the old empire. Most of the industry here was agricultural, and wages were stagnant. Many likely didn''t even earn one shilling a month.


    "You said it was enough, so I''ll ask again. How much do you earn for your work?"


    "¡­ About two Ceylon," the man finally admitted.


    "Is amodation provided?"


    "No."


    "What about taxes?"


    "It''s 12 cores."


    One Ceylon equaled ten Cores, so if they earned twenty coins, twelve went to taxes¡ªa tax rate of 60%. Even in these times, such high taxes were absurd, especially when more would be extracted under different pretexts.


    "More than half?" Abel pressed.


    "There''s nothing we can do. We''re part of the Empire now."


    This ce had once been an independent country until Emperor Charon took the throne. The Marquis of Yeats had secured power as a first-ss contributor by giving the country to the Empire.


    However, it seemed that the people here didn''t know the full story.


    "Do you pay such high taxes just to fund tribute to the Empire?" Abel asked.


    "Of course. How else would we fund the military force necessary to subdue a ce like Yeats?"


    At first nce, the answer seemed logical. The Empire did try to subjugate all surrounding countries.


    But these people only knew half of the truth, not the whole picture.

 Chapter 167 The Exposure of Toby Urquharts Deception

    "Do you pay such high taxes just to fund tribute to the Empire?" Abel asked.


    "Of course. How else would we fund the military force necessary to subdue a ce like Yeats?"


    At first nce, the answer seemed logical. The Empire did try to subjugate all surrounding countries.


    But these people only knew half of the truth, not the whole picture.


    "You are wrong. The military power of the Empire is the same before and after the annexation of the Yates Territory."


    "What does that mean?"


    "There is no reason to collect more taxes. Besides, the Marquess of Yates was exempted from taxes for five years as a first-ss contributor''s fief."


    "¡­ ¡­ ?"


    The crowd just stood there, blinking. In fact, it couldn''t be helped. This was information they had never heard before, and the content was quite groundbreaking.


    So, Abel emphasized the point again.


    "When was the Yates Territory incorporated?"


    "It''s been over eight years."


    "Even though the exemption period has passed, the Empire did not demand payment of taxes. They gave us three more years of benefits."


    "But why did you send them now?"


    "I foolishly thought I would do it myself, but I haven''t heard anything, so that''s why. Besides, I''vemitted a crime and am no longer a public servant, am I?"


    "How can we believe that?"


    "Let''s bring Seri from this estate."


    When Abel made the request with a confident expression, people''s eyes focused somewhere.


    Perhaps someone had the answer to this question. Abel stared nkly at the person who had been pointed out¡ªa man dressed quite nicely, unlike the rather shabby-looking wage earners. Judging from the wide-brimmed, colorful hat he was wearing, he seemed to hold quite a high position.


    ''Who are you?'' Abel thought.


    ===


    **


    **


    **Name:** Toby Urquhart


    **Status:** Viscount


    **Position:** Tax Officer


    **Rtionship:** No acquaintance


    **Status:** Embarrassed at having his intentions discovered, secure in his hidden wealth, loyal to no one, no sense of guilt, willing to cheat.


    **Overall Ability:** B


    ====


    It was an information window full of amazing content. A person who felt no guilt and cared little about the means to achieve sess. Viscount Urquhart was the perfect fit for that.


    ''What is this, a typical sociopath?'' Abel wondered.


    Perhaps because his level had increased due to the item summoning ticket, more information was disyed than before. It even revealed that Toby had hidden his assets and was a fraud. In the past, it simply said ''evil deeds.''


    Anyway, now the cause of this incident had be clear.


    "Can someone tell me who that person is?" Abel asked.


    "He''s from the tax collector''s office."


    "Ah! You''re Viscount Toby Urquhart."


    "Do you know that person?"


    "Of course. He is someone I absolutely must meet. As you all know, I am the head of the collection delegation."


    "Oh, I see."


    "But how did you know the identity of our group?"


    "Well¡­ ¡­ ." The man who had been answering absentmindedly trailed off. Then he stared at Viscount Toby Urquhart, as if asking with his eyes, ''You told me.''


    Abel smiled meaningfully. If this kept up, the game was over.


    "Count Urquhart, obey the Emperor''smand!"


    "Huh? Huh?"


    When Abel shouted with a solemn expression, the viscount looked flustered and panicked. He probably hadn''t expected to receive the Emperor''s order in front of so many people.


    Abel opened up the scroll he had kept in his bosom. It seemed to glow momentarily in the sunlight, and a golden light spread out.


    "Why don''t you set an example?"


    "Oh, I understand." Viscount Toby Urquhart fell to his knees on the floor, confused.


    But what should Abel do with this? There was no imperial edict given to him. Abel had only been given the authority to collect taxes. This was just a show to prevent the situation from getting out of hand.


    "Viscount Toby Urquhart."


    "Yes!"


    "You are under arrest for embezzlement."


    "Huh?"


    "Why do you pretend not to know? You have been collecting taxes from so many people and hiding it somewhere."


    "That, that kind of thing¡­ ¡­ ."


    Viscount Urquhart stood up hesitantly. He quickly backed away, as if he wanted to escape.


    Chin!


    But there was no more room to retreat. The angry crowd hadpletely surrounded the area.


    "Didn''t you say thest time you were collecting additional taxes that you couldn''t do anything because of the Empire''s tyranny?"


    "If you can''t exin it properly, you''ll have to be prepared."


    It seemed likely that the revolution would first break out in the Marquisate of Yates, not in the Empire. Abel quickly stepped in to mediate the situation, just in case people tried to beat Count Urquhart to death.


    "Okay, calm down. We haven''t even properly investigated the case yet."


    Only then did the zing heat seem to subside a little. Abel nodded to the guards, signaling them to move forward. The knights came to capture Viscount Toby Urquhart.


    "Eww! These guys are scammers! They couldn''t have received the imperial order! Why aren''t you saving me right away?!"


    Atst, Toby came to his senses and began to struggle, but no one agreed with him.


    "He really is crazy."


    "You told us you were part of the collection team, but now you''re saying you''re not?"


    "Who does this guy think he''s fooling?"


    Leaving the crowds behind, Abel and his group headed towards Yates Castle.


    ''Okay, shall we take a look at everything from head to toe?'' Abel thought.


    ### ***


    Inside the Yates Estate Office, Abel let out a hollowugh as he looked through the documents.


    "Huh! How is it that there isn''t a single proper document?"


    If it looked sloppy even to Abel''s non-expert eyes, it must have been written very carelessly. Although the administration of this era was quite old-fashioned, this was almost like a pocket money ledger. The tax collectors from the capital who had been dispatched together were also speechless and sighed deeply.


    "There''s no way to understand the flow of money with this kind of garbage."


    "Yes. It was just hastily calcted, and even that doesn''t add up."


    "Is that so?"


    "Yes, if you look here¡­ ¡­ ." Seri exined, making the holes in the ledger obvious.


    But since the ledger itself was a mess, nothing could be figured out.


    As Abel was trying to get up with a dejected expression, he heard even more distressing news.


    "I don''t know where the stuff was taken. The warehouse ispletely empty."


    It was a report from Cordell McNeill, who had thoroughly searched the castle and the estate office. In this case, even extreme methods could not be used.


    ''But what is that?'' Abel thought. ''It doesn''t matter how much that bastard Toby Urquhart stole. We''ll just collect it.''


    Seri Jang''s corruption was something for the lord to deal with. All they needed to do was receive the money. But now that things had escted, the lost property had to be recovered.


    "What did Viscount Toby Urquhart say?"


    "He''s holding on to it until the end. We can''t just beat it out of him, and it''s frustrating."


    If Abel used more aggressive methods, he could get a confession right away. Even highly trained spies would eventually crack. But he had no intention of resorting to such barbaric methods.


    ''Oh, wait a minute. I don''t know where the embezzled money is, but the embezzlement itself is true, right?'' Abel thought. Besides, it didn''t seem like Toby Urquhart had done it alone. There were only ten tax collectors working in the Marquisate of Yates. There must be some connection between them.


    With a meaningful smile, Abel said, "Let''s return to the capital with only Viscount Toby Urquhart."


    "Huh? Is that okay?"


    "There''s nothing we can do. We can''t solve the problem of someone else''s house being robbed. As for the taxes, we can collect them when the warehouse is full again."


    "Now that I hear it, that''s true."


    Soon, they quickly prepared to leave¡ªexcept for one person: Cordell McNeill.


    As Abel and his team prepared to leave the Yates Estate, a strange tension filled the air. The townspeople had gathered once again, murmuring anxiously. The news of Toby Urquhart''s arrest had spread like wildfire, and everyone wanted to witness what would happen next.


    Seri Jang, one of the older tax collectors, approached Abel with a worried expression. His wrinkled face and the nervous glint in his eyes told Abel that he was hiding something.


    "Sir Abel, are you really going to leave without solving this matter entirely?" Seri asked, his voice trembling slightly. "The people¡­ they are expecting more than just an arrest. They need assurances."


    Abel nced at the crowd, then turned back to Seri. "You''re worried about what happens next, aren''t you? Whether they''ll revolt once we''re gone."


    Seri hesitated before nodding. "Viscount Urquhart''s corruption runs deep. I suspect he wasn''t working alone. Many of the local officials were in on it. If you leave now, they might retaliate against themon folk in secret, making things worse."


    Abel rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He knew Seri was right.

 Chapter 168 The Secret Chase [1]

    As expected, there was some movement as soon as the collection team left.


    A group of people escaped the castle under the cover of a dark, moonlit night. Although they acted secretly, their footsteps were clearly detected by someone.


    *Swish.*


    A man emerged from the darkness. It was none other than Cordell McNeill, the ck agent of the Imperial Guard Knights.


    "Wow! How did he predict this? This is truly an iprehensible insight."


    Abel Carriers'' outstanding abilities were already well known, from a business that always turned into a huge sess to brilliant decisions that consistently blew people''s minds. It was to the point where some even thought he might be a god, as the rumors suggested.


    "Come to think of it, wasn''t this time almost like a prophecy?"


    Once the collection contingent left, there would be those who tried to move the hidden funds.


    This is what the Duke of Carriers had said.


    They would assume that Viscount Toby Urquhart had been tortured into confessing quickly. If you think about it, it was obvious.


    But the determination to predict that and act right away? No leader Cordell had ever known was this outstanding.


    "Huh? I''m going to miss them if I keep doing this."


    While briefly thinking of Abel Carriers, the group had already disappeared into the forest. Even though it was a remote area where monsters would be swarming, they moved without hesitation. What this meant was that the road had been proven safe through frequent visits.


    Cordell McNeill followed quickly. Eventually, they reached a cliff hidden among the bushes.


    "There''s really nothing here except for the natural scenery¡­" Cordell muttered.


    The ce was just a dense forest. Since it was an area where no one usually set foot, an eerie atmosphere permeated the surroundings. It wouldn''t have been strange if undead monsters suddenly appeared.


    However, the five figures wearing ck robes disappeared in an instant. They had simply been walking along the cliff, and it was as if they had evaporated.


    "Huh!"


    Even Cordell, skilled in espionage, couldn''t help but be astonished. Their presence had beenpletely erased.


    But the embarrassment was only temporary. Whatever secrets there were, once revealed, they would lose their power.


    Cordell McNeill explored the area near the cliff. Then, he noticed something strange.


    "Oh? So that''s how they made the secret door."


    The trick was both brilliant and simple.


    A small hole, covered with a membrane, served as the entrance. It was like sliding down a cylindrical slide.


    Thest person who went down had pulled the rope and covered the hole again. If you hadn''t seen them enter, it would have been very difficult to notice the structure.


    "Even if the membrane is removed, it will be hard to recognize."


    One might think it was a naturally formed hole or a burrow dug by an animal.


    Cordell McNeill took off without a moment''s hesitation. Since he already knew who the enemy was and had found their hiding ce, was there really any need to act cautiously?


    From now on, he could just go in and take care of it all.


    *Gulp! Thud!*


    "Huh?"


    Cordell, who had been sliding all the way down, ended up making a stupid expression. This was because dozens of healthy men were waiting inside the brightly lit room. All of them were heavily armed.


    "I knew you''de after me. Who are you?"


    "He must be part of the collection contingent. I checked when he passed through the gate, and he was missing one."


    "Take care of the spy quickly. We need to move the stuff first."


    "Well, that''s important."


    The sound of creaking armor came closer with each passing moment, but Cordell McNeill''s face remained utterly calm. Even if they were an elite force, they couldn''t defeat a knight trained in Aura...


    *Whoosh!*


    But then, all of a sudden, a bright beam of light appeared before his eyes.


    "Huh? This wasn''t an expected development?"


    Those who had closed the distance were all emitting a clear aura.


    At that level, it seemed like they would be at least mid- to upper-level if they joined the Knights Temr.


    Over 30 of them, with nowhere to run? Even if they fought in a narrow space, there seemed to be no chance of victory.


    Even as a ck agent of the Imperial Guard Knights, the situation was too unfavorable.


    But at that very moment...


    *Gush! Gush! Gush!*


    Suddenly, someone came sliding down the cylindrical slide. A figurended stylishly, their ck jacket fluttering in the wind.


    It was Abel Carriers, the one who had designed this entire operation.


    "Oh! Your Highness, they''ve robbed the warehouse. Please take care of them quickly!"


    Cordell McNeill came over and quickly revealed the details of their enemies.


    * * *


    Abel nced back and shook his head.


    "Please, hold on to some of them. Aren''t you supposed to be a member of the Royal Guard?"


    "I work for the royal family, so what? Besides, this is my true self."


    "Oh my!"


    How on earth did he hide that personality and join the Knights Temr? He was truly an iprehensible person.


    Discover more stories at empire


    "Peacock? It seems like this guy is the one in charge of that expedition."


    "It''s better this way. I guess I could just nip it in the bud."


    "Could it be that Toby Urquhart has already confessed?"


    "We can find out about that tomorrow. If ites down to it, we can get rid of it together."


    The opponent uttered the frightening words without the slightest hesitation. Instead of just interfering with the Duke''s activities, they were going to kill him and silence him? Are there really such crazy people out there?


    ''It looks like the secret has been revealed, and he''s in trouble.'' In that case, Abel thought, he should also respond ordingly.


    ''Should I show off my skills after a long time?''


    As he held the gavel in his hand, a warm sensation ran up his arm.


    ¡ºThe Beast''s Heart Activates¡»


    Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk!


    Yeah, that''s it. The boiling blood was running wild.


    --


    Abel was the second most important person in the empire, next only to the Emperor.


    Normally, there would not even be an opportunity to experience actualbat.


    Besides, isn''t his position in the Supreme Court? It was a role where violence could not be used recklessly.


    This was true even in the case of the Marquis of Yeats. But it''s different if the situation clearly involves a threatening opponent.


    ''Punishment must be stern, but it must be within bounds.''

 Chapter 169 The Secret Chase [2]

    Abel was the second most important person in the empire, next only to the Emperor.


    Normally, there would not even be an opportunity to experience actualbat.


    Besides, isn''t his position in the Supreme Court? It was a role where violence could not be used recklessly.


    This was true even in the case of the Marquis of Yeats. But it''s different if the situation clearly involves a threatening opponent.


    ''Punishment must be stern, but it must be within bounds.''


    The Heart of the Beast is a skill that instantly turns a person into a berserker. If Abel wasn''t careful, he could lose his mind.


    After all the hard work he''d done so far, there was no way he would do something so stupid... Jeez, jeez!


    "oh?"


    This wasn''t at a level where you could just give it a shot and say, "Okay, I''ll give it a try."


    A sharp sensation transmitted to his palm. Although he had struck down four swordsmen at the same time, the impact was greater than expected.


    ''It''s not just the quality of the aura that''s good. The fundamental skills themselves are outstanding.''


    There were people like that asionally¡ªa greenhouse nt with excellent auric sensitivity, but rarely used in actualbat.


    He is a child of a noble family who was also given the title of knight. But these guys had clearly been through rough battles.


    Abel could tell by the way he quickly regained control of his body as soon as he collided with the gavel.


    ''It''s a method to relieve shock. It''s not something that can be achieved through practice alone.''


    But at the same time, Abel had a question: why on earth would these people want to steal the lord''s property?


    The Marquis of Yeats was not a mediocre nobleman. Even if they didn''t necessarily collude with the Seris, they would receive sufficientpensation.


    "I can find out the reason by just looking into it."


    All Abel had to do was knock them all down and question them, without thinking too hard about it.


    He put more strength into the hand holding the gavel, and then the red mes more than doubled in size, bursting into a zing ze.


    "Damn, you''re the Northern Berserker. You came in person¡ªwhat a headache."


    Someone must have recognized him, because they spoke in a gruff voice. But the knights were not shaken. They just straightened their posture more firmly, and their eyes sparkled.


    "No matter who the opponent is, just kill them and eliminate them. Begin the operation!"


    "Glory to Yeats!"


    They closed the distance in an instant and quickly struck with their swords. But the direction and speed were quite different.


    They came at different times, each one targeting a different ce. If this were the case, it would be very difficult to get rid of them all.


    Because an attack with an aura is bound to be met with arge bacsh, as you fight off dangerous attacks, you will soon find yourself covered in blood all over your body.


    "Huh!"


    One. Abel smiled broadly. He had absolutely no intention of avoiding it.


    He could beat this with his bare body.


    ¡ºExtreme Choice Activation¡»


    Woohoo!


    Two options appeared, apanied by a heavy vibration. He pressed one without a moment''s hesitation and pushed the hologram away. Now was the time to focus on the battle.


    "Select ''Defense.''"


    [You will enter the ''Water Fist'' state.]


    Thump, thump, thump, thump!


    As soon as the skill activated, a loud noise echoed. It was as if someone were hitting an iron te with a hammer like crazy.


    Six or seven sword strikesnded across his entire body. A cold aura passed over him, but not a single scratch was left. Not only that, he stretched out his left hand and caught thest attack.


    Kagak! Kagak!


    "This, this is it!"


    A knight twisted his wrists and struggled. His face turned pale, but his sword didn''t budge. Abel gave the opponent a fresh shock.


    Toohooooong!


    As the gavel struck the side of the knight''s head, the man''s body spun through the air. The knight, lying limply, did not move an inch. He fainted from just one blow.


    ''This works, after all.''


    Even though the attack power was reduced by half, it didn''t mean the opponent wasn''t affected. Abel Carriers was originally a strong person. If he hit urately, it would still be a valid strike.


    "Don''t be agitated. Just do as you were trained to do!"


    "Yes!"


    "It''s bound to fall at some point. Keep going!"


    "Let''s go!"


    Although one man fell in vain, the enemy''s fighting spirit remained unbroken. At the shout of themander, countless auras poured out. This time, a sophisticated linked attack was executed again.


    Thud, thud, thud!


    Whether Abel liked it or not, he believed in the extreme choice and pushed forward. But there was a movement that dug deep into his senses.


    Wooosh!


    A bright spark flew from the gavel he swung instinctively.


    ''Ugh!''


    Abel almost let out a groan.


    The shock that ran down his arm was beyond imagination. It was an aura so thick and dark that it was on a whole other level.


    It was probably a sword strike from themander. Since it seemed like themander was nning something, Abel thought he should take care of him first.


    "Hmm?"


    Kagagaga Swoosh!


    This time, the sword flew toward Abel''s gavel. In a fight, breaking the enemy''s weapon was basic strategy.


    But now, that was absolutely impossible.


    They figured out that attacking his body was pointless, so now they were trying to take his weapon.


    Abel managed to fend them off somehow, but his palms were sore as if they were going to tear. Thanks to his extreme choice to increase defense, he felt like a normal beggar. If this kept up, he might lose the gavel...


    Whooooow! Whirlirik!


    "Oh, shit."


    As they say, ominous feelings never go wrong. A rather difficult situation unfolded.


    Themander, hiding among his colleagues, suddenly appeared and swung a sword strike.


    As Abel attempted to receive the blow, his gavel flew far away. No matter how incredibly strong he was, he couldn''t defeat such skilled fighters with his bare hands.


    "Hehehe! Finally got rid of that damn hammer."


    "Now''s the chance. Finish it!"


    The knights charged forward, their eyes burning brightly.


    "Your Highness! I will take care of this. Get out of here quickly!"


    Cordell McNeil, who had been guarding the nk, stepped forward. It seemed he was willing to sacrifice himself as an escort knight.


    But that was a wrong idea from the start. There was no ce to even escape.


    ''I have no choice but to fight back, even with my bare hands... Huh?''


    As Abel was raising his arms to get into a boxing stance, he noticed the fallen knight''s weapon¡ªa fairly well-maintained greatsword.


    ''I''m not used to it, but wouldn''t it be better to at least try that?''


    As soon as the thought urred, Abel flew over and quickly picked up the weapon. Find exclusive stories on empire


    But it was at that very moment...


    [Battle skill has been unlocked.]

 Chapter 170 Weapon Mastery

    A holographic phrase suddenly appeared before Abel''s eyes.


    It felt a little different than usual.


    Wouldn''t it be normal for it to say that the original skill was created? But Abel was sure he''d seen that phrase before¡ªwhen he first came to this world and fought a battle, and when writing the heart of the beast.


    ''Ah, so this is a skill that Abel Carriers possesses?''


    Now that he thought about it, he knew why this message appeared now. Abel had never held a weapon other than a gavel before.


    Immediately afterward, information on the unlocked skill appeared.


    ====


    <Skill Information>


    Title: Weapon Mastery


    Effect: Increases overall ability when handling this weapon.


    Type: Greatsword (999), Gavel (49)


    ====


    ''Wait a minute, what is this? 999?''


    It was truly an astonishing number. Abel already knew his main weapon was a greatsword, but why was there such a huge difference?


    ''Well, it''s really cool, isn''t it?''


    He felt a strong sense of urgency. After all, he couldn''t use catastrophic punishment here, right? If he kept using that reckless skill, the cave would copse, and they''d all be crushed to death.


    In this situation, weapon mastery was the best solution.


    "Oh, get out of the way and stop troubling me!" Abel shouted as he passed Cordell McNeil, who was blocking his path.


    Perhaps thanks to the effects of the Greatsword Mastery, his steps felt incredibly light. Advancing like flowing water, he collided with an opponent rushing toward him.


    That''s when Abel realized something.


    ''Huh? I guess I can just skip this?''


    Not only were his opponent''s movements clearly visible, but he could also predict how they would act. It would be easy to upset their bnce this way.


    Chae-Ang! Ta-da! Chin!


    "Ugh?"


    After striking the opponent''s sword, Abel lightly kicked the knight''s ankle, causing the knight to stumble violently and fall over. Abel nced back and said, "You know? Just tie him up."


    "Huh!" Cordell McNeil let out augh, seemingly in disbelief that Abel had defeated a veteran knight in just one blow. It was understandable. Usually, you''d need to sh with someone like that for at least a few dozen rounds.


    Like Cordell, the enemies seemed quite surprised. The momentum that had been pushing them forward without hesitation was now gone, reced by an atmosphere of hesitation.


    "Come on in, as many as you want," Abel said with a broad smile, flicking his greatsword. The immediate and violent reaction from the enemies showed that his expression had really annoyed them.


    "That guy?" one of the knights muttered.


    "Don''t get scared. Do it in order!" the captainmanded, and the chaotic atmosphere returned to normal.


    ''Oh, this is a bit disappointing,'' Abel thought. He could have won in an instant. But it didn''t really matter. Now that he had a greatsword in hand, he felt like a true northern berserker. No, in fact, he had be much stronger than before.


    He didn''t need to sacrifice his body with extreme choices anymore.


    ''i have to see the end before the skill effect ends,'' Abel reminded himself. There was no clear duration indicated, but it was unlikely tost indefinitely.


    Chuck! Abel stepped forward, gripping the greatsword. Though it was the first weapon he had ever held in his life, it felt incredibly familiar, as if he were a knight who had trained day and night for decades.


    Shhhhhhh! Damn it!


    The opponent''s sword strikes came relentlessly. The knights attacked and retreated repeatedly, like sophisticated mechanical devices. It would be a difficult battle for anyone standing in Abel''s position.


    But he never thought he would lose.


    "If the structure isplex, it breaks down easily. Like this," Abel said, spinning his greatsword before thrusting it forward. One of the knights attacking him was caught right in the middle of the move.


    It wasn''t a particrly impressive blow, more like throwing a stone into the flow of a storm. But surprisingly, the result was amazing.


    "Ugh!"


    The knight''s knees buckled as the greatsword struck his side. No matter how much armor protected him, the ribs were still a vulnerable area.


    It wasn''t enough to knock him outpletely, but just as the knight tried to get up, another problem arose.


    "Huh?"


    Chin! Bam! Your journey continues with empire


    The knight behind him, not realizing the first knight had fallen, tripped over him. With both of them lying on the ground, the coordinated attack lost its momentum.


    Meanwhile, Abel steadily reduced the number of enemies. He didn''t aim to kill but struck hard enough to knock them out.


    ''What''s difficult about this? Just hit them hard, and it''ll be over. Like this.''


    Shuhwaaaaak¨D! Tear-rrr!


    "Kkuek!"


    Abel struck the back of a knight''s head with the side of the greatsword, producing a sound like a pig being ughtered. The knight suddenly fainted.


    Abel skillfully turned to the next knight,nding another blow.


    Thump!


    "Kkung!"


    "Oh, oh, oh!"


    As two more knights fell in quick session, the remaining enemies began to visibly panic. What Abel had just done wasn''t a great technique¡ªit was just a matter of roughly hitting them until they were down.


    To the others, he must have looked like an incredibly skilled expert.


    Abel, well aware of the fallen knights'' abilities, flicked his greatsword with a bitter smile.


    "Can''t even withstand something like this? The knights of the Marquisate of Yates are rather low-level."


    Provocation always worked best when delivered with confidence. As expected, the captain, who had been issuingmands, now felt the pressure.


    "Go in with full force!" the captain shouted, clearly sensing the danger. He likely believed that if things continued this way, all his subordinates would fall, and then it would be his turn.


    This was the moment Abel had been waiting for.


    ''But can it be changed?''


    Now, there was no reason to persist in making extreme choices. This was thanks to the greatly increased abilities resulting from Greatsword Mastery.


    However, I didn''t have the confidence to follow through. In that case, is there really a need to lower the attack power?


    But the hologram that appeared immediately afterward was a bit disappointing.

 Chapter 171 corruption of Marquisate of Yates

    Now, there was no reason to persist in making extreme choices. This was thanks to the greatly increased abilities resulting from Greatsword Mastery.


    However, Abel didn''t have the confidence to follow through. In that case, is there really a need to lower the attack power?


    But the hologram that appeared immediately afterward was a bit disappointing.


    [To change the choice of an extreme option, you must reuse it.]


    Well, if you could change skill characteristics at will, it would be far more overpowered than it is now.


    For example, when attacking, Abel could use the ''ss body'' state, and when defending, switch to ''water fist''. Wouldn''t that make him almost invincible?


    ''Clear.''


    ¡ºExtreme Opt-out¡»


    Pishuuuu¨D.


    The skill ended with a sound like air escaping a balloon.


    ''This guy needs to be hit harder.''


    After all, he is the leader, so he should be treated ordingly. Despite being outnumbered, I charged in anyway.


    Tadadadot!


    "Hurry up!"


    The captain''s attack came rushing in with a loud roar. Not only that, but the other knights'' swordsmanship was also being disyed on both sides


    . As expected, he was a veteran who had experienced countless battles.


    ''I never thought our movements would align so well, even though our ranks were in disarray.''


    But the moment Abel gripped the greatsword, the fight was already over.


    Shhhhh! Phu Kang! Ting!


    Abel mmed the captain''s attack and sent him flying to the left. Then, the sword bounced off and headed toward his subordinate''s neck.


    "Huh!"


    While the surprised men struggled to put away their swords, he turned to face the knight charging at him from the right.


    Even though the ominous aura was closing in, there was no real sense of danger. Abel just had to change the trajectory.


    Oh my god!


    "Ugh! Ugh!"


    Perhaps because the attack was full of sincerity, a red me rose up in an instant. The beast''s heart swelled sorge that it seemed ready to devour its opponent.


    Soon, the man fell, vomiting blood. The impact had been so strong that even Able suffered some internal injuries. He would be unable to fight in this state, and the captain was clearly floundering from the sudden shift in the sword''s path.


    He must have been quite surprised, especially since he nearly killed his own subordinate. To make things worse for him, his sword was caught in the joint of his armor, making it impossible for him to move.


    Abel ced his sword to his neck.


    "Checkmate."


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    "Oh, sorry. We don''t use that word here, do we?"


    This was a world where chess didn''t even exist. Abel should adjust hisnguage ordingly.


    "If you don''t want to die caught red-handed, listen carefully, alright?"


    Of course,AbeI had no real intention of killing him, but he needed to say enough to make them stop resisting.


    Crunch!


    As expected, the situation finally ended when the captain dropped his sword and stepped back.


    * * *


    The corruption in the Marquisate of Yates had been going on for quite some time. In fact, the starting point was when the Marquis gained his seat in the House of Representatives. Since the master didn''t care much for the territory, his subordinates did whatever they pleased.


    "This is truly incredible."


    The wealth secured from the hideout was immense, even surprising someone like me, who was no stranger to wealth.


    "It''s the result of eight years of skimming."


    "Don''t they usually have their sons act as lords to ensure proper management?"


    "That''s the rule, but Marquis Yates has a mistress."


    "That doesn''t seem relevant to this matter."


    But, as Cordell McNeil''s investigation revealed, there was a darker side to the story.


    "The Marquis of Yates and his mistress in the capital have an illegitimate child. He likely wanted to leave his title and fortune to that child."


    "Huh? Then surely¡­ ¡­ ."


    "That''s why they stole the treasure from the estate''s warehouse."


    Well, that exins it. What power did a few Seris have to manipte the entire Knights so easily? If there had been an order from the Marquis all along, everything made sense.


    ''Come to think of it, it''s really quite annoying.''


    Perhaps Hugo Yates knew he would one day have to pay the price. He must have nned to get away by passing his title and wealth to his illegitimate child, leaving his wife and legitimate son to bear the me.


    After all, it was the Lord Deputy who had ruled the Marquisate of Yates until now.


    Well then, the conclusion was clear.


    ''There''s no choice but to set things right.''


    I returned to the capital and initiated a trial concerning the collection of taxes from the Marquisate of Yates. Once judgment was passed, there would be no turning back.


    "I hereby sentence you. The tax collector and the driver who led this incident will each receive five years of imprisonment. Additionally, I will enforce the taxes that were evaded over thest three years."


    Normally, the sentencing would end there. Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire


    But I still had something else to say.


    ''Marquis Yates, this won''t end the way you wish.''


    I told you. It''s time to correct the wrongs.


    "Additionally, the corrupt funds discovered in the Yates estate will be returned to their rightful ce."


    "I have a question, Your Honor."


    Thewyer representing Marquis Yates raised his hand. It was a reasonable question, as the destination of the funds was a critical point.


    "Go ahead."


    "Can you specify exactly where the funds are supposed to go?"


    Thewyer''s question drew everyone''s attention. A single word from the judge would determine the fate of millions of golden coins.


    If Marquis Yates kept his fortune, his mistresses and illegitimate children would celebrate. But if things went the other way, his first wife and the deputy lord, who had long been disregarded, would rejoice.


    I curled my lips into a smile.


    "May I ask you something?"


    "Yes, of course."


    "Where were the funds that Seri and the knights embezzled originally kept?"


    "That would be the estate''s warehouse."


    "Then doesn''t that answer your question?"


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    Thewyer fell silent, likely realizing he would receive nomission from this oue. But that wasn''t my concern. My only duty was to set the record straight.

 Chapter 172 A Glimpse into the Carriers Duchy [1]

    Lately, Trevor had been living a new life.


    He had a glorious past, but now he didn''t really miss it. Life in the Carriers Duchy was so satisfying that those memories seemed distant.


    "Honestly, can you see this anywhere else?"


    Let''s say you can wash yourself in pouring hot water and change into clean clothes. But here, there was also liquid soap, which you could use as much as you wanted, and incredibly convenient, high-quality clothes. These were luxuries even a high-ranking noble might not experience.


    Plus, there were thetest board games you could enjoy endlessly! If you looked closely at the Carriers Duchy, it seemed like apletely different world.


    The people living here always had happy expressions and overcame hardships together. For example, there might be a major event in life, such as a wedding.


    "¡­I wish you a happy married life."


    p, p, p, p!


    Trevor blinked with a nk expression. Even though Bernard and Martin next to him were apuding enthusiastically, his face remained stiff.


    "Why are you like that?"


    Sensing something strange, Bernard asked the question. Trevor finally shook his head vigorously.


    "No, can''t you see that person now?"


    "Are you talking about His Highness?"


    "What kind of Supreme Court judge attends amoner''s wedding? And he''s officiating it!"


    "He''s been like that for a while. He shows up whenever possible. And he pays for all the ceremony expenses. It''s part of the employee benefits."


    "Haa!" Trevor shook his head in disbelief.


    No wonder everyone got excited whenever the story of Duke Carriers came up. They always said they must help His Highness the Duke.


    The absurditysted only a moment, and Trevor soon erased the Duke from his mind. Whenever he thought about that person, he had a really mysterious feeling.


    He had gotten involved for no reason and ended up doingmunity service for ten years without getting his initial investment back. Of course, there was still a way to escape.


    "I could take the oath of knighthood and serve him as my lord, but¡­"


    Thest bit of pride held him back from making the decision.


    Besides, living like this wasn''t so bad. There was so much to enjoy.


    Experience tales at empire


    It was his day off, so he was heading to the arcade when he suddenly saw some fellow lumberjacks. They were all wearing overalls and carrying pickaxes, heading somewhere. Trevor absentmindedly asked a question.


    "What''s going on?"


    "Oh, Mr. Trevor. It''s nothing. They say the embankment on the southern bank of the river has copsed. It must''ve been built a long time ago."


    "Forced mobilization, is that it?"


    "What? Forced? Puhahahaha!" His colleagues burst intoughter as if he had said something absurd.


    Trevor furrowed his brow.


    If something happened in the territory, wouldn''t themoners be mobilized? It seemed like there was no choice. What if the lord called, and you didn''te without a reason? You''d pay a huge price.


    "Why are youughing like that?"


    "I didn''t mean to tease you, don''t get me wrong. It''s just, I haven''t heard that word in a long time."


    "I don''t understand."


    "If you''re new here, then that''s understandable. It''s not mandatory. We volunteer."


    "Voluntarily?"


    "Only for those who want to earn more money. Do you see the job posting next to the bulletin board over there?"


    "Yes."


    "You can apply there. Just be careful¡ªthey only ept applications on days off."


    The lumberjacks left, stillughing.


    Trevor stood there for a while, tilting his head in confusion. What he just heard hadn''t yet sunk in.


    "There''s nothing I can do. If I want to resolve my curiosity, I have to try it myself."


    Trevor went straight to the employee standing by the bulletin board. Judging from his attire, this person seemed to be the mansion''s butler.


    "Hello?"


    "Are you here to apply for overtime work?"


    "Yes, but¡­"


    "Please tell me your name and affiliation."


    "Trevor. I''m a lumberjack."


    "Since it''s a holiday, full-time work is possible. Would you like to work until the afternoon?"


    "Yes."


    "Then I''ll apply for you. You can pack your gear and head to the south embankment right now."


    The butler exined the attire and equipment requirements in detail. Trevor nodded and was about to head off when the butler''s words stopped him in his tracks.


    "Oh, right. I''ll give you today''s wages separately."


    "How much is it?"


    "If you work full-time, it''s 2 shillings."


    "Okay¡­ yes?" Trevor nodded absentmindedly, then gasped in surprise.


    A lumberjack''s monthly sry was around 12 shillings. It was absurd to receive that much in just one day.


    But he agreed with the butler''s exnation.


    "It''s not usually this high. Today, it''s a bit of a dangerous construction job, so the pay is higher."


    "Oh, I see."


    "Then, always be careful not to get hurt and stay healthy."


    Trevor looked at the butler, puzzled. The butler smiled bashfully and exined,


    "His Highness the Duke always says that health is the most important thing."


    Anyway, Trevor couldn''t understand this man from start to finish. He nodded and headed towards the south bank with his pickaxe in hand.


    The task wasn''t too difficult. All they had to do was break up the copsed embankment, remove the debris, and rebuild the stones. But because the materials were heavy, idents happened.


    WHACK! CRACK!


    "Kwaaah!"


    As expected, a pile of rocks copsed, crushing one of the workers pushing a cart. Reflexively, Trevor assessed the situation.


    It looked like the rocks had crushed the man''s legs. His condition was more serious than expected.


    "The bone must''ve been broken into several pieces," Trevor muttered. In such cases, even if a splint was applied, it wouldn''t heal properly. In severe instances, the limb could rot.


    In the field, amputation was the standard solution¡ªit increased survival chances. But the workers'' reaction surprised him. They spoke nonchntly, and soon a carriage arrived to take the injured man to the temple.


    "How much does divine treatment cost? Shouldn''t they ask for his consent first?"


    Trevor''s question was valid. Theborer would likely have to pay off that debt for the rest of his life. Although the Carriers Duchy wages were high, divine healing usually cost hundreds of goldens.


    But the answer shocked him.


    "Since he got hurt at work, His Highness the Duke will pay for it. It''s called industrial identpensation."


    "Haa!"


    What kind of fool were these people? No matter how much he tried to think positively, Trevor''smon sense couldn''tprehend it.

 Chapter 173 A Glimpse into the Carriers Duchy [2]

    To be honest, there were plenty of people who did simplebor. You could always rece them, so why pay such a high price to keep them?


    As time passed, Trevor only became more confused. No matter what he experienced, he couldn''t understand Duke Carriers'' thoughts.


    Eventually, Trevor decided to go see him directly.


    "Let me ask you just one thing, Your Highness."


    "What kind of rudeness is this?"


    Cordell McNeil blocked his path, but Trevor''s eyes remained fixed on Abel. Finally, the Duke waved his hand, and the escort knight stepped back slightly.


    "I won''t give it back, even if you try. It''s a game, after all."


    "No, I didn''te here to ce a bet!"


    "Then what is it?"


    "Why do you keep behaving like this?"


    "This kind of behavior?"


    "From the ridiculous shower rooms to the suits, overtime pay, and industrial identpensation! If it''s not an act, then what is it?"


    Isn''t that true? Where in the world could such a happy ce exist? Life is a mixture of joy and sorrow, anger and pleasure.


    Trevor came to one conclusion.


    "Are you doing all of this just to gain my loyalty?"


    Abel Carriers remained silent for a while. Trevor felt more confident in his assumption.


    But the Duke''s next words shattered everything.


    "There''s no need for a knightly oath or anything like that. Just do your job diligently. You wouldn''t be trying to evade His Majesty the Emperor''s orders, would you?"


    This time, it was Trevor''s turn to remain silent.


    Trevor stood there in stunned silence, his thoughts swirling. Abel''s words had left him speechless. He had expected some form of maniption, an attempt to gain his loyalty through the absurd benefits and overwhelming generosity.


    But what he had heard was far from what he anticipated. The Duke didn''t care for Trevor''s loyalty, nor did he require an oath. He simply wanted his workers to perform their duties diligently.


    The simplicity of it all unsettled Trevor.


    Was this truly how Duke Carriers ran his domain? Without the usual expectations of blind allegiance or servitude? He had never seen anything like it before, and he couldn''t help but question the Duke''s motives.


    Was it all really so straightforward? Or was there something far deeper hidden beneath that calm, kind exterior?


    "Is that all, Your Highness?" Trevor finally asked, his voice quieter than before. The sharpness in his tone had dulled.


    Abel Carriers leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a soft sigh.


    His eyes didn''t betray any malice or hidden agenda; they were calm, almost weary.


    "Trevor," he began, his voice firm but not unkind, "I''ve learned that ruling with fear and exploiting people only brings short-term gains. What I desire is a prosperous and peacefulnd, where my people are happy and content. It''s that simple."


    Trevor blinked, momentarily taken aback. Prosperity and peace? Happiness and contentment? These were lofty ideals¡ªideals that, in his experience, no noble truly embodied. Yet, here was the Duke, speaking about them as though they were not just attainable but expected.


    "But¡­ why?" Trevor asked, genuinely perplexed. "Why go through all the trouble? You could have a much easier time ruling with fear and authority."


    Abel smiled faintly, shaking his head. "Easier, yes. But sustainable? No. I don''t rule over my people; I live with them. I take care of them because, in turn, they take care of thisnd.


    A broken, exploitednd benefits no one in the long run, least of all its ruler."


    Trevor couldn''t believe what he was hearing. Everything about this man contradicted the teachings and experiences he''d gathered over his lifetime. His previous lord had run hisnds with a tight fist, crushing any hint of disobedience. And now, Trevor had found himself in a ce where the Duke paid for workers'' injuries, showered them with modern luxuries, and showed up atmoners'' weddings.


    "Your way of ruling is¡­ unconventional," Trevor muttered.


    Abel shrugged. "Unconventional to some, perhaps. But it works. I don''t expect you to understand right away, Trevor. Most people don''t."


    Your next chapter awaits on empire


    Trevor nced down at his feet, his mind still processing. This world of Carriers Duchy was so different from the rigid, exploitative structures he was used to. And yet, it thrived. It seemed impossible, but he couldn''t deny what he had witnessed with his own eyes.


    "Does that mean you have no use for my loyalty at all?" Trevor asked, feeling strangely vulnerable.


    The Duke chuckled softly, standing up and approaching Trevor. "I''m not interested in oaths of loyalty thate from fear or desperation. I want my people to follow me because they believe in what I stand for, because they feel supported. If, one day, you choose to pledge your loyalty to me, let it be because you see the value in what we''re building here. Not out of obligation."


    Trevor''s jaw tightened. He had expected maniption or coercion, but not this. Never this.


    "So you''re telling me to just¡­ do my job?" Trevor asked.


    "Precisely," Abel replied, smiling. "Do your job, Trevor. Be part of something bigger. Help thisnd thrive, and enjoy the life you have here. That''s all I ask."


    Trevor looked at the Duke, and for the first time, he wasn''t filled with skepticism or suspicion. Instead, there was a flicker of respect. The man before him wasn''t what he had assumed. He wasn''t some power-hungry noble obsessed with control. He was someone who genuinely cared about the people around him.


    "I''ll¡­ think about it," Trevor said, his voice hesitant but sincere.


    "Take your time," Abel responded warmly, "I''m not going anywhere."


    With that, Trevor bowed slightly and turned to leave, his mind still buzzing with the conversation. As he stepped out of the Duke''s chambers, the questions and doubts that had gued him for so long seemed to quiet, if only slightly.


    He wasn''t ready to pledge his loyalty just yet. But for the first time since arriving in the Carriers Duchy, he could see why so many others had.


    As he walked back toward the workers'' quarters, Trevor found himself thinking about the Duke''s words. Perhaps there was more to this ce than he had initially thought. And perhaps, just maybe, this strange way of life wasn''t as absurd as he had once believed.


    Time would tell. But for now, Trevor had something new to ponder.

 Chapter 174 The Breach of Privilege

    It was so absurd.


    It was a very busy time preparing for the next trial.


    All of a sudden, some crazy guy barged in and shouted at me to take him away. What the hell is this crap? So, I sent him back with a sharp rebuke.


    "Why do you think he''s doing that?"


    It was so strange that Abel asked Shuguri the question, and a clear answer came right away.


    ¨D That guy''smon sense doesn''t understand the Dukedom of Carriers. After all, there aremoners living as well as barons.


    Well, since he had been in the aristocracy for a long time, it would have been difficult for him to change. Hasn''t he been living his whole life trapped in a sense of privilege?


    Even if an opportunity for enlightenment arises by chance, one cannot help but reach such a strange conclusion. In the first ce, Abel hadn''t even thought about writing an article.


    Anyway, what mattered now was not Trevor Warren.


    "What is this?"


    Since the internal rules of the court had changed, judges were able to conduct their cases much more easily.


    As they were doing now, they could receive relevant documents in advance and conduct a thorough preliminary evidence investigation. This allowed for positive effects, such as simplifying the trial process.


    But in the face of a difficult situation like now, the changed internal rules were of no use.


    ¨D Let''s see. There''s a conflict between the farm owner and the upper ss. This is going to be a headache.


    "How do you know that?"


    ¨D There is nothing more troubling than money. Isn''t that how it is in all human affairs?


    "Hahah!"


    Abel burst outughing and scratched Shuguri''s back. It wasn''t because he was proud of him; Abel was just teasing him. Most animals would be happy to receive attention like this, but this guy reacted differently.


    ¨D Hey, Inma! Don''t be cute!


    Ta-da! Todo-do-dok!


    Shuguri kept punching Abel''s arm. But even a squirrel smaller than Abel''s fist pping around didn''t tickle him. Abel ignored Shuguri''s tantrums and focused on the court papers.


    Surprisingly, this incident matched Shuguri''s analysis exactly.


    "The owner paid the price as usual, but the price of the goods went up in the meantime, so the farm owner is holding out, saying he can''t sell."


    The answer was very simple.


    Didn''t they already sign the contract and pay all the money? Then, no matter what the changed price was, it would have been fine to just stick to it.


    As far as Abel was concerned, there was no way the farm owner would win this trial. But then, suddenly, a note stuck between the documents caught his eye.


    "Wait a minute, what is this?"


    It was quite surprising. Abel never thought he woulde to this world and see a word like this. He read the note again.


    "The farm owner''swyer, Earl Roderick Quin, is a recently retired judge?"


    So, are they asking to be treated with some courtesy?


    ''Courtesy.''


    If you just looked at the meaning, it was a good word. It means being polite to a retired official.


    But in modern world society, it meant something somewhat different. It implied that awyer with a background as a judge or prosecutor is given special treatment in the first case they handle.


    This was something that should never happen within the legal system. But here, a note was proudly stuck into the court papers.


    "What kind of idiot wrote something like this?"


    Abel looked closely at the handwriting, his eyes narrowing. It seemed like there was no intention of hiding it from the beginning. Because it was obvious at a nce. Surprisingly, the owner of the writing was Judge Emir Colund.


    Isn''t this a character that even has the ability to be loyal to me? Abel wondered. Could a person guaranteed by the system have written this note with malicious intent?


    "I don''t think that''s the case."


    Abel frowned as he stared at the trial-rted documents when suddenly, a rustling sound broke the silence.


    Was there noise in an empty office? Then there was only one culprit.


    "Hahaha! I didn''t mean to bother you. I was just moving carefully, but you really have good instincts."


    A man was eating a cookie with only his upper body exposed from the shadow of a desk. It was Cordell McNeill, a ck agent of the Imperial Guard.


    Even though he was a much weaker escort than Abel, Abel couldn''t chase him away. That man was like the eyes and ears of the emperor.


    "If you''re not going to help, then don''t get in my way."


    "What''s going on that makes you so angry?"


    Instead of answering, Abel showed him the note from Judge Emir. Cordell tilted his head as if he couldn''t understand.


    "What''s the problem with this?"


    "Why isn''t this a problem?"


    "¡­ ¡­ ?"


    "¡­ ¡­ ?"


    They looked at each other, dumbfounded. It was because their assumptions were starkly different.


    Abel never epted the privilege of full-time employment, but to Cordell, it was as natural as breathing. In this world, there was a word called "special treatment for full-time officials" instead of "preferential treatment for full-time officials."


    "So you''re saying it''s always been like this?"


    "Of course. He''s been in office for a long time, but he''s a newbie in the legal profession. That''s why I am making concessions."


    "Her!"


    Abel wasughing so hard at this, but Cordell McNeill added something.


    "Even a swindler like me knows this, so surely the Supreme Court is aware of this custom?"


    He was a man who had a real knack for getting things done. As Abel took the gavel out of his bosom, Cordell took a deep breath and disappeared in an instant.


    "Ugh! It''s meal time, I''m off now!"


    He''d been stealing and eating all the cookies on the table. What? Food? Oh my! Just do that.


    ''If it weren''t for His Majesty the Emperor''s direct subordinates, I would''ve handled it long ago.''


    Anyway, it seemed like the special privileges for the entire building were not just rumors. If even that confused old gentleman would know.


    "But do I really have to follow that?"


    What were the beliefs Abel had held onto until now? To judge solely on the basis of known facts, without being influenced by external pressure. Isn''t that justice?


    Abel steeled himself and carefully reviewed the court documents. Then, a rather annoying name suddenly caught his eye.


    "Uh¡­ ¡­ But the owner is from the Sierra noble family?"


    No, why does this kind of person always have to pop up?


    * * *


    The capital of the empire, Perias.


    The aristocracy here was abuzz with one topic.


    "This time, it''s that breach of contract trial. It''s going to be really exciting."


    "Ah, so you mean the dispute between the Ogden ranchers and the Hardings?"


    "It looks like the upper side has the advantage. But do you know who Baron Ogden''swyer is?"


    "I don''t know. But from what you''re saying, I get the feeling that he has considerable skill."


    "The background is more important. He''s Earl Roderick Quin, a recently retired man. And Viscount Harding is a Sierre nobleman."


    "It might be a bit difficult. Your Honor doesn''t get along well with the Duke of Sierre."


    "But isn''t that the noble Duke of Carriers?"


    "Haha! I''m really looking forward to this verdict."


    In fact, it was a trial with not much to see. Originally, the farm owner would have ended up benefiting a little more due to the special privileges given to the entire government. Because the upper side was making a legitimate demand.


    However, the judge in charge of this case was Abel Carriers. He was a person who was evaluated as having made all judgments fairly up to now. No matter which side he raised, there would be bacsh.


    "If he admits to the special privileges of the Duke, His Highness''s reputation will bepletely ruined."


    "Does he only cry out for justice? He will be criticized by both his seniors and juniors."


    Their seniors would have asked what would be of them if they received special treatment. On the other hand, the juniors would say things like, "Why are you changing it so that it doesn''t benefit us?"


    It was a situation where it was really difficult to choose either side. Of course, there was a way out.


    "There is a trick."


    "What is that?"


    "It''s a half-baked judgment. Give the farm owner a slight advantage."


    "Aha! Logic is right on the Harding side, but on humanitarian grounds, let''s give Ogden some time. Something like that?"


    Your journey continues at empire


    "That''s the point."


    "So, are you finally acknowledging the special privileges of the entire government?"


    "But we can at least somewhat curb the discontent at the top of Harding. They won''t have to pay ridiculous prices."


    "Aha! As time goes by, grain prices will gradually go down?"


    "Right!"


    The nobles had no doubt that the Duke of Carriers would choose the third option. Because, to anyone who saw it, that was the most reasonable thing to do.


    Time passed like an arrow, and the trial date arrived.

 Chapter 175 The Trial of Ogden Farm and Hardings Breach of Contract

    The courtroom was filled with murmurs as the trial of Ogden Farm and Harding''s breach of contract began. "We will now begin the trial of Ogden Farm and Harding''s breach of contract. Salute your honor," the bailiff announced.


    Abel Carriers'' expression remained asposed as ever when he entered the courtroom.


    At first, many didn''t believe what they were witnessing. Where in the world is there a trial this difficult? They assumed Abel was calm because he had likely stood beforerge crowds countless times. In reality, he had spent the entire night contemting the case.


    "Please start with the intiff''s side," Abel instructed, his voice clear and firm.


    The trial proceedings were not much different from usual. Since there wasn''t much to argue about in this case, Harding''s top brass didn''t even bother to hire awyer.


    In fact, this was the right decision, given the circumstances. If the top shareholder personally came forward with a request, it stood a better chance of being epted.


    Viscount Harding spoke with uncertainty, "Please submit the contract written at that time as evidence and call the person who notarized it as a witness."


    "Who is the notary public?" Abel asked.


    "This is Baron Bashue," Viscount Harding answered.


    "You had plenty of time, so why didn''t you request a witness in advance?" Abel''s question was sharp, like a knife.


    Viscount Harding, visibly sweating, stammered, "Baron Bashue is also running a merchantpany, so he has been away for a long time. He has just returned to the capital, so I am making this request."


    It was up to Abel to ept or reject the witness. If he found Baron Bashue suspicious, he could easily refuse.


    Besides, Viscount Harding was asserting something that hadn''t been mentioned during the preliminary evidence investigation.


    "Of course, you would refuse," someone murmured from the audience. "Baron Bashue is not a member of the Sierre nobles, but he''s quite close to them. It''s not very credible," another whispered.


    The crowd stirred with negative reactions, but Abel''s response was unexpected.


    "epted. Bring Baron Bashue to me," Abel dered calmly.


    Viscount Harding, who had seemed resigned, raised his head in surprise. It was clear he hadn''t expected the witness to be epted so easily. The gallery began to murmur once again.


    "Can you believe this?" someone whispered.


    "He''s not on good terms with the Sierre nobles, so he probably just wants to hear what Bashue has to say," another spected.


    Eventually, Baron Bashue appeared as a witness and exined the situation at the time of the contract. Abel listened silently, asking only a few questions before concluding the witness examination.


    "Now, the defendant will present his defense," Abel announced.


    A figure stood up. It was Earl Roderick Quin, a slim man with a neat mustache.


    He wore a well-tailored suit from the finest Midias clothing store, looking every bit the perfect gentleman. However, his speech was anything but refined.


    "I''m not saying I won''t deliver the goods at all. I''m simply asking for leniency due to the difficult situation," he argued.


    Abel''s gaze was calm but prating as he responded, "Didn''t Ogden Farm create that difficult situation in the first ce?"


    Roderick scoffed, "No, who would turn down such a good opportunity? Other ces are moring for the goods, offering high prices for them."


    It was a flimsy argument, more of a tantrum than a logical defense. Yet, Roderick seemed to believe it was sufficient, as if expecting special treatment simply by making his case known.


    In the audience, there was quiet chatter. "Will the farm owner really win?" someone whispered. "Anyone can see Baron Ogden was at fault," another responded.


    "Shh! If you keep talking, the court reporter will throw you out," a third cautioned. Find adventures at empire


    The crowd kept a close eye on Abel''s expression, knowing the verdict would depend on the judge''s attitude.


    Abel, however, sat on the bench, his expression nk and unreadable, his gaze lofty and emotionless. His eyes swept over Earl Roderick Quin, who was standing anxiously before him.


    "Is that the extent of your defense?" Abel asked.


    "Yes, that''s all," Roderick responded.


    "Very well," Abel replied.


    The arguments from both sides were entirely contradictory, yet there was a shared sentiment: both parties wanted the trial to end swiftly.


    Earl Harding appeared resigned, while Baron Ogden seemed hopeful. Finally, Abel raised his gavel, signaling that his decision had been made.


    "I will now deliver the verdict."


    Gulp! The sound of people swallowing nervously echoed throughout the room, the tension palpable.


    All eyes, especially those of the Sierre nobles, were fixed on Abel. The oue of this trial carried significant weight. A loss would not only bring humiliation but could set a precedent, leading to simr disputes in the future.


    Abel''s voice was steady as he began,


    "I am proceeding with the execution of the farm against the owner, Baron Ogden. Should there be a shortage of goods, payment will be required in cash. As stipted in the contract, the penalty is one thousand gold."


    Silence enveloped the courtroom.


    The verdict had shocked everyone. What many had expected to be a half-hearted ruling turned out to be a decisive and firm judgment.


    Abel had sided with the Sierre nobles, offering no special privileges to Roderick Quin or Baron Ogden.


    Suddenly, a loud, piercing scream erupted, shaking the courtroom.


    "This can''t be happening!" shouted Earl Roderick Quin, his face contorted with rage.


    Abel turned his indifferent gaze toward him, silently asking what the problem was. Roderick, realizing the judge''s unspoken question, quickly responded, though his argument was weak and poorly constructed.


    It was clear that the judgment would stand, and no amount of protest would change it.


    The practice of giving courtesy to the king is a long-standing imperial custom. It is a kind of unwrittenw!


    An unwrittenw is something that is not written in aw book, but is something that everyone is expected to know and follow. It is broadly divided into custom and precedent, and Earl Quin was discussing the former.


    Abel refuted that opinion head-on.

 Chapter 176 The Unwritten Law Debate

    "The Empire has a code ofws. Moreover, casew is not recognized in principle."


    "What does that have to do with this matter?"


    "Basically, the empire has adopted the principle of writtenw."


    Writtenw refers to thew in thew book, and unwrittenw is the implicit national rule that everyone follows.


    "But we can''t break long-standing practices with such an absurd ruling!"


    It was happening again¡ªthe tactic of suddenly starting a fight. Abel thought to himself, *Why would someone of his age act like that?*


    Looking at Count Quin with pity, Abel said, "That kind of groundless logic can be easily destroyed."


    "You just said it was a long-standing custom, right?"


    "Yes."


    "Is that a norm that the majority of the people know well and follow clearly?"


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    Count Roderick Quin did not answer immediately.


    Of course, that wasn''t possible.


    How many people actually know about the special privileges of the full-time government?


    Except for the nobility and middle-ss freemen, most people probably wouldn''t even know such a thing existed.


    If we start acknowledging even such half-bakedws as unwrittenws, there will really be no end to it. Even the barbaric customs of a remote vige could bew.


    Besides, Abel had a more definitive way to end the controversy.


    "Let me ask you one thing, Mr. Quin."


    "Please speak."


    "Who would want to receive preferential treatment as a full-time official¡­? No, are you saying you want to receive preferential treatment as a full-time official? I have never admitted to such a thing."


    Abel was the supreme judge of the empire.


    Who on earth could possibly exert influence to change the oue of a trial? Even the emperor hadn''t done anything like that yet.


    Count Roderick Quin''s face turned pale as he realized who he had been talking back to. Abel, ring at the other person with a dreary look in his eyes, said, "If you don''t like my decision, appeal."


    "¡­ ¡­ ."


    Count Roderick Quin bowed his head in silence.


    The empire was a country that had chosen the three-chamber system. Of course, the format was a bit different from morden world, but there were two more chances if someone wanted to appeal.


    The problem was that now, the only person above Abel was the Emperor. And who would want to go through the second and third trials with that scary man? He was the type to send his enemies to their graves whileughing.


    Count Quin left the courtroom with his shoulders slumped.


    Abel was about to leave but stopped walking. The noise from the audience was growing louder.


    "As expected of Your Highness, Duke of Carriers. You judge everything based solely on facts."


    "That''s right! Regardless of whether we''re on good terms or bad."


    "I thought the result would be different this time since the manuscript was from the Sierra aristocracy¡­ ¡­ ."


    "Are you the kind of person who would judge with personal feelings? Didn''t he even deny the special privileges of Jeon Gwan?"


    "By the way, this is a big problem. The bacsh will be considerable."


    The audience showered Abel with bothpliments and concerned looks. It was truly a groundbreaking result.


    ''Oh, there''s going to be a lot of gossip.''


    The legal profession was probably going to be in an uproar for a while.


    This rulingpletely denied the special privileges of judges and prosecutors. There were probably quite a few people who would resent him, thinking that a huge benefit had been taken away in an instant.


    But Abel had never regretted or thought about changing his mind regarding this decision. It wasn''t because he thought he wouldn''t receive any special privileges anyway.


    ''I must break the cycle of irrationality.''


    Besides, it was something no one else could do. Who on earth would stand up and take the me? Even for someone who had achieved a rtively high position, it would not be an easy decision.


    Knock. Knock. Knock.


    As soon as Abel returned to his office and sat down, there was a knock on the door. A knock with an understated style. It was most likely Judge Colund Emir.


    "Come in."


    "Excuse me, Your Honor."


    As expected, Judge Emir entered with a slightly gloomy expression. Abel could already predict what Colund was going to say. It was about the ruling.


    "You can criticize me as much as you want. I am willing to listen to the bitter words of Judge Emir."


    "No. I have nothing to say."


    "Oh! Really?"


    It was a wee sound to hear, but the next words shattered Abel''s moment of happiness.


    "Instead, all kinds of protests are pouring in. Take a look at this."


    Colund opened the door to the office wide. Then arge cart, hidden behind, appeared.


    It was literally a pile of papers. Considering that not much time had passed since the trial ended, why were so many people already protesting?


    Abel held his pounding head and gestured weakly. "Bring it and see."


    "Yes."


    The sound of the cart''s wheels sounded like the pulley of a guillotine.


    *Is this how a king of the Joseon Dynasty would feel when reading petitions?* Abel thought.


    As soon as he picked up the first letter, a long sigh escaped his lips.


    "Wow! A big shot from the start."


    The name written on the envelope was Marquis Alden O''Donnell. He was a senior figure who had been in the legal profession for a long time and had even served as the highest judge.


    "I heard he''s almost 100 years old, and he''s still writing letters himself..."


    ''I guess he really don''t like it,'' Abel mused.


    Indeed, Marquis Alden O''Donnell may have also received special privileges and felt that his reputation had been tarnished by the ruling.


    As expected, the letter was filled with all sorts of usations from the beginning.


    "I read it, but it''s useless."


    Abel pushed it aside without even looking at it and immediately pulled out another sheet.


    As expected, this letter was also critical. He checked each letter one by one, just in case there was something different. But contrary to his expectations, the content all felt simr.


    Abel threw the letters aside.

 Chapter 177 A Sudden Encounter

    "Aren''t you reading?"


    "It''s just an obvious story, so what''s the point of looking at it? Just take care of these things where they can''t be seen."


    "Uh, how is it?"


    "It should be burned."


    "Huh¡­! Is that okay?"


    "He probably didn''t expect an answer anyway. I have no intention of doing so."


    Abel stared at the pile of letters, collecting his thoughts. Seeing such nonsense made him want to push his will even further.


    "Judge Emir."


    "Yes, Your Honor."


    "Can I ask you one more favor?"


    "Of course."


    "Just put up a notice on the court bulletin board. I''m going to hold a discussion this weekend, so anyone who is dissatisfied with the ruling cane."


    "Yes? Really?"


    The Emir of Colund looked quite surprised. It seemed he didn''t expect Abel to make such a frontal breakthrough, but Abel nodded calmly.


    If they doubted the quality of his judgment, he thought, ''Come and see for yourself. I will show the world your arrogance and stupidity.''


    ---


    As word of the debate spread, Perias was abuzz all week. However, the Duchy of Carriers remained peaceful.


    ''Everything is going smoothly,'' Abel thought. The fashion business was nowpletely on track, especially with simpler dresses gaining immense poprity.


    There were even rumors that the empress favored one-piece dresses, prompting the nobledies to seek them out. What started as a trend became so widespread that the dresses were constantly out of stock.


    "You''re very busy these days."


    It had been a while since Abel visited the Midias shopping district. Perhaps because it was Friday afternoon, Deacon Tobias Wilkin was extremely busy, which was understandable given the influx of customers.


    Tobias smiled awkwardly. "Thanks to your additional manpower, things are much better than before. Aren''t you still hiring?"


    "Yes. More new recruits will be assigned soon."


    The Duchy of Carriers employed nearly a hundred stewards, who were ced as managers across all kinds of businesses.


    Tobias Wilkin, who had been selected rtively early, had risen through the ranks significantly. As the businesses grewrger, it was time for a new order.


    It didn''t make sense to still call him a butler. Abel reflected, ''He barely visits the mansion anymore, and his work ispletely different from what a butler usually does.''


    "When you''re done, please stop by the office with Deacon Miller Xavier."


    "Yes, Your Majesty." Tobias bowed his head without saying another word.


    From there, Abel continued his tour of the major businesses. One ce of particr interest was the beauty salon.


    Considering it was a new venture, he expected there would be some shorings.


    "The line is really long. Are all those people waiting?"


    "No. They came to make reservations."


    "Huh?"


    The beauty salon had only just opened, and yet it was already popr? Abel found it hard to understand why so many people would trust a hairdresser they had never met before.


    He moved to the front of the ss window of the beauty salon. The luxurious atmosphere inside was immediately visible.


    ''As expected, it''s perfect.''


    The ce was immacte, with even the small marble pieces on the entrance steps carved elegantly.


    Could it be because women dressed in various one-piece dresses lined up outside? For some reason, the beauty salon seemed even more radiant.


    Abel was about to head inside when he overheard some of the women talking.


    "Ah! Who is that person?"


    "Your Highness, the Duke of Carriers."


    "Oh my! Oh my! What should I do?"


    "What can you do? Do you think he would even look at someone like you?"


    "This? What did you just say?"


    He was simply passing by when the agitated voices of the women reached his ears. Apparently, they had recognized him.


    ''Ouch! It''s so troublesome.''


    Abel had a feeling that if he said even a word, something big might happen. The women were all looking at him, clearly hoping to engage in conversation.


    Sensing the tension, Butler Wilkin quickly whispered to him, "I think it would be better to pass quickly."


    "Is that okay?" Abel asked.


    "The nobledies don''t usuallye to make reservations themselves. There''s no need to address each one of them."


    "Oh, is that so?"


    As Tobias Wilkin said, the women standing in line were likely maids running errands for their noble masters. Feeling slightly relieved, Abel gave a quick nod and entered the beauty salon.


    ---


    The sound of scissors moving swiftly filled the air as the hairdressers cut their clients'' hair. The customer seated in front of the mirror appeared satisfied with the result. Abel observed for a while, noting that the hairdressers seemed skilled.


    ''It looks like they know what they''re doing,'' Abel thought. The hairdressers imed to have learned from famous barbers, and it seemed they weren''t just boasting. Their cutting skills were certainly up to standard.


    Now, it was time to check the other aspects of the business. As Abel scanned the salon, a strange sense of familiarity hit him. He felt like he had seen a face he recognized¡ªone that was both wee and terrifying.


    Suddenly, his gaze shifted toward a customer sitting in front of the mirror. Their eyes met through the reflection. The guest smiled brightly, and then the person spoke.


    "It''s been a while. Your Highness, the Duke of Carriers."


    "Huh? You¡­!"


    Oh, no.


    It was Princess Justia.


    Abel''s heart skipped a beat as he stared at Princess Justia through the mirror.


    Of all the ces to meet her, it had to be here, in his new beauty salon. He quickly regained hisposure, masking the initial shock with aposed expression. But internally, his mind was racing.


    ''Why is she here? And why now, of all times?''


    Princess Justia stood up from her chair, her long, meticulously styled hair cascading down her back.


    She turned around to face Abel directly, her sharp eyes locking onto his. She was the epitome of royal grace, yet there was something unmistakably dangerous about her presence¡ªlike a storm wrapped in silk.


    Abel could feel the tension in the air as the other patrons in the salon seemed to freeze, watching the unfolding scene in silence.


    "It''s been quite some time, Your Highness," she said with a coy smile, taking a step closer.


    Abel straightened his posture, his hands sped behind his back as he nodded in greeting.


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