Becoming Number One with Confession Attacks - Chapter 80

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

#80

The place where she stayed was also the commander’s bedroom, so there was no interference from anyone.

Sonnet conducted her research alone in Aiden’s spacious office, and it was very quiet except for the occasional visits from Gellen to discuss things together.

Aiden’s letters came frequently from different sending locations. It seemed like he was constantly moving garrisons due to the surrounding circumstances.

But until now, there had been no letters from Aiden. Although his previous letter had mentioned that some intense battles were about to take place.

Before going to sleep, Sonnet always prayed for Aiden to return safely. While caressing the ring he had given her.

Whenever she thought of Aiden in her heart, she remembered him going to Meridian, which made her feel unpleasant.

The one thing in Sonnet’s life that was going well was her research. The dungeon temple research progressed smoothly without any obstacles, which even surprised herself.

Because she concentrated more on research due to thoughts of Aiden, the dungeon temple research was now almost 80% complete, making quite a lot of progress in less than a month.

At this rate, she might be presenting at the academic society in two months.

Usually Sonnet’s research took a generous six months, but this research seemed like it would be completed as a paper the fastest among all the research Sonnet had done so far.

While conducting research, Sonnet developed several habits, one of which was checking the newspaper on the first floor of headquarters in the morning.

She looked to see if Aiden had returned, but every time she looked, she saw the Princess’s face.

The Princess, as if she were in a passionate relationship with Aiden, mostly showed herself worrying about Aiden and knitting until he returned, or talked about her business.

Sonnet read the newspaper with disappointment and then focused her attention on the crime section that took up an entire page.

It was written that previously the King had imposed heavy taxes on international trade, and to avoid this, people systematically created companies to cleverly evade taxes.

Most of the people involved in the crime were caught, but the higher-ups were not caught and the case was closed. Looking at the results, it felt suspicious and fishy.

As if someone had deliberately tried to cover it up.

Sonnet roughly read the newspaper and then left headquarters. Although they said the cold had passed outside, it was still cold for her. But she couldn’t not go out.

These days Sonnet frequently went to the library. Mainly to look at research materials or to learn about the Rosefield Duke.

Anyway, she felt she needed to properly understand the Rosefield Duke in order to counterattack.

Today she wanted to learn about the Rosefield Duke rather than research. She had been working too hard on research and needed some fresh air.

That day too, Sonnet went to the Royal Library and read articles related to the Rosefield Duke. The date was from an article that came out when she was attending Rosefield Academy.

At that time, the King imposed heavy taxes on art pieces and luxury goods, and also imposed heavy taxes on trade.

However, even in trade, he did not impose taxes specifically on the shipbuilding business.

The King even said he would strip titles if this was unfairly exploited.

In the midst of this, the Rosefield Duke unusually bought and sold many ships. And to individuals living in other countries at that.

In the newspaper article, the Rosefield Duke smiled and talked about the trendy vintage ship designs. Suddenly Sonnet remembered what Aiden had said in the past.

“These days, father is more interested in trade than art pieces.”

Aiden had said that when Sonnet showed interest in the artwork hanging in the corridor. Sonnet read the newspaper again carefully and felt something was off.

Clearly the King said he would impose heavy taxes on everything except the shipbuilding business, and the Rosefield Duke was devoted only to the shipbuilding business.

Moreover, other newspapers said he still traveled to various countries buying art pieces. While saying there were still many good art pieces, the Duke said he planned to continue buying art pieces from various countries.

‘There seems to be something there.’

Sonnet was looking through other articles when suddenly her mind flashed.

‘Could it be…’

She remembered the article she saw in the morning. About cleverly avoiding taxes while systematically making a lot of money. Even the business the Rosefield Duke was doing was the shipbuilding business, which was free from taxes.

Sonnet thought there would be something if she dug deeper into this part and looked for more materials. That way, Sonnet could only leave the library when it was almost 11 PM.

She returned to the garrison with satisfaction.

The next day, Sonnet woke up early as usual and went to the first floor to skim through the newspaper. Today too, there was no news of Aiden, only the Princess’s face.

‘Why is it always just the Princess’s face.’

Sonnet wondered if the Princess really worried about Aiden. She probably wouldn’t even write him letters.

Still, since she was still engaged to the Princess, people around thought more about the Princess.

Sonnet was turning around with a bitter heart when she heard a familiar voice.

“Senior!”

Gellen was just entering headquarters. As soon as he saw Sonnet, he ran over quickly.

“Is something wrong?”

Unlike before, Gellen’s face looked gloomy. When Sonnet looked at him anxiously, Gellen carefully spoke up.

“Professor Aldoren suddenly collapsed.”

Instantly Sonnet’s heart sank.

“Why did the Professor?”

“I think he’s been troubled by many things.”

Sonnet somehow felt it was all her fault.

“He was originally healthy though…”

Gellen hung his head with a gloomy face and then looked at Sonnet.

“Senior, if it’s okay with you, would you like to go to the hospital together?”

Sonnet left headquarters with Gellen without hesitation.

When they arrived at the hospital room, Sonnet felt bad. Professor Aldoren was using a single room, and his face looked quite tired.

“I didn’t expect Sonnet to come along too.”

“When I heard the Professor collapsed, I had to come.”

Professor Aldoren smiled as if nothing was wrong. Sonnet somehow felt concerned seeing that.

“It’s because of me, isn’t it?”

Since the Rosefield Duke was still going strong, it seemed like a lot of pressure would be coming to Professor Aldoren.

“No. I’ve had chronic illness for a while, and these days I’ve been working hard on research, and with my age…”

“That’s why I told you to take it easy. Since you didn’t become department head this time, you could take it easy, right?”

Sonnet looked at Gellen in surprise and asked back.

“You didn’t become department head?”

“He was pushed out this time. Even though he was fully qualified.”

Gellen’s face showed he couldn’t understand it at all. Sonnet had nothing more to say. Everything seemed like she had brought it upon herself.

“Fully qualified my foot! I’m still lacking. And now that it’s come to this, I should live leisurely as Gellen says.”

Sonnet stared blankly at the blanket. Professor Aldoren exchanged a few words with Gellen and then looked back at Sonnet.

Sonnet organized her thoughts and then spoke.

“I’ll restore it for you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Everything the Professor has lost so far.”

“Sonnet, you don’t need to try so hard. Anyway, I’m getting old now…”

“Professor, you have many connections and sufficient ability.”

“The reason I’ve become like this is largely due to connections, not ability…”

“Professor, you have sufficient ability for that.”

All this time, Sonnet had greatly respected Professor Aldoren while watching him from the side. He didn’t treat Sonnet like a lower-class person but treated her like someone of equal status, and there was no typical noble-like disdain.

“I’ll go first.”

When Sonnet said goodbye, Professor Aldoren quickly stopped her.

“Where are you going?”

“I have something to do.”

Sonnet immediately left the hospital room. As soon as she exited the door, Gellen chased after her.

“Senior!”

When Sonnet turned around, Gellen stood beside her and said.

“Where are you going? Is there anything I can help with?”

“No. You take good care of the Professor for the time being.”

Gellen seemed to have a lot to say but didn’t speak up.

Sonnet immediately turned around. She caught a public carriage in front of the hospital.

“Please go to the First Kingdom Army Garrison.”

First, Sonnet had to get the materials she had. To go to Delrod.

***

As soon as Sonnet got out of the carriage, the Rosefield Family’s butler was waiting outside. He bowed his head as soon as he saw Sonnet.

“Lady Sonnet, welcome. What brings you here?”

“Is the Rosefield Duke in?”

“He is here, but it would be difficult to meet him right now.”

“Why?”

“The Duke is currently very ill.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————