Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 64

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 64. There Are As Many Ways to Commit Fraud As There Are Twinkling Stars in the Night Sky, and How Romantic That Is (6)
“In the old days, only relatives could become guardians, but now third parties can be designated as guardians too. If we make the guardian either Prisoner or the entire Kisomalos Imperial Family, we can change the Count’s heir to suit our preferences.”
Though I’m a fraud, the fiefdom’s residents won’t know the full story of this incident, and Edison has built considerable goodwill over the years, so if we leave the fiefdom’s management to him, Shirley won’t have any reason to bother herself with tedious work.
When I laid out this plan without reservation, everyone’s faces grew troubled, and they voiced their concerns.
“No matter how noble the purpose, turning a perfectly sane person into a madman doesn’t sit right with us, does it?”
“Didn’t you see the Count earlier? Pyramid power, dantian cultivation—would anyone but a madman believe in that stuff?”
“Wait, are you saying I might not even have to come all the way out to this rural land to manage the fiefdom?”
“That’s right. We’ll leave all the tedious work to Edison, and you don’t care whether the Achilles Territory thrives or collapses anyway, do you?”
“I absolutely support you, Pisha!”
The moment I mentioned being able to continue receiving my allowance from the Imperial Palace, he snapped up the bait. All that remains is Edison’s consent. In truth, this is a good proposal for Edison too. He can continue his fraud as before, manipulating the fiefdom’s residents and the Count with honeyed words, using them like puppets. He can legitimately invest the fiefdom’s wealth to build a Health Bracelet Factory or run a poultry farm—whatever he chooses.
Now, make your choice. I finished all my explanations and spoke to Edison.
“Pick one. Do you want to die? Or do you want to live with me?”
“Sob, sniff! Don’t I have a choice?!”
“It’s not a choice—you never had human rights to begin with.”
“Sniff!”
If he doesn’t like it, he dies by Choco’s hand right here. This plan can proceed without him. When I spoke with such firmness, Edison burst into tears and shouted his agreement.
“I’ll do it! I will! But, but! I have conditions too!”
“Oh ho, how audacious.”
But I don’t dislike this cunning tongue of his. Is that why the Count fell for it too?
“Let’s hear it.”
“I won’t ask you to return the rights that Aelset has already taken from me. Instead, if conflicts arise between Aelset and me in the future, please protect me from the Kisomalos Imperial Family!”
“Hmm.”
It’s not a difficult matter. But taking anyone’s side could create troublesome situations.
“Protection will be provided only when it benefits the Imperial Family. If you accept these terms, we’ll draw up a contract.”
“Yes! That’s perfect!”
Contract sealed! Now let’s go write up that contract!
I hummed a cheerful tune as I headed back to the car. I urged Edison to be freed quickly and return to the Count’s Mansion, and Choco cut the rope with her sword before taking the driver’s seat.
“Chiron drank far too much water.”
“Prisoner would be pleased, wouldn’t he?”
“That fool would naturally be delighted.”
Choco gripped the steering wheel and pouted her lips, then made a strange sound.
“Grow up faster. I’ll teach you swordsmanship too.”
“Why would I learn sword techniques?”
“Can’t you beat armed opponents with just bare-handed combat?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to learn marksmanship then?”
“Guns? What’s so great about those!”
Choco burst out loudly, then let go of the steering wheel and made sweeping motions with her sword.
“I can even slice through bullets flying at me!”
“The steering wheel! Drive! Keep your eyes on the road!”
Once I get home, I’m really going to create safety devices. I’ll file a ton of patents. Then I’ll be rolling in money.
This was Edison’s specialty, so I decided to consult with him about it. With various plans forming in my mind, I returned to Achilles Mansion.

✦ ✦ ✦
From the day after I joined hands with Edison, I found myself quietly occupied. First, I drafted a petition and appeal for the guardianship commencement trial of Count Achilles, and arranged for Imperial troops to be stationed in the Achilles Territory immediately upon approval.
Once Prisoner or I was designated as guardian, the Achilles Territory would effectively belong to the Imperial Kingdom, so the justification for stationing troops would be established. These soldiers would monitor Edison and Count Achilles, and immediately report any disturbances in the territory to the Imperial Palace.
“Your Highness the Princess, it’s Edison.”
“Yes! Come in!”
Since I now had access to Edison’s counsel, I asked him how to register the safety belt and handholds I’d designed with the Patent Office. Edison then drew up magnificent blueprints from my crude explanation alone, and presented a concrete method to ensure that anyone using this structure would pay me royalties without exception.
“What I want to consult about is this—I don’t know the detailed structure. Can it still be registered?”
“There are many ways. What sort of item is it?”
Wow, he didn’t just say he’d find a way—he confidently assured me there were many. Professional fraudsters truly are remarkable.
“This is certain, but Havilland is planning to release a cooling device to the market?”
An air conditioner utilizing Havilland’s ice essence. As I described its rough operating mechanism and anticipated its revolutionary popularity, the man fell into thought for a moment.
“Hmm, there’s no blueprint, and even if we tried to monopolize the materials… they’re Havilland’s specialty products.”
The man, who had been turning things over in his mind with thoughtful murmurs, then posed a question to me.
“Do you perhaps know what the product’s name might be?”
“Oh, I do know that! Carrier’s air conditioner!”
“Hmm, in that case, there’s a method of getting ahead through trademark registration.”
“Ohhhhh!”
“Do you have a pen and paper?”
Of course I do—I have plenty! I handed Edison a pencil and blank paper, and he began writing out trademark names as if possessed.
“Air conditioner, air controller, cold wind device, cooling equipment, cooling apparatus, air circulation regulator, temperature control device…”
After Edison had written down nearly every variation based on air conditioner, he tapped his aching arm and handed the paper to me.
“Register all of these as trademarks. At least one of them will stick.”
“You really seem like you were born solely to commit fraud!”
“Hehe.”
What kind of “hehe” was that, you criminal bastard. But I didn’t let it show, instead just heaping praise on him. His family spirit seemed destined to grow, so there was no harm in getting closer.
“It was good that you came directly to the Achilles Territory. I’ve acquired a remarkable talent.”
“Hehe, I didn’t expect things to work out so well either. I’m fortunate to have met you, Your Highness.”
Of course—you were ready to bolt and cut ties here at any moment. Now that you’d legitimately manage the fiefdom and serve as my advisor, it was nothing short of a meteoric rise.
“But are you really going to keep building that ridiculous Health Bracelet Factory?”
“No? Now that it’s essentially my property, I need to develop a proper business plan.”
Well, since we’re on the subject, how about you produce military supplies? When I mentioned that I wanted to create a separate production line for items going into the Air Force to counter Aelset, the man’s eyes gleamed behind his glasses as he eagerly grasped my hand.
“I love you! Customer!”
“Yes, and I love my people.”
“No really, this can’t be explained by anything other than love, Customer!”
Wasn’t it just that he saw me as a money source? When I said so coldly, Edison whined and twisted his body, then gently tapped my fist like a pouting child.
“Honestly, I could see an aura around you from the moment we first met. You are my benefactor and my savior.”
“Good grief.”
He really does speak so smoothly every time. That’s how he won over the Count with such flattery. I waved my hand dismissively and ordered him to be careful with his words wherever he went.
“Keep your mouth shut until the court order comes down on the Count. This is our secret alone.”
“Of course, sir. I can even pretend to die if you command it, sir.”
So he couldn’t actually die. But that was enough. I would achieve my original goal of making Shirley the legitimate heir, I’d secured a means to earn money, and I’d obtained both the facilities and personnel to check Aelset’s ambitions. Coming to Achilles Territory had yielded me far more than I’d anticipated.

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