Deadline Is Raining in the Status Window - Chapter 241

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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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My head throbbed. I knew the concept existed that stress could cause headaches, but I had never experienced it myself, so I was incredibly surprised.
While living in contact with Evan Laef brought new experiences, this first encounter with such pain was unwelcome.
So these musicians—a band of clowns playing guitar, beating drums, and playing violin—are all members of the Demon Race. Cecilia struggled to accept an unacceptable reality and voiced her biggest concern.
“What are all those people outside?”
“They have nothing to do with me. Bruno brought them here.”
As Evan quickly tattled, Bruno Siebenstein gasped while standing on his head.
“If you don’t permit the establishment of the nation, they’ll all turn into rioters!”
Dr. Bruno shouted gravely, but standing on his head gave him no persuasive power whatsoever. Cecilia quietly ordered the Bachelor to hang that man and whip the soles of his feet.
“Your Majesty! Is it acceptable to inflict such humiliation upon a duke of the realm!”
Bruno cried out as he was caught in the Bachelor’s hands and dangled in the air.
Cecilia quietly nodded at the man’s question. This was the Crowell Empire, and Cecilia was the 41st Emperor, His Majesty Cecilia Crowell. If asked in a private space whether she could punish Duke Zibenstein or not, the answer was naturally that she could.
“That’s how it is.”
“Think about what you’ve done.”
“Honestly, the only reason we’re not in prison is because of Evan’s backing, right?”
“Your Grace, put more strength in your core. You’re not doing a proper handstand at all.”
At Eugene’s point, Bruno swallowed back tears and lifted his leg. And Reina, who was in the midst of puberty and thought everything sounded dirty, told Eugene that what he said was indecent, only to get grabbed by the collar. Evan and Kanna wanted to die of embarrassment at the fact that that gorilla was their friend.
As Eugene and Reina rolled around on the black marble floor like a pair of wolves, grappling with each other, the Bachelor winked as if asking whether he should chase them out. But because Cecilia wanted to enjoy watching Evan Laef look absolutely exasperated, she subtly raised her hand to stop him.
“I’m sure you know, but asking me to give up a country is quite an unreasonable thing to say.”
“That’s why I’ve come to ask a favor of Your Majesty. I hope you’ll use your power and authority to smooth over that matter. Whatever you ask, Duke Zibenstein over there will do anything you command.”
“You’re not planning to do anything?”
“I can only listen to what I’m able to listen to.”
I thought she’d say she’d do anything. Cecilia, whose expression remained flat and lifeless, brought up something she’d been concerned about ever since Evan declared she would have both the Serpent King and Seian.
“Of course we need a blueprint for how to govern the country. But I wish you would stay and live here.”
Cecilia stared intently at Gerth. She understood that he was the Serpent King, but that didn’t mean Evan had reason to take Seian and go live in Ilam. Seian was born and raised in the Imperial Palace, and though Evan Mitchell was from House Neftis, she had spent more years living in the Capital.
Above all, if Evan graduates from the Academy and goes to live in Ilam, wouldn’t that reduce the chances of Seian and Evan seeing each other? The Emperor can’t be expected to travel back and forth to Ilam, so it made sense for Evan to stay in the Capital.
“You’re giving me Ilam, but telling me not to live in Ilam?”
“You can come and go easily because you have fast legs, can’t you? But I can’t.”
It’s hard to go see Seian. Cecilia hadn’t said it outright, but Evan could understand it from her feelings. This hellish brother complex—he was trying to keep his wife planted in the Capital so he could see Seian frequently.
But Gerth and I have a jointly owned property in Ilam. Living in Ilam is unavoidable…
Evan.
Gerth, who had been quietly listening, corrected Evan’s words. There had been one mistake in what Evan had just said.
“The Tower is both a moving asset and a real estate property.”
“Oh.”
“That’s right, we can move it. But wouldn’t moving the Tower be very difficult? As Evan asked, thinking that it would require a lot of energy, Gerth answered honestly.”
“It’s difficult alone. With Evan, it’s possible.”
“Oh…”
Crownpolis real estate prices were steep—this was a real problem. Evan mentally tapped away at an imaginary calculator. Even if she settled on the outskirts, Capital land prices were ten times higher than Ilam’s. But the bigger issue was that Capital land large enough for a Tower or Mansion couldn’t simply be bought with money. Everything already had an owner, and she was currently using the Townhouse that Cecilia had granted her anyway. Could she even find land large enough for that massive Tower? If even one person squatted on the property, there’d be bloodshed. One way or another, this was a serious problem.
“I’ll give you the Royal Villa Hunting Grounds.”
“Cecilia, your obsession with your brother is rather unsettling.”
“It’s called love.”
Love, she says. I must say, you’re fortunate to be so loved. When I spoke to Seian Crowell, he shuddered and expressed his displeasure.
Alcohol may embolden the spirit, but his courage had exceeded all bounds. One stern glance from Cecilia had sobered him completely, and he now hid behind Gerth, begging forgiveness to the heavens. Despite his earlier outburst, he had instinctively grasped a fundamental truth—that among those present, only Gerth stood between him and my wrath.
Indeed, Gerth shielded Seian Crowell from Cecilia’s displeasure.
“He’s had too much to drink. Please forgive him.”
“He’s my brother. There’s nothing to forgive.”
“He will be my wife’s husband, after all.”
“Hmm.”
With Gerth and Cecilia both claiming Seian Crowell as their own, I resolved to remain steadfastly neutral. Intervening now would only leave me at a loss.
“However, we haven’t yet registered your brother as a member of the household.”
“…That’s a fair point.”
Gerth was persuaded. I exhaled in relief, pressing a hand to my chest. It was fortunate that my husband was the sort to listen to reason.
“Then let’s arrange the move for after the break, when we hold the formal wedding ceremony in Ilam.”
“That sounds perfect. I’ll defer to everything you say, Gerth.”
“Leave it all to me.”
At Gerth’s assurance that he would handle all household matters, I felt tears prick my eyes and thanked him for being such a wonderful husband. Watching the two of us divide our responsibilities with such mutual trust, Cecilia displayed considerable interest.
“A husband seems quite convenient to have around.”
“When you find someone whose heart aligns with yours, he will lighten your burden.”
I, proud of Gerth, moved closer to Cecilia and whispered softly in her ear.
I added that finding a man like Gerth was as rare as plucking a star from the heavens, and that most men were as useless as Seian Crowell. Cecilia made a thoughtful sound.
“I must search carefully for someone suitable.”
“I recommend my brother for the position of Imperial Consort.”
“Having House Neftis at your side constantly would look rather improper.”
“One can simply take multiple husbands.”
“Hmm.”
That’s what an Emperor is for, after all. The previous Emperor was male, so the power of the concubines’ children was formidable, but now that Cecilia has ascended the throne, the legitimate line is fixed, and a purely competitive struggle for favor will unfold. Everyone will be sharpening their blades. My offer to send my brother was, in essence, a declaration of participation in war.
“Let’s proceed with establishing the Ilam Duchy after your husband settles here. If we leave him in the capital, we can coordinate our positions.”
“Thank you for indulging my selfishness. I’ll leave Bruno here.”
“Excuse me! What about my opinion?!”
Bruno Siebenstein, suspended by rope and beaten on the soles of his feet, crawled toward Cecilia on his knees, unable to walk from the pain. His condition was pitiful, but neither Cecilia nor I had any intention of reconsidering what we had already decided.
“If you dislike it, then abandon the idea of founding a nation.”
“Wasn’t it you who dragged someone out because you missed prison life?”
Faced with such warm words from Evan Laef and Cecilia, Bruno could find no excuse to refuse. The warmth was so intense he felt he might burn to ash. He realized he had no choice but to accept the terms, and he spoke the names of those who would worry for him.
“Dear daughter, please tell Common Professor and Grandfather Butler that I’ll need their support in prison for a while longer.”
“I am not your daughter.”
“Can’t you just call me that this once?!”
“No.”
I cut him off decisively, shook hands with Cecilia, and bid her farewell. Bruno was dragged away by the Bachelor and locked in prison, and as I made my way out through the Imperial Palace Main Gate, I announced to the gathered crowd that Bruno Siebenstein had achieved his ambitions and entered prison of his own accord, and that they should all disperse.
“His ambitions have come to fruition! Tell me the details!”
“The national system he envisioned will be implemented on a trial basis in Ilam! The Emperor has approved it, and Evan Laef has overseen the proceedings!”
“Hurrah!”
The crowd erupted in cheers, and once word spread that Comrade Bruno had achieved his goals, everyone dispersed in orderly fashion to their homes and workplaces.
The plaza, pristine and unblemished by a single scrap of refuse, was left with only a passing pedestrian and Apet lingering behind.
“Old man, what brings you here?”
“I received word from the Sung King, young one.”
Today was proving to be relentlessly eventful. I gazed up at the sun that refused to set, resentful of its persistence, and moved to another location.

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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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