Deadline Is Raining in the Status Window - Chapter 319

—————

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

—————

The matter of her withdrawal from the Imperial Harem remained. Her name was already registered in the official records, so if she were to leave, the Imperial Court would need to preserve its dignity. What possible reason could there be for withdrawal that was entirely Reina’s fault? Since I knew little about Imperial protocol, I nudged the Bachelor, and after a moment’s consideration, he offered a plausible suggestion.
“Before entering the Imperial Harem, perhaps there was someone she had relations with? Though I worry this might be too great an insult to the Countess’s Daughter….”
“Before entering the Palace, is there someone you’ve had relations with? But wouldn’t this be too much of an insult to the Countess’s Daughter…?”
“No, no! That works perfectly! A man or two before entering wouldn’t tarnish the Letem name at all!”
True enough—considering her mother, shame would be the least of concerns. Count Letem continued to cycle through men even now, remaining at the forefront of high society scandals. Honestly, knowing that woman’s temperament…, she’d probably be more embarrassed by Reina’s complete lack of romantic rumors.
“Then let’s do it this way.”
Wait, was Cecilia laughing a bit too much? To others, there might be no visible change, but that was unmistakably a delighted expression. I’d only seen that face once before—when she rode the Roller Coaster seventeen times at Bunny Land.
“The Emperor, deeply moved by the profound love between Ice Heart and Flame Heart, graciously releases the Empress Consort.”
“What on earth?”
“Huh?!”
“…What do we do?”
“…What do I do?”
“Letem controls the media well enough—can’t you suppress it with money?”
“How in the world would you suppress a scandal involving Ice Heart and Flame Heart, you madman?”
Were we really that influential? I was taken aback, but Reina covered her face with both hands, insisting it was irreversible.
“The rumors have probably already spread throughout the Imperial Palace. I’d estimate it reaches the entire nation within three hours.”
Were we really that influential?!
“Come on, surely not.”
I spoke dismissively, then gave Reina’s rear a firm kick, urging her to head home. I returned to the Neftis Townhouse intending to sleep soundly and rest before devising a strategy, but the moment I woke the next morning, Rael came rushing in with startling news.
“Sister! Ice Heart and Flame Heart have gone all the way! Is it, is it true?!”
The scandal of Ice Heart and Flame Heart appeared on the front page of every morning newspaper in the Crowell Empire. The Emperor himself conceding to the love of these two, their elopement last night, whether it was Ice-Flame or Flame-Ice—such burning questions, and so forth.

As money was poured out at random, the rumors that were spreading like crazy were somehow suppressed. By mobilizing all of Letem and Nephthys’ financial resources to put pressure on the media, we were able to prevent further articles about the Ice Flame from being published. Things like paparazzi are still around.
By throwing money around recklessly, we managed to suppress the rumors that had been spreading like wildfire. Once Letem and House Neftis mobilized their full financial resources to pressure the media, we were able to prevent further articles about the Frost Flame from circulating. Though paparazzi still lingered around us.
Reina was subsequently charged with insulting the Imperial Court and lèse-majesté, serving a prison sentence. Cecilia renegotiated with Count Letem, and apparently they agreed that when one of Reina’s siblings with a flame skill came of age, they would be welcomed as Empress Consort. The Imperial Court truly hadn’t given up on mixing magical skills into the imperial bloodline. How very Cecilia of them.
“Hey, Evan, over here!”
I made my way to the Academy’s sprawling lawn, camera dangling from my neck. Today was the summer graduation ceremony for Crowell Academy. I’d suggested that since Eugene had already knelt once, she might as well attend one more semester and graduate with us, but Eugene had stubbornly insisted on graduating early.
With friends leaving school one by one, there’s a certain emptiness and loneliness to it all, but I couldn’t very well stop her when she needs to return to managing her territory.
“Hey! You’re happy to graduate alone and abandon us?!”
“How heartless, Eugene Brandenburg.”
“Ha, sorry. But Freesia seemed to be struggling so much.”
This chick really does care deeply for her fiancée. Well, they’re officially married now, so isn’t she the Countess? I heard that while Eugene was studying at the Academy, the Countess was acting as the Border Earl’s deputy. Certainly, handling the work of two people alone must be exhausting.
“Evan! Eugene!”
“Gasp, pant. We’re not late, are we?”
“You’re not late.”
It was only natural, but with Eugene graduating, Sera, Sunbird, and Seian had rushed over to celebrate. With everyone gathered like this, I’m reminded of our club days. We did all sorts of strange things back then—treasure hunts, dungeon explorations. It was only a few years ago, yet it feels like ancient history.
“Congratulations, Eugene. I’m sure you’ve received many bouquets, but we wanted to show our sincerity as well.”
“Take pride in being congratulated so much!”
Reina, Kanna, Sera, Seian, and I all handed Eugene congratulatory bouquets until she was practically buried in flowers. Are you really going to carry all of those home? We’ll be watching to make sure you do!
“You received your diploma, right? And you’re wearing your mortarboard properly.”
“Should we take a commemorative photo before we go to lunch?”
Of course. That’s why I’d been waiting in front of the Grand Library. I set up a tripod and gathered my friends with the library as the backdrop. A little to the left, and since Sera is shorter, she should stand in front. I’ll position myself next to Reina.
“Alright! Three, two, one—whiskey!”
I set the timer and quickly rushed into position.
“Three! Two! One!”
Click!
It should have turned out well. Just to be safe, I rearranged the lineup and took a few more shots, then took individual portraits of each of us.
“So for lunch, should we get meat?”
“Do you always eat meat?”
“Then what should we eat?”
“I’m not sure…?”
Sungkuk style is trending these days, so maybe we should try that? We were in the middle of debating lunch options with my friends when an Imperial carriage came to a halt in front of us with a screech. The Empress Consort incident was over, and there was no reason for the Imperial Court to seek us out. Or did they send someone because of Sera? I thought we’d never have a quiet day, but surprisingly, a Bachelor jumped out of the carriage.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Eugene Brandenburg.”
And the Bachelor, looking incredibly anxious and formal, suddenly dropped to one knee before Eugene.
“His Majesty has bestowed upon you the rank of Noble Consort.”
“What?!”
I was shocked, but I’d never seen Eugene look this surprised before. Now that I think about it, didn’t they say they were reopening the Imperial Harem? Is Eugene going to be placed there? But Eugene is already married, isn’t she? Can they make a married woman a Noble Consort? If we’re being generous, it’s a position for key diplomatic figures; if we’re being blunt, the Imperial Harem is where hostages are kept, so marital status might not matter.
“The Noble Consort will reside in the Imperial Harem for the next three years.”
“Why me?!”
“We have already reached an agreement with the acting Border Earl, but you haven’t received word?”
“Gasp!”
Eugene’s about to lose her mind. She graduated early to help her fiancée, but getting stabbed in the back like this is certainly shocking.
“Oh… Eugene is a Noble Consort…?”
“Should we… congratulate her?”
“Considering Brandenburg’s position, this is more like taking a hostage into the Imperial Palace, so there’s nothing to celebrate, is there?”
Ah, now that I thought about it—in the original work of 【Yeomyung’s Repentance】, in that alternate possibility, Freesia had been taken hostage to the Imperial Palace, which led to Eugene being ground down until he died on the battlefield. This was precisely the opposite situation.
The Brandenburg Military no longer had to fight the dragon to the death, and the Margraviate needed Freesia’s administrative and political abilities more than Eugene’s combat prowess. If one of them had to become a hostage, sending Eugene was the right choice.
“Wow, your chick fiancée sold you out.”
“Shut up, Evan!”
Still, isn’t a Noble Consort a fairly high rank? I decided to comfort Eugene by asking the Bachelor how the hierarchy of the Imperial Harem roughly worked. The Bachelor answered faithfully, apparently treating it as an explanation for Eugene as well.
“From bottom to top: Attendant, Answerer, Talented One, and Noble Consort.”
“Ooh, quite the exalted Noble Consort.”
“I… I suppose that’s something to be grateful for?”
So we’re filming harem stories here now too. What kind of world is this, anyway?
I looked up at the sky with half my heart asking the Mother Goddess and half protesting. The summer sky was blue, and though it was probably just my imagination, the artificial satellite seemed to glimmer.

– Time-limited messages rain down in the status window. End of Epilogue 3.
– Epilogue 3 of “Countdown Floods the Status Window” ends.

—————

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

—————