I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 234

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

I’m a Mother-in-Law, But I Don’t Want Family Conflicts Episode 234

Haldia had become this way thanks to a man he had met in the past.

A man who wouldn’t even reveal his name came to him under the guise of giving advice, claiming he would provide money if Haldia decorated the underground space, introducing himself as an investor.

It was a proposal Baron Haldia had no reason to refuse.

Following the man’s words, the Masked Paradise was born, and in just one year, he had obtained wealth and honor he had never earned in his lifetime.

Though he was somewhat wary of the Venice Ducal Family’s attention, he had already prepared an escape plan anyway.

‘I hear the capital has been chaotic recently, so it would be difficult for them to turn their attention to me. I’d like to continue for at least another year…’

If he could earn for just one more year, living the life of a wealthy magnate wouldn’t be a dream.

As he was indulging in such happy fantasies, someone knocked violently on his office door.

“M-My lord!”

“Who is it! And I told you not to call me lord here!”

Baron Haldia frowned as he opened the door. The pale-faced butler ignored his scolding and spoke.

“A guest is causing a disturbance. I think you need to come see for yourself…”

“What? Just throw them out, what’s all this commotion about!”

“But she’s a Countess! And she’s from the capital!”

“…What did you say?”

It wasn’t that there had been no high-ranking nobles among those who visited the Masked Paradise, but there hadn’t been a single noble from the capital.

If rumors spread that far, it would mean Duke Venice would also find out, so he had somehow managed to ensure only Eastern Region nobles knew about it.

“Why is a capital noble here?”

“She came with a man. Perhaps it was his recommendation…”

“Who is the man?”

“Baron Gerta Vishon.”

It was a name he had never heard in his life.

How a mere baron had managed to bring a Countess from the capital was puzzling, but investigating the cause of an incident that had already occurred was meaningless.

Right now, he needed to calm the Countess first.

‘Throwing her out… would be impossible. Since she’s already entered, I need to make her enjoy the paradise and at least get some leverage on her.’

Throwing out such a high-ranking noble at the entrance would be frightening for the future. It would be better to let her in and then create evidence that she was an accomplice.

“Sigh… What exactly is the situation?”

“First, the Countess is angry, asking where the owner is who won’t even show his face when she has come to visit.”

‘The typical stubbornness of high-ranking nobles.’

This was indeed a mistake by the employees who had reported the Countess’s visit too late. If it was a guest from a Count’s house, Baron Haldia would have personally come out to welcome her.

Just as he was about to go out to handle the situation immediately, the butler continued speaking.

“And she says the mask designs are too ordinary. She’s demanding we bring her something beautiful that matches her dignity…”

“…Just bring her something from the display items.”

“Sh-she doesn’t like any of those either. Also, if it’s a place where carriages can’t enter, she says to bring the goods right in front of her…”

Besides that, the Countess’s complaints were enormous.

She demanded things like placing hundreds of candles along the path because the surroundings were too dark, wanting to bring in her guards and attendants, demanding ice water because she was thirsty, and so on… She poured out complaints that completely negated the paradise’s methods.

Moreover, the Countess had openly revealed that she was from the capital. Thanks to this, nobles who judged they could ride along with a capital noble’s complaints began to follow suit.

It wasn’t for nothing that the Butler had urgently sought out Baron Haldia.

“What kind of woman is that?”

“Finally, she said if we don’t listen to her, she’ll tell everyone about this unfriendliness.”

“What kind of ridiculous threat…”

It was childish but equally effective blackmail. Baron Haldia twisted his face as if dumbfounded and muttered curses under his breath.

“She kept saying she would post a review… Do you know what that means, Baron?”

“I don’t know! It’s probably just some trendy word made up by Capital Nobles anyway!”

They couldn’t know that this was Wilhelmina’s planned ‘Review Threat Strategy’.

* * *

‘Welcome to Masked Paradise, Countess. Please feel free to enjoy this place…’

With Baron Haldia’s irritated welcome, we finally entered Masked Paradise.

Thanks to causing all sorts of trouble, we drew quite a bit of attention just by entering.

‘We couldn’t bring Guard Knights in the end, but well, at least getting permission for Attendants is something. I was able to bring Lena instead of Nata… Plus we got quite a good harvest.’

Adjusting my mask that had become much more ornate than before, I glanced at Lena who was staying by my side.

Even she, who had been disgusted by this operation, kept her mouth shut now that the results were good.

Attendant accompaniment, new masks, and so on – Baron Haldia had ultimately accepted half of my demands.

‘First insist on absolutely impossible demands, then gradually lower the hurdles and they pass easily.’

Originally, unreasonable customers can only be repelled by not accommodating their excessive demands, but what made that impossible was the difference in social status.

The forged identity as a Countess created by the Emperor and the background of being from the Capital were things even Baron Haldia couldn’t dare ignore.

Using status for blackmail wasn’t something I particularly wanted to do, but since the other party was also a criminal, I acted tyrannically without restraint.

‘Something I never thought I’d see in my lifetime. To think I’d end up doing such things.’

Having obtained what I wanted, I slowly looked around Masked Paradise.

It was called paradise, but in reality it was an Underground Black Market where all kinds of illegal Herbs, jewels, and stolen goods were traded.

However, for a Black Market, its scale was extraordinary.

“…How magnificent.”

Even Gerta, who had been intoxicated with justice, was mesmerized by the sight of the Underground City.

The Black Market was so vast and splendid that it made the City above Ground pale in comparison. If only it weren’t illegal, it might have been a new tourist City.

A Ceiling covered with luminous crystals, unique Buildings mixing stone and wood materials, people in ornate clothing wearing masks passing between them… It was like stepping into a Painting.

Even I, who had lived in the Imperial Palace, was amazed, so for Gerta it must have been like a whole new world.

‘This… isn’t just an ordinary tax evasion case, is it?’

It was surprising that such a large City had been hidden all this time. I whispered to Lena.

“Lena.”

“Yes.”

“Did Baron Haldia really create this City?”

“…No. There must be someone behind this. It’s beyond individual limits.”

I agreed with that assessment. Without funds equivalent to building a Castle, such a City would have been impossible to even dream of.

Baron Haldia’s wealth recorded in the Investigation report from the Duke’s Estate wasn’t abundant enough to create such a City.

“Now I understand why the Venice Ducal Family was ignorant about this place. An organization capable of creating facilities of this scale could have deceived the Duke’s Estate’s eyes.”

“Th-then shouldn’t we report this to the Ducal House or the Imperial Family right now?”

Perhaps his petty sense of justice about exposing the corruption of a small territory was beginning to waver, as Gerta asked in a trembling voice.

But Lena and I both refused simultaneously.

“No. Actually, now is the perfect time.”

“That’s right. We need to exploit their weakness. They might cut their losses and flee.”

If Rohan came, arresting the people here would be easy enough.

But that wouldn’t be much help in investigating the masterminds behind this.

This was such a meticulous organization that even Lena, who had said we didn’t need to investigate, chose to push forward.

Now, when they hadn’t noticed my true identity, was the perfect opportunity to investigate secretly.

“Let’s look around first. Mr. Gerta, you absolutely must not cause a commotion. Our purpose is investigation, not fighting with people.”

“O-of course. …But Ms. Rohana, are you really a pilgrim?”

I didn’t answer and started walking.

Gerta must have been too scared to ask more questions, as he kept his mouth shut tight and followed behind me.

Perhaps because I was acting like an arrogant troublemaker, there were no major problems walking around the city.

The employees all lowered their posture when they saw me, and since my identity had already been exposed, the visitors didn’t bother me either.

‘They really are selling everything.’

Not just stolen goods, but jewelry that was clearly cursed and silk that seemed to have come from overseas – there was literally nothing they didn’t have.

With taverns and dining halls as well, I could understand why those who entered the underground didn’t come out for long periods.

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