This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 137

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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 137

“I’ll be back soon, Baron.”
Hailey waved from the hired carriage to Baron. Now that we’d arrived at the Capital, I needed to visit the Imperial Palace to complete the administrative procedures.
“Sure, have a safe trip.”
As the carriage door closed, the Coachman cracked his whip against the horses.
Baron’s eyes glowed crimson as he watched the carriage disappear from sight.
Bloden entered the House and, after surveying the spacious hall with satisfaction, called out in a low voice.
“Dantarion.”
The House trembled violently. Soon, a black vortex of magical energy materialized on the hall’s floor, and a dark, translucent silhouette slowly rose from within.
Crimson eyes gleamed from the figure. Though standing at roughly 160 centimeters—somewhat short—the balanced frame appeared solid and formidable, and the blades of the longswords held in each hand glinted ominously.
As the black vortex dissipated and the trembling ceased, the shadow deepened. Color gradually returned, and features became discernible.
Soft black hair, crimson eyes, sharp features, and luminous skin.
The Dantarion standing before Bloden bore the exact appearance of fourteen-year-old Bloden.
Dantarion skillfully sheathed the longswords and knelt on one knee before Bloden, offering a respectful bow.
“Ah, when you unleashed your power at the Gate, I assumed I’d be diminished, but…”
However, the words that followed differed from what typical Commanders usually said upon summoning.
“I never anticipated you’d still be the size of an acorn, my Lord.”
Bloden’s eyes narrowed at the clearly disappointed tone. Dantarion immediately raised his head, as if realizing something.
“Ah, has my punishment already ended? No, it feels like several months have passed at least…”
Dantarion cracked his neck side to side, then abruptly stood and checked outside the window.
“Where is this place? Judging by the flowers blooming so luxuriously, it’s certainly not the Northern Region.”
Crockel, watching nearby, barked.
“Woof woof woof!”
―Ugh, this bastard hasn’t changed even after punishment. When the Lord calls, you should bolt out like lightning and swear loyalty first, not put on airs. And why does he keep rambling?
Dantarion’s gaze fixed on Crockel.
“My Lord, I’m not sure what that mutt is saying, but it sounds like he’s cursing. As your supreme-tier Commander, may I establish proper hierarchy?”
“Woof woof!”
―What the hell? Fine, let’s fight! I’ll repay you tenfold for what you did during the annihilation battle!
Crockel glared at Bloden while barking fiercely.
“Woof, woof woof!”
―My Lord, please permit me to unleash my power! I’ll educate this bastard properly.
“Both of you, stop.”
Bloden sighed softly and crossed his arms.
The last time I’d seen Dantarion came to mind.
During the annihilation battle at the Northern Gate, Dantarion, befitting a supreme-tier Commander, had ferociously slashed through Monsters in the vanguard.
Dantarion could replicate my abilities perfectly, possessing not only basic combat prowess but also the capacity to summon and command other Commanders. He was arguably the second strongest on the battlefield after me.
The problem was that he couldn’t control his power and ended up cutting down many of our own allies ahead of him.
And his attack had pierced Crockel’s rear end as he fought at the very front.
From that moment on, the large-scale battle between monsters and commanders transformed into a collision between Crockel and Dantarion.
Just as the saying goes—when whales fight, the shrimp’s back splits—the monsters and commanders nearby were caught in their clash and swept away.
When Bloden received word of the situation, he rushed over and immediately placed Dantarion under temporary seal, bringing the matter to a close.
Once the extermination battle ended, the commanders spoke in unison to Bloden, urging him that the troublesome doppelgänger must be sent back to the Abyss Realm permanently.
If the commander’s master willed it, such a thing was entirely possible.
In truth, commanders do not die even when attacked. However, when struck by a fatal blow, a commander loses their inherent magical power and experiences excruciating pain.
Now there was an answer in Hailey’s cooking, but back then, there were no healing remedies available to commanders, so they had to endure that agony in full until they recovered.
The claims of the injured commanders were reasonable, and Bloden also thought it was rational. So he intended to strip Dantarion of his position without even lifting the temporary seal and send him back to the Abyss Realm, but….
A problem arose. No matter what was attempted, he could not be sent back to the Abyss Realm.
There was only one circumstance in which such a thing occurred.
When the master permitted a commander to remain before passing away, and the commander himself possessed the will to stay.
Yet this contradicted the current situation where Bloden was very much alive.
It was an incomprehensible phenomenon, but since it was not something to dwell upon for long, the matter was ultimately resolved in that manner.
And because he needed him for tasks ahead, he unsealed what had been locked away as punishment and summoned him, but he could not help but regret it the moment he called.
Bloden threatened in a low voice.
“Do you want another round of punishment?”
At that, Dantarion scratched his head.
“What, are you saying things you don’t mean? For me, if my master imposes punishment, I just sleep soundly and wake up when it’s over.”
Dantarion stretched languidly, his lips curling into a desolate smile.
“The fact that you summoned me when we’re not on the battlefield means you need a substitute, doesn’t it?”
Light emanated from Dantarion’s body as he examined Bloden’s appearance, and soon a seven-year-old Baron appeared.
“Done. Master, what shall we do now?”
Bloden’s eyes shifted to violet.
“You’ll maintain that form for the time being. Listen carefully to what I say. From now on, your task is….”

* * *

While going through administrative procedures at the Imperial Palace, the Administrative Official who handled my case was someone I had seen in Snoril. Thanks to that, I was able to respond with a somewhat more comfortable mindset.
The Administrative Official, adjusting his glasses as he examined documents, asked me only two questions.
How many rice cakes went into a single bowl of tteokbokki, and what delivery deadline I anticipated.
Once I finished answering, he handed me a slip of paper with an address written on it and added an explanation.
“To complete the finest cuisine, twenty auxiliary personnel will be deployed during the designated period. For the cooking and storage location, simply go to the address I’ve provided and receive guidance to proceed. How long would you like the personnel provision period to be set for?”
“…Pardon?”
I rolled my eyes, then spoke honestly, sensing there was a misunderstanding.
“I apologize, but I don’t actually need auxiliary personnel to make a single bowl of tteokbokki.”
“I see. If you don’t need them, you’re free not to use them. However, please note that the assigned personnel will not be working, so they won’t receive wages.”
Wait, what does that mean?
“Could you explain that in more detail?”
Still bewildered, I listened to the Administrative Official’s brief explanation and quickly changed my tune.
“Thank you for the auxiliary personnel! I’ll use them gratefully! Absolutely, I’ll use them very well!”
Now I saw it—this venture had woven into it a program creating income opportunities for women raising children alone.
The system provided resources from those in need, assigned them work, and while the women worked, the Empire would care for their children. If I didn’t use them, they would be immediately dismissed and receive no support whatsoever.
“Yes, then I’ll ask that previous question again. How long would you like the personnel provision period to be set for?”
I rolled my eyes and asked carefully.
“How long can I use them for?”
“Maximum one year. You can use them for as long as you need. And you’re welcome to conduct a profitable business during that time as well.”
“By any chance, will I need documentation later, or must I be present at the site each time?”
“As long as the assigned personnel are working when we conduct site inspections, that’s all that’s needed.”
Free use of assigned personnel for the requested period and the ability to run a profitable business too? There was no need to deliberate.
“As you might guess, Administrative Official, creating the finest cuisine truly takes an enormous amount of time.”
The corners of the Administrative Official’s mouth curved upward.
“Then one year won’t be enough, will it?”
“You’re quick to understand. One year alone feels regrettably insufficient.”
I rolled my eyes for a moment, then casually asked the Administrative Official.
“Is there any way I could request His Majesty to extend the period a bit longer?”

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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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