This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 164

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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 164

Bloden gathered the marriage registration document with a satisfied expression. Dantarion, watching him with an even more pleased look, spoke.
“My Lord, shouldn’t you declare today a public holiday?”
“A public holiday?”
“Your dream has been realized, and the Empire has gained one more Duke—myself, that is.”
“Dantarion, there’s no need to concern yourself. However, the suggestion to make it a commemorative day for His Majesty’s dream has merit. This qualifies as grounds for declaring a public holiday.”
As Kimarise agreed, Crockel wagged his tail enthusiastically.
“Woof!”
-My Lord, on that day we eat delicious food and play, yes?
“That’s right, you all make a good point.”
Bloden nodded without hesitation.
“However, declaring a public holiday requires following legal procedures, so it will actually be implemented starting next year.”
Bloden’s gaze turned toward Raven. It was a silent instruction to handle it.
Raven thought the Emperor had truly lost his mind.
‘Your Majesty, even the day we devastated the monsters of the Northern Mountains and raised the flag of victory was never designated as a public holiday. Wouldn’t that day be more appropriate for such a designation?’
But he swallowed the words that had risen to his throat.
In the past, perhaps, but now it felt too burdensome to speak so directly.
He had been summoned through Lienda and now served Bloden as his lord. He had taught and raised Bloden, becoming his right hand for so long that he had never doubted his own standing.
But then Bloden’s direct commanders began to meddle one by one, and now they had banded together, whispering only sweet words for their lord to hear.
‘I’m well aware that emotional synchronization has occurred between His Majesty and his direct commanders. However, in a situation like this, anything I say will sound like nagging to His Majesty.’
Especially that Dantarion fellow—the fact that he had even obtained a dukedom seemed to suggest he was targeting Raven’s position.
‘But how pathetic they are. Heh. Who am I? No matter how much you ignorant fools scramble and crawl, you cannot match this Raven’s intellectual capacity.’
He would not simply yield.
With that resolve, Raven smiled brightly and bowed respectfully.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I shall immediately begin the procedures for establishing the public holiday.”
“Good.”
“However, Your Majesty, what name shall we give to this public holiday?”
“A name for the holiday?”
“Yes. The Empire must know what is being commemorated, must it not? ‘Commemorative Day of His Majesty’s Marriage Registration Document Completion’ seems appropriate, but….”
Bloden fell into thought for a moment.
Since he had completed the marriage registration document with Hailey, it was only fitting that today be designated a public holiday and the entire Empire celebrate.
But was today truly a day of celebration?
“Wouldn’t it be better if yesterday, when Nuna signed, became the public holiday? Something like ‘Hailey’s Day,’ named after her?”
“Hmm….”
Raven rolled his eyes and shrugged his shoulders.
“There appears to be risk in proceeding with the procedures immediately. First, it would take considerable time, and the Regent must also review the documents.”
“Ah. That’s right.”
Bloden bit his lip. Since the Regency had not yet fully ended, Hailey’s existence must not be exposed to Anna.
At that moment, Dantarion spoke as if questioning what the problem was.
“Why not just call it ‘Anyways Commemoration Day’?”
“Oh, that’s a nice name. It does feel like something we should celebrate. Your Majesty.”
“Woof!”
-I’m fine with anything, really.
When Kimarise and Crockel agreed, Bloden snapped his fingers as well.
“Good idea. Let’s go with ‘Anyways Commemoration Day.'”
“…Yes? But how will we explain the reason?”
“Well, the Empire’s citizens seem like they need a break, so we’ll just say they get one. We can change the name later anyway.”
“No, Your Majesty. Do you really think that will work?”
“It wouldn’t work for others, but Raven can pull it off.”
No, Your Majesty, if you keep saying things like that, trusting only me…
“I’ll leave the establishment of the public holiday and the matter of Dantarion’s whereabouts to you and Kimarise.”
Bloden, smiling like an angel, gave instructions to Crockel and Dantarion.
“Dantarion, Crockel. You’ve eaten Nuna’s food, so all your injuries are healed, right?”
Seeing Dantarion and Crockel nod, Bloden sprang to his feet.
“Good, I’m going to help Nuna, so you two go close the gate in the Aer Domain and come back. If you go together, half a day should be enough.”
“Huh? With this filthy mutt?”
-Ugh, my lord! Are you serious? I don’t want to carry this bastard on my back.
The glares exchanged between Dantarion and Crockel were fierce, as if they’d suddenly gathered their strength.
But as Bloden casually walked forward and spoke, Crockel quickly lowered his body, and Dantarion mounted his back without hesitation.
“When you return, I’ll share the tteokbokki that Nuna made.”
As the two disappeared like arrows, Raven followed Bloden and asked.
“Your Majesty, did you return to your true form to close the gate?”
“Those two are capable enough to handle the Aer gate.”
“Then how do you plan to consume your mana?”
“After writing the marriage certificate, I thought of a good way.”
One corner of Bloden’s mouth rose wickedly.

* * *

Bloden grabbed the map and climbed onto the manor roof. The long driveway stretching below the manor came into view.
After turning his head to check the direction of the Sea, Bloden called out to Camen in a low voice.
Soon a small, lump-like form of Camen poked its head out and greeted Bloden.
“Camen, see that land down there where the Knights are lined up standing guard? From here to there.”
As Camen looked down at the area below, he then observed the region Bloden was marking on the map and bent his body. It was a gesture of understanding.
“And that way—when the water recedes, that’s the path Nuna used to take to get to the City, right? On this map, it’s right here.”
Another area marking followed on the map.
When Camen bowed respectfully once more, Bloden crossed his arms.
“Listen carefully. The temporary structures with the makeshift shops can’t be affected. Lower the path where the Knights stand guard to ten meters below ground, and raise the Beach side to two meters above ground to create a safe new path. Be careful not to collapse anything in the Domain with the shockwave.”
Though Bloden spoke as if it were nothing, Raven’s mouth fell wide open.
Right now Bloden was saying to trigger an earthquake while simultaneously claiming he wouldn’t cause any damage beyond his precise targets—an utterly absurd statement.
“Your Majesty! That’s… that’s a natural disaster, isn’t it?”
“So? What’s the problem?”
“There has never been an Emperor in history who triggered a natural disaster for private purposes.”
“And there’s never been a Lord who bought state-owned land and tried to collect tolls in such an extraordinary manner either.”
“W-well, that may be true. But how one uses the land is the freedom of whoever purchased the rights. Besides, it will consume an enormous amount of Your Majesty’s mana.”
Bloden pointed to himself.
“That’s why I returned to my original form.”
The mana consumption will likely match or exceed closing an entire dungeon.”
“If you know that, go to our House and bring back some miso stew. There should be some left.”
“What if there isn’t?”
“Then put Dantarion in as a substitute and ask Nuna to make some. What’s there to worry about?”
At Bloden’s composed response, Raven raised another concern.
“Tsunamis could occur on all adjacent coastlines.”
At that, Bloden spoke to Camen.
“Camen, prevent the tsunamis from happening.”
Camen nodded obediently.
“What if Hailey becomes extremely shocked and returns in tears?”
“Nuna won’t cry this time.”
“…Pardon?”
“Nuna is wise. Once I set the stage, she’ll handle the rest perfectly on her own.”
Soon mana began flowing from Bloden’s body and being absorbed by Camen. Camen’s form became fluid like melting butter before disappearing.
Rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble—
Immediately, an ominous vibration began to resound.

* * *

Today’s meeting yielded nothing of substance either.
In fact, the atmosphere grew worse. More people were asking whether it wouldn’t be better for me to court the Lord.
Though such absurd opinions were quickly dismissed, since more people still sided with me.
‘When I don’t know what to do, I should at least gather information.’
Driven by frustration, I came to the Library and pulled out a book on Imperial Land Law.
‘Imperial Land Law, Article 31: Management Obligations of Land Holders.’
As I read through it, I found sections on the duties and rights of tenants, and the management of hazardous elements within the land.
Understanding it wasn’t difficult. However, it seemed to have no immediate practical use.
That was when I felt a slight dizziness wash over me.
‘Have I accumulated so much stress from worrying?’
Rumble, rumble, rumble—
But soon everything shook violently, and I realized it was something else entirely.
‘Good heavens! It’s an earthquake!’

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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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