This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 165

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

Chapter 165

The earthquake subsided quickly. Strangely, despite the violent tremors, not a single person was injured, and not even a dish had shattered.
‘I wonder if Our House is alright?’
It was certainly an odd earthquake, but since there was no damage anywhere in the vicinity, I was able to calm myself and return home.
Yet when I arrived, something even stranger had occurred.
A natural breakwater had formed along the path leading to the City and near Our House—on the Tidal Flat we used to traverse during low tide. What’s more, gentle slopes had formed at both ends, making it seem usable as a path at any time.
The people I’d seen during the meeting and the Lord’s Knights were gathered at the original entrance, murmuring amongst themselves.
I spotted Susan and Ben, so I hurried over to ask them.
“Ben, Susan. Why is everyone here? What happened?”
“Oh, welcome, Miss.”
After Ben greeted me, Susan pointed toward the entrance and spoke.
“Something truly strange has occurred.”
As I approached to look, a Knight quickly blocked my path.
“It’s dangerous. Please do not approach.”
Peering between the Knights surrounding the entrance, I could scarcely believe my eyes.
The entire road that the Lord had blocked off and demanded tolls for had collapsed into a vast chasm.
“Did the earthquake cause this?”
“It’s hard to believe, but it seems so.”
Soon Linda and the Government Officials arrived in a rush, followed by Robinson, who led Nelloa and a journalist. The priests were the last to appear.
The Government Officials began investigating to assess the situation, while the priests commenced their prayers with solemn reverence.
Moments later, a Government Official called out loudly.
“The depth reaches ten meters!”
At those words, the crowd stirred once more.
“Good heavens, it’s collapsed ten meters deep.”
“What on earth is happening?”
Meanwhile, the journalist Nelloa had brought was frantically taking notes, conducting what appeared to be an interview of his own.
Robinson, observing the site where the land he’d purchased usage rights for had collapsed, seemed profoundly shaken, clutching at his head.
“Does this make any sense? Does it?!”
The Merchants at the makeshift stalls murmured amongst themselves.
“We can’t pass through here at all now.”
“So what happens to this?”
Some of the Merchants who had urged me to comply with the Lord’s demands alternated their gazes between Robinson and me.
Understandably so. Robinson had said he’d court me instead of paying tolls, but the very grounds for demanding a strategic romance had vanished entirely.
Standing quietly and observing the chaotic scene, I suddenly felt something pushing up from beneath my feet.
After taking a step back, a protrusion the size of a fist emerged from the ground. Above it, a fresh-looking sprout trembled, and then a pair of eyes as blue as the sky met mine.
‘Gasp! Who are you?’
Startled, I quickly surveyed my surroundings. Everyone was focused on the scene ahead—no one was looking this way.
From the protrusion, small branch-like arms stretched outward. At the tips of the tiny hands, I could see even smaller white objects.
Camen drew a white object across his body, creating a large curve. He had drawn a grinning mouth on himself with chalk.
After discarding the chalk, Camen gave a thumbs up, then vanished into the ground as if he’d never appeared.
Only then did my heart pound wildly as the mystery unraveled.
‘Camen, you were the one who caused this earthquake!’
The sunken earth and the towering natural breakwater came into view once more.
‘Good heavens! Camen’s power was this tremendous!’
I marveled at the sight while hastily scanning my surroundings.
‘I thought I’d never see him again, but is Bloden in Snoril?’
Camen was Bloden’s familiar.
Which meant Bloden had to be nearby. It appeared he’d even orchestrated this whole affair after learning that The Lord was forcing me into a romantic entanglement.
Yet no matter how hard I searched, Bloden was nowhere to be found.
‘What is this feeling?’
I felt relieved and yet disappointed. Grateful to him on one hand, yet apologetic on the other.
That’s when Robinson’s voice rang out.
“Ha, this is ridiculous. Everyone, let’s go!”
The Lord and his Knights began filing out en masse. The sunken ground was clearly dangerous to anyone’s eye, yet no safety measures had been taken whatsoever.
Coming to my senses abruptly, I quickly rolled up my sleeves.
His Majesty had done this much for me—I couldn’t afford to waste this opportunity.
“Hello, my Lord. I had a question I wanted to ask you.”
When I smiled brightly, The Lord’s furrowed expression softened and his lips curved upward.
“Oh, Hailey. How have you been?”
“Quite well, thank you.”
“I see. What did you want to ask?”
“I was reading a book about Imperial Land Law in the Library, you see.”
“And?”
“The book mentioned something called the management obligations of land holders. I wondered if you were aware of it.”
“What is that?”
“Article 1: The Obligation of Imperial Land Use Right Purchasers. Those who purchase the right to use land owned by the Empire shall bear management obligations equivalent to those of the owner.”
At my words, Nelloa scoffed.
“Why are you speaking of such obvious common sense as if it were some grave matter?”
“It is grave, because if damage occurs due to negligent management, you bear responsibility for restoration to original condition.”
“What?”
Robinson flinched, and Nelloa’s eyes widened in shock. The people around us began murmuring amongst themselves.
That’s not all. Even if you were to relinquish the usage rights now, the Empire would not refund the lease payments.
“Since Imperial Law supersedes Domain Law, my Lord, you must restore the land to its original state.”
Robinson glanced down at the sunken earth below.
“You’re saying I have to restore that?”
“Yes, you’ll need to procure soil from somewhere or gather stones, it seems.”
That’s when it happened.
Boom! Rumble rumble rumble―
The ground trembled once more, and this time the Lord’s path sank even deeper into the earth.
Once the vibrations subsided, a Government Official tied a torch to a rope and threw it down into the sunken ground, then spoke.
“Approximately twenty meters.”
The Lord broke into a cold sweat upon hearing it had become twice as deep as before.
“And according to Article 2, we cannot ignore hazardous conditions.”
I recited the law I’d read in the book to the Lord.
“Once a landowner becomes aware of any hazardous elements within their land, they are immediately obligated to remove them. This provision applies even in cases of natural disasters.”
I watched Robinson’s complexion turn ashen and shrugged my shoulders.
“State-owned land usage rights are considered ownership during the usage period. So if you leave things as they are, you’ll be violating Imperial Law.”
At that, Nelloa frowned and took Robinson’s side.
“Ha, a commoner speaking out of turn. Even if the Lord looks favorably upon you, this is too much—have you lost your mind?”
Robinson’s expression brightened slightly.
“What are you saying, Nelloa? I’m simply citing the law. According to Imperial Law, anyone who becomes aware of a violation of land regulations must report it immediately. If the report proves true, there’s a reward. Look around us now—how many eyes are watching?”
I crossed my arms and shot a glare at Nelloa.
“If something happens to the Lord over such a trivial matter, our Snorril Domain will suffer tremendous losses. That’s why we must protect the Lord.”
After finishing my words, I clasped my hands together and smiled at the Lord with an angelic expression.
“I hope my thoughts aren’t inconvenient for you, Lord?”
The Lord’s cheeks flushed as he cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Ahem. Well, that’s true. To think you’d inform me of the law beforehand to protect me—you are wise indeed.”
“Thank you for understanding my heart.”
Just then, a middle-aged man wearing spectacles came rushing over breathlessly.
“Is there a problem with the land?”
He introduced himself as a Government Official and the person in charge of state-owned land management, then opened the book he’d brought.
“According to the Empire’s land law….”
Soon, the exact words I had spoken flowed from his lips.
With the official’s confirmation added, the crowd murmured even more loudly, and the Lord spoke with a troubled expression.
“Then there’s no choice. I’ll first comply with Article 2 and then seek a method for restoration according to Article 1.”
Robinson immediately issued orders to the Knights.
“Rope off the area to prevent the landowners from falling into danger, and maintain a 24-hour watch in shifts.”
“Yes, understood.”
Robinson left the scene in haste, leaving the Knights behind, and climbed into a carriage standing nearby.
Then a journalist who had been following Nelloa hurried over and asked.
“Miss, I’m Clark Utra of the Roan Times. I was genuinely impressed by your extensive knowledge of Imperial land law. But you’re a commoner, yet you exchange casual speech with the Princess—how did that come about? I’d like to interview you about the detailed circumstances.”
Ah, I hadn’t wanted to get entangled with the Utra Family.
But with him approaching so abruptly, there was no helping it.
I stepped back and waved my hand.
“Why are you curious about that? It’s not newsworthy.”
“Pardon?”
Clark, who had raised one eyebrow, soon looked down at me with a slight smirk and lifted the corners of his mouth.
“Despite my appearance, I am a member of a noble family. I possess sufficient discernment to determine the value of a story myself….”
“Even so, your status hardly exceeds the Princess’s, does it?”
Those who oppress through rank shall be oppressed by rank.
I approached Nelloa’s side and broke into a radiant smile.
“Isn’t that right, Nelloa?”
Then I leaned in and whispered swiftly.
“Noble or not, you’d better conduct yourself so I don’t have to report you. If it comes to that, I can expose everything I know.”

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