This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 175

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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 175

“Well done. Your acting was quite convincing.”
The Captain received the pouch of gold coins along with the praise and bowed deeply to Bloden with a grin.
“Not at all, sir. We benefited too—an empty room is always welcome.”
“Keep your mouth shut about this.”
“Would I dare do otherwise?”
The Captain excused himself after mentioning he could be summoned anytime if there was anything inconvenient.
“Nuna’s been moved to the Suite Room, and we’ve caught those suspicious fellows right on schedule.”
Bloden hummed contentedly as he entered his cabin, then settled comfortably on the sofa and shared his vision with Kimarise.
The scene before him was a warehouse somewhere in the lower decks of the ship. Inside lay a burly man, bound tightly with his eyes covered, sprawled unconscious. His tattered appearance made it clear just how thoroughly Kimarise had interrogated him in such a short time.
Yet something about the man’s face seemed oddly familiar.
-What happened?
As Bloden asked, Kimarise reported as if he’d been waiting for the question.
-My lord, these are those men.
-Hmm?
-The ones we captured at Gomchi Restaurant back then.
-Didn’t the Regent execute all of them?
Bloden recalled reading an article in the Roan Times stating that the Regent, upon learning of the kidnapping incident, had ordered the execution of everyone involved.
-It seems one was spared. He’s been begging, saying he’ll wash his hands clean and live honestly now. While I was pressing him further about his backers, he lost consciousness, so I simply searched his cabin and found two suspicious letters.
-Suspicious letters?
-Two directive letters promising substantial compensation, but the handwriting differs between them.
-What kind of directives?
-Kidnapping and abduction of civilians. The targets include unrelated children and even young women traveling alone.
-What?
-And the requesters are presumed to be Baron Aer and Duke Utra.
At those words, Bloden shot up from his seat.
.
.
.
So that’s why something felt off.
Bloden examined one of the two directive letters Kimarise had handed him and let out a scoff.
“So the one who orchestrated the child abduction and additionally commissioned the kidnapping of women is…”
The letter bore no name. However, the accompanying document permitted unchecked cargo to enter without inspection. It had no expiration date either.
Only one person at Aer Harbor could issue such documentation.
Baron Aer.
“Kimarise. Send a messenger hawk to Raven and have him investigate the related incidents.”
After issuing instructions to Kimarise, Bloden examined the other directive letter.
It stated that if the kidnappings took place in Mistril instead, the compensation would be higher, and that he would even arrange the bribes himself.
This document also included papers that would allow passage into Utra Territory without inspection.
Duke Utra.
“Baron Aer and Duke Utra. Are they conspirators? And Mistril Territory….”
Bloden’s brow furrowed.
“Duke Utra’s wife was Lady Enox, wasn’t she?”
Bloden, who had been muttering to himself, fell silent. It felt as though something was connecting.
He recalled the question he had once posed to Kyle.

‘What crime did the Prediki Family commit that the Duke pursues them so relentlessly?’

At that time, Kyle had lamented that his family’s destruction was based on false accusations.

‘My father was certainly a terrible man to my mother. But he never lied. We were misunderstood.’
‘But my father and the Countess of Border never did such things. They were falsely accused.’
‘Father and the Countess went into the back room on the first floor, so I secretly peeked through the window. The Countess gave father a letter with a serious expression and ordered him to do something….’

At that time, Bloden had been in Baron form, making it difficult to verify whether Kyle’s words were true, and investigating the Prediki Family’s false accusations was not a priority among the matters he needed to handle.
Besides, he had issued a pardon afterward simply because he disliked Hailey worrying about Kyle, so he had let it pass.
But now, looking at this directive again, it seemed Duke Utra had a separate reason for pursuing Kyle.
As Bloden’s silence lengthened, Kimarise, observing his expression, asked.
“Shall we investigate Duke Utra’s background?”
“No, rather than that… confine the interrogated person in the basement of Raven’s Mansion. Additionally, confirm the location of Utra Marquis’s Wife and have her escorted until further orders.”
“Understood.”
Bloden immediately attempted a mental connection with Dantarion. If Duke Utra was pursuing Kyle’s life for a different reason, he needed to protect him more actively than before.
But the connection was not forthcoming. Dantarion was absorbed in something on his own.
It would be better if he at least reported the reason.
Without even that, veins began to bulge visibly on Bloden’s forehead.
He wanted to summon him immediately and seize him by the collar, but since there was no guarantee Dantarion was alone, he had to restrain himself.
Kimarise, sensing his displeasure, quickly spoke.
“Your Majesty, is there anything else I should do in Snoril?”
“Tell Dantarion secretly to escort Kyle.”
“Pardon? Kyle?”
Bloden placed the two letters into his Pocket Dimension as he concluded his orders.
“Yes. And instruct those escorting him to confine anyone they capture in the basement of Raven’s Mansion. You, meanwhile, move to Utra Territory and escort Utra Marquis’s Wife.”

* * *

The next day around noon, I disembarked from the ship and stretched languidly before beginning to walk.
‘Perhaps it’s because I stayed in such a fine suite.’
My condition was indeed excellent.
‘Wow, this territory really is prosperous.’
Mistril Territory featured buildings constructed of white brick arranged neatly along well-maintained streets. Compared to Snoril, it felt far more developed, and the tree-lined avenues and cityscape were truly beautiful.
“You’re asking where Count Enox’s Mansion is? You must be a young lady from out of town, not to know that.”
An elderly woman I encountered along the way kindly gave me directions.
She said to pass through the town square visible ahead, follow the road straight, pass the post office, and walk toward the forest for about ten minutes, and I would find Count Enox’s Mansion.
“It’s such a grand mansion visible from far away that you won’t get lost.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
I bowed respectfully and headed toward the town square. By the fountain in the square, a skeletal bard played violin while singing.
“Ah, beneath the one and only sun we dwell in snow. Should we stray from beneath its protection, we shall all plunge into the bottomless abyss.”
I paused at the meaningful lyrics.
‘Could this territory be aligned with the Emperor?’
Listening carefully to the song, I nodded to myself in understanding.
‘Of course, there would be nobles who support the Emperor. Not all of them would be on the Regent’s side, right?’
It was an obvious fact, yet I felt oddly pleased and broke into a smile.
After listening to the entire song, I placed some coins as appreciation into the violin case the bard had laid on the ground. The bard responded with a few short, cheerful violin notes as thanks.
As I waved lightly and moved on, a large bulletin board caught my eye standing at the exit of the town square.
‘Good heavens.’
The bulletin board displayed a wanted notice issued by Duke Utra, and the subject was none other than Kyle.
Looking at the posting date, it had been posted after the Prediki Family received their pardon. The reward was substantial enough that I quickly looked around.
Since it was a weekday afternoon when people were busy with work, the town square had few visitors, and hardly anyone was looking at this notice.
I hastily tore down the wanted poster and placed it in my bag. My heart pounded as I glanced around, and fortunately, no one seemed to have noticed.
I quickly left the town square.
‘But Kyle received a pardon—why would they go this far?’
Of course, I’d heard that unless one received a full pardon, getting caught meant death, but even before the pardon, they had only sent official documents about the bounty throughout the Empire and tracked him secretly. They hadn’t made such a public proclamation to all citizens of the Entire Empire.
Yet to announce it so openly and publicly like this seemed strange.
‘Could there be another reason we don’t know about?’
My mind grew complicated, but more than that, I worried whether this wanted poster might be displayed in Snoril.
Unable to contain myself, I entered a nearby post office and sent a telegram to Raven asking him to check the town square bulletin board frequently.
‘Raven would understand the meaning of my telegram the moment he discovers the wanted poster.’
“Sigh.”
The situation wasn’t resolved, but doing something felt slightly better.
I quickened my pace. I needed to finish my business quickly and return to find a way to protect Kyle.
That was when it happened.
“No, please… let go… ugh!”
A child’s whimpering voice rang out before cutting off abruptly. It came from inside an alley.
‘…Surely not?’
An uneasy feeling accompanied a sense of déjà vu.

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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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