This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 180

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

Chapter 180

Good heavens.
Startled, I opened my eyes wide and stared into Bernard’s pupils. His gaze was utterly serious. He didn’t appear to be lying.
“I must fulfill my duties, so please leave now.”
Only then did I understand why Bernard had given me paper and a pen.
‘I’m being watched.’
I too spoke loudly as if for those outside to hear, then passed him a written message.
“Oh, Doctor! Please don’t say that, and I’m begging you—treat him! Lord Roelden will die at this rate.”

[Thank you for explaining the situation. When you mention a child from the Frediki Family, are you referring to Kyle?]

Bernard, startled by my question, took my written message and continued.
“I can’t do it.”

[Do you know Kyle?]
[I know he was falsely accused. What on earth happened?]
[Since no one will tell me the details, I don’t know either. But I’m well aware that all of this is a false accusation and that the Duchess is in danger as things stand. Every letter leaving this place is censored, so I can’t even ask for help.]

The Duchess of Borderland did send regular letters to Count Enox and his wife, but she said she could only write that she was doing well and not to worry.
“Is it a matter of insufficient funds? I’ll pay double—no, five times the treatment fee!”
“Ah, what do you take me for?”
“What in this world can’t be solved with money?”
“You’re truly rude. I told you I check the Duchess’s health every single day—how did that not reach your ears?”
While we spoke loudly, our hands moved swiftly, exchanging the information we needed.
‘Ah, I was planning to time my return for when Baron comes home.’
But with the Duchess’s very life hanging in the balance, I couldn’t do that.
‘I’m sorry, Baron. It looks like I won’t be able to pick you up this time.’
Still, he was a clever child—if I explained the situation carefully, he would understand.
“Alright! Then I’ll check on the Duchess’s health all day long in your place, Doctor!”
“…Pardon?”
“It only takes three days to go, consult with patients, and come back, doesn’t it?”
“Ah, no….”
“From the atmosphere, it doesn’t seem like the Duchess has contracted a serious illness?”
“W-well, that’s true, but….”
Bernard was quite flustered.

“I can endure this because if anything happens to me, the doctors within my Domain won’t simply stand idle. You’re in danger.”
“I’ll likely be fine.”
“Pardon?”
“His Majesty is currently in Mistril Territory.”

Bernard’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“His Majesty is with Count Enox? Can I truly trust this?”
“Count Enox seemed to have business with His Majesty, and somehow I’ve ended up under his protection as well. Please go quickly and inform him of the situation directly, and treat Lord Roelden as well.”

I gathered all the papers containing my written exchange with Bernard and burned them in the fireplace. Then I went to the window to check if the raven was still there.
At that moment, I sensed urgent footsteps outside, but they quickly disappeared. The raven perched on the tree, which had been watching this way, suddenly turned its head to one side. It seemed to be observing someone who had been eavesdropping and was now hiding.
Returning to my seat, I handed Bernard another piece of paper.

“I’m serious. When you leave, take a quick glance at the tree above. You’ll see His Majesty’s messenger raven.”

I sat on the sofa and spoke louder, as if for the benefit of those outside.
“Teacher, I’m asking you to make a house call. I’ve already purchased these medicinal herbs in advance.”
“How can you bring them without even knowing if these herbs are necessary?”
“Look, you can see this bankbook too, right? I have plenty of money. I’ve earned a tremendous amount.”
“Do you really think people can be bought with money?”
“I’ll pay twenty times the treatment fee! I’ll cover all travel and lodging expenses too! Please, Teacher.”
After a brief silence, he sighed deeply as if resigned and picked up his pen.
“Twenty times… My conviction that people cannot be bought with money still stands, but that’s simply too much money to refuse.”
“Oh, you’re agreeing?”

“In truth, my wife is my entire life. If I can save her, I’ll cooperate to the fullest extent.”

“However, before I consent, I should first ask the Duke of Borderland if this is acceptable. Wait here.”
Bernard immediately left the house, and I burned the remaining papers before writing a letter to Raven asking him to look after Baron since things would take longer.
I excluded any mention of Utra Territory to avoid inspection, but that hardly mattered.
If that raven truly belonged to Bloden, he would already know I’m here.
‘Your Majesty, I apologize, but I’ll have to rely on you this time.’
If this worked out, I would protect Kail and Lord Roelden, while Bloden would protect the nobility aligned with the Emperor—a mutually beneficial arrangement.

* * *

“Tsk, tsk. Didn’t I tell you to go to House of Enox long ago and receive treatment?”
Duke Utra clicked his tongue first. Sitting arrogantly in his Study chair, he had just finished listening to Bernard’s account.
“Being stubborn, you’ve managed to bring that family here in person. That Miss with a family facing limited time must have been heartbroken.”
“My apologies, Duke Utra.”
“Very well. What is the name of the person who will care for my wife’s health in your stead?”
“A Miss named Hailey from Snorril Domain, sir.”
“I see.”
Duke Utra immediately prepared an entry permit document, stamped it with his seal, and handed it to Bernard.
“Show this to the guard Knights and they’ll let that Miss through. Now, return as quickly as possible.”
“Thank you. I shall take my leave.”
Bernard accepted the document, bowed respectfully, and left the Study.
After the door closed, the Butler let out a low chuckle.
“My, my. All those long-awaited opportunities arriving at once… And the one who came is none other than Hailey of Snorril. It seems the heavens have truly taken your side, my lord.”
Duke Utra’s lips curved upward in a slant as he pulled a letter from his drawer and unfolded it.
“Indeed. This fellow proves useful after all. I should have entrusted him with this sooner if I’d known he’d handle it so well.”
The letter was from Clark.

[I have located Kail Frediky. He is under the protection of a young Miss named Hailey from Snorril Domain. Hailey has an eight-year-old younger brother named Baron, and both he and Kail will be entering the Academy together this year.]

At first, I considered going directly to Snorril to capture Kail. However, the letter contained a cautionary note.
A small but ferocious dog guards the house, and Raven Aner happens to be her neighbor, making a direct assault on her residence dangerous.

[However, Hailey is unaware of Aner’s true identity. They appeared close, but upon inquiring with the landowners, they maintain merely a good neighborly relationship. That residence appears to be Aner’s villa.]

The conclusion was that Hailey and Raven becoming neighbors was mere coincidence.

[Furthermore, she possesses excellent business acumen, so many people pass by her house. Given the number of eyes watching, it would be better to target the Academy if you wish to secure the child without incident.]

After reading the entire letter, Duke Utra immediately dispatched three assassins to the Academy in Snorril, with orders to kidnap Kail if possible, though killing him was permissible if necessary.
His plan was to interrogate Kail personally upon his arrival, then locate and recover the documents that Lord Frediki had obtained from his wife and smuggled away.
Yet now Bernard was taking leave to treat someone.
In the meantime, his wife’s depression could worsen conveniently, allowing him to stage her suicide. Since Hailey would bear responsibility for failing to properly care for his wife’s mental health, there would be no complications.
‘When that wretch Kail arrives, I can use this woman Hailey as a hostage to extract what he knows.’
Once I obtained everything necessary, disposing of them both would be simple.
Even if the younger brother came searching for his sister separately, there was no cause for concern. A single child could be captured and sold at the slave auction market without issue.

* * *

“Oh my, Nari! How could we possibly have any backing?”
“Please forgive us just this once.”
“We’ll turn over a new leaf and live honestly!”
The alley vagrants, their bodies covered in bruises and scorched by flames, lay prostrate on the ground bound by ropes, pleading for Count Enox’s mercy.
They were the ones who had been beaten by Salamander and Kimarise’s avatars before being captured and interrogated by the Knights.
Kimarise’s voice reached Bloden, who sat at a distance observing the scene.
-My lord, I have conveyed His Majesty’s orders to Raven and Dantarion. I shall now depart to escort the Duchess of Borderland.
Bloden moved to an empty location and summoned Kimarise, Crockel, and Black Libia. He questioned Black Libia first.
“What is Nuna doing right now?”
-Doctor sent. This place. Confined together. Duchess of Borderland.
Bloden sighed.
“Kimarise, the plan has changed. Attach your avatar to Black Libia.”
Kimarise immediately summoned an avatar and had it cling to Black Libia’s back.
“Go at once and escort Nuna. If anyone threatens her, eliminate them all.”
-Acknowledged. By your will. His Majesty’s command.
Black Libia bowed respectfully and vanished in an instant. However, Kimarise’s avatar that had been attached to Black Libia fell off and remained behind.
At Bloden’s sharp gaze, Kimarise withdrew the avatar sheepishly.
“My apologies. It appears my avatar cannot keep pace with Black Libia’s speed and fell away.”
The fact that Kimarise’s avatar could not accompany Black Libia meant I could not monitor Hailey’s situation in real time.
Bloden sighed once more.
“I shall go to Utra Territory myself, so you remain here and report the situation to me.”

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