This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 187

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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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Episode 187

Dantarion had done remarkably well for himself.
He attended every Academy class without fail and never made the other students who’d enrolled with him cry.
He faithfully followed the dormitory and dining hall rules. Though he didn’t actually need sleep, he lay obediently in bed at the appointed hour. All food was useless except what Hailey prepared, but he dutifully stood in line and ate whatever was served. In other words, he’d become the perfect model student.
Teachers came seeking him out with gleaming eyes, praising him and marveling that his parents must be so proud.
Wasn’t he putting on a stellar performance as Baron’s stand-in—the kind that would be remembered throughout history?
His accomplishments didn’t end there.
He’d sensed Kyle was in danger and prevented it; then after returning home and sharing a happy meal with Hailey, he’d gone back and captured all the suspicious observers.
Throughout the process, he hadn’t acted on his nature even once—he’d kept them alive and well.
When the captives started chirping about knowing his name was Baron, he’d simply reverted to his true shadow form and given the three of them a light, very light beating.
Terrified, they’d immediately spilled that Duke Utra had ordered them to kidnap Kyle, begging for their lives.
They were ridiculous.
Dantarion had never even questioned them or threatened to kill them if they didn’t talk.
He hadn’t even warned them not to dream of escape—and besides, since Raven had trapped them in a pocket dimension, escape was impossible anyway. There was no need for threats.
Still, extracting their confession was meaningful progress. He was certain that when he reported it to Bloden, he’d be praised for being the finest Commander among them.
He’d entertained hopes of being rewarded with more opportunities to dine with Hailey.
‘Bury your head and reflect? What on earth for?’
Bloden was supposed to be asleep, but Dantarion wanted to establish a Mental Link immediately and ask.
What exactly was the problem?
‘Was it because I refused to establish a Mental Link during that conversation with Nuna?’
As the thought occurred to him, it seemed plausible.
Bloden wouldn’t know why he’d refused the Mental Link in the first place.
If he’d been in Mental Link while talking to Hailey during their meal, reporting what had happened at the Academy, Bloden would’ve understood the situation much faster.
But some things had to be discussed separately.
‘A Mental Link—that’s something I can’t do!’
If he entered a Mental Link state, it would only be a matter of time before Bloden read the memories lingering in Dantarion’s consciousness and became aware of what happened before the return. Then, even without Dantarion saying anything, it would be equivalent to breaking the Prohibition.
‘I’d become the greatest Commander in an instant. But what good would that do? If I break the Prohibition, death or an equivalent price awaits.’
There had been times before when he’d almost carelessly broken it—he’d coughed blood and suffered severe internal injuries.
As all his Magic Power drained away, he’d wondered if a Commander without usable Magic Power simply ceased to exist.
“Woof! Woof! Woof!”
Just then, Crockel barked sharply, snapping Dantarion out of his daze.
The wagging tail, bright sparkling eyes, and front paws tapping the ground—it was unmistakably saying he should go bury his head and reflect already.
‘Wait and see, you mutt.’
If the Mental Link matter was the cause, he couldn’t actually reflect on it. But now that he’d found a reason, Dantarion went to one side and submitted to his punishment.
The Commanders began compiling the information they’d each gathered over the week, and about an hour later, Bloden arrived.
Bloden accepted the Commanders’ salutes and sat at the head table with an impassive expression.
He watched Dantarion, who was on one side with his head pressed to the ground, and recalled everything that had happened.
From when Hailey had gone to Mistril Territory until she returned to Snoril and was about to wash dishes at home.
Bloden hadn’t slept a single second.
Rescuing Hailey and Duchess Utra safely from the Tower had been fine.
But Duke Utra had moved faster than expected, and Count Enox’s couple had given an unforeseen gift, which had shortened Hailey’s return time even more.
There was still work to be done, but Bloden needed to find Baron’s form and return home quickly.
Of course, with Dantarion there, he technically could’ve taken his time.
‘But if I left things as they were, Nuna’s warm welcome, her embrace, her goodnight kiss—Dantarion would receive all of it!’
He might even be carried to bed.
‘That’s absolutely unacceptable!’
It had to be him who spent the weekend basking in Hailey’s attention, love, and praise.
To make that happen, he needed to expend Magic Power before reverting to Baron’s form, so Bloden surveyed the location of the Gate that was already open.
Unfortunately, the Gate within the Empire was far from Snoril. Even riding Crockel would take at least two days.
The saving grace was that Meriden Island could be reached if he moved urgently.
Bloden went to Meriden Island, summoned his Demon Lord’s Army, and began sweeping through the monsters there indiscriminately. After a fierce battle, twenty percent of Meriden Island’s monsters were gone, and Bloden rushed back to Snoril without rest.
But because he was slightly late, he missed the chance for a joyful reunion with Hailey who’d come to welcome him. In a fatigued state, he’d waited outside the house and barely managed to switch roles, only to find that the dishes from what was supposed to be his meal still needed washing.
Despite being exhausted from so much, Hailey had cooked first—and it was none other than for Baron. Her love for him ran so deep.
Yet Dantarion had received that love in his stead.
‘And on top of that, he dared to ask Nuna to do the dishes?’
Bloden understood that Commanders lacked the life sense of humans, but he couldn’t contain his anger.
With his arms crossed, Bloden looked down at Dantarion and asked curtly, as if tossing the words at him.

“So, have you reflected on your actions?”
“I acknowledge my wrongdoing. However, I cannot reflect on it, my lord.”
“……What?”
“It is not a matter that can be improved.”
“Cannot be improved? Now that’s an interesting answer.”
Bloden’s mood had soured considerably, and he began a stern rebuke. At that moment, Dantarion quickly offered his own explanation.
“If Nuna goes to the trouble of cooking for us, shouldn’t we wash the dishes with gratitude? How could you dare ask her to do the washing up as well?”
“I haven’t refused the Mental Link order because I dislike it, but because there’s a reason I cannot disclose to you……, my lord?”
Dantarion rose abruptly, without waiting for permission to do so.
“……The dishes?”
Bloden’s eyes widened in surprise.
“There was a reason you refused the Mental Link?”
A brief silence fell.
Raven was the first to speak.
“Heavens, you ate Hailey’s cooking and didn’t wash the dishes? His Majesty himself does that.”
Only then did Dantarion fully grasp why Bloden had been angry.
‘Ah, so it was because I didn’t wash the dishes!’
“Truth be told, I’ve known from the start. The lord made you wash your own bowl, didn’t he?”
Kimarise continued with a mocking tone, feigning exaggerated shock.
“What kind of world is it where the lord washes the dishes after his servant has eaten? I’ve never seen such a thing, even in the Abyss Realm.”
“Woof! Grrrrr.”
-This worthless bastard. I knew he’d cause trouble with that arrogance of his.
‘This son of a bitch just curses first and asks questions later. ……Should I kill him.’
Veins suddenly bulged at Dantarion’s temples.
But right now, responding to Crockel’s provocation wasn’t what mattered. Dantarion dropped to one knee before Bloden and lowered his head.
“My lord, Hailey deserves far more than a single drop of water to touch her hands, yet through my ignorance, I have committed an act of ingratitude. I seek your mercy and shall devote myself entirely to ensuring such a thing never happens again.”
Bloden regarded Dantarion for a moment, then let out a quiet sigh.
‘So the Prohibition is what would be exposed if he used the Mental Link.’
Not only was Dantarion lowering his stance in a way unlike his usual arrogance, but as the unexpected truth dawned on Bloden, his resentment—which had accumulated beneath the refusal of the Mental Link—melted away like snow under the harsh summer sun.
“Well, since you say you’ll correct it, let’s leave it at that.”
Bloden glanced at Raven.
Raven then began to report the information he had compiled earlier to Bloden.
“Kimarise apprehended criminals in the back alleys of Mistril and extracted confessions through interrogation. As the contents of the letters we secured from the ship indicated, Duke Utra and Baron Aer were involved.”

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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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