This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 194

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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 194

I’d summoned the villagers to the Town Square.
There, a handful of crew members from the Regalia, who’d arrived late after finishing their tasks, stood alongside the Village Chief and the townspeople—gathered on Roze’s family’s word but visibly skeptical—all wearing uncomfortable expressions.
“A Beast Feeding Ground? I’ve never heard of such a thing in all my years. Even with money, I can’t say it strikes me as a sound venture.”
While the sailors unloaded cargo from the wagon and prepared to light fires, the Village Chief, having exchanged greetings with me, wore an unmistakably displeased face.
“The idea itself isn’t without merit—reducing attacks on homes by feeding the beasts. But where you’ll find the money for the observation tower and all the ancillary costs remains a puzzle to me.”
He gripped his walking stick with both hands and began methodically laying out his concerns.
Even if we spent money on promotion, he couldn’t guess how many visitors would venture this far into the countryside. And if the cost of feeding the wolves proved unbearable, they’d slip back into their old ways—that much seemed certain.
“I’ve heard your terms regarding profit-sharing already. Your thoughtfulness toward us is appreciated, but this venture of yours will fail.”
“I’m grateful for your concern. But there’s one part you needn’t worry about at all—and that’s the cost of the observation tower. That’ll be resolved by tomorrow.”
“By tomorrow? How is that possible?”
The Village Chief and the townspeople wore expressions of utter bewilderment.
Still, I wasn’t sure whether I should disclose Bloden’s actions on my own. I’d have to ask him about it the next time we met.
“You’ll see what I mean when you look for yourselves tomorrow. And what I was actually concerned about was whether Duke Utra would grant permission.”
“Permission from the Duke?”
An older woman standing beside the Village Chief laughed, her tone incredulous.
“There’s no need for that. That man has no interest in our village whatsoever.”
The woman was right. In fact, it was a relief.
Right after conceiving the Beast Feeding Ground idea, Raven and I had looked into what administrative procedures might be required for such an operation.
What we discovered was that though this land fell under Duke Utra’s domain, no permit was necessary at all.
Having obliterated the Frediki Family and confiscated their assets, Duke Utra should have reorganized the administrative system and welfare provisions. Instead, he’d simply abandoned them entirely.
So long as hunting of beasts remained prohibited and tax obligations were paid, anyone could do as they pleased. When things went well, his tax revenue would increase anyway—so much the better, as far as he was concerned.
Viewed coldly, Duke Utra’s judgment was sound. The only thing that escaped him was that he’d handed us the makings of a tourist attraction.

Soon the sailors had set up metal griddles over several campfires they’d kindled. At that, the watching villagers rolled up their sleeves and began helping grill the meat.
Not long after, properly cooked meat began disappearing into eager mouths.
“Wow, this is really delicious.”
“How long has it been since I tasted meat like this?”
The awkward atmosphere that had hung over the villagers grew warmer with each full belly.
“If your plan goes well, I’d be happy to see this business succeed.”
“That’s right. Then we’d get to eat meat like this all the time, wouldn’t we?”
“Well, what do we need to do?”
Some began expressing genuine hope. The discussion seemed destined to go smoothly.
And at that thought, Kyle’s face drifted into my mind.
‘If this village improves even a little, maybe Kyle’s heart will lighten too.’

* * *

The next morning came.
The villagers gathered in the Town Square all wore expressions of profound shock.
Hardly surprising—they’d woken to find three massive stone observation towers they’d never seen before standing where the Beast Feeding Ground was supposed to be.
Just as Bloden had promised, it was complete by morning.
We made our way directly to the Beast Feeding Ground site.
“Good heavens.”
“How is this even possible?”
The villagers gaped in astonishment. I was no different from them.
What I’d described to Bloden was an observation tower of timber construction—a tower with a curved wall that wolves couldn’t climb and comfortable stairs for humans, plus a perimeter barrier of adequate width to prevent beasts from easily crossing over.
But what stood completed was in an entirely different league from my expectations.
Once I realized Camen would be involved, I’d anticipated the material would shift from timber to stone. Yet the scale Camen had executed far exceeded my original vision.
The three circular stone observation towers and the curved stone wall—both convex and concave—that now surrounded the Beast Feeding Ground formed angles impossible for creatures to climb, built in a latticed structure.
Though I could see the Mountain beyond the stone wall, there was no gap through which beasts could pass or leap over. And the wall’s end simply vanished into the distance.
‘Surely he didn’t barricade the entire Mountain itself?’
Even if beasts swarmed, the risk of them spilling into the village seemed virtually nil.
The open observation towers had stairs of comfortable width and height, easily navigable even for children. Once I climbed up, I found safety fences installed to prevent visitors from falling, viewing stands for placing telescopes to help spectators observe the beasts in detail, and a food input chute as well.
The more I examined the details, the more admiration spilled out of me.
As I toured the facility with the villagers, who kept their mouths open throughout, their eyes began to shine one by one.
“How is this even possible?”
“I can’t explain all the details, but there’s someone who cares deeply for this village and has lent their support. That’s all I’m able to say.”
I smiled softly, my mind already turning to the tasks that lay ahead.
With the biggest problem solved, the rest seemed manageable.

* * *

In the days that followed, the newspapers were filled with repeated advertisements for the newly opened Beast Feeding Ground attraction and the special tteokkkochi shop in Frediki Village.
During that time, I summoned employees from the Capital Workshop who could travel, recruited businesses in Snoril to operate alongside us during the opening period, and taught the villagers how to manage their duties.
After two weeks of preparation, the opening day finally arrived.
Since it fell on a weekend, I’d brought Baron and Kyle along. Today, I planned to follow Roze’s guidance and search for the documents.
Baron had brought Crockel with him for this trip.
“If there are wolves nearby, Crockel will notice them right away, wouldn’t he?”
Though small, Crockel was a Ghost Wolf, so Baron’s reasoning seemed sound enough.
“Right. Then I’ll do a final check and be back. Baron, will you stay with Kyle while I’m gone?”
Baron nodded readily.
This allowed me to conduct a final inspection with Raven, the Captain of the Regalia, and Roze’s parents, walking through Frediki Village to take in the atmosphere before opening.
‘No customers have arrived yet, but…’
Judging by the buzz on opening day, it already felt like a success.
For the past few days, the number of people disembarking at Aer Harbor had been increasing. The inn in Frediki Village was already fully booked, and the luxury hotel in Aer was at full capacity as well.
Those guests were now lined up from the village entrance to the observation tower, purchasing snacks from the shops we’d set up, and following safety personnel toward the tower.
Though the observation tower hadn’t officially opened yet, the prepared tickets were already sold out. We’d earned enough to cover the beasts’ feed costs for several days.
I climbed up to the observation tower one last time. On one side, staff had prepared food boxes in advance.
A few bears and wolves were already gathering at the feeding ground, prowling about.
For the past several days, we’d supplied only small amounts of food at the same time each day, so they had to be quite hungry.
‘Being wild animals, they wouldn’t starve to death, of course.’
I opened the food input chute installed inside the safety railing, grasped the organ meat with tongs, and placed it on the slope. The meat slid along the stone channel carved into it and dropped into the beasts’ enclosure.
“Woof, woof!”
The wolves rushed over at once, scrambling to eat the food I’d put in. Raven, watching their reaction, pointed to a cluster of wolves gathered deeper in the mountain and smiled warmly.
“They must have caught the scent of meat—look how many have gathered back there. I’d say we can hand things over to the locals now and move on to our business.”
“I agree. Shall we head out soon?”
I had no concerns about the future operations—I’d already distributed tasks among the villagers.
Hearing my words, Roze’s father gave his daughter a gentle nudge and smiled warmly.
“Go with ease. Guide them well, Roze.”
Roze bowed respectfully to her parents as if she’d been waiting for this moment.
“I’ll be back soon. Father, Mother.”
Then she came to my side and took my hand.
“Let’s go to Kyle and Baron. Sister.”
Kyle and Baron.
The two children were waiting for me at Roze’s House right now.
“All right.”
Roze, Raven, and I set off at an easy pace.
At the same time, I offered a silent prayer.
That our mountain climb would be safe, and that it would not be in vain.

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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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