This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 197

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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 197

At Crockel’s display of force, the Alpha Wolf bared her teeth and dropped into a fighting stance, ready to lunge.
‘If two Ghost Wolves actually clashed, this cave would collapse.’
I could call Camen to protect Hailey, but that would invite complications afterward.
If a major disturbance erupted, I had no idea what would become of the tourism venture Hailey had spent so much effort preparing. And if I burned enough strength trying to contain the fallout, the situation would only spiral beyond my current ability to manage.
In other words, Hailey would discover my true identity.
Of course, sooner or later I would have to tell her that Baron was actually Bloden. But I genuinely had no idea how to reveal it without causing problems.
What I did know with certainty was that now was not the time.
As I stood there deliberating, I muttered softly.
“That beast seems to be a Ghost Wolf.”
Raven’s eyes went wide at my words, and she looked down at me in surprise.
-Huh?
Crockel’s ears perked up in alarm. He turned back to the Alpha Wolf with a new question.
-Now that I think about it, you don’t smell like a regular wolf, and I can understand you just fine. Don’t tell me…… are you a Ghost Wolf?
The Alpha Wolf’s eyes widened. The hostility that had seemed ready to erupt vanished in an instant.
-How do you know about Ghost Wolves?
-Because I’m a Ghost Wolf myself. Where’s your commander?
Neither had prompted the other, yet both Crockel and the Alpha Wolf lowered themselves to sit, their haunches flat against the stone.
-……Commander? What’s that supposed to mean?
-Uh, your master.
-A wolf doesn’t have a master.
-What are you talking about? If you had a proper commander, you could emerge from the Abyss Realm whenever you wanted.
-The Abyss Realm? What’s that?
-Why would you not know? Both Spirit Servants and Demon Beasts are born in the Abyss Realm.
-I was born on that distant mountain over there. I’ve heard my father was a Ghost Wolf, but I’ve never seen one myself……
At that, Crockel turned to look up at me.
-Master, this Ghost Wolf is acting strange. Either she’s not in her right mind or she’s an idiot.
-Give me a break. Who are you to call someone an idiot when you can’t even pronounce things properly?
-Yeah, I’m dumb, I’ll grant you that. But you don’t even know what the Abyss Realm is.
-…….
Unable to respond, the Alpha Wolf turned her gaze toward me.
-You seem to know something I don’t. And your commander understands our speech?
-Of course! He’s my commander!
-Then why isn’t he saying anything?
I looked at Raven. After hearing my mutter, she’d had the same realization, and now she gave me a knowing nod.
Her reaction confirmed my suspicion.
‘Ah, so Mother must have had a Ghost Wolf among her Spirit Servants.’
Black Libia was a Ghost Raven, but she was in a relationship with one of the Imperial Palace ravens. I’d never given much thought to whether reproduction was possible between them, but looking at the Alpha Wolf before me, it seemed it was.
‘Which means she’s a hybrid……’
My worry about the consequences of a fight eased somewhat. Even if I didn’t fully understand the details, if half her bloodline came from an ordinary wolf, Crockel would have overwhelming strength.
‘For now, I should let them talk and sort things out themselves.’
I let one corner of my mouth curl upward and quietly stepped back.
“Well, seeing them both sitting like that, it looks like you two are having quite the conversation. I don’t know what animals say to each other, but I’ll stay out of the way so we don’t interrupt.”
The Alpha Wolf flinched.
-You humans go through my home and now you’ll just leave as you please? You think I’d allow that?
The sudden bloodlust made my fist clench involuntarily.
-You dare bare your fangs at my master!
But Crockel moved faster still.
His small frame pinned the Alpha Wolf to the ground in an instant, and he spoke to me.
“Woof, woof, woof!”
-Master! Please rest! I’ll settle the hierarchy with this one nice and clear!
-You gonna let me go or what?
-Stay still while I’m being merciful!
When the Alpha Wolf tried to struggle, Crockel bit down on her neck and pressed her back into submission.
I approached Hailey and took her hand.
“Let’s step outside for now.”
“Huh?”
“We shouldn’t get in the way of their fight.”
Hailey nodded and carefully shepherded Kyle and Roze outside.
Raven stepped between the wolf and Baron.
“I’ll guard our rear. The slope is treacherous just beyond the cave entrance—mind your footing.”
Baron nodded and gestured for Hailey to lead, then carefully made his way out of the cave.
Yet something struck him as odd.
Even if the hybrid wolf had been subdued by Crockel, he’d expected thrashing, noise—but the silence behind them was unsettling.
Baron was just about to set foot on the slope, assured that Hailey, Kyle, and Roze had cleared the cave safely, when—
-This tiny thing talks far too much for its own good!
The Alpha Wolf suddenly roared.
-Was imprinting your goal all along?
In that instant, Baron recalled something Crockel had said before.

-Yes. When a suitable female catches my eye, I show her how strong this body truly is. When the male’s charm has made her lose her senses, I simply bite down hard on her nape and imprint her. After that, no one else can interfere.

‘Wait. The Alpha Wolf was female?’
Startled, Baron glanced back—and his foot slipped. He lost his balance entirely.
“Oh! Baron!”
Just as he thought he’d scrape the slope, strong hands caught his wrist, and his body tumbled straight into Hailey’s arms.
-What insanity! You’re female?
-You didn’t even know I was female? Ha—there’s no limit to your stupidity!
A small commotion erupted inside the cave.
Thump-thump.
But to Baron’s ears, all he heard was the thunderous pounding of Hailey’s heart.
Baron slowly lifted his eyes. Hailey stared down at him in alarm.
“Baron, are you all right?”
She was holding him tight against her chest, sunk down on the slope, his wrist still clenched in her grip.
As their eyes met, Hailey released his wrist and began examining him carefully.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“No, no. I’m fine.”
“Your ankle?”
“Yes, my ankle’s fine too.”
Even though he’d assured her he was unhurt, Hailey wasn’t satisfied until she’d inspected every inch of him herself. Only then did she let out a relieved breath.
“Thank goodness.”
Now her worried gaze turned toward the cave.
“Raven hasn’t come out yet… and neither has Crockel. Are they all right?”
“I’m here. Crockel should be fine as well.”
Raven emerged from the cave with Serch at his side, chuckling softly.
“The tension inside has eased. It doesn’t look like they’ll fight anymore. Why don’t we head back to where we rested earlier and wait a bit?”
Following Raven’s suggestion, Baron, Hailey, Kyle, and Roze made their way to where the stream flowed and sat down.
“Arf!”
-Master! I have arrived!
Not long after, Crockel appeared with a proud and dignified bearing.
“Crockel!”
Hailey sprang to her feet, arms spread wide, and Crockel wagged his tail as he bounded into her embrace.
“Arf!”
-Lady Hailey!
“Are you all right? Are you hurt?”
Hailey began inspecting Crockel thoroughly, running her hands over him. Crockel allowed her to touch him everywhere, speaking to Baron even as she did.
“Hehehehe.”
-She kept saying I was nothing but a pebble, so I showed her my true, magnificent form! And that shut her up real fast!
Then Hailey turned Crockel over to examine his hind legs.
In that instant, Baron’s eyes narrowed.
Until that moment, Crockel had been limp as dough, but he suddenly sensed the shift in the air and began to whimper pitifully.
“Yip-yip-yip!”
-Lady Hailey! Have mercy! Even if I’m adorable, that area is— that’s— My master is watching!
“Oh, is it hurting here?”
“Hailey.”
“Hmm?”
“Crockel seems fine.”
“Does he?”
“Yeah, he didn’t like me examining his backside.”
Baron chuckled lightly as he spoke, and Hailey carefully set Crockel down.
“If it hurts, you have to tell me, understand? Promise me.”
Crockel’s tail wagged at Hailey before he quickly padded over to Baron’s side, exhaling in relief.
-Ah, Hailey’s seduction is far too potent! I believe it would be wise to depart for elsewhere posthaste!
Baron brushed himself off and stood.
Now it was time to inspect the Lightning Tree.

* * *

We all made our way toward where the Lightning Tree stood.
But something kept rustling behind us, and I couldn’t help but notice. Glancing back, I caught the pointed ears of a wolf jutting up from the thicket behind us.
No matter how I reasoned it, it seemed the Alpha Wolf was following us, and cold sweat broke across my skin.
Raven had said Crockel and the Alpha Wolf likely wouldn’t fight again. Since Crockel had emerged unharmed, her words seemed true enough.
Yet it didn’t feel as though the problem had simply vanished.
‘Baron is standing at the very back.’

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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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