This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 215

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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 215

It had been four days since Robinson started acting strangely.
When I first noticed it, I’d wondered if he’d eaten something that disagreed with him, but as it continued, it only seemed more peculiar.
“Oh dear, you need to watch where you’re going. Are you hurt?”
He helped up a child who had stumbled while running, examining her with genuine concern. Then he turned to chat amicably with a group of visiting nobles, his manner light and easy.
“Wasn’t the old orphanage that burned down terribly dilapidated?”
I’d tried not to pay attention, but their conversation had drifted toward Snoril’s welfare facilities, and my ears pricked up of their own accord.
“We’re currently drawing up designs for a very sturdy building on that site. We’ll also carefully select the next director so that children without parents can grow up well.”
He outlined the orphanage’s reconstruction plan with practiced ease.
When he mentioned providing proper nutrition, housing, clothing, and education for the children, the nobles murmured their approval.
“What a wonderful plan, Baron.”
“My, the Baron is truly considerate.”
If he actually follows through on what he’s saying, it would be ideal. I hope he proves different from the previous lord. I found myself nodding along with my own thoughts.
Then Robinson said something completely unexpected.
“I’m not the considerate one. It’s all Miss Hailey’s vision.”
What? What is he talking about?
I looked up at Robinson in surprise, and he grinned brightly, waving a greeting toward me.
“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave.”
Robinson left, and I endured the weight of the tourists’ curious stares, forcing a smile.
“I hope the orphanage operates well.”
I wrapped up the conversation awkwardly and headed home, but an uncomfortable, unsettled feeling refused to fade.
‘Why did he do that? Is he laying groundwork to raise taxes?’

* * *

The emperors of Ilpein’s past had collected materials related to ancient texts whenever they were acquired, stored them in the Imperial Palace Library, and forbidden their removal, enforcing strict protocols for even viewing them.
Because of this, anyone wishing to decipher ancient texts from any nation had to come directly to the Imperial Palace Library, and so Raven had come as well.
Though there was a time limit of one month at most, deciphering ancient documents alone was manageable for Raven.
But the problem was that moving discreetly in the library itself was impossible.
“Duke, I’ll handle this section’s translation today.”
Someone had cheerfully volunteered to assist.
“Of course, I appreciate it.”
Raven smiled outwardly, but swallowed an inward sigh of displeasure.
The person beaming beside Raven was a philologist whom the High Priest had brought along.
When word spread that Raven was deciphering an unknown ancient script, Anna and the High Priest had appeared with a philologist in tow.
The philologist, having studied ancient texts for years, claimed expertise in decipherment. He examined books from Otix and Meridian, even correctly identifying that they discussed magical abilities.
Upon hearing this, Anna and the High Priest had offered their support and left the philologist at Raven’s side.
‘Damn. I can’t refuse.’
Though Raven wanted to decline, there was no reasonable excuse. It was impossible to appear hostile toward Anna and the High Priest, who were presenting themselves as allies. Even Bloden had been forced to approve the collaborative effort.
The one consolation was that the scholar seemed focused purely on textual decipherment without any political agenda.
Because of this, Raven’s working hours were reduced. Moreover, the philologist was remarkably skilled, and the work progressed quickly.
When they finally completed two copies of the manuscripts, the philologist turned to Raven with a satisfied smile.
“Wow, the contents are extraordinary. Duke, shall we go present these to the Regent and His Majesty now?”
“I’ll go to His Majesty. If you visit the Regent separately, wouldn’t that be faster?”
“But then one of them won’t receive full credit. I want to receive recognition from His Majesty myself.”
The Regent’s recognition is the last thing I need.
But Raven could not say such a thing to a scholar allied with Anna’s faction.
Raven swallowed the words rising to the tip of his tongue and followed the philologist.
.
.
.
Since Bloden was occupied with a formal audience, the two headed first to Anna’s office.
Anna, who had been spreading various documents across her desk, positioned Raven and the philologist side by side and slowly reviewed the manuscripts.
“Ah, so that’s why the Kingdom of Otix never used magical abilities. And the Kingdom of Meridian….”
After a moment of silence, Anna withdrew a handkerchief and unfolded it, pressing it gently against her eyes.
“How tragic. If only we had known sooner, the previous emperors might have been spared that calamity.”
The philologist sighed as well.
“As the Regent said, it’s truly sorrowful that we only now understand these facts.”
But she hadn’t fooled Raven’s eyes.
Anna hadn’t been wiping away tears. Since learning that the key to breaking the curse on the House of Ilpein had already vanished, she’d pulled out her handkerchief to hide her rising smile.
‘Hard to suppress laughter when you realize there’s nothing left to find.’
Yet Raven couldn’t afford to show contempt, so he exhaled a soft breath through his nose as if sympathizing with Anna’s emotions, letting his gaze drop.
“?”
Just then, one of the documents on the desk caught his eye.
‘A Marriage Registration Document?’
But no matter how he looked at it, the contents seemed wrong.
‘The groom is Robinson Junior Snoril, and the bride is… Hailey?’
Moreover, the witnesses are Nelloa Kelite and Duke Roan. Anna had even already approved it.
From the position of the paperwork, it was a document set to be transferred to the Administrative Ministry within the day.
‘This makes no sense whatsoever…’
As Raven rubbed his brow, wondering if he were dreaming, Anna spoke.
“Baron, are you tired?”
“I suppose deciphering ancient script for such a long time will do that… But speaking of which, Regent. Which of the nobles is getting married?”
Anna, having caught sight of the desk, spoke as though it were nothing much.
“Ah, you mean the marriage of Lord Snoril. I don’t know what possessed him, but he says he’s marrying some commoner girl.”
“I see.”
This is driving me mad.
There’s no time for this.
“Then I should take this translation to His Majesty.”
“Do that.”
Having received Anna’s permission, Raven left as calmly as he could manage. But the moment the door closed behind him, his pace toward Bloden’s study became urgent.
No matter how he’d come by it, the document Raven had seen was an impeccable Marriage Registration Document. The instant that paper reached the Administrative Ministry, Robinson’s and Hailey’s marriage would become irrevocable.
‘Even if it were somehow a mistake, with Robinson being nobility, divorce would be impossible.’
Moving quickly on his long legs—nearly running—he left the flustered philologist trailing behind in short steps, calling out.
“B-Baron. Why are you in such a hurry?”
“Ah, well…”
Making a quick decision, Raven clutched his stomach. Even if it meant inviting misunderstanding that would damage his reputation, it couldn’t be helped.
“I’m afraid I’m in quite a rush right now. I simply can’t help it…”
“Oh! That sounds serious!”
“Please excuse me.”
“Yes! Go at once!”

* * *

Bloden had received a map containing the location of a Derivative Gate that Nelloa reported during an audience, then returned to his study and leaned back in his chair.
“Blast it all, why are these Derivative Gates appearing so frequently…”
Since taking Otix into vassalage not long ago, he’d expected to be consumed with work related to it.
But his expectations had proven completely wrong.
For reasons he couldn’t fathom, Derivative Gates had begun appearing almost daily.
He was grateful that Hailey had provided him with an ample lunchbox recently. Thanks to even stealing Raven’s lunchbox, he could return to his normal state quickly after closing a gate.
But spending so much time sealing Derivative Gates was becoming infuriating.
No matter how much Hailey’s lunchbox restored his magical energy, at this rate he had no idea when he’d be able to visit her.
As Bloden heaved heavy sighs, he checked Kimarise’s vision.
Incomprehensible Kelite script appeared on the desktop, then a sunny seascape beyond the window came into view. Kimarise had been studying the Kelite language when he briefly turned his gaze outward.
-How was your day with Hailey?
-She went gathering clams this morning, and Count Robinson spoke to her.
-Why is that bastard still sniffing around her?
Hearing it alone made his temples throb.
Recently, whenever there was a spare moment, Robinson had been lurking near the house. He picked up trash at tourist sites and helped the elderly—performing kind acts—and then attempted conversation with Hailey at a level she couldn’t refuse. It seemed Hailey had little grounds to deny him.
-So what’s she doing now?
-It looked like she was making snacks to feed the spirits at home. All three are clinging to her like spoiled puppies. Should I go find her?
-As long as Hailey’s safe, that’s enough. Don’t forget to share your vision when you encounter her.
-Understood.
After cutting off the vision share, Bloden sighed.
‘I want to see her myself.’
That was when it happened.
“Your Majesty! Your Majestyyyy!”
Black smoke burst rapidly through the crack of the study door, taking form as it entered with a sound like a scream. It was Raven.
Raven, who posed as an ordinary human, at least used to knock before entering when he came to the Imperial Palace. But now he had manifested so urgently that he hadn’t even bothered to take human form, his agitation laid bare for all to see.
Bloden’s brow furrowed as he looked up. “What’s wrong? What’s happened?”
“Why do you look like that? Something’s come up?”
“A crisis, sir! A terrible crisis! This is no time to be sitting here!”
Raven rushed up to the desk and jabbed a finger toward the window.
“A Marriage Registration Document between Baron Snoril and Hailey has appeared on the Regent’s desk!”
For a moment, Bloden felt his mind go blank.
“That makes no sense. Why would she marry Baron Snoril?”
“I couldn’t say, sir, but the witnesses listed are Princess Nelloa and Duke Roan. And here’s what matters — regardless of the circumstances, that document is being transferred to the Administrative Ministry today!”
“…What?”
The color drained from Bloden’s face as he shot to his feet.
The situation had descended so suddenly that he couldn’t grasp what was happening or how. But one thing was certain.
The moment a noble’s Marriage Registration Document was filed with the Administrative Ministry, it gained legal force — forgery or not.
And if Nelloa and Duke Roan were witnesses and the Regent had approved it, there was no undoing it.
‘I have to stop this. Whatever it takes.’
Bloden gritted his teeth and bolted from his study, running toward the Administrative Ministry.

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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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