This Emperor Is Running a Marriage Scam - Chapter 226

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

Chapter 226

It seemed impossible that Nelloa could survive inside a gate teeming with monsters, yet Dantarion’s words carried considerable weight.
‘A villain capable of creating a gate wouldn’t perish so pathetically.’
If Nelloa were alive, I would have to capture her and demand answers for every crime she’d committed.
But as Bloden had already determined, our immediate priority was to collapse the passage and seal the derivative gate to prevent civilian casualties.
The derivative gate grew larger with each passing moment.
“I’ll be back soon. Stay close to Raven and Kimarise, won’t you?”
After pressing his plea upon me once more, Bloden entered the gate with Dantarion and Crockel to collapse the passage.
When he’d first entered the gate, Bloden wore the appearance of a nineteen-year-old. But when he emerged briefly midway through, he looked slightly younger—a sign of how much magical energy the task was draining.
After seeing Bloden off as he and the commanders re-entered the gate, I pondered the matter.
‘If I help, Bloden and the commanders’ mana will recover, and the sealing work will move faster, won’t it?’
I considered going to Snoril myself, but it was clear that sending only Raven would be quicker.
So I handed my pocket dimension to Raven and told him where I’d left the earthenware jar.
I did have some items stored in my own pocket dimension, but I doubted it would be enough to keep feeding Bloden and the commanders.
“Yes, I’ll return shortly.”
Shortly after Raven departed for Snoril, Kimarise and I went to a nearby village and purchased cooking tools, ingredients, and a few essential supplies before returning. By then, Raven was already back.
He handed me the pocket dimension and spoke.
“I packed the cooking tools and ingredients along with the earthenware jar. As for daily necessities, I wasn’t certain what would be needed when, so I simply included everything that seemed useful.”
“What?”
“This is the list. If you keep it in the pocket dimension as well, checking inventory will be easier. Please let me know if anything is lacking.”
I gasped upon seeing the list Raven had given me.
It contained over a hundred sets of clothing and shoes sorted by type and occasion. The water and ingredients were enough to feed thousands. Multiple cooking tools of every kind had been duplicated.
Everything that seemed necessary for daily life was there. Yet some items made no sense.
“Why so much of everything? And why are there tents, furniture, and weapons in here?”
“I actually purchased only women’s clothing and shoes.”
With an unbothered expression, he continued—explaining that he’d simply bought out the shop’s entire inventory for lack of time—and then offered me a respectful bow.
“The rest I transferred from my own pocket dimension. You may consider those items as supplies provided to assist in the gate’s closure.”
I could hardly refuse. Several of those items would prove useful immediately.
‘Bloden doesn’t handle spicy food well.’
I built a fire at one edge of the encampment and began preparing dishes using soy sauce and soybean paste.
By the time the food was ready, Bloden and the commanders emerged from the gate, thoroughly drenched in monster blood.
“Yelp! Baron!”
The younger-looking Bloden and Dantarion, wearing Baron’s form—both were covered in blood.
“Are you hurt? What do I do? Where are you injured?”
Even though I knew Baron wasn’t a real child and Dantarion wasn’t human.
It was my first time seeing Baron caked in monster blood, and my heart lurched despite all reason.
‘Oh no, my poor child! What am I to do!’
In my panic, I immediately grabbed a damp towel and wiped the blood from one of the Barons’ face and hair.
“I’m not hurt. I’m fine, sister.”
The Baron I’d caught must have been Bloden.
As I listened to his words, tears welled up unbidden. After cleaning Bloden’s face thoroughly and checking him over, he grew embarrassed even as he leaned his head against me.
“But a monster’s claws grazed my hair and it hurts. Will you blow on it?”
What? His hair?
Then Dantarion also approached me, offering his head.
“Sister, me too. Ten strands of my hair met a glorious end because of that monster. Blow it away for me, won’t you?”
“…….”
“Ahem!”
Raven’s stifled cough sounded from behind.
“Your Majesty, I’m mortified on our behalf. Please, have some dignity…….”
Upon hearing this, Bloden pouted and took a step back.
“Dantarion, sister might get confused, so stay in Raven’s form while you’re here.”
“How petty you are, my lord.”
Dantarion grumbled and shifted into Raven’s form. Then, with a pitiful expression, he offered me his head.
“Hailey, that doesn’t mean my hair didn’t sustain injury.”
The moment I witnessed Dantarion’s shapeshifting, my own composure settled.
“I’m glad neither of you was hurt.”
I’d been so startled that I’d unconsciously reverted to treating him as the old Baron, but now I’d composed myself. I switched back to formal speech and gestured toward the prepared food.
“I’ve prepared a meal over there. Once you’ve washed up, you can eat.”
“A meal? You mean Nuna prepared something to eat?”
Raven smiled softly at Bloden’s wide-eyed reaction.
“Yes, Hailey prepared it herself.”
“Wonderful!”
The commanders let out a cheer and raced toward the river beyond, eager to wash up as I’d instructed.
Meeting Bloden’s gaze as he watched them go with an expression of helplessness, I gave a small shrug.
“The situation is what it is, and I have an ability that can help. I couldn’t just ignore that.”
“I’m truly grateful. I owe you so much.”
Seeing Bloden so overjoyed at the prospect of a simple meal made me happy too.
“I’m glad I can help His Majesty.”
“I don’t know how I’ll ever repay this debt.”
“This isn’t a debt. Look at all the time you’ve spent fighting for the people of the Empire.”
Despite the commanders’ presence, Bloden had endured a lonely struggle to protect the world all this time.
Thinking of that, I could promise him at least one thing.
I smiled brightly and spoke to him.
“The tale of the invisible warrior in storybooks will become nothing but pure fiction.”
His Majesty has reinforcements here now.
Bloden’s red eyes trembled at my meaning. Soon, thick tears began to fall.
“Nuna……”
In that moment, he bit down on his lip and buried his face in my skirts, his small shoulders shaking as he fought to hold back his overwhelming emotions.
Tears welled up in my eyes too.
How heavy must the weight of the Emperor’s burden be, to carry alone.
The instant I wrapped my arms around Bloden’s shoulders, Raven spoke.
“Since you’re in the form of a seven-year-old child right now, there’s nothing strange about crying freely, Your Majesty.”
At that, Bloden’s tears finally came in earnest.

* * *

[The Greatest Deception in History! Kelite’s Princess Was Not a Saint—She Was the Creator of Derivative Gates!]

Days later, when the newspaper article spread across the entire Empire as an extra edition, the world turned upside down. We had been too preoccupied to notice at the time, but there had been a civilian who witnessed Nelloa being caught and creating the Derivative Gate as she fled.
After the Derivative Gate manifested, civilian access was restricted. So shortly after the first article ran, reporters used telescopes to confirm the appearance of the Derivative Gate and identify who remained at the encampment. Simultaneously, they canvassed the nearby villages for testimony, gathered as much evidence as they could, and rushed out their own informed estimates as breaking news.
The first to take a direct hit were the Great Temple and the Roan Times.
The Great Temple, which had been rapidly growing its influence by positioning Nelloa as a saint, saw the situation reverse completely when her fraud was exposed, leading to closure.
The believers, who felt directly threatened by the Derivative Gate Nelloa had created and were demanding hostile explanations, were so numerous that the temple’s basic functions became paralyzed.
And those questioning the current situation were not only the believers.
“High Priest! What in the world is happening?”
“How should we address this?”
The confused priests pressed Meltears, the High Priest, for answers.
“That witch defiled the name of God and deceived the temple—there’s no question about it.”
Meltears chewed on this explanation and headed straight to Duke Roan.
“The greatest problem was that the High Priest declared that woman a saint in the name of God.”
But Duke Roan’s expression shifted instantly, as though he’d never stood beside them, and he turned the blame back on Meltears.
“That reporter who wrote false articles praising Nelloa has fled. The credibility of the Roan Times has collapsed completely. Closure is the only option now.”
Duke Roan did not stop there.
“Moreover, I’ve suffered considerable financial losses, and the substantial donations I made in good faith to the High Priest have resulted in nurturing a witch, bringing the honor of my house to ruin. Therefore, I intend to hold the temple accountable for this responsibility—be prepared.”
“To act this way toward me is to reject God!”
Meltears attempted some pressure of his own, disturbed by Duke Roan’s persistent backstabbing accusations, but all he received in return was a scoff.
‘There’s no reasoning with him. We’ll see about this.’
Unable to contain his rage, Meltears made his way to find Anna.

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