TTCS Chapter 26

Duke Lauchen, who received the small items and correspondence from the Imperial Palace, distorted his face.

'Did you spend a lot of money to prepare for the banquet, so you don't have enough money to lend?’

As usual, he was in a situation where he couldn't even blame Izaya.

Not surprisingly, Izaya's inability to finance was due to handing over a large amount of property to the Duke.

However, Duke Lauchen resented his daughter.

'Damn bitch, you should have embezzled even the imperial budget and given it to me!'

The situation was very urgent.

Investors could withdraw at any time from the article in the newspaper.

‘What kind of bastard did this with what grudge?’

It would be known at some point, but the fact that the news came out so quickly meant that someone was probably watching the Duke of Lauchen.

‘Is this the work of a colleague?’

In any case, as far as the article was concerned, Duke Lauchen could not avoid responsibility.

'Damn it, I'm in a situation where I have to bow at the duke's face. No, if only the gold mines are restored somehow... Then everything will work out.’

Then, the lieutenant came in.

“Sir, Count Walder has sent you this.”

Duke Lauchen's eyes grew ugly when he saw the letter.

“Who does this piggy-dog dare to threaten!”

What Count Balder sent was a reminder and statement of intent to destroy the relationship that had been built up in an instant.

He tore the letter to shreds and spoke to his aide.

“Get rid of real estate to raise money, and find a place where we can sell a large ship as quickly as possible.”

"Yes? The investment... Do you want it back?”

“I can’t watch a bastard like him threaten me with a good amount of money.”

Soon, the corner of Duke Lauchen's lips twisted.

"You don't have to waste your energy on anything else. Tell him to stop looking for that nephew or whatever."

* * *

Grehen looked anxiously at the dozing emperor.

‘You look tired, but I can’t wake you up…'

Then, suddenly, the emperor shuddered and opened his eyes.

Unbeknownst to his expression, Grehen approached the emperor without realizing it.

“Your Majesty, are you okay?”

At that question, Ern felt a surge of consciousness.

'Did I fall asleep during a meeting? Crazy...’

Besides, even the content of the dream was so disturbing that Ern responded with an annoyed tone.

"Say it again."

Grehen reported again.

“There seemed to be a division in business between Count Walder and some other investors and the Duke of Lauchen. He said he even sent a reminder to give out the investment.”

Ern remained silent for a moment, then opened his mouth.

“What did Duke Lauchen decide to do?”

“He was desperate for money, so he decided to sell the land and ships.”

At Grehen's report, Ern slowly nodded his head.

“Okay, then let me buy it.”

It wasn't because it was Duke Lauchen's.

Because Ern was already buying the ships that had already been auctioned off at a bargain price.

And the reason.

First, if a large ship passes over to another country, the empire's shipbuilding technology may be leaked.

Second, it was a plan to prepare for a time when trade was not smooth due to a shortage of large ships.

‘It’s okay to make a slush fund by buying that for now, or we can remodel it and use it as a military ship.’

But what came out of Grehen's mouth was beyond Ern's expectations.

“I’m sorry, but they say it has already been sold.”

At that answer, Ern had a puzzled expression on his face.

‘Who bought the boat at this time?’

Due to the large supply at present, large ships were being traded at low prices in the market.

However, the price was not so cheap that anyone could easily buy it.

Still, buying all the ships...

‘Maybe, did that person have the same thoughts as me?’

For a moment, he questioned the unknown person, and Ern looked at Grehen and asked.

“By the way, what happened when I asked you to find out?”

“Ah, if that’s the case…”

Grechen carefully pulled the pamphlet out of his pocket.

There was a sense of reluctance, but Ern concentrated on the booklet.

[If I have this, am I also a socialite? 10 hot new accessories selected by Twinkle Lady, a monthly fashion magazine]

Ern looked at the booklet with a serious face. But no matter how much he stares at it, the accessories all looked the same.

Ern immediately looked at Grehen and asked.

“Which one do you think looks best in your eyes?”

Grehen then responded in cold sweat.

"I do not know. In my eyes, it seems…”

In response, Ern raised one eyebrow as if displeased.

Because he was an old-fashioned person who had only held a sword all his life, the answer was very unsatisfying.

‘Ha, really… How difficult.’

As he frowned like that, something at the bottom of the booklet caught his eyes.

'This…'

Once upon a time, Izaya would talk to Ern a lot.

“I like anything with purple flowers. What flowers do you like?”

What caught his eye in the pamphlet was a bracelet in the shape of a purple flower.

Soon Ern said, pointing his finger.

“Let me order this.”

"Alright, Your Majesty."

Ern lifted his head and looked at the clock, then slowly got up.

“Your Majesty, where are you going?”

To Grehen's question, Ern briefly answered.

“Dance practice.”

* * *

“Here is the necklace your Majesty the Empress asked for. Here's a certificate confirming that the pearls are genuine from the South, check them out.”

After receiving the necklace from the jeweler, Melanie looked at the warranty and found a small note.

[+Ship purchase completed]

Melanie looked at the necklace and spoke briefly.

“Good job.”

Then the shopkeeper smiled.

“It was an honor. I can work for the Empress. New Year’s Eve deals with a lot of things other than jewelry, so please visit us anytime.”

At first, Melanie wondered if that would be possible in a situation where she was being monitored and the destination was going back and forth. And she was worried that she might get caught.

However, the Empress was daring differently from herself.

“You would think that it is normal to hide far away. But at times like this, you need to know how to outwit the enemy. The closer you are, the less noticeable you are.”

Indeed, it was what the Empress said.

Despite meeting her several times, Jade, the shop owner, was still unaware.

‘She was a master of disguise, and it was true.’

Melanie frowned, thinking of Roxanne disguised as Jade's assistant.

'She was definitely by her side, taking good care of Jade.'

She had to admit that, although she was stunned, the empress had the power to convince her.

'Besides, she brought the person whom Her Majesty had spoken of safely to the islands in time...'

Soon, Melanie gave her thanks to the two knights who accompanied her.

“You worked hard to escort me all this time.”

With a laugh at the stupid watcher.

* * *

In her previous life, the Duke of Lauchen made a cover for his people, claiming to be an outwardly honest duke.

He won the hearts of many by selling cheap and good things.

His business, which was built like that, did not show any remarkable results in the early days.

However, behind the scenes, he was using his position to receive investment from the surroundings, and the small businesses that could not beat him collapsed.

After that, the duke used his wealth to monopolize daily necessities and build his fortune higher.

Although the aristocracy controlled the economy as well as the society, the duke was not satisfied with it.

‘Because he assassinated Grand Duke Tares and used his enormous wealth to subjugate the army under his command.’

Having obtained his wealth, status, personal connections, and military power, the Duke of Lauchen became undisputed.

He crushed the authority of the emperor, and dared to revolt.

“This is the report from Roxanne, Your Majesty.”

Receiving the report from Melanie, Izaya raised the corner of her lips.

'So in this life, the financial power that was the driving force behind him took a hit. Even from investors who cut off the money.’

Back then, it was frustrating not knowing who the investors were, but thanks to Roxanne, Izaya now knew that Count Walder was a huge investor.

‘There are definitely information providers and the media on my side, so it’s convenient here.’

The newspaper published by the Marquis of Camelia moved the hesitant Count Walder.

'Furthermore…'

Izaya rolled her eyes as she looked at what was written in the report.

He sold two mansions and part of the land in the province, and also reduced the business.

‘If this is enough, about 30% of Duke Lauchen’s property must have been lost.’

It was 30%, but that was a huge number. Close to half of the national budget for a year.

As long as there is a money-eating monster called mines, the amount of damage will continue to increase in the future. Foreign trade would be unimaginable.

‘Besides, he was isolated from the Marquis Camelia, and Count Walder withdrew…'

Without strong supporters, the Marquis Camelia and Count Balder, it was self-evident that other investors would naturally withdraw from the Duke.

'It's still a long way from ruining my father, but that's a good start. And…'

Izaya smiled as she looked at the jewelry box of the necklace placed on the tabletop and someone's letter hidden under it.

[Dear Your Majesty, I will see you soon.

Jeffrey Jarman]

‘This is the end of the banquet preparations.’

Now all she had to do was to show it at the banquet. The things she prepared herself.

Tak! Tak!

Then, a sound came from the window.

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