Chapter 43: The Price of Victory

CHEOLKEOK! DEUREUREUREUK! TEONG!

The heavy iron bars closed with an ominous sound.

This was the Capital Corrections Headquarters.

It professed to be a prison on the surface, but in reality, it was a kind of massive mine.

Those sentenced to imprisonment would experience something akin to hell until they were released.

“You……! You damn son of a bitch!”

The newly arrived prisoner clutched the bars and screamed in rage.

Disheveled appearance, eyes still filled with venom.

His identity was none other than Skyler Sierre.

The target of his curses was me.

“To think someone who already has everything would engage in human trafficking to get more. And the nobles who accepted it are quite the spectacle too.”

Strictly speaking, the entire Sierre noble faction should be punished.

But they could just claim ignorance and that would be the end of it.

This was a world where slavery was legal.

In truth, even putting Skyler in prison was an enormous achievement.

Even if the heir to a ducal house committed a crime, who could actually punish him?

No one but a reckless bastard like me would even dare.

“A prisoner sentenced to a full 40 years—I will manage him thoroughly.”

As I toured the cell with a faint smile, someone suddenly spoke up.

It was the newly appointed Director of the Capital Corrections Headquarters, Baron Aiden Lelbrant.

After I saved his life, this man had become my faithful limb.

Skyler would never be released from now on.

He wouldn’t yield to any external pressure.

“Please ensure there are no special privileges.”

“He’s such a big shot, after all. I’ll pay close attention.”

“Yes, I’m counting on you.”

Baron Lelbrant bowed with a smiling face.

I looked one last time at Skyler Sierre’s face.

I was curious what kind of expression he would have.

“Tuey! Tuey!”

Yet the bastard was spitting repeatedly like a sulking orangutan.

“That, that bastard!”

Seeing it, Baron Lelbrant ground his teeth.

Then he quickly nodded.

The guards who received the signal began relentlessly beating Skyler’s back and legs.

PWAAK!!

“KRAAAH! You, you think you’ll get away with this?!“

He thrashed in fury, but the beating showed no sign of stopping.

Only when his body went limp did the clubbing cease.

“Good. Keep doing that until he learns to behave.”

I didn’t spare praise.

Getting my nose wiped without lifting a finger—this much lip service was easy.

The guards beamed and saluted.

Skyler would suffer immensely for a while.

Having lived like that for 26 years, his vicious temper wouldn’t vanish overnight.

He’d still think his power remained and rampage, only to get thoroughly beaten. Someday, when our precious boy is properly reformed, I should visit.

That sight would be quite the entertaining spectacle.

Leaving the collapsed Skyler behind, I stepped outside.

Though I’d resolved a major incident, I couldn’t rest easy.

There was work only the High Judge could do waiting at the court.

Plus, I needed to check on the Carius duchy.

I was curious about the state of Midias’s factory and commercial district.

Yet, just as I was about to leave the corrections headquarters.

Someone familiar, yet somehow unwelcome, suddenly appeared.

“It’s been a while, Your Grace Duke Carius.”

“Uh……. Viscount Adit?”

“Haha! Thank you for remembering. This is an honor.”

“Not at all. But what brings you here?”

In truth, the moment this man appeared, I sensed an ominous future.

Why else would the Emperor’s closest aide, the chief chamberlain, come?

Naturally, my terrifying cousin had summoned me.

“His Majesty has commanded you to enter the palace and report on recent events.”

The heir to a ducal house could be called the crown prince in a vassal state.

Such a figure being sentenced to 40 years was no small matter.

Of course, the Emperor would want to know the details.

It had political implications.

But would that guy even care about such things?

He was the type who wouldn’t bat an eyebrow even if Duke Sierre personally went and pleaded injustice.

He was probably just curious.

Surely he wouldn’t harass me with some bizarre reason?

“If commanded, I must obey. Let’s go.”

“Hehe! I shall escort you.”

I followed chief chamberlain Adit with a fairly light heart.

CHYAREUREUK! TODODOK!

Two dice bounced and rolled before stopping perfectly.

The total pips showing on top were 7.

A lucky number, but meaningless in Enpher Trip.

The blue piece moved seven spaces.

It landed on the most expensive property: Perias.

Quite lucky, but it already had an owner.

Moreover, three large buildings were erected there.

“Uhahaha! You’ve landed on it, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm.”

“The toll is 100 goldens.”

“Can’t you discount a bit? Paying all that would bankrupt me.”

“Then the game ends.”

“”

CHYAEK! CHYAEK! CHYAEK!

A gleaming tower of gold coins steadily piled up in front of me.

I’d already won over 500 goldens.

I’d played Monopoly so much since childhood that I was a master.

Probably no Korean doesn’t know this game.

But they wouldn’t have felt this thrill.

It was practically gambling with gold bars.

I shouldn’t get addicted to this.

This must be how people ruin themselves with gambling addiction.

But wait—since when had I been playing Enpher Trip?

That sudden thought made my blood run cold from head to toe.

Oh right, I was in audience?

It started with simple questions.

The Emperor had the board game I’d developed.

I’d sent it as a gift as soon as a luxury version was made.

So talk naturally turned to Enpher Trip.

Then we decided to try a few rounds—and I cleaned out 500 goldens from the Emperor.

It was so fun I got carried away…

Truly filthy lack of tact.

Even a child knows this.

If playing yutnori with your boss during holidays, you should lose appropriately.

Even if you win unavoidably, you shouldn’t rejoice too much.

I’d even cheered—so how twisted must his insides be?

I’m not usually like this, but enjoying it after so long went overboard.

“Ahem! I’ve shown disgrace. The winnings today will be donated to the imperial development fund.”

Truly worldly nonsense.

The imperial family is the richest in the empire.

And what development fund?

But to soothe the Iron-Blooded Emperor’s mood, I had no choice but such blunders.

Did my ass-kissing work to some extent?

Emperor Karon curled the corner of his mouth in a smirk.

“More thrilling than expected. Me walking into ruin myself is amusing too.”

“It fits perfectly with the title Enpher Trip. A game befitting the end of those in power.”

He’s really insane.

Interpreting a wholesome Monopoly-like game that way.

That man could probably burn someone’s insides with insults alone.

I forced a smile and tried hard to change the subject.

“But why did you summon me, Your Majesty?”

We’d only played the board game so far.

There must be a real purpose.

I thought the Iron-Blooded Emperor Karon would naturally have one.

Plus, the Sierre ducal house matter hadn’t come up yet.

The Emperor smacked his lips and casually waved his hand.

The board game on the table was cleared in an instant.

SEUSEUSEUK!

Is he even human? Those movements are insane.

I looked at chief chamberlain Adit with newfound awe.

But he stood silently as if it were natural.

Is this the vibe from experience?

Before I could calm my surprise, the Emperor spoke.

“It was fun.”

“I worked hard on it.”

“Not that. Your trial.”

“Ah, yes.”

I thought he meant Enpher Trip, but it was about the precious boy.

Finally, here it comes.

He’d ask why I made that choice.

I organized my thoughts and waited.

But the next words were completely unexpected.

“I hear Delriat has normalized to some extent.”

“Restoration is underway. At this rate, it should recover over 80% within half a year.”

“You’ve brought in tremendous funds.”

“I merely utilized Delriat’s resources well.”

“That too is your merit.”

No mention of the Sierre ducal house at all?

The heir to a ducal house was nothing to him.

The entire massive noble faction was shaking, yet he was this calm.

Truly the Iron-Blooded Emperor’s mindset.

Anyway, I could answer smoothly.

The practical work was done by Administrator Hozein, but I’d set the overall framework.

The Emperor nodded with a satisfied smile.

All previous governors had returned bitter, but only I succeeded—how proud he must be.

It elevated the imperial family’s prestige.

Yet the Emperor’s next words flipped my mind once more.

“So here’s the thing.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Be governor for another half year. Develop it enough to properly offer tribute.”

“I”

I momentarily lost words.

The Emperor stood and left without waiting for a reply.

Refusal meant refusal.

Thus, the audience ended absurdly.

On the carriage ride back to the duchy.

I sat blankly for a long while.

Is he insane?

I built foundations on barren land, creating everything from scratch.

Laws, administration, economy, social climate—all of it.

From now on, anyone could reach the 80% I mentioned without much issue.

Probably restore Delriat’s original state within a few years.

Yet finish that in half a year?

It would require investing double the funds or more.

“To shorten time, naturally cover it with money.”

Of course, not meaning sloppy work.

Just proceeding everything at once.

Anyway, an immensely headache-inducing task.

But it doesn’t seem entirely impossible.

Delriat had enormous labor.

If utilized properly, not impossible.

Plus, I had the cheat Employee Management Window.

Who was slacking where was clear as day.

“The problem is where to get such funds.”

Cordyceps and the board game alone wouldn’t suffice.

Lending profits to the Delriat autonomous government wasn’t ideal.

I’m no philanthropist—how long must I give interest-free loans?

“Huh?”

At that moment, my gaze fell on the gold pouch.

It started with just 50 goldens, but now over ten times that.

From sweeping the board game.

Then I understood why the Emperor said that.

The price for sweeping 500 goldens was perhaps……..

Wow! Didn’t see him as that petty.

The richest man on the continent, yet pranking his capable cousin like this?

Anger boiled inside, but relief came too.

At least this meant he saw me as an ally.

Hyung! You’re using me because I’m capable, right?

No matter how I shouted inwardly, that damn cousin wouldn’t answer.