Chapter 181

Chapter 181. Small World (6)

I approached Isola after she had briefly stepped away and returned. This was a deliberately planned action, and I already had my speech prepared.

“In the preliminary investigation, the name of Priest Gallonic was mentioned again.”

“But there is no way he would do such a thing.”

“It seems as though there are people within the Order who are trying to slander Priest Gallonic.”

As one of the leaders of the investigative team, I had been invited to this event. Thanks to this, it wasn’t difficult to pretend to leak insider information to coax Isola.

“I am also uncomfortable seeing such a virtuous person being wrongfully accused.”

“So, I came up with a solution…”

“This is an artifact bestowed upon us Outsiders. It contains the authority of the 7 Great Gods and possesses a special strength.”

With a bit more acting, Isola, gleeful, rolled up her sleeves, resulting in an unexpected outcome.

“Because of that foolish princess, things have gotten troublesome.”

“U-Uncle…?”

Isola ran to Gallonic and thrust a rabbit doll into his hands. Standing opposite, Gallonic, holding the rabbit doll, both appeared visibly bewildered, yet Gallonic’s mouth continued to move.

“I can’t sell those commoners for a while, so it’s troublesome. It was quite a major source of income. Damn that princess, what a situation.”

From afar, where I observed their comedic scene, I nonchalantly glanced to confirm the doll in Gallonic’s hand.

The top contributor to the unfolding drama was the artifact I acquired through Kirish, whom I had forged a connection with at the Order of Palao.

「The Rabbit Doll that Knows Angela’s Secret」

• Category: Artifact

• Acquisition Difficulty: Unique

• Rank: ★★★★

• Description: Angela, who had a secret affection for a boy in her village, whispered her secrets to the rabbit doll every night. The divine gaze of the 7 Great Gods witnessed this, endowing the rabbit with a special power. True to Angela’s desires, the rabbit’s ears can hear the honest thoughts of the person whose name is written on them, for 30 minutes.

• Usable Count: 0/1

I had written Gallonic Hogue’s name on the rabbit’s ears. Holding this doll meant Gallonic had to voice everything running through his mind for 30 minutes.

Of course, until the timer expired, he couldn’t let go of the rabbit doll.

‘This network I painstakingly built is finally paying off.’

By squeezing time from my busy schedule to share information and tips, I had constructed a network.

Today’s success is the culmination of the growth and expanded range of activity from the members of this network. Had I tried to find a solution alone, I would have never been able to dethrone Gallonic.

Much has changed for the better, thanks to this artifact. I stifled a laugh. Laughing in such a situation would only bring trouble from Isola or, worse, face the Emperor’s ire.

‘I better avoid drawing unnecessary attention.’

Hence, concealing my laughter, I deliberately dropped the glass I was holding to feign surprise.

“What is the meaning of this? How could this perversion ruin everything! No, it can’t end like this! Do you know what I endured to humor that half-wit princess? My grand achievement remains unfulfilled! I must replace my mother and become the Emperor! The Emperor and his offspring must be feed for the monsters! This can’t be the end!”

While I hid my true intentions, Gallonic continued to utter more of his true feelings.

Isola, shocked by this extravagant confession, turned pale and staggered.

Eventually, she fell backward. The aftermath was that the banquet descended into chaos.

Attendants supported the unconscious Isola, and Gallonic was dragged away.

As I watched from a distance, I felt someone’s gaze, and turning around, I met the eyes of Jose Wolfrian.

Observing me with an inscrutable expression, he nodded slightly.

Was it a gesture of gratitude for dealing with the troublemaker he couldn’t handle himself?

‘Even if there is another meaning, it matters not.’

Should Gallonic have remained, he would have undoubtedly been a hindrance rather than help. In the grand scheme, it was better he was gone.

Ignoring the possible implications of Jose Wolfrian’s gesture, I diverted my gaze calmly. I was focused on the back of the departing Gallonic when I sensed someone approaching.

“Quite a commotion as he leaves.”

“Indeed.”

It was Ethan. He too had been invited here under similar circumstances as I was. Notably, he was the only one selected from the association.

“What about the artifact? Shouldn’t we retrieve it?”

“There’s no rush.”

For the 30 minutes the artifact was active, it couldn’t be taken from Gallonic’s hands.

‘It’ll be amusing to watch him involuntarily confess everything for a while longer.’

Whatever he says, it could not go beyond revealing his heinous acts, and that didn’t concern me. I was content to enjoy the current situation leisurely.

Yet Ethan seemed unsettled as he quietly questioned, “Can we trust the royal family?”

Even if the princess is innocent due to ignorance, what about the Emperor?

“It’s unsettling.”

Ethan seemed worried about possible collusion between the royal family and the traitors.

“The Emperor’s involvement with the traitors is unlikely.”

The fact that Reitan and Gallonic conspired to discreetly instigate the Emperor was proof enough.

“The Emperor wouldn’t personally step in to cover up this matter.”

When Isola complained, the Emperor took action. It meant that even if the situation progressed, it wouldn’t affect him adversely.

‘Though, admittedly, just this isn’t substantial proof.’

The Emperor could cut his losses and withdraw. Despite this possibility, I was convinced that the Emperor had no involvement with the traitors or human traffickers.

“Why’s that?”

“The purpose of those monsters is the extermination of demi-humans.”

Ethan exhaled a short breath of realization.

A purpose with no room for compromise or alternatives.

The reason countless negotiations attempted during past wars consistently failed.

‘The monsters have no intention of sparing the demi-humans.’

Their aim is solely destruction and annihilation. Hence, making a pact between traitors and the Emperor impossible.

Aligning with them would obliterate the royal lineage’s future.

‘The Emperor, in order to safeguard his power, must inevitably oppose the traitors.’

In a world where gods exist, the current Emperor leveraged resources, using them as weapons to establish imperial power over ecclesiastical authority.

It signifies his fixation on power, and thus, he wouldn’t make choices that discard what he seized.

“He may try to sustain the existing situation and power structure…”

The idea that he’d do something risking extinction of the demi-humans makes no sense.

“He might have been aware and simply ignored it. Isn’t it hard to believe he didn’t know at all?”

The Emperor’s eyes and ears were likely scattered everywhere.

Perhaps he pretended not to know.

“Being aware yet passive? Why would he do that?”

“When the non-combatant population increases, so does the consumption of food.”

“And that is…?”

I grabbed a bite-sized piece of finger food from a nearby table.

“The increased population means more mouths to feed, and under Bihar’s current circumstances, such changes pose a high risk of causing food shortages.”

“I see…”

The resources Bihar can produce yearly are limited.

‘This is because the territory in which demi-humans can operate is confined.’

In this context, about a decade ago, the war abruptly halted.

Meaning fewer individuals are dying.

‘Volunteers supporting the army have been dwindling recently, as well.’

This indicates an increase in the civilian population, not significantly contributing to the war effort.

Thus, if the Emperor decided to reduce surplus population to maintain these conditions.

This explains the neglect.

‘Even if this turns out to be true, it’s not surprising.’

Based on various investigations conducted before today’s inauguration, signs suggested this.

‘There were indeed food-related riots.’

Though small-scale, they were quickly suppressed with relief rice distributed by the Order.

‘Bihar is already collapsing.’

I chewed and swallowed the rather delicious finger food while also swallowing my final thought with it.

Ethan, solely with my previous statements, seemed profoundly affected.

I decided to offer him a bitter consolation.

“Ethan, this isn’t some dream-filled, hopeful new world within a game.”

It’s just a dimension teetering on the brink of collapse, tainted with signs of defeat.

“If you hoped for a happy ending where everyone smiles, let go of it soon.”

Seeing and hearing more in Bihar was solidifying my conviction.

Even with more players joining, Bihar couldn’t revert to its peaceful past.

Rebuilding a lost civilization anew would be a mighty undertaking.

‘It’ll just hold out for a little longer.’

Earth, during this time, needs to prepare for the next war, acquiring everything possible here.

Perhaps that’s why Rashar’s expectant gaze upon me had become uncomfortable.

Contrary to her hopeful discussion of charity, I had no intention to save this world.

‘It’s not something that I can do with my abilities, after all.’

Thus, I swallowed my sigh, reassuring myself.

Having wrapped up a conversation with Ethan filled with rather heavy words.

“Quickly, bring the priest of Karlos!”

Isola was carried away on a stretcher.

I glanced at her pale, unconscious face through the corner of my eye.

I had heard rumors that she urged the Emperor multiple times in preparation for today.

‘Her belief in Gallonic’s innocence must have been that strong.’

Hence, I decided to use her hand when employing the artifact.

She was someone who would easily move toward clearing Gallonic’s name, formidable enough to be uncritical even when I acted a bit ungracious.

‘She never imagined she would reveal the true identity of her trusted kin with her own hands.’

I knew the method I chose might seem violent from Isola’s standpoint.

Nevertheless, I had no regrets.

Even if her being deceived by Gallonic wasn’t her fault.

‘I don’t feel obliged to cover for her.’

The Emperor would surely console her; there’s no need for me to nurture her like a fragile potted plant.

‘Better to secure my own lifeline.’

To avoid scrutiny from the Emperor due to this incident, a minimum clean-up was necessary.

I planned to leverage connections formed during last year’s banquet to create public opinion that I uncovered the identity of one deceiving Isola rather than her being manipulated by me.

‘That way, I won’t face open criticism.’

I would effectively save Isola from her delusion.

‘Princess Isola shouldn’t appear foolish.’

Gallonic, who deceived her, must be portrayed as trash while Isola herself must evoke sympathy as a thorough victim.

That would quell any potential royal wrath directed toward me.

Handling the aftermath here should suffice.

After settling urgent matters.

‘Negotiate with the System.’

Before the investigation, I intend to address the most obstructive issue.

If the System accepts my proposed problem and solution, uprooting the Chinese players will become easier.

Moreover, there’s a mountain of problems awaiting resolution.

‘The drug issue in South America can’t be left unmonitored.’

Having acquired legitimate investigative authority, inspecting shady dealings could prove beneficial.

‘Given Jose Wolfrian’s favorable response, he seems to view this event as an opportunity…’

That ensures the headquarters of the Order won’t hinder me.

Fixing my gaze on one of the attendants carrying Isola away, I covered my mouth with a hand, my eyes gleaming with determination.

Damned System