The Villain’S Daughter-In-Law Is Inherently Powerful [EN]: Chapter 138

“I understand that His Majesty only requires me as a witness.”

“And?”

“Please consider my suggested approach. It will not only humiliate those outrageous individuals but also allow for some… unofficial recompense for their brazen behavior in the Magic Empire’s capital. The actual compensation will increase several times over. Ah, of course, it will all be framed as voluntary donations.”

Ian, having finished speaking smoothly, wore a smile filled with his peculiar brand of kindness.

Shangguion pretended not to hear the phrase ‘unofficial recompense’ that slipped between the sentences and asked again.

“So, how can you make that happen?”

“Before I tell you that… I need a promise from you.”

“A promise?”

“Aren’t I solving a rather troublesome problem for you?”

Ian said with a sly tone, taking out a rolled-up piece of paper from inside his jacket. It was particularly eye-catching because it wasn’t ordinary colored paper but a surprisingly black one, not typically sold on the market.

“This contains records of various major and minor wrongdoings committed by a priest named Merebanno.”

“Hoh.”

“Some scandals are so severe that the people of the Holy Empire might say, ‘He received divine punishment.’ He might have tried to hide it, but if this information becomes public, Merebanno won’t be safe.”

“How did you obtain such a thing?”

“I started digging the moment I heard that a high-ranking priest was visiting the Magic Empire.”

What Ian was holding was a tempting bait.

Shangguion stroked his chin, looking down at the bait that reeked of blood.

It smelled quite fragrant.

With that, there would be no problem even if Merebanno’s head were cut off….

“Are we going to start a public opinion war?”

“Something like that. Ah, but all the priests except Merebanno must be safely returned. Without a single scratch on their bodies. They are my prey.”

A moment of silence followed Ian’s words.

Shangguion slowly murmured, scanning Ian with a gaze filled with considerable admiration.

“Then the Magic Empire can save both its pride and its practical interests.”

“Yes. And tell the Pope this: Don’t even think about taking our country’s saintess; bring your own instead.”

Ian put the scroll back in his inner pocket and chuckled.

“We should make the Pope run errands to make this worthwhile, shouldn’t we?”

*I* thought only *my* son was twisted, but to think there’s another similar guy here.

Shangguion chuckled inwardly and tapped the armrest of the throne. Without even needing to consider it, it was a proposal he had no reason to refuse.

“Your fangs are quite sharp.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Ian replied politely, a subtle twist at the corners of his lips.

*Yes. Everyone must return to the Holy Empire safe and sound. Otherwise, it would be troublesome.*

Ian had no intention of forgiving those who tried to kidnap Florin.

He wouldn’t just kill them, either.

Would they even remember what sins they had committed while living?

Ian had all the records of them from the moment they were born until now. He would release that information piece by piece and destroy everything they had built up.

Since the fall is more painful the higher the position one falls from, Ian’s revenge was a subtle and agonizing kind.

*Rather than simply killing them and disguising it as an accident, I’ll give them social annihilation.*

But there was one very strange thing.

He found out everything about the other priests, even where and when they were born, but only one person remained a mystery.

The Pope.

It was as if someone had cleanly excised all information about him.

What region he was born in, who his parents were, where he grew up as a child, whether he had close friends—

The records of life that a person must have were empty.

Instead, what filled that place were ridiculous claims such as ‘The Pope was born of a messenger of God’ or ‘God created him.’

“So, you haven’t said what your request is yet.”

Ian brought the information, and Ian will also wage the public opinion war using his resources.

What is the price for that?

The Emperor asked, but Ian stared straight at the Crown Prince, Yuri.

“You must release Florin.”

“……”

“I have date appointments all next week.”

Yuri smiled, curving his eyes at the obvious provocation.

The corners of Ian’s lips also rose in an arc.

The Emperor was fed up with the energetic power struggle between the two beasts.

“I will return Lady Driblane after the priests leave this country. I promise in the name of the Emperor.”

No matter how much Yuri disliked it, it was useless. Since it was a promise made in the name of the Emperor, the only way to overturn it was to commit treason.

Shangguion waved his hand, issuing an order to leave, with the absurd thought that he would rather his son forcibly take the troublesome Emperor’s seat.

Still, Shangguion felt relieved, as if a toothache had disappeared, so he gave a high score to the back of the young man who was leaving.

*It seems more beneficial to the imperial family for that guy to become the head of the family.*

It was the moment when he finally became a little curious about Lady Driblane’s choice.

* * *

Several days had passed since I was trapped in the tank.

It was a situation that could have been very uncomfortable and painful, but ridiculously, everything was equipped inside the tank, so I didn’t feel much discomfort except for the fact that I couldn’t get out.

It was just a bit absurd.

“I wonder when they planned to trap me here….”

I muttered blankly and combed my hair and changed my clothes alone again today.

I was a little clumsy because someone had always done it for me, but it wasn’t too strange.

Because there was a full-length mirror so I could look at myself, and all I had left was time.

If it was strange, I had plenty of time to fix it.

“Sigh……. He hasn’t even come to see me since then.”

The first thing I did after being trapped in the tank was to find a place to lie down comfortably.

Fear and embarrassment were only temporary, because I was sure that I wouldn’t be trapped here forever anyway.

Father will come back someday. Then, of course, he will save me.

*Anyway, isn’t it better than being dragged to the Holy Empire?*

Thinking optimistically, I decided not to waste my energy and just look around the brick house.

The brick house that I entered could be defined in just one word.

‘Doll’s house.’

How can so many things fit in this small space? It’s amazing.

The single bed, the fluffy feather pillow and blanket on it, were perfect for my taste.

The soft carpet, the women’s indoor dress, and the rabbit-shaped slippers neatly placed as if to wear were also to my liking.

A dressing table with a comb and mirror, embroidery supplies, knitting materials, an easel, paper, and drawing tools, and readable books and a quill [a type of pen made from a bird’s feather].

There were no dangerous tools like knives, but there were plenty of things to eat on the side where the dining table was placed.

What should I say, is it a perfect prison where you can only live while doing hobbies?

And here, I had ‘alone’ time for the first time in a long time.

I will be very angry with Yuri about this later, but to confess… I felt a little good after adapting.

I’ve always been surrounded by someone, so I’ve never had time to focus so much on ‘me.’

*Still, I wish God would appear soon and explain Yuri’s power to me.*

I stared at the ceiling, kneeling with my hands clasped tightly together in a praying position.

I know that God doesn’t live in the sky, but I felt like I had to look up for some reason.

*You always showed up so well when you wanted to order me to do something, but now you’re keeping your mouth shut? I’ve been patient even though you haven’t given me any explanations so far, right?*

If you’re being so petty, I have my own plans too.

“If you don’t tell me about Yuri, I’m going to build a temple for the Evil God!”

“……What are you going to build?”

It was then.

Squeak.

The white door of the brick house opened and Yuri appeared.

Yuri, who was looking at me with a very tired and exhausted face, soon smiled softly.

“Hello, Noona [term of endearment used by a younger male to address an older female acquaintance or sister in Korean culture].”

“……You!”

“It’s an imperial order. You can leave here.”

“!”

His Majesty the Emperor stepped in? Why?

I didn’t understand for a moment, but then there was no reason to stay here any longer.

I jumped up and stared at Yuri, whose eyes were red and swollen, and then snorted and looked away.

Too much affection is worse than not enough. You have to cut it off when you have to.

“……Sorry.”

Yuri, who couldn’t hold me back as I passed by silently, lowered his head and muttered softly.

He looks pitiful with his beautiful appearance, but I pressed my eyes tightly and tried not to look at him. Because I can be more cold-hearted if I don’t look at his face.

Leaving Yuri in the small brick house, I realized that the air in the tank was strangely refreshing.

How could it have been so humid, as if it had been submerged in a swamp…?

– My beloved child.

The small question was quickly resolved.

In a way that I didn’t expect, very brilliantly.

My God was speaking to me.

– It’s been a while since I’ve answered your prayer. I wanted to answer you sooner, but I was waiting for the right time.

It happened in an instant that the empty tank was filled with divine power and began to sparkle.

I took a deep breath as I suddenly felt my lungs filling up.

‘No, even though I just prayed, why so suddenly?’

I always felt this way when the Heavenly God spoke to me.

A feeling that my body is floating as divine power fills me inside and out.