He Became The Most Insane Emperor Of All Time [EN]: Chapter 187

“That’s a pretty chilling thing to say.”

“Because it’s the only weakness for a Doppelganger.”

“But you’re asking me to teach you that? Isn’t that a contradiction?”

“I’m not teaching you. I’m just asking you to let me taste that ‘uniqueness.’ I can guess what you’ll choose, but I can’t be sure what it is. However, a skilled Doppelganger might figure it out, so be careful.”

“Hmm…”

Listening to Mirror, something suddenly came to mind.

Maybe there’s a ‘unique’ image of myself that neither Mirror nor anyone else can guess.

“Let’s try it. Mirror, guess what image I came up with.”

“I’m good at transforming, but I’m not good at guessing… but I’ll try anyway.”

Soon, Mirror took my hand and concentrated.

“Now, think of an image.”

At Mirror’s words, I immediately thought of one person’s image.

[You have gifted ‘uniqueness’ to the Doppelganger.]

[You have received a gift from the Doppelganger. From now on, you can mimic the uniqueness of another’s soul.]

Soon, I was able to learn the transformation skill. But more than that, Mirror looked very surprised.

“This is… a rarity I’ve never seen before. Who did you think of? To have such a rare soul…”

“Well, try to guess. I need to see if someone can figure it out, like you said.”

“Um, so…”

Mirror concentrated again and began to speak.

“Your father, the late Emperor… no, that’s not it. Not your mother either… not your wives? You didn’t imagine someone from your imagination, did you?”

“Wasn’t I supposed to?”

“No, that’s not it. That’s also a good way to hide your weakness. But even those imaginations are based on something… what you imagined feels completely different from anything in your memory.”

“Then you still don’t know.”

“What is it?”

“I’m not telling you.”

“Hmph.”

It seemed like Mirror couldn’t figure it out at all. That means Mirror can’t see my ‘past’.

The memories or existence of me, ‘Lee Hyun,’ from Earth, can’t be sensed at all.

That’s right. What I thought of was the past me, before I became the Emperor.

Maybe it’s an existence that doesn’t exist anymore, so a Doppelganger sensitive to the existence of souls would never know.

“I don’t know what it is, but it’s really hard to guess. Well, that’s a relief. But still, be careful. Some Doppelgangers are better at piercing souls than I am.”

“I will. But, you’re coming with me anyway, right?”

“Huh?”

“Like you said, if it’s a place with Doppelgangers, it’s better to move with you. So get ready.”

Mirror’s expression soured, but I ignored it lightly.

* * *

Elvengrad.

Once the beautiful thousand-year capital of the Elves.

But the only image I remembered was the one burning in the madness of the Spirit King.

Burned down, Elvengrad was more pathetic than beautiful.

More than anything, the sight of the World Tree, which had stood tall in the middle of the city, burned down and only the stump remained, seemed to speak for the fate of the Elves.

“It’s just called the capital of the Elves. There are more humans and other races.”

Mirror, who came with me to Elvengrad, grumbled as he looked at the streets.

This guy, who had transformed into a boyish appearance, grumbled that he didn’t like the streets of Elvengrad.

“Augsburg has much more to see.”

“It used to be the opposite. It’s because this place is ruined.”

“Is it because the Empire conquered it? It’s a pity.”

Of course, the Elves were partly to blame, so I felt unfairly accused when I heard those words, but I didn’t say anything because they weren’t wrong.

Then Hendrick, who was traveling with us, said.

“Your Majesty, no… Shadow-nim [a respectful title]. The slave market that Viscount Gawain frequents is over there.”

“Hmm. It’s a bustling place for a slave market.”

“It’s a place for nobles as customers. He always buys large quantities of Elf slaves there.”

“What’s the reason for buying them?”

“I heard he releases the slaves and gives them to charity.”

“Huh…”

A fervent racial discriminationist suddenly changed like that?

I’m suspicious.

“I should find out. Let’s go in.”

It was called a slave market, but it was aimed at the wealthy, so it was held indoors rather than outdoors.

There was a thick incense smell that seemed to make my head dizzy, and female Elf slaves were trying to appeal to those around them.

It’s like a typical fantasy slave market… Of course, there were no Elves among the guests.

Most were humans, a few were Greenskins [a fantasy race, often orcs or goblins], and very rarely were Beastmen, a race from across the sea.

The common point was that they all looked rich.

“That’s him, that’s the Viscount Gawain.”

After a while, Mirror found a rather thin, brown-haired man.

“He’s participating in the top-quality auction. I thought he bought in bulk?”

Top-quality products are quite expensive. Does he really buy in bulk there?

I was wondering, but I sat in the auction seat and watched the auction.

“850! 850! No more?”

“1,000.”

“1,000! If there are no more, I will bid! Viscount Gawain has won this time!”

And as a result of watching, he was really bidding on Elves indiscriminately.

“Warrior, Spiritist, farmer, man, woman, old man… there is no common point in bidding.”

“Is he really doing charity work?”

“I don’t know. Besides, I’m more curious about whether that guy is a Doppelganger. Mirror, what do you think?”

Mirror watched for a while and then shook his head.

“No, he’s definitely not a Doppelganger. I don’t know why that person is doing that, but he’s doing it of his own will. I can’t rule out the possibility of brainwashing or hypnosis.”

“That’s definitely strange. Then I have no choice but to contact him directly.”

The guy is involved in smuggling. But my intuition tells me that he is sympathizing with something more than smuggling.

Then, as planned, I have to approach him inconspicuously… It is, of course, a bad idea to go up and ask him or kidnap him and interrogate him.

“Now, the next and last item! Noble High Elf royalty! Although it is one of the collateral bloodlines, its beauty and nobility are unparalleled! Spiritism is also possible! Let’s start with 800 gold!”

At that time, the last auction began. Compared to the Wood Elves or mixed bloods until just now, this time it was a pure-blooded High Elf.

From the beauty, it was clear that she deserved to be treated as the most expensive product, starting at a whopping 800 gold.

“Oh, Viscount Gawain, you raised your hand first again. 900 gold!”

Viscount Gawain raised his hand without hesitation. Soon others followed, but no matter how much they called, Gawain immediately raised his hand.

“1,700 gold! No more? If there are no more, I will bid-”

At that time, I raised my hand and shouted.

“3,000 gold.”

“……!”

I called almost twice the price at once.

Then, not only Gawain but also the other guys looked surprised.

Of course, what I wanted was Gawain’s reaction.

Will that guy bother to buy it if I skyrocket the price?

“3,500.”

“3,500!”

“4,000.”

“4, 4,000!”

Viscount Gawain seemed serious about the slave, and even when I called 4,000, he followed. Only the slave trader was screaming happily, and the guy seemed to have given up.

However, for some reason, he glared at me with resentful eyes.

“I don’t know why, but he really wants to have that kind of slave.”

“That seems to be the case, but what are you going to do if you pay 4,000 gold? For just one slave…”

“I need to have a gift to talk to that guy, right?”

“What?”

Anyway, 4,000 gold is a small amount compared to my private wealth.

I got up from my seat and headed to Viscount Gawain.

“Are you Viscount Gawain?”

“…That’s right. Who are you? I’ve never seen your face before.”

It was a rather sharp voice, but he still showed respect because he was from a noble family.

“Shadow. Call me Count Shadow. I’m from Augsburg.”

“You’re from the capital. I’m from the south.”

“I see. Maybe you came to avoid the civil war?”

“…You have a good sense.”

“Oh, I’m sorry if I was rude. But I’m very interested in that side [referring to his situation].”

“In me?”

The Viscount finally showed his wariness. I deliberately left Mirror and Hendrick behind to reduce his wariness, and it seemed like a good idea.

“That’s right. I heard you buy these Elves with a lot of money and release them?”

“…It’s part of a charity project.”

“Hmm, you’re spending too much money to be a charity project. Maybe… is there another reason? For example, providing the Empire’s weapons to the rebel forces.”

“I have to get up now.”

Viscount Gawain was about to leave, but my next words caught him.

“I’ll give you that slave just now.”

“What?”

“The slave I bid 4,000 gold for. I’m saying I’ll give it to you. For free.”

“…Why are you suddenly doing this?”

“I told you, I’m very interested in you. In addition…”

I made a circle with my hand and said.

“I’m not interested in anything but money. I don’t care if you sell weapons to the Elves or not.”

“…….”

“Moreover, it’s not even treason, is it? The Elves are already dogs defeated by the Empire, so what if you sell them some weapons?”

Of course, it’s a lie. It’s also true that even if the Elves have such weapons, it’s difficult for them to become enemies of the Empire again.

“So I just want to do a little… business with you. Good things should be shared, shouldn’t they?”

“Hmph, you’re trying to put a spoon in someone else’s business [meddling].”

“Isn’t it good to be good? I guarantee that it will be good to expand the business if I help. You’ve already confirmed my financial power, right?”

“…….”

I showed him that I spent 4,000 gold on one slave. Of course, he has no choice but to believe that I have a lot of money. It’s also true.

So you must be worried. I left him to worry.

“…Okay. Then let’s have a serious discussion.”

“If you don’t mind, would you like to visit your house? Unfortunately, I’m a stranger, so I don’t have a proper place to stay to invite you.”

“Ah, there’s no reason why not. I’d be happy to invite you to my house.”

Things worked out well. I heard him say he would send someone and returned to the group.

“You have great skills. You can make a living as a Doppelganger.”

“Hmph, more than that… I should be careful when I go to that guy’s house.”

“Why?”

I quietly told Hendrick, who asked last, what to be careful about.

“I smell a strong smell of blood from that guy’s body.”

Even if he wasn’t a Doppelganger, he was definitely a dangerous guy.