My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 226

226. A Penny Saved (1)

Sian’s answer was completely unexpected.

“······?”

“······?”

Not only Baluaga, but Konrad’s face also wore a look of utter bewilderment.

It was as if they were both silently asking, ‘What on earth is he talking about?’

“You can’t prove it?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

Baluaga asked again, just to be sure, but Sian’s answer remained unchanged.

Before he could even begin to wonder what was happening,

Sian continued, “To be precise, there *is* a way to prove it.”

To be honest, there were several ways to validate Baluaga’s question.

He could simply reveal Leia’s existence.

Leia was a thousand-year-old vengeful spirit and, more importantly, Charlotte’s younger sister.

Revealing Leia alone would answer both questions. Konrad already knew about Leia, didn’t he?

And even if it wasn’t Leia, revealing that Sian was Kyle’s successor would also work.

If he really looked, there were endless possibilities.

However, Sian didn’t feel like persuading Baluaga.

“However, I cannot provide proof that Your Majesty would find satisfactory.”

Even if proof existed,

whether Baluaga would accept it was another matter entirely.

Revealing Leia was a problem in itself. Konrad had somehow overlooked it, but Baluaga was different.

More than anything, arranging a meeting was too much of a hassle for Sian.

And claiming to be Kyle’s successor? Not even worth mentioning. It would just lead to an ironic situation where he had to prove it for the sake of proving it.

In many ways, it was too much of a headache.

So, he should just give up the 200 million gold?

Absolutely not. Not even if he was beaten to death.

So, after much deliberation, Sian came up with this method.

“If Your Majesty does not believe me, there is nothing I can do.”

Bluffing. In other words, ‘Take it or leave it.’

“······”

Baluaga’s eyes glazed over, and his expression began to twist strangely. If expressions could talk, Baluaga’s face was screaming, ‘What the hell is wrong with this guy?’

“Now, what are you saying…” Konrad said to Sian, clearly flustered.

However, Sian didn’t budge. Actually, now that he thought about it…

Why should he bother proving anything? It was his product, wasn’t it?

Of course, Sian was the one selling, so naturally, he was the one who had to provide proof. But it wasn’t that simple.

“It is Charlotte the Great’s swordsmanship that was lost hundreds of years ago. As Your Majesty said, it is the lost lineage of the Imperial Family.”

Being able to restore Charlotte’s lost swordsmanship, and through it, revive the Imperial Family’s lineage…

“Wouldn’t that be worth being deceived once?”

That alone was enough reason for Baluaga to gamble. It was worth trying, even if he might lose.

Of course, 150 million gold wasn’t a small sum, but it wasn’t exorbitant either.

“Considering Charlotte the Great’s reputation, I don’t think it’s a large sum.”

Charlotte’s swordsmanship? Considering its value, it was practically free. It was worth trying, even if he couldn’t win.

Of course, there was no reason to fall for an obvious scam. Even if the gamble was worth the risk, there had to be a chance of winning, right? Responding to an obvious scam would make him a fool.

But…

“Surely, I wouldn’t be trying to scam Your Majesty.”

Honestly… that was also true.

Sian, the Empire’s rising star, now a formal Count. Well… Sian’s image wasn’t exactly stellar, at least not in Baluaga’s eyes.

Baluaga saw Sian as a money-crazed madman who extorted the Imperial Family, demanding money in front of the Emperor himself. A scoundrel, plain and simple.

But really, why? When he thought about it, Sian wasn’t a scammer. He was just demanding a reasonable price.

It wasn’t a scam. He did the same during the Northern Territory incident, didn’t he? The justification and extent were infuriating, but he wasn’t scamming anyone.

Besides, as Sian said, Charlotte the Great’s swordsmanship was the lost lineage of the Imperial Family. What if he was scamming with *that*? If it was later revealed to be a scam, it would be treason, insulting the Imperial Family, and punishable by immediate execution.

Would he risk such a dangerous scam? Honestly… there was no way. He’d scam with something else, not this. Even a money-crazed person had limits.

“Furthermore, I am sorry to say, but even if Your Majesty rejects the offer, I will not lose anything.”

And honestly… that was also true. Even if Sian didn’t restore Charlotte’s swordsmanship, he wouldn’t suffer any losses.

Of course, Sian didn’t see it that way at all. *Not* a loss? It was a *huge* loss! A sunk cost he could recover! Charlotte’s swordsmanship, painstakingly restored with Leia, was now gathering dust in his inventory. He could make money with a little effort. If that wasn’t a loss, what was?

If Mobile Lord heard this, he’d probably be horrified. 《What nonsense are you talking about!!!》

But he couldn’t read Sian’s thoughts. In any case, according to Sian’s philosophy, it was a loss.

Nevertheless, he bluffed that he had nothing to lose for one reason.

“I am only trying to help restore the lost lineage of the Imperial Family.”

*You’re* the desperate one, aren’t you? I’m just working hard for the Imperial Family. The money is secondary, a small service fee. The root of it all is for the Imperial Family.

Well, even if you don’t believe it. If proof is necessary, I can’t do anything. It’s okay if you don’t give me money, but… really, really okay, but… really, really, *really* okay, but… the severed lineage will remain severed.

Thus, Sian was saying one thing.

“I will fully abide by Your Majesty’s decision.”

Bluff. In other words, ‘What are you going to do about it?’

“······”

“······”

Baluaga and Konrad’s faces glazed over simultaneously. They understood Sian’s roundabout message.

He couldn’t prove it. There was a risk, and it was up to the buyer to decide.

So, in a word…

“Are you telling me to gamble now?”

A gamble with a stake of 150 million gold.

Sian didn’t answer. Baluaga’s expression twisted slightly. Sian couldn’t refute it because he thought he was right. He couldn’t openly suggest gambling in front of the Emperor.

“N, no, that’s not what I mean…” He averted his gaze and cleared his throat.

Baluaga stared at Sian quietly. He was beyond absurd, about to ascend to heaven.

Maybe if he’d only heard the word ‘gamble,’ it wouldn’t have been so bad. It would have just been absurd. But the absurdity ascended for one reason.

“······”

When he thought about it, Sian’s words weren’t wrong. To try gambling once… in front of the Emperor? What kind of crazy person would do that? At least in Baluaga’s memory, no aristocrat had ever done that. And if they had, they probably wouldn’t be alive now.

Anyway, let’s say that’s the case. The fact that 150 million gold was cheap for the gamble, and that Sian couldn’t possibly be scamming…

“······”

Honestly, he had no refutation. What could he say? Of course, it was still a gamble. Even with Sian’s confidence, Baluaga had doubts. However, Crown Prince Konrad seemed convinced that Sian was talking about Charlotte’s swordsmanship. Intelligent Konrad wouldn’t believe it without basis. That meant Baluaga was missing something. If so, it was a gamble worth trying. A fight worth fighting, even if he couldn’t win.

However, he couldn’t easily decide.

“150 million…”

150 million wasn’t pocket change!

Baluaga was silent for a while. Sian didn’t say anything either. A silent silence fell in the audience chamber.

How much time had passed?

“······ Good.”

Finally, a positive word from Baluaga. His eyes were firm. In many ways, it was a fight worth trying. Of course, 150 million gold was a problem, but he could gather his private funds. Above all, if he could restore Charlotte the Great’s swordsmanship, and through it, revive the severed lineage, 150 million gold was practically free.

Baluaga confirmed his thoughts and looked at Sian. But… but really, why?

“That… I am sorry to say, Your Majesty. There is something more I would like to say…”

Sian’s expression was troubled, making Baluaga uneasy.

“Speak.”

Averting his gaze, Sian slowly opened his mouth. “In fact, the restoration will take a considerable amount of time. About a year, I think.”

Well, that was expected. Charlotte’s swordsmanship, lost for centuries, couldn’t be restored overnight. He was expecting two or three years. One year was shorter than he thought. However, Sian’s next words were unexpected.

“But if you pay additional gold, you can significantly shorten the restoration.”

“You can shorten the restoration?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

“How much can you shorten it?”

“You can meet her right now…!”

Sian instantly covered his mouth. He had the restored swordsmanship in his inventory, but… could he say that? If he said, ‘Tada, here it is!’…

“Right now…?”

He felt like his limbs would be torn apart.

“No, you can meet her within three days.”

Sian hurriedly changed his words, presenting a plausible timeframe. But why?

“Three days…?”

Baluaga’s expression faltered. Not three *months*? Had he heard correctly? Could he shorten a year to three days? And how much more money would that cost?

“How much gold do you need to make that possible?”

“Well… have you heard of the Instant Completion Ticket?”

“Instant Completion Ticket?”

“It literally completes it instantly. Using it will cost an additional 200 million gold…”

*Ding!*

《Don’t lie!!!》

A cheerful notification sounded from his chest.

“You…!”

Baluaga’s voice followed. Fortunately, the Emperor’s presence prevented harsher words.

Baluaga frowned at Sian. 150 million for the restoration, and 200 million to shorten the time? 350 million total? No, 150 million for the restoration… why 200 million to shorten the time? There’s a limit to how much bigger the belly button can be than the belly!

“This fucking…!”

Baluaga finally swore. Sian flinched, studying Baluaga’s face.

“Ah, no, thinking about it, 100 million might be enough…?”

Sian’s quiet voice was heard. A certain resentment welled up from the depths of Baluaga’s soul.

“Ha, I…”

Baluaga unknowingly spoke. He 벌떡 rose from his seat, his face distorted.

The Emperor’s face, his dignity… fuck it, damn it.

“Let’s cut off not only the lineage of the Imperial Family, but also the lineage of the Ruben family today!”

“Y, Your Majesty! Please calm down!!!”

Konrad hurriedly grabbed Baluaga.