~Chapter 40~
I really want to die.
Aisha looked at Killian with a face full of worry, but he didn’t stop reading the article.
Some people often say that the greater good is for everyone. But if this recent victory was truly for the greater good, then why are the names of those who shed blood forgotten, while the names of those who raised their glasses in toast are long remembered?
“……The victory of Drakxion belongs to everyone. That much is a clear fact. However, only a small number of people got to taste the celebratory wine.”
Killian’s low voice continued to fall ominously in the office.
“Who was the true winner in this war? As always, Duke Killian Winters, who led the army risking his life? Or the brave soldiers who followed him with swords?”
……No, perhaps the true winners are those who sat together in safe and peaceful halls, chatting and watching the war from afar. Those who always have God’s blessing and the privilege of not having to step into dangerous situations.
“Then, who are they? The Duke Dilsen family, who monopolizes weapon production rights and makes huge profits by supplying military provisions every war? The ‘someone’ who first handed the weapon production rights to the Dilsen family? The owners of the mines supplying the iron and ore needed for weapon production?”
Of course, those chosen by God are always humble. They know how to share the glory of victory without going to war. Without blood-stained armor or sweat-drenched blades, but in华丽 and luxurious attire.
“Especially from the high places of the imperial palace, there were special feelings expressed about the outcome of this war. Starting with the dignified comment of ‘we were lucky,’ to the cheerful overall assessment of ‘God’s protection was with us.’ Truly humble and noble words, wouldn’t you say?”
Truly magnificent. The ability to enjoy the joy of victory without going to war or shedding blood. Perhaps Duke Killian Winters should carry a teapot instead of a sword and wear a lace-adorned dress onto the next battlefield? Those items would surely bring him victory.
Victory is cheered by everyone. But no one talks about whose pockets it lined. Probably because they didn’t go to war.
Their palaces are a dazzling emerald color, but beneath them is filled with rotten moss. As you know, moss is a fast-growing plant. If you don’t get your mind straight, you will surely be eaten alive one day.
May Drakxion have a dazzling development!
Submitted by: The Sunday Exposé reporting team, Vivi Bubblemouth
Thud.
It was the sound of Killian putting the Sunday Exposé he was holding down on the table.
“Ha, haha…….”
Aisha laughed as if she’d lost her mind.
“Woah, looks like the manuscript got switched. I’m sure I gave the Killian Winters Special No. 6 to Leoric……? You really see something new the longer you live. An accident like this happening.”
Killian didn’t answer at all.
He just tilted his head slightly and stared intently at Aisha.
‘Why is he like this?’
Something was strange. Clearly, with Killian’s personality, he should have been tearing the Sunday Exposé to shreds and screaming by now. She could have even understood if he said he couldn’t stand the sight of her anymore and had her limbs tied up.
But Killian didn’t do that.
“So there were two manuscripts. From the beginning.”
“I wasn’t trying to trick you!”
Aisha shouted with a flustered face.
“This time, I really planned to publish the Killian Winters Special No. ⁶. And after discussing it with you, Duke, if you allowed it, I was going to write that manuscript……”
Wait a minute.
……Why do I have to worry about what he thinks when I write my articles?
Suddenly struck by that thought, Aisha’s expression instantly soured.
“No, thinking about it, this is annoying.”
“What?”
“I admit that I caused you harm by publishing the ‘Killian Winters Special.’ That’s why I apologized and I’m acting like your provisional fiancée. I’m taking responsibility for my actions as maturely as I can!”
“So?”
“So what I mean is, I don’t understand why I need to get permission for every little thing when it’s not even about you, Duke. This is suppressing freedom of the press!”
“You seem to be forgetting something, Aisha. The Drakxion Empire never had freedom of the press to begin with.”
That was true.
“W-well, anyway!”
Aisha yelled.
“I’m going to publish my articles as I please from now on. Of course, if it’s a story about you, Duke, I’ll discuss it then.”
What.
If he just stares without saying anything, does he think I’ll get scared again?
Aisha’s eyes widened.
‘That’s right. Roselia doesn’t even know I’m the publisher of the Sunday Exposé. My publishing an article won’t directly harm Killian. And it was an article I would have written someday anyway. I never had the slightest intention of just quietly watching those disgusting people.’
“Are you done talking?”
Killian asked, looking at Aisha.
“You seemed so excited that I was just listening.”
“…….”
“Now that you’ve calmed down a bit, may I say something?”
“Yes, well. Go ahead.”
“I’m really curious, what on earth does the name Vivi Bubblemouth mean?”
Until now, Aisha had published many articles in the Sunday Exposé but had never used a pseudonym. She had always just lumped it under ‘reporting team’.
So he couldn’t understand it even more.
“Watching people talk, they all just seemed like big mouths.”
“…….”
“The last name means ‘Bubble Mouth’. The first name, Vivi, I just chose because it’s pretty. So, to put it simply,”
“No, that’s enough.”
Killian cut Aisha off as if he were a ghost.
“I don’t think I need to hear any more.”
He already knew, but she really was a strange woman.
This wasn’t something a person in their right mind would do. Roselia is already trying her hardest to find out about the Sunday Exposé, and in that situation, instead of lying low, she writes such an aggressive article!
Moreover, while this article seems to just be exposing the rotten greed of the nobles, anyone who reads it can see it’s pointing directly at Roselia.
“Then, who are they? The Duke Dilsen family, who monopolizes weapon production rights and makes huge profits by supplying military provisions every war?”
The one with the deepest ties to the Duke Dilsen family is Roselia.
“The ‘someone’ who first handed the weapon production rights to the Dilsen family?”
The one who personally granted the weapon production rights to the Dilsen family is also Roselia.
“The owners of the mines supplying the iron and ore needed for weapon production?”
The one who gave mining development rights to her long-time acquaintances was also Roselia.
“Especially from the high places of the imperial palace, there were special feelings expressed about the outcome of this war. ‘We were lucky,’ to ‘God’s protection was with us.’ Truly humble and noble words, wouldn’t you say?”
These were words spoken by Roselia.
Their palaces are a dazzling emerald color, but beneath them is filled with rotten moss. As you know, moss is a fast-growing plant. If you don’t get your mind straight, you will surely be eaten alive one day.
Anyone with eyes and ears would know whose damned emerald-colored palace that is.
“……Ha.”
Killian let out a long sigh.
What is he trying to say now, laying the groundwork? Aisha looked at him with an expression that said, ‘No matter what you say, I won’t change my mind’……
But a moment later, Killian’s words, spoken in a low voice, were something even she hadn’t anticipated.
