Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: The Siren Sensation
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It seemed Shahard had reached a decision faster than I expected.
Just a few days after the garden party, his messenger paid an unofficial visit to invite Adelrian.
"Once this is wrapped up, there won't be much holding us back, so I'll go settle it today."
What was the reason we came to the capital in the first place? Wasn't it because of Gadia's doppelganger incident?
Even after sorting that out more or less, we'd stuck around for the siren sales rights and to build ties with the imperial family ahead of the war with the church.
Plus, to gauge how deeply the Evil God Church had infiltrated the palace and the academy, then devise countermeasures.
'But now only one thing left.'
We'd confirmed the church had wormed into the academy but hadn't reached the palace yet, and I'd brought the doppelganger potion somewhat into the open.
If I knew later what mess that potion caused in the original story, this would count as a solid win.
At least we wouldn't see some high-ranking noble's doppelganger smuggling in a mana bomb for terrorism at a key outpost.
In the original plot, it took a brutal beating before they wised up, and only after horrors and suffering did they learn how to neutralize the potion—and the damage piled up until then.
So, if we just get past this moment unscathed.
Just this moment.
"...Young Master Adelrian. Are you listening to me?"
"Yes. I'm all ears. Why do you ask?"
As I grinned, Shahard eyed me with clear confusion, while his aide standing behind pretended to adjust his glasses but shot me a glare.
"...So what I'm trying to say is..."
"Ah, the siren rights? Of course I'd planned to do it with you, Your Highness. My father—er, no, my own unilateral judgment! Truth is, I've thought for a while now that you'd handle it better than that First Princess... Se... ahem. Anyway, that's what I figured."
I let out a hearty "Hahaha," and Shahard's brow furrowed slightly.
He probably saw me as a fool.
"This is all thanks to my stubborn pushing. So you get it, right? It's gotta be partly my credit. Of course, ah, what... I don't expect anything in return, haha."
"0.05% should do it."
Call it a double contract. Rampant in this era anyway. The paperwork to the main family would show an extra 0.05% of the rights promised to Prince Shahard, but his contract would be short 0.05%.
And that difference goes straight to my pocket.
That's a hefty sum, meaning Shahard yielded his share—likely with the black-robed group in mind.
Maybe he even thinks some of that cash flows to them.
'Either way, it's all mine.'
Sure, some might scoff, "Tch, a measly 0.05%?" or nitpick, "Is that pure profit or off gross sales?"
Play a few gacha games, and you'd know how huge that is.
Plus, imagine pocketing 0.05% of a phone maker's revenue back on Earth.
"...Fine. Consider the contract for that siren thing settled."
"Phew, excellent choice. From a few days from now, every siren rolling out in the Tateリア Empire's capital will belong to Prince Shahard..."
"Enough. Drop it. Do you know what this is?"
Shahard rubbed his temple like his head ached, glared at me, then pulled a small paper from inside his clothes.
The moment I spotted my personal seal stamped on it, I flinched, rushed over, grabbed his hand to cover it—and as I held on, Shahard startled and yanked away.
"Shh, shh. You can't just flash that around."
"I said step back."
Shahard, unusually flustered, retreated into the sofa like he wanted distance, and I chuckled.
"Hey, who knew you and I were in cahoots like this? Showing me this means... Got a message to pass?"
I clasped my hands and chuckled lightly. Shahard eyed me distrustfully before speaking.
"Just relay that I request cancellation."
I grinned wide at his words.
"Naturally, Your Highness Shahard."
* * *
A few days later, sirens hit the market.
Ahead of the imperial rights deal, we'd secured shops—now proudly displaying signs of imperial approval.
"Buy now for a top-grade siren at just 1 gold 99 silver a month! One gold 99 silver gets you connected! Pair it with our 12-month installment plan, and snag a siren-exclusive pouch as a freebie!"
"For men, women, young, old—essential for daily life! We'll teach usage free for beginners!"
"Stand out with your unique style! Tired of plain white or black sirens? Check our vibrant colorful lineup!"
Taste modern promo tactics.
Mass-produced sirens cost surprisingly little to make.
Maybe 10 silver at pure cost? Mass production and an existing prototype meant zero dev costs—a big boon.
Just took time finding ways to downgrade and replicate its full functions.
'Plus, the real goal isn't profit—it's info control.'
No reason to price 'em high. I'd love to slash prices more, but dumping artifacts that cheap invites suspicion.
So, city-grade, bottom-tier sirens.
That "bottom-tier" vibe lets us hawk 'em as "top-grade" on the cheap for volume, then premium lines from 1,000 gold up—gold flows nicely.
Unleashing installment plans—rare even between merchant guilds—on civilians, plus "freebies" being novel here, had sirens flying off shelves.
Especially in the empire's capital, packed with the wealthy.
"This is revolutionary!"
"No more anxiously awaiting lover's letters every day."
"Nah, even for lumber—if the supplier's far, I'd delay till tomorrow, but now just siren-delivery it!"
At first, reactions were "Why spend on easy chats in the same city?" But word-of-mouth drives sales everywhere.
Eight sold day one jumped to double digits day two, triple digits day three.
Pre-seeding premium units to hot nobles, royals, and clergy sparked that "hip" vibe, Earth-style.
Of course, haters exist.
"Why sell junk like that?"
"Tch, tch. Wife splurges on one, shoves it at me—felt like last night's booze lodged in my throat!"
"No more ditching night watch for pubs with 'guard duty' excuses."
"You! That guy who skipped the tavern last night? Confirmed via siren—he left by carriage at dawn!"
"Ugh, infuriating. Fine, I killed him!"
Sipping cool iced lemon tea in the bustling streets, I took it all in and grinned.
"Ah, this is fun."
Felt like an Earth street scene.
Not everyone clutched one, but folks chattering via handheld sirens mimicked hands-free calls.
"Amazing. Didn't expect this popularity."
"Yeah. Like, neighbor bought one, so I should too."
Propping my chin, I yawned at Luna and Rachel's words.
"That's what trends are."
Even if you don't need it, seeing others rave makes you want one.
Skip it, feel left out. Pyann said academy chats revolve around sirens now—no unit, no convo.
Naturally, kids with means nag parents.
Downsides exist, sure. Families stretched thin for one.
'Shahard plans welfare distributions for image boost anyway.'
Transitional phase since launch—nothing for it yet.
'And surprisingly, eavesdropping concerns are low.'
I'd pegged that as the biggest hurdle.
Artifact enabling chats? Folks assume hackable.
But magic artifacts? They figure "magically" secure.
Nobles and royals have some inkling—queries hit Krueger house.
"Time to prep leaving the capital. We'll return later, but once Kane's back, gear up to move anytime."
Not everything's resolved, truth be told.
The Two-Faced God ties run deep—best pull back for now.
No urgent tasks, and I haven't met everyone I aimed for—South Sea Isles at minimum.
Pyann's infiltration isn't short-term; monitor via sirens ongoing.
'Only possible 'cause money lets us gate anytime.'
Patching things over for now, no alternatives.
Issues pop, we zip back.
'Above all, Storm Orb's stolen—need a healer first.'
Kids nodded at my plan: Kane returns, we dip temporarily, circle back later.
"Yes, Young Master."
"Understood, Adelrian."
―No more library business. Right, Administrator?
All nodded but Rachel, who stared incredulously.
"What about you?"
"Huh? C'mon, aren't you overdoing it?"
I shrugged at Rachel's jab.
"With what?"
"It's the capital. Top-tier city on the continent. No sightseeing, just a few eats, no epic benders. Ditching us for weird spots? No arena, no casino, no black market?"
She hollered like a guy that age griping about a dull life.
Yet no stares from passersby—Luna, Zero, or Leaf must've mana-barriered us.
"Ha, seriously Adelrian. I'm worried for you. Life's short. Dragon-born live long, but fun's fleeting—live it up! You've got cash! Hit black markets, blow it from here to there?"
Gotta spin the economy, keep the nation humming! I eyed her absurdly.
Black market spending? Tax-free. Economy? More like shadow economy.
"Watch your words. You're using me as cover to play, Rachel."
I snapped, exasperated; her red eyes gleamed.
"Guilty! I wanna play!"
So honest. I glanced at Luna like "handle her," but she dodged my eyes?
Wait.
Luna...?
Zero and Leaf too—averting gazes, necks craning wrinkles.
Wow, really?
"Honestly... Rachel's not totally wrong..."
"Truthfully, Adelrian. You could enjoy till Senior Kane returns."
―I agree with the seniors.
With those three ganging up, Rachel beamed triumphant.
"Hear that?"
Damn. No Kane tips scales.
3:1 vs. 3:2 feels worlds apart.
If only Kane were here!
"...Hold up, hear me out. I held back for party morale, but..."
I lowered my voice to calm hyped Rachel.
"It's been days since Kane's contact cut off. Serious stuff. Even a siren ping would've sufficed—radio silence screams danger."
Kane's level? Thought-chat sans proximity.
My grim face got Rachel's ruby-blood eyes fixed on me.
"So?"
"...Pardon?"
"Anyone here track Kane? Me, Luna, Zero, Leaf patrol outskirts nonstop. You ping sirens constantly."
What more can we do?
I had no retort.
"We stayed mum for your sake. Kid's strong minus age—non-return's the issue. We gonna cry waiting?"
...Fair. I spared them worry; they did me.
I swept hair back, eyeing Luna's anxious gaze, Zero's awkward smile, Leaf's stoic concern.
Original demon king hunt had sacrifices but succeeded.
My goal: keep 'em happy. Can't make 'em fret.
So, met their eyes.
"Fine. You want fun? Let's go wild."
Kane worries linger, but protagonist aura carries him—no buoyancy needed. Rest is their headspace.
Worst case: snag monkey-paw relic and underground "miracle."
I smiled slow.