Bribes at the Gate
“If we can fill the one blemish on our empire, wouldn't that be a fine deal? Of course, we'd need to verify the character of that princess first.”
Since the Crown Prince was still unmarried, accepting her now would mean she had to become his crown princess without question.
The position of mother to the nation.
Naturally, it required passing rigorous scrutiny and verification processes.
“I'll inform the Intelligence Agency.”
“That would be wise. For now, in that spirit, let's include the Crown Prince in this delegation.”
“Your Majesty... that won't do.”
Rosen immediately bowed his head in opposition to the emperor's habitual urge to throw the Crown Prince into peril.
“Shouldn't he see for himself the woman who might become his bride? The Kingdom of Osiris will feel our sincerity that way too.”
“Your Majesty, the Kingdom of Osiris is still the Aditz Empire's primary ally. Sending His Highness there could spell disaster.”
“Hm.”
The emperor stroked his chin, pondering, as Rosen's logic held no flaws.
“Besides, Your Highness personally planned this landing operation. He needs to be on-site.”
“True enough. With the Crown Prince leading the landing op himself, dispatching him as an envoy wouldn't be right.”
The emperor seemed to accept his subject's objection.
But Rosen grew even more flustered than before.
“Your Majesty...? You plan to send His Highness on the landing operation?”
“Of course. You're not about to oppose it again on grounds of danger, are you?”
“Your Majesty! It's far too risky. This isn't just any op—it's a blind thrust into the heart of enemy territory. How could we...”
Rosen protested vehemently, but the emperor had no intention of yielding on this.
“Enough. I understand your affection for the prince, but a ruler's qualities emerge only after overcoming trials and succeeding.”
“Such things should be taken step by step.”
“If we conscript the nobles but the imperial family sits idle, who will find the will to fight? We've reached our limit—don't try to sway me further.”
His attitude was unyielding.
No matter how capable Rosen was, once the emperor decided, it was set in stone.
“Understood. Then for the delegation...”
“Send Duke Belburn. Summon him to the palace at once.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Rosen left the office to make contact, and that very afternoon, the delegation was assembled.
The next day.
Duke Belburn, having received the emperor's orders, boarded a carriage bound for the Kingdom of Osiris.
“What's a guy from the east doing all the way out here?”
“Traveling to celebrate coming of age...”
“This ain't a tourist spot. Turn back.”
The guard blocked the man's path after hearing his purpose.
“I'll just look around the city.”
“You think you're the first? You lot come in, steal stuff— no way. Go home.”
“But...”
The man tried to argue against the guard's firm stance, but it was futile.
“Hurry up already.”
“You think this is some vacation spot?”
Grumbles erupted from the line behind him.
In the end, the man turned away, shoulders slumped.
'Can't even get into the damn city.'
Usually, they let wanted criminals in after a basic ID check, but this place was different.
“Next.”
The man passed, and it was our turn. Eden and I stepped forward.
“IDs.”
“Here.”
“Mine too. Thanks for your hard work, always.”
I flashed a friendly smile as I handed over the ID, and the guard quickly checked for fakes and details.
“Hm, two residents of Cobalt Fortress coming here—what for?”
The same question he'd asked the previous guy.
But unlike that fool, we had a solid pretext.
“We're quitting fishing this time, so we came to sell a magic engine.”
“Engine?”
“Yes, take a look. Here.”
Eden glanced at me as he spoke.
He carefully unloaded and opened the wooden crate on the horse.
“Ho, that looks pricey.”
Whether he knew magic tools or just got lucky, he nailed the one sore spot.
'Yeah, it's way too expensive.'
Word on the road was it went for 3,000 gold on the market.
“We thought it'd last a lifetime when we started, borrowed heavy to buy it on a whim.”
“Tsk tsk, quitting already?”
The guard clicked his tongue sympathetically and looked away from the crate.
'We're good?'
I figured he'd wave us through any second, but entering Hasmon Fortress wasn't that simple.
“Wait over there. Gotta call the magic tool specialist for verification.”
Eden's hand trembled ever so slightly at the guard's words.
“Specialist? But we don't have time for—”
“He'll be here in 20 minutes. Just wait. Unless there's a problem?”
“Ha... haha, no, nothing.”
Eden shot me a look, his eyes screaming one thing.
'We're screwed.'
I read it clear as day, and my head heated up instantly.
'What the hell? You told me not to worry about details!'
Problems from the jump.
'Shit, shoulda gone with a cheaper engine. Why the pricey one?'
Necessary for evasion, sure—but in the end, no Eltho's shadow chased us the whole way.
'Bolt?'
We could run. We'd scouted the route to Hasmon thoroughly, noted issues, improvements.
But getting caught mid-escape? Game over.
'What now?'
I shot Eden a desperate glance, but nothing back.
'Goddamn son of a bitch.'
I clutched my forehead to cool the rising heat and eyed the guard.
'Looks like he likes money.'
Bribes were the ultimate weapon here.
But if they didn't ask first, tossing cash could backfire bad.
'Damn it, gotta use it again.'
View target's truth?
Cost: 10P
Not a crazy price.
No time for hesitation.
'Knew it.'
Phrenology is real science.
“I'll handle this.”
“What trick you got?”
“Nobody hates money.”
“If he flips—”
“Trust me.”
I brushed off worried Eden and approached the guard.
“What?”
“Sir, we're not bad guys rushing in—we're just in a hurry.”
“I said wait.”
I grabbed his hand as he moved to wave me off.
“I'd love to wait, but our ride back is on a tight schedule.”
Clink.
Yellow gold coin trickled from hand to hand.
Bengot's eyes widened at the feel.
“Ahem, what's this now?”
“Dealing with headaches like us all day—tough job.”
“True.”
“Unwind at a nice spot after shift.”
Bengot swallowed hard.
Probably picturing the night ahead with that coin.
“Well... but the new discipline rules...”
He hesitated, pure greed.
'I'll play along to stay alive.'
I shoved another handful of gold into his other hand.
Finally, a satisfied grin.
“You won't cause trouble, right?”
“Five years fishing straight—who, us?”
“Right. Almost hassled good folk. Cleared!”
“Thank you!”
Snatched the crate before he changed his mind and passed through the gate with Eden.
“Bold move. What if he'd taken the bribe and raised hell?”
“I was sure he wouldn't.”
“Basis?”
“I read faces well.”
“Hm.”
Eden pondered my flimsy logic, then turned away.
“Results are good, so whatever. Inn first, unpack.”
“Got it.”
We'd picked the inn already—no hitches.
Unaware of the variables awaiting us.
“Your Majesty! Attempting dialogue with Lycan vermin is a clear overstep!”
“We cannot stand idly by.”
Aditz nobles couldn't contain their fury at the fresh recon command report.
“Even I see this as crossing the line. I can't fathom such shortsightedness.”
“What else from pirate blood? Your Majesty.”
“Our empire elevated them, but blood will out.”
The "birth origins" slur they hurled at Osiris during harsh criticism.
Unspoken in friendly times, but now the winds had shifted.
“What should our empire do? I want the two dukes' thoughts.”
Emperor Simon's gaze swept to Duke Seto and Duke Abiel; Seto spoke first.
“Your Majesty, their ignorance is abysmal, but if we can't crush them now, we must embrace them.”
“Hm.”
Aditz's sad reality—and hurdle to overcome.
“Just watch idly?”
“No. I say we use this chance to make Osiris realize our empire's value.”
Vague, but the emperor grasped the intent.
“Economic pressure?”
“Yes. The kingdom relies on us for many goods. Raise prices or halt exports—they won't last.”
As Seto finished, Abiel Duke countered from across.
“What if Lycan Empire aids them?”
“Duke, most Osiris nobles are entangled with us—can they switch overnight?”
Seto replied as if waiting.
Irrefutable, so Abiel held back further probes.