Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The Surprise Audit
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The silver-haired man had deep melancholy shadows under his eyes.
Everyone had avoided even standing next to him, afraid the mood might rub off.
But once magic cleared them away, the distinctive Minster family looks started to shine through.
Even the young ladies who already had their favorite idol in the guard unit were stealing glances.
"Our warden's pretty handsome, huh?"
"I heard rumors he looked scary, but not at all. Is it that headband?"
The discerning women murmured softly among themselves.
Clea, stuck in the middle, slowly closed her eyes.
'Nothing's cuter than a puppy without tear stains.'
As if she'd known the warden's hidden charm all along.
"Clea, can't I take this off yet? It doesn't suit me at all."
"Wear it until goods sales end, sir. I'm still wearing mine."
I let out a deep sigh.
"My brothers are the ones who should wear stuff like this. On me, it's like a pearl necklace on a pig."
"That's exactly why you need to keep it on."
The eldest was famed as the White Tower's handsome prince.
The second son was the peerless beauty who'd turned the guard unit into idols.
But those two knew they were hot stuff, which made them subtly annoying.
The youngest in front of me was different.
The most desirable type of man was the one oblivious to his own looks.
Especially when he had no interest in his appearance and just quietly did his job—that was peak charm.
"Man, this is embarrassing. What even is this?"
Clea and Camillia kept sneaking glances while pretending not to care.
The princess in particular swallowed hard and muttered under her breath.
"That kid was this level...?"
He'd been cute and fresh when handing her the ring.
But groomed up like this, the vibe was totally different.
"Derek, you're different today."
"Ridiculous, right? It's our guard unit merch, so I had no choice for promo."
I fiddled with the horns poking up from both sides of my head and sighed deeply.
Of all people, showing this childish side to the princess—hope she doesn't start looking down on me.
"What a kid at your age. It's creepy, so I'll take it off right now."
"No. It's part of the mission, so keep wearing it. And keep it on from now on."
Camillia whipped her head away.
Meanwhile, I eyed the hulking man who'd arrived with the princess.
"And who might you be?"
"Page of the Imperial Audit Bureau. Here to inspect you."
I already knew who he was.
In my second regression loop, as Imperial Prime Minister, he was one of the faces I saw often.
Imperial Audit Director Page Antolini.
One of Prince Ivan's close aides, he specialized in pressuring targets Ivan picked.
"Oh my, what an honor. No wonder the vibe felt off when you came in."
I flashed a bright smile and offered a handshake.
Page scanned me up and down, then grudgingly took my hand.
My current look was worlds away from the shady mugshot in my file.
Less massive mafia boss, more fresh-faced teen on a part-time gig.
Cognitive dissonance hit Page's boyish face, and he scowled.
"Anyway, I'm busy right now and not ready to receive you."
"No problem. Audits are surprise visits anyway, aren't they?"
Page recomposed himself and thrust forward his bulldog face.
He jabbed a thick finger and barked an order.
"Halt all activities immediately and submit to inspection."
Page's thunderous voice silenced the chattering young ladies.
I smirked slyly and approached them with pitiful hatchling eyes.
"Ladies, what do we do? An 'audit' from the capital hit right now, so we might have to stop merch sales today."
"It's fine. We'll come back tomorrow."
The young ladies nodded reluctantly, faces full of regret.
But soon, that regret turned to outright scowls.
"Unfortunately, all goods after today will ship to the capital. That's HQ, after all."
Clea tilted her head at the news—she hadn't heard it before.
But the sharp girl caught my intent quick.
"That's right. Commercial activities aren't allowed in prison by principle."
"We're truly sorry. You'll have to repurchase in the capital."
I pressed a hand to my forehead in deep sorrow.
My grave demeanor turned the noblewomen's faces fierce.
"Is that for real...?"
"I drove three hours to buy my oppa merch, and now back to the capital?"
Of course they'd hate it.
The capital crawled with ladies from rival houses.
Fighting them for stock again? Total nightmare.
Better to deal with the bulldog in front of them.
"So this is all that guy's fault?"
The aura was so intense even Director Page felt it.
The war hero daughters glared at him with lifeless eyes.
"Are you the one messing with our sacred purchase ritual?"
"That face screams stickler."
As the prison hall grew rowdy,
I quietly ordered Clea, standing off to the side.
'Now's the time—tell every cell the inspectors are here, so behave!'
'Think they'll listen?'
'Promise rewards after. Anything they want.'
'Anything...? Got it.'
The wolf-eared vice warden slipped away like a blue wolf.
Meanwhile, I wore the world's most wronged expression, blaming myself.
"Don't fight, everyone. This is all my fault for poor conduct inviting an audit."
"No, Warden. It's Prince Ivan's fault for ordering the Audit Director."
The highest-ranking lady stepped up.
Linne Andalusia, distant cousin to the prince and Northern Grand Duchess, no less.
"From what I know, the princess already audited here with confession magic."
Her straight black hair framed a dress, sharp eyes softened by Wolf Boys face paint on her cheek.
"An unannounced follow-up in months? Intent's obvious."
True to her Black Knights Order bloodline, her guess was spot-on.
She pointed at sweat-drenched Page.
"Intentional harassment is abuse of power, you know? His Majesty would love a report."
The Audit Director went silent amid the mess.
Who knew another grand duchess was here? With imperial blood present, pressuring the place got tricky.
"Tell Ivan to cut the malice. Or this cousin sis will come calling."
Hand on hip, she laid down the law like a boss.
The ladies flanking her nodded in unison.
They were daughters of northern elite too.
"Ah, you ladies are the only ones who get our boys."
I slinked in like a sly fox.
Then whispered softly.
"On your way out, I'll throw in an extra perfume per member."
The grand duchess beamed in satisfaction.
Page, meanwhile, ground his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead.
"What can ya do, Director? Wait meekly in my office."
The princess teased the properly owned man leisurely.
But even she soon chilled, face turning icy like Page's.
"Our rep would've killed it debuting in the guard unit."
"Right? Seeing him in person, way better than rumors."
Warden surrounded by friendly young ladies, nodding happily—super annoying.
"Even if I look decent, can't beat our guard unit. Thanks for the praise."
"No joke. Want me to paint your portrait later?"
"Oh, for real?"
"Yes. My estate has a perfect garden backdrop."
Camillia's eyes darkened for a split second.
Like her days growing up alone, all aides stolen by Ivan.
"This pisses me off. Better looks, more headaches."
She subconsciously loosened her grip.
Like readying a lasso for the snake slipping into other houses.
"Merch sales end here for now. Gotta follow imperial orders."
The ladies looked bummed.
I soothed them, eyes narrowed slyly.
"No worries. Leave your home addresses, and I'll send special goods extra."
The princess's golden locks swayed lightly.
She mouthed softly.
"Exchanging home addresses now...?"
It took over ten minutes for the ladies to finally leave.
Clea, back from her mission, nodded quietly.
"Good. We pulled that off slick."
I exhaled deeply, satisfied.
Who knew the ladies would help like this?
Dodged one big threat...
...Huh?
Something sinister prickled from behind—I turned.
Just the stone-faced princess and Page.
"Right, sorry to keep you. This way to my office, both of you."
Realm growth sharpening senses, maybe.
Lately, phantom feelings kept cropping up.
Finally, the three-way meeting in the warden's office.
The middle-aged muscleman rubbed his dry face and spoke.
"Haa... Let's see the books first."
The wolf-eared vice handed them over.
Page had heard from Tax Agency contacts that Berryhill Prison fudged books.
He planned to dismantle the fraud with expert skill.
But.
"Hey, why's operating budget in surplus? Your company padding it?"
"No way. Strict public-private separation."
I leisurely sipped coffee, shaking my head.
Clea behind the sofa stared silently at the dragon horns.
She almost reached to touch, then stopped herself.
Cleared her throat, back to blank face.
"I'm just honorary chairman of Minster Group. No real involvement."
"Then how's there surplus?"
The middle-aged man growled.
"You wouldn't be exploiting prisoners for profit, right? Funny how they're all tough ones."
My brief silence lit up Page's eyes like he'd nailed it.
Finally grabbing the snake's head after all the annoyance.
"Show me the prisoners. I'll judge them myself."
"Fine. Let's meet 'em."
I rose lightly.
Led the Audit Director at an easy pace.
"Our inmates are model ones. Honestly, no clue why past wardens had accidents."
Stopped first at Cell 1.
Page knew a Holy See criminal was here.
The Fake Saintess Anje Renault, who'd duped hundreds.
"I'll open it myself."
The burly man yanked the iron door with brute force.
But that instant.
"......"
Not the infamous fiend in his sight.
"What brings you?"
Anje sat relaxed in her chair, knitting away.
The white-haired girl wove a sweater with dainty, ladylike motions.
"This is the White Calamity, Anje Renault...?"
"I'm Anje, but skip the scary nickname, please."
Her silky tone left Page dumbfounded.
I was inwardly thrown by her perfect act too.
'Vice, what'd you tell her to turn into such a dutiful wife?'
"Said you'd grant one wish later if she played reformed."
Wait...?
I never said wish.
"You didn't tell all prisoners the same, right?"
"I did. Including me."
The fresh twenty-year-old wolf-eared woman stuck out her tongue.
Petty revenge on me.
I looked back at Anje slowly.
Our eyes met; she smiled with her eyes.
Like, we'll talk later.