Chapter 128

“Why… why are you doing this to us…”

“Well… just think of it as bad luck. Simply because you’re Ha Yu-ri’s aide.”

Park Chan-seok lowered his head and spoke in a weak voice.

“…What am I supposed to do?”

It seemed like he had given up resisting after hearing that his wife would be drugged and sold to outlaws.

I did speak a bit harshly, but I didn’t really mean it.

‘I’m human too, you know.’

“Well, just mix some drugs into the potion, and I noticed that the Mardan Clan is dealing with a clan in the Eastern Alliance.”

“…Are you talking about the Black Char Clan?”

“Yes, it’s the only shady place among the Mardan Clan’s trade partners. They even run a drug factory there.”

“But… our clan’s dealings with the Black Char Clan are completely legitimate.”

“I know, I know, I get it.”

“…”

The Black Char Clan, one of the Mardan Clan’s trade partners.

This place is one of the three clans in the Eastern Alliance that distributes drugs alongside the Kotozuke Clan.

Of course, if the Kotozuke Clan holds a position similar to the three major clans in the neutral countries of the Eastern Alliance, the Black Char Clan is a mid-sized clan.

I plan to frame the Mardan Clan for receiving drugs from the Black Char Clan.

I’ve already prepared the forged documents. Now all that’s left…

‘If suspicions arise that the Mardan Clan accidentally used drugs they were hiding in another clan’s supplies, that should do it.’

But to carry out this plan, a significant amount of drugs, not just a small quantity, must be discovered, and they must match the drugs produced by the Black Char Clan.

‘Looks like I’ll end up using Riki’s rival clan.’

The drugs I received from Riki weren’t produced by her clan.

The drugs I received were the same kind produced by the Black Char Clan.

For Riki, obtaining drugs from another clan in this field is a piece of cake.

Fake documents and drugs are found in Ha Yu-ri’s office?

And one of the Mardan Clan’s trade partners is the Black Char Clan, which produces drugs in the Eastern Alliance.

The picture couldn’t be more perfect.

‘I guarantee Ha Yu-ri will be labeled a drug smuggler in no time.’

Even on Earth, it’s no coincidence that citizens are quick to point fingers when high-ranking officials or tycoons are involved in drugs.

‘Those at the top can fall just as quickly.’

Even in the Joseon Dynasty, fake bloodstained documents were buried to frame fellow royals for treason. There’s no limit to framing someone.

Originally, dealing with someone like Ha Yu-ri would have been complicated, but after meeting Riki, things fell into place too easily.

“Anyway, all you need to do is move the drugs and documents I give you to the Mardan Clan.”

“…And then? The master will surely think there’s a traitor within the clan. Of course, I won’t be singled out immediately, but…”

“Don’t worry. Just act natural. You won’t need to step forward after things blow up.”

“…..”

“After everything’s done, I’ll release your wife and even give you money. Whether you go to the Kingdom of Tayos, the Holy Kingdom, or the Eastern Alliance, live out your days wherever you want.”

“What…?”

“Come on, wasn’t Ha Yu-ri a pain in the ass?”

Park Chan-seok couldn’t deny my words.

“I’ll even send money to the orphanage where you and your wife volunteer.”

“…You wouldn’t harm the orphanage, would you?”

Park Chan-seok seemed scared that I knew so much about him and his wife, but also worried I might do something to the orphanage.

“Hey, what do you take me for? I’m not that much of a scumbag. I’m actually quite friendly towards orphanages.”

Park Chan-seok’s expression dismissed my words as nonsense. Honestly, it hurt a little.

“…Alright. I’ll do as you say. But can I ask one thing?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“…Why are you going this far against Ha Yu-ri?”

From Park Chan-seok’s perspective, he must have been curious why I was going to such lengths against Ha Yu-ri.

“Well… same as you. Just because she’s a pain in the ass?”

******

Park Chan-seok seemed to be carrying out my instructions well.

Just in case he had any second thoughts, I had a chimera attached to him.

This way, even if he planned any sudden moves, I’d know beforehand.

‘He was actually shocked to find out his every move was being monitored.’

To make sure he got the message, I informed him of everywhere he went, every conversation he had, and he was terrified.

Putting myself in his shoes, I’d probably be scared into compliance too. Especially since his wife is in my hands.

‘It’s about time for things to blow…’

Sure enough, Wi Ho-yeon came into the office carrying something and spoke up.

“…Yun-seong. You need to see this.”

What Wi Ho-yeon handed me was a newsletter.

‘…Bingo.’

“Shocking. A significant amount of drugs has been detected in the potions the Mardan Clan supplied to other clans. The Mardan Clan is…”

“The clans trading with the Mardan Clan are preparing to sue. There are suspicions that Ha Yu-ri, the master of the Mardan Clan, has been using drugs…”

******

“Ha Yu-ri, are you kidding me?! What the hell is going on?!”

“Huh?”

Ha Yu-ri was initially happy about the sudden call. After all, it was from someone she had feelings for.

“Drugs were detected in the potions! What the hell is this?!”

“…What? Drugs were detected?”

But her excitement vanished the moment she heard about the drugs.

“Wait, Kanda! There must be some misunderstanding…”

“What misunderstanding?! Do you know what’s happening now that our clan members drank the potions you supplied?!”

“No! It’s a misunderstanding! There’s no way drugs could be in our clan’s potions!”





“There’s nothing like that!”

– …I trusted Ha Yu-ri and went ahead with the deal, but I’m really disappointed. Personally, I’m very disappointed in Ha Yu-ri. Whether she does drugs or not, I don’t really care, but what are we supposed to do if drugs are detected in the items we’re trading!

Ha Yu-ri’s vision went white at the current situation.

She had received the call casually, but the content was beyond imagination.

It was none other than a flood of complaints that drugs had been detected in the potions they were supplying.

‘What… what on earth is going on…’

As soon as the conversation with Kanda Koshiro ended, a signal came through the communication crystal.

“….Damn it!”

Click.

– Are you kidding me! What the hell is going on?!

“Ah… well… that…”

– Mardan Clan Master! Are you joking right now?! Our clan members drank potions mixed with drugs, what are you going to do about it!

As her head throbbed from the complaints, there was a knock on the office door.

Thud.

The person who entered was her adjutant.

“….Master, you need to see this.”

At her adjutant’s words, Ha Yu-ri instinctively felt a sense of foreboding.

“…Give it here.”

The news bulletin was filled with stories about her clan.

Ha Yu-ri’s hands trembled as she read the bulletin, to the point where she couldn’t focus on the voice of the person she was talking to.

– Hey! Mardan Clan Master! Why aren’t you answering?! Say something!

“W-wait, just a moment. I’ll contact you later.”

– What kind of answer is that…!

Click.

“What… what on earth is going on! What is all this!”

“……”

“Why were drugs detected in my clan’s potions! What the hell is going on! Park Chan-seok!”

“Yes….”

“What is this… what is this!”

“…It seems someone has mixed drugs into our clan’s potions. And not just a small amount, but a large quantity has been detected.”

“So, what?”

“I don’t know anything beyond that. I’m sorry…”

“Are you saying that now—!”

“……”

“Then… someone in our clan must have mixed drugs into the potions! Who on earth…!”

While Ha Yu-ri was speaking, a member of the Mardan Clan hurriedly entered her office.

“Huff… huff…! M-Master! Someone from the royal palace is here!”

“…What?”

“Right now, due to reports from various clans, the royal palace is conducting a search and seizure on our clan! They’ll be here soon…”

Before the man could finish speaking, a group of people entered Ha Yu-ri’s office.

“Hello, Ha Yu-ri. We are the inspection team from the Baronia Royal Palace. Please cooperate with the search.”

It was essentially a notice. The royal inspection team immediately began searching Ha Yu-ri’s office.

“What, what are you doing? Are you kidding me?!”

“Please do not interfere with official duties.”

“Whose office are you searching right now! Do you know who I am…!”

“Here! We found it here!”

The inspection team found a small amount of drugs tucked under Ha Yu-ri’s sofa.

“Huh?”

Ha Yu-ri couldn’t hide her panic. Why would there be drugs in her office?

Not only that, but documents she had never seen or written were also being discovered.

One of the inspectors came up from the lower floor and reported to the highest-ranking person present.

“You need to come downstairs now. We’ve found a large quantity of drugs stored in what appears to be Ha Yu-ri’s personal warehouse.”

The man who seemed to be the leader of the inspection team listened to his subordinate’s report, then spoke to Ha Yu-ri with a stern expression.

“….Ha Yu-ri. Due to the discovery of a large quantity of drugs hidden in your clan, as well as the small amount of drugs and documents related to drug transactions found in your office, we will be taking you to the royal palace.”

“What, what are you talking about? Me? You’re taking me away?”

“…Please comply with the royal palace’s orders.”

“No, no! It’s not me! I didn’t do anything with drugs! It’s not me!”

“….Take her away.”

At the man’s words, soldiers grabbed Ha Yu-ri’s arms.

“Let go! This is someone’s scheme! It’s not me!”

“That will be determined during the investigation at the royal palace, Ha Yu-ri.”

“It’s not meee—!”

The soldiers looked nervous, worried that Ha Yu-ri might unleash her magical power.

And for good reason, as Ha Yu-ri was none other than a ranker.

If she decided to use her power, most of the people here would die. Everyone was tense because they knew that.

If Ha Yu-ri were to seriously unleash her power here, there would be no one capable of handling it.

However, if Ha Yu-ri were to use her power here, it would only prove her involvement in all of this.

‘What… what is this… who is it!’

Only then did Ha Yu-ri realize that someone had set her up.

But the unknown opponent had already meticulously laid out the plan.

By the time she realized, it was already too late.

A situation of being caught between a rock and a hard place.

If she escaped here, she would be proving her own guilt, and even if she went to the royal palace for investigation, her future looked bleak.

There was already fabricated evidence in her own office.

It didn’t seem like the charges would be easily cleared even if she underwent an investigation.

And so, Ha Yu-ri was taken to the royal palace, screaming in protest.