Chapter 179

Alan’s tarnished reputation must be cleansed, even if only slightly.

It was a thought that had occurred to Victoria on the fourth day after the treaty with Chinguk had been signed.

Was she reluctant to go through with the wedding because she didn’t want to marry a man labeled as a foe? Not at all.

Even if Alan’s infamy were to rise even higher, or if the entire world were to denounce and curse him, Victoria was resolute in her decision to protect him.

“Because it’s the criticism that I should have received.”

There was a specific reason why Victoria was concerned about Alan’s growing infamy.

His reputation had worsened during the drug war with Chinguk, and she feared it would begin to endanger his safety.

Alan, of course, was fully capable of defending himself. Moreover, the Imperial Palace’s royal bodyguards were now providing close protection for him.

But not all threats required swords or firearms.

Vague fears, prejudice, misunderstanding, and hatred—these too could threaten a person’s life.

It wasn’t without cause that Victoria was feeling such worry; there had been an incident.

“Your Highness, the Heiress Apparent. I bring grave news. After much deliberation, I felt it my duty to inform you.”

The Archbishop of the State Diocese had come to see Victoria.

The Imperial Court had long maintained a special relationship with the Celestial Divinity Sect—for controlling public sentiment, cooperating with the church was essential. Most citizens of the Empire were baptized as infants, married with matrimonial rites, and received last rites before passing.

Victoria had no intention of antagonizing such an influential institution.

She had planned to politely listen to the Archbishop and send him on his way, but his words caught her off guard.

“Your Majesty currently resides in the Dunbarton Estate, I hear.”

“He’s staying at the Lord’s residence and has developed an obsessive interest in cockfighting. It seems that His Majesty doesn’t just watch; He even gambles.”

“But… the locals are spreading some troubling rumors. The priests who accidentally visited the cockfighting arena were shocked by what they overheard.”

The Emperor, detached from the State, now resided in a regional estate.

He had taken a new hobby—cockfighting, which he reportedly adored. Watching bloody matches, gambling, and even purchasing fighting cocks to enter them in contests. There were tales of him directing one of the accompanying court magicians to cast enchantments on the birds.

After the fights, he would drink alcohol, using the defeated roosters as snacks. And lots of it.

Apparently, some gamblers had started to weave tales, connecting the Emperor’s antics to Alan Medoff.

The rumors were troubling.

That Alan Medoff had driven the Emperor away.

That the wine the Emperor drank was mixed with copious amounts of heroin.

That it wasn’t heroin but phenylacetone, and he had been seen gulping some of it.

These were the kinds of murmurs reportedly spreading among the gamblers. The sight of the Emperor, in his drunken state watching cockfights, must have seemed out of place—why wouldn’t tales like these sprout up when someone so rarely seen was behaving this way?

“Are you saying they are slandering Alan?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Precisely that. No mention was made of either of the Imperial Princesses…”

“…”

“Of course, such tales from ignorant villagers mean nothing! But… is it not so? The carefree indulgence of His Majesty creates a situation ripe for misunderstanding…”

There it was, the Archbishop gauging her reaction.

This didn’t seem like mere gossip from local gamblers. Likely, these tales had already gained traction across the Dunbarton estate. Without identifying and punishing the originators, Victoria couldn’t overlook such slander.

One falsehood often births another.

After bidding the Archbishop farewell, Victoria summoned the Chief Steward and issued her command.

“Bring the Imperial Majesty back to the State. Please go personally.”

“Your Highness, forgive me, but even if I were to go…”

“She won’t ask you to resume State affairs. Allow her to do whatever she pleases… Even if she decides to abdicate, we will willingly assist her return, so long as she comes back to the State. Pass that along.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Victoria decided to encourage her father’s swift return, using the excuse of honoring the treaty ceremony.

She then summoned her beloved fiancé.

“Sir Alan, I would like you to step back from politics for a while.”

This was a sudden notice from Victoria.

I had no idea what was happening as I stared at her.

Today, she wore the uniform of the army, adorned with five medals and a gilded epaulet, marking her as the temporary Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army. Despite the decorations, her control over the military was already firmly established.

Had she taken all the power, leaving no need for my abilities?

Judging by the wistful gaze in her eyes as she looked at me, that wasn’t the case.

“Sir Alan, there are many who fear you greatly.”

“I understand. But why bring it up now?”

“Fear can be a useful tool… Officials and military officers, while fearing you, tend to respect your competence. Isn’t that natural? You single-handedly dismantled an organization of extraordinary elf hunters and mages, and now you’ve even subdued Chinguk.”

“But the common people will see things differently.”

“Exactly. And their fear will only grow.”

“…”

It was hard to argue with her. Thinking about my past actions, it was almost more challenging not to be prejudiced against.

The numerous atrocities caused by drugs, and the mass purges that had become commonplace—rumors of fentanyl’s introduction to the Empire from Chinguk would likely worsen the situation, especially if exaggerated.

‘I see why Victoria is worried.’

She had likely been concerned for me for a long time; war had simply kept her too occupied to address my reputation.

Just as I was choosing my response, Victoria stepped closer.

“Sir Alan.”

Her hand rested lightly on my chest.

She stared at me earnestly, her eyes filled with pity. In the world, Victoria was the only one who viewed me with such compassion.

Siena, on the other hand, didn’t seem overly concerned for my safety—she knew better than Victoria about what I might be capable of doing.

“Unfortunately, I lack the ability to clear up the misunderstandings surrounding you.”

“Not all misunderstandings are unfounded.”

“True… But some rumors also claim that you poisoned His Majesty with heroin, resulting in his expulsion from the State. Such stories spread, especially since His Majesty’s uninhibited behavior has fueled more misconceptions.”

So this was why she’d summoned me.

“Of course, I cannot address this personally with each one of them. And even if I explained, would they believe me?”

“They wouldn’t. People tend to trust tales spun by those close to them more than the official proclamations posted by the authorities.”

“Indeed.”

Victoria nodded faintly, her lips curving into a faint smile.

Her hand, which had rested on my chest, slid down and clasped mine.

As our faces drew closer, I caught a whiff of her perfume.

Her body faintly smelled of gunpowder. She must have attended the morning’s execution, where smugglers from the Darien Kingdom who had been caught trying to dispose of contraband were eliminated—every one of them, as usual.

Here she was, now gently looking after me.

“Sir Alan, leave the aftermath of the war in my hands.”

“And what shall I do?”

“To clear the prejudices against you… why not focus on charity for a while? The wealth you amassed from heroin and morphine surely mostly remains. Perhaps use part of that to fund charitable causes.”

“Charity, you mean.”

“Exactly. Unless you have other plans for it.”

It was essentially a suggestion to buy public favor with money earned from drug sales.

‘In fact, I’ve already been doing similar things.’

I had taken over a maternity ward under the name of Medoff Pharmaceuticals. That facility boasted significantly lower mortality rates compared to others precisely because I had paid special attention to its operations.

At the time of acquisition, I thought that would be enough, but those efforts hardly showed. The number of people I’d saved was dwarfed by how many I’d killed.

So now she was suggesting to take a more active approach in giving.

It was a simple but effective method.

Drug cartels didn’t hand out toys at Christmas or distribute aid to the poor just for show. Often, they would establish schools and hospitals to benefit the local community. People in need rarely ask where the money comes from.

After receiving such benefits?

It was common for them to become tacit supporters, defending the organization indirectly.

“That’s a good idea, Victoria.”

Hearing this, Victoria’s face lit up with a smile, a hint of surprise in her expression at my interest in charity.

“…It seems like something I need to do. The post-war arrangements and treaty implementations can be led by the officials, so I can take a step back for a while.”

“Do you mean that?”

“Yes. I already have a plan.”

“Could you share it with me?”

With some improvisation, I began recounting ideas to Victoria’s brightened expression.

How about rehabilitating farmers severely affected by morphine addiction? Selecting a few villages reliant on wells and freeing them from cholera fears? Or perhaps distributing supplies with cash to buy public sentiment?

Victoria continuously nodded her approval in response to my ideas.

But soon, she let out a wry smile. The hand that had clasped mine tightened slightly.

“Looking back, I realize how I’ve burdened you with unpleasant tasks. If I hadn’t drawn you into politics, perhaps you could have led a life filled only with praise.”

“That’s not true. I hadn’t thought about it until you mentioned it.”

“…Is that so?”

Victoria seemed to believe my modesty, but my words were sincere. Truly, I had never given much thought to contributing positively to society.

“Thank you, Sir Alan.”

A soft kiss brushed against my lips along with her gratitude.

I looked into Victoria’s relieved face and gave her a gentle smile.

…

The spontaneously agreed-upon charitable projects.

Siena, too, expressed her willingness to participate.

“Wouldn’t that be funnier than those guys’ efforts? It’ll be interesting to see how people react to our charity too.”

Of course, her motives differed from Victoria’s.

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