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"Benjamin, that damn bastard, seems to be constantly showing interest in you."

“He brushed aside Lady Chamberlain and kept digging for details about you,” Martina said, her face scrunched in disgust as if the thought alone repulsed her.

I drifted into thought, thinking about Benjamin’s obsession with unrefined gemstones. [1] He was the type of person who divided everything in the world according to its utility, so it was logical for him to maintain a steady interest in me.

Even after the conclusion of the novel, I couldn’t help but remain competent in various areas. This wasn’t due to any exceptional talent on my part; rather, it was simply the result of possessing modern knowledge. However, I had thought that, as the male protagonist of the story, he would inevitably remain bound to Claudia.

‘Do I really seem like someone who’s that easy to take advantage of?’

Honestly, Benjamin was a complete enigma. I could clearly see what Lucas and Constantine wanted — Claudia — but with Benjamin, I had no idea what he was after. From his actions, it seemed like he was determined to wield power behind the scenes… No, it just looked like the sheer lust for power blinded him. It was impossible to discern his true intentions. When I couldn’t find an answer no matter how hard I thought, I decided to set the problem aside for now.

‘If even Lucas and Constantine are being manipulated like puppets in Benjamin's grasp…’

Lucas, Benjamin and Constantine had completely joined hands. While one could casually joke that the ‘Three Useless Brothers had formed a perfect trio,’ the situation was far too serious to laugh off. It meant that the Imperial Family, the Underworld, and the Temple — factions that should have constantly kept each other in check — had unified into a single power. This marked the beginning of an unprecedented dictatorship in the Holy Empire of Roxitant, unlike anything seen since its founding.

So when would a person let their guard down the most? I believed it was the moment they sensed victory. I would slip into that brief moment of complacency, like an infectious disease lying dormant, spreading doubt from within. The moment when they clasped hands and ascended to the top was drawing near.

・・・・・

"Sir, did you successfully deliver the message I asked you to pass on to His Majesty?"

The newly appointed High Priest asked, his voice trembling with a blend of fear and anticipation. Only after hearing this did Constantine finally recall the purpose of his dispatch to the Imperial Palace.

"Sir Constantine, I earnestly ask you to plead with His Majesty to bring an end to the war.”

Come to think of it, he did recall such a request. However, the High Priest was merely a puppet. Judging from his behaviour, he was foolish enough to believe that he had been granted the right to consult Constantine regarding this matter. Although Constantine had deliberately chosen such a person for this role, it would be troublesome if he did not understand his place. 

Moreover, he was so weak and timid that he pitifully begged for the meaningless slaughter to stop and for the war to end. He wasn’t someone driven by a strong sense of justice; he was only concerned with his own safety. As the war dragged on, resentment toward God and himself increased, deepening his anxiety, and so, without much expectation, he voiced his plea. But at that time, Constantine required an excuse to visit the Imperial Palace, so he accepted the proposal.

"I did relay the message, but unfortunately, His Majesty has no intention of listening."

"I-Is that so..."

"Nonetheless, I will persist in my efforts to ensure that my petition reaches His Majesty someday."

Contrary to his courteous tone, Constantine's icy blue eyes fixed coldly on the High Priest. His gaze, infused with divine power and a subtle hint of malice, caused the priest's face to gradually pale in fear, and soon beads of cold sweat began to trickle down his brow. 

Eventually, Constantine bowed his head formally. Upon seeing this, the High Priest, appearing flustered, repeatedly rose and sat back down in his place of honour, fidgeting restlessly, unsure how to act. His lips trembled as he desperately tried to stammer out a response.

"Th-there’s no need to go that far. You’ve already done your best, Sir..."

"Do you really think that was the best I could do?"

Constantine’s words implied a sharp insult as if to ask if the priest truly believed him to be so incompetent. The High Priest’s face contorted as if he were being choked. 

“N-no, that can’t be! I can only express my gratitude for all your efforts, Sir.”

Only then did Constantine withdraw his hostile demeanour and speak in a slightly softer tone.

"That being said, if the Temple strengthens its influence, wouldn't His Majesty be more inclined to heed my words?"

"Influence... you mean? What kind?"

"I’m suggesting that we strengthen it in all aspects."

Usually, when one spoke of influence, military power came to mind. However, Constantine had already made it clear that he meant it ‘in all aspects.’ To suggest strengthening all forms of influence! Was he intentionally trying to fall out of favour with the Imperial Family? The High Priest, who wanted to avoid dangerous matters at all costs, instinctively displayed a frightened expression.

"But Sir Constantine...!"

"And I hope Your Holiness understands your position as well."

The Temple’s priests, unlike the Imperial Family, were not bound by divine bloodlines or cumbersome procedures of ‘legitimacy.’ If one was found disagreeable, they could simply be replaced. Constantine’s gaze slowly swept over the High Priest, as if appraising him.

"Y-yes?"

"If you wish for your safety and peace, you should heed my words properly."

Constantine delivered his words with an expressionless face as if offering advice, before turning away and exiting the High Priest's audience chamber without a moment's hesitation.

・・・・・

"You don’t look well…”

Cedric slumped listlessly on the sofa, drawing out his words as he muttered. Although his behaviour was disrespectful in front of the Emperor, Lucas didn't care about such minor etiquette as long as he was treated with proper respect. In fact, Lucas himself found such formalities quite bothersome.

In mimicking his old habits, Cedric suddenly became aware of just how much he used to find even speaking a bother. Irene once described his speech as lifeless, as if his soul had left his body.

"Yet, you, seem to have a spark of life in your eyes lately."

Lucas, feeling the urge to pick a fight, spoke with a menacing tone. Indeed, Cedric, who had once seemed like a terminally ill patient awaiting his end, was a bit more lively these days. The difference was subtle, almost imperceptible, but Lucas was perceptive enough to notice it.

"Me?"

"Do you think it’s worth living these days?” 

Cedric, feigning innocence, tilted his head in confusion. Then, as if he had just recalled something, he rummaged through his pocket, and a spark of clarity briefly flashed in his previously vacant eyes.

"This time I received an excellent item. Would Your Majesty care to enjoy it for a moment?"

Lucas gave a knowing, unimpressed look and replied indifferently.

“No thanks. I don’t do drugs or anything like that... Besides, where did you get that from?”

"I received this as a complimentary gift from Duke Lamberg.”

“I’ve been a valued client for quite some time.” Cedric grinned and carelessly listed all the favours he had received from Benjamin over the years. Each time he did, Lucas’s mood seemed to worsen, and Cedric wasn’t one to let such moments slip by.

"He really has a knack for bringing in such unique and ingenious items."

Cedric toyed with the powder in his hand, admiring it, before putting it away again. As the conversation naturally shifted to overwhelming praise for Benjamin, Lucas's scowl deepened.

"Him, and everyone else..."

Cedric, sensing the mood, signalled the servants to bring alcohol and glasses, then asked with a sly grin:

"What's wrong? Did the Duke upset Your Majesty? I thought you two were on good terms."

"It’s good. Well, I suppose it is."

To be fair, following Benjamin’s advice had never led to failure. Everything had gone smoothly. Except for the fact that 'everything' was really just him being dragged around according to whatever Benjamin suggested.

However, it was undeniable that the path Benjamin suggested was always the one that was comfortable for Lucas. Who in their right mind would choose the thorny path over the well-paved one?

Only fools like Irene Amber, who overestimated their abilities and gambled with their lives, would foolishly walk such thorny roads. The more Lucas couldn’t refute or reject Benjamin’s guidance, the more it irked him.

“Nothing erases bad memories quite like alcohol.”

Cedric spoke as he expertly poured red wine into a transparent glass. Lucas accepted the offered glass without any suspicion and poured its contents into his mouth before resuming his conversation.

"He said he plans to hold a circus for the people who are weary from the long war."

“Aha, a circus… That sounds exactly like something the Duke would come up with."

Cedric smiled knowingly and tilted his glass. Hearing that, he recalled a conversation he had with Irene some time ago.  

"People usually feel a sense of rebellion when they receive instructions or commands. It’s also called the green frog effect."

"Green frog effect?" [2] 

"There's such a thing.” 

Irene had shrugged as if it were nothing important, continuing her point.

"When freedom or rights are taken away, anyone will feel unpleasant and threatened deep down, even if they seem to comply and obey on the surface. Cedric, you know this better than anyone else, don’t you?"

Cedric gazed quietly at Lucas, recalling his own past. The Emperor, who had enjoyed everything Cedric had yearned for since childhood, could only make foolish choices that bound him in self-imposed chains. A tiger born to live like a dog, incapable of even considering rebellion despite the internal turmoil.

“Then all we have to do is present an option that is sweet enough to make them think it’s a flower path.”

That was what Irene said. If a trap were set so skillfully that they would believe it to be freedom they had won for themselves, they would inevitably fall for it.

"In that case, would Your Majesty consider taking charge of the circus, at the very least?"

Cedric suggested this with a subtle smile, like someone watching a moth knowingly fly towards a flame.

・・・・・

Shayne Speare.

One of the most promising playwrights rising to fame recently, his reputation was increasing day by day. Shayne appeared like a comet about three months ago and had received acclaim for every script he had written. He was currently recognised as the representative playwright of the Phynes Theatre Company, which was gaining popularity among young people. Despite being a newcomer, he quickly gained recognition for his genius, and his works have been scheduled for performances in theatres across the capital, both small and large.

It was quite unusual to gain this level of fame even before he was known to the public. Naturally, this implied that he had a strong backing, but without the skills to support it, it would have been impossible. As such, many renowned theatre companies were eager to take advantage of his outstanding talent and creative potential. Among Shayne Speare's notable works were <A Midsummer Night's Feast> and <Hetbahn>. [3]

Emperor Lucas, through his imperial authority, gained the privilege of reading Shayne's latest work, which had not yet been released anywhere. The title of the work was <Oreo and Cereal>.

"O, Oreo. Why are you Oreo? Refuse thy name… Why on earth did he name it like this?”

Reading through the script without much thought, Lucas couldn't help but furrow his brow at the title, the origins of which were completely baffling to him. 

"I can see why Cereal feels strongly about the suggestion to discard that name. No, the name, Cereal, itself isn’t all that great either."

Compared to Shayne's brilliant talent, his naming sense was so pitiful that it was truly lamentable. Lucas shook his head and flipped through another script.

"This one too. It’s called <A Midsummer Night's Feast>  but there’s no mention of a feast at all. Considering the ending, wouldn’t it be better to rename it ‘A Dream’?"

It was a sharp observation. The theatre director, who had been standing rigidly by the Emperor's side, broke into a cold sweat, his face filled with distress as he spoke.

"I also made a similar suggestion, but Shayne said that the unique names were the last vestige of his conscience as a playwright."

"What does that even mean?"

"Well, I wonder. Geniuses like him who are lost in their own world often say incomprehensible things."

He insisted he would rather die than change the title. The theatre director lamented his inability to sway Shayne’s stubbornness regarding his peculiar titles. As the theatre director, he was accommodating Shayne as much as possible for fear of losing him, who was akin to a goose that laid golden eggs.

"In fact, the peculiar titles also spark curiosity and become a topic of discussion.” 

"But it won’t last long.”

In front of the extremely tense theatre director, Lucas tapped the script with his fingers, lost in thought, and then suddenly chuckled softly to himself. After all, it didn’t matter; he wasn’t intending to create a masterpiece of the century, so there was no need for it to last long.

No matter how entertaining it was, people would eventually grow tired of it and forget it. Trends were bound to change constantly. What the public desired was a flashy spectacle that suited their taste, so once it became stale or lost its charm, they would simply discard it and look for something new. There were plenty of talented geniuses in the world.

"Impressive. All of these works were released consecutively within just three months. It's strange that they haven't caught more attention until now."

"Actually, he said these were works he had been conceptualising for a long time. He just happened to release them all at once. Even he didn't expect to gain such sudden prominence so quickly."

The theatre director relayed what he had heard directly from Shayne: “Of course, I knew it would be a success. Whose work is this, after all?” He naturally omitted the latter part of the statement.

"Phynes Theatre Company, was it? Alright, I'll sponsor them."

Lucas made the decision effortlessly, without even meeting the playwright in person. He recognised its value immediately. 

"It's astounding that all of this came from one person's mind."

The work delicately portrayed human emotions and anguish, particularly focusing on the intense and passionate nature of love, which aligned perfectly with Lucas's tastes. While it included subtle criticisms of the social system, it never crossed the line too far, just enough to excite the common people. The peculiar names were a minor flaw, something he could overlook as a sign of the artist's eccentricity.

"<Hetbahn> is at least passable."

"That's right. I also thought it was quite a sophisticated and striking name the moment I saw it for the first time."

For some reason, the fidgety theatre director's face instantly brightened as he spoke.

"Well, when I complimented Shayne directly, he asked, 'What exactly do you mean?' but..."

It seemed Shayne was quite an eccentric. What was he doubting when he was being praised for something he had created himself? It was unusual enough that he deliberately chose such peculiar names and titles while invoking his conscience, seemingly hoping to appear strange.

"I’d like to meet him sometime."

"Certainly. If Your Majesty commands it, I will arrange a meeting soon."

Lucas nodded and gestured for him to leave. Then, the theatre director swiftly exited, and the musician who had recently become the talk of the nobility confidently entered the audience hall.

It was reported that his concerts required reservations and waiting in line, and it was said that the nobles were queuing up for piano lessons. Though he hailed from a humble and impoverished background, he was known for his passion and ambition. Undoubtedly, his compositions deserved praise, regardless of social status.

Seated on his throne, Lucas looked down at the well-groomed young man. The young man respectfully greeted him and spoke.

"My name is Mozzarella."

"…Is that your actual name?"

"It's a pseudonym. I have discarded my old, ordinary name."

Whatever his ordinary name was, it surely must have been better than his current one.

"It seems I’m out of touch with the trends these days."

It appeared that Lucas had become so engrossed in his aggressive war campaigns that he had neglected the arts industry. Everyone seemed to have gone mad. Although he decided to sponsor Mozzarella, he internally resolved that this bizarre trend needed to come to an end immediately.

Translator's Corner:

[1] Refers to chapter 31 where Benjamin commented: “Sometimes, I feel great when I find a gemstone." & "Looking at the gemstone makes me want to do what I want and break it before it gets into someone else’s hand.” He also references gemstones or “a diamond in the rough” throughout the novel.

[2] The term "green frog (effect)" (청개구리) is commonly associated with a traditional Korean folktale known as "The Green Frog." This story depicts a green frog as a rebellious character who goes against his mother’s wishes. His mother constantly advises him to behave and follow her guidance, but the frog stubbornly does the opposite. When she passes away, he realises the consequences of his actions and is filled with regret.

Link to the story: https://www.koreanstudyjunkie.com/post/%EC%B2%AD%EA%B0%9C%EA%B5%AC%EB%A6%AC%EC%84%A4%ED%99%94-green-frogs-korean-fairytale-english-and-korean

[3] "Hetbahn" (햇반) refers to freshly cooked rice, and is a creative adaptation of "Hamlet." In this case, "햇반" refers to "햇" meaning "fresh" or "sun" and "반" meaning "rice" or "meal". A popular instant rice brand in Korea is also called "Hetbahn." (https://www.cj.co.kr/en/brands/hetbahn)

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