254. A Year’s End
The low, steady hum of the Lord’s Castle was punctuated by the faint, invisible chimes of the Reputation System, signaling continuous influx. Ravenna, seated in the elegant quiet of her study, glanced at the real-time log displaying her growing infamy.
[ Reputation Points System ]
- +10 Point: Captain Newt’s fear of your fleet's attack has him overwhelmed. (Effect of Title: Raven of the Sun Palace)
- +10 Point: Reading about your annexation of Otto in the newly published newspaper Duke Albert Roland fears your growing influence. (Effect of Title: Raven of the Sun Palace)
[ Reputation System v1.0 ]
User: Ravenna Solarius / Joy Cha Kim
Reputation Level: 79 — (234,578 / 390,900 EXP)↑
Current Reputation Points: 340 RP↑
Titles Unlocked: Raven of the Sun Palace, Unruly Princess, Beast Slayer
{ View Reputation Log } { Spend Reputation Points }
“I have to wait for points to pile before I can effectively use the Origin Domain to start another assembly line,” she sighed, recognizing the patience required for high-stakes, large-scale instant manufacturing.
Just then, the door opened, and Alice, ever the punctual shadow, entered the room, placing a thick report onto the table.
“Here are the latest reports for the newspaper distribution across the capital and the mainland Empire,” Alice reported. “Earl Taylor Hessman’s successful launch of more Raven Casino branches has more than tripled our network's reach, dramatically increasing distribution.”
Ravenna quickly immersed herself in the report, satisfied that her intel network and information control were spreading faster than anticipated. As she reviewed the figures, Alice spoke again, her voice gaining a subtle, expectant shift.
“Your schedule is completely free for tomorrow evening,” Alice mentioned pointedly.
“That… it is,” Ravenna replied distractedly, still engrossed in reading the details of the capital’s surprisingly high readership. She did not immediately grasp Alice's intention.
Alice sighed, placing a hand on her hip. “It’s Mina’s first birthday, Ravenna. Be there.”
Ravenna froze, the document slipping slightly in her grip. Her eyes shot up to Alice, realization hitting her with the force of a hammer. “Oh! That’s right! She was born in the first week of summer!”
Alice was already walking toward the door. “As her godmother, I hope to see you there for at least more than a few minutes,” she said, her tone a perfect blend of maternal expectation and sharp-witted challenge.
“Shit…” Ravenna muttered the moment the door clicked shut, rubbing her temples. The invasion of the mainland and the annexation of the Otto had entirely consumed her thoughts. “I have absolutely nothing planned for a present for the little one.” The sudden intrusion of domesticity amidst the larger schemes at play felt jarring, yet deeply important.
Roland Estate, Imperial District, Imperial Capital, Ancorna Empire
“Ten reasons why Prince Landon’s rebellion is justified?” Duke Albert Roland read aloud the front page of the newly published newspaper, his voice escalating into a dangerous tremor. He glared across the room at the two men sitting opposite him. “Are you out of your damned minds?!”
Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!
The luxurious chambers of Duke Albert Roland, Minister of Economy, the temporarily appointed acting right-hand man to the Emperor, wore a scene of furious disarray.
“Tell me, Director Duke Ryan Gabeson and your manager, Earl Taylor Hessman! Is the Imperial Merchant Association really this stupid?” Duke Roland finished, his anger seething.
The Director of the Imperial Merchant Association and his high-ranking manager sat utterly unperturbed. “It’s just one of the many products sold by Raven Casino, a business entity of our client,” Director Duke Gabeson replied with a placid, maddening smile.
“You fucking bastard!” Duke Roland roared, sweeping his arm across the table, scattering the offending newspapers across the floor. “Don’t you get it? This is damaging the imperial court’s reputation and boosting the public’s opinion towards the traitors!”
“Of course, I understand,” Director Duke Gabeson again replied with non-chalant agreement.
“Then stop it! Stop the operations of the Raven Casino in the Capital immediately!” Duke Roland warned, his voice straining.
Director Duke Gabeson’s smile widened, edged with a sly triumph. “The First Emperor of the Laor Empire, before the Empire was split into Ancorna and Conley, very explicitly stated that the leader of the nation should not have control over criticism against them, had he not?”
Duke Roland’s eyes narrowed to a sharp glare. “What ancient history are you rambling about?”
“The Imperial Constitution states: non-violent criticism of the Imperial Court must not be oppressed, for it is blasphemy against Goddess Solious’s teachings of Justice,” Director Duke Gabeson stated, his calm voice a lethal contrast to the Duke’s rage. He finished: "Especially criticism voiced by the citizens of the Council of Vassal States, who are promised a high degree of autonomy under the Original Pact."
“That’s what’s written in the latest article of the newspaper,” Earl Hessman finished with a sly smirk remark.
Duke Roland was about to burst with unfathomable anger when Earl Hessman swiftly interjected, his voice calculated to sound helpful. “So.. Y-Your Grace Duke Roland, shutting down the Casinos and seizing the newspapers will be a bigger blow to the Imperial Court’s reputation than just letting them distribute now, precisely because that constitutional article is currently being cited.”
Duke Roland’s fists tightened. He had been entrusted with temporarily acting as the Emperor's right hand, and he could not afford to disappoint the Imperial Court.
“Damn it! Fine! Then have them issue a new article immediately! The Imperial Court understands the vassal states’ citizens' worries and has been diligently working towards the betterment of the Council of Vassal States and never had the intention of overreaching the promised autonomy!” Duke Roland conceded, spitting out the carefully chosen public relations phrases.
“That is a great idea, Duke Roland,” Director Duke Gabeson nodded, feigning total agreement.
“That’s truly a great idea, Your Grace, but we don’t have control over what gets written in the newspapers, our client does,” Earl Hessman countered, bowing slightly as if still agreeing.
“You bastards!” Duke Roland slammed the table, sending shockwaves through the delicate room. “Then pressure your client to do so! Do you want the wrath of the Emperor on your necks?!”
“You are right, Duke Roland,” Director Duke Gabeson again nodded calmly. “We must have them write truthfully about how much the Imperial Court cares for the Council of Vassal States region. After all, our great Emperor Andrew’s empathy reaches far and wide.”
“Then you will pressure them to write it?” Duke Roland’s face finally brightened with relief and joy, sensing a victory.
His hope was instantly extinguished by Earl Hessman’s next words. “We can certainly ask our client to write an article from the Imperial Court's side, but… they can’t just write it. Imperial Court discussions never reach the public eye, right? Unlike Prince Landon’s rebels, who are readily giving interviews and leaking tips from locals for the Casino’s reporters.”
“They just don’t have anything positive or even substantial to write about the Imperial Court because no intel ever reaches them. They simply don’t have the material, Your Grace,” Earl Hessman finished with a low bow, barely concealing his smirk.
Duke Roland, his eyes wide with frustration and despair, grabbed at his hair. “Fine! Have them send their ‘reporters’ with me to the next Imperial Court session! They can write the discussions as positively as possible in the newspapers!”
Duke Ryan Gabeson and Earl Hessman exchanged a sly, triumphant smirk behind the Duke’s back. The Duke had just granted their client, Ravenna, unprecedented access to the Imperial Court's inner workings, all to save face.