The Kingdom’s Greatest Fool? No, I’m the Ruler From the Darkness ~The Hidden Face of the Fat Prince~ - Chapter 12: The Smile Beneath the Mask

Chapter 12: The Smile Beneath the Mask

In the grand hall of the royal palace known as the “King’s Chamber,” nobles and high officials had gathered.

It was the regular audience time.

Today, due to a special guest, more people than usual were in attendance.

I stood, as always, in a corner of the court.

Wearing a gaudy custom-made outfit tailored to my plump figure, I held a catalog of new sex toys in my hand.

Blatant scornful gazes were directed at me from those around.

“Again, that prince is advertising his vulgar business.”

“A disgrace to the royal family.”

“Why doesn’t the king stop him?”

Whispers reached my ears.

I laughed inwardly.

Perfect disguise.

No one suspects that beneath this foolish prince’s mask lies a cold, calculating strategist.

“Oh, Prince Victor.”

Turning, I saw one of the court’s high officials addressing me.

A middle-aged man with a rugged appearance.

Dressed in plain black formal attire, it was Archbishop Nelson.

“Archbishop! We have a special guest today, don’t we?”

I greeted him loudly with exaggerated enthusiasm.

Snickers leaked from the crowd.

Beside the archbishop stood a young, beautiful woman.

Clad in white robes, she exuded a pure aura.

It was Saintess Seraphina, a visitor from the Eastern Church.

Revered throughout the kingdom as a symbol of chastity and compassion.

“Saintess, a pleasure to meet you!”

I bowed dramatically.

The saintess smiled, but her eyes showed clear unease.

“Prince Victor, I’ve heard much about you…”

Her voice was soft and refined.

“Rumors? About my business, perhaps?”

I deliberately steered the conversation.

The archbishop cleared his throat, but I pressed on.

“I’ve got a new catalog! Want to take a look?”

The saintess’s face flushed red.

“N-no, thank you…”

“Your Highness.”

The archbishop’s stern voice cut in.

“Such topics are inappropriate for this setting…”

“Inappropriate?”

I tilted my head with an innocent expression.

“But everyone seems interested? Especially the church folks—they order a lot.”

The archbishop’s face froze for a moment.

The saintess’s blush deepened.

Inwardly, I was rolling with laughter.

I knew their secret.

The archbishop and the saintess were secretly involved and avid users of my sex toys.

The trackers embedded in the devices confirmed it.

Even now, the saintess was wearing a remote-controlled item.

And the remote was in the archbishop’s possession.

“Such a business goes against holy teachings…”

The saintess spoke firmly.

But her voice trembled slightly.

“Really? The quality’s top-notch, though. Especially the vibration strength…”

“Your Highness!”

“Guh…”

The archbishop’s voice grew louder.

His face showed not just anger but clear panic.

Likely, his hand had pressed the remote’s button hard.

I saw the saintess tremble faintly.

“Seems to be at maximum output.”

I muttered under my breath.

The archbishop’s face paled.

“What are you talking about…”

“Nothing at all.”

I grinned.

Both were visibly shaken.

“Well, I wouldn’t want to interfere with your noble mission. Excuse me.”

I bowed deeply and moved to leave.

But I leaned in and whispered to them.

“I know everything.”

Their expressions shifted.

The archbishop’s face, in particular, showed clear fear.

“Strong pressure on this business would be troublesome.”

With that, I walked away.

Behind me, I sensed their demeanor change.

Their rigid stance crumbled, and their tones turned submissive.

“Ridiculous farce.”

Leaving the court, I sneered inwardly.

Religious leaders posing as guardians of morality while indulging in desires behind closed doors.

Knowing that was my power.

Outside the castle, I boarded a waiting carriage where Mia was waiting.

“How did today go?”

“Perfect. We’ve likely avoided church interference.”

I answered with satisfaction.

Playing the fool at court was actually very profitable.

Everyone lets their guard down, never suspecting my true self.

And I can gather all sorts of secrets.

“What’s on the schedule as Baron Silver?”

“Tomorrow, the unveiling party for the new palace. Preparations are ready, yes?”

“Yes, everything’s on track.”

The carriage passed through the castle town toward my hideout.

Gazing at the city scenery through the window, I reflected on my business’s success.

“All three faces besides the prince are thriving.”

Mia nodded.

“The slave trade as Hugo Black, magical goods as Leon Silver, and household products as Marcus Gray… all are flourishing.”

“Winter’s approaching.”

I said, looking at the autumn leaves outside.

“Yes. That’s boosting Leon and Marcus’s businesses especially.”

Winter’s arrival was a tailwind for my ventures.

Demand for refrigerators and heaters surged.

But it also brought significant market changes.

“How’s the price of scrap ice magic stones?”

“Continuing to rise. Meanwhile, charcoal and fire magic stone prices are falling.”

“I see…”

This was part of my plan.

The spread of refrigerators using scrap ice magic stones had raised the value of once-discarded stones.

Meanwhile, Marcus Gray’s magic stone stoves, which cooked efficiently with less fuel, had reduced demand for fire magic stones.

“What’s the status of the Granblue and Braveheart families?”

“They’re starting to feel the impact. Not catastrophic yet, but their revenues are steadily declining.”

Alexander’s and Leia’s families.

Eleanor’s fiancé and her friend’s houses.

Though not as severe as the Frosthearts, they were gradually taking hits from my businesses.

“Perfect.”

I smiled with satisfaction.

Everything was going according to plan.

—

At the hideout, Iris was waiting with the latest report.

“Master, the latest batches of stamina and magic enhancement potions are complete.”

“Ready for export to neighboring countries?”

“On schedule. As instructed, we’ve adjusted concentrations by country.”

I spread a map and pointed to four neighboring nations.

“Skarge gets 150% potency, Darnia 35%, Brune 40%, Mountain 55%, Elmalia 45%.”

“Yes, perfectly adjusted.”

This was one of my most cunning strategies.

Selling potions to neighboring armies to manipulate their military strength.

No country would grow too strong or too weak, maintaining a delicate balance.

And, as a precaution, all potions had a secret weakness built in.

“What’s the profit?”

“Over 1 million gold coins this month alone.”

Hearing that, I nodded with satisfaction.

The wealth and power Yamada Seiichi once dreamed of.

Now, I was grasping it.

“How about the backgrounds of the three aliases? Any risk of scrutiny?”

“Flawless. Each has a solid past.”

Mia began explaining.

“Hugo Black, an orphan raised as a mercenary. Leon Silver, an illegitimate child of a fallen noble raised by a merchant. Marcus Gray, from a dwarven mining country where he learned technology…”

“No one can trace those, right?”

“Yes. All are ‘borrowed’ identities from slaves. The real Hugo, Leon, and Marcus are no longer in this world. There’s no record of them ever meeting.”

I sneered.

“Of course. They’re the same person.”

Mia and Iris smiled.

They were among the few who knew my entire plan.

“Now, let’s finalize tomorrow’s palace party.”

I reviewed the documents spread on the desk.

Baron Silver’s social success stood in stark contrast to Prince Victor’s pathetic reputation.

That was my perfect double life.

“The guest list?”

“Royalty, major noble houses, and…”

Mia emphasized one name.

“Lady Eleanor Frostheart will attend.”

A satisfied smile spread across my face.

“Perfect. I’m looking forward to her reaction.”

Gazing at the twilight sky through the window, I thought of tomorrow’s party.

All my plans were gradually taking shape.

“Let’s toast.”

I poured wine and raised my glass.

“To success.”

Mia and Iris quietly clinked their glasses.

A toast to success.

And to the anticipation of my plan’s completion.

—

The sound of a sword slicing through the air shattered the forest’s silence.

Eleanor Frostheart swung a slender blade imbued with ice magic, felling the beast before her in one strike.

The beast’s body glowed pale blue, froze instantly, and shattered into dozens of fragments.

“That’s the third one…”

She exhaled shortly, staying vigilant with her sword raised.

The “Red Forest” in the Braveheart family’s territory.

Recent reports of dangerous beasts multiplying here had prompted Leia’s request for Eleanor to investigate.

“To think I’d be doing this kind of work…”

Eleanor muttered with self-deprecation.

The old her would have scoffed at beast-slaying as a lowly adventurer’s job.

As the Frostheart earl’s daughter, a shining star of high society, it was a world apart.

But things were different now.

Her family’s finances remained dire, forcing her to seek any income, even if it meant swallowing her pride.

“Eleanor! Over here!”

Leia Braveheart’s voice called from deeper in the forest.

Eleanor swiftly ran toward her.

She saw Leia, red hair flowing in the wind, wielding a battle-axe.

Five beasts surrounded her.

“Need help?”

Eleanor asked half-jokingly.

Leia was a combat expert, and enemies of this level should be no trouble for her.

“No, but I didn’t want you stealing my prey.”

Leia laughed, cleaving a beast’s head in two with one swing.

Eleanor joined her, and together they swiftly dispatched the remaining beasts.

“Is that all of them?”

Eleanor asked, staying vigilant.

“No, there should be a leader. Beasts around here don’t act alone.”

Leia said, examining the beast corpses.

“Let’s track it.”

The two ventured deeper into the forest.

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the woods.

Eleanor focused her magic, creating a small orb of light in her palm.

“I never thought I’d live like this.”

She said quietly.

“But it suits you surprisingly well.”

At Leia’s words, Eleanor looked surprised.

“You’re joking, right? I was the belle of high society.”

“That’s one thing, this is another. You’re strong, Eleanor. It’s just that the stage for showing it has changed.”

Leia’s earnest words made Eleanor look away, slightly embarrassed.

“I’m just adapting to the situation.”

“No need to be modest. Your swordsmanship is impressive. You’ve absorbed everything I taught you and made it your own.”

That was true.

Eleanor had learned basic martial arts as a child, but since her family’s financial troubles began, she had trained rigorously under Leia.

Her natural talent and effort led to remarkable progress in a short time.

“Even high-difficulty quests would be easy for you.”

Leia continued.

“Once this job’s done, I’ll pass you some better-paying requests.”

“Thank you… but…”

Eleanor paused for a moment.

“But?”

“Force alone won’t change anything. It’s like a drop in the bucket for my family’s plight.”

Her voice carried resignation.

No matter how much she earned slaying beasts, it was far from enough to repay the Frostheart family’s massive debts.

“Are you giving up?”

“No, it’s just…”

Their conversation was cut off by a sudden roar.

A massive shadow burst from the forest depths.

It was a beast-like creature covered in red scales, spewing flames from its mouth.

“Fire Dragon Lizard Kalim!”

Leia shouted.

It was a rare, high-level beast in this region.

“Ice magic will work!”

Eleanor immediately channeled magic into her sword.

The blade glowed pale blue, emitting an icy mist.

“I’ll take the front! Support me from behind!”

Leia rushed forward, drawing the beast’s attention with her massive battle-axe.

Eleanor calmly analyzed the situation, waiting for the perfect moment to strike with precise magic.

The Fire Dragon Lizard unleashed powerful flames, which Leia blocked with her shield while counterattacking.

Eleanor gauged the beast’s movements and struck at the perfect moment with her ice magic.

“Frost Break!”

An arc of pale blue light shot from her sword, hitting the beast’s legs.

Ice chains formed instantly, binding its movements.

“Now, Leia!”

Leia leapt without hesitation, swinging her axe down.

The beast screamed but didn’t fall completely.

It shattered the ice chains and thrashed even more violently.

“Persistent, aren’t you!”

Eleanor readied her sword, channeling stronger magic.

Her blade became encased in ice crystals, resembling a frozen sculpture.

“Eternal Frost!”

She leapt toward the beast, delivering a precise strike.

Her sword pierced its chest, and freezing began from within.

The beast let out an anguished roar as its body gradually turned into an ice statue.

Leia delivered the final blow, and the frozen beast shattered into countless fragments.

“Brilliant!”

Leia praised Eleanor with an excited expression.

“I’ve never seen that ice magic before.”

“It’s a spell I developed recently.”

Eleanor answered with a hint of pride.

“I adapted my family’s traditional ice magic in my own way.”

“Impressive. This Fire Dragon Lizard’s materials will fetch a high price. Especially the heart and scales.”

They began collecting valuable materials from the beast’s remains.

Eleanor worked with practiced ease.

“A few months ago, I couldn’t have imagined this.”

She gave a self-deprecating laugh.

“The Frostheart family’s belle, collecting materials from beast corpses.”

“But this feels more like you.”

Leia’s words surprised Eleanor.

“What do you mean?”

“You have strength. In high society or on the battlefield. But the battlefield lets you express that strength more honestly, doesn’t it?”

Eleanor fell silent, thinking.

Indeed, fighting beasts allowed her to directly showcase her power.

Unlike the scheming of high society, it was a world where raw ability spoke.

“But this alone…”

Reality pulled her back.

Today’s earnings, compared to her family’s debts, were truly negligible.

Barely enough to cover a day’s interest, which kept snowballing.

“It won’t happen overnight, but you’ll find a way.”

Leia patted her shoulder.

“Come on, let’s head back. We need to reach town before dark.”

They packed the collected materials and left the forest.

On the way to town, Eleanor thought about her family.

Six months since the mine explosion.

Reconstruction was stalled, and debts kept mounting.

Her father’s health had deteriorated, and her brother was constantly negotiating with creditors.

And the fact that their biggest creditor was Baron Leon Silver.

“Baron Silver…”

Recalling his name, Eleanor frowned.

Her gut told her she couldn’t trust that man.

She had no choice but to attend his upcoming palace party due to her family’s position.

“Thinking about something?”

Leia’s voice snapped her back.

“Yes, about Baron Silver’s party tomorrow.”

“Oh, the unveiling of his new palace? I’m invited too.”

“You’re going?”

“Yes, since Father can’t. You?”

Eleanor nodded.

“As my family’s representative. Father and Brother aren’t well…”

“Alexander will be there, right?”

“Yes.”

Eleanor’s expression brightened slightly.

Her fiancé was one of her few rays of hope.

“He’s been investigating something lately.”

“Investigating?”

“Yes. About Baron Silver and a slave trader named Hugo Black.”

Leia stopped in surprise.

“Why?”

Eleanor hesitated, then recounted Black’s proposal to buy Sophia as a contract slave.

“What a scum…”

Anger flashed in Leia’s eyes.

“Such a proposal…”

“Alexander was tempted at first, but he rejected it outright.”

“Of course!”

“But that incident prompted him to investigate Silver and Black. I feel there’s a pattern in their actions, along with Prince Victor’s…”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. It might just be intuition. But all three have approached my family in some way. It feels too perfect for coincidence…”

Leia’s expression grew serious.

“That’s odd. There might be something behind it.”

“Tomorrow’s party might reveal something.”

“Be careful. I’ll keep my eyes open too.”

The town came into view.

Evening light dyed the stone buildings red.

“Today’s payment can be collected at the guild tomorrow. The Fire Dragon Lizard materials should fetch a high price.”

“Thank you, Leia.”

Eleanor expressed her gratitude.

The old her would have felt humiliated by a friend’s help.

But now, she was purely thankful for Leia’s friendship.

“See you tomorrow, then.”

They parted at the town square.

Heading to her inn, Eleanor thought about tomorrow’s party.

It might be a chance to uncover something. To find a way to change her family’s situation.

She renewed her resolve.

Force alone might not save her family.

But combining strength and wisdom could open a path.

“Wait, Baron Silver.”

She murmured quietly.

“I’ll find out what you’re hiding.”

The first stars began to twinkle in the sky.

Tomorrow was a new day of battle.

This time, the battlefield was a glamorous high society party.

But deep in her heart, she felt the same tension as in the forest.