The Kingdom’s Greatest Fool? No, I’m the Ruler From the Darkness ~The Hidden Face of the Fat Prince~ - Chapter 4: The Beginning of Darkness☆

Chapter 4: The Beginning of Darkness☆

A week had passed since the birthday party, and my business was starting to take shape with astonishing speed.

In a small workshop rented near the royal castle, Iris was engrossed in developing magical potions and tools based on my ideas.

A prototype of a simple refrigerator powered by magic had already been completed and was in the testing phase.

“Master, please take a look at this.”

Iris guided me to the back of the workshop.

There, a small box-shaped device was placed.

“This is the prototype of the refrigerator.”

“I see, it’s smaller than I expected.”

As I examined the device, Iris began explaining with pride.

“It uses a magic crystal to lower the internal temperature. Even without magical power, it can function for three days with a low-grade magic stone as a power source. The crystal is replaceable, designed to be easily used by ordinary households.”

“Excellent. Can you mass-produce it?”

“Yes. With the right materials, we can manufacture fifty units a week.”

Meanwhile, Mia was tirelessly working on establishing multiple dummy companies.

Her talent was remarkable, and in just one week, she had set up three pseudonyms and three dummy companies.

“Here are the documents, Master.”

I looked with satisfaction at the bundle of papers Mia handed me.

“Leon Silver, Marcus Gray, Hugo Black… registered under these three pseudonyms, correct?”

“Yes. Each is registered with a different commercial guild, ensuring no connection between them is apparent.”

I nodded with satisfaction.

“Perfect. We can start moving now.”

“And here’s the report for the earl’s family.”

Mia presented another set of documents.

It detailed a cleverly falsified loss report.

Despite profits already starting to come in, we would outwardly report it as a struggling, unprofitable small company.

“This is perfect too. The earl and my mother probably think this company will collapse soon.”

“Indeed. In fact, the earl sent a message saying, ‘Don’t try too hard.’”

I laughed.

“I’ll play right into their expectations.”

“By the way, both of you. Female slaves have other duties as well. You understand, right?”

By now, I had already been intimate with them multiple times.

Surprisingly, both were virgins.

For such beautiful women to have fallen into slavery while still virgins.

They were problematic women, but that didn’t matter to me.

Two beautiful, adorable employees of mine.

The two female slaves began undressing at their master’s command.

Iris and Mia exchanged glances as they let their robes and dresses fall to the floor.

Their white skin was revealed, and two beautiful naked bodies appeared.

Iris proudly thrust out her ample breasts, while Mia swayed her small but shapely hips.

“Master… what do you desire?”

As Iris knelt, her hand reached for my groin.

Confirming my hardness, she slipped her hand into my trousers.

Mia, too, wrapped her fingers around my penis from the other side, teasing it.

“Both of you, serve me with your mouths at the same time.”

“Yes…”

The two beautiful female slaves crouched down and began running their tongues along my penis.

They licked carefully from the tip’s slit to the underside.

“Ugh… good.”

As they took me into their mouths, the warm, wet sensation created pleasant pleasure.

Their tongues moved alternately, sucking and rolling around the head.

The penis, slick with their saliva, slid in and out, pressing against their cheeks.

“Nnh… mwah…”

When Mia tried to take it deep into her throat, Iris teased the ridge with the tip of her tongue.

Their breaths mingled, intensifying the stimulation across my entire penis.

They massaged my scrotum while sucking, their fingers stroking rhythmically.

“Iris, Mia… you’ve improved.”

“Thank you, Master.”

The two female slaves continued their service to my penis with delighted expressions.

They caressed it carefully with tongues and lips, occasionally exchanging smiles with each other.

“Nnh… if it pleases you, Master.”

“I’m happy too… please feel good.”

As my penis grew harder and stood erect, the female slaves were driving me toward climax.

Surrounded by their beauty, I ascended to the peak of pleasure.

“I’m coming… swallow it all!”

“Yes!!”

The thick, white fluid spurted forcefully, flowing into both their mouths.

Iris and Mia swallowed the semen with audible gulps, drinking every last drop.

“Thank you for the treat… it was delicious.”

“Me too… call us anytime.”

The two female slaves bowed respectfully, wearing satisfied smiles.

Looking at them, I grinned wickedly.

“I’ll keep enjoying you both.”

Moving to the bedroom, I pushed them onto the bed.

Iris’s glamorous body lines and Mia’s youthful limbs were vividly striking.

First, Iris.

I grabbed her ample breasts and kneaded them.

“Nnh, Master…”

Flicking her sensitive, cherry-colored nipples with my fingers, I reached with my other hand toward her private parts.

I could tell she was wet.

I lavished the same caresses on Mia.

The younger girl’s skin was smooth and pleasant to the touch.

“Ah, Master…”

Kissing them as if licking, I relentlessly targeted Iris and Mia’s erogenous zones.

Flicking their clitorises with my fingertips, I inserted fingers into their vaginas.

“Aaah! Master!”

“Nnh, more… please, harder!”

The lascivious voices of the two women intertwined.

I felt excitement watching them be pleasured by my fingers.

And, preparing for the climax of the caresses, I positioned my rigid penis.

Pressing it against Iris, I thrust in forcefully.

“Haaahhh!! Ahhh!!!”

Her tight vagina was filled with me.

As I began pistoning, moans of pleasure echoed.

“Iris, it feels good. Your pussy is the best!”

“Ahh, thank you, Master! Please, thrust even harder!! Make me the best female slave, fiercely, fiercely…!!”

Next was Mia.

Changing positions, I now plunged my penis into the young girl’s vagina.

“Hiaaahh!!! My stomach…!! Master’s is reaching my womb!!”

I vigorously moved in and out of her wet private parts.

From Iris to Mia, then back to Iris, I continued to ravish the two slaves alternately.

“Ahh, ahh, so good! It feels too good!! Master’s cock is the best!!”

“Yes, me too… I feel so good!!! I’m so happy you like our pussies!! Aahhh!!!”

Their vaginas contracted repeatedly, giving me pleasure.

“Master… please give us… your semen in our vaginas!”

Iris and Mia pleaded in unison.

I put on a final spurt, slamming my penis into the deepest part of Iris’s vagina.

And finally, I ejaculated.

I released a thick, white fluid into Iris.

“Ah, it’s hot!!! Master’s semen… it’s soaking into my womb!! Aahhh!!”

The semen gushed out, and Iris rolled her eyes back, reaching ecstasy.

Her vagina contracted repeatedly, trying to suck out every last drop.

“Master… I… want it too…”

Tears welled in Mia’s eyes, and she was also on the verge of climax.

I pulled out my penis and immediately entered Mia.

The penis, still sensitive from the recent ejaculation, felt pleasure with even the slightest movement.

“Hyaaah! It’s hitting… deep inside!”

As Mia trembled uncontrollably, I grabbed her hips and thrust fiercely.

The sound of intense pounding echoed, filling the room with a lascivious atmosphere.

“I’m coming… I’ll pour it all into Mia’s pussy!”

I thrust my penis to the deepest point and released every last drop.

The thick, white semen raged inside Mia’s vagina, driving her to the peak of pleasure.

In the end, I poured a generous amount of semen into Mia.

“Hiii!! Amazing!! It’s overflowing in my stomach!! Thank you!! Thank you, Master!!!”

The two female slaves collapsed on the floor, letting out sweet sighs.

Seeing their satisfied expressions, I gave a heartfelt smile.

I slapped both their hips and stood up.

On the bed, Iris and Mia looked up at me with satisfied smiles.

—

That evening, I disguised myself again and headed to another location in the castle town.

Today’s persona was “Leon Silver,” a middle-aged merchant.

Drawing on my past life’s experience, I perfectly played the part of a businessman.

“Lord Silver, we’ve been expecting you.”

A guild employee greeted me at the commercial guild’s reception.

“Leon Silver” was already beginning to gain a reputation as a talented up-and-coming merchant.

“I heard the results of the initial product review are out.”

“Yes, here they are.”

The documents handed over bore the stamp of “Approved.”

The refrigerator had been granted sales permission.

“You can officially start selling tomorrow. It seems you already have reservations.”

“Yes, a few.”

I answered humbly, but in reality, the number of reservations exceeded expectations.

For commoners who couldn’t use magic, a device that could preserve food without magical power was revolutionary.

—

Back at the castle, I was summoned by my mother, Queen Helena.

“Victor, how’s the company doing?”

Her voice sounded concerned.

She was probably worried about her son failing in business.

Or perhaps she was concerned about appearances for the earl’s family.

“W-Well, it’s not going well, Mother.”

I answered, playing the part of a dejected prince.

“The first product hasn’t sold yet…”

“I see.”

Mother showed a complex expression, a mix of relief and something else.

“You don’t have to push yourself. You’re not cut out for business in the first place.”

Her words carried contempt, but I pretended not to notice.

“But I’ll keep trying! It’ll work out somehow!”

I played the enthusiastic but incapable son.

Mother sighed.

“Just don’t cause too much trouble for the earl’s family.”

With that, she dismissed me.

—

The next day, the “Leon Silver Company’s” refrigerator sold out on its launch day.

The commercial guild was astonished by the overwhelming response.

“Lord Silver, it’s a remarkable product! When will the next batch arrive?”

I answered the guild employee humbly.

“The next lot will be ready in a week. We’ll increase production this time.”

Simultaneously, under the “Marcus Gray” name, another company was advancing the development of a magic-powered fan.

And under the “Hugo Black” name, a company was secretly researching magical potions.

Everything was proceeding smoothly. The reports submitted to the earl’s family showed continuous losses, while the actual profits were accumulated in secret accounts.

—

A month later, my business empire was steadily growing.

Following the refrigerator, fans, magic lamps, and electric bicycle-like products were successively launched in the market, all achieving great success.

Products that were commonplace in my past life’s Japan were embraced as revolutionary inventions in this world.

“Master, new funds have come in.”

Mia brought a report.

The figures recorded were astonishing.

“This much profit… in just one month.”

“Yes. The refrigerator is dominating the market. Imitations are starting to appear, but we’re winning on quality.”

I nodded with satisfaction.

And I gave the next instruction.

“Next, we acquire slaves.”

“Slaves?”

“Yes. Buy cheap slaves and place them in suitable roles. Streamline every process, from production to sales.”

Mia looked slightly surprised but quickly understood.

“I see. Slaves are a low-cost labor force.”

“That’s not all. Iris, explain.”

Iris stepped forward.

“We’re also researching healing and enhancement magic. We can treat slaves who’ve lost abilities due to illness or injury and further enhance their capabilities.”

“That way, the value of the slaves will increase significantly.”

My plan was clear.

Buy cheap slaves, apply magical treatment to enhance their abilities, and assign them to various business sectors.

This would dramatically improve productivity.

“Starting today, visit the slave market and find suitable talent.”

“Understood, Master.”

—-

Eleanor’s Perspective

Eleanor Frostheart stood in front of the new shop “Silver Innovation” in the castle town.

As promised, she had come with Alexander to see the trending new product.

“It’s really popular.”

A long line had formed in front of the shop.

All were people seeking the rumored “refrigerator.”

“Eleanor, over here.”

Alexander waved to her.

He had apparently already secured permission to enter the shop.

His status as the duke’s eldest son likely helped.

“Ignoring the line isn’t right.”

Eleanor frowned slightly but followed Alexander.

“Don’t worry. I got proper permission from the shop owner.”

Inside the shop, various curious devices were displayed.

Two shop assistants were politely explaining the products.

“So this is the rumored refrigerator.”

Alexander looked at the device with interest.

A small box-shaped device, but when opened, it kept the interior cold, preserving food fresh.

“It’s revolutionary that it can be used without magical power.”

Eleanor showed interest as well.

As nobles, they could use magic, but most commoners couldn’t.

This product was for such people.

“Come to think of it, it’s an obvious idea, but it’s strange no one commercialized it until now.”

Eleanor nodded at Alexander’s words.

“Nobles only think about their own convenience…”

Her words carried a hint of self-reflection.

“Dear customers, I can explain if you’re interested.”

A female shop assistant approached them.

A young, cute woman, but a slave collar was visible around her neck.

“Oh, yes. I’d like to know more about this refrigerator.”

At Eleanor’s question, the assistant began explaining fluently.

The method of replacing magic crystals, food preservation duration, price—she answered every question accurately.

“Quite a well-educated slave.”

Eleanor whispered to Alexander.

For a slave, she was knowledgeable and spoke with refinement.

“All the slaves in this shop have received special training, it seems.”

Alexander answered.

“The Silver Company is reputed for its treatment of slaves. They’re treated well and given opportunities to enhance their abilities.”

Eleanor was surprised.

Merchants who cared about slave treatment were rare.

After the explanation, the two decided to purchase a refrigerator.

“We’ll have it delivered to the castle.”

The assistant bowed politely, and Eleanor, on a whim, asked.

“I’d like to meet the shop owner.”

“I’m sorry, Lord Leon Silver is currently away on other business.”

“Oh… that’s a shame.”

Eleanor’s shoulders slumped slightly.

She was curious about the person who created such revolutionary products.

After leaving the shop, the two rested at a café in the castle town.

“That was an interesting experience.”

Eleanor said while sipping tea. Alexander nodded.

“Yeah. The world might become more convenient from now on.”

“Still…”

Eleanor felt a sense of unease, something nagging at her.

“What’s wrong?”

“No… it might be my imagination, but the shop’s atmosphere felt familiar somehow…”

Alexander tilted his head.

“Familiar how?”

“I don’t know. Just… something I’ve seen before.”

Eleanor shook her head.

It was probably her imagination.

But her sharp intuition was picking up on something amiss.

“Speaking of which, Prince Victor started a company too, didn’t he?”

Alexander said suddenly.

“Yes. But I can’t imagine that man having any business talent.”

Eleanor’s voice carried clear contempt.

“Is it fair to judge him so quickly? People can change, you know.”

At Alexander’s gentle words, Eleanor pouted slightly, looking displeased.

“You’re too kind, Lord Alexander. I can’t believe that man could accomplish anything.”

“Well, time will tell.”

Alexander said this and changed the topic.

However, something lingered in Eleanor’s mind.

The success of the Silver Company and Prince Victor’s new company.

There seemed to be no connection between the two.

Yet Eleanor’s intuition sensed something. A premonition of an unseen threat.

—

“Master, Lady Eleanor and Lord Alexander visited the shop.”

Hearing Mia’s report, I furrowed my brow.

Even in disguise, I didn’t want to cross paths with Eleanor.

There was a chance that sharp woman might notice something.

“Did they buy anything?”

“Yes, one refrigerator. We arranged for delivery to the castle.”

“I see.”

I fell into thought.

The idea of Eleanor using my product stirred complex emotions.

Joy, a sense of ironic satisfaction, and something else.

“Don’t worry about it. She won’t connect me to the product.”

Mia nodded, looking relieved.

“On another note, regarding the slaves…”

Mia presented a new report.

It listed the slaves we had acquired.

“We’ve already secured twenty. All possess some kind of specialized skill.”

“And Iris’s treatments?”

“Ten have been completed. The rest are being treated in order.”

I nodded with satisfaction.

The plan was proceeding as scheduled—no, even faster than anticipated.

“We move to the next phase.”

I pointed to a map spread out on the desk.

It detailed the kingdom’s territories and their major industries.

“Where are the main sources of magic crystals?”

Mia pointed to the northeastern part of the map. “The Frostheart Earl’s territory. It’s rich in ice magic stones.”

“Eleanor’s family, huh…”

I gazed at it with interest.

The Frostheart family was a prestigious noble house known for producing ice magic stones.

The high-quality ice magic stones from their territory were highly prized among court mages and nobles.

“But our refrigerators use low-quality magic stones.”

Iris added.

“The so-called ‘scrap stones,’ typically discarded or sold cheaply.”

“That’s our strength.”

I smirked.

By using low-quality magic stones for products aimed at commoners, not the noble market, we significantly reduced costs.

“Can we procure even more of these scrap stones?”

“Yes. Recently, there’s been an increase in requests from mines across regions to buy scrap stones.”

I raised an eyebrow at Mia’s report.

“What’s that about?”

“Since our refrigerators hit the market, demand for scrap stones has surged. Other companies are starting to develop similar products.”

“I see…”

I pondered.

The market was moving faster than expected.

I had anticipated imitations, but not this quickly.

“So, for the Frostheart family…”

“It’s a complicated situation.”

Mia continued her explanation.

“Demand for high-quality stones remains steady, but the scrap stones they used to discard have suddenly gained value. However, their equipment and strategies are specialized for high-quality stone mining.”

“So they’d need new investments.”

“Exactly. Rumor has it the Frostheart Earl has already begun massive investments in mine expansion.”

I couldn’t help but smirk.

“An interesting development.”

This was an unexpected effect, but not a bad one.

If I could indirectly strike a blow at Eleanor’s family, that would be amusing.

“Investigate the market changes in detail. And increase our scrap stone purchases.”

“Understood.”

I continued with further instructions.

“And have another dummy company offer to invest in the Frostheart family’s mine expansion.”

Mia’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Invest in the enemy?”

“Use the enemy.”

I laughed.

“Let them make large-scale investments, and by investing ourselves, we gain insider information. Then, when the market saturates…”

“We withdraw and let them take the losses.”

Iris murmured, understanding.

“Exactly. Revenge is achieved through money. That’s the way of a businessman.”

As Yamada Seiichi, I had experienced all sorts of maneuvers in the business world.

That knowledge and experience were now my weapons for revenge.

“Now, let’s move to the next step. How’s the magical potion development?”

Iris stepped forward.

“The appearance-altering potion is nearly complete. The effect lasts about six hours, but by recording the formula, the same appearance can be replicated each time.”

“Perfect.”

This would allow me to manipulate even more pseudonyms and dummy companies. My plan was steadily advancing.

—

Eleanor’s Perspective

Eleanor Frostheart held a letter from her father, frowning.

Letters from home weren’t unusual, but this one’s contents were cause for concern.

“The ice magic stone market is changing…”

According to the letter, demand for scrap stones, previously considered worthless, had suddenly surged, causing significant market fluctuations.

Her father, the earl, had decided to seize this opportunity and invest heavily in mine expansion.

“A decision typical of Father.”

Eleanor let out a small sigh.

Her father was always proactive, never missing a business opportunity.

That was what had elevated the Frostheart family to its current status.

But the latter half of the letter contained something that worried her.

“My brother is clashing with him…”

Her brother, Raymond Frostheart, was cautious and opposed rapid investment.

He viewed it as a “temporary boom” and argued they should focus on producing existing high-quality stones.

This disagreement had led to heated arguments at family meetings, with her younger sister, Sophia, reportedly breaking down.

“Sophia…”

Eleanor worried about her 14-year-old sister.

A sensitive girl, she reacted strongly to family conflicts.

“Should I return home right away?”

She gazed out the window, lost in thought.

Her position at the castle made it difficult to leave easily. But if it was a family crisis, that was another matter.

Her thoughts were interrupted when a butler entered the room.

“Lady Eleanor, you have a visitor.”

“Who is it?”

“Your younger sister.”

Eleanor stood up in surprise.

“Sophia?”

“Yes. She apologizes for the sudden visit.”

“Let her in immediately!”

A few minutes later, Sophia Frostheart entered the room.

A girl with silver hair similar to Eleanor’s, but her eyes were red and swollen.

She had clearly been crying.

“Sophia!”

Eleanor embraced her sister. Sophia began crying again in her sister’s arms.

“Big sister… things are bad at home…”

“Calm down. Tell me slowly.”

Eleanor sat her sister down and prepared warm tea.

After calming slightly, Sophia began to speak.

“Father and Brother have been fighting every day. From morning to night, about the mines…”

According to Sophia, the situation was more serious than the letter had indicated.

The earl had taken on debt to invest in mine expansion, and Raymond was fiercely critical of it.

“Father says, ‘Don’t miss the tide of change,’ and Brother retorts, ‘Reckless investment will ruin the family.’”

“It’s gotten that bad…”

Eleanor furrowed her brow with worry.

The Frostheart family was known for its unity.

Disagreements were common, but public disputes were rare.

“Yesterday, during dinner, Brother flipped the table!”

Sophia teared up again.

“I was so scared… so I came to you…”

“You did well to come.”

Eleanor took her sister’s hand.

“You can stay here for a while. I’ll write to Father and Brother.”

Sophia nodded with relief.

“But why did the market change so suddenly?”

Eleanor wondered.

The ice magic stone market had been stable for years.

There had to be a reason for the sudden surge in scrap stone demand.

“Well…”

Sophia’s expression brightened slightly.

“There’s this thing called a refrigerator that’s become popular in town. They say it uses scrap stones…”

“A refrigerator?”

Eleanor was surprised.

The product she and Alexander had seen the other day.

“A merchant named Leon Silver started the business. It spread from there, and now many companies are making similar products.”

Eleanor fell into thought.

The Silver Company’s product was affecting her family.

“Intriguing…”

The unease she felt at the shop resurfaced in her mind.

There was something nagging at her.

“Big sister?”

“Sorry, I was thinking.”

Eleanor smiled and patted her sister’s head.

“Don’t worry. Family disputes will settle eventually. Until then, I’ll protect you.”

Sophia smiled with relief, but Eleanor’s heart remained uneasy.

Family conflicts, a rapidly changing market, and the oddly compelling presence of the Silver Company.

Were they all mere coincidence, or was there a connection?

Her intuition told her something was amiss.