The Kingdom’s Greatest Fool? No, I’m the Ruler From the Darkness ~The Hidden Face of the Fat Prince~ - Chapter 6: Deepening Schemes

Chapter 6: Deepening Schemes

“Your Highness Victor, I have a new proposal.”

In the depths of the workshop, Iris was spreading out complex blueprints.

Her eyes gleamed with excitement.

I removed my disguise and sat beside her.

“What is it?”

“A new technology for ice magic stone mining.”

Iris pointed to the blueprints.

They depicted the internal structure of a mine and the design of some kind of device.

“Ice magic stone mining is quite difficult with manual labor. Currently, the mainstream method involves using explosives to break rock formations and collect exposed magic stones…”

“And?”

“I propose developing a new type of explosive.”

Iris’s eyes shone with a mad glint.

Her talent in magical pharmacology seemed to shine even brighter when directed toward destructive purposes.

“More efficient by 30% than existing explosives, and with a controllable blast range. If we offer this as part of the ‘Frostheart Mine Improvement Plan’…”

“It would increase mining efficiency, but in reality…”

“Yes. In reality, if misused, this explosive could collapse the entire mine.”

Iris continued her explanation with pride.

I was reminded once again of the terrifying extent of her talent.

“Perfect.”

I smiled while staring at the blueprints.

Investing in the Frostheart family while simultaneously providing this “innovative technology.”

They would desperately try to boost production efficiency.

And then, one day, suddenly…

“Just make sure no direct evidence remains.”

“Of course, Master. I’ve already devised a way to make it look like an accident.”

As the conversation continued, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

Mia entered, holding documents.

Her expression carried a sense of anticipation, as if she had special information.

“I have a report, Master.”

“What is it?”

“We are currently planning to sell several slaves to the Frostheart family’s ice magic stone mines.”

I showed interest. My slave business was steadily expanding, becoming known in the kingdom as a source of slaves with specialized skills.

“Among them is a fallen noble family, a barony.”

“A barony?”

“Yes. The Silverleaf family.”

My eyes widened.

That name was familiar.

“Lydia Silverleaf’s family?”

“You know of them? Yes, their daughter. A 15-year-old girl, reputed to be highly intelligent and beautiful.”

Lydia Silverleaf.

I remembered her.

At her debut in high society, I was present, but she completely ignored me, surrounded by noblemen like Alexander.

It was a few years ago, but I hadn’t forgotten that insult.

“She was called the future flower of high society. Why…?”

Mia gave a small smile.

“From our investigation, it seems they fell due to the impact of our refrigerator business. The Silverleaf family ran a small company dealing in ice magic stone-related products but couldn’t adapt to the market changes.”

A sense of satisfaction spread through my heart.

My business had indirectly caused arrogant nobles to fall.

Though coincidental, it was a delightful byproduct.

“Is the baron himself here today?”

“Yes, he is.”

“I’d like to meet him.”

I stood from the chair and drank the disguise potion again.

Transforming into “Leon Silver,” I headed to the office.

—

The Silverleaf Baron, ushered into the office, had lost his former dignity and wore a weary expression.

The man who once likely wore fine clothes now stood in tattered garments, bowing deeply.

“Lord Silver, thank you for meeting me.”

Despair seeped from the baron’s voice.

“Baron Silverleaf, I’ve heard about your situation.”

I responded coolly, playing the part of a ruthless businessman.

“I… I only ask for the sake of my family.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“Please… spare my daughter and wife from being sent to the mines.”

The baron pleaded, head still bowed.

“That’s difficult. Your family has already been listed as merchandise. Especially your daughter, who is said to have an aptitude for ice magic, has been sold at a high price.”

“Please… just me.”

I stared at the baron.

The man who once looked down on me in high society was no longer there.

Only a pitiful father trying to protect his family remained.

“Well…”

I pretended to think.

“For a beautiful young lady and your wife, a brothel would be more profitable than the mines, don’t you think?”

The baron’s face paled.

“Wh… what?”

“Don’t worry. A high-class brothel. One for nobles.”

“No, please stop that too!”

The baron suddenly dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead to the floor.

A complete gesture of submission.

“I’ll do anything… please spare them…”

A cold satisfaction spread through my heart.

The sight of a once-arrogant noble groveling like this.

“Then… let’s make another proposal.”

The baron looked up, grasping at a glimmer of hope.

“How about making your daughter and wife my… mistresses?”

“Mistresses…?”

Despair deepened on the baron’s face.

But compared to the previous suggestions, it was likely more bearable.

“If… if that’s the only way to protect them…”

“No, I won’t decide so easily.”

I was enjoying cornering the baron.

“You’ll have to work for me too. If you succeed, I’ll consider making them my mistresses.”

“Wh-what kind of work?”

“First, you must convince your wife and daughter to agree to become my mistresses. And you will go to the mines. Iris, come here.”

I called Iris and gave her instructions.

Iris appeared with a small box.

“Inside this box are fire magic stones.”

Iris opened the box, revealing several small red crystals.

“We will perform a surgery to implant these magic stones in your body.”

“In… my body?”

The baron’s face drained of color.

“And we’ll implant a flint for ignition in the back of your teeth.”

Iris continued in a professional tone.

“All you need to do is bite down hard on an iron tool used for mining in the Frostheart mine’s explosive storage.”

The baron’s face contorted in terror.

“If I do that…”

“Can you imagine?”

I smiled coldly.

“If the explosive storage detonates, it will affect the entire mine. If the plan goes as intended, the Frostheart family’s main mine will suffer catastrophic damage.”

“B-but I would…”

“Yes. You’d likely die.”

Iris added calmly, like a scientist.

“But if you succeed, what will happen to your family… you understand, don’t you?”

The baron covered his face with trembling hands.

“The mines, a brothel where they’d die of disease, or becoming my mistresses… which is better?”

Crushed by despair, the baron, after a long silence, finally spoke.

“Please… let my daughter and wife become Your Highness Victor’s mistresses. I’ll convince them…”

I nodded with satisfaction.

“A good choice. But there’s one more task.”

“Wh-what is it…?”

“You know Lady Eleanor Frostheart, don’t you?”

“Of course… she’s called the flower of high society.”

“I want information to tarnish her reputation. You were part of high society. Any usable scandals?”

The baron looked confused.

“Lady Frostheart is very proper, with no rumors to speak of…”

“Nothing comes to mind?”

My voice carried intimidation. The baron seemed to desperately search his memory.

“Well… there was one time at a palace ball when she was cold to a foreign envoy, nearly causing a minor diplomatic issue…”

“That’s it?”

“And… I heard a rumor that she was somewhat close with her tutor. There was no evidence, so it faded quickly…”

I pondered.

The information wasn’t very useful.

“Alright. That’s enough for today. Come back tomorrow, and I’ll give you the detailed plan.”

The baron bowed deeply and staggered out of the room.

After he left, Iris and Mia reentered.

“Master, the plan is proceeding smoothly.”

Iris’s eyes gleamed with mad excitement.

“Yes. The preparations to ruin the Frostheart family are complete.”

I stared at the map spread on the desk. The Frostheart territory’s mines were marked in red.

“Will the baron truly follow orders?”

Mia raised a question.

“He has no choice. To protect his family, he’ll do anything.”

“And his daughter, will you really…”

I sneered.

“Don’t worry. Once his role is done, they’ll just be sent to another mine far away. They’re not even worth making mistresses.”

“A truly perfect strategy.”

Iris said with admiration.

“The collapse of the ice magic stone market, the false investment in the Frostheart family, and finally, the destruction of their mine…”

“All according to plan.”

I rolled up the map and stood from the chair.

“Now, there’s an important meeting tomorrow. Make the preparations.”

—

Eleanor’s Perspective

Eleanor Frostheart read a letter from her father, perplexed by its contents.

“With the introduction of new technology, mine productivity is expected to improve… additional funding from investors has been secured…”

In contrast to the previous pessimistic reports, this letter was filled with hope.

New investors and innovative mining technology promised to restore the family’s economic situation.

“Can this really be alright…?”

Eleanor gazed out the window.

Rain fell quietly, sliding down the glass.

Like those raindrops, unease trickled through her heart.

Recently, she had followed Alexander’s advice and increased trade with the Granblue family.

She didn’t want to wound her pride, but protecting her family required compromise.

“Big sister! Great news!”

Her younger sister Sophia burst into the room.

Her face was bright for the first time in a while.

“What is it?”

“A letter from Brother! He says he reconciled with Father! He’s agreed to the new investment plan!”

Eleanor was surprised.

Her brother Raymond was always cautious, opposing their father’s bold investments.

“Really?”

“Yes. And there was also an investment from Silver Innovation.”

“Silver? The ones making the refrigerators…”

Eleanor frowned.

The company that had caused their downfall was now appearing as their savior.

Something felt off.

“Can they be trusted?”

“According to Brother, they’re highly reliable investors. They’re even providing the latest mining technology.”

Eleanor hid her unease with a smile.

“That’s good news.”

“Yes! We might be able to go home soon!”

Sophia bounced with joy.

Though she enjoyed staying at the palace, she clearly missed home.

“I suppose so…”

Eleanor watched her sister’s delight but said nothing.

Unease still lingered in her heart.

The sudden market shift, the abrupt appearance of a savior… it all seemed too perfect to be mere coincidence.

“Oh, and there’s an invitation for you from Prince Victor.”

“What?”

Eleanor turned in surprise.

“For the next palace banquet, Prince Victor invited you as his companion.”

“Decline it. Immediately.”

Eleanor’s voice was laced with anger.

That he hadn’t given up after his insulting proposal was infuriating.

“But…”

“Sophia, that man is dangerous. Stay away from him.”

Her sister looked slightly startled by her strong tone.

“Understood… I’ll pass it along.”

Eleanor returned to the window, staring at the rain.

Beyond it, in the castle town, she could see the Silver Company’s shop.

That shop had drastically altered her family’s fate.

“Leon Silver… who are you really?”

Her heart swirled with growing unease and suspicion.

Something was happening.

And she couldn’t shake the feeling that the Silver Company and Prince Victor were at its center.

—

In a small inn in the castle town, the Silverleaf Baron faced his family.

“Father, how did it come to this…?”

Fifteen-year-old Lydia had tears in her eyes.

Her beautiful blonde hair was slightly disheveled, and fear reflected in her blue eyes.

“Lydia, listen. This is the only way for us to survive.”

The baron’s wife, Celeste, trembled beside her daughter.

Once a lady of high society, she now wore an expression filled with exhaustion and fear.

“That… Leon Silver, who is he?”

Lydia asked.

“He’s…”

The baron faltered.

In truth, he didn’t know much.

He seemed like a ruthless businessman, but there was something else in his eyes.

Vengeance, or perhaps hatred.

“He’s a cold-hearted merchant. But he gave us a choice.”

“The mines… or…”

Celeste trailed off.

“Tomorrow, I’ll meet him again. To receive final instructions.”

The baron embraced his wife and daughter.

Their fate was no longer in their hands.

“No matter what, I’ll protect our family… that’s my promise.”

A glint of resolve shone in the baron’s eyes.

No matter the humiliation or dangerous tasks, he was prepared to do anything for his family.

“Now, let’s sleep. Tomorrow… will be a long day.”

The three huddled together on a small bed.

Far from their once-luxurious mansion, this was a humble room in a shabby inn.

But now, they didn’t need luxury—only each other.

What would tomorrow bring for their fate?

The baron’s heart was filled with fear and unease, but he showed strength for his family.

He was ready to cast aside his last shred of pride to protect them.