Chapter 12 – 12. The Duke’s Third Sabotage

– One –

In late spring, a great uproar broke out in the empire.

The priest’s out-of-wedlock gate, triggered by the revelation of an anonymous conscientious whistleblower, continued to expand without knowing the end.

Dongjeguk Ilbo (東帝國日報) – May 16, 5000 by the Goddess Calendar
[Is it okay in the religious world to excommunicate out-of-wedlock priests?]

Hwangseong First Newspaper – May 16, 5000 by the Goddess Calendar
[His Majesty expresses deep concern about the moral laxity of the clergy]

Citizen Daily – May 16, 5000 Goddess
[Imperial citizens are angry at the news of priests who emphasized moral life]

Imperial Newspaper – May 16, 5000 by the Goddess
[Continuous additional revelations of out-of-wedlocks, the saintess remains silent]

Maeil Shinbo (May 16, 5000 by the Goddess Calendar)
[An angry citizen set fire to the monastery under the jurisdiction of the Saint Women’s faction, fortunately no casualties]

Empire Divine Daily – May 16, Goddess Year 5000
[The religious world suffers from heated debate every day. The conflict between the factions that was sutured at the end of a thousand years of hard work, will it re-ignite?]

And numerous media outlets in the empire published critical editorials, intensively covered the related content, and continued follow-up reports.

Dongjeguk Ilbo – May 17, 5000 by the Goddess
[Non-ending exposure of additional children outside of marriage, Cardinal A, who is synonymous with poverty, only five children outside of marriage]

Hwangseong Jeil Newspaper – May 17, 5000 by the Goddess
[His Majesty the Emperor issued guidelines on the issue of out-of-wedlock children, and all clergymen who were born out of wedlock must be thoroughly investigated]

Shimin Daily – Goddess Calendar 5000 May 17
[Consecutive accusations by civic groups of unfair preferential treatment for children of clergy entering the imperial academy and appointments as government officials]

Imperial News – May 17, 5000 by Goddess Calendar
[Archbishop B discussed the appointment of an out-of-wedlock official with the appointment authority, but excommunicated by revealing that there was no improper solicitation]

Maeil Shinbo – Goddess Calendar 5000 May 17
[Citizens-led saint women boycott writes a new history in the religious world’s ethical bill]

Empire Shinseong Daily – May 17, 5000 by Goddess Calendar
[Lee In-ja of the Saint Women’s faction, Cardinal C, with a burning heart. I want to hang myself]

Another corruption was exposed before the people involved could respond or issue statements.

Far from dealing with it, they had no choice but to lock the door and exercise their right to remain silent.

Dongjeguk Ilbo – May 18, 5000 by the Goddess
[A cardinal, found dead in his home. There is no will]

Hwangseong Jeil Newspaper – May 18, 5000 by the Goddess
[His Majesty expresses regret for the deceased Cardinal A, no condolences]

Shimin Daily – Goddess Calendar 5000 May 18
[The out-of-wedlocks of the clergy, whom civic groups have accused of unfair preferential treatment, disappeared after submitting letters of resignation and withdrawal one after another]

Imperial News – May 18, Goddess Calendar 5000
[Archbishop B expresses resentment at the intensive fire he faced alone in the prevalence of fraudulent solicitations for children outside of marriage in the religious world. Will it lead to additional disclosures by insiders?]

Maeil Shinbo – Goddess Calendar 5000 May 18
[A candlelight vigil in the plaza in front of the imperial castle continues every day. The number of rally participants exceeded 10,000]

Empire Shinseong Daily – May 18, 5000 by Goddess Calendar
[Announcement of the saintess’ statement, excommunication of all immoral priests after investigation. No exceptions]

The Duke of Regal smiled heartily as he read the headlines of the daily newspapers within the empire that had been published over the past three days.

“Your wife’s plan is so mysterious.”

“It’s thanks to my husband who took my words seriously and adjusted them to suit the situation.”

Chiba shyly blushed under his congratulations and showed humility.

“Thanks to you, three days after implementing the plan, I don’t have to worry about the saints any more. You’ve done a really great job.”

“I don’t know what to do with the undeserved words of congratulations.”

“It’s a plan devised by your wife, so I’d like to ask your opinion about future guidelines. Do you think it’s necessary to continue to push the Saint Women faction?”

“Are you worried about whether to destroy them completely, or whether to tame them by giving them a way to live?”

“Exactly.”

Chiba replied with a smile.

“Both eyes have a clear first-half, but I don’t think the big picture will be affected no matter which one you choose.”

“What would you say if I were to ask about your choice based on your personal taste?”

“A dog that barks once will bark twice or three times.”

Regal nodded her head and turned to the head of the house to ask a question.

“How many media companies do you support in your family?”

“We are sponsoring 27 local minor media outlets, including the 6 major media outlets that publish daily newspapers you just saw. Each media company relies on sponsorship from its head office for 70 percent of its annual total operating expenses. , Are all minor media outlets.”

“I see. Then, can I exert enough influence on the tone of their editorial and the direction of the article?”

“You already have enough influence on the media you are sponsoring. What guidelines can you give for writing articles?”

Regal answered after arranging her thoughts for a moment.

“Choose a local minor press. It’s better if it doesn’t matter if it’s closed. Also, post the list of out-of-wedlocks of the Saint Women faction investigated by the Imperial Special Task Force, along with their real names.”

“The effect will be weaker than through major media outlets.”

“If you tighten it too much, the other side will notice that we are behind it. Then, what if we expose the corruption on our side with the determination to become friends?”

“Ah, the citizenry might turn the point of their knives against us if we’re not careful.”

The butler nodded and wrote down the instructions.

“And didn’t you investigate all the cases of out-of-wedlocks who were admitted to the imperial academy with illicit preferential treatment and those who were appointed to bureaucratic positions by illicit solicitations from priests?”

“That’s right.”

“Reveal your real name and post all of them.”

“If we disclose all of those materials, the priests of the Saint Women’s sect will surely be very angry… Ah!”

“Even the saints who are angry and desperate will bite us and hang on because there is no easy way to do anything about the revelation led by major media outlets.”

“However, if it is a small local media outlet, there is a high possibility that it will be accused of heresy and wiped out by force under the command of the temple before the excommunication spreads further.”

“That’s right. And if they act our way, we’ll have another chance to attack.”

“We will prepare in advance and continue to report the criminal acts and atrocities of the Saint Women faction before destroying evidence.”

“You always catch on to what I’m trying to say and you’re so easy to talk to.”

Regal smiled and patted the butler’s shoulder congratulating him.

“You’re over-praised. Your Highness, there is a media company that is just right for a scapegoat. The Empire State Daily, which publishes a daily newspaper in an area where wealthy citizens near the Imperial Capital deliberately built villas to enjoy the rest of their lives. We have a media outlet.”

“Are you one of the two media outlets you don’t sponsor?”

“Yes. This media outlet was founded by a radical liberal figure, and the anti-imperialist and republican-praising stance is so clear that even the imperial family is extremely wary of it. They tend to be overly radical and have very few subscribers.”

“That’s right. So I haven’t heard of it at all.”

“They usually publish articles on corruption of the aristocratic class and editorials praising the republic, so as soon as they come across an anonymous submission, they will publish it in a daily newspaper. In addition, since it is a daily newspaper published in an area where people with great influence on the civil class are concentrated, they We can also expect the effect of turning more hostile towards the Saint Women faction.”

“Try it. Even if it fails, I plan to proceed with other strategies simultaneously, so rather than obsessing over success or failure, I will do my best to maintain security.”

“All right.”

Regal took a sip of water and changed the topic.

“But, did the corrupt priest only make fun of the lower part?”

“Isn’t the goal of a corrupt cleric who has tasted only a rat’s tail of power, usually after acquiring children through bitches, to accumulate wealth to pass on to his children?”

Chiba, who had been quietly listening to the conversation between Regal and the butler, joined the conversation.

“It is as the wife said.”

“Then, this time, we will also report on the suspicion of illegal hoarding by the Saint Women faction.”

“They’ll be more agitated if you blow up another incident while they’re trying to figure out how to deal with it and make it impossible to hit prime time.”

“I will keep this in mind, Duchess.”

Regal smiled and opened her mouth.

“Ask for the cooperation of the Imperial Central Intelligence Agency. Track the flow of funds from the Imperial Central Bank together with them. Focusing on the situation in which the congregation’s donations flowed from the Saint Women’s Temple common account to their personal accounts, no matter how much they are distributed to borrowed-name accounts, Even if you launder money several times, at the end you will be able to obtain physical evidence that the flow of money has converged on specific people.”

“All right.”

“Also, it is worth perusing the land register and the building register.”

“Are you saying you want to inquire about real estate transaction history?”

“That’s right. When looking at the history of real estate transactions, first investigate all the properties that have been purchased in the name of a temple affiliated with the Saint Women’s sect and then sold to individuals. Among them, the sale price was set significantly lower than the purchase price, I’ll sort out the case.”

“Okay. I’ll investigate as you instructed. Oh, if it’s owned under a borrowed name, it would also be a good story to dig into the relationship between the nominal owner and the saint woman’s clergy.”

Haha. That’s a good idea. After discussing it with your wife, your thinking has become flexible!”

Regal had a rare laugh during her work.

Since his rejuvenation, he has chosen a smile instead of a blank expression to hide her emotions.

Because of that, he laughed a lot, but it was only a gentle smile.

That’s why his languid smile was very unfamiliar to the butler.

“Your Highness, I’m glad I’ve been helpful to you.”

“The butler’s advice is always helpful. Let’s take a break over a cup of tea.”

They chatted for a while and enjoyed tea.

“My husband, can I ask the girl a question?”

“I’m on break anyway, so don’t be shy and ask me anything.”

“The girl simply gave advice to shake the hearts of the Saint Women’s Church clergy by exposing their corruption. However, after hearing the girl’s opinion, your husband evaluated it as a good ploy to separate the civil class and the Saint Women’s Church clergy. “

“It was.”

“I wonder how you came to that conclusion.”

Regal replied, looking at her lovely wife, Chiba, with her kind eyes.

“The civil class has neither power nor force.”

“But you said that you have the power of capital and public opinion on your back, and these are the privileges of the citizenry that cannot be ignored.”

“Because I remember it well, the common class longs for two things: one to never be deprived of what they have, and the other to have what they don’t have. Wouldn’t that also match the direction?”

Chiba thought for a moment.

“The civil class fundamentally has no right to own troops. Therefore, they do not feel any deprivation in terms of military power. However, when the ruling class illegally accumulates wealth or suppresses the press, even bureaucracy is hereditary to monopolize power. Are you saying you feel a strong sense of relative deprivation if you’re going to do it?”

“That’s right. So simply exposing the sexual misconduct of the Saint Women faction to the media can easily stimulate the citizens’ inherent sense of inferiority. Will the citizens, steeped in a sense of inferiority and relative deprivation, really stand still?”

“It is believed that they will definitely stop supporting the temple altogether.”

“Of course not? Hmm. Will her wife keep predicting what will happen?”

“I understand. If the large-scale sponsorship of the civil class is stopped, the temple will suffer serious financial deterioration. In order to deal with this situation, wouldn’t the Holy Women’s faction oppress the media while urging them to cover up the corruption?”

“That’s right. Then the civil class will be extremely angry and united, thinking that their privilege of the press has been infringed upon by the Saint Women Faction.”

“Since it is impossible to back down, a head-on collision will be inevitable, and this will be the decisive moment for them to separate completely.”

“You must be very clever.”

Regal squeezed Chiba’s hands tightly.

Chiba blushed and lowered his head.

But she didn’t let go of her hand.

“I am ashamed of you, Your Highness.”

“Ha ha. I was scolded in front of the butler. But you will understand. What a blessing it is to have such a lovely and clever wife.”

“You are right, Your Highness.”

Chiba apologized to Regal for a moment in her aristocratic slang before leaving to go to her bathroom.

Regal glanced at her where she sat.

When she left, her empty seat was stained with warm, sticky dark light.

She was recognized by Regal and was becoming one of her behind-the-scenes rulers.

And, unable to contain her pleasure from the fact that her idiots were behind her, she dipped it hot between her legs.

Perhaps she’ll clean up in the bathroom, but for the rest of the meeting, she’ll be terrified trying to hide her love juices that flow against her will.

Regal pretended not to see her like a gentleman, pretended not to know her.

Since he bloomed this ability of his, he always used this ability to detect greed and looked at everyone.

In his ability, the image of his wife, who seemed to have gone mad with power, was projected so beautifully.

He seemed to be able to make love to Chiba more intensely tonight than yesterday.