“The situation has become stranger than expected.”
Despite my intention to solve the problem, I had no choice but to return to Blair's ducal palace with the Duke.
His intervention temporarily dispersed the crowd, but if someone incited them again, the situation could easily repeat itself.
This meant that we needed to find a more radical solution.
Thus, an emergency countermeasures meeting was held, attended by the Duke, myself, Lenny, and Liam, who barely managed to get away.
“It seems like someone is deliberately trying to sabotage us.”
Finally, I expressed the doubt I had in my mind.
But for what reason?
Most of our products were unique ideas that we created and marketed ourselves, which meant there didn't have to be any competitors.
As I struggled to figure out how to prove my vague claim, the Duke placed something on the table.
"This is it…?"
When I instantly recognized the object, my eyes widened.
Why would he bring a limited edition piece that is now nearly impossible to get?
“This is our first Ghost Duke Edition mug.”
The sleek design, the graphics printed on it, even the signature – it was exactly as I remembered it.
She looked at the Duke without any doubt.
But then—
“Liam.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Without heeding my words, the Duke pointed at Liam.
And in Liam's hand was... a hammer?
"Excuse me."
Before I could stop it, the heavy hammer head fell onto the cylinder.
Shatter!
With a loud sound, the cup shattered into countless pieces.
I screamed silently out of terror.
“What… huh?”
Something was wrong.
The hammer Liam used was a regular hammer.
But there was no way a simple hammer could break apart the parthanium so easily.
This metal was so hard that it required expert skills to make it!
Moreover, among the shattered pieces of the cup, I noticed spots that undoubtedly looked like rust.
“Impossible…”
There is only one possibility left.
As I sat in my chair stunned, I exchanged glances between the Duke and William.
“This… fake?”
"Yes. Did you know these things were being traded?"
"…no."
I was completely surprised.
Because the cup in front of me was so well made that visually, it was indistinguishable from the one I had made with the utmost care.
This meant… there was no way to distinguish between them just by looking.
Who would even think about smashing their wine glass with a hammer?
While silence fell over me, the Duke spoke confidently.
“This is an attack directed at the ducal house.”
"…pardon?"
“The nobles of the Imperial Capital have been sending me messages since morning.”
It looked like the Duke was preoccupied with his own problems as I met up with Ashley and headed to Lenny's workshop.
As I listened to his calm explanation, I couldn't help but let out a hollow laugh.
“Haha…”
“There are reports that people who drank from cups produced by Blair Ducal suffered stomach pain.”
“Um... Duke Blair. This is Duke Ludwig. I must say, there are disturbing rumors that dangerous substances have been found in thermoses distributed in our area...”
How can all these things happen at once?
This doesn't make any sense.
The Duke seemed to share my thoughts, as he muttered something similar.
“This is impossible.”
Why was this happening?
If someone was indeed targeting the ducal family, as he indicated, what was the reason?
Most important of all...this never happened in the original story.
Oh, the original story.
Suddenly, I realized a certain truth.
“In the original work, there were no comic books, no blackout curtains, no cups or thermoses.”
This means... that the very existence of these attacks was a result of the changes you made.
In the original story, Duke Kayan Blair was nothing more than a minor character.
Perhaps the projects she founded inadvertently drew attention to him.
If memory serves, the original story stated that the duke was of imperial lineage.
If that were true, the slightest movement on his part would have made him a target for scrutiny.
Having spent a short time in SALT, I had already witnessed countless people falling victim to political schemes.
It was completely possible.
And then...!
That face.
That body.
This super efficiency...
This is crazy.
Before I knew it, my gaze was moving from the Duke's head to his feet.
I shook my head to expel my wandering thoughts, pressed my palms to my flushed cheeks, and tried to steady my voice.
“So, do you have any idea who might be behind this, Your Highness?”
We'll know that soon. But one thing is certain...
His sharp green eyes sparkled ominously as they stared at the shattered cup.
“It is inevitable that the tail will be caught.”
* * *
“Everything is going well, Your Excellency!”
In the heart of the Imperial Capital, in the central branch of the Stefan Trading Company, run by Marquis Stefan, a daylight drinking party had begun.
The Marquis Stefan, stroking his patchy beard, asked a question in a drunken stutter.
"Yes, yes. What was the reaction?"
As he spoke, a wolfish-looking man, who was refilling his empty cup, smiled broadly.
His name was Viscount Robert, vice-president of Stefan's trading company.
He was malicious and greedy, but he had an unparalleled ability to get things done in pursuit of that greed, and he was the most cunning of planners.
It was none other than Viscount Robert who suggested making counterfeit mugs and thermos and selling them at exorbitant prices when the originals gained immense popularity.
“It's calm now, but no monkey stays in a burning tree. Haha...”
Viscount Robert straightened his back, which was bent at almost a ninety degree angle to please the Marquis, then leaned over and whispered in his ear.
“Just as you allowed counterfeit products to be produced, if you trust me, Your Excellency, you will make a huge fortune.”
“You really…!”
Marquis Stefan lavished praise on Robert, pleased by his kind words.
The trade in counterfeit products has achieved great success. Since the cost of producing counterfeit products does not exceed five percent of the original selling price, the losses they previously incurred were quickly recouped.
Furthermore, people who ate food from unapproved fake thermoses began to suffer from stomach problems, eliminating the need to spend money spreading rumors.
Perfect deal, two for the price of one! Win-win situation for everyone!
“Unlike the blackout curtains, we didn't even have to spend money to spread rumors. Excellent work, Viscount!”
“Haha, it was really nothing.”
“Nothing? Nonsense. I will guarantee you a generous reward.”
“Hehe, thank you, Your Excellency!”
As Marquis Stefan, his face red from alcohol, laughed heartily, his expression suddenly turned serious.
“By the way… how are things going with the painters we brought in from the Duchy of Blair?”
“Oh, that's going smoothly, too.”
Robert's sunken cheeks turned into a more subtle smile.
Once you mark someone as an enemy, you must crush them so they can never rise again.
Secretly communicating with painters working under the Duchy of Blair was part of that plan.
“As expected, money speaks louder than anything else.”
When they were offered a salary that was much higher than that of the painters, they did not even need convincing – many simply packed their bags and left on their own.
In addition, they promised to pay twice what the Blair Duchy would offer in negotiations, which made things easier.
Besides, they guaranteed artists complete creative freedom in their works, and even covered relocation expenses, prompting some painters to decide to leave in groups.
“Of course, it would be ideal to secure a master artist or master storyteller… but the Duke’s strict surveillance makes it difficult to communicate with them. For now, we are just watching and waiting.”
"It is too early to take any action now. We will slowly tighten the screws and strike at the decisive moment."
That arrogant Duke Blair.
While Marquis Stefan, too drunk to realize what he was saying, was muttering, Robert hammered in the final nail.
“We have already contracted with a printing company, so it is only a matter of time before the works are produced.”
"excellent."
“In addition, we are willing to send a small ‘gift’ to Blair’s ducal household whenever you place an order.”
“Yes, yes... that's how it should be.”
With a dangerous look in his eyes, Marquis Stefan began to recall the heavy losses he had suffered at the hands of Duke Blair.