Chapter 8

“We became aware of the facts as we investigated further, but when we looked at your targets, and the level of the fraud, it seemed like you have your own standards, Miss Viper.”

Finally, Rexid let go of Owen and started to listen.

“Count Leschouguier was secretly operating an illegal human trafficking business, and the two Barons were joint representatives of a giant gambling house. If you count the number of lives that they ruined, you don’t even come close to them.”

“…”

“I think you know all of this as well, Miss Viper. The ones who were conned by you were those who were playing with money above the law.”

“Then good riddance,” Rexid abruptly interrupted.

“Of course. But that doesn’t justify Miss Viper’s crimes. You didn’t go around committing fraud because you wanted to act like a righteous vigilante, did you?”

“Yes. Well, I guess. I just chose the ones I could feel the least guilt about while living a life of crime. I might have lived off of anyone if the world was a happy place with no bad guys.”

I agreed willingly and Owen burst out in laughter as if he liked my answer.

“We can get right to the point if you’re going to admit it that easily. Anyway, you committed dozens of known illegal acts, Miss Viper. If we count the ones that are not accounted to you, it should be a flabbergasting number.”

“I also lost count somewhere in the middle.”

“You became a wanted criminal 4 years ago for fraud under Article 328, theft under Article 233, and so many more violations of the empire’s criminal law. As you already know, we don’t respect the rights of a death row criminal in this empire.”

It was obvious why Owen was laying it all out like this. It was to let me know it would be best to give up trying to complain about my rights in a situation where I was bound by an incantation.

This was a world where not only death row criminals, but also slaves were beaten to death by their masters and there was no sense of individual rights.

Not wanting to share my complaints, I nodded my head willingly.

“But fortunately, His Highness Grand Duke Rexid Van Hexen over here has decided to give you the chance to live an honest life as a citizen of the empire instead of continuing as a criminal.”

It was pathetic how he was trying to glorify his superiority when they brought me here because they needed my help. It was hilarious, but having a butler who does his job so well like this was a blessing for Rexid.

“Not only the grand duke, but I and everyone in this castle are planning to respect you as the lord’s business partner instead of a criminal.”

As he spoke, he spread out a three-page contract in front of me.

“The moment you sign these contracts, you have to help His Highness overcome any future crises in any way possible, and ultimately you must help His Highness rise to the throne. Of course, your signature is compulsory.”

“Oh, I’ve never been the secretary head of state before…”

Hearing my murmur, Owen tilted his head in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“It’s nothing. But are you sure you have the right person? I’m nothing more than a criminal. Wouldn’t it be better to just go and get a noble who knows politics well and…”

“I believe I haven’t made a mistake in my decision. That’s enough about that.”

He looked like he had absolutely no intentions of letting me go. Owen tapped on the contract in front of me.

“Read it and mark it with your thumbprint.”

Owen kindly provided the red ink as I reflected on my long life and let out a big sigh.

I would usually be on the receiving end of getting stamps by conning them. But now… I was the one putting my thumbprint on this near scam-level contract.

“Ugh…”

My hand, which had red ink on the thumb, was trembling as it got closer to the contract.

“Are you sure you don’t want to read the contract thoroughly?”

“What’s the point of reading it if I don’t have a choice in agreeing to the contract or not?”

“You have a point. It is impossible to revise the contract but we can add any terms that you wish for. For example, negotiating your annual salary…”

“One-year renewal contract, the annual salary is a blank check worth 10 million norts maximum, and it says that the additional costs when working will be provided separately. I don’t see the need to negotiate any further.”

Owen’s eyes became slightly rounded as I spoke. It was stated in the middle section of the second page, but his expression was telling me that he didn’t know I had already checked it.

“When did you see that? It seemed like you were going to sign the contract without reading it.”

“It is the most important part.”

“Oh, I see…”

As Owen smiled awkwardly and Rexid scoffed, I slowly pushed my thumb down on the contract.

“Ugh…”

“Stop fidgeting and stamp it already.”

“Ah! Your Highness!”

“What?”

“I just thought of something I want to add to the contract.”

“What is it?”

“When I’ve carried out my duties, terminate the contract when you no longer need my help.”

“What?”

“I am currently under a sorcery spell, aren’t I? What if you become emperor as you wished and want to use me like a slave for the rest of my life?”

“Look, do I look like I don’t have a conscience?”

“How can I trust someone that I met after only one day? I want to be free as soon as the contract is terminated. But since you said there is no way to lift the spell…”

I wrote a couple more lines on the contract’s last page with the pen in the ink bottle next to it.

Then, I presented it to Rexid.

[Upon terminating the contract, Rexid Van Hexen shall forever refrain from activating the incantation that binds Viper.

For the faithful implementation of the above contract terms, the two shall establish a ‘Lyprose contract’ separately as collateral.]

A Lyprose contract, It was a magic contract that made from highest-quaity magic stones, which were considered priceless, and the collateral was one’s own life.

It was first made and distributed in the Eisenbach kingdom to be used after making an unbreakable promise.

Of course, not many people possess such a rare and priceless contract, but…

“The members of the imperial family have one each, that means you have one too, right, Your Highness?”

“Miss Viper, that is…”

Rexid lifted his arms and blocked the flustered Owen’s path as he tried to intervene.

Rexid laughed and nodded his head.

“I don’t know how you found out about that. All right.”

“My lord!”

“Be quiet. You don’t get a say in this after putting someone else’s life at risk without me knowing.”

Eventually, Owen’s expression turned into that of dissatisfaction, but he pursed his lips.

Rexid could have declined my proposal because I had no choice but to sign the contract even though it was unjust.

Clearly, the best option was for him to decline.

A Lyprose contract was not something just anyone could acquire.

However, I foresaw how the grand duke, who looked a bit soft, would willingly nod his head in agreement.

“You’re going to accept?”

“Yes. I didn’t use sorcery to make you my slave, so that’s the least I can do. But you better not disappoint me, and I hope that we don’t fail.”

“That’s one of my expertise.”

I answered gladly.

***

The third underground floor of the grand duke’s castle. Rexid took me down to the castle’s vault where the Lyprose contract was being stored.

There was a heavy metal gate after walking for about three minutes in the hallway connected to the study on the first floor. The magical barrier on the metal door seemed to be made from magic stones, and only Rexid could seem to open it.

Past that metal door, going down the winding stone stairs for 3 more levels, there was a vault filled with the grand duke’s treasures.

It seemed he didn’t care too much for tidiness, as he would kick away the gold bars and gems stored there because they were all over the floor.

“Whoa…”

Not only was there gold and expensive ores like diamonds but the countless spoils of war that Rexid acquired during battle. Who could ever imagine that the rare treasures of foreign countries I only heard in rumors were rolling around like stones underneath the grand duke’s castle?

As I was licking my lips and instinctively memorizing the way to the vault, Rexid came to a halt.

“Oh geez.”

I was embarrassed as my forehead bumped his chest when he turned around.

It seemed like we had arrived where the Lyprose contract was being stored.

“Tsk.”

“What’s wrong?”

For some reason, he looked at me like I was pathetic. Maybe he was annoyed that I was walking on as I looked at the rare gems?

“Is there anything you want?

“Pardon?”

“Take as much as you want. Don’t sneak back here and try to steal it by yourself and end up trapped and dying.”

“Come on, what are you talking about…”

“You must have noticed there’s a barrier protecting the vault, if you try to force your way in the magic will activate. If you don’t want to turn into a stone and for no one to ever find you again, or get sliced up with blades and die a horrific death…”

Rexid cracked a smile as he saw me flinch.

“So it’s best to come with me who can open the vault. So, if you want something, take it now. There’s nothing that you can’t take, so you don’t have to ask.”

“Whoa, are you serious?”

“Of course. They’re useless anyway.”

Mm, it was fortunate.

Immediately, I took out 4 rings that I hid in my sleeves and pocketed while we were walking here, and put two on each hand.

“…?”

Rexid’s jaw dropped when he saw that.

“Wait, when did you…?”

“Haha…”

There was more.

I lowered my head slightly, shook my clothes a little, and a fistful of diamonds came pouring out.