After dismissing the court from the audience chamber, the King summoned only Kadan to his private study through a chamberlain.

  When Kadan entered the King's study, the door shut tightly behind him. He walked to a spot where he could be immediately seen upon entry, in accordance with royal etiquette, and stood quietly waiting for the King.

  The study was adorned with countless weapons gleaming on the walls. Books were arranged in perfect order, kept pristine as if ready to be read at any moment. The King's desk was immaculately organized, without a single smudge of hand oil. Despite the massive size of the study, it didn't seem like a place for reading. Kadan realized that the purpose of this room was not for books.

  A moment later, the King entered the study accompanied by the Lord Chamberlain.

  "He accepted it quite meekly."

  The King spoke with a slightly excited voice.

  "Your Majesty, how could a mere commoner fathom Your Majesty's deep intent?"

  Kadan answered, tailoring his words to the King’s mood. The King liked this side of Kadan. Words that were obviously flattery, yet spoken when there was no need to go against the grain, made the King feel even better.

  The King gave a simple order.

  "Move the goods, and discuss the payment with the Ministry of Revenue."

  "It shall be done."

  The Lord Chamberlain bowed his head in response. Kadan took out a document.

  " regarding the usage, we plan to sell them to the nobles for heating first. It also seems feasible for maintaining the body temperature of soldiers. It will be excellent for maintaining morale during forest ambushes."

  "Generating heat without light or firewood..."

  The King muttered as he handed the document Kadan gave him to the Lord Chamberlain, then asked again.

  "What about additional excavations?"

  "There have been no major recent discoveries. The jars are already their property under the Tamjalhiri Law. Therefore, finding more jars is meaningless. We are delaying that side as much as possible. We are searching for different types of ruins. We will declare Kingdom ownership immediately upon discovery."

  Kadan added.

  "One more thing to mention: that man is a wanderer who used to sleep under the stars, so he has no experience in large-scale excavations. I am increasing his administrative workload so he cannot grasp the overall situation."

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  The King nodded again with a pleased expression. His report finished, Kadan bowed his head quietly.

  "However, there is a task you must do."

  Kadan spoke as if he had anticipated it.

  "How shall I dispose of the two discoverers?"

  "Dispose? I am not such a tyrant."

  The King frowned slightly as he spoke. Kadan’s eyes twitched momentarily at his hypocrisy.

  "And elimination is a poor strategy. Even if you kill a person, other people's mouths remain. They are too famous to get rid of. The best strategy is to keep them alive but make them shut their mouths."

  Kadan spoke cautiously.

  "If you command it, I will follow."

  The King, satisfied with his attitude, issued the order.

  "I told you to establish a Royal Research Institute, didn't I? Appoint them as Director and Vice-Director. The Director and Vice-Director will work in the Kingdom's laboratory until the Kingdom no longer needs them."

  "A truly wise measure. No one will question their whereabouts."

  Kadan was once again surprised by the King's insidiousness. He was almost afraid that he, too, might fall victim to such scheming one day.

  "Then, I will quietly persuade the Vice-Director candidate first."

  Kadan bowed and withdrew.

  Eren barely managed to slip away into a corner of the banquet hall.

  It was a grand banquet celebrating the discovery of the massive ruins, but he felt like he was sitting on a bed of thorns. He almost resented Ari, who hadn't come using data research as an excuse. The banquet hall was filled with creditors who had lent him money. The rumor that the King was buying the artifacts must have sounded like the gospel to those seeking to settle old debts. They didn't openly scold Eren, who was now favored by the King, but their glaring eyes were sharp. Unable to endure facing his own karma, Eren fled outside as if escaping.

  In that darkness, Kadan was waiting for him.

  "I don't owe you anything. Let me be clear, that was an investment."

  Eren spoke first as soon as he spotted Kadan. The elegant smile usually on Kadan’s face was gone, replaced by a sharp, icy coldness. Instead of answering, Kadan pointed to a side room with his chin and went in first. When Eren looked back, two massive men had appeared out of nowhere, blocking the path. The chance to run was already gone.

  Clinging to the slender hope that surely nothing terrible would happen inside the royal palace, Eren followed Kadan inside with heavy steps.

  Inside the room, Kadan was quietly digging through a pile of documents. Eren carefully closed the door. Kadan opened his mouth without even looking up.

  "Eren, you're a lucky bastard. Digging through the dirt and winning the King's favor."

  Thud.

  Kadan threw a document at Eren's feet. Eren picked it up with trembling hands. It was a family background check and records of past explorations.

  "The King bought the 'Purchasing Rights.' That means everything you possess has been attributed to the Royal Family. Including the knowledge inside your head."

  Eren regretted ignoring his earlier intuition to run, even if it had meant causing a scene.

  "So, here is the deal. I will give you the position of Vice-Director of the Royal Research Institute. Of course, the institute and your residence will be within this palace."

  Eren realized the meaning of those words.

  "A non-royal having a residence in the palace?"

  "Isn't it truly glorious? If you refuse... your family will stay in the palace. Instead of you. Ah, of course, the treatment will be different."

  Kadan lifted Eren's chin.

  "Of course, the King desires to own your partner more than you."

  Eren's eyes wavered. Kadan placed something heavy on the desk. It was a pouch of gold coins.

  "You persuade Ari. For the position of Research Director."

  Kadan’s eyes flashed.

  "Then your family will be protected by a Marquisate and guaranteed a livelihood for the rest of their lives."

  "......"

  Eren stared silently at the pouch of gold coins, then slowly reached out. His hand was trembling.