17.75 million pel.
They've already calculated my pay.
The weekly purification fee from the four countries, including Bavaria, is 3.55 million pel, which is 355 million won.
It looks like they multiplied it by five weeks.
'Why multiply it by five weeks when it's a weekly payment?'
It's obvious what kind of picture they're trying to paint.
"…Wow."
Narce chuckled and shook his head.
A student, unaware of the situation, looked around at the other students and asked.
"What is it? Is he saying he's going to spend all that money on cheating?"
"Seems like it? It's amazing how they come up with these headlines…."
Even without looking at the content, it's obvious.
It's just a bunch of ridiculous fabrications.
Anyway….
I glanced at the magazine cover the student was holding and threw out a comment.
"You must need a lot of money yourself."
"Exactly. How much more do they want to squeeze out? It's just absurd now."
Another student absentmindedly responded to my remark.
I checked the time and smiled.
"Well, that's it for today."
"What about Dasrothe? You said you needed it. I can lend it to you."
"No, it's fine now. Let's wrap things up here and call it a day."
* * *
Capital, Dasrothe Headquarters.
"You're saying we should cancel the title and postpone it to tomorrow morning?"
The deputy director looked at the person in front of him, dumbfounded.
"Yes."
"Why? If we miss the buzz now, we'll be out of the spotlight in an instant. You know that…."
"Since the report on the additional purification in the three countries, we haven't properly investigated Sir Nicolaus on our end, Deputy Director."
The deputy director put down his pen, took off his glasses, and burst into laughter.
"Since when have we been so dedicated to investigation? Just go ahead and publish it. We need to meet this week's target."
"I don't see an issue with that part, but… I've heard that the Bavarian royal family has scheduled an interview regarding Sir Nicolaus's purification case."
"An interview?"
"Yes. They've already contacted the political department of the Bavarian Kingdom's newspaper as of last night."
The deputy director stroked his chin with his hand at that statement.
"It's been scheduled since last night… Last night was when we ran the headline on Nicolaus, right? They must be planning to provide an explanation. Just push through."
"Yes. But I came to inform you because there seems to be a risk. If they haven't canceled the changed title yet, they must be confident about something. I've heard that the Bavarian royal family has already convened two emergency meetings today, so it might be related…."
The deputy director laughed incredulously and gestured with his head.
"Did you really come all the way here to tell me that? This isn't the first time we're dealing with something like this. Why are you suddenly acting this way? This article was chosen by the Director himself, so just go ahead."
"..."
Seeing his opponent not responding clearly and choosing his words carefully, the deputy director's face hardened.
"We need to seize the moment. You think we should back off just because the royal family had a couple of meetings and scheduled an interview? How are you planning to work here with that mindset? This isn't the Imperial Times."
"Pardon? No…"
"Instead of sitting here lamenting, you should be out there asking more questions. Is this the time to talk about changing the front page? I hope you've sent out the reporters properly. Do I have to explain everything step by step?"
"No, I'm sorry. I'll head back and…"
Seeing the deputy director's displeased face, he quickly nodded and tried to wrap up the conversation.
The deputy director softened his tone slightly and continued.
"Wait a moment."
"Yes?"
"I'm not trying to scold you, just pointing out the reality. You know why he's confident, right? When he sits for that interview, there will inevitably be questions. Why do you think he hasn't canceled?"
"I… I don't know."
"'I'm absolutely not going to spend the money that way; I'll definitely donate it to society.' That's what he's going to say. He thinks a belated explanation will improve his image."
"..."
"Everyone does that! But that's actually a self-destructive move. It only makes people wonder why he's explaining it in an interview. That drives sales up. Isn't that right? And if our assumption is wrong? What if it's something else? Then we just leave out the money part and focus on the affair again."
"Yes, I understand. I'll do that."
Realizing that his argument wasn't getting through, he quickly nodded.
The deputy director smiled gently again and encouraged him.
"Just do your best in the moment. No need to worry too much about the long-term. What do you think our readers are thinking when they read this?"
"..."
"They're not thinking much. As long as we give them a daily issue to latch onto, our job is done. So, set today's target and focus on hitting those numbers. Right? And remember, all front-page articles are approved by the Director, so don't think about changing it."
"Yes, understood."
"Good. Now, go on."
The deputy director watched him leave and fell into thought.
Then, he asked his secretary to bring today's edition of the Bavarian Kingdom's newspaper.
* * *
Lucas Rene Askanian
Impression: -9.9 [+5.0002513]
Two hours ago, it was 2829, so it's only decreased by 300 in two hours.
Considering that it dropped by 30 when I blinked during the day, it's a rather gentle decline.
Again, I find myself at the interview hall in Bavaria.
I looked at the now-familiar interview hall and the broadcasting cameras, preparing to make my announcement.
Honestly, I wondered if it would be better to have a representative speak in my place.
Given my current state, it might actually be a negative in terms of conveying a personal touch.
However, considering the sensitivity of the issue, I decided it would be better if I personally addressed this matter.
The signal to start the broadcast came in, and unlike last time, I placed both hands on the interview table and greeted everyone briefly.
Not wanting to drag it out unnecessarily, I got straight to the point.
"As reported by the Imperial Times and various newspapers at 6 PM today, I have accepted the purification requests from the Kingdom of Württemberg, Hessen, and the Grand Duchy of Baden."
As soon as I finished speaking, questions started pouring in.
"I have a question! Previously, Hessen offered double the payment. Did you actually sign the contract under those terms?"
"There were many requests. Why did you choose these three countries, including Württemberg?"
I gave brief answers and waited for the next question.
Fortunately, the controversy raised by Dasrothe didn't come up immediately.
After answering three or four questions, the topic finally surfaced.
"I have a question. At 8 PM, Dasrothe used the term 'purification for adultery funds' regarding Sir Nicolaus Ernst's decision. What is your response to this?"
The question came from a journalist known for criticizing Dasrothe.
This question was aimed more at criticizing Dasrothe than supporting them.
There were also journalists from Dasrothe's Bavarian branch present, but they hadn't spoken up yet.
I don't know why they're being so patient… but now is my chance.
"I disagree. It's bewildering to hear such claims presented as facts without any evidence. Contrary to what Dasrothe alleges, I have never been involved in any improper relationships. I intend to resolve this matter legally."
Since such statements could never fully prove my innocence, it was better to touch on it briefly and move on.
Finally, I saw Dasrothe's journalists raising their hands. I gestured toward them and began to speak.
"Since the topic has come up, let me clarify the facts regarding Dasrothe's latest claim."
Some journalists started muttering spells and grabbed their cameras.
Although the broadcast was managed by the Bavarian Kingdom's newspaper, it seemed they intended to record this scene directly.
"This morning, I donated all of the three-month service fees received from the four countries, including Bavaria. I hadn't planned to disclose this, but I don't want my intentions to be misunderstood due to these offensive claims."
The journalists' expressions changed instantly.
Loud questions erupted from all around.
"This morning? That's different from what Dasrothe claimed. What are your thoughts on this?"
"Where did you donate it to…?"
"At exactly what time, and to which institution?"
As I didn't respond, one of the aides Leo had assigned to me intervened and restrained the journalists.
"We will allow time for questions later. Please wait until the statement is completely finished."
"I received 1,020,000 pel from Bavaria for 12 weeks of service, and 1,200,000, 1,440,000, and 600,000 pel from Württemberg, Hessen, and Baden respectively. The full amounts were donated to the contamination relief centers and Pleroma processing units of each country. For detailed information, please refer to the documents attached to the Bavarian Kingdom's newspaper."
The sound of pens scratching quickly on paper continued.
Dasrothe only changed their title at 8 PM after seeing my purification report at 6 PM.
Too late.
I had already donated all my fees twelve hours ago.
And by now, I should be receiving a call.
* * *
"So that's what it was…."
The deputy director of Dasrothe, watching the broadcast, threw down the Bavarian Kingdom's newspaper and frowned.
Posthumous explanations are meaningless.
Announcing 'what will be done' only after a controversy has arisen inherently lacks credibility.
It might be different if the person was known for a good reputation, but for someone like Nicolaus, who hasn't been in the public eye long, there's no data to support such claims.
'That's what I thought….'
If he had acted contrary to our allegations from the beginning, then we had misstepped from the start.
We need to change the topic before we get further entangled.
Absolutely.
If Dasrothe continues in this futile situation, we won't be able to use the Nicolaus story at all.
He tapped the table with his fingers and called for his secretary.
"It's 10 o'clock now. Change the title and connect the magic again."
"Deputy Director, we've already used up today's magic recharges when we changed the content earlier."
"Damn it…."
The deputy director furrowed his brows, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair.
The reaction to today's report wasn't as big as expected. Maybe it's better to post a new one tomorrow morning.
This topic can still be reused for a few more days.
Since it's already late, it shouldn't hurt to post it in the morning….
While the deputy director was lost in thought, the secretary spoke again.
"We need the Director's approval to transfer tomorrow's magic allocation. He's at home, so I'll go there now."
"No, no, it's fine."
"Are you going to leave today's report as it is?"
"Yes. Let's post it early tomorrow. Since it's already late, I don't think the results will be significant, and we can keep using this topic for the next few days…."
Knock, knock—
"Come…"
"Deputy Director!"
Before he could respond to the knock, the door burst open.
"The Royal Investigation Bureau… No, the building… Bavaria…"
"Speak properly. What are you saying?"
At the deputy director's words, he caught his breath and spoke.
"The Royal Investigation Bureau has sealed off our building. Both the main office and the Bavarian branch."