I Became a Fortune Teller in the Game My Little Sister Made – Chapter 136

Power (權力).

The force that allows one person to manipulate another, to dominate and command others──

“Well, it’s a little different.”

── or so many people think.

However, the thoughts of Kim Eun-ha, the Crown Princess of the Daehan Empire who enjoys power to the fullest, were a bit different.

“Power is a comfortable force.”

“You’re not wrong, Your Highness.”

“The fact that you can treat me so comfortably is also a part of power, <The Oppressor>.”

“………Right, I guess.”

Across the table, a lighthearted (?) discussion continued between Kim Eun-ha and <The Oppressor>.

Having declared political neutrality in renouncing the competition for the throne, Kim Eun-ha saw <The Oppressor> as her only political ally and support.

With her disheveled orange hair, a somewhat stained hoodie, and baggy jeans that looked like they had seen better days, <The Oppressor> was someone who truly lived life on her own terms.

And she had the kind of ‘power’ that allowed such behavior.

After all, she was the leader of the Shadows.

“Are you not going to work today as well?”

“……Why should I? All the work is done by my underlings. In fact, they follow me precisely because I don’t interfere.”

“Managing subordinates must be tough.”

“I’m doing enough pruning, so don’t worry.”

One of the three regents of the imperial family, <The Oppressor>.

She wields more actual power than the other regents, <The Mediator> and <The Oppressor>, who oversee the Shadows directly.

Unlike <The Mediator>, who handles court matters, and <The Oppressor>, who has police power, the Shadows are capable of assassination, kidnapping, and coercion, making a coup a seemingly possible venture.

Hence, the position of the regent overseeing the Shadows was often vacant. Currently, she held that role.

“By the way, Your Highness, you called me to talk about me specifically, right? Isn’t it time to get to the main point?”

“………As I mentioned earlier, I believe power is a comfortable force.”

“Uh?”

Power. One might view it as a somewhat abstract force.

The upper person commanding the lower, receiving money in tribute, or being given consideration by others—the desire for power is as common as the stars, but do they truly understand what power is?

Truthfully, it’s rather a useless thought. There’s no issue using power even if one doesn’t know how to define it.

Yet, for Kim Eun-ha, this was a quite vital issue.

To firmly secure her legally married ‘husband,’ she thought showcasing the taste of power would be best.

“It’s fine if love comes from power. It’s alright to lose reason due to corruption from power. It’s okay to make a scene to hold onto power.”

As a result, if Namgoong Min loves her, there would be no problem.

Though she was unaware, since regaining <Desire to Kill>, Kim Eun-ha’s values and thoughts were changing.

“Those in power can live a comfortable life without overthinking. If there’s something they want, they just say it, and if there’s something they want to possess, they say that too. It’s a good life.”

“……Why the sudden talk about this?”

“And how do you give power to a fortuneteller who has always lived a life free from it?”

“………Wait, could it be?”

Upon hearing Kim Eun-ha’s words, <The Oppressor> immediately hardened her expression.

In stark contrast to Kim Eun-ha’s bright smile.

“You want me to back that fortuneteller……Namgoong Min?”

“More accurately, to be one of the backers. My brother’s influence will be the main force.”

“No, is there really a reason for me to get involved? The Shadows need to maintain their political neutrality. If I support Namgoong Min──”

“Political neutrality has already gone out the window since you sided with my brother’s surprise attack.”

“……….”

If the Shadows genuinely wanted to maintain political neutrality, <The Oppressor> would not have assisted in suppressing the Emperor’s faction.

Of course, if it were known that the Crown Princess she was serving was involved, she could claim a justification.

However, it certainly appeared that Kim Eun-ha wasn’t looking to use it as justification.

“……Are you suggesting we combine our forces?”

“Right now, there isn’t a single regent on my brother’s side, right? Having you as <The Oppressor> there would be very reassuring.”

“That would lead to massive backlash. There are bound to be internal disputes within the imperial family. There’s a reason His Majesty kept his vast authority without pulling me and the Shadows into his faction.”

“I know that.”

“Knowing all that and still……….”

“……….”

“So, Namgoong Min is the priority here?”

If she, an actual regent, were to join the Crown Prince faction, it would effectively put an end to the political struggle of the imperial family.

Now that the Emperor had acknowledged Kim Sung-il, there wouldn’t be a fool daring to oppose him with seven ministers and <The Oppressor> under his command.

There would surely be powerful repercussions for such a move.

However, if she had the reason not to do something unnecessary, then there was only one thought that came to mind.

The fortuneteller whom the Crown Princess always gazed at with honeyed eyes.

As <The Oppressor> guessed, Kim Eun-ha beamed with a blooming smile.

“This is why I like quick-witted people.”

“…….”

“Will you collaborate…… with me?”

*

What is this?

What is this?

“This is Chateau Pontet Canet. Please quench your thirst.”

“How did you know I was thirsty……… Thank you.”

“Additional dishes have arrived.”

“I never mentioned this……?”

“I apologize. It’s based on how Namgoong Min was eating; should I remove it?”

“No, no. Actually, I wanted more, so it worked out well.”

“I’ll change the tablecloth.”

“Huh?”

“I noticed you seemed to be bothered by the stain here since earlier.”

“T-Thank you.”

I was just hungry after talking with Kim Eun-ha.

Even without saying a word, I was astounded when the finest course meal was perfectly prepared and served.

Even during the meal, two maids were exclusively attending to me, promptly addressing anything I found uncomfortable or needed.

They brought me drinks without me asking, fetched the dishes I wanted more of, and cleaned up uncomfortable spots.

Yet, they didn’t overly stare or talk to me, instead standing just out of my sight to make dining burden-free.

Is this how palace meals are?

……Now that I think about it, I suddenly became curious.

“Excuse me, but how much does this meal cost?”

“As you are currently a guest of the imperial family, there is no need for you to be concerned.”

“This is just personal curiosity.”

“Then…… the total for the course meal and wine would be about 2.3 million won.”

“Thank you.”

230 million won for a meal, 230 million won……

‘That’s not much.’

The 30 billion won offering that Lily White Rose had presented just last semester could cover such meals for more than ten years.

Considering the Artifact gifted by Liu, that 30 billion was pocket change.

……It feels like my sense of money is getting smashed, but it can’t be helped.

‘Already, the debt I owe Liu exceeds 1 trillion won.’

1 trillion, 1 trillion, 1 trillion.

I understand why people react sensitively to tens of millions or billions but become numb to hundreds of billions or trillions.

It’s because when the numbers are too large, they become unaffecting.

‘How much do I have now?’

I vaguely remember that after adding up offerings and various funds, it totaled about 1 trillion.

It was certainly an overwhelming amount, but it would only buy one more <Maiden's Breath>.

So, 1 trillion would mean 10 <Maiden's Breath>… Is that manageable? The more I think about it, the more I feel like I’m sinking into a swamp.

Well, Liu hasn’t been pressuring me about the debt, and I certainly have no intention of defaulting, so let’s take our time.

Would she really try to blackmail me with that?

“Um……….”

“Here you go.”

“……Thank you.”

Without saying a word, the handkerchief that immediately appeared in my hand allowed me to silently pull up the quest log.

Specifically, the ‘reward’ I just received.

<General Skill: Absolute Power

There’s a saying that absolute power corrupts absolutely.
What about you?

* You can exert influence over the factions of characters with a favorability of ‘Close Friends’ or higher.
* While favorability may decrease, you can utilize that faction once as you desire.
* If favorability is ‘Lifelong Companion,’ you can use the faction as you please.>

Honestly, it was a bit…… of a strange skill.

‘What does it mean to control a faction at will?’

Interpreting it directly, I could use the factions of characters with a favorability of ‘Close Friends’ or higher, that means Liu or Lucas’s factions too, right?

But hasn’t that been the case already?

I can’t recall a time when I relied on the aid of the Arthur Family, the imperial family, or any wealthy tycoons without having received help from Liu, Rain, or Lucas.

Hmm………

Oh……

……Never mind. I can’t think of a single instance? This skill is definitely a cheat.

Now, thinking back on everything that’s happened, whether I did things alone or received help, it’s always been from individuals, not the factions.

But now I can use that at will?

Should I give it a try?

‘Perhaps either Kim Sung-il or Kim Eun-ha has a favorability of close friends or higher?’

I’m not sure about Eun-ha, but Sung-il should definitely be a close friend, most likely.

So then.

<General Skill: Absolute Power>.

“Excuse me.”

“Please go ahead.”

“[Could you bring me about 1 trillion won right now?]”

“Understood.”

……Huh? Immediate response?

Taken aback, I hesitated for a moment at the instant answer.

Less than a minute passed, and a heavy briefcase filled with five bags appeared in front of me.

I wonder what’s inside.

‘1 trillion won…… being given just like that?’

While my sense of money feels out of control due to Liu’s influence, even for Liu, 1 trillion is a significant amount. And unlike Liu, who uses her personal funds, surely the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess are using imperial assets.

To take 1 trillion from imperial funds, which are public money, and give it to a fortuneteller is possible, but it would surely result in significant political backlash.

But to solve this at the maid’s level without even reporting it to the Crown Prince or Princess?

Is this what <Absolute Power> does?

“……Where did this money come from?”

“Of course, it’s from the imperial treasury.”

“You just took it from there…… and brought it?”

“It was an order from Namgoong Min.”

<Cleanliness> displayed time-reversing levels of power, <My Own Little Fortune Teller Shop> exhibited space-warping abilities, and <Water Divination> reached reality-manipulating levels.

<Absolute Power>, in essence, felt like a mind-control skill.

Even with the restriction of ‘character factions with a certain level of favorability,’ it was an unbelievably powerful skill that allowed one to command nearly anything.

Therefore.

“………….”

“Namgoong Min?”

“……It’s nothing. Return it to where it belongs.”

“Yes.”

……For me, it was also a rather unsettling skill.

The act of manipulating another person’s mind with just a word felt reminiscent of something some cultist would do.

Though I had done the same countless times, using a skill to control others felt unseemly.

‘Fortunetellers…… do not control others.’

They only guide the outcome they intend.

That was something a certain cultist he despised had said as well.

‘For now, I’ll hold off on this skill.’

In <Romance Academy>, the maximum number of general skills is two.

Since <Cleanliness> is an additional skill, it’s not a problem, but I already possess <My Own Little Fortune Teller Shop> and <Observation>, meaning if I were to acquire <Absolute Power>, I’d have to give one up.

[Time remaining until skill decision: 5 days, 23 hours, and 43 minutes]

It seems I’ve been given time to decide leisurely, but once the allotted week passes, I’ll have to part with one of them.

……And I probably won’t be able to obtain that skill again. As reclaiming a previously acquired skill isn’t possible.

‘Let’s think carefully.’

Even after trembling for a moment at the effects of <Absolute Power>, I once again dabbed my mouth with the handkerchief after finishing my meal.

Right after, seeing the dessert being prepared as if it had been waiting for me, I couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

‘Power isn’t bad.’

Even for just having a meal, it was incredibly comfortable.

Everything I wished for was served immediately, and the dessert just served was my favorite coffee ice cream, although I had no idea how they knew that.

It reminded me of the treatment I received when following Liu to the airport before, but this was far better.

If this is how it is just for a meal, how convenient must it be daily?

I think I understand why those in power often become corrupt or depraved.

However, there was one thing Namgoong Min didn’t know.

“What about the special notices for the guests?”

“Nothing particularly special has been noted yet, but interestingly, you seem to be familiar with the gazes directed at you.”

“Familiar?”

“It’s not so much a gaze of observation, but rather a gaze of secrecy and surveillance that you seem rather accustomed to. This guest must have been subjected to some form of covert surveillance or filming, although they appear to be just a typical <Fortuneteller>.”

“……That’s not a concern for us. As per <The Oppressor>‘s directives, all Shadows will continue to keep an eye on the guest.”

“Yes.”

One of the conditions of being a powerful figure is becoming accustomed to gazes.

Having been honed through countless investigations and surveillance, Namgoong Min was precisely that kind of talent.

Yet, he himself remained oblivious to it.