I Became a Fortune Teller in the Game My Little Sister Made – Chapter 83

There is a saying: “Three men can create a tiger.”

What it means is that no matter how ridiculous something is, if enough people talk about it, others will start to believe it’s true.

And this is also the essence of incitement.

“How’s it going, Liu?”

“The hired hands have been spreading rumors in the slums and to the gossipers, and it seems to be working better than expected.”

“Well, it’s not surprising.”

In fact, simply throwing people and money around to spread rumors isn’t easy. You have to delicately craft where, who, and what information to spread in incitement.

Ah, of course, if you have overwhelming amounts of money and people, that’s a different story.

And this rich tycoon sitting next to me is one of those exceptions.

“…How much have you spent?”

“Oh, not too much. About 30 billion? The slum folks, that’s one thing, but the gossipers have plenty to chew on.”

“…Thank you.”

“Just know that this is all debt.”

Ugh, I wonder if I’ll get another jackpot like last time with Lily.

At this rate, I might have to draft a consent form for body forfeiture because of my debts to Liu…

“…Namgoong Min, this is a bit dangerous.”

“Your Highness?”

“At the Academy, it might be different, but here, we’re in Europe, and our opponent is essentially the ruler of Europe, Arthur… While there may be safety for you or Liu, you could be in danger.”

“Hmm…”

Well, she’s not wrong.

In a place that isn’t anywhere but France, Arthur struts around with the power and influence roughly equivalent to a king.

But I’m not entirely out of ideas myself.

“Your Highness, if I may be so bold, can I say something?”

“Feel free.”

“What do you think is the most important thing in incitement?”

“…Huh?”

That’s true.

Incitement, lies, deception, fraud.

What is the most important aspect here?

“Um… I guess it’s a matter of how well you can talk…?”

“What about you, Liu?”

“I don’t really know. Well… maybe it’s the ability to read public opinion or something like that?”

Hmm, that’s not incorrect.

Rhetoric, the public, and the subject of incitement all matter, but…

The most crucial aspect is something entirely different.

“Everything you’ve said is correct, but the most important thing is… ‘the opponent.'”

“Huh?”

“What?”

“In incitement, that person has enemies. There are times when you need to rely on the power of the group because alone, you’re outmatched.”

For example, the enemy during the entrance ceremony was the maze and the walls.

For example, the enemy during the survival event was all the students.

For example, the enemy in the eliminated participants’ lounge was the Academy itself.

Those who love to incite are politicians and revolutionaries, dictators, so there’s always a clear ‘enemy’ involved.

So, what about this time?

“The enemy for this incitement is obviously…”

“…Arthur?”

“No, not at all.”

“………The head of the family, perhaps?”

“Correct. Liu.”

Naturally, I’m not considering the entire Arthur family as my enemy.

As I said earlier, we’re in France, and this is Arthur’s main base. Spreading rumors about the Arthur family here would be suicide.

However, the enemy I’ve set up isn’t the entire Arthur family.

It’s the head of the family, Hector Arthur, alone.

“…That’s more of a problem. Hector Arthur was one of the world’s top in his youth. Rumor has it he even shot down meteors falling over Europe…”

“Exactly. Normally, it would be quite easy to be shot down by the head himself. Normally, that is.”

“………Ah.”

That’s correct; normally, it would undoubtedly be the case.

Even if I spread rumors belittling the head, if he steps up to clarify and announces ‘strong measures,’ the game ends right there.

‘Incitement can strike easily but can also fall apart just as easily.’

Incitement is a double-edged sword. You can throw the first punch, but if the opponent retaliates properly, it’s like a tower crumbling down.

Though one little lie would require countless efforts and clarifications, the key is to offer counterarguments that undermine public opinion.

If you counter rationally, those who agree with you will surely show up.

That’s why modern politics often turns into a mud fight.

The fact that this 30 billion rumor could fizzle out without a trace.

Hence, those who understand this well have set a specific ideology, nation, or group as the enemy rather than individuals.

‘Groups are harder to clarify than individuals.’

An individual could simply voice their opinion and end it, but when it’s a group, the amount of attacks grows, and the aspects one can cover up with explanations shrink.

For example, if you spread rumors inciting against politician A, it would just end with A publicly clarifying it.

But what if you incite against not politician A but their entire party?

Can politician A, or even the party leader, clear it all up with their words?

‘No way.’

Of course, an individual’s clarification isn’t exactly easy either. You’d get embroiled in controversy, have to hold press conferences, and endure all sorts of criticism and insults.

But at least clarifying is still possible.

That’s why, in this case, there seems to be no ground for incitement.

You can incite against the individual, the head, and he can clarify that, but inciting against the Arthur family is simply suicide.

Ideally, that would be the case.

“Didn’t I mention what state the head is in right now?”

“…You said he doesn’t leave his room.”

“Do you think a gentleman who doesn’t step outside of his room could clarify?”

The fact that Hector Arthur is holed up in his room is a closely guarded secret only known to the Arthur family’s main house. Liu and the Crown Princess also remained in the dark, so that’s settled then.

Naturally, the public wouldn’t know that Hector is holed up in his room.

‘What if rumors are flying saying he needs to clarify right now?’

He could send a proxy, but unless it’s a public matter, sending a proxy to defend his personal affairs?

That would only amplify the doubts instead of clarifying.

If a celebrity involved in a car accident sends a proxy to the press conference, would the public seriously believe it’s sincere?

Thus, Hector Arthur is currently…

“…In one hell of a bind.”

“Exactly.”

He has to either show up publicly to clarify or let the rumors run rampant.

Of course, if he does step out, he’d attract attention from the elders, nobles, and retainers who are suspicious of his independent engagement decisions.

Since this situation is caused by his self-imposed seclusion, shouldn’t he be blamed for it?

“Liu, you spread this to the tabloids too, right?”

“Yes. Those guys haven’t made a move just yet, though.”

“As expected, they will. The opponent is Arthur’s head. But if a few more days pass like this, what will happen?”

If the head himself could’ve clarified an easy situation, and if the rumors grow, will those sensational tabloids just sit back?

Absolutely not.

“…Heh.”

“Well, it sounds a bit optimistic. Incitement and politics are inherently complex.”

Just thinking of responses makes my head spin.

Maybe they’d spread rumors about a celebrity’s scandal to cover things up, track down the primary inciter and bring them to court before the rumors ignite, or create excuses for not clarifying due to chronic illness.

Of course, I won’t give them the time to make their countermeasures.

At any rate, my goal is not to genuinely attack Hector Arthur.

“Liu, please release more people. We need the rumors to grow larger than they are now. I will definitely repay this debt.”

“…Alright, fine. After all, I have ways to repay it.”

“Your Highness, you’ve received an invitation to Arthur’s ball, correct?”

“Ah, Lucas sent it, but…”

“Please do attend without fail.”

“………Alright.”

I didn’t summon Liu and the Crown Princess for no reason while incurring debts.

Liu will spread the rumors, and the Princess will protect me with her mere presence at the ball.

‘Can they really strike a citizen of Daehan Empire in front of a Crown Princess?’

Surely, avoiding actions that might lead to that is the best approach.

Between Hector Arthur’s unilateral engagement decision, his seclusion, the scheming Kite Blackwood, and Rain Arthur, who’s up to who-knows-what.

This time, so much is tangled up, and it clearly smells rotten.

“Alright, let’s flip this upside down.”

I had no choice but to employ such means.

Head of the family, you shouldn’t resent me, okay?

“……That’s a fortuneteller, right?”

“……I don’t think so.”

*

“Ugh… my head hurts.”

As the sky darkened, at the ballroom in the Arthur family’s main house.

With Namgoong Min’s request and the aim of refreshing the chaotic atmosphere of the family, the banquet turned out to be more prosperous than I expected.

…Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my father’s, the head’s, seat was empty.

Countless politicians, influential figures, and members of great families were enjoying drinks and food, chatting away.

Among them was the engaged party, Kite Blackwood, but Lucas didn’t pay much attention to him.

What bothered him continuously were the voices of the attendees.

“Ah, long time no see. Count.”

“It’s rare to see you, Minister. Any interesting news these days?”

“Well, it’s not exactly suitable chatter for an Arthur’s ball…”

“Ah… indeed. It’ll be resolved once Lord Hector shows up.”

“Haha! Exactly right!”

“Hahaha!”

Damn it.

For now, they’ve held back their conversations due to Arthur’s prestige, but soon the press would start moving.

There are only four days left until the engagement, and it’s already been six days since the defamation against my father began.

At first, the rumors were cautiously presented, but since the head has been secluded and hasn’t clarified anything, the nonsense has spread like wildfire.

“Oh, Lucas! Long time no see.”

“Baron Charles, it’s been a while. But what’s that you’re holding…?”

“Haha, this is a medicine rumored to have good effects in our area… Hehe.”

“Ah….”

“It’s a token of my sincerity for the head—”

‘What the hell? Is this guy genuinely believing that ridiculous rumor?’

Starting with Baron Charles, those who were feeling out the situation began to approach with vitality boosters, Viagra, male hormones, prescriptions for prostatic diseases, and such.

Noblemen and upper-class folks, who prided themselves on being educated, truly believe such rumors?

‘…No, no. It’s not that unbelievable.’

It’s surprising enough that the rumor of defaming Arthur’s head has circulated here at Arthur’s doorstep, and with the head remaining silent for six days, there’s a natural inclination to start believing in such gossip.

As the rumors spread with each passing day, the tail end of disbelief merged, leading the opinions opposing the head to practically be the mainstream within Arthur.

‘In the end, it doesn’t matter whether dad’s actually impotent or suffers from a prostatic condition.’

What matters is they now finally have a reason to gnaw at the once-absolute ruler.

They’re merely a bunch of wolves looking to tear apart the pockets and hoard the family’s interests and wealth.

Yet ironically, this has only bolstered Lucas’s influence.

Those loyal to Arthur have pivoted from following the once-overbearing head to now turning their attention towards Lucas, the active sub-head, while those wolves remain obedient before Lucas despite ripping into the head.

‘…Could it be that Namgoong Min had a strategy like this in mind?’

To withdraw Rain’s engagement, force my father out of hiding, and solidify Lucas’s status?

Just by spreading absurd rumors?

…What if Namgoong’s true intent wasn’t to recognize him but a baseless pride that led to opposition?

It was at that moment that a shiver ran through Lucas.

Then, it happened.

<The first princess of the Unified Daehan Empire, Lady Kim Eun-ha, is entering!>

“…Oh my god, the rumors were true. To think the royalty would attend the ball…”

“When did Arthur develop such close ties with Daehan Empire…?”

“I heard they were in the same class at the Romance Academy. It could be a personal connection.”

“Even if so, attending here means…”

“Is the man next to her a retainer?”

“Don’t touch him unnecessarily. He might be a job holder.”

A hubbub ensued.

With the unexpected entrance of the Crown Princess, the ballroom was thrown into disarray.

Naturally, it makes sense; an overseas royal attending an Arthur ball, a notable event.

And of course, Lucas wasn’t close enough to Kim Eun-ha to invite her to the ball.

‘How did they even persuade her?’

Kim Eun-ha attending the ball was entirely thanks to Namgoong Min.

Though at the Academy it might be one thing, in this context, Lucas is the sub-head of Arthur while Kim Eun-ha is the Daehan Empire’s princess.

Naturally, this would appear to be a political event, a public meeting, yet Lucas could only marvel at Namgoong’s skills in persuading the Crown Princess.

After sipping some wine, Lucas glanced at Namgoong Min, who was attending in a retainer’s role.

‘So, what are you going to show me?’

He didn’t hear Namgoong’s full plans. Knowing them ahead of time might prove detrimental.

He had emphasized that showing a real reaction would be appropriate, but what on Earth…

“Directly communicating the wishes of the great Arthur family and our <Psychic>, Rain Arthur!”

“…Huh?”

What? The message from Rain?

Rain hadn’t left her room; how did she—

“Rain declared that this engagement is null and void and would justify doing so!”

“…What does that mean? Isn’t he her retainer?”

“What? Refusing the engagement…?”

“More than that, when she says justify, could it mean!?”

“By this opportunity, to the head of the Arthur family, Lord Hector Arthur—”

Namgoong Min doffed one of the white gloves he always wears.

And he threw it towards the empty seat of the head.

“—As your Duel Proxy, I hereby challenge you.”

Namgoong smirked wickedly, and Lucas instantly felt relief.

Thankfully, that wicked smile wasn’t directed at him.