I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 230
Suppressing the turmoil churning within him, Rufus slowly opened his mouth.
“If the kingdom can no longer import Cytiro from the empire, how do you think those who rely on the herb will react?”
“They will do whatever it takes to obtain it.”
“Precisely. However, the remaining stock of Cytiro within the kingdom is limited.”
Locking eyes with Viren, who was staring intently at him, Rufus gave a slight nod.
“If the kingdom depletes its remaining supply, there will be no legal means to obtain more. Once the people realize this, how do you think they will respond?”
At that question, Viren clenched his fist. His gaze dropped past Rufus, landing on the report sitting on his desk.
“The price of Cytiro will skyrocket.”
Rufus nodded.
The amount of Cytiro left in the kingdom was finite. But the demand for it remained high—and it was only going to increase.
This year, due to the war against the demons, the kingdom had suffered an unprecedented famine. A widespread food shortage was imminent. As malnutrition spread, more children would grow weak, and the number of those in need of Cytiro would only rise. When that happened, just as Crown Prince Viren had pointed out, the price of Cytiro would soar.
It was a simple equation.
Imagine a hundred people standing in line, all desperate to save their children, fighting over a single pouch of the herb. The person in possession of that herb could name any price they desired, and it would sell immediately.
Rufus glanced at Viren.
‘He’s not as much of a fool as I thought.’
As much as he hated to admit it, of all the royals he had dealt with, Crown Prince Viren was the most competent. Perhaps Hevania’s royal family had survived this long solely because of this man.
Creak—
The chair Viren had been sitting in scraped backward.
“Rufus Inferna, did you buy up the Cytiro in the capital for the reason I think you did?”
Rising to his feet, Viren looked down at Rufus.
“If it is money you need, I will pay you any amount you ask. If it is power, I will grant you any position you desire. If it is honor, I can even bestow a duchy upon you. So…”
So give me the Cytiro for the sake of the people. To save those suffering from malnutrition, we need that herb.
Rufus Inferna.
Please, if only for the sake of the people.
‘Ha.’
Hearing Viren’s words, something inside Rufus twisted again.
A royal.
A member of that rotten lineage, the filth who cared only for their own gain, treating the lives of others as nothing more than dust beneath their feet.
He didn’t want to hear it. He wanted to reach out and strangle Viren on the spot, to silence him forever.
A royal, speaking as if they cared for the people. A royal, pretending to be benevolent, concerned for the well-being of the common folk.
He didn’t want to see it. He wanted to draw the sword at his waist and cut Viren down where he stood.
But now was not the time.
“The Cytiro will, of course, be given to the people—free of charge.”
Lifting his stiffened head with deliberate effort, Rufus declared in a firm, resounding voice.
“I purchased the Cytiro in advance because I feared that the apothecaries would exploit the situation and raise the prices excessively. It was never my intention to profit from it.”
“Then have the Cytiro transported to the capital immediately.”
“That is not possible.”
Rufus cut him off without hesitation.
“Not possible? What do you mean? Where is the Cytiro you purchased?”
“The Cytiro I acquired has already been sent to Inferna territory.”
Rufus, still seated, looked up at Viren without moving an inch.
For a subordinate to face the Crown Prince while remaining seated was an undeniable act of disrespect. Rufus was well aware of this fact. It was precisely because he knew that he acted this way.
Because—
“If the people want Cytiro, they will have to come to Inferna territory.”
I have that right.
Crown Prince.
I have the right to demand from you.
Do not misunderstand. You are no longer seated at the negotiation table. Negotiations are only effective for those who still have room to retreat.
I no longer play by the rules of you and your kind. You have offered me wealth and honor, but do not think I will fall for such a cheap trick. Even if you were to lay the greatest riches of this world at my feet, I would never bow to you.
I have already had it all.
Everything you seek to tempt me with—I once held it in my grasp. I ruled as king of this nation and possessed everything. But none of it mattered.
The more I longed for her, the more hollow I became. Like a piece of scrap metal before a blazing furnace, the void within me only grew wider, endlessly consuming me.
There is only one way to fill that emptiness.
Hatred. My hatred for you and your kind, who took everything from me.
Crown Prince Viren.
I despise you.
I despise you for being a royal who does not even know his place yet still dares to draw breath.
Your Highness, look beyond these silver-gilded palace walls. Do you still not grasp the reality of the situation you now face?
“From now on, any citizen who comes to Inferna territory will receive Cytiro without cost.”
Rufus’s voice, as cold as ice, froze the air in the room.
“If Your Highness truly cares for the people, I trust you will see to the support of Inferna territory in the future.”
Crossing his arms, Rufus lifted his chin and fixed Viren with a piercing gaze.
Foolish Crown Prince.
You have already walked into my trap.
