Craashhh

  A loud noise resouhroughout the room as the tablewares fell towards the ground. The one responsible behind suotion was her than Gabal. No, it would be more appropriate to say that Grey abal to.

  After Grey casted "Hijack" tabal, the tter's sciousness had faded into darkness. Now, Gabal possessed her senses nor any sort of awareness. It was as if he was sleepwalking.

  "Hijack", a curse magic spell which allows the user to trol the target like a puppet. Although it only works on living things that are at least two ranks lower than the user, it's still a powerful spell.

  For a couple of minutes, Grey has beeing his trol abal, and the loud noise earlier was the result of him the tter to perform a triple backflip. Although he was successful, he splendidly crashed oable when he oppling everything that was oable.

  As he trolled Gabal, Grey wondered what got into the tter's mind and tried to trol him with an array. As Grey had proven it, curse magic was more effective. Not that Gabal has the capability to trol him anyways.

  'Hmm... Now that I've already firmed how effective "Hijack" is, I should probably go to the main point now.' ［Grey］

  Grey pondered as he sat ba his chair. Gabal oher hand remaianding still with his eyes devoid of any life and color. In a quice, he would appear as if he was a zombie, only ohat is alive.

  "Gabal, tell me, who ordered you to do this?" ［Grey］

  "Mas... ter... Al... ge... rio..." ［Gabal］

  While it was a bitー No, pletely broken, Grey had firmed that Gabal is indeed capable of answering his questions. He already khat that was the case, but just wao firm it firsthand.

  Of course, if it was a normal and good-natured person, Grey would not use this spell on them, even for the sake of interrogations. It was just that Gabal happeo not be one of those people. He was the opposite.

  "Following on, is this 'Algerio' also the one behind the attempts to abduct Eliza von Landevar?" ［Grey］

  "Yes..." ［Gabal］

  "How about the attempt on Fritz von Landevar's life?" ［Grey］

  "Af... fir.. ma... tive..." ［Gabal］

  Just like that, Grey was able to firm that Algerio was ihe one behind the ret is. He was able to crack a case which Fritz couldn't even solve after a couple of weeks.

  The only problem was evideno matter what kind of testimonies or who testifies, testimonies are just testimonies. It wasn't really a strong piece of eviden a world ruled by elites who could just hire people to testify.

  Even if Gabal was a close aide to Algerio, the tter could just deny Gabal's cims a away with his crime. It wasn't unon for people like him to cut off the people ohey have bee useless to them.

  Grey's temper starts to boil as he ponders over how to help out Fritz and protect Eliza. It was such a huge pain in the ass that Grey started to wonder if he could just slug Algerio a over it.

  "Hey, what is your retionship with that scum, Algerio?" ［Grey］

  "I... am... his... but... ler..." ［Gabal］

  Just as Grey's annoyance over the matter was about to reach the limit, he saw a ray of hope in solving the case. Who khat the trap set up against him could be used to catch his enemy.

  A little smile quickly formed on Grey's face as a simple yet brilliant idea popped inside his mind. He only o firm ohing and the case will be in the bag. They could finally ensure Eliza's safety.

  "Gabal, tell me... How much does he trust you?" ［Grey］

  "Ve... ry... high... ly..." ［Gabal］

  A satisfied smile bloomed rey's face as Gabal answered his hopes. Lady Luck was on his side as fate itself has provided him with an effit way to deal with the likes of Algerio.

  "Gabal, go back to Algerio's house and gather as much evidence as you against him. Make sure you aally around him, and after you gather the evidence, bring them bae. Uood?" ［Grey］

  "Un... der... stood..." ［Gabal］

  "Ah, right... Make sure you don't talk to aherwise, things will bee troublesome," ［Grey］

  With a final reminder from Grey, Gabal set off towards Algerio's home to perform the task that was assigo him. While he talked in brokeences, his movements were fine and dandy.

  Bang Bang Bang

  Just a few seds after Gabal left the room, a loud banging came eg from somewhere in the room. When Grey checked out where it came from, he found an elderly mao a pilr behind the curtains.

  He seemed to have just woken up and caused as muotion as he could as soon as he came to his sehankfully, Gabal has been turned into a puppet and there is only Grey left in the room.

  After cheg with his "Judgedment", Grey then quickly uhe man from the pilr a him free. When he was set free, the first thing he did was massage his shoulders and arms. A light sound of bones crag could be heard.

  "Thank you for saving me, umm..." ［???］

  "Grey, call me Grey. And you are...?" ［Grey］

  "Ah! How rude of me! Sorry for the te introdu, I am called Argas, president of the Sagrada pany." ［Argas］

  After experieng Gabal's schemes, Grey did not take any ces and checked out whether the man's identity really was who he cimed to be. Sure enough, "Argas" was dispyed in his name slot.

  "Ummm... Five me for asking, but how did you get inside my room?" ［Argas］

  In order to answer Argas' question, Grey told him the details of how he got there, excluding the fact about him using curse magic. After Grey stated his side of the story, Argas told him how he ended up getting tied in the pilr behind the curtains.

  Apparently, while he reparing for their meeting, Gabal came out of nowhere and knocked him out. Because of that, he was unscious all the time while Grey was versing with Gabal. He only woke up because of the loud noise from Gabal's graceful crash.

  "I apologize for letting you experiehat sort of situation, Your Excellency." ［Argas］

  "Don't worry about it. Also, you please keep quiet about this?" ［Grey］

  "Ah, is this perhaps an important matter, Your Excellency?" ［Argas］

  "Well, yeah, you could say that. It's just that it 't be revealed to the public yet. I don't really have much say in this." ［Grey］

  "I see... Then you have my words, Your Excellency. I son my honor that I Will not tell a single soul about it!" ［Argas］

  Argas decred with a heart full of passion and siy. It was too over the top that Grey didn't really know how to react. He seemed to be the type of person who always wears exaggerated expressions.

  Even when Grey asked Argas to just address him casually, the tter didn't budge as acc to him, "He should treat all ers with the respect they deserve". He retty adamant about it.

  After that, Grey decided to stay in Argas' home for a while and chatted with him about a lot of things, mostly revolving around appliances. Grey was waiting fabal's return so he figured he'd py the meeting he was supposed to have in the first pce.

  ...

  Not muttering a single wabal traversed the hallway, heading towards Algerio's office. There was not a sound to be heard. Even his footsteps were as silent as the dead.

  "Good evening, Mister Gabal." ［Maid］

  A maid tried to greet him on the way there, but because of Grey's abal did not respond back. But he was not targeted by suspi as this is how Gabal normally acts towards the other servants.

  Gabal did not bat ao the maid and tio travel towards his destination.

  And as if luck was by his side, wheered the office, there was not a single soul there. But even if there was, Gabal wouldn't have cared and would have still tio carry out his task.

  Without wasting any time, Gabal opened up the drawers and ets, and searched them for dots and articles that could prove Algerio guilty. Papers were scattered on the ground and supplies fell out the table. It was a mess.

  After ying waste to Algerio's office, Gabal then headed to Algerio's bedroom where he did the same thing. But because of how messy Gabal was, he woke up the sleeping Algerio from his slumber.

  "Huh...?" ［Algerio］

  There was a long silent pause when the eyes of the two met. It was a moment wherein the success of Gabal's task was on the line. A moment where everything could g with just a single mistake.

  "Oh, it's just Gabal..." ［Algerio］

  But after seeing the face of Gabal, Algerio simply id ba his bed and tinued with his sleep. bined with his trust in Gabal, Algerio's sleepiness decreased his cautiouso the point where he simply didn't care.

  It was a miracle that Gabal was not discovered. But the puppet Gabal did not seem to care and just carried on with his task. He didn't even care when Algerio saw him rummaging through his belongings.

  ...

  "Oh, so it uses lightning mana crystals to power it..." ［Argas］

  Currently, Grey is showing Argas how a blender works. They were so engaged in their versations about appliahat Grey ended up showing a couple of appliances he recreated using the cepts from his past life.

  The tter who owned a rge store, with appliances as their main product, have bee hooked trey genius, to the poiarted praising Grey as some sort of teological God.

  "So, how does this work, Your Excellency?" ［Argas］

  "You take fruits, berries, or other food items and pce them in this gss tainer. After that, you put in some water and ice, then turn it on. The bdes will rotate at high speeds and cut up the foods into tiny bits while mixing them with the water and the ice. After a few seds, a smoothie will be ready for serving." ［Grey］

  Whiiirrrrr

  A whirring sound resded in the air as thial bdes tio rotate ireme speeds, all the while cutting fruits into fine pieces. A few mier, a beautiful smoothie was made.

  "Oohh... What a magnifit iion! Did you create this, Your Excellency?!" ［Argas］

  Tas' passionate question, Grey could only nod in response. He still felt guilty g the iions as his own. But expining his reination was a no go. He had no other choice.

  Well, teically, one could say he "ied" it in this world sihere are no such things as mana crystals ba Earth. But sihe cept was not his to begin with, it would be better to call it an "innovation" rather than an "iion".

  "As expected, Your Excellency really is a geniusー" ［Argas］

  Knooock

  Just as Argas raising Grey, a sudden knog echoed from outside the room, interrupting his statement. Argas tried calling out to the one knog but there was no response.

  Of course, Grey already knew who it was. It was Gabal who came back after aplishing the task Grey assigo him. He had arrived quicker than Grey had expected him to.

  "I'll go get it." ［Grey］

  "Oh, thank you." ［Argas］

  Grey stood up immediately as soon as he stated his suggestion. He didn't want Argas to see Gabal's face. After all, what kind of person would stay calm after seeing the face of the one who tied them up like an animal.

  Just as Grey opehe door, the expressionless face of Gabal greeted him along with a few dots and items which were apparent to be the pieces of evidehey so desperately need.

  "Mister Argas, something important just came up, I'll be going now!" ［Grey］

  "Ah, then I'll just quickly prepare a gift for Your Excellency to take." ［Argas］

  "I'm thankful, but there's really o. See you ime!" ［Grey］

  "Ahー" ［Argas］

  Before Argas even could mutter another wrey already made his speedy escape with Gabal just tailing behind me. Grey made sure to move while matg Gabal's speed.

  A few mier, the two had arrived at the mansion. But knowing that the guards will check Gabal's identity, Grey abal to wait outside quietly, hiding inside a bush like some wild animal.

  "Ah, Grey, you're back..." ［Yuna］

  Starstruck. That was what became of Grey as soon as he witnessed Yuna's beauty. There were only mild differences in Yuna's appeara those small differences made quite a big impa the people who looked at her.

  Seeing a new side of the girl he loves, Grey's heart raced quickly like a galloping horse. Being in love with Yuna, Grey already finds her extremely beautiful. The moment she put on light makeup, she transformed from a goddess to aence who could be said to be the ination of beauty herself.

  Even when Eliza, Rosa, and a few servants were present too, Grey's eyes were only focused on Yuna. He didn't even notice the surroundings evehere were quite a number of people around.

  For a moment, Grey had fotten about everything and just fixed his eyes to the young maiden in front of him. Unmoving, unwavering, speechless. There were a lot of words which could describe his current state.

  "Grey... You're staring too much..." ［Yuna］

  Yuna murmured with a beet red color painted on her face, clearly embarrassed as the man she loves was gazing at her passionately. Her heart thumping and pumping just as fast as Grey's is.

  While Yuna experienced Hell from learning how to apply makeup with the maids, after she saw Grey's rea, she felt that it was worth it. It was the first time Grey looked at her so passionately.

  "Ah, sorry about that! Anyway, have you seen Fritz around?" ［Grey］

  "Father...? He should still be at the office. Is something wrong, Elder Brrey?" ［Eliza］

  "Nothing really, I just have something to give him. Anyways, thanks for the tip, I'll be going now! See you!" ［Grey］

  The moment he said goodbye, Grey immediately ran towards Fritz's office without taking a moment to look back. He wao escape as fast as he could as he didn't want Yuna to see how red his face was.

  Meanwhile, Yuna was also frozen. Not because Grey left without saying a word to her, but because she saw how beet red Grey was. She felt hope bloom in her heart that Grey now saw her not as an adventurer partner or a friend, but as a woman.

  Yuna was so happy her legs were trembling as she struggled to stay standing. Grey's flustered expression was engraved deeply into her heart as a lovely little smile unfolded on her face.

  "Looks like it was effective, Lady Yuna! I'm sure Lrey's heart is pumping super fast now!" ［Rosa］

  "Elder Sister Yuna is really beautiful!" ［Eliza］

  "U... Un..." ［Yuna］

  Warmth flowed in Yuna's heart as she remembered Grey's flustered face over and ain. It was to the point she couldn't even hear other people's words clearly and just answered by default.

  "Your face looks red, did something happen...?" ［Fritz］

  Oher hand, Grey had arrived at Fritz's office. He was so embarrassed that he didn't even think as he entered. His face was still red as he remembered Yuna's face.

  "D-Don't mi's all because of how much I ran... Anyways, why don't you take a look at these." ［Grey］

  Grey skillfully evaded the question as he id out a number of dots on top of Fritz's table. The tter was fused at Grey's sudden as, but the moment he saw the dots, his eyes hidden from surprise.

  "This is.....!!" ［Fritz］

  ...

  It was deep in the night, and just as how deep the night was, Algerio was also deep asleep as he dreamed about making more money, swimming in a pool of gold and ptinum s.

  It was a wonderful dream, but...

  Crash Bang g Crash

  ... because of the extremely loud noises outside, he was quickly taken away from dreamnd auro reality. It was so loud that he could even hear it from his bedroom.

  "W-What's happening!?" ［Algerio］

  Algerio shed out as he could no longer bear the loud he sky was still dark and the town was already asleep. But even , the ill didn't stop nor did it show any signs of stopping.

  "M-M-Master Algerio!" ［Maid］

  Just oher side of the door was a maid calling out Algerio's he moment he heard a tinge of desperation in the maid's voice, cold shivers ran down his spine. He received a bad premonition.

  Algerio quickly rushed towards the door, and just as he was doing so, he noticed how messy his room was. Still, he didn't give it any heed and prioritized hearing out what the maid had to say.

  "What is it!?" ［Algerio］

  "A-A group of soldiers are looking for you..." ［Maid］

  "Soldiers!?" ［Algerio］

  "Y-Yes... A-And they have an arrest warrant for you..." ［Maid］

  The maid didn't dare to look at Algerio's eyes as she reyed the o him. She knew for a fauch the tter hated it when bad news was reyed towards him.

  Algerio's premonition became true, but even then, he wasn't afraid of getting arrested. He had full fidence about how his works were. After all, if he was lousy, he would have been caught ages ago.

  Irked veins popping in his head, Algerio rushed towards the gates, ready to front whoever was responsible for such a racket in the middle of the night.

  "What is the meaning of this!?" ［Algerio］

  "We're here to arrest you for the crimes, isn't that obvious?" ［Fritz］

  "What crimes!? This is just snder!" ［Algerio］

  "Snder, hun.... Well, there's attempted murder, attempted kidnapping, physical assault, treason to the lord, transag with criminals... holy, I could go on with the list. It would be better for you to just surrender peacefully." ［Fritz］

  "What evidence do you have to say that I itted those crimes!? These are all just false accusations! Even if you're the lord, you just 't arbitrarily arrー" ［Algerio］

  Before Algerio could even finish his words, Fritz threw a bunch of papers and dots straight into his face, causing him to stop from talking with his loud mouth.

  Those dots were of course his transas towards a dark guild, records of his crimes, and other sorts of heinous crimes he has itted. He held on to them just in case the dark guild betrayed him, but who would have thought that it would be used against him instead.

  "H-How did you get these!?" ［Algerio］

  "So you've admitted that these dots are yours." ［Fritz］

  "No, I-I justー" ［Algerio］

  "Men! Arrest him! And make sure he doesn't try anything funny." ［Fritz］

  Despair loomed erio's face as the soldiers sloroached him. He tried to fight back, but pared to the trained soldiers, his strength was like that of a mere child. He owerless.

  As the soldiers slowly took him away, his eyes fixated on Fritz's figure. Soon enough, the feeling of despair ged into that of ainguishable rage as he strongly gritted his teeth and ched his fist.

  His heart bmed Fritz for losing all his fortune and fruits of his efforts. The more he thought about it, the more his blood boiled with rage. One could only imagine how many times he had killed Fritz inside his mind.

  "Fritz von Landevar! I'm going to make sure yret ever crossing me!" ［Algerio］

  Algerio shouted with all his might, but Fritz paid it no heed. He just tio order the soldiers he brought to tinue searg the building for more evidence which could be used against Algerio.

  Just as hotly it came, the loud noises also vanished just as quickly. The night returo its quiet and serene former state. It was as if nothing ever happened.

  CHAPTER 49 END