“Well, I haven’t done anything particularly special. I just seized all suspicious accounts because it seemed like part of the employees’ salaries were flowing into some unknown accounts. It felt like someone might have been embezzling. Do you happen to know anything about it?”
“Young master!!!”
If there’s one thing I’ve felt while checking the family’s status over the past few days, it’s that there are way too many rats within the family.
Since it’s a rotten family anyway, perhaps they couldn’t even notice blatant embezzlement.
But now that I’m here, Vermont can’t be allowed to fall.
Whether by force.
Or by the rats within.
“Surely you’re not suspecting me? I, Leon Verkus, have dedicated generations of loyalty to Vermont, starting from my grandfather?”
[Leon Verkus’s affection has dropped by 1.]
I think I now understand why Leon’s affection was so high.
He was probably perfectly comfortable, with Aslan confined to his desk all this time, showing no interest in business. He must have seen Aslan as an easy brat.
But now that Aslan is behaving differently from before, it’s no wonder his affection has fallen.
“Why would I do such a thing? I’m just as much a part of Vermont as anyone else! If there was embezzling, it must have been that uncultured commoner woman who couldn’t learn her place!”
“What!? Are you finished talking now? Even when I was in the knights, my integrity was always top-notch!”
“Shut up, you halfwit. Unable to use mana now, did you even sell your conscience? Perhaps afraid it would be difficult to maintain your livelihood, you were embezzling money.”
“Hmm. That sounds plausible.”
“Ha…!”
Astounded, Sylvia couldn’t speak and clutched her chest.
It’s a complex look of anger and betrayal mingled in her eyes.
“Young master. Please entrust the investigation to me. I will find irrefutable evidence against that woman and return the seized funds to where they rightfully belong.”
“Do you have confidence in this?”
“Yes. Of course.”
Kneeling before me with one knee, Leon bows his head.
This caused Sylvia’s expression to darken.
Hey, you fool, do you really believe this? Her face seemed to say.
“Hmm. Your words make sense, but I’m not yet convinced. It seems I need to conduct a public opinion survey.”
“A public opinion survey?”
“Yes. Gather those who agree with your opinion. Listen to others’ opinions and make a decision.”
“Yes. I will do that.”
Mumbling with sealed lips, forcing her expression stiff, Leon bowed his head again with light footsteps.
Only Charlotte and Sylvia remained with a betrayed look on their faces.
“The sun is scorching. I should go in now.”
“You really…! I thought you had changed a bit!”
[Silvia’s affection has decreased by 1.]
[Silvia’s affection has decreased by 1.]
“You two should come inside now and rest from the sun. It’s good to be enthusiastic, but collapsing from heatstroke won’t do you any good.”
“You really haven’t changed at all! Just because I’m a commoner, you won’t listen to me! Do you really believe the words of that bastard?”
[Silvia’s affection has decreased by 1.]
[Silvia’s affection has decreased by 1.]
Tears streaming down, Sylvia screamed at me.
Would the usual Aslan have gotten this angry?
Probably not. Because she believed Aslan had changed.
It was that belief that exploded and turned into betrayal.
But what doesn’t change is Sylvia, not me.
“You’re so steadfast. Dull, foolish, and impatient. How can people not change like that? Isn’t it time for you to learn?”
“What are you saying now…!”
“I’m telling you to stop judging rashly and wait patiently.”
“…?”
Sylvia’s expression turned stupid.
Tears that had gathered flowed down her cheeks.
Always a naive face.
I handed handkerchiefs to Charlotte and Sylvia respectively and turned away.
If I endure this any longer, I might really get sunburned.
Then the anger seemed to wash away from Sylvia’s eyes.
She’s always been an easy one to handle.
“You. Can I trust you, young master…?”
“Do as you wish. Whether you believe me or not doesn’t matter. I only want employees who benefit me and the family. I don’t care about loyalty or trust.”
“…”
Now is the time to wait.
Now that the net is cast, it’s time for the fish to rush in.
“Oh, I almost forgot. Another 50% pay deduction for causing such a disturbance.”
“…”
[Sylvia’s affection has increased by 4.]
This masochist…
Now it’s getting somewhat disturbing.
.
.
.
“What the hell, what the hell! What the hell…! Did you really clean everything out!?”
Payment suspended.
Payment suspended.
And payment suspended again.
Leon’s expression sank as he examined each confirmation that the accounts had been frozen.
How did they find out?
It was clearly embezzled in such a way that it couldn’t be easily detected, gradually siphoning off funds.
He deliberately hid the salaries of employees he did not manage by filling out separate documents without being detected.
Most employees do not know how much their salary is anyway.
In extreme cases, there were many cases where up to 50% of the money was stolen and no one knew about it.
But how did they find out, and not only that, they discovered the account where the embezzled money had been diverted.
How did that stubborn Aslan find out?
He never dealt with paperwork!
“Someone must have leaked the evidence.”
Damn b*tch.
It was clear what Sylvia had done.
She must have fabricated documents and instigated Aslan to investigate.
“Keheheh. But what will you do since it didn’t go as you planned?”
However, Aslan didn’t move according to Sylvia’s wishes.
There’s evidence of embezzlement, but since it was through a secret account, there’s no proof it was him who did it.
So naturally, Aslan would suspect Sylvia or another employee, not him.
It’s like those riffraffs who used to pickpocket on the streets.
“Aslan, this b*stard is so consistently stupid that I really like him!”
Even if caught embezzling, he never suspects it was him who did it.
Believes he’s clever on topics he knows nothing about.
Truly, he was the best lord to serve.
If it were Aslan, he’d probably curse only common employees until the day our family collapses.
“But he’s still as indecisive as ever, quite annoying…”
Leon’s smile gradually stiffened.
All the money he had saved was tied up because all his accounts were seized.
He needed to thaw the freeze quickly, but Aslan, that indecisive fool, couldn’t make a decision alone and stirred up public opinion.
If they’re accomplices anyway, there are many.
Just get the signatures of the employees who were getting along well together; there are plenty of them.
Leon hurriedly began running around here and there.
He obtained signatures from most of the key positions in the family, such as the steward and the knight!
Wouldn’t this be enough for public opinion?
Leon completed the collection of signatures in less than 24 hours, forgetting all dignity and rushing to the study.
“Young master! I’ve completed… it…?”
When he opened the study door, what was revealed was a procession of countless people.
Perplexed, Leon became uneasy.
How could there be so many people in the usually quiet study?
“Oh, you’re here, Leon.”
“Young master. What is all this?”
“I didn’t feel like going outside. I was conducting job interviews here.”
“Job interviews…?”
Are there new employees to hire?
Ah! This time, Sylvia will be expelled, so they must be looking for someone to fill her place.
Leon, who quickly came up with a clear answer, smiled.
But why are there so many people here for just finding a replacement for Sylvia?
“You’ve been waiting long, young master. Finally, I’ve completed it. It’s the signatures of those supporting my opinion.”
“Hmm. Is that what this is, your opinion?”
“Yes! That’s right!”
“There are more than I thought. There are about two names not on the list I prepared. You’re quite meticulous, as expected.”
“Yes. Thank you…?”
A list? What does that mean?
Sensing something strange, Leon’s voice began to tremble.
Somehow ominous…?
“Then I’ll check again. These included here are all without a doubt those who support your innocence and accuse Sylvia of embezzlement, right?”
“Y-yes. Is there a problem…?”
“No, there isn’t. Everything is perfect.”
Aslan’s lips curled up with satisfaction.
A smile that was as satisfying as it was chilling formed.
Raising his head to match that smile, Leon felt a shiver run through his entire body in the darkness.
“Leon. It must have been tough collecting all those signatures.”
“Not at all. It wasn’t particularly difficult.”
“No. It must have been tough. So, I’ll give you a vacation.”
“Thank you, young master! But how long will the vacation be…?”
“Take as long as you want. It would be lonely to go on vacation alone, right? Leave with all the people who signed.”
“Huh, what? Yes?”
Leon’s eyes widened.
A lifetime vacation…?
Isn’t that dismissal?
What on earth!?
First, there was incredulity at the incomprehensible treatment.
Then anger surged, and his fists clenched tightly.
Leon’s sharp gaze turned toward Sylvia, who had been lurking in the darkness.
“Young master! Are you fooling around with that woman again!?”
“Well, let’s say I am. Pack your things and leave by tonight. I’m sick of the smell of your breath.”
“I can’t accept this! I’ve been a loyal knight to this family my whole life! How can you dismiss me without even inheriting the lordship?”
“Leave or I’ll make you leave. I’ll give you the choice.”
“What! Expelling me, a sword expert? If someone capable of defeating me exists here, I will leave of my own accord!”
Leon shouted, spitting with rage.
Regardless of how Sylvia seduced Aslan, it didn’t matter anyway.
With the lord position vacant, he couldn’t dismiss him.
Well, things would change if he was beaten and driven out.
If rumors spread that he, the only sword expert among the Vermont knights, was beaten to the point of being bloody, he wouldn’t be able to stay here anyway.
“Fine. Did you hear, Sylvia?”
“Yes?”
“Go, Sylvia. Teach that b*stard a lesson.”
“…?”
“…!?”
Confusion spread across Leon’s face.
In the darkness, Sylvia’s eyes widened, blinking rapidly.
What did you say? Beat that sword expert, as someone who couldn’t use mana?
