"J-Javier?? What are you doing here so suddenly?"

Count Kaelen's voice shakes a little the moment he proceeds out of his main building to see me. In the past, I thought this was simply a good gesture or an excessive display of warmth, but now I see things completely differently.

I quickly descend from my carriage and look around me, at the vast wealth that this man and his family have accumulated over the years.

It turns out even those weren't enough for him in the end.

Despite my current feelings, I give him a weak smile while keeping a cautious air around myself.

"It was an urgent matter, Count. I apologize for not informing you beforehand, but… is there a place we can meet to talk privately?"

Count Kaelen notices my urgency, and his face quickly glistens with sweat.

He nods quietly, telling me to come with him.

Then, we enter his premises, ascending the stairs until we reach his Personal Study.

I already know… that this man has several Studies like this. I'm guessing he hosted Dark Guild members or even Zarius in some of them. However, despite my animosity and deep-seated suspicions of this man, I maintain an air of calmness around me.

Other than my tone of urgency, everything else about me does not reflect extreme emotions.

Once we settle in and I sit down, Count Kaelen remains standing, his gaze resting anxiously on me for a moment. Then—

"So what's the matter, Javier? Did something happen?"

"Please, Count… sit." With the way he looks so anxious, you would think he was the one who had the bad news to share. If I didn't know what I currently do, I would have thought he was simply an overzealous or empathetic person.

But this man colluded with Zarius.

His dealings in the Dark Guild were too deep, costing many lives and resources!

Just the Money Laundering Scheme alone destabilized thousands of homes, causing many to fall into squalor and inevitable death.

In my past life, the scheme became larger in scope, covering the entirety of the Randalorion Kingdom. It was the beginning of the end. I spent so many months desperately searching for the mastermind, only to run into Zarius.

He was undoubtedly the figure at the top, but he had to have been controlling someone with sufficient influence to do his bidding.

So it was Count Kaelen all along… how disappointing.

'The only thing I don't know now is whether he was blackmailed or threatened by Zarius. That doesn't make his actions any less deplorable, but let me not jump to conclusions…'

I interlock my fingers, slowly leaning forward as I stare at the Count.

He shifts uncomfortably on his seat as he looks at me with curious, perfectly innocent orange eyes. "Is it about the acting Duke of the Ravenwood Household? Have you uncovered more of his schemes? I deeply apologize, but I don't think I'll be able to help you any more than I already have, Javier…"

'Oh? He must have realized how over-cooperative he was the last time.'

I smile to myself.

This Count Kaelen is an extremely sharp person.

Far more intelligent than the rest of the Randalorion Kingdom gives him credit for.

But this is by design.

He intentionally allowed everyone to underestimate him, which is why he has been able to hide in plain sight for so long. Just look at his acting skills… they exceed even mine.

It will be difficult to get a true confession from such a man will be hard.

So I'll have to resort to some tricks of my own.

"I believe I have located the Dark Guild's headquarters in the Randalorion Kingdom."

The moment I say this, Count Kaelen can barely hide his shock.

His body trembles, and he gasps.

I can sense the unease from him growing, but it could also be his pretentious display of shock and fear at the mention of the Dark Guild's name.

"M-my goodness! Is this related to Julian's plot against you?"

'So he's trying to shift the whole thing on Julian, or more precisely, the Ravenwood Household, huh? Such a subtle move… but it won't work on me.' The more I speak to this man, the less I believe that he was coerced into his actions.

Maybe Jasper was right about this person… maybe he did all this for power.

"No… or, I don't think so. Right now, it's a complicated mess, but the lead I got is very important, and if it works out well, I'll be able to shut down the Dark Guild's operations in the Kingdom!"

"Oh? But are you certain it's the Dark Guild?" Count Kaelen asks with a concerned expression on his large, chubby face. "You've been after this group for a long time, and they can be quite insidious based on what I know from the news. Are you sure you got it this time?"

I smile.

Count Kaelen… your mask is cracking a little.

Hehe… I expected him to panic, but not this quickly. I'm guessing he already knows that I'll find everything I need on him if I actually find and breach the Dark Guild's headquarters.

"No need to worry, Count. I captured one of their leaders—a member of the Sixfold Helm of Darkness." I watch his countenance, and it doesn't change in the slightest.

This man… he's good!

Really good at acting, I tell you!

"His name is Jasper, and he managed to even undo the Dark Guild's poison vow. He has promised to cooperate if I offer him leniency, but I already told him that it depends on his level of contribution towards my investigation… which is why he has chosen to take me to the Headquarters."

"My goodness! Such a thing… to think you've made such progress already! Remarkable, Javier!"

His eyes twinkle with surprise and great admiration towards me.

All of which are fake emotions.

His current smile is likely hiding an ugly expression and a gaze of absolute dread.

This man… he fears me.

Since he worked closely with Zarius, there's a chance he knew what the latter looked like. Which means he knows that I killed him. That means he likely suspects I am a Leviathan, or at the very least knows that I am a Leviathan Slayer.

Just like the Royal Family, his caution towards me is at its maximum level.

But—

'Unlike the Royal Family, he has a deep, dark secret that he knows I must never find out.'

Because once I know the connection between him and Zarius, I will likely charge to his house and eliminate him.

"That man, Jasper, he also said some members of the High Nobility are in cahoots with the Dark Guild, which means I can't trust any of the other Nobles. You are the most good-natured one I know who has such a high position, so my first instinct was to meet with you first."

"I see. You made a wise choice, Javier…" The Count's voice trails as he falls into deep contemplation. "But, this Jasper fellow… how can you be so sure he is telling the truth? He could be feeding you lies while acting like the poison doesn't work on him."

Count Kaelen knowing about how the poison vow of the Dark Guild works isn't a surprise.

Most people in the upper echelon already know this.

But—

'To think he'd try to discredit Jasper so shamelessly… hehe.' I nearly laugh to myself, but keep my expression under control.

The Count isn't wrong, though.

It is indeed something I thought about, which is why I had Jasper prove the authenticity of his words to me back when we were in the Dark Guild's headquarters.

Count Kaelen doesn't know any of this, though.

"I already had him tell me something which I have confirmed to be true. He's being honest, at the very least, for the most part. Even if he isn't, once we conquer the Dark Guild, we'll be able to unearth more secrets and completely expose all their operations."

"Y-you're right, Javier. But… what did he tell you that you confirmed? We need to be careful about—"

"I came here for your cooperation, Count Kaelen. As I said, I don't trust the other highly ranked Nobles. If I go to them with this information, they could send it to the Dark Guild, warning them of my arrival. Who knows? They could also be part of its leadership, which means they'll try to eliminate me before I even leave their building. You're the only one I can rely on at the moment, so please… have some faith in me."

Count Kaelen falls silent for a moment, staring at me with mild stupefaction.

I imagine several thoughts are going through his mind at the moment.

But so what?

In the end, he'll have no choice but to ally himself with me.

Because doing otherwise would be too suspicious, and helping me is most compatible with his established image.

"Sorry for doubting you, Javier. It's just… a lot of information to take in at once."

"I understand. I'm sorry for just coming unannounced and bombarding you with all of this. It's just… the matter is really urgent."

"Alright. How can I help you, though?"

"I need an army. It could be large… but preferably an elite, covert unit. I can't storm the Dark Guild by myself, with what little resources I have. With your help, we can take them down together and rid the Kingdom of those vermin!"

'So what will you do now, Count?' I smile to myself. 'On one hand, I'm telling you that I'm not strong enough to handle the Dark Guild alone, which means you gauge my strength and find me severely lacking compared to the Leviathan. You could try to attack me, maybe eliminate me before I leave your estate. Or… will you rather be cautious and think I am trying to deceive you?'

I can tell that Count Kaelen is extremely shrewd.

Such a cautious man won't make any rash choices merely based on the crumbs I have dropped in front of him. He'll need to assess the situation more calmly.

"Is it possible that I see this Jasper fellow for myself?" Count Kaelen asks with a solemn expression, his deep gaze burrowing into mine.

Naturally, I show no hint of suspicion in the slightest.

"But… such a dangerous man. I'm not sure bringing him to your presence is wise—"

"Don't worry. Although I look like this, I can handle myself." He gives me a toothy grin before his face turns dark once again. "As for reinforcements, I have no problem offering them to you, but only after confirming a few things from this Jasper. I hope you understand… these men have entrusted me with their lives. I need to personally confirm what they will be fighting for."

"I completely understand."

"Also, it will take a bit of time to prepare the army. I'll start making preparations, and in the meantime, you could bring the criminal here."

"Actually, Count… I had a feeling you might say that. So…" My grin broadens as I stare hard at the man just a little over a meter from me. "I already brought him here in my carriage."

"W-what?!"

"Don't worry. He's completely restrained, and I kept him in the trunk of my carriage. He has been stripped of all weapons and harmful objects, too. May I go downstairs to fetch him?"

Count Kaelen falls silent once again.

That's a mistake.

'Shouldn't you be more excited? But I understand. You've not made the proper preparations, and you're worried that the man might recognize you and spill secrets in front of me…'

This creates a rather risky and impossible situation for the Count.

Exactly as planned!

'So what will you do now, Count Kaelen?!'

"No problem. Go ahead and bring him up here. I hope you don't mind if I strengthen security around… just in case."

"That's fine, Count. Take all the necessary precautions you need." I give him a meaningful gaze, wondering whether he will misinterpret it or correctly understand my intentions.

Regardless, I have him exactly where I want him.

"I'll be right back."

I walk out of the study by myself, leaving the seated Count looking distraught.

Now, we just have to wait and see… what he will do.

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