104 CHAPTER VII EXAMINATION (1/2)

On the morning of my second day in the estate, I was on my way to the castle dungeon.

This morning, I heard that Gotts had been captured by the Red Golem when he entered the castle without knowing what he was doing.

'Hey!　Just get me out of here!　I'm in charge of the estate here!　What does it matter what happens?

As we get closer to the jail, I hear voices like that.

This voice is probably Gotts .

I don't think it's a good idea to say that to a golem: .......

'Hey!　Get me out of here!　Yeah, you guys are ridiculous. Go get the guy upstairs!

When I got close, I heard Gotts yelling at the top of his lungs.

”It's too loud in the morning. I need some quiet.

I said that and stood in front of Gotts' cell.

”Oh, you're ...... who?　All right, get me out of here as soon as possible. Ten white gold pieces for now.

You don't know my face: .......

I mean, how come you have so much money .

You're just an official sent by the Empire, right?

Yes. My name is Leons Forster, or rather, Leons Muldean.

When Gotts heard my name, his eyes widened and he suddenly grew quiet.

'And my lord!　Sorry, too!　Nay, please don't mind me saying that, as those words were said in a fit of pique!

Just when I thought he's quieted down, he starts screaming again, louder and louder .

After the way you acted earlier, I don't trust you to be so peckish at all. .......

'Really?　But still, where do you think ten white gold coins come from?

Let's start there.

'Well, uh, ...... it's, uh, a lie!　I lied to save my life.

Gotts began to desperately accuse him of lying, sweat sloshing down his face.

Well, I don't care if it's a lie or not .

Okay. So, do you know why Mr. Gotts was brought here?

Well, uh, ......, I don't know.

Gotts was suddenly quiet again.

Okay, I'll give you some time. Do your best to remember.

I'm a nice guy. I'll give you a minute to remember.

Well, uh, ......, I can't remember if I'm trying.

Apparently, the kindness was unnecessary.

Well, that's what I thought.

'Well, ...... I'm sorry. If only you'd answered honestly: ......

With that, I decided to leave the prison.

Wait, wait!　If you don't answer honestly, what do you have?

Gotts was frantically trying to stop me from going.

'What?　Why are you so worried about it?　Mr. Gotts was honest with me, wasn't he?

Then you don't have to ask.

Yes. So, I guess you can't help but wonder what's in it, huh?

Mm-hm. Because you haven't been honest.

Yeah?　Well, let me tell you something. I'm thinking of turning Mr. Gotts over to task force. And I'm going to ask you to torture Mr. Gotts for information about what he's planning to do to threaten the Empire. Something like that, huh?　Special Forces torture is so merciless that if you're not good at it, you'll probably die. Last time I was there, I was dealing with the knights of the kingdom: ......

Okay, okay!　I'll tell you everything!　Yeah, so spare me the torture!

Oh, you talk so easy.

Lucky for you. I was going to use mesmerizing magic if it didn't work, but I guess this ...... guy didn't need it.

That's nice to know that's not necessary. Well, it depends on how much you're willing to tell me about whether or not you're going to send it to the Special Forces. If there's not too much information I'm likely to want to know, I'll send it to the Imperial City right away.

Okay, okay!　First of all, I've been embezzling for the last decade or so.

That's what I thought. You're under arrest for embezzlement.

Really. How long?　Honestly?　We'll find out later.

Yes. That's roughly a quarter of the tax revenue of the Myrddin territory. ......

What?

This guy is even more impressive than I thought he would be.

What kind of person in their right mind would do that?

Yeah, the Empire has a problem. Watch out.

I'm sorry.

You apologize to me: .......

Well, we can talk about that sin later. Come on, keep talking.

Yes. Actually, Mr. Filibert and his family were paying us.

Yeah, I know you're connected to the Philibert family.