After we had let the culprit who attempted to assassinate Gulbert escape, we returned to Amy and the others the way we came. We informed them of the events that had taken place in the back alley.

Amy expressed her disappointment, saying, "That's too bad." And Duke Valdeck said, "I was worried that you guys might not come back safely. I'm glad you did." He expressed concern, wondering if we would return at all.

After that, Lizlina exclaimed, "I'm glad everyone is safe! If you hadn't come back, I would have... Waaaaaah!" and burst into tears.

Regarding the mastermind behind this incident, Gulbert, he regained consciousness thanks to my resuscitation medicine. I thought he might run away as soon as he regained consciousness, but he surrendered, hanging his head in resignation, and proceeded to explain everything about the incident and his encounter with Livais.

The first encounter between Gulbert and Livais dates back six months. He was suddenly summoned by his father and disowned, being told, "Gulbert! Pack your things and leave this house tomorrow! You are disowned!" Gulbert protested, asking why, as the next heir, he had to leave the house. However, his father's response was cold.

'Do you know what you've been doing all this time? Ignoring my instructions, playing around recklessly, assaulting citizens, getting caught by soldiers. Moreover, causing trouble at the Liedgarm Magic Academy and getting expelled. Can I entrust this house and town to someone like you? As for the next heir, it would be better to adopt a talented child of a relative. At least the child I'm considering for adoption is better than you right now... Don't you think so?'

Unable to utter a word in response, Gulbert had no choice but to obey his father. However, that night, someone with a hood covering their face appeared on Gulbert's balcony and made him an offer.

'You want to become the lord of this city, right? Then shall I make your dream come true?' Gulbert was skeptical at first, but as he listened to the other party's one-sided story, he began to feel a sense of credibility. At that moment, the person brought up the topic of a contract with Gulbert.

'How about it, won't you join me? If you do, you can become the lord of this city. Moreover, if you enter into a contract to cooperate with my "business," your income will surpass that of your father. Whether you cooperate or not is up to you!'

The moment Gulbert heard those words, he signed the contract.

After confirming Gulbert's signature and seal on the contract, the mysterious figure introduced themselves to Gulbert.

'Since we're going to be business partners from now on, let me tell you my name. I'm Livais. Nice to meet you. Oh, by the way, it will take about a week for you to become the lord as I promised. Stay in this city and wait. I have various preparations to make.'

Leaving those words behind, Livais disappeared into the darkness of the night.

Gulbert initially thought he had done something foolish. However, three days later, his parents passed away, and with no other heir, Gulbert smoothly succeeded and became the lord. Surprised by the result, Gulbert wondered if it was a dream. Just then, Livais reappeared and said, 'How about that? You became the lord as I said, right? According to the contract, you're obligated to cooperate with my business... So, what's it going to be? Are you going to cooperate as promised, Gulbert?'

Upon hearing this, Gulbert promised to cooperate in anything with Livais.

This marked the beginning of the misdeeds in Gozes orchestrated by Gulbert and Livais.

As the story of the past concluded, Gulbert, about to be taken to his cell by the soldiers, mumbled, "I guess I wasn't cut out to be a lord, as my father said..."

After seeing off Gulbert, Duke Valdeck and I, along with the rest of the group, returned to the General Guild to organize our information. I was present as an important witness.

"Based on Gulbert's testimony, we investigated the mansion, and as a result, we found documents and tools related to illegal drugs and forbidden magical items. Contracts for illegal slaves also surfaced. Well, there's no escaping severe charges now.

Furthermore, when we located and examined the underground cellar that Gulbert mentioned, we discovered the missing individuals from Aid's family and those who had gone missing in Gozes. Unfortunately, three of them had passed away, and four were enslaved and sold somewhere. The investigation into the enslaved individuals will be handled by the General Guild."

Aid, who had reunited with his family, embraced his wife and son while crying. I remember him expressing his gratitude to me so persistently that I thought it was almost too much.

"Also, regarding Livais, their name is not recorded in the city's entry records, so it is likely that the name Livais is a pseudonym. We are currently investigating how Livais infiltrated the city, so the details are not known yet. We will report the results as soon as they are available. Is there any question up to this point?"

In work mode, Lizlina, with her notepad open, turned her face toward here and surveyed everyone in the reception room of the General Guild.

"Um, Lizlina, I have two questions, if that's okay?"

Lizlina turned her face towards me as I raised my hand.

"Please ask your questions, Elaina."

"My first question is, has anyone seen the moment when Aid's family was taken away?"

"As of now, there hasn't been anyone who witnessed it. We will continue to investigate the details of the crime and the circumstances surrounding it."

Currently, there are no witnesses.

"What is the other question?"

"Besides Gulbert, has anyone else heard the name Livais?"

Lizlina placed her notepad aside, took out some documents, flipped through a few pages, and then began speaking.

"The only ones who knew the name Livais were the servants who worked in Gulbert's mansion, Razbeth Brewma along with several employees of the Slave Traders' Guild, Brewma, and Debtol from the Adventurers' Guild, Debtol."

Their own names being the names of the guilds'... well, let's set that aside for now.

"Did anyone among the citizens know about it?"

"We are currently investigating, but so far, no one seems to know anything."

"I see."

Hmm, something feels off.

"Next, as I mentioned earlier, there is Razbeth Brewma from the Slave Traders' Guild. It seems that Livais conducted illegal transactions with him through Gulbert. The types of transactions included the buying and selling of magical items, slaves, drugs, and more. Additionally, Razbeth is the main culprit who sold the four citizens from Gulbert's underground cellar."

By the way, the president of the Slave Traders' Guild was caught trying to board a carriage loaded with a lot of luggage in front of the shop. That's what the soldiers were talking about, I believe?

"Lizlina, may I also ask a question?"

Lizlina shifted her gaze from the documents to Duke Valdeck.

"Yes, Duke Valdeck, what can I help you with?"

"Have you identified the methods of illegal goods transportation and the sources of procurement?"

"I apologize, but we are currently in the midst of an investigation. We questioned Gulbert and Brewma, but Brewma claimed he bought the goods from Gulbert without asking about the source, so he has no knowledge of the procurement. When we asked Gulbert, who is believed to be the supplier, he said he didn't know anything either. He mentioned that it was part of the contract with Livais not to inquire about the goods when purchasing them, and he himself remains uninformed. He stated that while using a Truth Crystal, so it seems like he was not lying."

The Truth Crystal is what I used to check my stats, right? Does it turn into a lie detector? I'll ask God about it later.

Guell began to speak with his arms crossed.

"Hmm, it's like cutting off a lizard's tail for the two of them. Trying to get rid of Gulbert might be because they're deeply involved or just as a precautionary measure. This is all the testimony we could gather. We should be grateful to Elaina."

I also think it was the right decision to keep Gulbert alive. Perhaps relying only on memory reading would have provided less information than we have now.

"However, the way that person talks is quite distinctive. Is Livais a man? Or a woman?"

"When I asked Gulbert, he mentioned that he couldn't determine the gender, but the voice seemed feminine. And, it appears that Livais was the one who informed Gulbert about our arrival in Gozes this time."

Did Livais know that Duke Valdeck was coming here? Could they possibly be an assassin from another country? No, but if that were the case, they wouldn't engage in business, right? Hmm... I'm getting more and more confused about Livais... Well, whatever. Let's leave this matter to the country.

"And so, as a result of the investigation into the Guild Master of the Adventurers' Guild, Debtol, we have learned three things. First, they were hired by Gulbert and attempted to make it look like Duke Valdeck's murder was the work of thieves. However, thanks to Elaina's presence, their attempt failed."

You're not attributing this to me, are you?

"Second, the members of Debtol who were guarding Gulbert were mobilized to participate in the assassination of Duke Valdeck. It seems that when they were leaving, they told Gulbert to stay at home for the day. ...However, Gulbert himself did not adhere to their instructions and went out alone."

I'm sorry Gulbert, but I think you're an idiot.

"Third, regarding the former lord of Gozes, Baron Midbert Langud, and his wife, Lady Lacina Langud. It has been confirmed through the investigation that they were killed by the Debtol Adventurers' Guild."

"Hey, w-wait a minute!?"

Barbos exclaimed suddenly, with a surprised expression on his face.

"Half a year ago, that accident... No, was Debtol involved in that incident?"

"Yes... To explain in detail, he was commissioned by Livais to assassinate someone half a year ago. He testified to that. Moreover, it seems he learned the method of assassination from Livais. While this time it was at Gulbert's request, it appears they were planning to dispose of us using the same method as well."

After hearing Lizlina's explanation, Barbos clenched his fist and slammed the table. His face looked terrifying; why was he so angry?

Looking at Barbos, Galli addressed him.

"Guild Master, please calm down!! I understand what you must be feeling, seeing as your friend, Lord Midbert, was killed, but we are currently in the middle of a meeting, so please calm yourself!!"

Eh, they were friends!? The former lord and Barbos?

"Haah... Haah... my apologies. The punishment for the members of Debtol should be left to the country."

Good, you've calmed down. If you start rampaging, I'll make a run for it!

"I'm sorry. Please continue the conversation."

"Yes, the head of the Adventurer's Guild, Debtol, will not escape serious charges. The other members are currently under interrogation."

"...I see, understood."

Upon hearing those words, Lizlina lowered her gaze to her notepad, flipped through several pages, and then began to speak.

"Finally, the house that Elaina had asked us to investigate in detail, the one that had burned down completely, well, we discovered a surprising fact."

"What exactly did you find out?"

Guell asked Lizlina.

"It was the house that Gulbert gave to Livais."

The others, having heard that, looked at me.

"Did you by any chance know about it?"

"No, Guell, I didn't. When I reunited with Amy and heard, 'The house is on fire! There's a fire!' I felt something was off, so I asked to investigate it in detail."

Now, Keith approached and started talking.

"In other words, the one we were chasing at that time was none other than Livais. There was a magic circle in the completely burned house, and to avoid being traced, it was burned along with the evidence. Is that what you're speculating, Elaina?"

"Yes, that's correct. I also consider the possibility that it might have been a smuggling route. I'll leave the investigation of that area to all of you."

From here on, it's the country's affair, so I'll leave the remaining investigation to them.

When I thought that, Keith and the others nodded.

"Yes, indeed. Leave the rest to us."

This time, Duke Valdeck turned to me.

"If anything comes up, I'll contact you."

"If it's alright with you, I'll lend my assistance. Also, I have a personal issue... Is it okay if I ask?"

"An issue? Do you have some problem?"

I do, Duke Valdeck!!

"Actually, I haven't booked an inn yet... Is it okay if I go make a reservation now?"

Duke Valdeck took out a pocket watch from his pocket and checked the time. By the way, there are watches in this world.

"...It's already getting late, so regular inns might have closed their reception by now."

I started pondering in my head about what to do next.