However, even after the crime had been exposed, Viscount Baden was utterly brazen.

“I didn’t steal them, I was just holding onto them temporarily! And after receiving the grace of my father, you treat me like a thief?”

There was absolutely insufficient evidence to argue further.

Moreover, Viscount Baden refused to return the thesis, claiming that Gepeto had offended him.

In fact, they had already been submitted to the Emperor and couldn’t be returned, but that was beyond Gepeto’s knowledge.

Anyway, in order to get the thesis back, Gepeto persuaded Viscount Baden for a long time.

Wilhelm Baden’s mood had barely improved, but he set one condition.

“I have a cousin who was harassed by his stepmother and couldn’t receive proper heir education until he was fifteen. Raise his academic level to at least the point where he can enter the Academy so that the child can properly inherit Daiern. If you do that, I’ll return the thesis immediately.”

Of course, this was Viscount Baden’s ploy to buy time to secure the final report.

He didn’t think the stupid Viscount, who took after the former Duke, would be able to meet the standards for entering the Academy.

If he could just coax Gepeto well and steal the thesis for at least 3 years…

‘Then I can maintain my position as the chairman of the Privy Council!’

Also, only then could he maintain his Viscount title.

In fact, the Viscount title was conferred upon Baden because Wilhelm York Baden became the chairman of the Privy Council.

Before that, Baden was merely a collateral branch and vassal family of Daiern.

“…I already submitted the thesis to His Majesty the Emperor last week at the grand council meeting.”

After a long silence, Viscount Baden spoke decisively.

It was already water under the bridge. If only he hadn’t stolen the thesis and graduated from the beginning.

No, if only the appointment as the Privy Council chairman had been canceled when the fraudulent graduation from the academy was suspected!

“Now that it has come to this, there’s no turning back. We only have one option left.”

“Wh-what is it?”

Viscount Baden’s eyes emitted a chillingly dangerous light. Moreover, a thick murderous intent was felt in his low voice.

Viscountess Baden trembled involuntarily at his imposing manner.

“Yes, I said I would return the thesis if the young duke reaches the level to enter the academy. But I have to confirm that he has reached that level, don’t I?”

“……”

That’s true.

No matter how much of an honorary scholar of the Tower Gepeto was, they had to be certain about what needed to be checked.

In other words, Viscount Baden had to directly evaluate Kardiel’s level.

“Listen well, Viscountess. I will now tell you what you need to do when you return to the Duke of Daiern’s residence.”

Wilhelm Baden embraced the Viscountess’s shoulders. Then, he slowly began descending the stairs.

“That man Gepeto knows that my purpose in educating the young duke is for the heir’s education of Daiern. But what if the outstanding young duke suddenly dies?”

“…What did you say?”

“What happens then? The youngest, who has the next order of succession, will have to receive the heir’s education. Now, it will be that youngest one who needs to reach the level to enter the academy.”

“Ah…!”

In that case, naturally, the timing of returning Gepeto’s thesis would also be delayed.

Then when the time comes, how will he return a thesis that doesn’t exist?

By then, what use would there be in looking for the previous thesis?

“Then, I will visit the Duke of Daiern’s residence in three days.”

Finally, at the entrance. Only then did Viscountess Baden come to her senses, realizing the implication of her husband’s words.

“Wait a minute. Those words mean…!”

Kardiel…

It means to kill the young Duke of Daiern.

“You weren’t planning to kill him anyway after sending him to the academy? Our plan is just being moved up a bit. And, don’t you want to become the Duchess as soon as possible?”

Thinking about it that way, there wasn’t a single wrong thing he said.

Moreover…

‘If I can become the Duchess even a day sooner!’

Killing someone?

‘What’s so hard about that?’

In fact, today she had made an extravagant purchase unbefitting of her status.

So when her husband yelled at her for being broke, she felt a chill down her spine.

It was because the worry about today’s spending suddenly overwhelmed her.

If she had to do something shameful like canceling it, she thought it would be better to just die.

But if this matter was handled well, such worries would become unnecessary.

Compared to the debt and humiliation she would have to bear later, guilt and hesitation were not so significant.

A chilling light rose in the eyes of the woman who had been frightened just before.

“I understand. I’ll take care of the young duke somehow.”

“Now you’re starting to make sense.”

Viscount Baden said those words and held out a ring he had been wearing to the Viscountess.

The green gem set in the ring was beautiful like an emerald at a glance, but in fact, it was crystallized arsenic powder.

In other words, it was poison.

“Then, return to Daiern, Viscountess.”

As the couple was about to finish their cruel plan and return to their respective positions,

Knock knock knock.

Someone pounded heavily on the door of Viscount Baden’s residence.

The couple, who happened to be standing at the entrance, frowned.

A visitor knocking so roughly at this late hour. They had no manners whatsoever.

“This is the residence of Viscount Baden, the chairman of the Privy Council. What brings you here at this late hour?”

Instead of the two, a young and handsome butler approached the entrance. He politely asked the visitor for their business.

Then.

Knock knock knock knock knock!

An even rougher sound than before struck the front door.

Viscount and Viscountess Baden were startled by the spine-chilling and threatening sound, reflexively taking a step back.

The visitor’s voice finally reached past the entrance.

“Viscount Baden! This is an order from His Majesty the Emperor. Open this door at once!”

“H-His Majesty the Emperor?”

An unexpected person was mentioned. The Baden couple and the butler gathered at the entrance, as well as all the servants, were flustered and looked at each other.

Does it make sense for the Emperor to suddenly, without a word, abruptly, and at this late hour, send someone?

While everyone was confused, the butler stared at Viscount Baden and waited for an order.

The other party was too high-ranking to ask what business brought them here.

Knock knock knock knock knock knock!

Meanwhile, the door continued to be pounded.

“Open this door at once! Or I will break it down!”

It seemed that the threat to break down the door was not an empty one.

Not knowing how urgent the matter was, Viscount Baden, feeling threatened by the force, approached the door.

“I-I’ll open it. I am Viscount Baden!”

And the moment the lock on the door clicked open.

Bang! Outside the wide open front door stood dozens of Imperial Palace guards.

“Viscount Baden. There are matters to investigate regarding the crime of deceiving His Majesty the Emperor, so you must come with us immediately.”

Upon hearing Professor Gepeto’s circumstances, I could immediately tell that he would not be able to find the thesis.

It’s unbelievable.

No wonder. I was curious how someone who couldn’t graduate for over a decade suddenly became the chairman of the Privy Council.

‘But to think he had been hiding an honorary scholar of the Tower in his shadow like this.’

It was obvious. He must have used his research materials and thesis as if they were his own.

Naturally, it was clear that even the academic papers submitted last year and this year by the Emperor’s command were all his works.

“You may not want to believe it, Professor Gepeto. But that’s probably the reality. If you want, you can view the academic papers Viscount Baden submitted last year and this year at the Imperial Library right now. Do you want to go and check now?”

“……”

I don’t have access, but he, as an honorary scholar of the Tower, is different.

Professor Gepeto looked afraid to check.

He seemed to want to believe that he couldn’t have possibly stolen the thesis and even had the audacity to present it as his own achievement.

‘Well. It’s not something a person in their right mind would do.’

But if he were normal, there’s no way he would have made a contract to enslave Professor Ernestine, right?

“If it turns out to be plagiarism, I’ll even help you press charges. If we can retrieve your thesis, it may be possible for you to return to the Tower of Honor.”

“But……”

He hesitated again this time.

The reason was none other than the grace he had received from the former Viscount Baden, Viscount Baden’s father.

It’s unbelievable. To think he would even try to be considerate after being treated so viciously.

“Professor Gepeto. You are in this position as an educator now thanks to the sponsorship you received from the late Viscount Baden. Then, as a proper educator, can’t you judge what should be done about the current Viscount Baden?”

With an anguished expression, he eventually accompanied me and got into the carriage.

Although I cannot enter the Imperial Library with him, I can help him press charges against Viscount Baden.