– Looks like you know about the Mikelson orphanage?

“There was a mass infection, so the children from there came for treatment.”

– Ah, I see. Originally, according to business ethics, I shouldn’t share the contents of another client’s request, but this case is special so I have no choice but to share it.

“What do you mean by special?”

– After receiving Prince Tate’s request, the first thing I investigated was, of course, the flow of funds at the Mikelson orphanage. And the same name came up there too.

“Don’t tell me… Club Ares?”

Veronia asked with a hopeful heart. Onyx’s face then lit up with a bright smile. It was like the proud smile of a teacher towards a student who had given the correct answer.

– That’s right. The Mikelson orphanage has also been receiving enormous sponsorship from Club Ares for the past 10 years. It was an amount 10 times that of other orphanages. Even though it’s a large orphanage, it’s not 10 times larger, so the fact that the sponsorship is 10 times more is suspicious.

“But why did Prince Tate request an investigation into the Mikelson orphanage?”

– That’s a very good question.

Onyx nodded slowly with the same proud teacher’s smile at Killian’s question. At that moment, Veronia, sitting next to him, could hear the sound of Killian grinding his molars.

– The exact content of Prince Tate’s request was this: to find the connection between the Mikelson orphanage and the Emperor. It seems he caught wind of the director meeting with the Emperor late one night a few days ago.

“Then… does that mean the Emperor is behind the huge sponsorship sent from Club Ares to the orphanage?”

– The possibility is extremely high.

Onyx spoke confidently, as if he was almost certain. Veronia and Killian had the same thought. Veronia carefully opened her mouth, looking at Killian.

“Remember? You wanted to nationalize the orphanages first, but Jonathan stopped you. He asked you to focus on commercializing magic tools first.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I thought it was strange at the time… Jonathan didn’t want you to touch the orphanages. He was afraid something that shouldn’t be revealed would come to light.”

“That’s a valid point.”

Killian nodded with a serious expression. Veronia also talked about the children from the Mikelson orphanage she had treated yesterday and today.

About the children’s symptoms that were clearly different from normal symptoms, and the suspicious injection marks found on their bodies. And even the story of how the director himself came to the clinic in the middle of the night to pick up the children who were being treated as inpatients.

Onyx, who had been listening to Veronia’s story, suddenly opened his mouth as if he had remembered something he needed to say.

– Oh, and one more thing. The director of that orphanage is known to be a very capable cleric.

“A cleric?”

– Yes. It seems he worked as an imperial physician for a long time until 10 years ago due to his considerable healing power.

Killian, who had been deep in thought at Onyx’s story, carefully opened his mouth. He enumerated the facts revealed so far, as if piecing together a puzzle.

“A capable cleric as the director and a huge sponsorship from the Emperor. Suspicious injection marks on the children’s bodies and their unique symptoms, and… even the unidentified epidemic that broke out in the south… It’s very strange.”

– What’s this? Something stinks here? Wow… Does that mean… perhaps the Mikelson orphanage could be the origin of the epidemic?! And the Emperor is behind it?! I’m not the only one thinking this, right? My thoughts aren’t just wild speculation, right? Wow… My goodness!

Onyx exclaimed, jumping up with a shocked expression. The more layers they peeled back, like an onion, the more surprising and dangerous the story became.

To think that the outrageous epidemic might be connected to the Emperor! Moreover, that Emperor might be the one who killed his father and ascended to the throne himself!

“But we can’t conclude anything yet. We need a more thorough investigation. We need to find concrete evidence.”

Killian said, standing up abruptly. As if he was about to rush out to investigate right now. Veronia, startled, asked with wide eyes.

“You’re not planning to do that investigation now, are you?”

“That’s right. Originally, investigations are best done secretly in the middle of the night when everyone is asleep.”

At Killian’s words, Veronia smiled and stood up as well.

“I’ll go with you. Don’t you think you’ll need my magic tools for this secret investigation?”

“…”

Killian made a troubled expression and hesitated for a moment. Veronia didn’t rush his answer, just looking up at him with sparkling eyes. Soon, Killian dropped his shoulders as if he had no choice and said.

“I expected this, but still. Alright. Let’s go together. But you must stay close behind me at all times.”

“Understood.”

Veronia nodded vigorously with a grin. And she thought to herself that she couldn’t just follow behind Killian in a situation where she might suddenly need to use magic tools at any time or place.

– Hey, wait! Are you two planning to go investigate without me? Don’t you think it might be dangerous without me?

Onyx called out urgently. With an expression half disappointed, half arrogant.

“Onyx, please do some more investigation in the capital. You said medical experts are researching this epidemic. We need to know what results they’ve come up with.”

“And it would be good if you could find out more about the magic tool workshop. What items were bought, who came, and so on.”

It took less than 0.5 seconds for Onyx’s excited expression to change to a blank one. Not hiding his disappointment, Onyx soon opened his mouth as if he understood sufficiently, letting out a shallow sigh.

– Well… There are things that only the capable me can do. Alright. Then both of you, be careful out there.

“We’re counting on you, Onyx.”

“We’ll be in touch soon.”

With that, they ended the communication with Onyx, and Veronia and Killian headed towards the Mikelson orphanage.

Veronia’s heart pounded excitedly as she mounted her horse, her magic tool bag securely fastened. Is there anything as thrilling and exciting as uncovering secrets hidden in clandestine places?

Meanwhile, Killian’s feelings were complicated as he watched Veronia, unable to hide her excited expression.

‘It’s not a dangerous place, just an orphanage… It’s the middle of the night when everyone will be asleep… There shouldn’t be any major risk factors, right? Yes, there won’t be.’

Killian had to keep reassuring himself to calm his rising worries.

The Mikelson orphanage was a massive building, a renovated and repaired old castle.

“I heard there are almost 200 children living together here. It’s really big.”

Veronia and Killian were standing on a hill overlooking the orphanage. Thanks to the bright moonlight, the imposing orphanage building was clearly visible. Killian carefully examined the blueprint he had received from Onyx and said,

“There must be a basement, even though it’s not shown on this blueprint. It’s the perfect place to do strange things away from others’ eyes.”

“I think so too. There’s no way an old castle doesn’t have a basement. And there must be a secret passage leading down to the basement. Probably in the director’s office.”

After all, the director seems to be the root of all the strange happenings at this orphanage.

The two put their heads together and stared intently at the blueprint. Killian pointed to a large room on the second floor of the blueprint and spoke.

“This is the director’s office. So…”

This time, Killian raised his head and stretched his arm towards the orphanage building. His index finger was pointing at a south-facing balcony.

“That balcony must be the one for the director’s office.”

“Shall we go to that balcony then?”

“Let’s do that.”

As Killian folded the blueprint and put it in his pocket, Veronia took out a teleportation scroll from her bag.

Teleporting to a visible location was a piece of cake. All they had to do was stare straight at the destination and tear the scroll, without even needing to concentrate.

Veronia and Killian, with their gaze fixed on the second-floor balcony, held hands with one hand and tore the scroll together with the other.

Then, a magic circle appeared beneath their feet and emitted light. The light grew stronger and finally engulfed their bodies.

When they opened their eyes after being enveloped in the piercingly bright light, they were already standing on the balcony. As they opened the glass door and entered the room, they found themselves in the director’s office as expected.

As it was late, past midnight, the director’s office was empty. Killian immediately headed towards one side wall where a large bookcase stood. It seemed to be a spot he had marked while examining the blueprint.

First, he carefully checked for any empty spaces behind the wall and bookcase by lightly tapping them. Finally, he discovered a small lever inside the bookcase. When he pulled the lever, the bookcase opened, revealing a secret passage.

“It’s here.”

“Oh, amazing!”

The secret passage leading to the basement was pitch black without a single light. But Veronia and Killian were fully prepared. When they activated the luminous stones attached to their necklaces, their surroundings immediately brightened.

Killian took the lead, and Veronia followed behind him. They carefully descended the stairs, making sure not to make any noise.

The winding staircase was quite long, with several forks. At each fork, they sprinkled powder made from ground magic stones to find past footprints and followed them.

Finally, a heavy iron door appeared before them. Fortunately, the door was not locked.

Creeeeak-

As they opened the door and entered, Veronia and Killian’s expressions contorted at the sight before them.

“W-what is all this?”

“…”

Veronia’s voice trembled faintly. Her eyes were trembling as well.

Killian examined the interior of the basement carefully, his mouth tightly shut. A long corridor extended from the door, with one side entirely made of iron bars. It looked like a prison.

“It seems that director conducted bizarre experiments on these magical beasts.”

The condition of the magical beasts caged behind the iron bars was miserable. A magical beast with its arms and legs severed was barely breathing weakly, foam at its mouth.

Another magical beast had half of its body cut off, its internal organs visible, yet it was still alive, blinking its one remaining eye.

Faced with this horrific sight that was almost unbearable to look at, Veronia buried her face in her hands and squeezed her eyes shut.

“This is too much. I can’t bear to see any more!”

Veronia cried out softly. Her palms were wet before she knew it. Tears had flowed without her realizing.