***

The next day.

"I can assure you that the culprit is not anyone in this house," Edmund said while sitting at his desk.

Two members of the Investigator Mage team had come to request permission to inspect everyone living in the mansion.

Edmund refused because he was certain the culprit was not one of the maids.

"But to make sure there’s no involvement, we need to examine them properly," one of the men replied.

"You may inspect other places, but not mine."

"I believe I’ve already given you my answer. If you’ll excuse yourselves, you may leave," Edmund said.

The two men exchanged glances, realizing they had reached a dead end when it came to inspecting the Aschwin Family mansion.

Still, as the Viscount of this territory, Edmund held more authority, so they had no choice but to obey him.

The two of them said their farewells and walked away from the Aschwin Mansion.

Edmund rose from the chair behind his desk and walked toward the glass wall while holding a glass of wine.

Edmund watched as they passed through the front gate. Sebastian immediately stepped inside the mansion and headed up to Edmund’s study.

The door opened, Sebastian walked in, and Edmund briefly turned toward him.

"They’re stubborn," Sebastian said.

"Don’t criticize them. They’re still young. Their heads are filled with idealism."

"Then what’s your next plan?" Sebastian asked.

"It’s already been several days since the murder tragedy happened. The patrols are still ongoing, but they haven’t found any more bodies," Edmund explained.

"I’m fairly certain that Leonor was the only real culprit."

Sebastian nodded in agreement with Edmund’s conclusion. "I think so too."

Edmund finished the wine in his glass and placed it on the table. If there truly was no other culprit, then it was time for them to do the dirty work.

It was all for the sake of maintaining the public’s trust and easing their fears.

However, the Investigator Mages were another problem entirely.

"We’ll head to a village outside the city, find a suitable target, and bring them into the city," Edmund said seriously in a low voice.

"About that, I’ve already gathered several people who fit our criteria," Sebastian replied.

He revealed a black-and-white photo showing the faces of an elderly man and woman. They had to choose carefully.

Their appearances looked unsettling enough to fit the role of a substitute culprit.

"It’s rare for men to become witches. We’ll take her," Edmund said.

"Understood, Lord Edmund."

Just as they were talking, the study door unexpectedly opened. Edmund quickly grabbed the photo and slipped it into his pocket.

They turned and saw Leonor entering alongside Nisya, while Clara was currently practicing magic with her tutor.

"Hello, Edmund."

"Hello, Leonor," Edmund greeted.

"I’m bored. I want to go outside and play. Can I?" Leonor asked.

Sebastian immediately turned sharply toward her. Edmund responded by giving a short shake of his head.

The Investigator Mages were still wandering around.

Their eyes were as sharp as hawks, capable of observing the flow of a person’s mana.

If Leonor wandered around unsupervised, there was a chance she would be caught by the Investigator Mages from Livden Academy.

Leonor’s pupils were slightly red, similar to the crimson mana aura that had once radiated from her body.

Seeing that gave Edmund an interesting idea. He and Sebastian were indeed planning to capture someone to take Leonor’s place as the criminal later on.

But the Investigator Mages could easily tell whether someone was the real culprit or not.

The problem lay entirely in their ability to read mana flow.

"I have an interesting idea. Do you want to come with me tonight, Leonor?"

"Are you going to give me another monster core?"

Edmund smirked lightly, "I will if you help me."

***

Night eventually arrived, and the city gradually became quieter. Edmund brought Leonor along with him.

He needed Leonor’s ability so that the old woman could possess the same power as her.

That way, when the Investigator Mages saw her, they would not become suspicious.

"This is exciting."

"We haven’t even started yet," Edmund said while wearing a black shirt and fastening a sword to his waist.

Leonor herself was already wearing a black dress that suited her well. Edmund had already explained what her task would be.

To Leonor, it was something simple, almost like spreading an infection.

She was confident she could plant that magic into their target’s body.

Sebastian arrived and informed them that the horse carriage was ready.

Edmund and Leonor nodded before leaving the mansion together through the back yard.

Edmund, Sebastian, and Leonor entered the carriage.

Without wasting any time, the horse carriage quickly departed from the Aschwin Mansion complex, passing through the city before leaving Archester behind.

"Her name is Henna, an eighty-one-year-old woman who works as a herb gatherer," Sebastian explained while handing her full identity documents to Edmund.

"What about her family?" Edmund asked.

"Her son is stationed on the eastern border front as a soldier. Her daughter is already married and moved to the Capital."

"So she lives alone?"

"Yes."

Edmund nodded in understanding, already knowing what needed to be done.

Henna’s house was located in Guta Village, around four hours away from Archester City by horse carriage.

More specifically, Sebastian explained that Henna’s house stood deep in the forest, isolated from the other villagers.

"You really picked the perfect candidate, Sebastian."

"Thank you. I’ll accept your praise, Lord Edmund."

Leonor turned and spoke to them, "Why does she have to replace me?"

Sebastian immediately fell silent and looked straight at Edmund.

Edmund only gave a brief response as he raised his hand and gently patted Leonor’s shoulder.

"I’ll explain it later," Edmund answered.

Leonor looked slightly confused, but she obediently accepted it once she heard Edmund say he would explain everything later.

After four hours of travel, the loud neighing of horses pierced through the middle of the night, startling Henna awake while she was resting.

Sebastian opened the carriage door, and Edmund and Leonor stepped out. Their feet sank into the muddy ground.

KNOCK!

The man knocked loudly on the door, waking Henna from her sleep.

Muttering irritably, she walked toward the front door and opened it.

The door opened, and Sebastian immediately stepped inside while holding the door open.

Edmund and Leonor entered as well, walking past the old woman named Henna.

"Who are you people? What do you want in my house? Are you robbers?!" Old Lady Henna shouted.

Edmund asked Henna to sit down and calm herself, allowing him and Sebastian to explain everything.

"Calm down. You’re safe with us," Edmund said while sitting in the chair across from Henna.

"Safe? You barged into my house without permission!" Henna yelled.

Edmund frowned when Henna shouted at him. He turned toward Leonor and asked the girl to do it immediately.

Leonor already knew what she had to do. She stretched out her hand, initially intending to calm Henna.

But slowly, a crimson-red light appeared in Leonor’s hand as she began channeling her mana energy into Henna.

"Aaakkhh—"

Sebastian quickly covered Henna’s mouth to stop her from screaming loudly.

Leonor continued pouring her crimson mana into Henna, causing the veins in her arms and neck to turn red.

"That’s enough, Leonor."

Sebastian removed the cloth from Henna’s mouth and allowed the old woman to whimper in pain, crying as there was no one nearby to save her.

"You should feel honored, Madam Henna," Edmund said.

"Your death will bring me peace."

"M-My death?" Henna asked in shock.

Edmund gave a faint smirk before turning toward Sebastian, "Let’s take her now."