Chapter 96

Chapter 96 \nChapter 96\n

After I laid Ashley on the bed, I decided to head back to the lobby to hand over the dead guards and assassins . As I walked through the corridor, a thought crossed my mind… How would I actually hand them over? Do I have to disclose my secret in regard to the Gift Boxes? I needed to find a better method… Before I could solve this problem, I’d arrived back in the lobby . Volker was waiting for me .  

 

“Did you wait long?”

 

“Not at all . Let’s head to the warehouse now . ”

 

Following the sight of Volker’s long silver hair, we headed to the warehouse just outside the mansion . The Duke had several warehouses on the premises . We entered a particularly large warehouse that could probably hold several carriages .

“Please put the bodies, and everything else, here . We will mourn for the guards here then investigate the assassins . ”

 

“Understood . If possible, could I be left alone here for a while? I stored the bodies and luggage inside a peculiar magic tool with certain special circumstances . I wish to keep it a secret . ”

 

“As you wish . Please alert me when you’re done . ”

 

Now alone, I activated the TSS and brought out the Continental from the Garage . How nice that the warehouse was large enough… I walked to the back of the continental and opened the rear hatch . This vehicle actually had the ability to carry another vehicle in a rear compartment . As long as the vehicle wasn’t too big; like a coupe . At least, that was what was written in the catalog .  

 

I opened the door and looked inside… There were a washing machine and a dryer . No, no . It’s not the time to question why those items were inside . Anyways, the compartment was big enough to fit 3 Gift Boxes . So, I took out the gift boxes, and with that, preparations were completed . When asked, I’ll just say that the boxes were part of the Continental’s features .

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When I exited the warehouse to call Colker, readily appeared along with other servants, mostly male, a wagon, and caskets .  

 

“Preparations are complete . Inside the warehouse is a particularly large magical tool . It’s a very valuable item that’s been entrusted to me – so refrain from touching it carelessly . Also, what everyone sees inside must be kept a secret until the tool is officially released . ”

 

“As you wish, but I will need to inform these people first . ”

 

“Alright then, let’s begin . ”

When the servants entered the warehouse, their eyes naturally went wide at the sight of the Continental . I first took out the luggage from the gift box so the female servants could take it back to the residence . And next, I took out the bodies of the dead guards . Since these bodies had already been wrapped with cloth, the male servants just carefully placed them inside the caskets .

 

Finally, I dumped the bodies of the assassins and lined them on the floor . I wondered whether it was alright to dirty the floor . However, Volker immediately chanted a spell that caused the blood to be deposited inside some jars… It reminded me of how convenient magic was in this world . Lastly, the weapons were the last to be taken out- – 

 

“Shaft-sama, did this short sword belong to one of the assassins?”

 

In Volker’s hand was a short sword one of the assassins used . He looked over the weapon quietly, just like how appraiser Resmond-san did when he appraised my weapon back in Barga .

 

“That did belong to one of them . What of it?”

 

 \n“This short sword is a magical weapon called “Shadow Edge” . I could see its performance because of my <Analyze> skill . The owner should be a member of the dark guild ‘Cactus’ . Which person is it?”

 

“Oh, the one that looks the worst . ”

 

I pointed at the corpse that was in the worst condition . His head had been severed horizontally, and his face was beyond recognition . Volker took some strands of hair, then frowned . He looked back and forth to the corpse . Afterward, he showed me the strand of hair . It was a lustrous brown – a shine unbefitting someone who worked as an assassin .

 

After Volker finished his inspection, he left to report the results to the duke . I was left alone inside the warehouse . The corpses had been moved to another place . With no one around, I returned the Continental back to the garage .

 

Leaving the warehouse, I spied a spring pond in the Duke’s courtyard . I once heard the servants talking about delicious spring water .

 

“Pardon me—”

 

◆◆◇◆◆◇◆◆

 

When I returned to the waiting room, I found Ashley sitting on the bed while looking out the window . It was almost evening, so the sky was dyed red outside .

 

“So, you are awake . ”

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I also made sure that the teacups were pre-warmed before I poured the freshly brewed tea . Its color was a dark reddish-brown, and a mellow scent wafted out as I poured . The smell filled the room with its aroma .  

 

“Here you go . ”

 

“Thank you — Schwartz . ”

 

“Right now, it’s Shaft . ”

 

“Un, I know that . But I wanted to thank you properly . You know… For helping me out . ”

 

“No need to feel bothered with that… I, I just helped because I wanted to – just like back in the goblin nest . Nothing’s changed since then, I guess . ”

I removed the mask, laying it on the bed next to me . The face of Schwartz was now out in the open .  

“Drink while it’s still warm, otherwise, the flavor will be lost . But be careful not to burn your tongue . ”

 

“Thanks… It’s delicious…”

 

Yeah… It certainly was delicious This taste… I might never forget it .