In the headquarters of the city watch, the soldiers and guards were going about their daily routine. The soldiers were ready to respond to any news as they went about their respective work.
In the chief's office, a man with a curvy mustache, big eyes, and a muscular physique, wearing light armor, was sitting in his chair as he read the various papers in front of him one by one.
Suddenly, the door opened with a thud and the man frowned in anger as he shouted, "How audacious! Who the fu-"
Halfway through the sentence, he abruptly stopped, seeing the squad of the White Family's knights at the door. A moment passed as the knights and the man stared at each other but then a guard came running into the office from behind the knights.
He wore a confused, panic-stricken expression on his face as he made his way to the man. He bowed and said, "Sir, that- they just barged in…"
Hearing this, the man, who was the chief of the city watch, raised his eyebrows and said, "What is the meaning of this?"
From the group of knights, one came forward and unsheathed his sword. Then the others also followed and pointed at the chief and the knight in the front said calmly, "Sir Neronn, please come with us. The young master has summoned you."
Seeing the swords pointed at Neronn, the headquarters went into an uproar as everyone began murmuring in hush voices. Everyone wondered what Norann had done as not just anyone was pointing their swords at him, they were the household knights only loyal to the family. It really made people draw assumptions.
Neronn flinched when the knight spoke as he immediately began feeling anxious. But outwardly he wore a calm, poker face and said, "What's the matter?"
"Please come with us."
Neronn looked around for a second seeing that more and more eyes were on him. In his heart, he was really afraid but then he remembered that neither the Duke nor Alier was in the territory. Thinking this, his anxiety lessened and he said confidently, "Fine! Let's go!"
The knights then escorted Neronn out under everyone's watchful eyes and headed straight to the castle. After they left, the muffled murmurs from before erupted into full-blown discussions.
After reaching the castle, Neronn was brought directly in front of Ethan. Seeing that it was truly just Ethan, Neronn's confidence was boosted as he said, "Young Master, have I offended you in any way? What is the meaning of all this?"
Ethan, who was sitting in his chair, did not speak. He only stared at Neronn coldly with an unwavering gaze like a statue. This immediately put Neronn off his balance as subconsciously began rubbing his fingers while looking around.
The bizarre silence continued as no one spoke. While Ethan simply stared and Neronn became more and more disturbed by the second.
Finally unable to fed up with the disturbing silence he spoke, "Young Maste-"
Ethan suddenly interrupted, "Did I allow you to speak?"
Neronn was completely put off balanced at this point and he began feeling a strange ticklish sensation in his spine. He blurted, "But-"
"Did I allow you to speak?" Ethan repeated coldly.
Neronn had cold sweat appearing on his temples now as he couldn't understand what was happening. He had attempted to take control of the conversation but he was the one with cold sweat over his body.
Just as he was getting more and more unnerved, Ethan finally spoke, "Do you know about the fire that happened in the warehouse?"
With a deadpan expression, Nevann said, "Yes, it was a big fire but we, fortunately, managed to stop it from spreading."
"Who was responsible for it?" Ethan asked.
"Huh? It was an accident."
"Oh? How did the fire start then?" Ethan leaned back and asked nonchalantly.
Nevann finally felt the heavy atmosphere softening and he regained his confidence once again.
"It was carelessness on the employee's part. They left one fire lamp burning after locking the warehouse. The lamp fell and the fire began spreading because of the goods inside." He explained with a smile.
Ethan's expression became stiff as he slammed the table harshly and yelled, "A lamp? Do you take me for a fool?!"
Nevann flinched as he bowed quickly and scrambled to explain himself, "Young Master, this is what our investigation unveiled. It's true, believe me! I personally investigated it!"
Ethan sighed regretfully as he glanced at Albert. Albert understood and clapped his hands.
The door opened once again and two knights came in as they dragged a roughed-up, haggard-looking man with them.
"This is the man who did it. He confessed it too and also told us who put him to it." Ethan said.
Nevann's eyes widened and then his expression changed to an angry one as he said, "How vile! Young Master, this man should be put to death!"
Ethan did not say anything once again and simply tapped the table with his finger. The atmosphere grew awkward once again and then Ethan abruptly said, "Then shall I put you to death as well?"
Hearing this, Nevann stepped back in fright as he spoke in a tone as if he was being unjustly accused, "Young master, have I committed an offense? Why are you saying this?"
Ethan stood up and said calmly, "Enough! You knew that the fire was not natural. You knew who it was that instigated the malicious conspiracy and yet you closed the investigation. Am I wrong?"
"Y-young master… Believe me… I haven't done anything… This is unjust!" Spooked shitless, Nevann cried out.
"Exactly, you did nothing and let the criminal get away," Ethan said coldly.
"No! This is not true… I don't know who would feed you such lies."
"Do you mean to say I can not think for myself?"
"N-no, w-what… Proof… What proof do you have?" Nevann panicked as he sensed Albert's piercing gaze on him.
"Hmph! You unloyal greedy dog! you dare talk back to me? Was the income we give you not enough?!" Ethan yelled as his eyes flared up in anger.
But immediately calming himself down, Ethan ordered in a frosty tone, "Execute him publicly! So no will dare to be corrupt again!"
"Yes, Young Master!" Albert said as he instantly appeared in front of Nevann and began dragging him out.
Nevann's face contorted in horror as he bellowed desperately, "No no no! Please! Hear me! You can't do this to me!"
"You filthy prick, I can do whatever I want. If you are so innocent, why did we find 1000 gold coins in your home? Why did you meet with Gaden Leif just after the fire erupted? Do you think we are slumbering? Fool!" Ethan said plainly without any expression on his face. However, the mockery and disdain in his gaze were evident.
Albert grabbed him forcefully and began dragging him out once again despite the useless resistance.
"No! Forgive me! No! Please… I- I beg you!" Nevann pleaded as he tried to get out of Albert's grasp but to no avail as his mournful cries of panic simply faded in the distance.
'Fool… I suspected before that he might have been a follower of Alier. Good thing that the lamb presented itself on my doorstep.' Ethan thought.
A few moments passed and then Albert returned. Looking at Ethan with admiration he asked, "Young Master, how did you know that it was him?"
Ethan chuckled and said, "Who else could have been if not him? It was just a lucky guess. However, I did suspect him ever since those assassins easily got into the city and also left without raising any alarms.'
Albert's eyes widened. He smiled and said, "Young master can do anything. I am in awe."
"Alright, enough of that. It doesn't suit you." Ethan said as he began writing on a high-quality paper.
Albert's expression suddenly turned serious and he spoke once again, "What about the merchant? Should we get him?"
"No, I don't want to cause any ruckus. Here, send this letter to the merchant association." Ethan said as he handed the letter that he had written to Abert.
Albert took the letter from Ethan's hands and began reading.
After reading the letter, his eyes brightened and he said, "That's a good method to ruin the man. These types of malicious practices are against the rules of the merchant association, at least on paper. If we simply write to them about the man's crime and provide proof, the association will have to give you face and will take measures against the merchant. That will be enough to ruin him."
"Correct, now go," Ethan said with a crafty smile on his face. He once again became busy with official work.
Albert bowed and then left. Ethan's letter then soon reached the manager of the Adenberd branch of the association and the next day, Nevann's crimes were publicly announced and he was executed.
This incident once again showed the populace that Ethan wasn't simply friendly and brave, but he was also a deceptive and ruthless personality.
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