ADVD 46

Chapter 46

All eyes in the crowd turned to Orion.

Reproach, betrayal, anger… hundreds of stares filled with negativity bore down on him, and his face turned pale.

“I… well… I just…”

Panicked, Orion stammered, trying to make excuses. But the Potion of Truth sealed his lips.

He couldn’t speak a single word of excuse without lying, and since lying was impossible, silence was his only option.

Just then, the doors of the Grand Hall burst open and the Peacekeepers stormed in.

“Orion! You are under arrest for murder and concealment of corpses!”

“We discovered seven bodies on Mount Snowdin, along with evidence pointing directly to you as the culprit!”

The Peacekeepers subdued Orion and dragged him away.

In his eyes was nothing but despair—the realization that the plan he had never imagined could fail had brought about the worst possible result.

Only before the hearing had he been triumphant and arrogant. Now, there wasn’t a single shred of confidence left in him.

In the aftermath of what would later be remembered as “the most shocking hearing in fifty years,” the Parchment Circle was finally freed from disgrace and returned to proper function.

“I don’t even know how to express my gratitude, Carmen.”

When Cecil visited the Circle after the hearing, Lucien took her hand and offered his heartfelt thanks.

“I wish you had been there in person. The moment everything turned around… it was so dramatic, so exhilarating—words can’t even describe it.”

Looking at his expression, Cecil could tell that his words weren’t flattery or exaggeration, but genuine.

Seeing that, she couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

“Yes… it really was exhilarating.”

Orion’s face, twisted in desperation when cornered.

The spirits who had gained peace after exacting their vengeance, thanking her before returning to their families for eternal rest.

The guild members of the Parchment Circle, cheering and embracing Lucien.

What had started as a selfish act—simply to push her own commission forward—ended in something even Cecil herself found deeply moving.

“This is something I’ll never forget.”

But she kept those sentimental thoughts hidden, and replied in her usual flat tone:

“If you’re that grateful, don’t forget the promise to lower the commission fee.”

“Of course! I, Lucien, never break a promise with a client.”

He held up the statement of account with a playful wink.

“Still, I must say, I was astonished. I never expected you to suddenly appear with Shadow Union’s evidence…”

“……”

“I know your information-gathering methods are a trade secret, but since we’re allies now, perhaps you could hint at it? Don’t tell me you actually infiltrated their guild office yourself?”

Cecil waved him off coldly.

“Who said we’re allies? Don’t get your hopes up. I have no intention of meddling in guild affairs again.”

“Ahh, as expected… beauty is always shrouded in mystery.”

Even after being flatly rejected, Lucien seemed amused, grinning from ear to ear.

“Well then, since the hearing is over, I’ll take it that you’ll resume your commission. I’ll be back later for a report.”

“Sure. Take care. And thank you again, Carmen!”

After seeing her off, Lucien’s sharp eyes glinted behind his glasses, and a sly smile crept across his lips.

“Carmen… never in my life have I met someone who fascinates me so much. I might actually fall for her at this rate.”

He pulled out his pipe, lit it, and took a long drag before exhaling a stream of smoke.

“A magician powerful enough to infiltrate the heavily guarded Shadow Union guild offices alone… Just how many like that even exist on this continent?”

His eyes narrowed dangerously in the haze of blue smoke.

“My Cinderella… As Master of the Information Guild, I’ll find you no matter what.”

At last, Cecil’s general store opened. A small, cozy shop right in the middle of a bustling main street.

Cecil adored the place. The thought of one day leaving it behind to go abroad already filled her with regret.

The store carried all sorts of goods, including groceries. Most were ordinary, but Cecil’s inventions were hidden here and there.

Some things were simple, like mayonnaise, but most of her inventions were magical potions or artifacts—not something she could sell openly.

“To sell magical goods, you need special permits. The requirements are impossibly strict—Hans could never qualify under his name.”

So, did Cecil give up on selling her magical creations?

Of course not.

“I’ll just mix them into ordinary goods.”

For example, fertilizer with a touch of growth enhancer, or a regular fatigue tonic with a drop of stamina potion.

“And I priced them like ordinary fertilizer or tonics.”

Since magical products were usually outrageously expensive, no one would suspect the truth.

Only a genius like Cecil, with a long list of inventions and the ability to create powerful effects from cheap materials, could pull off such a scheme.

Because of this, the initial costs for production, labor, and advertising ended up higher than expected…

“It’s fine. Thanks to discounted real estate fees and reduced guild commission, I still have plenty of budget left.”

Relaxed, Cecil simply waited for the store to establish itself.

She took great pride in her inventions. With their reliable quality, word of mouth would surely spread soon enough.

But then, not long after opening, a strange customer walked in.

“Ahem! Hem! Cough!”

A balding middle-aged man strutted into the store with an air of arrogance.

“So this is the new shop, ‘Cozy Cauldron,’ eh?”

Since both Hans and Cecil were busy people, day-to-day business was left to staff, with the two only dropping by occasionally.

As luck would have it, both of them happened to be at the shop that day.

Hans was in the back checking inventory, while Cecil sat on the shop’s sofa.

An employee rushed forward to greet the customer.

“Yes, that’s right. What can I help you find, sir?”

The man glanced around the shop, eyes sweeping over everything.

“Hmph! I’m not here to buy. I’m the owner of Grand Emporium up the road.”

“…Oh? Is that so?”

As if expecting admiration, the man puffed up arrogantly after introducing himself, yet demanded nothing further.

When the clerk looked confused, the man suddenly barked:

“Didn’t you hear me? I said I’m the owner of Grand Emporium!”

[That man reeks… the stench of a troublesome nuisance.]

Nibelung muttered sympathetically to the clerk, while Cecil’s eyes grew cold.

“Looks like he’s here to throw his weight around and mark his territory.”

“Yes, of course, sir.”

“Hmph! Young people these days, no manners at all. When an elder of the trade comes by, you ought to recognize and show respect immediately.”

Apparently displeased by not being fawned over, he scrutinized the clerk up and down, looking for faults.

“Well? Where’s your boss? Go fetch the owner!”

“P-pardon? You mean our boss?”

“Who else? Of course your boss! Honestly, opening a shop this close without even greeting the neighbors… These young shopkeepers have no respect for their seniors.”

“Uh… well…”

“Go get your boss! Let’s see just how expensive his face looks.”