Chapter 49

“The criminal will be detained in this estate anyway. If you have any questions, you can meet at that time.”

I could guess why the criminal came all the way to the Ainel estate.

There are three deaths. Since there are nobles among the victims, of course, the death penalty is confirmed.

Rupert will definitely do the execution.

Under the pretext that his vassal family suffered damage.

‘He needs someone to kill, so he will execute the criminal under the pretext of conducting a detailed investigation.’

“To be detained to the Ainel estate means that the death penalty has already been confirmed.”

“Because there are already three fatalities.”

I asked, “Then, are you responsible for the execution?”

“Noel.”

With just one word, I could tell that he is very sensitive about this subject.

“Then we have to make sure about the suspicious thing.”

I know his weak side: Afraid of being a monster that randomly kills people.

Killing only criminals is to keep the minimum good.

I still want to believe that he is a person.

“You might end up killing an innocent person if you do something wrong. Is that okay?”

“……”

I feel sorry for Rupert, but I decided to try and persuade him.

If I dig deep into this part, it’s hard for him to refute.

“The evidence is clear.”

“Even if it’s clear, it’s not a bad thing to double-check.”

If I aim for his moral dilemma precisely, Rupert can’t argue strongly.

“Or……”

I swallowed my saliva and threw the final blow.

“Is there any special reason to omit all procedures and proceed with the death penalty hastily?”

If you continue to disagree with this question, you’re just acknowledging that something really exists.

Do you need a death row inmate?

“……there is no reason for that.”

“That’s a relief. Then there will be no problem if I go.”

Actually, I didn’t even want to do this.

If the dream I had last time wasn’t related to the life of an acquaintance, I would have let it pass.

I feel sorry for him.

“Rupert, you said this had nothing to do with me. But if it’s related to the estate, it can’t be said that it has nothing to do with me. I am the Marchionee of Ainel.”

I know he only lets me see peaceful things.

However, if I am comfortable in the peaceful framework he has crafted, nothing will change.

In fact, it was the case that Leah almost died.

“So I will do the best I can.”

In the end, Rupert raised a white flag to my persistent persuasion and attack.

“Make sure to always be with the knights and Ordin.”

“I will, I don’t like dangerous things either.”

After answering with a smile, he sighed.

It was an opportunity to find a clue to the explosion I had barely seen in my dream.

***

First, I have to tell my daughter that I will be absent.

As soon as I entered the room, Leah rushed over and wrapped her arms around my waist. And then she looked up.

‘So cute!’

She asked slightly tearfully.

“Mom, where are you going?”

“Yes? How did you know?”

“Because the maids packed my mom’s stuff.”

I think she saw it and guessed it. My daughter is smart, too.

‘No, it’s not time for admiration.’

I stroked Leah’s cheek.

“Something happened, so I have to go for a while.”

“Can’t I follow you too? I won’t cause any trouble.”

I want to, but I’m not going for fun.

“I want to go with you, too, but not this time. I’m sorry, Leah.”

“……”

Leah put on a pouty look.

She is incredibly lovely, but I’m sure she’ll be upset if I laugh in this situation.

“Besides, if you go with me, your father will be bored. Please stay with him.”

Come to think of it, I wonder if Rupert will get along well with Leah while I’m away.

‘He can do it, right?’

Leah slowly nodded her head.

“You have to come back quickly.”

“Sure.”

I kissed Leah lightly on the cheek and walked out.

“Hello, Madam.”

When I joined the team, Sir Aren and several knights were added to the team going to the Delphine estate.

“Sir Aren, you keep going out on missions because of me.”

I want to get along with him, but this is like increasing his work.

Aren smiled softly.

“You don’t have to worry about it.”

Actually, I do not want to be accompanied by Aren. I want to avoid the same conditions as in my dream scene.

But Rupert was tough enough for this, so I couldn’t refuse.

‘I would rather get to know him and have an honest conversation with him.’

At that time, Laurent and Ordin appeared with their horses. Ordin, who properly understood my warning last time, bowed his head and said hello.

“Madam, you are here.”

Laurent Delphine, who was standing next to him, turned his head and quickly walked away.

‘This guy.’

Seeing that, Aren said awkwardly as if in trouble.

“By the way, there’s something Sir Hillis asked me to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“He begged you to cut Sir Laurent some slack and don’t throw him out on the way.”

Hillis seemed to have expected his junior to behave like that all the way.

She added bluntly.

“I’m sorry, but I’d like to beg as well.”

The two people who treated me so nicely want this, so I have to deal with it.

“……I will do it because of you.”

“Thank you.”

Aren looked relieved.

***

As soon as I arrived at the Delphine estate, I decided to move as quickly as possible.

‘Leah is waiting at home!’

Immediately I was guided to the warehouse where the explosion occurred.

The warehouse is charred, with only the shape remaining.

I looked at the soot in the place where the door was supposed to be.

At this level, it was fortunate that the fire did not spread further around.

“Did you find anything?”

Ordin approached and asked as if waiting.

“How did you know he used magic?”

“There is a powder that responds to traces of magic. It is originally gold, but when it comes in contact with magical power, it changes to turquoise. We checked this place with the powder right after we put out the fire.”

“Will the color change if I use it now?”

“It will be useless after a long time.”

I looked around carefully.

“I guess you can’t really tell the specific magic used with that powder.”

“Yes, you can only tell whether there is a trace of magic or not.”

Then there is no need to change the proposition that the culprit is a wizard.

‘We can keep three suspects.’

“Okay, that’s it.”

“You seem to have seen everything you want.”

I looked at his face.

“Yeah, I guess you’re wondering what I’m thinking.”

“I would like you to let me know.”

It might be better to tell him slowly. There’s no need to wait until his patience runs out.

‘I don’t think he’ll believe me if I just say it though.’

“How do you make this huge warehouse explode all at once, without the use of explosion magic?”

I continued, “With the flour that was here.”

There is such a thing as a dust explosion.

When small solid particles are dispersed in the air at an appropriate concentration, a very small spark can cause a large explosion. The solid particles start with materials such as aluminum, and can even be found in common products such as wheat flour or corn starch.

“Sorry?”

It is not difficult science. In fact, I have seen patients injured in such explosions  in my previous life.

“How did the flour explode?”

Of course not in this world.

“You can’t trust me right now, right?”

He looks like he would have said something if I were not his boss’ wife.

“Honestly, yes.”

I knew it.

That’s why I didn’t tell him until I arrived or he’d call it bullshit.

‘I don’t have to be treated like a fool in the first place.’

“I will show you. I need some things.”

After a long time, it’s time to go back to my childhood and conduct a science experiment.