Chapter 33: Sudden Assassination

"Meow! Do you know how that vagrant died?""He drank himself to death! Can you believe it? A poor, destitute vagrant, dying from overdrinking in a tavern!"

"Damn it! How is that any different from telling Master Cat he was silenced by someone?"

"But, do you know what's even more outrageous?"

"Meow! Master Cat went to the underground black market with the hand crossbow, only to discover private soldiers from the Duke's mansion clandestinely selling crossbows in the black market!"

"The special mark on the crossbow hadn't been erased yet. Master Cat compared it quietly and found it was exactly the same as the one the kidnapper had!"

The black cat, Nice, was indignant.

However, Charlotte's expression remained relatively calm as she listened.

"Hmm? Aren't you surprised? Miss Charlotte, uh, no, great master?"

Seeing Charlotte's pensive look, Nice's heart stirred.

"What should I be surprised about? Surprised about the vagrant's death, or that the crossbows came from the Duke's mansion?"

Charlotte replied lightly, taking a sip of milk. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ɴ0velFɪre.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

She was beginning to believe that her transformation into a Bloodborne had somewhat influenced her emotions. Upon hearing that someone had been silenced, her mood surprisingly remained calm. Even though... she had already had a vague expectation.

"Meow! I know you seemed to anticipate something before asking me to investigate, but don't you find it eerie?"

"Do you believe there are such coincidences in the world?"

"Master Cat barely started looking for clues when the man died!"

"Master Cat had just started investigating, and before he could even begin, clues about the Duke's mansion selling crossbows fell into his lap! And it just so happened that the special mark of the Duke's mansion hadn't been erased yet!"

"Meow! Do they think Master Cat is a fool?!"

Nice grew angrier as he spoke, his cat-faced cheeks trembling slightly.

"So... what's your judgment?"

Charlotte finished the milk in her goblet and lightly tapped the cup.

Nice immediately understood and quickly refilled it for her, then exclaimed.

"Conspiracy!"

"This is a conspiracy!"

"Someone is fabricating the illusion that the Duke's mansion kidnapped you! They're trying to frame and incite discord between you and the Duke's mansion!"

After saying this, Nice widened his amber eyes, looking towards Charlotte expectantly, like a cat seeking praise, only to find Charlotte still calm. His heart skipped a beat.

"Don't tell me you already guessed?"

Charlotte glanced at him without giving a direct answer.

"From the moment I was kidnapped to the abandoned mansion until the Demon Hunters arrived, how much time had passed in total?"

"Probably... half an hour?"

"How far is it from the abandoned mansion to the nearest Demon Hunter outpost?"

"Um... judging by our return time, approximately fifteen minutes if we hurry."

After saying this, Nice stopped in his tracks. His eyes widened, and he suddenly realized.

Charlotte just took another sip of milk, continuing.

"Fifteen minutes for a round trip is taking half an hour."

"However, this is the speed of hurrying back..."

"You see, how could a messenger have possibly used such a short time to go to the Demon Hunter outpost to deliver the message?"

"No hesitation, no delay, no time difference, and yet he ran so fast?"

"And conveniently, Captain Kara and his team arrived at that Demon Hunter outpost at the same time?"

After hearing Charlotte's words, Nice's face turned ugly.

"Conspiracy! This is a conspiracy! It's a well-planned performance!"

"No wonder the kidnapper was such an unreliable freelance mercenary. Probably, the mastermind behind the scenes never intended to successfully kidnap you!"

"It's not certain."

Charlotte shook her head.

She touched the crossbow in her hand and said softly.

"Everyone thinks I'm just a powerless child, and no one knows that you've been secretly following behind the carriage."

"Perhaps, the kidnappers were prepared for both success and failure. If the kidnapping succeeded, that would be good. If it failed, it wouldn't matter."

"Perhaps they were just trying to create a time gap, but when they found out it couldn't succeed, they withdrew and didn't continue the contact."

"Low-level freelance mercenaries may be unreliable, but they wouldn't dirty their hands. These guys don't have the slickness of experienced mercenaries, they leave traces everywhere to avoid being used as pawns!"

Nice looked at the girl unexpectedly.

"You seem to know a lot about freelance mercenaries."

"It's fortunate. After meeting the Duke's son, I studied relevant books in the church hospital."

Charlotte said indifferently.

"However, if that's the case, then it's interesting, meow. The kidnapper's reaction was so swift. It seems... there should be a mole in the rescue team!"

Nice narrowed his eyes slightly.

Charlotte didn't confirm or deny, just lightly chuckled.

"Perhaps."

The cat and the girl glanced at each other, not saying anything more, but a figure emerged in both their minds.

"Go investigate him."

Charlotte said coldly.

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"This might be a bit troublesome. After all, he's a nobleman."

Nice scratched his head.

"Hmm? Any problem?"

Charlotte glanced at it casually, a hint of her low-rank majesty magic flashing in her eyes.

"Uh... meow, no, no..."

The black cat, intending to use the opportunity to sell some sympathy points and suffering, immediately shut up. However, soon, it became serious again.

"Miss Charlotte."

"Hmm?"

Charlotte glanced at it askew, with a hint of authority.

"Uh... no, Master, Master."

Nis quickly corrected himself.

"Speak."

The girl nodded satisfactorily and took another sip of milk.

Nice took a deep breath and looked at the seemingly innocent but extremely evil old monster in front of him seriously.

"Forgive me for being straightforward, but do you really plan to attend the Duke's mansion banquet a week from now?"

"I know, great... uh, respected you, sooner or later, will regain what rightfully belongs to you and regain your former glory."

"But, you haven't fully recovered your strength yet. Regardless of the truth, this kidnapping is inevitably linked to the Duke's mansion. I think... it's better to be cautious!"

Huh? When did this guy become so concerned about my "Evil God" recovering THEIR strength again?

Charlotte glanced at the black cat in surprise, feeling like he had misunderstood something again recently.

"No harm. Instead of waiting for them to act, it's better to take the initiative. After all, it's easier to dodge a bullet than to defend against a hidden arrow."

Charlotte said.

"Easier to dodge a bullet, harder to defend against a hidden arrow..."

Nice chewed on these two sentences, feeling that the other party was indeed quite skilled, planning to remember them and show off elsewhere in the future.

As the two were chatting, suddenly, the silver bell connecting the mansion's gate rang.

Charlotte stood up and looked out the window, seeing seven or eight carriages at the gate, each bearing the emblem of the Castell family.

Seeing the carriages filled with servants, she smiled faintly.

"Casimodo is back."

"Let's go, tidy up and take a look. It seems he's brought quite a few new people."

...

"Master!"

In the mansion's hall, seeing Charlotte coming down from upstairs, Casimodo, who was giving instructions to the new servants, brightened up.

He bowed tremblingly to the girl, respectfully saying.

"Master! Casimodo hasn't let you down. I've successfully recruited twenty new people!"

At the same time, the new servants behind Casimodo, all wearing the Castell family uniform, also saluted Charlotte unevenly.

"Master!"

Casimodo's face instantly turned embarrassed, and he lowered his head shamefully.

"Sorry... Master, those... they may be a little different from what you imagined..."

"It's fine, it's good enough."

Charlotte was quite satisfied. Although a bit disorderly, they were new recruits after all, so there was no need to demand too much.

"Are their backgrounds clear?"

Having already had her fill, the girl waved away the new milk offered by the lackey-like black cat and asked.

"Clear, they're all clear. I've carefully checked them one by one and even searched their bodies. They're all very safe."

Casimodo said respectfully. After speaking, he hesitated for a moment and added.

"However, they were all temporary servants for small merchants and minor nobles in the past, completely inexperienced in working for large families. It may take some time for them to be competent in their jobs..."

"No matter, take your time."

Charlotte smiled. She stepped forward, passing by the new recruits, and carefully scrutinized each one.

Some looked down in fear, some wore pleasing expressions, some showed curiosity, and some bowed respectfully.

Charlotte's steps suddenly stopped. She looked again at the newcomer who had just respectfully saluted her, seemingly lost in thought.

It seemed that the newcomer noticed the new master's gaze. He quickly lowered his head and slightly bent his body, presenting an even more standard and respectful posture.

Charlotte's smile suddenly disappeared.

"Look up."

She commanded coldly.

The servant hesitated for a moment, slowly raised his head, his face somewhat pale, appearing nervous.

Charlotte looked at him quietly, a glimmer of light flashing in her eyes.

The majesty surged instantly. With a soft laugh, the seemingly soft and feeble voice seemed to carry pressure deep into the soul.

"Your manners are good."

"Tell me, where did you learn them?"

Casimodo and the new servants behind him all changed their colors.

Under the gaze of the new master, sweat beads began to appear on the servant's forehead.

He began to tremble all over, then suddenly gritted his teeth and pulled out a dagger gleaming with cold light from his chest, roaring towards Charlotte's chest.

"Demon of Castell! Die!"