Chapter 42
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 042
Chapter Title: Contract Written in Blood (2)
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Kevin subtly scanned Dane from head to toe without making it obvious.
Even he couldn't confidently say he would win if he lunged at Dane right now. He'd have to stake his life just to land a solid hit.
And he was the type who cherished his life dearly. No amount of wealth or glory meant anything in the afterlife.
'For now, I'll just watch and wait.'
If Dane Schmichael had come alone and mentioned donations, Kevin never would have taken it at face value.
He would have assumed Dane had some ulterior motive or was testing him. No, he would have immediately called in the children to stand by secretly outside the room and lured out any openings in Dane's guard.
But Rose's innocent eyes and the sight of Dane's hand resting on his wife's shoulder had lulled Kevin into lowering his guard.
'Let's see if I can really fleece them.'
Emphasizing a benevolent image could stir the desires of wives eager to play the perfect, devoted spouse. Mentioning other nobles' contributions could prick their pride.
Kevin was an expert at opening the wallets of such vain aristocrats.
"Donations are a noble act that warms both the giver and the receiver."
Kevin clasped his hands together and smiled warmly.
"The Schmichael family has contributed immensely to the kingdom's welfare with their generous donations so far. We're truly grateful for giving the Arsil Orphanage this opportunity."
He pulled out the documents always kept under the table.
"First, let me show you this year's donor list. I'll also explain how transparently we manage these funds."
Kevin began pondering with delight how to sweet-talk this seemingly naive young wife.
But the smile on his lips vanished in less than a few minutes.
"This year's donations are quite substantial, aren't they?"
"Indeed. Donating such an amount is also a way to demonstrate a family's power. The other nobles were quite surprised, heh heh."
Most nobles would start fidgeting at those words, their eyes calculating.
I'll rank higher than that noble. I absolutely can't lose, they'd think single-mindedly.
However.
"I see."
"Is that so."
Dane and Rose Schmichael muttered indifferently, as if they were twins.
They weren't surprised by the large sums. Above all, they showed no interest in competing with others.
"Donating such a huge amount actually seems suspicious. I hear the business run by that count's family is on the decline lately."
"Given the timing, it's worth suspecting. Donations have long been a tried-and-true way to build slush funds under His Majesty's nose."
"Exactly."
They even tossed around deductions that hit perilously close to the truth.
Kevin could only laugh hollowly, speechless.
'Ugh, as expected of the Schmichaels.'
According to rumors, the amounts the Schmichael family donated to the Academy, monasteries, and more were astronomical.
Recalling that made his mouth water even more. He didn't want to let this delicious prey slip away.
"Heh heh, how could such impure greed mix with the noble act of donation?"
Kevin swept the donor list aside and unfolded different documents. These were the double ledgers prepared for just such an occasion.
"Would you believe me if I showed you how the funds are used? It's a document we usually don't show... but since it's the Schmichaels."
He smiled subtly, emphasizing the document's secrecy and that it was being shown only to them as a special privilege.
"Our orphanage's welfare standards are far higher than others."
"Let me see."
Rose Schmichael replied flatly and silently scanned the documents. Her sharply glinting eyes were anything but ordinary.
Flip, flip.
As Rose flipped through the pages, examining the ledger, Kevin felt a chill crawl up his spine for some reason.
'Am I the one being audited here?'
His premonition came true.
"Here, this item. And here."
Rose pointed to several entries in the ledger.
"The amounts are off."
"Pardon?"
"At this rate, the total should be much higher, no? It's recorded far too low compared to reality."
"Uh... is that so?"
He'd thought he could easily manipulate them, but this was completely out of left field.
Most people just skimmed the item lists, marveling at how many good things were bought and how much was spent.
'Why pick out something like that? And so quickly!'
Kevin didn't know.
How much she'd struggled, scraping by on money begged from her family. How she'd scrimped and saved to buy supplies, how fiercely she'd written reports to secure research funds.
So detecting falsified entries and calculation errors in ledgers like this was as easy as cold soup to her.
"We'll skip that for now. On the way in, I noticed no potted plants in the hallways. This room's the same. So what's this purchase of flowerpots?"
"The flowerpots are in the children's rooms. A few kids enjoy tending plants."
In truth, they'd bought poisonous herbs.
Normally kept safely in Kevin's drawer, they were distributed to children on missions.
"Tableware from this supplier? Quite high-end stuff. The children use it, of course?"
"Naturally. I can show you the dining hall if you'd like."
In truth, they'd bought blades. Most were used in children's training or lost on missions.
'Why is dealing with her so exhausting?'
She looked so young, he'd thought she'd fall for it easily, but she was no pushover.
'Maybe instead...?'
Just in case, Kevin glanced at Dane.
Dane was resting his chin on his hand, watching Rose and Kevin. He seemed to approve of everything his wife was doing.
His posture looked relaxed, but his eyes were anything but. Those pale blue eyes, almost white, captured every detail of Kevin and Rose.
'...No, that's not it.'
It would be better to deal with her than try charming that man.
Kevin made his judgment and spoke.
"Lady Schmichael seems to have many questions. It might be best to show you around personally."
"You?"
"I have a child who assists me. How about touring the facilities together, including the children's rooms?"
Rose paused thoughtfully, then
"What do you think?"
turned to Dane as if seeking permission.
"Go ahead."
Dane nodded readily and added,
"I'll draft the contract in the meantime."
"A wise decision."
Kevin bowed his head, barely hiding his leaping joy.
"Casto! Come in."
He called out, and Casto entered the room. But the boy's complexion was different from usual.
His face was flushed and excited, as if suppressing something with effort. Come to think of it, the hallway had seemed a bit noisy.
'Did something good happen?'
Kevin tilted his head but focused on the task at hand.
"Show Lady Schmichael around the facilities. The children?"
"They're all on free time."
Meaning they were gathered in rooms resting, not training harshly or carrying out assassinations.
"Perfect. Answer any questions she has 'with utmost sincerity.'"
If things went south, taking Lady Schmichael hostage was an option. He gave a subtle glance, and Casto nodded as if understanding.
"Yes."
Casto left the room with Rose. As instructed, he'd show her only the presentable areas.
After watching them go, Kevin pulled out the prepared donation contract.
"Thank you for choosing our orphanage. May I ask why you selected us?"
He hadn't seemed to think much of it, but this was unexpected.
Dane, who hadn't looked at Kevin once until now,
"Curious about that?"
finally met his eyes. A cold smile touched Dane's face.
"I figured you'd be curious about something else."
"Pardon?"
A chill ran down Kevin's spine, an ominous warning bell ringing. The room's temperature seemed to drop in an instant.
'...No way.'
For now, he feigned confusion, as if he had no idea what was meant.
"What do you mean...?"
"To answer your question, my wife and I did a little rehearsal."
Dane said something cryptic and ambiguous.
"She did better than expected. Adorably so."
He muttered so softly Kevin couldn't hear, then picked up the donor list from the table.
"Count Olson donated a hefty sum."
Kevin struggled to keep his expression neutral upon seeing the name. It was that very Count Olson who had commissioned Dane's assassination.
"That's disappointing."
"Pardon?"
"Is my life worth so little?"
Kevin's heart plummeted. His suspicions had become reality.
"Obviously double ledgers. Even so, the amount is pathetic."
Dane muttered coldly and stared straight at Kevin.
"This time, I'll make a 'special sponsorship.' I want Count Olson's head."
"......"
"I'll pay double what he did. Do you accept?"
A piercing killing intent began to choke Kevin's breath.
'He knows everything.'
How Dane knew didn't matter.
What mattered was that he was interrogating Kevin with clear purpose now, and the outcome wouldn't be pleasant.
The next moment,
Bang!
Dane suddenly lifted and hurled the table.
"Kuh!"
Kevin barely dodged, but felt Dane charging at him immediately after.
Whoosh!
The punch cut through the air with ferocious force.
Dodging it was sheer luck. He bent at the waist just in time and gripped the dagger always tucked in his bosom.
However.
Crack!
The moment Dane's fist smashed into his elbow, Kevin's arm twisted, and he lost strength in his grip.
"Kuh!"
Kevin dropped the dagger and tumbled to the floor.
Clink.
Dane picked up the fallen dagger and slowly approached him.
There were no openings whatsoever. It was the gait of a knight rigorously trained and a demon who had cut down countless foes.
The reaper's scythe felt within reach.
But.
"......"
Kevin steadied his ragged breath. He hadn't thought he could beat Dane anyway.
He had his own final trump card.
'Just a bit closer.'
He needed to draw Dane in nearer.
"P-Please, spare me."
Kevin deliberately begged in a servile tone as he backed away.