Ice Castle Palace, Kenne Simon's room.
The door was pushed open from the outside, and in came Hans Cruz, the second secretary of the Finance Minister, whom he had just met yesterday.
"Lord Simon, may I ask when you plan to inspect those two places today, I have already arranged everything."
Lis stood up from the chair and said crisply.
If it were not for the walking stick in his hand, Hans felt he was facing a real military officer.
"Hans, how is the other work going?"
Lis put on his coat, tightened his collar, and asked Hans, who was standing at the door.
"Everything is arranged, please rest assured."
Hans bowed his head and said earnestly:
"Regarding last year's tax investigation, I have arranged for dedicated personnel to investigate, all trustworthy people, please rest assured."
"There were no conflicts when I notified Lord Philip this morning."
Although unsure whether this Finance Officer could understand his intentions, Hans still faithfully relayed everything he knew to this "Lord Simon" before him.
Seeing the hesitation on Hans's face, Lis asked unchanged:
"What is it, is there any change?"
"No, just that, yesterday afternoon I seem to have seen you and Lord Philip together…"
After hesitating for a moment, Hans still mustered the courage to voice his doubts.
He had spent the entire night restless because of this, as the task assigned by Lord Gilberto was exceptionally crucial. If successful, he could even become the next Finance Assistant, which is why Hans was so proactive.
Yet, unexpectedly, Kenne Simon, who should have been leading, had departed together with Philip; it was as if, without the battle even officially starting, the commanding general had already surrendered.
Initially, Hans prepared to report this matter to the Finance Minister, but then he decided to inquire first.
"Oh, Philip took me to meet Duke Ward, don't worry, Lord Belberto knows about this."
Lis's expression did not change, giving Hans a glance.
This morning, he had already reported last night's affairs to that confidant of the King. The identity of Kenne Simon was not meant for frequent changes, hence it was essential to keep the big boss's doubts at bay.
Besides, this matter was sure not to escape the notice of those people.
Just like the carriages bearing Duke Ward's crest at the palace gates yesterday evening; only a blind man would have failed to notice.
It was Duke Ward's show of force. Likewise, His Majesty the King and Gilberto must have noticed it.
After Lis recounted the relevant situation that morning and specifically mentioned his perplexity about why he agreed to attend the evening party, Gilberto's expression showed no surprise but instead, he consoled him, advising Lis not to worry too much.
It seems, the King's side also has a good grasp of Duke Ward's tactics.
There were already sparks, just waiting for the clash to start.
Hans breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed not as he feared. The Finance Officer might have his own plans, and it was good that Lord Gilberto was aware.
Subsequently, the two of them, accompanied by junior officials and attendants, went to inspect the Ice Peak City Wall and the new Galsa Warehouse.
Afternoon, Galsa Warehouse.
Having inspected the Ice Peak City Wall construction project and had lunch, Lis then went to today's main destination, the Galsa Warehouse next to Ice Castle Palace.
"Lord Simon, please follow me."
A somewhat portly man in his forties, bending over, walked up to Lis, his face filled with an obsequious smile.
This man was Talib, the Manager of Galsa Warehouse.
He was actually a subordinate official of Ice Castle Palace; he didn't really mind ordinary officials.
But the man before him, Kenne Simon, was definitely not one of those; this big shot was one of the Kingdom's senior officials, especially as a Finance Officer controlling great financial authority.
"This rebuild, all the warehouses use only the finest Black Rock Bricks, and we've specifically made fireproof arrangements, with dedicated guards, definitely not to repeat the previous fires."
Lis nodded, looking around meticulously.
All the attendants watched the big shot touching here, looking there, occasionally knocking to listen to the sound.
What's this situation, never seen any big shot inspecting so carefully before?
Talib wiped the cold sweat off his forehead, thinking silently.
Shouldn't be noticeable, right? I only used slightly, just slightly inferior materials.
Talib even silently prayed to the Ice and Snow Goddess in his heart.
Hans was already accustomed to seeing it; this was how Lord Simon inspected things even this morning at the Ice Peak City Wall, so how could a morning have been enough?
But, to think that Lord Simon worked so diligently; perhaps this is why Lord Gilberto trusted him with this matter?
Lis was unaware of the extensive mental activity happening beside Hans.
The thoroughness of his checks was merely searching for Duke Ward's arrangements at Galsa Warehouse; the morning's actions at the city wall were merely a disguise.
Accompanied by the warehouse manager, Lis toured all the warehouses but found nothing.
Lis even used Detection Magic covertly, but found no special areas.
"Lord Simon, this is the last one, Warehouse No. 8."
Following the Finance Officer around all afternoon, Talib appeared exhausted, the nerves being tensely stretched for a long time made it hard for him, who had always lived comfortably, to walk through all the subordinate warehouses in one go.