Just then, a faint sound came from the depths of the black fog.
Although the sound was not loud, the quietness of the hall meant everyone still heard this faint noise.
Immediately, everyone’s gaze shifted toward the direction of the sound coming from within the black fog.
Their eyes dared not move for even a second.
Everyone was tense about the changes before them, as the black fog Ronald had summoned was an absolute unknown, unfathomable to them.
Was the man before them about to manipulate the magic and make some new move?
—That was almost certainly what everyone was thinking.
Only Ronald, understanding everything, raised an eyebrow and muttered to himself with a small sigh:
So, just as Ronald felt some regret,
and Hanson had not yet had the chance to initiate his own spell,
the sound grew clearer from far to near.
From behind Ronald, within the black fog, the indistinct sounds gradually became the distinct rhythm of footsteps, something seemed to be approaching them from the rolling turmoil of pitch-black fog.
The scene was already deathly silent due to Ronald’s questioning and Hanson’s silence.
Now the gradually approaching footsteps sounded like the drumbeats of fate, echoing in everyone’s hearts.
Finally, under everyone’s watchful eye,
the direction from which the footsteps in the black fog had sounded, split open to reveal a pathway, and out walked a guard, leading the way with a lantern in front...
and following him was Everton.
Yes, this merchant from the Gingko Leaf Business Alliance had finally arrived at this very delicate moment.
Seeing the familiar figure before him, Hanson, who had until then been repressing his emotions, suddenly felt weak. Thanks only to his excellent physical condition keeping him upright, otherwise, given his momentary laxity, he might have well collapsed to the ground.
On the other side, after entering the fog-shrouded hall,
Everton’s expression was entirely different from before.
Although he had only met this merchant a few times, Ronald could still see anger in the man’s icy gaze.
It was obviously clear that on the way here from outside the manor,
the guard had already informed Everton of everything that had happened.
Watching Affectionate Settlement approach, Hanson naturally shouted loud,
"Mr. Everton, you’ve finally arrived!"
"Please have Ronald release us, this morning Kevin was found dead in the office, and now this situation—"
"Hanson, shut up," Everton suddenly interrupted Hanson’s explanation, the merchant just gave him a cold glance before he bluntly said, "I’ve already understood the situation on my way here, you don’t need to repeat it."
Then, Everton turned his head to look towards Ronald.
The coldness in the merchant’s eyes just a moment ago had almost instantaneously vanished without trace, and with a very serious tone, Everton spoke:
"I trust Mr. Ronald’s judgement."
"Since you decided to have the guard inform me before entering the manor, you must naturally have come to know something, so please, Mr. Ronald, give me an explanation."
that the next time he visited this merchant,
if the other party happened to be eating something, it might not be possible to enjoy the meal as peacefully as before.
Observing the cautiousness deep within Everton’s respectful gaze.
Ronald was acutely aware of this fact.
His displayed abilities had caused a very drastic change in the businessman’s view of him.
Understanding the subtle shift in their respective stances, Ronald gave a slight nod:
"Then, Mr. Everton, out of a sense of responsibility for my work, I will tell you everything I know."
"First, as you know, my magic involves aspects of humanity, so when I approached the exhibition hall this morning, I sensed that the number of staff inside was incorrect, one less than usual."
"Realizing that something was amiss, I immediately conducted some covert probes of the estate and confirmed that someone had died there, which is why I notified the gatekeeper to go to Berenwich to inform you."
"In order to ensure the integrity of the crime scene and to prevent the criminal from escaping, I immediately subdued everyone here and took control of them."
"After all, maintaining the status quo is necessary."
After listening to Ronald’s explanation, Everton stood in place, pondering with his head down for a few seconds.
Then he finally raised his eyes to continue confirming:
"Mr. Ronald, can you be certain that the criminal has not escaped."
"Or should I say, has a traitor emerged among these guards?"
"Of course." Ronald nodded, speaking with confidence and certainty, "I assure you the killer is definitely still here, and it is one of these people. Just consider it as living up to the remuneration you have given me; I won’t deceive you regarding this matter."
After staring into Ronald’s eyes for a few seconds, Everton nodded:
"Alright, I understand the whole situation now."
As he spoke, Everton walked over to where the guards were bound by a black fog.
He paced back and forth in front of them, analyzing without any intention of concealment:
"So, Mr. Kevin died in his office this morning."
"Then the killer took away..."
Everton paused for a few seconds, then his tone shifted:
"No... no, that’s not right."
"His work rarely involved our exhibits; this doesn’t necessarily mean that the unicorn horn was taken this morning. It’s very possible that the unfortunate incident leading to Kevin’s death occurred simply because he wanted to check the exhibits this morning."
"Mr. Kevin was always dutiful; it is truly regrettable."
Shaking his head with a sighing expression, Everton then continued:
"So, the person who did this should just confess."
"If you voluntarily return the item, at the very least, I will allow you to leave here alive."
"Take note, I will only remind everyone once."
"This is your last chance!"
As he spoke, Everton raised his right hand, spread out his fingers, and then began to close them one by one to indicate the final countdown.
Five, four, three, two, one...
Before the businessman, there was the silence of no one speaking out.
Among the numerous guards bound by black fog, not a single person stepped forward at this moment.
—Naturally, this was understandable.
The innocent guards certainly did not want, nor would they admit to, a crime that was not their own.
And for Hanson, it was even simpler.
He was all too familiar with the offers Everton made, knowing the businessman was just talking.
Even if Everton did indeed adhere to a code of honor.
But the problem lies in being able to leave alive.
It doesn’t mean that the person will leave intact, after all!