Three old women who looked quite similar.
They answered as if in unison during the investigation, claiming to know nothing about the illegal processed magical stones.
They insisted they had never seen a magical stone, explaining they were just there to sell rare food items in the black market.
Three similar-looking women. And similar responses. Karl sensed that their identical responses were no coincidence.
It could be a smokescreen put up in anticipation of a crackdown on the black market, or perhaps it was a form of insurance.
If it was close to a smokescreen, it suggested that their ultimate backers had anticipated Karl’s movements. If it was more like insurance, it indicated they had something vague they wished to hide. Which could it be, Karl wondered.
“I really don’t know anything. How can you treat this poor old woman like this, who lives day by day?”
“I feel equally wronged. You brought me in just because I look like a suspect. It’s truly unjust and nonsensical…”
“If you search my belongings, you’ll see. Magical stones? I’ve never owned or touched anything like that!”
How could they all be such convincing actors?
It was evident that at least one to a maximum of three were lying, yet the way they spoke made it impossible to see their demeanor as anything but genuine. They shamelessly asserted their lies as truth.
“Even if you unknowingly sold it, it’s still a crime.”
Upon the investigator’s firm explanation, the old women became even more agitated.
“Is there any evidence? Did you find anything suspicious that you’re looking for?”
“Quiet. I will ask the questions.”
With a sharp gaze, the warning finally seemed to dampen the old women’s spirits.
“Don’t keep forgetting that you are suspects in this crime, so don’t neglect that fact.”
“What crime did I commit? I live hand to mouth…”
I’ve grown weary of hearing all these sob stories about people selling goods just to survive. Regardless of their tragic backstory, any act that breaks the law is undoubtedly a crime.
Listening to the three old women’s alternating responses, Karl signaled Clovis to separate them.
“Yes, Commander.”
As the knights hurriedly began to separate them, the old women finally displayed signs of anxiety.
Noticing them exchanging glances, the investigator felt a sense of suspicion. The women then claimed they were one family and couldn’t be separated.
The three sisters, who have never been apart since they were born and reached this age, what can I say?
“I see….”
As Karl muttered to himself, a faint smile spread across his lips.
***
The black market underwent a significant crackdown.
When the commercial trading ban was issued, I anticipated such events, but the timing was much sooner than expected.
The black market of Kellever, which once served the needs of the common people, had become a venue for exploitation and illegal activities, leading the morning newspapers to make a fuss about it.
As usual, today, Franz let out an annoyed sigh while reviewing the publications summarizing the events in the capital from previous days.
“Honestly, they’re a race that easily gets swept away by this and that.”
The public, who once laughed, thinking they were no different from nobles since they could buy what they wanted at the black market, began to feel ashamed of their inability to match that wealth and started to criticize and mock the market itself.
Wasn’t it a fox who pointed to grapes it couldn’t reach and claimed they were sour? Watching the crowd, it was exactly like that.
It seemed likely that the royal palace would eventually reach out to the black market, so I had prepared for that possibility.
I didn’t expect Karl to be so proactive; I just thought that while cracking down on the illegal processing of magic stones, the palace would eventually target the black market.
“Cracking down on the black market means they must have learned something more about magic stones, right?”
Stilikov cautiously expressed his opinion while lighting Franz’s cigarette.
The magic stones were used when the Duke of Schwaben was murdered and even in Emperor Maximilian’s chamber, so the palace might have caught a whiff of something.
“Right. That’s why I prepared. To cause confusion in the investigation and ensure they never trace the connection back to us.”
“That’s true, but…”
“Are you anxious?”
Franz’s gaze was sharp. The question implied discomfort about working with him. Taken aback by the unexpected question, Stilikov quickly closed the lighter.
“There can be no word for anxiety on the path with His Highness the Grand Duke.”
“Skip the formalities. Be honest about your real feelings. Are you really not anxious at all?”
“Of course not, Your Highness.”
At least Stilikov seemed genuinely loyal to him. However, that didn’t mean he could fully open his heart.
Franz had seen too many disloyal people who swore loyalty to his mother, Marina, while barking like dogs behind her back.
No matter how convincingly someone acted, he had learned from a young age not to be deceived by the pure faces pretending loyalty.
No one can be trusted. The only thing to believe in is myself. Franz chuckled slightly, recalling his mother’s countless teachings.
“Well, our original intent was to keep their gaze on the black market, so we’ve succeeded halfway. What the old woman blows up to what extent doesn’t matter now.”
“Yes, indeed.”
Keeping their gaze on the black market. Franz’s goal was to prominently highlight the negative aspects of the black market to rejuvenate commercial transactions in the capital.
As Karl had suspected, the amount of magical stones the Duke of Toskur intended to circulate secretly was certainly excessive for the black market.
Through the four officially owned trading houses, Franz had been covertly hiding and selling magical stones in a fair and legitimate transaction sanctioned by the imperial family. He was now unable to fund such efforts, resulting in a blocked cash flow.
It was clear he needed to quickly lift the ban on commercial transactions, no matter what.
“Starting from the lowly minions and working our way up to here is practically impossible. Even if they catch a whiff of something heading this way, we will get what we want and end the situation before the investigation progresses that far.”
“Of course.”
How could he draw the great nobles to his side without any backing?
Franz’s secret was this: with no clear origins or power backing him, was it even reasonable to covet the imperial throne?
Yet, Franz and Marina boldly and presumptuously aimed for the next imperial seat. Their audacity and confidence were well-founded.
Providing his side, which needed illegally processed magical stones, was how Franz managed to recruit several great nobles to his cause.
Why would wealthy nobles, overflowing with money, need illegal magical stones? This was a matter related more to the intended use and purpose than purchasing power.
Officially sanctioned magical stones left a trace of the buyer’s identity and usage history.
However, among those needing magical stones, there were undoubtedly individuals who wanted to use them without revealing their purpose. Franz adeptly tapped into that point.
The higher the status, the more people wanted to achieve their desires discreetly.
What if he provided nobles, who were frustrated about not being able to buy despite having the money, with stones that left no trace yet had the potency equal to or even stronger than authentic ones? It was a sure and safe way to secure their allegiance.
Selling illegal magical stones through the black market was, as Karl speculated, merely a smokescreen.
Thus, heavily cracking down on the Keleber black market to flush out minions for interrogation would not disturb Franz’s anxiety in the slightest.
Ultimately, the case would conclude as a minor theft carried out by the bold minions who sneaked away leftover magical stones mined from the Count Louisette’s estate.
“Call me back. Tell them that the embargo will be lifted soon and we can trade again.”
“Yes. I’ll get back to you right away. And how long do you think we should leave those old women alone?”
“Given Karl’s temper, he’ll have the answers he wants out of their mouths within a day, or three days at most. You have three days to get rid of the old women.”
“As you wish, Your Grace.”
They don’t pose much of a threat, but there’s no point in keeping them alive to sow the seeds of unrest.
Those who have outlived their usefulness and are no longer needed should be eliminated as soon as they are no longer needed, for the betterment of the future.
Franz’s order was indicative of his character, for he regarded human life as nothing more than an object to be used and wielded.
Stilikov, too, could only reply with an impassive face as Franz ordered him to kill those he used without batting an eye.
