"Please be sure to visit sometime, and let us know if you need the Montelis' help. We will drop everything to be of service."

Eric and his wife stood in front of the building, watching as Dorian and his people walked into their carriages and gradually got in.

Now inside, Dorian crossed his legs, his eyes fixed outside the window as a serious expression played on his face.

"Are we heading back to the barony?" asked Maria, seated right beside him.

"No, not yet. We still have unfinished business here," Dorian replied nonchalantly. "Tell the driver to head straight for the baron's house."

Maria and Seraphina were surprised at what he said, but it didn't take them long to feel proud of the direction Dorian was heading.

"Understood, I'll do so." Seraphina got down from the carriage and headed towards the driver at the front to inform him, and also the soldiers at the back.

"My lord, are you going to confront them? I thought you said we had no proof," Maria's concern was evident in her tone.

"I don't intend to start up trouble there for no reason. Right now, I have Lili already searching and infiltrating all the known spots where the illegal business might have been held and also gathering enough evidence as well," Dorian looked at her. "I simply want to speak to this man and see what type of person he is before I make my judgment."

"I see…" Maria smiled. "That sounds like something you'd do."

Dorian smiled back, then looked towards the window again.

'I couldn't say this to them, but I also don't know how deep the corruption might be; taking such a risk might just place me in a bad position overall. If powerful men are involved in this, that shouldn't be too far off the mark. So, relying on the authorities to handle this is the last thing I will be doing. Instead, I'll seize control of it and handle it how I see fit. As much as I don't want to admit it, I may need to get my hands dirty here.'

Soon, Seraphina strode back into the carriage, a smile on her face as she reported, "We are set and ready to go. Hehe."

…

(Forgriam Baron's House)

"W-welcome to my humble abode, Lord Dorian. What brings you here on such short notice?" Telia was seated on the chair in the meeting room, a forced smile on his face with a single guard standing right behind him.

Dorian wore a calm look on his face, with Maria and Seraphina flanking both sides of the chair he was seated on as well.

Aces and the other soldiers were right outside the room, ready to storm in if there was even the slightest bit of suspicious noise coming from inside.

'I didn't think I would be meeting him this soon, considering I only just sent the message. I assumed it would take him at least a day, but there's no reason I can't use this whole thing to my own advantage.'

Dorian threw on a warm smile, arms spread apart drastically.

"I see you've heard of me, no need for my introduction then, Lord Telia."

"R-right." A single trail of sweat showed on Telia's face. "What brings you here?"

The question hung in the air for a while.

[The skill Analysis is now active.]

Dorian crossed his legs. "I came here to speak business with you. I do hope you don't mind."

"Business?"

'I figured that would get his attention fast. Since Lili is already gathering everything we need, I just need to secure this idiot's lips and everything is set. But first, let's see if he is one hundred percent guilty.'

"Yes, business. See, I noticed your territory is quite large, and yet it doesn't have any viable resources other than the farmland. It actually makes me wonder how you are able to live such a lavish life."

Telia frowned a bit. "Please, don't flatter me. I am nowhere near as rich as you are."

[The character strongly suspects you.]

'Good.'

Dorian leaned forward. "Yeah, but most of my money goes to the Count, since my land is under his jurisdiction after all. So no, I assure you, I am not rich."

"You say that even after coming here with an army for security?"

"My people simply love me. There is nothing I can do about it; I have no say in the matter when they decide to defend me so earnestly." Dorian shrugged his shoulders. "They act far different from the slaves I bought a while back."

Immediately after Dorian said this, Maria and Seraphina gave him the judgmental side-eye, trying to make sure they were understanding where he was going with the whole thing.

But it wasn't just them who had a weird reaction to Dorian's comment.

Telia was staring right at Dorian, shocked that he said something like that so casually.

His lips parted as though he wanted to say something, but he quickly stopped himself to rethink.

"What do you mean by-"

"Oops. Looks like I misspoke," Dorian interrupted with a chilling tone, sending fear down Telia's spine. "Looks like you know my secret now."

Telia raised his hands quickly. "No, I didn't hear anything! I am a bit deaf in both ears. It's something I've suffered from since I was very little. I tend to mishear some things if they are not said loud enough."

"Eh? For real? Are you sure?" Dorian covered his mouth, faking every little expression that played on his face.

The women beside him sighed internally, seeing that Dorian was obviously plotting something.

Nevertheless, it was such an underhanded tactic that it was almost laughable. No one sane would fall for a trick this obvious; no one, except someone guilty, of course.

"Yes, yes, I assure you, I heard nothing," Telia smiled nervously. Something about the entire situation made him feel uncomfortable.

His shock was mostly at the fact the Aurelian barony was doing sex trafficking just like he was, but to think he would slip up so carelessly.

A part of him wanted to ask how and what race Dorian bought, but that would only make him look more suspicious, especially now that he'd claimed he didn't hear anything.

In any case, Telia could only pray Dorian states his business and leaves as soon as possible. Merely sitting in front of him was giving him a panic attack.

"Yeah, but here's the thing. You already heard what I said, and I can't trust you to keep it a secret," Dorian spoke calmly.

"Eh?"

Dorian's eyes were deep red, almost as though he was looking at Telia from the pit of hell.

"I don't trust you to keep my secret. No offense, but you need to be silenced… permanently."

Silence took over for a while, Dorian and Telia locking eyes with each other, an unspoken communication running through their gazes.

Then-

Clank!

Sheen!

Baam!

The room erupted in mere seconds.

The guard standing behind Telia had charged forward, planning to attack Dorian on the seat, but Seraphina had already reacted fast enough, creating that barrier that would shield Dorian from the attack.

At the same time, Aces had charged into the room, one of his short blades aimed right at the neck of the guard, while Maria, in the blink of an eye, made her way behind Telia's chair, her hand gripping his throat tight.

...

[A/N]

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