"Contract...? Yes... YES! We can absolutely sign a contract!"
Niktus asserted after a momentary pause, realising the meaning behind my words.
It was not a hefty deal for him, or that's what he felt at the moment.
Earning his approval, I didn't waste a second before bringing out the Roulette Paper and the Caster Pen, which were stored inside my Storage Band.
'Can't provide him with the time.'
Even though a fanatic, Niktus would certainly realise the gravity at hand, if provided with the opportunity to formulate his perception.
It didn't take long to recite the terms of the contract, which were automatically written on the Roulette Paper.
In normal circumstances, I would have hand-written those terms, however, since it takes a lot more time, I had no choice but to do it the other way around, losing a chance to make full use of him.
'Now, he is aware of the terms within.'
Or he should be....
If only...
I haven't written some proclamations on the Roulette Paper before.
'Now is the time, the time to decide... if It's an absolute win or a remarkable loss.'
"Done," I confessed and gestured him to sign the contract, he too immediately signed the contract, having already heard the whole context, finding no faults within, readily agreeing to the terms.
"Pbfttt... Hahahahaha~"
"!"
'He did it! He really did.'
There was a chance...
A chance that he might check in the details.
But as I thought, his fanaticism knows no boundaries.
That's why I couldn't help but crack up.
How am I even supposed to hold my laughter, when I know what type of future awaits him?
'Poor him.'
I thought with compassion, however, that was contrary to the smirk I had looking at his confused visage.
While I was relishing his pain, Niktus was left speechless, confused about the ongoing scenario.
'What type of analyst is he? Still hasn't realized the situation he is in. Well... he will, soon enough.'
"W-why are you laughing?"
Niktus asked, beginning to discover the reason behind my abrupt laugh.
"Why...? Question yourself! What can the reason be for my laughter? Do that, and you will chance upon your answer."
Having said that, I took out a pocket watch.
-Tick! -Tick! -Tick!
Ticking sound resounded in the Obstruction shield.
-Tick! -Tick! -Tick!
I just wanted to know how much time it takes for him to realise it.
-Tick! -Tick! -Tick!
Time passed by, Niktus stood at his spot, contemplating the things that had occurred.
-Tick! Tic-
—Clack! Clack!
Another shattering sound.
—Clack! Clack! Clack!
It was the sound of an impact...
The impact of realisation.
-Thud!
Something plunged to the ground.
"One minute and twenty-three seconds. Not bad."
I spoke, praising the one kneeling on the hard ground with a lifeless exterior.
There was no more ticking sound.
No further movement.
No nothing.
If there was something, it was stillness.
The sound of dreary calmness.
...
Back to the present time.
—Knock, Knock!
Knocking on the door...
"Who is it?"
I heard an authoritative voice, inquiring me to Identity myself.
"Niktus Valric."
I answered.
"Come in."
Getting the approval, I moved my hands onto the doorknob.
—Click.
Opening the door, I glimpsed inside the compartment, just to see Calvin sitting on his chair, working on some documents as the provisional head.
"Is it done?"
Calvin queried, consulting about the matter assigned to me.
"Yes... But before that..."
I spoke in-between, shattering his pursuit.
"I have news for Master Calvin."
—Clank!
Immediately afterwards, a sharp metallic sound was heard, created by the gravity of armour after I was down on my left knee, my right hand resting atop the insignia of the clan, etched just above my heart.
Assuming a gesture of respect.
Sensing the disparity in my voice and the stance I was in, Calvin was able to grasp the solemnity of the matter.
"What is it?"
Calvin asked authoritatively, demonstrating his noble demeanour.
"I was able to disclose the identity of the individual behind the rumours."
Having said that,
-Bang!
I heard a loud slam.
"WHO IS IT?"
Calvin questioned with blood-red eyes, eager to know the figure behind his devastation.
"It is one of The Twelve Cardinals— Fergus Aloha."
"Fergus..? No, no. It can't be? How can he...?"
'He didn't doubt it.'
Even though what I said had no basis, he didn't doubt my statement, which was a perk I got after being loyal to him for so many years.
Though, he was confused, but...
"No ...Maybe he can."
After a period of confusion, Calvin started to come to terms with the revelation of the accused.
"In the end, He was the father of Illiana."
Things started to interconnect.
"The father of my deceased fiancee. My supposed to be Father-in-law."
Fergus Aloha, one of The Twelve Cardinals of The Inquisition. Recognised as one of the most influential individuals in the noble society.
He has both the things.
The means and the reason.
Being an honourable Cardinal was enough to encompass the means.
And...
The death of her daughter was enough of a reason to bestow the terror of a father.
"He didn't believe the incident."
Calvin was talking about the dungeon incident that happened during his excavation, marking the beginning of his fall, taking away the life of his beloved.
-Thump!
Slumping on his chair, Calvin started to contemplate his escape root.
After all, If it is what I said, then the situation is dire, being an honourable Cardinal, Fergus has the authority to dispatch The Inquisition, even now he must be attempting to turn his rumours into reality by affiliated means, imprinting the day of the ordinance for the heir of Caln Ulfred.
Looking at his visage, a thought passed by...
'Now is my turn to act.'
"Master Calvin, if you may, I have a solution to this problem."
Letting out those words, I looked at Calvin, just to see him nodding his head eagerly, approving the intervention.
"While I was with Master Lykus a few days ago, he conducted his daily training, in which I noticed he uses a lot of low-grade Body-enhancing serum.. So what if-."
"Ohhh, I see what you are referring to!"
Interjecting in between, Calvin spoke with an evil grimace.
"You want to put all the blame on Lykus, Don't you?"
"Master Calvin knows me better."
I shamelessly flattered.
"No. It's you who knows me better."
He replied with the same evil look.
'Seems like he was already preparing to make Lykus a scapegoat. Good for me, makes it a lot easier to manipulate him.'
"So, what is it that you planned."
"What if Master Calvin and Master Lykus conducted a training session, and while Master Calvin is at it, it wouldn't be suspicious if an older brother hands a high-grade Body-enhancing serum to his little brother, looking at his training methods."
"Ohh! And what might be in it?"
Calvin asked, being a perceptive individual he was able to see through the ploy and was enthusiastic about my proposition.
"[The Crest Of Befallen]"
[The Crest Of Befallen], a mark which is embedded in the heart of heretics. However, there are means like drugs, which can grant an artificial embedding, making it impossible to tell the difference.
"Mhnnn, a promising ploy indeed. However, It would be hard to get my hands on such a drug."
Isn't that the reason why I was even needed?
'If it was simple to get such drugs then that schemer would have obviously obtained it till this point.'
Thinking of that self's trickery, I couldn't help but quiver.
'Ahhh~ Truly a terrifying individual.'