"Well, it wasn't anything special. I simply noticed that some of the employees' salaries were being funneled into suspicious accounts, so I confiscated them. Almost as if someone was embezzling. Do you have any idea who it could be?"
"Young Master!!!"

One thing became clear as I reviewed the state of the family over the past few days:
There are far too many rats in this household.
The family may be in decline, but that doesn't mean these people can just embezzle openly, thinking no one would notice.

But now that I’m here, I won’t let the Vermont family fall.
Whether it’s from external threats or internal rats.

"Are you accusing me? Me, Leon Berkus, who has been loyal to the Vermont family since my grandfather’s time?"

[Leon Berkus's Affection Level has decreased by 1.]

I think I finally understand why Leon’s Affection Level was so high.
Until now, Aslan—the former Young Master—had always locked himself away in the library, ignoring family affairs, creating a perfect environment for Leon to exploit.
In short, he thought Aslan was an easy mark.
But now that Aslan was acting like a different person, of course his Affection Level would drop.

"Why would I ever do such a thing? I'm practically a part of the Vermont family! If anyone was embezzling, it would be that uncouth commoner over there!"
"What!? Are you done speaking? To accuse me, the one who was always ranked first in integrity while in the Order...!"
"Shut up, halfwit. Since you lost your ability to use mana, I suppose you also lost your sense of honesty? You probably started embezzling because you feared for your livelihood."
"Hmm. That sounds plausible."
"Ugh...!"

Sylvia clutched her chest, speechless with anger and betrayal.
Her eyes were filled with a chaotic mix of fury and resentment.

"Young Master, please allow me to handle the investigation. I will find undeniable proof and ensure that this woman is punished. Then, I will return the funds you seized to their rightful places."
"You’re confident?"
"Yes, absolutely."

Leon knelt before me, bowing his head.
Sylvia’s face was frozen in disbelief, as if to say, Are you actually buying this nonsense?

"Hmm. I think you might be right, but I'm not entirely sure. It seems I’ll need to gather public opinion on this."
"Public opinion?"
"Yes. Gather those who share your views. I need to hear from others before making a decision."
"Understood. I will do so."

Leon gritted his teeth, forcing his face into a stoic expression, then quickly walked away.
Only Charlotte and Sylvia remained, both looking at me with hurt and betrayal in their eyes.

"The sun is quite strong. I think I’ll head inside now."
"You really are...! I almost believed you had changed!"

[Sylvia's Affection Level has decreased by 1.]
[Sylvia's Affection Level has decreased by 1.]

"You should get out of the sun and rest, too. Enthusiasm is good, but it’s pointless if you collapse."
"You really haven't changed! Just because I’m a commoner, you don’t listen to a word I say! You’d rather believe that thug? Do you honestly think I’m guilty?"

[Sylvia's Affection Level has decreased by 1.]
[Sylvia's Affection Level has decreased by 1.]

Sylvia yelled at me, her eyes brimming with tears.
Would she have been this angry if it were the old Aslan? Probably not.
She had believed Aslan had changed.
And now that belief was shattered.

But it wasn’t me who hadn’t changed—it was Sylvia.

"You really are consistent. Stubborn, foolish, and hot-tempered. Have you learned nothing by now? Isn’t it time you finally grew up?"
"What are you even saying...!"
"I’m saying you should stop jumping to conclusions and try waiting patiently for once."
"...?"

Sylvia's expression went blank, and the tears she had held back finally started to fall.
What a slow-witted face.

I tossed handkerchiefs to both Charlotte and Sylvia before turning to leave.
I didn’t want to risk sunburn from staying out too long...
As I left, I could see the anger melt away from Sylvia's gaze.
What a simple-minded person.

"Can I trust you, Young Master...?"
"That’s up to you. Believe what you want. I only care about employees who bring benefit to me and this family. Loyalty and trust—I don’t need them."
"..."

Now, it was time to wait.
I had cast the net; now I just had to wait for the fish to come rushing in.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Since you so rudely talked back again, that's an additional 50 percent reduction in pay."
"..."

[Sylvia's Affection Level has increased by 4.]

What a masochist...
This is starting to get a little creepy.

"Damn it, damn it! Did they really freeze all of them!?"

Payment suspended.
Payment suspended.
And again—payment suspended.

Leon’s face twisted as he scanned through the notices about the frozen accounts.
How did he find out?
I’d been so careful, embezzling in tiny amounts that wouldn’t raise suspicion.

I’d stolen from the employees’ paychecks, taking advantage of those who didn’t know their own salaries.
Some wouldn’t even notice if I took as much as 50 percent.
But now, not only had my embezzlement been discovered, all the accounts I used had been locked down.

How did that idiot Aslan find out? He’s never even looked at the family finances!

"Someone must have tipped him off."

That bitch.
It must have been Sylvia’s doing.
She probably doctored the documents and goaded Aslan into looking.

"Ha! But things didn’t go your way, did they?"

Aslan didn’t go along with Sylvia’s plan, after all.
Even though there’s evidence of embezzlement, I used a shell account, so there’s no proof it was me.
Aslan’s more likely to suspect Sylvia or some other lowly servant—a bunch of thieves who probably never left their pickpocketing days behind.

"I love how consistently dumb Aslan is!"

Even when my thefts are exposed, he never suspects me.
An incompetent fool who thinks he’s clever.
He really is the ideal master.
I can just imagine Aslan blaming the commoner servants while the family falls into ruin.

"But this indecisiveness is really annoying..."

Leon’s laughter faded as he scanned through the documents.
With all the accounts seized, he was strapped for cash.
He needed to unlock the funds quickly, but Aslan, that indecisive fool, refused to make a decision on his own and demanded a consensus.

Well, there were plenty of accomplices.
I’ll just gather the signatures from the servants who shared in my gains.
Leon began scurrying around the estate, gathering support.

With the signatures from the butler, the knights, the head cook, and more, he managed to collect support from most of the key staff.
Surely, this would be enough public opinion to convince him?
Within 24 hours, Leon had his petition and rushed to the library, panting, having abandoned all pretense of dignity.

"Young Master! I’ve gathered... the support...?"

Leon’s surprise at the sight that greeted him was plain to see.
The once-empty library was now filled with people.
He looked around, confused.

"Oh. You’re here, Leon."
"Young Master... What’s going on here?"
"Well, I got lazy about going outside, so I decided to handle all the hiring interviews here."
"Hiring... interviews?"

Was he hiring new servants?
Oh, right. He must be replacing Sylvia.
Leon relaxed a little, finally understanding the situation.
But if it was just to replace one servant, why were there so many people?

"Thank you for waiting, Young Master. I’ve brought the signatures from those who support my position."
"Hmm. So, this is your stance, then?"
"Yes! That’s right!"
"More than I expected. There are even two names I didn’t have on my list. Thorough, aren’t you?"
"Um, thank... you...?"

List?
Leon’s voice wavered as he sensed something was off.
This didn’t feel right...

"Let me confirm. Everyone on this list claims Sylvia is guilty and that you are innocent, correct?"
"Yes, that’s correct. Is there a problem...?"
"No, there’s no problem. Everything’s perfect."

A sinister smile spread across Aslan’s face, sending a chill down Leon’s spine.

"Leon. It must have been hard to gather all these signatures."
"It wasn’t too bad, really."
"No, I’m sure it was difficult. So, I’m giving you a vacation."
"Thank you, Young Master! But... how long will this vacation be?"
"You can rest as long as you like. Take everyone who signed this with you. You’ll have the rest of your life off."
"Huh? What?"

Leon’s eyes went wide.
A lifetime vacation...
That’s just a fancy way of saying he was fired.
What in the world...?

Shock flooded through him, then anger. He clenched his fists and glared into the shadows at Sylvia.

"Young Master! You’re falling for that woman’s lies again!"
"Sure. Think what you like. Just pack your things and be gone by tonight. I can’t stand the smell of your presence any longer."
"I won’t accept this! I’ve served this family my entire life! You’re not even the family head yet; how can you fire me?"
"You can leave voluntarily, or I can throw you out. Your choice."
"Ha! You think you can throw me out? I’m a Sword Expert! If you have someone here who can take me down, then sure, I’ll leave!"

Leon was practically frothing at the mouth.
I don’t know how Sylvia managed to manipulate Aslan, but I don’t care.
With the head of the family vacant, they can’t fire me.

Well, if someone actually beats me, I guess that would be different.
The rumors alone would be enough to humiliate me, and I’d have to leave.

"Good. You heard him, Sylvia?"
"Excuse me?"
"Go on, Sylvia. Show him what you’ve got."
"...?"
"...!?"

Leon’s face froze in shock.
In the shadows, Sylvia’s eyes widened, blinking in disbelief.
What? Did he just tell me, a commoner without mana, to take on a Sword Expert?