Chapter 32

Leaving the basement, I walked down the corridor. At the end of the corridor, there was a spiral staircase. As I climbed up, I found myself in Schultem's private room.

The private room was furnished with high-quality furniture and plush carpets. ...Hmm. It seems a bit too expensive for a mayor. There were gold decorations everywhere, and the furnishings seemed unnecessarily shiny. It had a very obvious nouveau riche feel.

As I looked around the unnecessarily shiny room, Samyue-chan approached the desk placed in front of the window. She then reached for the top drawer of the desk.

The seal is probably in there. However, the drawer made a creaking sound but did not open.

"It's locked."

"I'll open it."

With a pat on my chest, I approached the desk and inserted the claw of the [Cat's Hand Glove] into the keyhole.

"Unlock."

At the sound of my voice, the keyhole clicked.

"Samyue-chan, it's open."

"Amazing... Lady Reni can really do anything. Thank you."

Samyue-chan let out a sigh of admiration and opened the drawer. I peered into the opened drawer as well. Inside were a few documents, several seals, and a mysterious red crystal ball.

"Samyue-chan, what's this?"

I pointed at the red crystal and looked up at Samyue-chan.

Samyue-chan also seemed intrigued by the red crystal and tilted her head curiously.

"This is a magical tool... I think it's safe to touch."

Samyue-chan picked up the red crystal and stared at it intently. Then, her blue eyes sparkled—

"I just channeled magic to examine it. It seems to be like a switch that activates when placed in a specific spot."

"Switch... Oh, is it over there?"

I looked around the room. In the midst of the golden, shiny room, there was one spot that glowed red.

I found it at the entrance of the spiral staircase leading up from the basement. A stone was embedded in the wall, glowing red. The center, surrounded by red stones, was indented, and the red crystal seemed to fit perfectly.

"Yes, let me check it out."

"Crystal, I'll take it."

"Thank you."

I took the red crystal from Samyue-chan. After handing it to me, Samyue-chan approached the red stone wall and placed her hand on it. Her blue eyes sparkled again, indicating she was channeling magic.

As she examined it, Samyue-chan's face gradually darkened after a few seconds.

"...Lady Reni, this seems to be a mechanism to destroy the passage leading to the basement."

"Destroy the passage?"

"Yes... ...Gathering women and confining them in the basement... If something were to happen, the passage would be sealed off to make it seem like nothing happened... It's likely for that purpose."

Samyue-chan frowned in disgust but explained as calmly as possible, even to a four-year-old like me.

I nodded in understanding at Samyue-chan's explanation.

Schultem had been using Sranita Finance to gather women. It was obvious that human trafficking was illegal and that getting caught would be disastrous.

That's why he had this device.

If something unfavorable were to happen, he intended to immediately collapse the passage and bury the women.

The women confined in the basement would be unable to call for help and would be buried in the ground, making it impossible for anyone to find them.

Conveniently used and conveniently disposed of. That was Schultem's way.

Then—

"Since I made the mechanism myself..."

The indentation in the center, surrounded by red stones, was about waist-high for an adult, so I could reach it. I inserted the red crystal.

Instantly, the red light intensified, and something began to rumble—

"Turn to stone!"

With my voice, the red light shone brightly. In a few seconds, the red light faded, and the passage where the spiral staircase had been was gone.

Schultem was now buried in the basement wall. He couldn't escape on his own, but if there had been a passage to the basement, someone might have found him.

However, the passage was sealed by the mechanism he had created. Truly, he reaped what he sowed!

I huffed through my nose.

Then, a few seconds later—

"I did it again..."

I suddenly realized.

Schultem was a corrupt mayor, but a mayor nonetheless. Mayors govern the town... Maybe I shouldn't have turned him into a fossil?

I always act without thinking of the consequences.

"Samyue-chan, what were we planning to do next?"

Did my actions mess up the plan?

I looked up at Samyue-chan nervously.

To my surprise, Samyue-chan didn't get angry or shocked; instead, she nodded firmly.

"Next, we'll stamp the documents to free the women. We've already sent evidence of human trafficking, embezzlement, and dereliction of duty as a mayor to the country, the region, and the city, so they should be taking action. Schultem will be immediately punished, and a new mayor will be selected."

"Okay."

"Also, I've prepared a resignation form for Lady Reni's activities at Sranita Finance, so even if Schultem disappears, there won't be any problems."

"...Will it be okay if Schultem disappears?"

"Yes. We can process it as if he left the town out of fear of being exposed."

...Samyue-chan!!

You're so reliable... So incredibly reliable!!

"Samyue-chan, you're amazing!"

"That's too kind of you..."

Samyue-chan blushed as she looked at me with admiration.

Then, she muttered softly,

"Also... I saw Lady Reni's face. Even if Lady Reni hadn't done it, it would have happened anyway..."

"Huh?"

"No, nothing. I'll get to work, so please wait a moment."

"Okay."

Samyue-chan returned to the desk and began stamping the documents she had brought.

This would ensure the women were legally free and would not face any issues in the future.

"Let's go, Lady Reni."

"Okay."

After finishing her work, Samyue-chan placed a few documents on the desk and secured them with a paperweight. Then, she extended her arms to me.

This was a signal for me to come over. It seemed she was going to carry me.

I put away my [Cat's Hand Glove] and [Hare Boots] into my item box and pulled my hood over my head.

...If I don't wear the hood, Samyue-chan might faint.

With everything ready, I jumped into Samyue-chan's arms.

"Samyue-chan, can you carry me?"

"Ugh, um... Yes, if I can't see you, I can manage this affection..."

Samyue-chan gently hugged me, took a few deep breaths, and approached the window. It seemed we were going to escape through the window.

"With this, the town and the surrounding villages will be at peace."

"Right. This way, Papa and Mama can be at ease."

Even after I leave on my journey.

My parents will be able to live happily together.

"Mission accomplished!"

While being carried by Samyue-chan, I saluted sharply.

—Reni Schultem Guorga (3). First objective completed!