Chapter 17

That person was very nervous. They spread the cloth and in one breath, suffocated the Madam. There was a lot of struggle. They tried their best to hold her in place. After a minute, there was silence. They breathed a sigh of relief once their task was finished.

But they had another task to be completed. While one of them, killed the Madam was to search for the necessary papers. It took a while but after 5 minutes of turning the whole place upside-down. They found it.

『Hey, I found it. Let's go.』

『Okay, hurry.』

Both of them exited the room quietly and made their way to the general hall. But unbeknownst to them, Akio was watching both of them from the other end of the hallway.

『It's time, I guess.』

Both of them almost reached the gate when somebody called out to them.

『Where are you two going? Didn't I tell Akio to tell everyone to gather before my room? Didn't you tell them, Akio?』

『I did, but maybe they didn't pay attention.』

Both of them froze. They were the voices they wanted to hear the least. They creaked their heads to find everyone at the mansion behind with Akio and Madam at their lead.

***

About an hour ago...

In the bedroom, Akio was all alone with the madam. He was sitting there beside the bed just staring at her. One look at her was enough for him to know that this most probably was the effect of a curse.

Normally, in order to cure a curse, you need holy magic, which could be unlocked by people having the light attribute. Although Akio could produce holy magic if he wanted to, he chose a faster way. He broke the chain of mana code required to keep a curse going.

And just after a few seconds, the Madam opened her eyes. She looked around and saw Akio.

『Who are you?』

He knew that there was going to be a lot of conversation. Hence, he had already separated the room from the rest of the house by creating a layer of vacuum around it.

『Well, I am Akio, the one who cured you. You must have a lot of questions. So, before you ask anything, hear me out.』

Then Akio started explaining. Starting from when he got here to how he cured her of the curse.

『So, did you find the culprit?』

『Unfortunately, no, not till now. But now, I will be able to once I see them.』

『Is there any way I could help you?』

『Well, there might be an accomplice in the picture. And although I could find out the culprit by myself, we still need evidence. And, I would like for to do that job.』

『Okay, and where may I find you? I would like to thank you personally after all this is over.』

『Just visit Dove Park.』

***

A while ago at the Madam's bedroom.....

The Madam was shocked at how exactly it went as Akio predicted. he told her that they would come to kill her and told her to hide underneath the bed.

She watched as the person came to suffocate her. She put pillows underneath a banket to mimic her shape and used wind magic to vibrate them to show that she suffocated.

As she watched them go through her room, she wondered what they might be trying to find. But when she saw that they knew of the secret of the hidden drawer in the second cabinet of her table, she immediately knew who the person was.

And when she heard them speaking, it only affirmed her suspicion.

She waited till they were out of the room. She got up and looked at the scrambly room that they had made and sighed.

『So, it really was you, huh. Anna.』

***

At the same time....

Akio again gathered all the people excluding the suspects to the living room.

『Remember what I told you about the Madam sleeping? Well, I lied. She is currently gathering evidence for the culprits.』

『What?!』

Several of them shouted in surprise. They had a look of worry in their eyes.

『Why?! Why did you let her do that?! What if she's in danger?! What if-』

『I have taken appropriate measures. Now, it should almost be time. Everyone, gather around the gate of the house. But, leave the main entrance open and don't come out till I tell you to. Do so and you will be able to catch the culprit.』

Saying this, Akio rushed out of the room. The people left behind, though they didn't really understand the whole situation, decided to follow his orders. It was their chance to see Madam alive and well.

Just as Akio reached the hallway, he saw the two of them leave the bedroom

He rested against and smirked.

『Hahah. You. Got. Caught.』

***