It's a dark night.

However, within the manor of Count Kaelen, it might as well be daytime due to the intensity of light that constantly shimmers in every direction. The resplendence of his exterior prevents anyone from stepping in using the veil of darkness, and with the several guards in constant observation of everything happening within the grounds, it is practically impossible for anyone to step in.

But—

'Leviathan Conceptions can be quite convenient at moments like this…' As I step into the manor completely unobstructed, a small smile forms on my face.

Right now, I have Frontflow activated.

Just to be safe, I decided to swap out my 'Hour' Layer with my 'Day' Layer, which essentially gives me twenty-four hours to spend compared to everyone else who only has a single hour.

In essence, I am currently twenty-four times faster than everyone here.

And the effects will last for a long period.

This isn't the most effective way to get into the Count's manor, but considering what I plan on doing and how long I intend to be here, it is certainly the safest route.

I could try using Tracing to simply teleport into the manor, but the problem with that is that it won't be easy to use Frontflow afterwards. There's a certain 'cooldown' period that exists within me before I can switch Conceptions to use.

If I'm to roughly estimate, it's about an hour.

That means I have to wait one hour after using Tracing before I use Frontflow.

Considering how tightly guarded Count Kaelen's residence is, that won't work. I'd likely be caught before that hour is up.

I could try supplementing my efforts with Potions, but the Count is quite high up in the Kingdom's hierarchy. I'm sure he has countermeasures in place for the low-grade Potions I have at my disposal.

Most of my Potions are Grade 2, with my best being Grade 3.

The Count should not only have access to Grade 4 Potions, but also auxiliary-type Armaments that can detect Trace Elements and alert the guards.

That way, using an unregistered Armament or Potion would trigger the security systems.

I would be caught before I even made it far.

There's also the fact that Potions are not as effective on me as they used to be. I can no longer consume regular Potions and require something with more density and purity to have a noticeable effect on my body.

This has its advantages.

For example, I can't easily be poisoned by a Potion, since the effects will be lowered considerably.

But, when it comes to matters of convenience—like the present situation—it becomes slightly worrying.

Because of all these factors, I decided Frontflow was the best route to take.

I also did my due diligence before coming here. During the day, back when I used Clairvoyance, I ensured to observe as many places within the Manor as possible. With my perception being able to freely move without being caught or obstructed, it was easy to do some preemptive investigation.

But my consciousness cannot open locked drawers or hidden vaults.

As such, nothing beats coming here physically.

'Frontflow makes me several times faster than other people, but doesn't make me invisible. I still have to be quick so that their senses don't pick up my afterimages.' I cautiously increase my pace, ensuring I run as quickly as possible in the incredibly slow world.

If I had replaced my Minute Layer with my Hour Layer, I'd be sixty times faster than everyone present. My speed would be several times greater.

Unfortunately, given what I want to do, I need more time than that.

My current use of Conceptions is quite limited, and after I use a Conception, there are intervals that must be observed before I can use it again. The higher the Layer of Existence I interfere with, the longer the interval.

If I simply replace my Second Layer with my Minute Layer, giving myself sixty seconds in the place of just one, I'd need less than five minutes to be able to do it again. However, when it comes to replacing my Minute Layer with my Hour Layer, even if I push myself to the limits, I would still require about fifteen to twenty minutes before I can use Frontflow again.

As for replacing my Hour with the Day Layer…

'It takes me an entire hour before I can do anything. That means I'll be powerless for an entire hour after this investigation is complete.'

Still, it's better than the alternative.

Twenty-four hours encapsulated in an hour is enough time to explore this place and leave undetected. If I had settled for using an hour within a minute, I would be in a rush, and if the time ran out while I was still inside the Count's manor, I'd be in serious trouble.

All of these are complex things I have to put into consideration anytime I wish to use Conception.

'Okay, that's enough contemplating…' I sigh to myself, casting my gaze around me.

'I'm in.'

The manor is just as grandiose as I remember.

Even at nighttime, it has an unmistakable glow that prevents its brilliance from being obscured.

'Based on my earlier investigations with Clairvoyance, the Count has quite a few rooms that are left unattended. I also overheard conversations from all sorts of people, and it seems even they aren't allowed in certain places. I should start there.' After nodding to myself regarding this matter, I set off to the first location.

Normally, Clairvoyance can only be used to spectate places or events in which I have clues.

However, it is possible to move my perception around an area I am already observing, almost like I am present in the situation. By doing so, I can practically walk through walls and 'see' what exists beyond the hidden places.

Of course, this exhausts me faster, especially if these are places that I normally would never be able to have access to.

Observing the Count's gardens or his reception area is easy.

But his bedroom, his study, or certain locations that he would never allow me into… those are very hard. However, I had already prepared for the difficulty and endured the headaches so I could properly grasp a proper layout of this place.

Now, I'm reaping the rewards.

After searching for about an hour in my own time, I start to get hungry. Thankfully, I'm in the residence of a rich elite. It's easy to fill up my stomach with nutrient-dense food.

Once I finish eating, I resume my search.

The first couple of rooms don't have anything incriminating. They either contain antiques, treasures, and all kinds of rare collections that I would expect a Noble to be interested in. Some rooms contain Armaments, others Potions.

I was honestly tempted to steal some for myself, but that would be wrong.

Besides, it would tip the Count off that someone sneaked into his home undetected, which could cause his guard to go up and also take precautionary measures for whatever it is I may find here.

Lastly, I'd be the biggest suspect.

As the last person to visit the Count before his stuff went missing, it's obvious where his mind will go. Due to all of these reasons, I shouldn't touch or take anything of high value.

Especially if it is unrelated to my investigation.

After spending a few more hours in the Count's manor, I came across my first real clue.

'E-eh? What's this?'

It's a letter.

The black paper appears blank, but after placing it close to the light, it reflects its true content.

An ancient trick that many don't know of due to the modern-day reliance on Armaments to achieve even better results. But, unlike Armaments, which leave Trace Elements behind, these papers are free of such a weakness.

My eyes bulge the moment I hold it in my hands, my scrutinizing gaze analyzing every facet of it with careful observation.

The reason behind my shock dwells in the fact that this is a common method of communication among members of a certain organization. After placing it closer to the light and seeing the 'veiled man' insignia that appears at the center of the darkness, I am even more certain.

'This is from the Dark Guild!'

What is Count Kaelen doing with a letter from the Dark Guild?!

After reading the letter, I find nothing particularly spectacular about the letter. It is simply an inventory listing. If this weren't from the Dark Guild, I would have found it to be within the normal business of the Count.

But since when does a member of the High Nobility deal with the Dark Guild?

The Dark Guild is an international criminal organization whose influence extends beyond the confines of the Randalorion Kingdom.

They have people in other Kingdoms, forming an underground network of highly illicit activities.

Their actions largely cause harm to the Kingdom, as they deal in assassinations, trafficking, slave trade, and all other gruesome affairs. I wouldn't have imagined Count Kaelen getting involved with these people, not to mention getting an inventory report from them.

'Are they managing some of his assets? Looking at the list, it isn't anything too crazy for a Count, and if this is all, then… no, hold on…' My eyes tremble the moment I recognize a detail I had overlooked the first time I read the letter.

'One… of a thousand inventory sites?!'

Count Kaelen has a thousand inventory sites with the Dark Guild? If I assume that they contain as many items as this list, then… that would be an absurd figure! Too absurd for a Count to even possess, and even suspicious for a Duke!

Who in the Kingdom could have so many resources hidden?

For what purpose?

"Could this be—?" As raspy whispers proceed out of my lips, only one thought manifests within my shaken mind.

'The Money Laundering Scheme!'

How else can someone accumulate so many resources, and why would they keep them hidden, particularly with the Dark Guild? These are all illegally obtained proceeds, and they were kept with the Dark Guild for that purpose.

Was the count involved in the Money Laundering Scheme?

I thought that was Zarius.

No… wait.

'Zarius used all kinds of people, including the Dark Guild, to get to achieve his goals. It's not out of the question that he used the Count to help him with the goods.' My thoughts flow unobstructed as I calmly assess the situation.

But—

'Is that really all there is to it?'

After all, I did spend quite some time investigating the Dark Guild alongside my friends, and I never came close to finding out details of their involvement in the Money Laundering Scheme.

Since Count Kaelen is involved, he had to be high up in the hierarchy.

'Did he work with Zarius directly? Did they know each other? Did the two of them collaborate? Think, Javier… what happened to the Count's family in my past life?'

Now that I think of it—

'His Household fell into ruin, didn't it? It was one of the many casualties of the Cadre 5 Magivore back then, and his entire household was slaughtered as a result. The Cadre 5 Magivore was a part of Zarius' scheme… so is it a coincidence that Count Kaelen suffered such a loss in my past life?'

No!

There are no coincidences when it comes to a Leviathan.

'I need to learn more about this!' With this thought ravaging my mind, I continued to search the Count's residence until my time was almost up.

Unfortunately, I found nothing else that directly connects him to the Dark Guild.

He must have destroyed all the evidence.

However—

'He had to have a way to contact them. If I can find that, I'll be able to continue my investigation!'

Despite cutting it close, I tried everything.

In my desperation, I began to interfere with the letter itself. I squeezed, folded, and even drowned it in water. In my last fit of frustration, I placed it closer to the light, and then vague lettering began to appear.

—Coordinates!

'I can easily cross-reference this with a map, but just off my head alone, it's quite a distance away.'

Still, this is something…

A wide grin forms on my face as I return the letter to its earlier position and leave the Count's manor in a hurry.

I barely returned to my hidden carriage before the Fragmented Conception wore out.

"Haaa… haaa…!"

As expected, the coachman is still asleep.

Although my body is plagued with exhaustion, forcing me to let out heavy breaths from my lips, and loud pants as if I were a wild animal, I recognize that only an hour has passed in the real world. I spent twenty-four hours within a single one.

Needless to say, I am very tired.

'I've gotten a vital clue… a location.' My mind echoes as I sleepily close my eyes. 'But it's too far away, and I don't know what to expect there. Just to be safe, I'll visit my Aunt first.'

Once I make some progress with the Potions, I'll go there.

—To the Dark Guild!

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