Obviously, It's My Child - Chapter 143
But she absolutely couldn’t let that show.
Even when she declared she didn’t have feelings for him, this proud man wouldn’t listen. Why would she inflate his ego further?
Thus, Claire suppressed the rising corners of her lips, asking as if she was receiving a report.
“Didn’t the vassals object, calling it a waste?”
“We started with small trials. If it proved ineffective, we would stop. There’s no reason not to try something that could potentially save lives.”
“But it’s less profitable.”
“Do you see me merely as a mine owner or a landlord?”
Erich looked at Claire sharply. ‘Or what else?’ Claire thought, meeting his gaze head-on.
“Even if I’ve legally transferred administrative and judicial powers to the cabinet, I am the lord of Klausener. I have a duty to protect those on my lands.”
“…”
“Anyone under Klausener’s roof is my responsibility, not just the direct subjects.”
Claire fell silent.
Implementing safety measures due to such a noble mindset was something else.
Regardless of the reason, it was commendable. Especially in a harsh and dangerous environment like a mine, any improvement was a significant victory. Yet.
“You’re an enemy of democracy.”
Claire stated with narrowed eyes.
She always preferred the downfall of her enemies rather than an amicable resolution.
The heads of kings and high nobles belong on the guillotine.
Now that she was a capitalist herself, such thoughts remained in her head.
Erich ignored her comment.
“You didn’t spend two hours with that document just to bring up such a topic, did you?”
“No. I was bored and didn’t want to just pick up anything. This was placed as if it was meant for visitors to read.”
Claire set the manual down and asked.
“But how was it possible to smuggle out explosives with such thorough management?”
“Regrettably, yes. The head of the explosives team colluded with the bookkeeper.”
“Wasn’t there anyone to count the stock in the warehouse? What about audits?”
Erich’s expression darkened further. Claire sat up from her reclined position on the sofa.
“Is Walter Mayer trustworthy?”
“…Yes.”
Erich’s response came a beat too slow.
“If Walter was the mastermind, he wouldn’t need to resort to something as trivial as smuggling explosives. Even if an accident occurred, he could’ve hidden it much more cleverly.”
“Indeed, if it was embezzlement, manipulating the books would make more sense than sneaking out hazardous materials like explosives.”
Claire slowly pondered.
“Could there be another motive?”
“If you’re worried it might be used for terrorism, there’s no need. Those targeting something like railway bombings would find it much easier to obtain stronger explosives elsewhere.”
“Well.”
Managing explosives here was primarily to prevent accidents in the mines due to reckless use.
If it was merely about needing explosives, it would be better to source them from a manufacturing plant or a location with laxer security than here.
Thus, it likely was an inside job of someone who had worked at Kohlberg mine who had taken advantage of when the opportunity arose.
“What doesn’t make sense to me is, if someone handles explosives, they’d know the dangers of fire. Why light a cigarette in front of an explosives box?”
“Hmm.”
“Could they have been heavily drunk? Or…”
Erich nodded before Claire could finish. He seemed to grasp her line of thought.
“If they were drunk, witnesses would have noted it, but no such reports have been heard. Perhaps it was a lotus leaf cigarette.”
“If that’s the case, I understand why they went out of the way to smuggle the explosives. Debts follow drug use.”
Erich nodded in agreement. Claire continued.
“Let’s stay here for a few days. I’d like to look into the financial situation of those involved and hear the audit results.”
“We can still receive reports in Baden.”
“While we’re here, I want to meet with the miners from Arren. With the lodgings collapsed, it’s a perfect excuse to look after my fellow countrymen.”
Erich’s eyebrows twitched.
Claire stood up and approached him. She then climbed onto his lap and massaged his forehead.
“Do you think I actually want to work? But for some reason, something feels off.”
“In what way?”
“The spread of lotus leaf cigarettes is spearheaded by the Empress. How can we be sure that Klausener isn’t a target?”
“It’s more likely just an accident. Of course, the negligence issue is not minor, but it’s not something for you to worry about to this extent.”
“I’d rather verify it’s an accident than ignore my unease. In fact, when I heard from young Mayer about the miners from Arren, I got a bit concerned.”
Claire’s hand caressed his eyebrows. Erich looked up and squinted at her.
“Is this seduction?”
“Seduction is for the beautiful. This is, what, pestering? Tantrum throwing?”
Claire almost burst into laughter but managed to hold it in. Erich placed his hand on the back of hers.
“Sounds like the same thing to me.”
“Anyway, so we’re staying here. Is that okay?”
“You have to explain it to Elliott.”
At that moment, Claire’s hand tensed.
Erich felt a sense of triumph.
He grasped Claire’s wrist that had been caressing his face and, with his other arm, wrapped around her waist.
Swish.
In a swift movement, their gaze reversed. Claire, who was laid out on the desk, blinked in surprise.
Erich, pinning her hand interlocked with his to the desk, looked down at her. His body pressed against the inside of Claire’s thigh.
“Wa, wait, this has nothing to do with explaining things to Elliott.”
“It doesn’t. I just couldn’t let the opportunity pass by.”
“What opportunity!”
“The opportunity to pin you down on this desk.”
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