"What about his relatively legitimate businesses, aside from the illegal ones?"
Shade asked again.
"Gray Gloves has mapped out his business network, and the compiled intelligence has already been delivered to me. His business is even larger than we imagined. He is wealthier than his lifestyle suggests. His current fortune is at least this much."
Her Royal Highness the Princess made a gesture to Shade, and he put on an astonished expression.
"Crowns or pounds?"
"Crowns."
Shade was even more shocked.
"His business is that extensive? Even if we shut down the smuggling and contraband trade, his legitimate businesses won't be easy to deal with, will they?"
Margaret laughed at the question instead.
"Oh, Shade, my dear knight, you don't think legitimate businesses can't be investigated for problems, do you?"
She covered her mouth and chuckled, amusement glinting in her beautiful eyes as she looked towards Shade.
"As long as one is willing to investigate, any merchant can be found to have problems. Even if there truly are none. Which is impossible."
Margaret spoke very casually.
"Our professors from Serkses Academy of Medicine have returned from investigating the location of the so-called Silver Mine. Since the situation is quite complicated, the analysis report will probably be ready later this week or next week. Once traces of the Demon are found, the Academy can inform The Church, and then the kingdom's official forces can investigate Osenfott's businesses. He'll be finished. I've already thought it through—hasn't the money to compensate the Stone Masons Association still not been found?"
Shade raised an eyebrow.
"You mean—"
"Although I once planned to pay it myself, I would still feel the pain of losing such a large sum. Now that there is a source for it, wouldn't that be better? Besides, I led this investigation. Shouldn't