I opened an adventurer's guild in another world.

Anno was led into the castle by the soldiers.

A small river flows through the castle.

After Anno crossed the bridge, a dark shadow suddenly appeared in the calm water.

Two red lights flashed over the head of the dark figure.

Anno followed the soldiers all the way to the reception room.

After Anno entered, an old man with white hair came out from around the corner not far away.

The white-haired old man's gray eyes looked towards the living room, his gaze gradually narrowing.

"This human lord seems quite powerful. Should we give him a share of the blessing as well?"

......

Inside the waiting room.

Anno and Gilbert are talking.

Anno came to see Gilbert, ostensibly as two neighboring lords exchanging greetings.

As a newly appointed lord, Anno wanted to discuss his experience in managing the territory with Gilbert.

During their conversation, the two were also observing each other.

Gilbert was surprised that Anno was so young; he looked to be only about twenty years old.

But to become the lord of Klang Valley, one must have considerable means.

Therefore, Gilbert was very cautious during the conversation.

"My lord, I actually came here also to purchase some slaves. I've just arrived in the territory and am unfamiliar with many things, and we're short-handed. I wonder if my lord has any connections?"

Gilbert's heart instantly went on edge when Anno mentioned the slave trade.

"Baron Anno, I have no experience with the slave trade, so I cannot offer you any assistance in this matter."

Gilbert then pretended to be a friend and advised Anno that if he were to do this kind of business, he should only buy demon slaves.

In the Six Kingdoms Alliance, you can arrest slave traders who sell humans, elves, and dwarves.

"Baron Anno, now that you have taken over the city of Xuelong, you should know that the previous lord, Antoine, was involved in the case of selling elven slaves and was sentenced to death by the king."

Gilbert sighed and said in an older brotherly tone, "You should learn from this and follow my example. Never do anything illegal."

In just a few sentences, Gilbert portrayed himself as someone who was not familiar with Antoine and had no involvement in the slave trade.

"Speaking of studies, I do have something I'd like to ask the Earl for advice."

Anno then asked another question, "When I came here, I saw that there were a lot of professionals in Sunset City, and they all seemed to be quite strong."

"How did Your Excellency manage to develop your territory and allow the professionals within the city to reach this level?"

"Haha, this is mainly because I usually love and respect my people. After my reputation spreads, a large number of professionals will naturally come here to develop their careers."

Many of the professionals you see here came from the Duchy of Aurel after hearing about me, seeking opportunities for advancement.

The high salaries and benefits for professionals in Sunset City are well-known.

As he spoke, Gilbert seemed to have thought of something and smiled at Anno, "Baron Anno, when you go back, you'd better treat the professionals well. Otherwise, if all the professionals in your territory come to develop on my side, don't blame me for poaching them. Hahaha..."

On the surface, Anno laughed along with Gilbert, but in his heart he was cursing the other for being an old fox.

Antoine, who previously provided slave services, is dead, and Gilbert has most likely been transporting slaves himself recently.

Even if that wasn't the case, there must have been other channels for transporting slaves.

Otherwise, the casualties from exploring dungeons would increase dramatically.

However, no matter how vigilant Gilbert was, it was useless.

After all, Anno had already determined that Gilbert had problems.

"In that case, I'll find the clues myself."

Anno changed his mind and used [X-ray vision].

Anno, who was planning to check if there was anything unusual in the room, suddenly discovered that an old man with white hair was eavesdropping outside the door.

The key point is that the [Observer] indicates his race is demon!

Level 33.

Anno pretended nothing had happened and continued to observe.

He then noticed a skull necklace inside Gilbert's clothing.

The familiar skull shape immediately reminded Anno of the skull ring he had received from Count Werner.

The Skull Ring can transform other races into demons and gradually erode the host's consciousness.

Anno had previously used the skull ring to save himself.

But I was very careful every time.

"It's related to demons?"

Anno frowned slightly.

He had previously thought it was related to sea creatures.

I guessed wrong.

But upon closer reflection, these things make perfect sense.

After all, Count Werner and Count Gilbert were on the same side.

Since Count Werner possesses a skull ring, it's plausible that the latter would have something similar.

"Gilbert, have you ever heard of the demon race?"

Anno's smile faded, and he abruptly changed the subject.

"Well......"

Gilbert's smile suddenly stopped, and his expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

It wasn't just because Anno asked about the demon race, but also because Anno had just addressed him as "Count" and was now calling him by his first name.

This shift speaks volumes.

Gilbert snorted coldly and said angrily, "Baron Anno, what do you mean?"

Anno stood up and instantly flashed to the door and opened it.

The white-haired old man, who was eavesdropping outside the door, was caught red-handed.

The white-haired old man, thinking he had been caught eavesdropping, calmly asked, "Guest, I am Lord Gilbert's butler. Is there anything you need?"

Anno stared at the white-haired old man, a slight smile playing on her lips, and said, "No, you're not the butler!"

"Baron Anno, Edward is indeed my butler!"

Although Gilbert didn't know why his butler was outside the room, or how Anno discovered the butler, he was definitely on his side at this moment.

Seeing that Gilbert was about to speak, Anno interrupted him, saying, "You can talk about your matter later. I want to talk to this devilish man first."

"demon?"

Gilbert looked at the butler Edward with a puzzled expression.

Are you kidding me? Your own butler is a devil?

impossible!

"Someone, see the guest out!"

Calling his butler a devil is practically an insult directed at Gilbert himself.

Gilbert's anger had reached a breaking point.

Anno suddenly seemed like a completely different person from the moment he appeared, showing no regard for him whatsoever.

If it weren't for the fear that killing Anno would attract the attention of the royal city.

He's about to order his men to take action.

Splash!

A group of well-equipped soldiers walked menacingly around Anno.

They were giving us the impression that if we didn't leave, we'd have to kick us out.

However, Anno was not frightened at all, and instead asked Edward curiously.

"I thought you were in cahoots with Gilbert, but Gilbert's reaction just now suggests he doesn't know your true identity."

This puzzles me.

Could it be that the demon necklace Gilbert wore wasn't given to him by you?

Or did you give me the necklace without revealing your identity?

"What exactly is your purpose, Mr. Devil?"