The next day.
Of the large groups of Silvermane Guards sent to patrol the Underworld, four-fifths were suddenly recalled!
This major move immediately drew widespread societal attention.
The famous five-star general, Sampo Koski, commented thus: It's not that I don't want to continue upholding my professional ethics—it's just that you've all gone way too far.
And so.
Sampo unprecedentedly became the vanguard, like a dog leading large groups of Silvermane Guards to pick fights with every problematic family one by one.
"Sampo... what the hell are you doing!"
The counts, viscounts, and even dukes who were suddenly assaulted flew into rages!
That damned thief Sampo! The only reason he could swagger around unharmed until now was because he'd dipped into plenty of the Overworld's gray industries.
Without the tacit approval and support of the nobility, how could that blue-haired bastard rake in money so cleanly?
Many of those dealings were done together with the nobles!
Now look— this guy, the least tolerated in all of Belobog, was now like a damn dog leading outside troops to attack his former haunts.
"Bronya...! Have you all gone mad? Suspicion is one thing, but with zero evidence, you're just going to believe this blue-haired liar's nonsense?!"
"How dare you!" Sampo pointed right at the dignified middle-aged man's nose and cursed:
"Daring to address Her Excellency directly—you're already courting death!"
Bronya, Pela, and Gepard on his crutch stood at the rear of the large Silvermane Guard force, silently permitting the scene.
Sampo's actions had the approval of Supreme Guardian Cocolia and Bronya.
Let him make a scene.
"You damned blue-haired traitor— you think you can run wild on our turf?!"
"Do you know what our relationship is with the Landau family? Call Gepard out here—I want to ask him exactly what this means!"
"?" Sampo frowned, immediately turning to shout toward the very back of the formation:
"Who the fuck is calling for Gepard? You want to sit in the Supreme Guardian's seat too? Come on, step out and explain properly whether your Landau family has any ties with them!"
This barrage of questions even stunned Gepard.
How did this suddenly drag him and the Landau family into it?
"Ahem." Gepard stepped forward two paces and declared loudly:
"The Landau family has always devoted ourselves solely to Belobog's preservation—past, present, even during the lockdown order, we have never wavered! Heaven and earth bear witness!"
This bandaged, cast-wearing man, leaning on his crutch, questioned the one trying to sling mud:
"The Landau family has only ever had supply-and-demand relations with you in military equipment and materials—don't spout nonsense!"
For Gepard, having mud slung at him was already infuriating—but this guy dared drag the Landau family into it too.
"Hmph, you say no relation and that's it? Gepard Landau, you're really something now—climbed so high in rank, can even mobilize so many Silvermane Guards! Heh heh, if it was your family launching a coup, that would be..."
"Hmph." Gepard let out a cold snort:
"The Landau family fears no investigation! I, Gepard Landau, swear here: if any member of the Landau family—including myself—shows the slightest intent to subvert Belobog's regime, I will personally present the traitor's head to the Supreme Guardian with both hands!"
Seeing Gepard get provoked and become impassioned, Sampo hurriedly waved to interrupt:
"Alright alright, Corporal Gepard—don't fall for their trap and waste time! They're definitely brewing something—I know this all too well! Either they're moving something important, or destroying evidence!"
"Silvermane Guards!" Sampo swept his arm grandly, laughing like a traitor:
"Follow me in—rob the money! Rob the grain! Rob the women! Anyone who blocks us gets dragged to jail! Hahahahaha— you used to ignore me, but now you can't even reach my level!"
"..." ×568
The three at the back watched speechlessly, all turning their heads away.
The most outrageous stuff was clearly best left to Sampo—after all, the three of them still had positions to maintain. Drawing too much hatred was really unnecessary.
"No, wait... you can't go in!"
"Damn it, seal his mouth!" Sampo叉腰 shouted.
"Got it... tone it down a bit." After Sampo's order, several Silvermane Guards quickly stepped forward and actually did it.
This operation actually had no solid evidence on the builders' side.
By normal precedent, they should first issue summons, then form a dedicated investigation team for a month-long probe.
That method was classic, but investigation teams were easily bribed and obstructed covertly.
But now it was different.
Cocolia had simply waved her hand and made Sampo the overall captain—even Bronya had to step aside.
Her only requirement for him: no requirements.
Now whoever Sampo said to bite, the Silvermane Guards bit.
Of course, every coin has two sides.
By noon today, huge waves of rumors had already spread among the people.
"What, the Silvermane Guards are invading families en masse with zero evidence?"
"Not even following any procedure?"
"Holy crap, you hear? The captain is that Sampo!"
"????"
"That dog-scammer is the captain?"
"No way—where's Lord Gepard? Lord Pela? Lord Bronya? Where'd they go—why is it that blue-haired bastard!"
"Shh... this is obviously on the Supreme Guardian's orders—otherwise the Silvermane Guards wouldn't obey that blue-hair's commands."
"Keep it down—watch your mouth, or your little life won't be safe."
...
Finally, some families that hadn't been hit yet still sent scouts.
First those scouts found Sampo, then quietly stuffed him with a huge pile of money.
Right in front of the three behind him, Sampo pocketed every bit of it.
"..."
Bronya squatted by the roadside, silently watching Sampo's antics, and said softly:
"Is this really okay? Won't it make him too happy?"
Pela sat on the ground, head resting lazily on Bronya's shoulder, murmuring:
"What's wrong with it? We already agreed he could keep the bribe money. If we don't let him have some fun, he might just quit on us. To make the horse run, you've got to feed it grass."
Gepard nearby couldn't squat, so he just leaned on his crutch and nodded slightly:
"Mm, let him play freely."
A Silvermane Guard also sat beside the three, face flushed, cradling his rough cheeks in his hands. Though his beard was a bit prickly, he said with gratification:
"My treasure~ today he really stole the show!"
"Looks like tonight, I gotta sneak him a little reward, hehehe~!"
…