Vol 1 Chapter 21 (1/2)
The Royal Capital Security Force’s Manhunt
Author’s Note: This ti in third person
The residences of nobility lined this area in rows Although there were a lot of big houses, there were very few people walking about, a quiet street In a secluded corner of area lies the Count of Ritzburg’s estate, the destination of an Investigator from the Security Office; Orth Ricker
In the drawing roo’s mansion, Russell and Orth came to face each other
“How did the Madam take in the news?”
“Ah… She was exhausted and fell asleep on her bed from anxiety It’s because our own son had turned into a devil, and was then killed Even myself, if I could fall asleep, I would like to”
“…I’d like express ies”
“No, please don’t mind what I said It is our responsibility that Cart turned out that way”
“If I may, about your son… Has he always acted presumptuously since before?”
“Please don’t say such foolish things!!”
Russell suddenly raised his voice unintentionally When he beca loudly
“I-I’m very sorry… I was overcome with emotions all of a sudden…”
“Please don’t iveness for ain Has he always acted presumptuously since before?”
“Not at all… As you ht already be aware, we as nobles must always put our country first nobles exist for the people The Royal Faether with the nobles exist for the people Because the people residing in this Kingdom are its national treasures, we should put the that principle to Cart froh he had excessive pride, he is well aware that people should be protected”
“In other words, he acted differently back then?”
“…I wasn’t able to observe Cart all the tiive us ht…”
“Thanks for speaking with me, I will follow up on it later So then, when did he start showing such attitude?”
“It began just the other day”
“Is that so…”
His personality was very different in the Advanced Magic Academy However, his behavior was consistent with his Middle School days
In the Advanced Magic Acadeant attitude’
In arded as ‘A prideful noble who cares about the people’
How can his reputation in Middle school and the Advanced Magic Acade different people
During his Middle School days, he seedom’s noble houses
And then at the start of his Advanced Magic Academy days…
“A noble from the Empire…”
“Huh?”
“Well… during his middle school days, your son seedoic Academy, your son…”
“…You’re saying he became more like a noble from the Empire?”
“That’s the impression I have of him after he turned into a devil”
“…Certainly, the nobles from the Empire see their citizens as objects to exploit Anyone who is not a noble, the general public, aren’t even considered humans…”
The ideals of the aristocrats in Earlshi+de Kingdom and Bluesphere Empire are completely different
In the Earlshi+de Kingdoeneral public, and it is natural for them to think of every way possible for the people to prosper This hat King Diseu Merlin about in terms of reformation of aristocrats
For several generations, the Kingdoht about how to reform the aristocracy, and finally cadom implemented this reform, the lifestyle of the people started to improve The overall productivity also increased, and as a result, tax revenues increased, dom prosperous
In contrast, it is generally considered that commoners exists for aristocrats, in the Bluesphere Empire The citizens suffer from very heavy taxation, there is no increase in their productivity, and their standard of living is considerably low codom
In the Kingdoht to receive equal education, and education has becoh, and its citizens are also able to calculate quickly
In comparison to the Empire, only the children of nobles, and soo to school It was possible for a coo to school, however, because they were not provided extra knowledge Those ere born on the side of being exploited, are not given any chance for a better way of life and re exploited
All because they aren’t given a chance to gain knowledge
Commoners exists for aristocrats, and they are the ones who benefit from this
Cart’s words were the spitting ie of those of an Imperial noble’s
“This is… Is there a possibility that he’d been brainwashed by someone from the Empire?”
“Brainwashed by someone from the Empire!?”
“Count Ritzburg, didn’t you find it strange? Just recently, he’d been acting as a noble froeneral public as people he should protect Then one day, he suddenly thinks of hi treated as equals with commoners What’s your opinion on this?”
“That’s why my wife and I are confused…”
“Your son sounded like someone from the Empire Could it be that he had contact with someone from the Empire?”
“…Ah, now that you mentioned it…”
“Is there someone that comes to mind?”
“There is this teacher who taught Cart during his es over both his eyes, and he’s soinally from the Empire I heard that because he is able to use soic, he caused the Edom”
“And that teacher and your son have contact with each other?”
“Yes, Cart participated in the study research that teacher is going Also, when Cart was studying for the Advanced Magic Academy, the teacher came here as his tutor”
“A teacher who originates from the Empire…”
Suspicious Anyone who heard it would be suspicious
And so, Orth interviewed all of the employees
“Schtroinated froainst coh we’re employees, he speaks to us without any prejudice”
The result of the testienerally like that
Is there really no probleo And there’s a chance he was the one responsible for turning Cart into a devil
One year ago
The tiathered just a few o Furthermore, one of his students turned into a devil
Although there was nothing questionable about the given testimonies However, all of his actions are suspicious Therefore…
“The day young master became like that, he also came to visit”
“Around what time was that?”
“If I’”
If it was in the , it was before he turned into a devil Furthermore, after he visited, Cart escaped from his room
However, there was no evidence But it was clearly very suspicious
After gathering information about Cart, Orth left the house and decided to look for Schtro at the middle school
But just in case, he returned to the Security Office, and got one of the younger members to accompany him
The two visited an academy attended by nobles and wealthy merchants, and compared to other academies, it was very luxurious And inside one of the borrowed laboratory, Oliver Schtrom was there
“I’m sorry to take up your time when you’re busy, Schtrom-sensei”
“Sorry for bothering you”
“No, it’s alright Would you like to drink some tea?”
“No, please don’t mind me”
Orth was alert while he h both his eyes were covered with eye-patches, there was no sense of feeling restraint in hisso it
Because there’s a li him, Orth decided to ask a question
“I heard Schtro such a rude question, but under what circumstances lead you to come to our country? If it’s okay, would you please clarify this for me?”
“The reason why I ca story I was actually born from a noble house in the Empire…”
A noble from the Empire… With just those word, Orth’s body stiffened in an instant
After being defeated during the battle for the right to be the head of the family… I fled and barely escaped from the clutches of my relatives ant to see er stay in the Edom Because of a surprise attack back then, my eyes were injured…”
“I see, so that’s how it is No, I’ such an impolite question”
“It’s fine, because you’re just doing your job Please continue without paying it mind”
An inoffensive exchange of words However, what Schtroht not necessarily be true Which part of it was the truth, and which part of it was a lie? The youngnote of the interview Orth left the note-taking to him, and continued to ask questions
“By the way, Schtroic talent to participate in your research study in order to nurture very talented Magicians Why are you doing soh you work here noeren’t you originally froet back at the Empire?”
“That kind of hypothesis is not unreasonable However, I do not have such intention The reason is actually a lot simpler”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s because I’m a newly appointed teacher who came fro I wanted to be able to achieve sonize me”
“And that’s what your research study is for”
“It’s exactly as you say Thanks to my research study, all the children who participated have increased their ic power There was also a child as able to pass Advanced Magic Academy’s examination And because of that, I was able to establish my position in this academy”
His actions wasn’t for any particularly noble reason, but for his own self-interest It was the most natural motivator of human behavior
There is nothing unusual with the current conversation Although his face can been seen, because of his eye-patch, it was hard to read his facial expressions Orth suppressed his feelings, clicked his tongue, and continued with the interview
“However, it’s quite regrettable this time around”
“It is as you said The student whoic Academy examination was Cart And then it turned out like this…”
“But this incident didn’t dae Schtrom-sensei’s career, did it?”
Then, Schtrohtly offended
“I did not say anything like that! Cart was my cute student! And for that same Cart to turn out that way, of course I am very sad!”
“Sorry for ue”
“It’s all good as long as you can understand…”
Although Schtroain his cals, or are he just putting an act… If that’s the case then…
“Schtroht with you, could I make a request?”
“What is it?”
“Actually, I’d like you to come with me and examine his body that transformed into a devil”
“You want me to examine his body?”
“Yes Right noe’re in the process of gathering experts with different specialties to do examinations And Schtroician, ould like to invite you to listen to what they can find We would also like to listen to Schtrom-sensei’s opinions”
“But to inspect the remains of my own student, it somehow makes me feel reluctant…
“Please, we ask this of you This is for the sake of all mankind”
“…Haaa~ I understand I’ll take you up on your offer”
“Thank you very ood with time after this?”
“It really is sudden… I’o There is no research study today”
“Thank you very o”
Orth signaled to the young member, and then he stood up
“We’re expecting we’ll hear beneficial information from you”
“I’ll be troubled if you blindly expect so”
After the conversation ended, they headed towards the Security Office