novelraw Chapter 28
Chapter 28
Chapter 28: Something That Must Not Be Touched
"Are you perhaps looking for the demoted guard?"
"As expected, our purposes are the same."
When I asked suggestively, Marcus nodded readily.
"Interrogating him will bring us one step closer to the truth."
To think my views align with an excellent member of the Imperial Family.
I felt certain that my judgment in coming all the way to Engrove was correct.
"I can no longer sit idly by and watch Unnormal. Those bastards have crossed the line."
Marcus's eyes sharpened.
I already knew he had been interested in Unnormal since the Redstone Academy incident.
Even so, to think a person of the Prince's stature would personally travel to such a far-off land.
'The possibility of Marcus inheriting the throne must be low.'
I was certain of that.
After all, there are seven princes standing firm above him.
However, it didn't seem like Marcus would easily give up the throne.
This wasn't just a story about Marcus.
Anyone who is a child of the Emperor would long for the throne.
'Marcus is an ambitious individual. He likely wanted to catch the Emperor's eye by contributing to the capture of Unnormal.'
Unnormal is currently the biggest topic of conversation in the Empire.
If he roots them out, he would be able to capture the attention of not only the Emperor but all the people.
"You also seem to be very interested in this case."
Marcus extended his hand toward me.
"Since our goals are the same, how about joining forces? There is no need to compete unnecessarily."
Marcus's proposal.
In fact, it sounded like an order to me.
I could not dare to refuse a proposal from a member of the Imperial Family.
"Compete? That is out of the question. I only hope to be of even a small assistance to Your Highness the Prince."
Crossing a Prince is an act of madness.
I prostrated myself figuratively and acted like a dog of the Empire.
I didn't literally prostrate myself, but I took a low posture to that extent.
Enough for the meaning to be sufficiently conveyed to Marcus.
It's an opportunity to clearly make an impression on a member of the Imperial Family.
"It's good to see you trying so hard."
Lensis sneered upon seeing that, but I cleanly ignored him.
Engrove was a largely pastoral city.
The boundaries of the city were surrounded by lush green fields and paddies.
They entered the outskirts of the city along thick trees that cast shadows.
Even that road was bumpy as it was not paved at all.
It is a place in contrast to the civilized Neustadt.
The territory of the Empire is wide and vast.
Engrove is likely not the only region where civilization has not properly reached.
In the city center, a small plaza existed.
Compared to the Gaius Grand Plaza, it was at an embarrassing level to even be called a plaza.
They spotted residents huddled together on one side of the plaza, sharing idle talk.
Shabby attire caked with soil and dust.
Anyone could see the rural air thick about them.
Soon, the residents' gazes moved entirely to the three men.
Each and every one of them had a curious look in their eyes.
'They must have noticed at a glance that we are outsiders. Even just looking at our decent clothing, there is a clear difference between us and them.'
I concluded as much.
However, they likely hadn't realized the fact that the person who had arrived before them was actually a Prince of the Empire.
If they had known that, they would have prostrated themselves on the ground immediately and praised the dignity of the Imperial Family.
Marcus seemed not to care much even after seeing the people who did not show etiquette.
Perhaps he didn't want to waste time on trivial matters.
Lensis also did not intimidate the residents into showing etiquette.
It seemed he had received word from Marcus beforehand.
"Excuse me for a moment."
I asked for Marcus's understanding and then approached the residents.
"Oh my. He's coming this way."
For some reason, the faces of the middle-aged women flushed red.
"Look at how clean-cut he looks."
"I want to just swap him with my husband."
They babbled incessantly, but it didn't enter my ears.
"Have you perhaps seen this man? I heard he recently became a guard for the Mayor of Engrove."
"Oh dear, excuse me. Seeing as his way of speaking is noble, he must be a young master of a noble family."
"That must be why his complexion is so good too."
When I held out the photo of Heni, they took it with a much more polite attitude.
"Well. It's a face I'm seeing for the first time?"
"I don't know him at all either."
Well, it's not a strange thing.
Heni's arrival here was only this morning.
It's possible there are residents who don't know him yet.
I reached that conclusion and then turned my back.
The women shouted from behind as if disappointed.
"Leaving already? Don't be like that and share some more talk with us!"
...Even after that, I thrust Heni's photo at every person passing by, but the result was no different.
"Hmm. Isn't it strange?"
Doubt gradually clouded Marcus's face.
"Even considering that not even a day has passed since he was assigned, to think there isn't a single person who witnessed the guard."
It was certainly so.
"You will know the reason soon."
Lensis answered his master's doubt while staring straight ahead.
Where his gaze led, the Engrove City Hall existed.
It is modest, befitting a small city.
A building made of warm-toned bricks.
A pair of arched windows are situated with the front gate between them.
Still, this much would belong to the luxurious side as far as Engrove is concerned.
As they approached the front gate of the City Hall, the security guards guarding the gate blocked them.
"Who are you?"
They used honorifics.
It must be because the attire of the three men was tidy.
However, the wariness dwelling within that politeness could be felt.
'Why are they being wary to this extent?'
I harbored a doubt.
It's not like an outsider visiting the City Hall is such an extraordinary thing.
"Who are we? Can't you tell by looking?"
Lensis answered the guards bluntly.
Since the two people excluding Marcus were wearing military uniforms, that should have been enough for identification.
"We are sorry, but the Mayor is currently out. Since he has an external schedule."
"The scheduled time of return?"
"Well. Since he went out of the city, wouldn't it take at least a few days?"
When Lensis asked, the guard said flatly.
'Bad luck follows. To think he's away when we've come all this long way.'
I clicked my tongue.
Should we wait around until the Mayor returns?
The moment I was caught in agonizing thought.
"Is there currently no one at the City Hall?"
Abruptly, Lensis asked such a question to the guard.
"Yes. The subordinate officials have also accompanied the Mayor."
I also soon realized the intent of the question Lensis tossed.
No one is there?
What a joke.
'If we were ordinary people, we would have been completely deceived.'
In fact, the City Hall was silent.
As if not even a single mouse was there.
However, when I expanded my senses, I could detect a minute presence within the silence.
They are quietly holding their breath inside the City Hall.
Wariness could be seen in the cautious presence.
'If they were honorable, there would be no reason to do that.'
I smell something suspicious.
Meanwhile, Marcus wore a significant smile.
He was observing the situation with his arms crossed.
"You are recklessly blabbering lies."
I warned lowly on behalf of Marcus.
Nevertheless, the guards shamelessly feigned innocence.
"Look here. Why would we lie?"
"I am not an ordinary soldier. So I can see through your lies at once."
"Haha. You have a great sense of humor. If you're not an ordinary soldier, what, are you saying you've become an extraordinary soldier or something?"
"He is indeed not ordinary. Seeing as there aren't even rank insignias on his uniform."
The guards snickered.
I finally know the reason they sneered.
Since there is no rank insignia, did they think I was some cadet riffraff from who-knows-where?
Well, it's true I'm a cadet.
Though not an ordinary one.
"I suppose because you are bumpkins, you can't tell right from wrong. Seeing as you can't even distinguish a Prominence."
"...Prominence?"
The laughter gradually vanished from the guards.
"Surely you don't not know what a Prominence is?"
Whirr.
I activated my magic circuit.
Circuits revealing their presence while emitting a red light evenly throughout my body.
This much should have been enough to present a sense of intimidation to the guards before my eyes.
"I-It's the real thing! It's a Prominence...!"
"A pity. If you had kept feigning ignorance even after I showed you proof, I was willing to teach you personally."
"Hik...."
"T-That is out of the question!"
When I subtly made a threat, the guards turned pale and made way.
I passed the guards and shouted toward the City Hall beyond the iron fence.
"It's no use holding your breath there. I know you're inside."
I placed my hand on the iron fence.
Creeak.
When I applied a little force, it crumpled like a tin can.
"It'll be better to come out on your own while I'm giving you a chance."
"U-Uaaaah...."
"I am here!"
No sooner had the warning ended than four or five people rushed out from inside the City Hall like mice.
"W-Welcome!"
A pot-bellied middle-aged man ran out hurriedly and opened the iron fence gate.
Along with a servile smile.
He was the eldest among the people who came out of the City Hall, and his attire was the most decent.
He must be the Mayor of Engrove.
When things reached that point, Marcus, who had been watching the situation in silence, opened his mouth.
"Why did you lie?"
"Because instructions came down from above... I only did as I was told!"
"Precisely what kind of instructions were they?"
"That is...."
The Mayor was restless.
He seemed to be hesitating whether it was right to spill the facts on this spot.
"I am sorry... but since it was an instruction from a high-ranking person, I cannot recklessly speak from my position...."
"You still haven't come to your senses."
"Wait."
I threw in a word as I couldn't stand it any longer, but Marcus stopped me by shaking his head.
A bone-chilling cold sneer was cast upon Marcus's lips.
He grabbed the chin of the bowing Mayor and forced him to lock eyes with himself.
"Did you not even consider the possibility that this body is a higher-ranking person than that guy?"
"...Yes? What does that..."
Only then did the Mayor cautiously gaze at Marcus.
"...Heok!"
The Mayor, who was scrutinizing his face, gasped and fell flat on the ground as if collapsing.
"I, I greet the noble 8th Prince!!"
The Mayor's shoulders were trembling.
"Even if it is the frontier, there are so many people who do not know my face. It must mean this body lacks virtue."
"That is out of the question! It is the fault of this lowly one! Please forgive me!"
"If you truly wish to seek forgiveness, then speak the truth. You must not make this body wait any longer."
Marcus's voice was low.
An innate dignity dwelled within it.
"Actually...."
Only then did the Mayor begin to vomit out the truth stutteringly with a terrified face.
Heni's transfer was processed, but it was merely a surface procedure; in reality, he would not come to Engrove.
If someone comes asking about this, send them back using your discretion.
The instructions passed down from the higher-ups to the Mayor of Engrove were roughly summarized as such.
"Hmm."
Marcus seemed to be chewing over the story the Mayor told him.
"There is still one thing you haven't confessed to this body. The identity of the person who gave you the instructions."
"That is...."
The Mayor squeezed his eyes shut.
"I would rather you kill me!"
'...Crazy.'
I chuckled inwardly.
You still have no intention of opening your mouth?
Unless you're prepared for death, you wouldn't be able to exercise your right to silence against a Prince's question.
"How dare you...."
Marcus, who was expressing anger, trailed off in the middle.
Gradually, his expression became complex.
"...Can you truly not say? Even if today becomes the last day of your life?"
"I would rather you kill me...."
Despite Marcus's intimidation, the Mayor was consistent.
"......"
Marcus sank into deep thought.
Moment by moment, his expression was dyed seriously.
"...Let's go back for now."
He turned his back on the Mayor without lingering regret.
'The fact that Marcus is backing off so easily here means...'
I also soon could guess the reason.
'The person who gave the instructions to the Mayor is a being higher than the 8th Prince.'
My hair stood on end.
Marcus had reached that conclusion upon seeing the Mayor exercise his right to silence until the end.
'When the Chief Justice's name was being mentioned in Neustadt, I thought it plausible. I even speculated that an official even higher-ranking than him might be involved.'
...But this has far exceeded my expectations.
The person who whisked the guard away is at least a member of the Imperial Family.
Even one with a higher rank than the 8th Prince.
It's not just the fact that they whisked away the guard that's the problem.
A member of the Imperial Family is involved with Unnormal.
'Just why?'
I could not hide my astonishment.
Just how am I supposed to interpret this?
Only when the City Hall had moved far away did Marcus break free from his solitary thoughts.
"You all must have harbored similar thoughts to this body. It wouldn't be a difficult task for a Prominence with fast mental rotation."
"...Yes."
Lensis, who hesitated for a moment, soon let out a brief answer.
"I can't even bring myself to utter that terrible fact out of my mouth. The Empire is going crazy...."
Marcus clutched his forehead and let out a groan.
"Still, this body will not stop here."
His face became determined.
"What is wrong must be corrected. Even if that opponent is a being above me. That is the way for the Empire."
...Honestly, I hesitated.
I felt like I had stepped into a swamp from which I could not escape.
Even for a Prominence, there are things that should not be touched.
Should I stop here?
Or, since Marcus, a member of the Imperial Family, is sharing the same intent, should I trust him and continue to press on?
Beep beep.
During my agony, Marcus's communicator rang.
"Yes. Did you find a clue?"
He tossed the question as soon as he received the communication.
His eyes, which had been listening to the communication through the in-ear for a long time, gradually became vivid.
"I understand. This body will go personally."
Marcus soon finished the communication.
He turned this way and delivered new news.
"I have identified the whereabouts of Heni Van."