Volume 9 Chapter 4 “Investigation”
Part 1
When the new students are getting used to life at the school.
Finley had come to the harbor on the floating island for a holiday.
The reason why she went to the trouble of visiting the port of this island floating near the royal capital was because of a letter from her parents’ house.
At the meeting place, Finley unfolded the letter she had received from her sister, Jenna.
It said, “I’m on my way to the royal capital for some business, so welcome me”.
Finley, sitting on the bench waiting for Jenna, let out a deep sigh.
“Why do I have to go out of my way to greet my sister on my precious day off?”
Finley was not happy that her day off was being ruined, but she was slightly looking forward to seeing Jenna.
She is getting used to life at the school, but is starting to recall her parents’ home more.
Finley would never admit it, but she is slightly homesick.
As Jenna descends from the airship ramp, Kyle appears behind her, carrying luggage enough for two people.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been to the royal capital~!”
Behind Jenna, who was impressed, Kyle, who was carrying her luggage, looked dumbfounded.
“Don’t forget to finish your business here.”
“I haven’t forgotten”
When Jenna noticed Finley, she gave him a big wave. Finley stood up from the bench and gave her a small wave.
However, they were also aware that people were watching them.
(Uwaa~, we’re really standing out)
Jenna, with Kyle in tow, drew the attention of the others.
The reason for this was that the system of exclusive servants had almost completely fallen into disuse. There are some women who have sub-racial slaves in hiding, but the number of those who take them around openly is dwindling.
So, more than anything, Jenna stands out.
Jenna also noticed the look, but she ignored it and hugged Finley as she approached her.
“I’ve missed you, Finley!”
“Let me go. More importantly, I’m surprised mother and others let you go to the royal capital.”
“I worked really hard for a month and they gave me a chance. They’re pretty soft.”
Finley was taken aback by such a line from Jenna.
“Don’t get carried away or you’ll fail.”
“I absolutely do not want it! And by the way, isn’t it time for your tea party? Did the boys invite you?”
Smirking, Jenna poked Finley with her elbow.
Jenna seems to be trying to tease her, but Finley shrugs.
“It’s different from onee-chan’s time. There’s a tea party in May itself, but it’s not a romantic one. It’s really just about drinking tea with the boys.”
“Eh, is that so?”
“In the first place, the girls have been told to hold a tea party. I’m going to have aniki help me, though.”
“Leon’s a bit of a nag when it comes to tea. He acts all high and mighty when it’s not worth much, and he’s a foolish brother with a really bad personality.”
“Right! And said something like, keep your curfew, anyway it can’t be helped but he’s so annoying.”
Jenna compared her school days with now and was surprised at how much it had changed.
“The school’s changed a lot, hasn’t it? I wonder if the current headmaster used to be a manners instructor? I guess they didn’t get rid of the tea party, but I don’t understand why girls are inviting boys.”
“It seems both are fine. He said I could invite my friends and do something.”
“It makes even less sense. A tea party with no encounter, isn’t that just a waste of time?”
Kyle, who had been listening to their conversation, looked like he wanted to move on quickly.
“Either way is fine with me. Haa, are goshujin-sama and others doing well?”
Kyle is worried about Marie and the others who are not here, but Finley tells him there is no problem.
“They’re a bit frivolous on the school, but they seem to be doing okay.”
“If they’re a bit frivolous, it’s as usual. I’m relieved to hear that.”
When Kyle is relieved, [Dorothea Fou Roseblade] comes down from the ramp with the big brother Nix leading the way.
When Finley sees them, she asks Jenna why they are here.
“Why are those two here too?”
“They’re here to buy some stuff.”
Looking closer, she saw that Jenna and the others were aboard the largest flying battleship in the Bartofalt family.
Nix approaches and talks to Finley.
“It’s been a long time. I’m relieved to see you’re doing well. By the way, Leon hasn’t caused any trouble, has he?”
He was more worried about the trouble than Leon’s safety.
“He’s surprisingly quiet, except when he’s sneaking around. Thanks to him, I’ve been able to live a rather peaceful school life.”
Finley is grateful that people around her don’t do anything unnecessary just because she is Leon’s sister.
“Well, it does attract some weirdos, though.”
“Weirdos?”
Nix tilted his head, and Dorothea, standing next to him, held up her index finger to explain.
“They’re the ones trying to gain favor, Nix-sama. Leon-kun is really popular.”
The reason why Finley’s name is not mentioned there is because people are looking at Leon through Finley. That was annoying to Finley.
Nix saw his sister getting annoyed, decided to change the subject.
“Never mind Leon, are there any boys you’re interested in?”
Then Finley thought of the boy she usually talked to. It’s Oscar, a really stupid boy, but a good guy that she can’t hate.
“I have one, but he’s like a friend.”
“Isn’t that nice “
Finley and the others continue their conversation and move on to the royal capital.
.
Part 2
The school building on a holiday.
Many students were enjoying their holidays, and the school building was less crowded.
Most of them are students or faculty members who are in the building for a reason.
Marie had been sneaking into the library of the school building, which was not very crowded.
“Why am I doing this?”
The purpose for sneaking in was to investigate certain people.
The protagonist Mia and the villainous princess Erika, she has been entrusted to investigate two of them by Leon.
At Marie’s side, there is Creare.
[It can’t be helped. Master and other are starting their investigation outside the academy.]
“Ah~, are they chasing a case of serial murder? I wish they’d prioritize investigating the school instead of imitating a detective.”
Marie crouched down to get closer to the target and moved with no sound of footsteps.
“In the first place, isn’t aniki has a bounty on his head? Isn’t it more dangerous for him to be out in the open?”
[I am not sure if I can say that everything is fine because of Luxion’s presence. But the main body of him is also waiting near the capital, and Arroganz are ready to move at any time.]
“It’s frightening, but it’s reassuring. But thanks to that, I’m the only one investigating the protagonist and the villainous princess. I was reminded to never go near that guardian knight guy, though.”
[Master was vigilant, wasn’t he]
Marie and Creare approach the target. However, they stopped moving when they heard the voices of a man and a woman coming from behind a nearby bookshelf.
Apparently, they were trying to pick up the same book and their hands touched each other.
“Excuse me”
“No, excuse me as well.”
Marie became envious of their eventful encounter and secretly peeked in on them.
“Encounter event in the library, it’s like protago――nist?!”
Facing each other in the aisle created between the shelves were Jake and a female student. The female student was tall enough for Jake, who was slightly shorter than average height, to look up at her.
Her well-groomed, shiny, beautiful brown hair was waist-length, and she had good style and good posture. She looked like she was practicing some kind of martial art, and she had a firm standing posture.
Jake looks up at the schoolgirl and pushes the book in his hand to her.
“I’ll look for another book”
“No, I’m sorry about that. Besides, I am not in a hurry either.”
Jake was a little surprised to see the schoolgirl looking up at him with such polite response.
” ―― I thought you would be a rough person because you seem to know how to fight, but you seem to be a coward despite your size. With your height and build, you must be strong, right?”
Jake said mean words, and the female student was a little surprised, but answered shyly.
“Actually, I’m worried about being tall. It’s not cute.”
Jake apologized to the girl who said she was concerned about it.
“My bad. I was jealous of your physique, but that was rude to a girl. Please forgive me. I am ―― Jake. You?”
The schoolgirl smiles in a troubled way and gives a polite greeting.
“I am Aaron, a second-year student. Those who are close to me call me Aare, Your Highness Jake.”
“You knew me? But Aaron, huh ―― No, Aare would be more appropriate. I’d like to call you that too, if you don’t mind?”
Even though she was a senior, Jake’s attitude did not change. It was disrespectful to the senior students, but Jake’s attitude was natural and normal.
On the other hand, Aaron ―― [Aare] smiles without saying anything.
“By all means, please”
“I thought you’d be upset with my attitude, but ―― Fu, you’re an interesting girl. I like it. You can call me Jake, too. No need to call me Your Highness.”
“I-I can’t do that.”
“It’s my decision. If you don’t abide by it, I’ll have you arrested for disrespect.”
When told recklessly that she would be arrested for impoliteness if she didn’t call him like that, Aare reluctantly agreed.
Hearing such an exchange, Creare was upset.
[Aaron is Aare? Isn’t that the same as my nickname that Livia-chan gave me! This is unacceptable, and I will definitely protest]
However, Marie had a blue pale face.
“This is ―― an encounter with His Highness Jake.”
Hearing the interaction now, Marie remembered.
This was because it was very close to the conversation that occurs when the protagonist and Jake get to know each other.
But it’s the wrong person.
“Why do the same capture targets have to go through all these events together?”
Marie was so taken aback by the turn of events that she writhed in her head.
Marie had forgotten her original purpose, but she looked up when she was suddenly called out.
“What’s wrong?”
“Eh?”
Standing there was one of the people she was checking on, the villainous princess Erika.
The junior student, who looked more mild-mannered than the face she remembered, had apparently been worried about Marie and called out to her. Before long, Creare had disappeared.
Marie stood up hurriedly.
“I-It’s nothing. I just got a little headache.”
“That’s not okay”
“I’m fine now. I just had a series of unacceptable things happen and I panicked. So don’t worry about it.”
Erika tilted her head slightly and smiled at Marie, who tried to get through the situation with a fake smile.
“I see. But I think you should be quiet in the library, Marie-senpai.”
“Do you know me?”
How does she know about her? Marie broke out in a cold sweat, but Erika chuckled and told her the reason.
“Even though I look like this, I am a princess, so I know about the Saint-sama. That ―― My brother has been indebted to you.”
Even without thinking about it, Erika is royalty, and it’s not surprising that she knows about Marie.
Marie greeted, “Ah, ahahaha, I am also indebted.”
As they were talking, Jake and Aare came over. As soon as Jake saw Erika, he made a face of displeasure that he had met a troublesome person.
Marie had a bad feeling that they had run into each other.
(That’s not good. These two don’t get along very well in the game.)
“What, just you?”
“Ani-ue were in the library, too?”
“Stop calling me that. Our birthdays are only a few months apart.”
“But Ani-ue is Ani-ue, you know.”
The two half-siblings had the kind of relationship that Jake had a hard time with Erika. There was no strong sense of caution there, which was very different from the two people Marie knew.
Marie was even more confused at the sight.
(What does this mean? I thought His Highness Jake had some inkling of Erika’s malignant nature. That’s why he was so wary)
.
Part 3
I was whispering to Luxion, who had been invisible at my side, as I walked through the royal city at night in my plain clothes.
“What was aneki thinking when she came to royal capital? Why didn’t she just stay at home.”
[She was saying she was looking for a marriage partner. Would you like me to help her find the best genetic partner?]
“All aneki sees is their looks and their wealth.”
[Since ancient times, being resourcefulness is an important factor. It’s also a proof of excellence. I think it’s a problem, though, that women don’t come to Master, who is more resourcefulness with me by his side, very often. Isn’t there something else besides resourcefulness?]
He’s still as harsh on his Master as ever.
“Three fiancées is more than enough. Anything more is called luxury. Aren’t you happy to have a humble master?”
[A humble man would not have three fiancées, though. Master, an incident has occurred.]
“Again, huh”
When I followed Luxion’s lead to the crime scene, I found a crowd of people there.
In the royal capital, patrols had been strengthened, and soldiers with lights were standing around the bodies covered with cloth.
“Another government official?”
“The higher-ups are going to start screaming again.”
When I rushed to the scene, onlookers had already gathered. It wasn’t an atmosphere I could get close to, and I had to rely on Luxion, who had hidden himself with optical camouflage.
However, even such Luxion’s ability to gather information has been degraded by the interference of the demonic armor.
“That makes seven”
[The victim is, as before, a recently promoted official. There are traces of the use of a demonic armor.]
I went to the trouble of visiting the crime scene, but I got no new information and made no progress.
“They are aiming only for the officials who have been promoted.”
[It’s a mystery how they use demonic armor. Where did they get it?]
I shake my head, remembering the old black knight who used demonic armor and Serge. That thing should not be used by humans.
“I don’t like the idea of that thing just lying around.”
[Of course. It’s not allowed to just exist.]
Luxion, who has a strong hatred for demonic armor, is willing to help me investigate this case.
As I try to leave the horrific crime scene, I pass by a certain person.
When I hurriedly turned around, I saw that the other person had also noticed me and had stopped and was only looking at my upper body. He looked quite surprised, but so did I.
“What’s a guardian knight of the Empire doing here?”
I ask, and Herring guy answers, eyeing us warily.
“I just wanted to see what the royal capital was like. Just sightseeing. More importantly, this is the second time I’ve run into you at a crime scene.”
A man who more suspicious than I am, what are you talking about?
“What a coincidence. I was thinking the same thing.”
It’s too suspicious to meet the guardian knight twice at the scene of the crime, who is not supposed to exist in the third game of that otome game.
But with no proof, I decided to back off. I didn’t want to antagonize him here and end up in a situation like Serge’s.
Let’s do a thorough investigation first.
“There are more famous places for sightseeing. Why don’t you go there?”
And with that, I left that place,
“――I will do that”
Herring also walks away.
When we were a long distance from the scene, Luxion warned me. He seemed to be quite wary of Herring.
[Master, that man Herring is dangerous. I’m detecting an demonic armor reaction.]
“Is he the culprit?”
[There is a high possibility. Even though he is studying abroad, the Holy Magical Empire is a country that has long been connected with the Holy Kingdom.]
With the word “Holy” in the name of the country, I thought there was a resemblance. How long have they been affiliated with each other? ――No, I feel like I learned it in class.
From my point of view, the Holy Kingdom of Rachel is an enemy of Milene-san! That’s all I could think of!
“Come to think of it, I think I heard that in class.”
” ―― You didn’t know?”
Sensing the reaction of the demonic armor, Luxion showed the utmost caution to Herring.
“I’d like to find out what they are up to. I wonder what they were thinking when they made these incidents”
[It’s a mistake to look for logic in magical armor. Master, they are the weapons of the new humans and the source of the destruction of this world. It’s useless to think about it. Please give me permission to use my main body and Arroganz here.]
“Rejected. Are you going to turn the royal city into a burning field?”
For an artificial intelligence, he’s a guy who gets emotional as soon as demonic armor is involved.
But even from my point of view, Herring was suspicious.
“――Luxion, make sure Ange and the others keep to the curfew. And make sure they stay in their rooms as much as possible at night.”
[Understood]
.
Part 4
A woman broke into the school late at night.
She came to a barn where tools and other items were stored. When the woman arrived, the door opened and invited her in.
The woman who entered the room raised her eyebrows involuntarily, holding her mouth with a handkerchief at the dustiness of the room. The room, where the tools for tending the garden were placed, was not very clean, to say the least.
“Couldn’t you have set up a more comfortable place?”
The woman ―― Merce accuses her brother, Lutoart, of being inconsiderate.
Lutoart, dressed in his dirty work clothes, was busy and frustrated with his daily work. He was irritated with the unfamiliar work he was being forced to do, and his tone of voice was rough.
“The staff didn’t have that kind of authority. I wanted to go in as an office worker anyway. Handling dirt is not a job I’m suited for.”
With the help of the Ladies of the Forest, Lutoart had infiltrated the school as an employee.
He is entrusted with gathering information and manipulating things at the school.
But it doesn’t seem to be going well.
“Even though you have never worked”
“S-Shut up! If there is a job that suits me, I’m sure I’ll do well. In fact, I’d be more suitable for the Marquis.”
Merce looked coldly at Lutoart’s jealousy as he compared his position with Leon’s. This was because she realized that her brother did not have the talent to do so, even from her sister’s point of view.
“I hate that bastard Leon, but there’s no way Lutoart can beat that guy. Even Nix can’t beat him.”
“I-I’m not losing! If the plan succeeds, I’ll take everything from them and become a marquis!”
Merce gave a disinterested look to Lutoart, who pretending to be tough.
“Then do your best. More importantly, can you do your job properly? Failure is not tolerated.”_
“Just kidnap a girl, right? I can handle it.”
“Gabino says we can’t afford to fail. And for us to get our lives back on track.”
“Of course. It’s wrong to treat me like this.”
We are not wrong. With that in mind, the two of them continued their dark activities in the royal capital with the support of the Holy Kingdom of Rachel.
.
Part 5
“The capture target has captured the other capture target? Oi, I don’t know what’s going on anymore, and I don’t want to understand. Give me a break. What did I do to deserve this?”
When I got back to the school, I got a report from Marie and put my hands on my head.
For some reason, Aaron, I mean Aare――This is too much like Creare’s nickname, so can I call her Aare-chan? She met His Highness Jake and caused an event.
Who would have guessed that the two capture targets would be getting along so well?
Marie, like me, is holding her forehead in her hands at this headache.
“I don’t know. I don’t even want to understand this. It’s not funny that two of Mia’s potential lovers have dropped out at once.”
“It’s your fault. Turning the capture target a girl, that’s crazy.”
“I wouldn’t have made him a girl if this was going to happen! It’s all Creare’s fault!”
[Marie-chan is cruel!]
Luxion is dumbfounded when he sees us cursing each other.
[You really are a people that haven’t made any progress. Why don’t you try to mediate the relationship between Mia and the target here?]
I had a feeling that Luxion’s suggestion was right, but I couldn’t do it.
” ―― No, I’m not going to do that.”
I could have forced His Highness Jake and Mia-chan to get together, but I didn’t want to cause any unnecessary problems by intervening.
I know it’s a little late for this, but we don’t want any more irregularities.
Besides, there is the matter of Noel in the Republic.
Because her sister Lelia, who is a reincarnated person, tried to force her to go out with him, and the result was outrageous.
I couldn’t say for sure that we wouldn’t do the same thing, so I decided to let it happen.
Besides, our biggest concern, the last boss, has already been defeated by us.
Hiding in the bushes, Luxion and I, and Marie and Creare face each other to discuss the future.
“Let’s change the subject. ―― outside, there is seven incidents has occurred.”
“Again? Aniki shouldn’t go out, either. Aren’t you afraid of a serial killer?”
“Don’t worry. I’m a murderer too.”
In terms of the number of people I’ve killed, there’s no comparison to this incident. I thought it was a black joke that I was more deserving of being a murderer, having killed so many people on the battlefield…
I smiled at her, and she turned her face away angrily.
“Don’t make strange jokes.”
“My bad. Well, we’re fine. We’re walking around like we’re showing off. More importantly, just because you’ re in a school doesn’t mean you’re safe.”
There are many dangers both inside and outside the school.
Creare is in charge of the security of the school and wants to be left in charge.
[I’ll do something about it. More importantly, Luxion should take care of the demonic armor. I can’t compete with that.]
When all eyes turned to Luxion, he was motivated.
[Leave it to me. All relics of the new humans will be extinguished.]
Dependable, but a little scary.
.
Part 6
May tea party.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to one of these events, but the content has changed a lot.
Before, boys were the ones to invite, but from this year on, they could invite anyone regardless of gender.
Impressed by my master’s noble goal of spreading tea, I’ve been interjecting myself into Finley’s tea parties to actively participate.
“What do you think tea is!”
“Hiih?!”
I drank the tea that Finley had prepared and complained about it. Or rather, there’s only wrong in the first place.
“Everything is no good. Your tea oozes your frivolous sentiment that all you have to do is prepare it. And the sweets are no good. The combination is not right. Start over.”
“You don’t have to be so mad!”
“If you hold a weird tea party, you’ll be ruining my credibility too.”
“Why don’t you just worry about your own tea party.”
“I’ve been preparing since April, so there’s no problem.”
“What’s that, on the contrary, scary. You’re usually so sketchy about everything, why do you care so much about tea?”
“Just start over”
Finley’s shoulders slumped and she headed for the kitchen to start over.
Finley was encouraged by Oscar, who was here for some reason.
“Fight, Finley-san.”
As we drank and ate the tea and sweets that Finley had prepared together, this man looked like he was a natural to be here.
“Oscar, why are you here? You’re His Highness Jake’s foster brother, aren’t you? Shouldn’t you be with him?”
I told him in a roundabout way to stay by His Highness’ side like Jilk, but it was pointless because this guy had no ability to perceive.
“Thank you for your concern. However, His Highness now wants to spend more time with Aare-san. As a foster brother, I won’t interfere the two of them.”
I’m not sure he understands, but he’s a good guy.
No wonder Julius wanted to trade him for Jilk.
But ―― I’m begging you, please be aware that you’re one of the capture targets! No, it’s a selfish request on my part!
“You and Finley seem to be getting along. That ―― you’re not dating, right?”
When I probed him, Oscar looked unconcerned.
“I’m close to her, but unfortunately, we remain friends.”
“Unfortunately?! What’s so good about her?! There’s cuter girls in your class, right? You know, like the foreign student!”
When I checked to see if he was unaware of the protagonist, this guy nodded his head.
“I’m sorry, I don’t remember all my classmates’ names, so I don’t know who you’re talking about.”
“You should at least remember the foreign students from the Empire!”
“Ah~, I can vaguely remember her face. She was cute girl. But what does that matter?”
Oscar’s demeanor, which seemed not to be very interested, made me lose my strength.
I was surprised to learn that Oscar was interested in Finley for some reason.
What should I tell Marie and the others about this?
.
Part 7
“Are you stupid? Aniki, are you really stupid?”
[It was unexpected that Finley-chan would win one of the capture targets. But it’s Master’s responsibility, isn’t it?]
How can it be my fault?
In the bushes, the usual four of us faced each other and discussed the future.
When I talked to them about Oscar’s case, Marie and Creare blamed me.
Creare imagines that Oscar might have an ulterior motive.
[Maybe he’s not after Finley-chan but he’s after Master? Ah, I don’t mean in a sexual way. It’s possible that he approached Finley-chan to have a connection with Master.]
Marie immediately denied Creare’s opinion.
“He’s not that smart, you know. He’s dumb, but he’s not a bad kid.”
If that Oscar is doing everything with calculation, I might rather praise him.
And he’s not a bad guy, that’s for sure.
―― He’s stupid, though.
The problem is that Oscar is so enamored with Finley.
I blamed them for Jake and Aare a while ago, and now I’m being blamed by both of them for Finley.
“That means there’s only two people left?”
Marie blurted out the number of remaining capture targets.
If this continues, the three of capture targets will drop out of the protagonist’s list of potential lovers because of us.
Other than what happened to Aare, I haven’t had to do anything this time!
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