Chapter 22
Chapter 22
“So what you’re saying is, the one who made the request hid their identity with a robe?”
“That’s… correct….”
“‘Correct’? Watch your tone.”
“Y-Yes, sir.”
“If you speak casually again, I won’t even bother with whether you answer properly or not. I’ll shove this blade under your fingernails. Understood?”
“…Yes.”
I had loosened him up a bit since he was cooperating, and now he was already getting disrespectful.
For a moment, I almost drove the short blade between his nails as an example.
“Did you notice anything else? Even something minor.”
“Umm….”
I raised the blade right in front of his eyes.
“Don’t hesitate. It’s written all over your face.”
“He looked… like a knight.”
“Your reasoning?”
“I saw something like armor through the gaps in his robe. And… his behavior was refined.”
“So, someone who serves a high-ranking figure?”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
Still, it wasn’t satisfying.
This clearly involved the imperial family, yet there was no concrete proof pointing directly to them.
“Anything else?”
“Oh… right. Could you check my inner pocket?”
“Your pocket? You’re not trying anything, are you?”
“O-Of course not! My life is in your hands, how could I… haha….”
“I’ll trust you.”
I searched his inner pocket and felt something.
When I pulled it out, it was a metallic button.
‘This emblem….’
A familiar crest was engraved on it.
‘No doubt. The symbol of the Karna Count family, supporters of the Second Empress. And if I remember correctly, there are two imperial knights from that family… is one of them the culprit?’
The one behind this was likely the Second Empress.
But confirming that could wait.
Once I caught the one who commissioned this, everything else would unravel like a chain.
“This button… it belongs to the one who hired you, correct?”
“I saw it with my own eyes and picked it up myself. I’m certain.”
“Then next. Did you train the lamia yourself?”
Monster taming was illegal.
Because of their danger—and the number of assassinations carried out using monsters—most nations had banned it.
Though there were rumors of some countries building armies with them.
“No way. The client provided the lamia too.”
“How did you control it?”
“The ring on my hand. It’s an artifact used to control the lamia.”
“So, according to you, a knight of the Rosehill Empire committed an illegal act?”
“…Yes.”
This had gone too far.
Using monster taming—something banned due to its catastrophic danger—to potentially cause hundreds of casualties.
All just to kill Yuria Rosehill.
“You’ll be able to say that in front of others too, right?”
“…Someone else will interrogate me?”
“This involves monster-related crime. Do you think a mere professor can handle it? You’ll be handed over to the Imperial Knights.”
“Then I….”
“If you refuse to cooperate, execution. If you cooperate, 30 years in prison. Choose.”
This man had likely done plenty of dirty work before.
Considering the severity of this crime, immediate execution wouldn’t even be excessive.
Still, cooperation made things easier.
Though the Imperial Knights would never honor such a deal.
They didn’t compromise with criminals.
“…I’ll cooperate.”
◈
“So you brought him in.”
“Yes, Commander.”
After confirming that Yuria Rosehill had returned safely to her dorm—and that Cecilia Silvesta was with her—I handed the captured man over to Jerome Krypton.
There was a brief commotion when the culprit realized I was a young Imperial Knight, but I knocked him out cleanly.
“This button is the key.”
“The Karna family crest… then it’s highly likely the Second Empress gave the order.”
He examined the button closely.
“But this alone isn’t enough to prove it.”
“I agree. But it’s enough for a warning. Not just to the Second Empress—but to the First as well.”
“…A warning that the Imperial Knights will act if this happens again.”
“Exactly. Finding the true mastermind will be difficult. This could even be planted evidence. After all, the First and Second Empresses are both allies and rivals.”
“True… that makes sense.”
I never intended to target just one side.
It was better to pressure both.
Their alliance was fragile—like a sandcastle.
A small spark would make it collapse on its own.
As for Yuria, they likely believed they could kill her anytime.
So she would be temporarily overlooked.
“What about him?”
The commander gestured to the prisoner.
“He’ll be executed anyway. Extract whatever information you can, then kill him.”
“Cold.”
“We don’t negotiate with criminals.”
“…Fair enough. I’ll handle it. Good work. I’ll report this to His Majesty.”
“That’s not necessary. I’ve already received more than enough. Honestly, it’s burdensome.”
I had already been given a top-tier elixir and was practically forced into receiving a noble title.
When I entered the palace, the stares alone were suffocating.
“I understand. But reporting merit is my duty. Still, I’ll speak to His Majesty.”
“…Please do. The attention is too much.”
“Haha. Understood.”
But it seemed that request didn’t go through.
[When you return, I’ll reward you generously. Hahaha.]
A short message from the Emperor.
‘…God help me.’
◈
The lamia incident was kept from reaching the students.
Those involved—myself, Professor Merio, and the department head—received compensation as hush money.
Another scandal would damage the academy’s reputation too much.
Honestly, it wasn’t a bad solution.
Money solved things cheaply.
Except for me.
“Now, the 4th-year practical exam ‘Monster Hunting Ground Survival’ will begin.”
A few days later, midterms started.
After the written exams came the practical tests.
And finally, the survival exam—the closest thing to real combat—began under my lead.
“The rules are simple. Enter the ground and survive until 10 AM tomorrow.”
“Survive?”
“You won’t die. Professors, including myself, will monitor the area. If anything happens, we’ll intervene.”
It was called survival, but their lives weren’t truly at risk.
It was meant to prepare them.
“You can give up. You’ll lose survival points but still receive base marks. Don’t overdo it.”
“Professor… can we form teams?”
“Individual or team—both are fine. Real combat includes both.”
Clap!
I drew their focus back.
“You’ve all worked hard so far. But this is different. This is real combat.”
“So focus. Experience it properly. It will help you after graduation.”
““Yes, Professor!””
“Good. Then begin. I wish you luck.”
I had already checked the area for danger.
All that remained was for them to focus.
‘As planned… I’ll stay close to Yuria Rosehill and Cecilia Silvesta