Chapter 171
Chapter 171
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 171
Chapter Title: Lingering Suspicions
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"Haa..."
After telling Baron Howard to wait a moment and stepping out of the interrogation room, I leaned against the wall a few paces away, letting out a deep sigh.
I gently closed my eyes and meticulously replayed the entire interrogation process from start to finish.
It had begun better than ever before.
Even the bluff disguised as that bitter-tasting "truth serum" had landed perfectly.
Among everyone I'd met so far, he was the easiest to read. His every emotional shift and gesture was so transparent that at first, I had to keep covering my mouth to stifle my laughter.
But then...
The moment we got to the main topic, the man changed.
He was still easy to read.
It was just that a madman had appeared—one who truly believed there was nothing wrong with the clothes he'd made, that he'd crafted them with pure intentions solely for his customers' benefit, without a shred of lustful motive.
Eyes so clear and pure they could make you mistake him for a martyr.
An attitude that explained away every point without hesitation, regardless of intent.
Logic that justified his actions by citing doctrine.
As if he'd anticipated this from the start, he transformed into a sly fox, slipping deftly away from anything tricky.
That's why he seemed so suspicious, even though there was nothing concretely wrong.
Now just 18 years old.
Previously, he'd shown no real ambition in high society—mild-mannered, smooth-talking, yet passively petty.
But in less than a year of handling needle and thread, he'd unleashed a massive storm in the imperial capital and was charging straight toward the heart of power.
At the same time, a lunatic who actively mingled with non-humans while employing the empire's imperial princess as staff.
Yet to his family, he showed endless weakness—a saintly figure.
An attitude utterly lacking in backbone.
Of course, people can show different faces depending on their relationships and familiarity.
However, Baron Howard's reaction just before I left the room kept nagging at me, refusing to let go of my suspicions.
"Can you swear that not a single drop of falsehood was mixed into everything you've said so far?"
"...?"
A formal question tossed out to wrap up the interrogation.
But Baron Howard clearly faltered at it.
Was it an absurd question?
No.
It was a perfectly reasonable one to probe the subject one last time.
Yet Baron Howard faltered.
Like I'd struck a nerve, his body flinched, he hesitated, and then nodded.
Why?
What exactly was he hiding to slip up at the very end?
Just coincidence?
"Hoo..."
Trapped in circling thoughts, I exhaled hot breath, stopped thinking, and opened my eyes.
I couldn't reach a conclusion alone.
I'd just keep leaning toward suspecting Baron Howard.
It was confirmation bias.
Obsessing over his final demeanor while undervaluing everything before it.
So I slowly walked to the room next to the interrogation chamber.
"Bishop, you've had a hard time."
"No, it's only just beginning."
I nodded warmly at the priests and monks greeting me, then shifted my gaze to one wall, staring intently as if to bore through it.
The glass-clear wall revealed the interrogation room beyond in sharp detail—Baron Howard sitting there blankly, sipping bitter black tea.
"Bishop, will you conduct further interrogation of Baron Howard afterward?"
As I stared at him, a priest approached cautiously and asked.
It seemed like a simple question about the schedule, but from it, I could glean their thoughts.
They hadn't sensed anything suspicious about Baron Howard.
That's why they were asking if we'd investigate him further.
Because there was nothing left to probe.
"Do you all think more is needed?"
I crossed my arms and countered their question with one of my own.
The priests immediately voiced their opinions one by one, as if they'd been waiting.
"There are some problematic elements, but nothing warranting a heresy trial. Just a warning about overly emphasizing lascivious aspects should suffice, don't you think?"
One priest had already concluded Baron Howard wasn't a heretic.
"Based on the investigation so far, it's hard to say his actions have had any negative impact."
"Rumors abound that he mainly gives advice strengthening marital bonds, and many claim they've seen positive changes in their relationships thanks to his counsel."
"If we dismiss the advertisements as trivial, opinions would split on whether 'Baron Howard's clothes are truly obscene'—plenty of artisans make even crasser undergarments."
"No signs of dealings with brothels or shady businesses. Even in administrative audits or tax investigations stemming from noble disputes, nothing suspicious turned up."
"I'm not sure further probing here would yield anything new."
The others hadn't fully concluded, but they all viewed Baron Howard positively.
"Hmm..."
I pondered deeply.
As the priests said, there were no grave issues with Baron Howard's conduct.
Minor matters that a light warning could resolve.
The reason we'd come all the way from the Holy Kingdom to the imperial capital was solely the suspicion of heresy against Baron Howard—nothing else.
Even if suspicious, it was all circumstantial.
All the evidence and testimony so far only proved he wasn't a heretic.
So investigating further based solely on his final suspicious reaction would be blatant overreach.
We'd already taken the extreme step of rushing to the empire on one testimony of suspected heresy. Pushing further could invite the emperor's wrath.
Was my suspicion of Baron Howard grave enough to warrant such stubbornness?
No.
No whiff of devil worship or sinister aura.
No preaching doomsday nonsense like the eschatologists.
Just a man overly fond of peculiar clothes.
Even if trouble arose, it'd likely be minor.
"Alright."
Decision made.
I uncrossed my arms, looked away from Howard, and addressed the priests.
"We'll conclude the interrogation of Baron Howard here."
"Understood."
"However, we'll proceed with gathering opinions from those around Baron Howard as planned. If nothing suspicious emerges, we'll move on to investigating and interrogating the accuser."
"Yes."
"The interrogation ends here. You're free to go today." "Ah...!" Bianca the Bishop entered with a sullen expression, having anxiously awaited the results inside the interrogation room. She delivered rather positive news. At least I wasn't being detained immediately. That alone felt like clearing a major hurdle. "Will there be any further interrogation later?" "We'll do a simple Q&A with those around you, Baron Howard. If no additional suspicions or evidence arise, we'll skip straight to trial without more questioning." "A trial...? Is this really going to trial...?" The tension eased, but the word "trial" drained the blood from my head, making my loosened mind feel constricted like it was in shackles again. If it's going to trial, that means there's some basis, right? "Heresy inquisitions hold trials without exception, even for minor offenses or acquittals—no summary judgments or dismissals. It's the only way to clearly show everyone this person is no heretic and shield the innocent from swirling rumors." "Ah..." This place's emotional rollercoaster is masterful. Plunging down then yanking up with expert finesse. My heart feels even chewier now. "If more investigation is needed, when would...?" "We'll send someone with the schedule if anything additional comes up." "Understood." I nodded and rose from my seat. Seemed like I'd learned all there was to know, so time to head back... "Ah." Almost forgot the really important part. "Um, sorry, but when does the truth serum I drank wear off? Is there no antidote?" "Antidote...?" Got to neutralize the truth serum before leaving. Or I might blurt out things I shouldn't around others. Bishop Bianca glanced at the teacup on the table, frowned, and looked at me. "...You polished off the black tea spotless while I was gone, and now you ask? You licked it clean—any effects should've worn off ages ago, but now they've probably reset." "I relaxed and drank it absentmindedly... Realized after finishing." "Sigh..." A sigh erupting from the depths of her chest. Squinting at me like I was an utter fool, Bishop Bianca shuffled to a corner drawer and rummaged through it. Her hand emerged with a palm-sized cookie studded with chocolate chips. Grabbing the cookie, she spun around, approached, and thrust it at me. "Eat it. Chew it thoroughly, wait a few minutes, and the effects will fully wear off." "Ah, thank you." I snatched the cookie, broke it in half, stuffed it in my mouth, and chewed meticulously as instructed. After mashing it to near-dough consistency, I swallowed the cookie and monitored my body for changes while waiting for the antidote to kick in. "Ooh..." After a bit, the itchy mouth sensation seemed to fade, and the urge to blurt things out felt diminished. "Should be fine now. You can go." "Yes, understood." To confirm it wasn't my imagination, as I sensed the change, the bishop opened the interrogation room door herself, signaling I could leave. "Hope next time we meet under better circumstances." "Me too." I deeply bowed to the bishop in farewell, then exited the room. "...!" I strode out confidently for two steps, then halted abruptly, flashed an awkward smile, and turned back to Bishop Bianca. "Your Excellency, terribly sorry, but could I borrow a carriage to the atelier or home?" "......" Bishop Bianca squeezed her eyes shut, pretended not to hear, and closed the interrogation room door. "Ah..." Guess I have to walk...