Joint Investigation
“In truth, there isn’t much for you to do during this inspection.”
Early in the morning, the knights had gathered before Count Benning. Denis and Charlotte were poring over the documents spread across the table, their eyes blazing as they checked for any possible errors. Yet the Count had been genuinely intent on launching an investigation into the Magic Tower; the documents, which laid bare its corruption, contained no mistakes.
Leon Benning issued his orders to the knights with the same lifeless eyes as always.
“Most of the work will be handled by those who wrestle with paperwork. What you must do while visiting the Magic Tower over the next few days can be summed up in two tasks: retrieving the materials the inspectors require and fending off any interference that may arise.”
Denis raised his hand and asked a question.
“…Isn’t the number of personnel a bit insufficient if we’re meant to comb through the entire tower?”
Denis, Charlotte, Maxim, and Adeline—though they were knights capable of taking on a thousand men each, the manpower was still lacking for a full sweep of the Magic Tower.
“This time, the investigation will take the form of an inspection rather than a seizure and search. If we can secure solid evidence, it won’t be too late to mobilize a larger force then.”
Leon Benning continued his instructions.
“There are two main areas to investigate: the tower’s financial records and its recent research achievements and ongoing projects.”
Leon Benning held up two fingers.
“I will divide the investigation team into two groups. Denis, your point is not without merit. Rather than moving as one large group, splitting into two will make the search far more efficient.”
The Count extended his hand toward where Denis and Charlotte were seated.
“The financial records will be entrusted to you and Dame Charlotte. I’ve heard from His Majesty that the two of you often carry out missions together.”
Charlotte’s brow furrowed—whether from displeasure at being singled out by Count Benning or at being paired with Denis, it was hard to tell.
“…That is correct.”
“You will act under the direction of one of the inspectors. As for the research materials…”
The Count’s gaze turned to Maxim. Maxim couldn’t help but feel as though he had fallen into a trap.
“Arsens, was it? You will work with Adeline. Adeline, that will be fine, won’t it?”
Maxim glanced at the knight approaching his side. The eyes hidden behind the black cloth were impossible to read.
“Yes, I will do so.”
Though it was deeply uncomfortable, Maxim had no choice but to answer as instructed.
“…I will do so.”
Maxim replied to the Count’s words as though swallowing poison. If he had to work alongside one of the Count’s subordinates—someone whose next move was impossible to predict—then it might as well be him. With no other option, Maxim stole a glance at Adeline beside him. The cloth covering her face was turned toward the direction of the Count’s voice, and she even nodded occasionally, as though she could see. Maxim’s brow furrowed slightly at the sight.
“Well then, that concludes the formation of the inspection team. The rest is up to you. I won’t interfere with your work on-site, so feel free to demonstrate your full capabilities during the investigation.”
After the Count left with the inspectors, silence settled over the room. While everyone hesitated, glancing at one another, only Adeline—who seemed unable to grasp the situation—tilted her head and turned toward the others. She tried to stare at them with her unseen eyes. Maxim looked at Adeline, Charlotte cast a worried glance at Maxim, and Denis watched all three with a troubled expression. If no one spoke, it seemed they might remain like this until nightfall.
“…So, we should decide on a course of action among ourselves.”
The first to muster the courage to speak was Denis. In moments like this, his straightforward nature proved quite helpful. Denis called out to Charlotte, who was staring uncomfortably at where Maxim and Adeline sat.
“Charlotte, you remember the inspector’s instructions, don’t you?”
Charlotte reluctantly tore her gaze away and nodded.
“There wasn’t much to remember. If we can obtain the ledger entries, we do so and compare them with the ledgers we already have to find any discrepancies. They also said it would be better to conduct a surprise raid without prior notice regarding the inspection, so we must keep our inspection badges safe.”
Denis let out a short sigh and waved the paper summarizing the ledger’s contents.
“They also said to coordinate with the team investigating the research materials and summarize any suspicious points. We should start the investigation this afternoon. The more time we have, the better.”
Then he turned his eyes to Maxim and Adeline.
“Arsens, what will you do?”
Maxim looked around as though he had been asked a difficult question. It truly was a difficult question to answer. Maxim wasn’t sociable enough to openly discuss operations with someone he could easily end up pointing a sword at. As Maxim continued to hesitate, Denis regained his usual tone and began to tease him subtly.
“You don’t strike me as that much of a fool. Are you embarrassed, Arsens?”
Even knowing the remark was an empty provocation meant to make him speak, Maxim tensed the veins at his temples.
“…For now, I don’t think we should barge straight into the Magic Tower. It would be better to sneak in first and observe the mages’ movements for the next two days or so.”
“Why do you think that?”
Relieved that the conversation had shifted to something proper, Maxim answered Denis’s question.
“If the seniors charge in to investigate the finances, the mages will obviously try to dispose of or hide any research materials they ‘must not be caught with’ in places we can’t find.”
Maxim then gave a slight nod toward Adeline.
“Since we probably won’t coordinate as well as the seniors, even if we move in at the same time, I doubt we’ll be able to extract the research materials quickly.”
As if agreeing with Maxim’s words, Adeline slowly nodded.
“…Deceiving the mages won’t be easy. Especially if someone is wearing such conspicuous attire like that knight. It could become quite dangerous.”
“If we’re discovered, we can present our investigator credentials. Of course, I have no intention of being discovered until we at least find out what they’re trying to hide.”
Denis slowly shook his head in disbelief.
“…Arsens, let’s talk for a moment. Charlotte, could you wait here for a bit?”
Before Charlotte could even nod, Denis stood up, taking Maxim with him. Maxim followed Denis out of the room into the corridor, completely bewildered.
“What is it?”
Denis scanned the surroundings with a sharp gaze, as though wary of any eyes or ears, then spoke to Maxim in a low, warning tone.
“We’re still suspecting that this entire investigation might be one of the Count’s traps.”
“Would the Count go to such lengths just to deal with us?”
“We must always consider the possibility, Arsens. That knight Adeline’s skills… you must have noticed too. She’s quite strong. I don’t know where the Count picked up such a monster.”
Denis glanced back at the door behind them.
“Moreover, the area assigned to you is investigating research achievements—the very sector the mages are most sensitive about. We don’t know what they might do to protect their research.”
Denis’s expression was half-twisted in displeasure.
“We can’t abandon the investigation now that we’ve come this far, so be careful. If you sense anything strange, do as His Majesty said—drop everything and run without hesitation.”
“…I’ll be careful.”
With Denis’s short sigh, their conversation ended. When Maxim opened the door and returned to the room, Charlotte’s expression visibly relaxed—she had clearly been unable to endure the awkwardness.
“Well then, Charlotte and I are going to grab lunch and work out a plan. What about you two?”
“You go ahead first. We’ll follow later.”
Denis and Charlotte left the room, waving off Maxim’s reassurance not to worry. Left alone in the now-empty room were only Maxim and Adeline, who sat quietly.
“……”
“……”
A suffocating silence hung in the air. Maxim kept his posture tense, ready to move at any moment, but Adeline showed no sign of hostility. He wondered whether he should relax and speak first or simply act independently. His thoughts were tangled.
“Are you not going to move?”
At the sudden voice, Maxim’s guard sharpened. A chillingly cold voice flowed from between her lips.
“What are you so surprised about? I may be blind, but I am neither deaf nor mute.”
Maxim replied to Adeline’s words with a voice full of bewilderment.
“…You hadn’t said a single word until now, so I was startled when you suddenly spoke.”
“I simply thought there was no need to say anything. It seemed you were holding an operational meeting with your colleagues, so I couldn’t very well interrupt.”
Adeline turned her head precisely toward Maxim, as though she could see, and moved it up and down as if scanning him.
“So, do you have no intention of departing?”
“Departing? What do you mean…”
“Ever since your colleagues left the room, you’ve seemed unable to relax your body. It looked as though you were prepared to reach for your sword at any moment.”
Maxim let out a hollow laugh at Adeline’s words, as though they were absurd. His demeanor had been noticed. Even someone who could see would have found it difficult to detect, yet Adeline had seen right through his actions simply by sensing his presence.
“…You can’t actually see, can you?”
“As the Count once said, because my eyes are blind, I can sense presence far better than others. Reading someone’s demeanor isn’t particularly difficult.”
Adeline tilted her head as if asking whether he wanted to test it. Maxim relaxed his guard. It seemed the knight was confident she could fend him off even if he drew his sword without warning. Maxim shook his head and replied as though making an excuse.
“…I had no intention of drawing my sword. Not unless you reach for yours first.”
Adeline’s head tilted in the opposite direction. Her deep blue hair swayed softly with the movement.
“Why would you think I would attack you?”
Maxim frowned. Was that question truly innocent, or was it simply meant to mock him? Her monotonous voice, devoid of any inflection, revealed not a single fragment of emotion.
“We’re hardly on friendly enough terms to have a pleasant chat about how to rob the Magic Tower together, are we?”
Though his body had relaxed, Maxim’s voice remained edged. Adeline replied in a cold tone, like a metal doll speaking.
“That’s true. Of course, we’re not foolish enough to point swords at each other when we share a common enemy.”
The one I should be wary of right now is you, though. Maxim couldn’t bring himself to say that and only sighed.
“You’re quite calm. You should be wary of me as well.”
When Maxim replied with a sarcastic tone, Adeline shrugged.
“It was the Count’s order. To act alongside you.”
As though that was all there was to it, Adeline’s answer was firm. Maxim found her response rather unsettling. The silence stretched on. If things continued like this, they would waste all their time in a battle of nerves rather than beginning the investigation of the Magic Tower. Determined not to lose the initiative, Maxim stood up. Following the sound of Maxim rising, Adeline’s head turned. At that questioning tilt, Maxim replied with a sigh-laden question.
“Aren’t you going to eat?”
Adeline tilted her head again, as though she had heard something strange. Somehow, it felt as though her unseen expression had become slightly visible. Looking at her still seated, Maxim spoke as though addressing someone pitiable.
“Let’s have lunch first and discuss things in detail. Does the Count make people work without even feeding them lunch?”
At Maxim’s curt words, Adeline stood up. Though shorter than Maxim, she was quite tall for a knight—much taller than Marion and perhaps a little taller than Theodora. Adeline looked up at Maxim. A nonexistent gaze met him in the air.
“…You would do well to watch your words.”
Adeline spoke as though warning him for speaking ill of the Count. A trace of emotion seemed to have crept into her previously toneless voice. Maxim let out a small sigh. He felt as though the path ahead—how long he would have to continue this uneasy alliance with an enemy—was growing impossibly murky.