The Royal Conference
The Ellemental Kingdom, where the will of the people reigns supreme under the absolute rule of nature in Yggdrasil, stood in stark contrast to the Fan Empire, where the emperor's authority overshadowed even his ministers. Here, the nobility held considerable sway. With Majoan standing as the foremost representative of the royalist faction, the Raymond Royal Family's influence remained unshaken. Yet because the kingdom championed equality for all, its nobles freely exchanged opinions, and the crown readily accepted them. Of course, with such vast territory and population, corruption and power struggles among the nobility were inevitable. Even so, compared to other nations, the Ellemental Kingdom resembled the idealized realm found only in storybooks.
Thanks to this system, even on this day when an ominous atmosphere hung over the entire continent, the citizens of the Ellemental Kingdom remained blissfully unaware, enjoying an era of peace and prosperity.
"Then let us commence the October Royal Conference."
At Count Mikey's words in the Royal Grand Conference Hall, the nobles who had been exchanging greetings fell silent and straightened their postures. From the highest seat, King Raymond looked down upon them and asked the count,
"What is on the agenda today?"
"The first item is the progress report on the Northern Development Project."
Following Count Mikey's announcement, a hologram materialized in the center of the hall. While the nobles alternated between the documents distributed beforehand and the screen, the count continued.
"The display shows the progress of the Northern Uncharted Territory Development Project. Approximately seventy percent of the railway has been laid. At this rate, the line connecting Duran Cell County and Amadel Territory should be completed by early next year as scheduled."
"It appears more budget was consumed than outlined in the plan. What is the reason?"
"There were multiple monster incursions during the railway construction. Being uncharted territory, more hidden entities appeared than anticipated."
"Casualties?"
"Fortunately, there were no major losses. Even a quasi-legendary entity appeared, but it was subdued by the dispatched Royal Mage Corps."
"That is fortunate indeed."
The Royal Conference was open to any noble in the kingdom without restriction. Matters discussed ranged from rewarding those who achieved feats—such as advancing magical research or repelling surprise invasions from other nations—to reporting progress on long-term projects like the current one. Short-term plans for the month were also established, and if a noble failed to complete an assigned task from the previous month due to unavoidable circumstances, they would personally appear to explain.
This conference was indispensable for deciding all affairs, great and small, in the Ellemental Kingdom. The nobles participated passionately, seeking both national prosperity and maximum personal gain.
"Next is the agenda submitted by Captain Agni of Violent Crime Team 1, Special Investigation Unit, Police Headquarters."
The hologram screen shifted repeatedly as the meeting stretched on for several hours. Once the most significant item—the Magic Tower-related project—concluded, Count Mikey addressed the nobles awaiting the meeting's end.
"This concerns the transport of Eun Ma-hyun, the eight-star superhuman from the Tugwi Guard who carried out the large-scale terror attack in Ariaadna Square, Vivaldi Territory, some time ago."
The nobles began to murmur. Perhaps because this item had not appeared in the pre-distributed documents, Count Mikey continued calmly.
"No prepared materials exist for this matter. Therefore, instead of a hologram, Captain Agni will explain it in person."
At his words, the gazes of the king and nobles turned toward the conference hall's entrance. Moments later, the doors opened, and Agni entered under the guidance of attendants. Standing at the center of the hall—now devoid of the hologram—beneath the weight of countless noble stares, he bowed deeply to King Raymond. Kneeling was customary, but for the sake of the meeting's proceedings, a simplified courtesy had been arranged. When the king nodded in acknowledgment, Agni addressed the assembly.
"Greetings. I am Agni Zbel, Captain of Violent Crime Team 1, Special Investigation Unit."
"..."
"I apologize for not submitting the agenda in advance due to the urgency of the matter."
"..."
"First, as most of you are likely unaware, allow me to briefly explain the situation."
Publicly, it was known that Eun Ma-hyun, the perpetrator of the Ariaadna Square terror incident, had been imprisoned in Raymond Grand Prison. Most nobles present had believed the same.
"The criminal Eun Ma-hyun is currently being held in Mendelssohn Grand Territory."
Thus, the majority could not hide their shock at his next words. Why was the prisoner in Mendelssohn Grand Territory? And why reveal this fact here and now?
"To be honest, with current technology, there is no way to completely restrain an eight-star superhuman."
Since Majoan ascended to Absolute Being, the kingdom's magic engineering had advanced by leaps and bounds. An age had arrived where even ordinary citizens unable to wield magic could send their voices across the kingdom's breadth and travel through the skies. Yet even in this modern era, no method existed to perfectly contain those who had reached the pinnacle of humanity. No matter how tightly bound by restraints, those who manipulated concepts could always create variables. Their potential for escape had to be constantly accounted for. Assigning another eight-star superhuman as a watcher to prevent escape would be an absurd waste of manpower.
"The drawback has not been highlighted simply because there have been no prior cases of capturing an eight-star superhuman."
Outside of war, battles between eight-star superhumans were exceedingly rare. When such a confrontation occurred, the outcome was usually one or the other dying. Capturing Eun Ma-hyun had been an extremely exceptional case.
"The Police Headquarters wished to avoid even the slightest mistake."
The nobles' eyes questioned what this had to do with imprisoning him in Mendelssohn Grand Territory. Agni answered directly.
"Therefore, with the assistance of dark mages, we devised a plan and achieved meaningful results just yesterday."
Using the unique properties of the Inner World, they would separate Eun Ma-hyun's body and heart while he still lived. The body would remain in Mendelssohn Grand Territory, while the heart would be transported to the capital, Raymond.
"If either the heart or the body attempts to escape, we need only sever the connection to the Inner World."
Eun Ma-hyun would then die. This would completely eliminate any possibility of him escaping prison and causing trouble.
"However, this method disregards the criminal's human rights and is inhumane. That is why I have brought this agenda before the Royal Conference—to obtain permission from His Majesty the King and the nobles."
Of course, this was merely a pretext. In reality, it was to deliberately leak the information to the nobles—and through them, to the Church faction aligned with them. Following Pride's instructions, Agni openly cast bait before the nobles, his gaze momentarily sinking low.
'Reveal Eun Ma-hyun's current location. And announce that his heart will soon be transported to the capital.'
Most believed Eun Ma-hyun was in the capital, but the Church faction already knew he was not. They simply had not pinpointed his exact whereabouts. Even they could not easily locate a hideout secretly excavated by the underworld.
"Hmm."
At Agni's words, most present fell into contemplative silence, their expressions complex.
"If feasible, that method would certainly be secure."
"The citizens are the problem, though. There is concern that citizen groups might cause an uproar."
"That part must be kept hidden somehow. One reason Captain Agni revealed this to us is likely to control the media."
The conference hall, once wrapped in silence, instantly filled with murmurs. Though some voices carried concern, most were already proceeding under the assumption that Agni's proposal would pass. Meeting the eyes of King Raymond—who had already discussed the matter with Majoan beforehand—Agni thought,
'There will be another uproar.'
How much time had passed since the terror attack in Ariaadna Square? Reading the emotions in Agni's eyes, King Raymond secretly wiped a hand across his face. How many of the nobles passionately voicing opinions would survive the coming storm? Sensing the approaching chaos that no one else knew of, a deep sigh escaped the king's lips.
＊ ＊ ＊
"We proceed with the plan as scheduled."
Having passed the agenda at the Royal Conference, Agni returned directly to Police Headquarters and spoke to Julia Evergreen, who had been waiting for him.
"What about the ones Pride sent?"
"They are currently waiting in your office, Captain."
"Why send them ahead? What if they steal something from my room?"
The underworld types had notoriously sticky fingers. Even a Special Investigation Unit captain's office might not deter them if they thought they could get away with it. When Agni grumbled playfully, Julia stared at him and replied,
"There is nothing worth stealing in that room anyway."
"Well, that's true, but..."
If she answered a joke so seriously, this captain would feel rather embarrassed. Scratching his cheek awkwardly, Agni watched as Julia averted her gaze and added,
"Besides, Pride gave them strict orders before they came here, so there should be no need to worry about incidents."
For those living in the underworld, fists were closer than the law. Overwhelming violence and terror. The Death King and the Seven Deadly Sins were the sole order in that place, and their every word weighed heavier and stronger than any shackle for the people of the underworld.
"In that case, they should be easy to control."
Agni let out a small chuckle at her words, though the emotion behind it was somewhat ambiguous. Before he knew it, they had arrived at his office. Staring at the door for a moment, Agni thought,
'Do the ones inside know?'
That they had been sold off by Pride as disposable pawns. That this incident would inevitably lead to their deaths. And for a completely unnecessary reason that, in Agni's view, did not warrant dying at all.
'I wonder if this is something a police officer should even be doing.'
The sacrifice of the few for the many. And those few were denizens of the underworld, whom he had spent his life condemning as evil. Criminals who harmed citizens. But did that mean it was acceptable to push them toward death without hesitation?
"Tsk."
This was why he disliked underworld types. They dumped unnecessary worries on him and made him uncomfortable for no reason.
'Once this is over, let's never get involved again.'
For now, focus on the task at hand. Do not concern yourself with their deaths. After all, Pride was already moving according to plan under the assumption that they would die. Running a hand through his hair as if to steady his wavering heart, Agni turned back to Julia with a playful smile once more.
"Come to think of it, the operation date happens to coincide with the Academy Tournament. If you have time, want to go watch together? I would like to see how the kids I recommended perform."
By sheer coincidence, this year's Academy Tournament was being held in Mendelssohn Grand Territory. Of course, even within the same territory, the operation area where Agni would be active was quite far from the tournament venue, so he was unsure if he would have time. Still, if time permitted, it would not be bad to personally confirm what kind of student his team's ace had taken an interest in.
"..."
Though he hid his emotions behind a playful tone, Julia Evergreen had already noticed the unmistakable turmoil in his eyes. She understood that his lighthearted words were meant to conceal those feelings. Thus, she silently turned her head away.
"As expected, our team's ace is far too perceptive."
Smiling wryly at the sight, Agni slowly placed his hand on the doorknob.
"Well then, let's take a look. At the faces of the temporary subordinates who will be working under me."
The office door opened, and Agni's footsteps—now free of hesitation—stepped firmly inside.