The Reluctant Imperialist
https://m.munpia.com/novel/detail/503857
Chapter 1: https://rentry.co/3ioosho3
Chapter 2: https://rentry.co/wqfxnhhw
Chapter 3: https://rentry.co/4g94srva
Chapter 4: https://rentry.co/m9i9h4ub
Chapter 5: https://rentry.co/hiv8wyau
Chapter 6 https://rentry.co/9rv6ec66
Chapter 7:
From the First Day (2)
In the lobby of the Sentinel Knight Order, two people were watching Maximillian leave down the hallway.
"Tiana. You look pissed."
At her colleague Leon's words, Tiana smoothed over her expression.
"What are you talking about?"
Most of the new recruits in the Sentinel Knight Order were from the Empire Point Military Academy, but Maximillian was below Tiana in everything—skill, grades, and conduct. Far below.
"I never had any expectations for him in the first place."
However, at this induction ceremony, Maximillian had taken the central, most coveted position in the new class, and all Tiana could do was glare at him from the side.
"Knights are basically independent contractors, aren't they?"
Tiana sneered, sweeping back her red hair.
A knight's individual capabilities are what's important. It's a profession where your performance is clearly visible. Even if you're a commoner or from a trivial family, you can earn a lot of money. It means that, at least when it comes to income, it's a definite meritocracy.
"Not the 'Sword of the Empire'?"
"......"
Tiana let out a quiet scoff.
Loyalty is a relic of a bygone romance. In this day and age, no knight considers such an abstract concept their primary value. It's because of the limitations of their status. If you weren't born a noble in the Empire, you aren't even given a chance to climb high, and even for most nobles, there's no way to beat the insane bloodline of the Ebenholz family.
"...It means that being the 'Sword of the Empire' is a given, and you might as well live well while you're at it."
But saying such thoughts out loud would naturally cause problems.
Tiana's childhood dream was to be the commander of the knights, but now it had changed to becoming reasonably wealthy. Ten years of hard work as a knight would be enough to make that future a reality.
I arrived at the crime scene with Julian. It was a mansion in the affluent district of the Empire.
The police officers controlling the scene approached.
"Welcome."
The middle-aged detective saluted respectfully. Julian spoke.
"Please show us the way."
"Yes. This way, please."
We followed the detective as he guided us into the mansion.
"It's a bit of a mess."
The scene was a secret chamber in the mansion's basement. Unidentified torture instruments hung on the walls, and dried bloodstains were vivid on the floor. It was clear what kind of things had happened here. The dead guy was a man of depraved tastes.
"The body was discovered in this basement."
I knew the gist of this case. The victim was one of the many scumbag nobles in the Empire who deserved to die.
However, regardless of his misdeeds, the murder of a noble is the most heinous crime under Imperial law. Furthermore, eradicating the killers of nobles is one of the top priorities of an Imperial Knight.
"Please take a look."
Before my regression, I had failed to catch the culprit. Because I was a loser.
...To be honest, I still don't know.
Twitch!
The virus beneath my left clavicle reacted minutely. My brow furrowed.
The Ezenheim?
"The scene has been preserved properly."
Julian muttered as he looked around. He picked up items from inside with a gloved hand.
"But there are no clues to speak of."
I also searched for evidence.
The Ezenheim move in a thoroughly decentralized manner and are extremely sensitive and skilled at hiding their identities.
However, no matter how perfectly they try to disguise themselves, they can't erase their unique 'traces'.
"Maximillian. Have you found anything?"
Julian suddenly asked. I shifted my gaze to him.
"I'm talking about this footprint."
I pointed to a faint print on the floor.
"Judging by the size, it seems to be a child's."
In form, yes. But you can't trust appearances. These guys are an alien species. We don't even know if they live time on the same scale as us.
"Right."
Julian nodded.
"To get such an interesting case on your first mission. Work hard, Maximillian."
He suddenly took off his gloves and wiggled his eyebrows at me.
"...By myself, sir?"
Was it like this before the regression?
I couldn't remember the details. It was too long ago, and back then, I lacked the ability and the will to handle a case like this properly.
"Of course. Isn't it a good opportunity to test the capabilities of my second?"
Julian left just like that. He breezily went up the stairs and vanished in an instant.
"What..."
Left alone, I looked around the underground prison again.
Then, a worn-out sketchbook in a corner caught my eye. It was the object Julian had been staring at for a few seconds earlier.
I picked it up. Every page was filled with distorted drawings.
Among them, one section caught my eye.
A painting of a park.
And from it, a 'trace' was discovered.
"...Found it."
The virus inside me reacted strongly.
The unique energy residue of the Ezenheim.
An Ezenheim's distress call to another Ezenheim.
"Detective."
"Yes?"
"Where is the nearest park from here?"
The creature is hiding there.
And, the Julian I remember is probably...
Julian arrived at a deserted park. He went deep into the woods behind an old fountain and discovered a small shelter made of wood. It was a makeshift hideout built by children.
He cautiously looked inside. A small shadow was curled up.
"......"
A child, trembling in fear.
"There you are."
Julian's voice was low and gentle. The child raised its head. Twelve, maybe thirteen at most?
A pale face, eyes full of terror.
"It's okay. I'm not going to ask anything."
His duty as a knight and his sympathy for the child clashed. Julian was a knight who protected the Empire, but he knew the corruption and depravity of the noble society better than anyone. This world was filled with too many maggot-like nobles.
"Come on out."
He slowly extended his hand.
"It's okay."
The child seemed to hesitate for a moment, then took Julian's hand with its own small one. The touch was as fragile as if it would break, and Julian gritted his teeth.
The child slowly walked out.
"Now..."
It was then.
—Rustle.
A sound of footsteps came from the other side. Julian reflexively hid the child behind his back.
"......."
A man suddenly appeared from the shadows of the forest. The blue moonlight cast an eerie glow on his dark-stained face.
Julian spoke his name.
"Maximillian."
Maximillian Albrecht Ebenholz.
The man called 'Max' nodded, looking back and forth between Julian and the child.
"Yes, Sir Julian. You can call me Max, for convenience."
Julian didn't show it, but his mind was racing. Was I followed? No, that's impossible. I was thorough in checking my surroundings. That rookie knight doesn't have the skills to deceive my senses.
There was only one conclusion.
I had underestimated him.
"......"
Max said nothing. He was indifferent and cold. His ice-like, transparent pupils stared at the child. Julian's spine grew hot.
But this silence was brief.
A soft smile spread across Max's lips.
"The victim was a real piece of shit. Lord Essent. His infamy was quite well-known around here."
"......You've already investigated?"
"The police officers told me."
Max approached the child.
"A human scumbag who committed acts too vile to even speak of. Maybe even if this incident hadn't happened today, I might have wanted to kill him myself someday."
Still smiling gently, Max crouched down to meet the child's eyes.
"Did you kill him?"
He asked the child. Dried blood was caked all over the child's body. If he analyzed the mana residue, determining the true culprit would not be difficult.
"Tell me honestly. We can help you."
At that, the child looked up at Max. It was a look where innocence and vulnerability coexisted, one that stimulates a protective instinct.
"Yes... that person..."
The child's voice trembled and trailed off.
"You don't have to say any more."
Max instead put his mouth to the child's ear. He whispered something small. But there was no reaction from the child. Only its lips trembled faintly.
The next moment— Max's hand moved like lightning.
Swoosh—!
The air split. The soaring blade drew a straight line across the child's neck. Julian's body stiffened. He unknowingly placed a hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist. That moment felt like an eternity.
Should I draw my sword and stop him?
It was already too late. Hesitation had slowed him down.
The child collapsed without even a final cry, and red blood spurted from its small body. The gush of blood from the slender body created a thin river.
"Sir Julian."
Max returned to his usual indifferent expression.
"Under Imperial law, the murder of a noble is subject to summary judgment, regardless of the reason. Even if that noble was the scum of the earth."
The corner of Julian's mouth twitched minutely. He roughly wiped the child's blood from his cheek.
"...That's right."
He tried to maintain his composure, but a fragment of his voice trembled. He forcefully suppressed the various emotions welling up inside him.
"Couldn't you have arrested and interrogated him?"
Julian asked instead. Max looked down at the child's body and took out a cloth. He wiped the sullied blade.
"The evidence remains on the body anyway. And more importantly..."
Max's reply was calm.
"Who knows if creatures like this will grow up to be monsters that no one can handle?"
"......"
Julian smiled softly and thought.
This bastard is completely insane.