Magi’s Grandson

The Royal Capital Security Forces Manhunt

Authors Note: This time, Ill be writing in third person.

The residences of n.o.bility lined this area in rows. Although there were a lot of big houses, there were very few people walking about, a quiet street. In a secluded corner of area lies the Count of Ritzburgs estate, the destination of an Investigator from the Security Office; Orth Rickerman. His purpose was to question Count Ritzburg.

In the drawing room of Ritzburgs mansion, Russell and Orth came to face each other.

How did the Madam take in the news?

Ah She was exhausted and fell asleep on her bed from anxiety. Its because our own son had turned into a devil, and was then killed. Even myself, if I could fall asleep, I would like to.

Id like express my deepest apologies.

No, please dont mind what I said. It is our responsibility that Cart turned out that way.

If I may, about your son Has he always acted presumptuously since before?

Please dont say such foolish things!!

Russell suddenly raised his voice unintentionally. When he became aware of what he had done, he apologized for shouting loudly.

I-Im very sorry I was overcome with emotions all of a sudden

Please dont mind it, its only natural. I beg your forgiveness for my discourtesy, but I have to ask again. Has he always acted presumptuously since before?

Not at all As you might already be aware, we as n.o.bles must always put our country first. n.o.bles exist for the people. The Royal Family, together with the n.o.bles exist for the people. Because the people residing in this Kingdom are its national treasures, we should put them first and protect them. I have been preaching that principle to Cart from early on. Although he had excessive pride, he is well aware that people should be protected.

In other words, he acted differently back then?

I wasnt able to observe Cart all the time Perhaps if we ask my wife or the servants, they might give us more insight

Thanks for speaking with me, I will follow up on it later. So then, when did he start showing such att.i.tude?

It began just the other day.

Is that so

His personality was very different in the Advanced Magic Academy. However, his behavior was consistent with his Middle School days.

In the Advanced Magic Academy, he was regarded as A fool with an arrogant att.i.tude.

In middle school he was regarded as A prideful n.o.ble who cares about the people.

How can his reputation in Middle school and the Advanced Magic Academy differ so much? It was as if they were describing different people.

During his Middle School days, he seemed to have been a proper n.o.bleman of the Kingdoms n.o.ble houses.

And then at the start of his Advanced Magic Academy days

A n.o.ble from the Empire

Huh?

Well during his middle school days, your son seemed to be a proper member of the Kingdoms n.o.bility. But after he entered Advanced Magic Academy, your son

Youre saying he became more like a n.o.ble from the Empire?

Thats the impression I have of him after he turned into a devil.

Certainly, the n.o.bles from the Empire see their citizens as objects to exploit. Anyone who is not a n.o.ble, the general public, arent even considered humans

The ideals of the aristocrats in Earls.h.i.+de Kingdom and Bluesphere Empire are completely different.

In the Earls.h.i.+de Kingdom, the aristocrats exist in order to protect the general public, and it is natural for them to think of every way possible for the people to prosper. This was what King Diseum was telling Merlin about in terms of reformation of aristocrats.

For several generations, the Kingdom had thought about how to reform the aristocracy, and finally came up with this solution. In fact, after Earls.h.i.+de Kingdom implemented this reform, the lifestyle of the people started to improve. The overall productivity also increased, and as a result, tax revenues increased, making the territories all over the Kingdom prosperous.

In contrast, it is generally considered that commoners exists for aristocrats, in the Bluesphere Empire. The citizens suffer from very heavy taxation, there is no increase in their productivity, and their standard of living is considerably low compared to the lifestyles of the people living in the Kingdom.

In the Kingdom, children under the age of 15 have the right to receive equal education, and education has become semi-mandatory. Because of that, the literacy rate is high, and its citizens are also able to calculate quickly.

In comparison to the Empire, only the children of n.o.bles, and sometimes children of wealthy merchants, are able to go to school. It was possible for a commoner to go to school, however, because they were not provided extra knowledge. Those who were born on the side of being exploited, are not given any chance for a better way of life and remain being exploited.

All because they arent given a chance to gain knowledge.

Commoners exists for aristocrats, and they are the ones who benefit from this.

Carts words were the spitting image of those of an Imperial n.o.bles.

This is Is there a possibility that hed been brainwashed by someone from the Empire?

Brainwashed by someone from the Empire!?

Count Ritzburg, didnt you find it strange? Just recently, hed been acting as a n.o.ble from the Kingdom, and thought of the general public as people he should protect. Then one day, he suddenly thinks of himself as one of the chosen, and could not tolerate being treated as equals with commoners. Whats your opinion on this?

Thats why my wife and I are confused

Your son sounded like someone from the Empire. Could it be that he had contact with someone from the Empire?

Ah, now that you mentioned it

Is there someone that comes to mind?

There is this teacher who taught Cart during his middle school days. He has bandages over both his eyes, and hes someone who is originally from the Empire. I heard that because he is able to use some powerful magic, he caused the Empire some trouble, so he ended up seeking refuge in the Kingdom.

And that teacher and your son have contact with each other?

Yes, Cart partic.i.p.ated in the study research that teacher is going. Also, when Cart was studying for the Advanced Magic Academy, the teacher came here as his tutor.

A teacher who originates from the Empire

Suspicious. Anyone who heard it would be suspicious.

And so, Orth interviewed all of the employees.

Schtrom-sensei, you ask? Hes a good person. When I heard he originated from the Empire, I thought he would have strong discrimination against commoners, but there was no such thing at all. Although were employees, he speaks to us without any prejudice.

The result of the testimonies from them were generally like that.

Is there really no problem? However, that teacher only became a teacher just a year ago. And theres a chance he was the one responsible for turning Cart into a devil.

One year ago.

The timing coincides with the information gathered just a few moments ago. Furthermore, one of his students turned into a devil.

Although there was nothing questionable about the given testimonies. However, all of his actions are suspicious. Therefore

The day young master became like that, he also came to visit.

Around what time was that?

If Im not mistaken It was in the morning.

If it was in the morning, it was before he turned into a devil. Furthermore, after he visited, Cart escaped from his room.

However, there was no evidence. But it was clearly very suspicious.

After gathering information about Cart, Orth left the house and decided to look for Schtrom who was teaching at the middle school.

But just in case, he returned to the Security Office, and got one of the younger members to accompany him.

The two visited an academy attended by n.o.bles and wealthy merchants, and compared to other academies, it was very luxurious. And inside one of the borrowed laboratory, Oliver Schtrom was there.

Im sorry to take up your time when youre busy, Schtrom-sensei.

Sorry for bothering you.

No, its alright. Would you like to drink some tea?

No, please dont mind me.

Orth was alert while he monitored Schtrom. Although both his eyes were covered with eye-patches, there was no sense of feeling restraint in his movements. Although Schtrom was probably using some kind of sensing magic, they had no idea how he was doing it.

Because theres a limit to just inspecting him, Orth decided to ask a question.

I heard Schtrom-sensei if the from Empire. Please excuse me for asking such a rude question, but under what circ.u.mstances lead you to come to our country? If its okay, would you please clarify this for me?

The reason why I came to the Kingdom Its actually quite an embarra.s.sing story. I was actually born from a n.o.ble house in the Empire

A n.o.ble from the Empire With just those word, Orths body stiffened in an instant.

After being defeated during the battle for the right to be the head of the family I fled and barely escaped from the clutches of my relatives who want to see me dead. As a result, I could no longer stay in the Empire. And thus I took refuge in the Kingdom. Because of a surprise attack back then, my eyes were injured

I see, so thats how it is. No, Im really sorry for asking such an impolite question.

Its fine, because youre just doing your job. Please continue without paying it mind.

An inoffensive exchange of words. However, what Schtrom had said might not necessarily be true. Which part of it was the truth, and which part of it was a lie? The young member was taking note of the interview. Orth left the note-taking to him, and continued to ask questions.

By the way, Schtrom-sensei, I heard that youre looking for children with magic talent to partic.i.p.ate in your research study in order to nurture very talented Magicians. Why are you doing something like this? Even though you work here now, werent you originally from a hostile country? Do you want to get back at the Empire?

That kind of hypothesis is not unreasonable. However, I do not have such intention. The reason is actually a lot simpler.

What do you mean?

Its because Im a newly appointed teacher who came from the Empire. And so the criticism towards me is quite strong. I wanted to be able to achieve something so that this academy will recognize me.

And thats what your research study is for.

Its exactly as you say. Thanks to my research study, all the children who partic.i.p.ated have increased their magic power. There was also a child who was able to pa.s.s Advanced Magic Academys examination. And because of that, I was able to establish my position in this academy.

His actions wasnt for any particularly n.o.ble reason, but for his own self-interest. It was the most natural motivator of human behavior.

There is nothing unusual with the current conversation. Although his face can been seen, because of his eye-patch, it was hard to read his facial expressions. Orth suppressed his feelings, clicked his tongue, and continued with the interview.

However, its quite regrettable this time around.

It is as you said. The student whom I was referring to that pa.s.sed the Advanced Magic Academy examination was Cart. And then it turned out like this

But this incident didnt damage Schtrom-senseis career, did it?

Then, Schtrom retorted, slightly offended.

I did not say anything like that! Cart was my cute student! And for that same Cart to turn out that way, of course I am very sad!

Sorry for my impoliteness. It was a slip of the tongue.

Its all good as long as you can understand

Although Schtrom was agitated, it only took but a moment for him to regain his calm. But is this really his true feelings, or are he just putting an act If thats the case then

Schtrom-sensei, if its alright with you, could I make a request?

What is it?

Actually, Id like you to come with me and examine his body that transformed into a devil.

You want me to examine his body?

Yes. Right now, were in the process of gathering experts with different specialties to do examinations. And Schtrom-sensei, since you are a considerably high-ranking Magician, we would like to invite you to listen to what they can find. We would also like to listen to Schtrom-senseis opinions.

But to inspect the remains of my own student, it somehow makes me feel reluctant.

Please, we ask this of you. This is for the sake of all mankind.

Haaa~ I understand. Ill take you up on your offer.

Thank you very much. Im sorry for asking suddenly, but are you good with time after this?

It really is sudden Im good to go. There is no research study today.

Thank you very much. Now then, let us go.

Orth signaled to the young member, and then he stood up.

Were expecting well hear beneficial information from you.

Ill be troubled if you blindly expect something.

After the conversation ended, they headed towards the Security Office.

*** You are reading on / ***

On the other hand, the people from the Military Affairs have been performing investigations around the meadows and forests surrounding the Royal Capital.

*** You are reading on / ***