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Chapter 42. The Muscle-Brained Military Commissioner

The military commissioner, who has become the prime suspect in my mind, arrived sooner than I expected. The corpses in the schoolyard hadn't even been cleared yet, but the commissioner, accompanied by a few knights, glanced at the bodies before turning his gaze to us.

"Those bloodstains... they’re not from inside. It looks like blood was splattered on you from the outside. Did you take care of these fools?"

"Yes... we did."

I had told them beforehand that I didn't want to talk to important people, so Jeremiah stepped forward and spoke.

"Hmm... I'd heard reports that this year's freshmen were excellent, but this is beyond expectations. It seems the third division commander of Liester handled half of them, but the rest were taken care of by the students. Quite impressive knights."

"We apologize for the mess, Baron Mogus."

"No need. There’s no such thing as clean or dirty on a battlefield."

When I heard "military commissioner", I thought he was a politician who commanded the military... but the Baron Mogus who arrived was a young man about twice my height and heavily muscled. He looked like someone who rose through sheer strength. Is this man really the mastermind?

"Still... for this to happen the moment the magic knights moved to suppress as per Chancellor Albrecht's instructions... it's as if it was orchestrated. I rushed out upon hearing of the academy’s attack, but I never expected it to be subdued before I arrived."

Hmm? Another suspicious name has come up... I don’t know how deep this betrayal runs, but it seems certain there are traitors within the nation's core, just as Ivy predicted.

"Politics isn’t my specialty, but I sense a conspiracy. For now, the priority is to resolve this situation. I’ll personally crush those heretics."

"What? The renowned Baron Mogus himself?"

"If I don't hit the battlefield once in a while, I’ll get rusty! I want Commander Liester to guard this academy."

This guy is all muscle. He’s not the type to scheme and plot. If all this was an act to deceive us, he’d be a cunning fox, but it seems genuine... so it's not him. Is the chancellor the suspect then?

"Wait a moment. Baron Mogus, is something serious happening in the royal capital for you to be deployed?"

"Oh, I didn't explain that. Next heir of the Frisbreg family."

"Jeremiah is fine."

"Very well, Jeremiah. To answer your question... the royal capital is experiencing sporadic attacks."

Because the magic knights aren't in the capital. Though Princess Elissa said the royal guard is there instead, they primarily protect the king and don’t patrol like the magic knights. Since the attacks are sporadic, the royal guard must be on the defensive.

"The main targets are churches, knight stations, and merchant guilds."

"The church is attacked for religious reasons, the stations to delay knight mobilization, and the merchant guilds... for money, I guess."

"Likely so."

If they understand the motives but can’t respond, it's either a manpower shortage or the defense's moves are completely known, probably the latter.

"They seem to know the capital inside out. They appear and disappear from alleyways, underground passages, and rooftops... we even tried ambushing them in the passages, but there are many uncharted underground tunnels. It’s like a labyrinth."

Well-prepared... so, their goal isn’t just destruction. But, it doesn't seem too complex, maybe they’re being manipulated.

"Understood... I’ll return home. My father must be acting on this."

"Indeed... Duke Frisberg is quick to act."

"Theodore, what about you?"

Why ask me, Jeremiah?

"I'll stay at the academy."

"Really?"

"Of course. As I told Princess Elissa, I’m just an ordinary citizen without power. I’ll stay here until it’s over."

"Alright."

Why do they look dissatisfied? Princess Elissa looks the same.

"We know the royal castle is untouched, so we’ll use it as a base to crush the heretics. It'll be busy."

"Take care, Baron Mogus."

"Indeed."

The commissioner turned and walked away.

"I hope someone of your skill gains a fitting position."

"It’s fine. After this incident, I’m reconsidering becoming a magic knight."

"That’s a loss for the kingdom. Being a magic knight isn't all like this."

But magic knights are the first to act in such crises, right? That’s unappealing.

"Ivy... Ivy?"

"Huh? What is it, Theodore?"

Ivy was deep in thought with her hand on her chin. Since her guess about the magic knights was right, she’s probably thinking of the next steps... but this isn’t the place for that.

"We should gather quickly, or the teachers will scold us."

"Oh, right."

Since we killed all the attackers, we’ll probably be counted again and sent back to our dorms with a ban on going out. It’s easier to guard everyone in their dorms than scattered around the academy.

"Lady Elissa, I’ll guard you."

"Alright."

With Commander Liester guarding Princess Elissa, she’ll be safe. I don't know what her last glance at me meant, but as just a student, I have nothing to do. My guesses about the incident are mostly a hobby.