Semi-Coercive Imperialist

Outside the restaurant, after the unofficial meeting ended.

We saw off the Tower Master, Nikolaus.

“I had a good time today.”

“Yes.”

With a flushed face, Nikolaus got into the car and left, leaving just Chiron and me behind.

“…Ahem. Max. Thank you.”

Chiron awkwardly opened the conversation first.

“No. I was also able to handle things smoothly thanks to you reading my intentions quickly, Sir Chiron.”

“Haha. Then, you also think Deputy Commander Anton is…”

“Yes. That shouldn’t be allowed to happen.”

Chiron lowered his head and chuckled.

Anton is not someone fit to be the Knight Commander. He’s too upright and steadfast, at the very least, not someone who can handle the demands of this era.

“By the way, Sir Chiron.”

I looked at Chiron. More precisely, at the watch on his wrist.

“May I ask you one favor?”

“…A favor?”

Chiron asked again, seemingly suddenly tense.

Perhaps it was because I was a little drunk, but I just couldn’t bear it anymore.

“What kind of favor?”

“It’s nothing serious, but if by chance we meet separately again in the future.”

The wristwatch.

“I would like to ask you not to wear your watch.”

The tick- tick- tick- of the watch’s movement is too irritating. I don’t know the reason. If I had to guess, perhaps it’s because the watch cannot follow ‘absolute time,’ and it keeps creating discrepancies with some ‘sense of time’ inherent in my head.

“Uh… Alright. Understood. I’ll do that.”

Though Chiron looked flustered, he nodded as if he understood.

“Thank you. Then, we’ll take our leave here.”

“Alright.”

Chiron gently patted my shoulder. I gave him a slight nod in return and got into the car.

***

Flash-! Flash-flash-!

The press conference hall erupted in flashes. I stepped onto the platform as a knight of Sentinel. Since the Brain-Eater case had recently garnered high public attention, a large number of reporters had gathered.

“…The suspect, commonly referred to as the ‘Brain-Eater’, has been confirmed through a precise analysis by the Sentio Magic Tower to have used the forbidden Chaos Magic known as 「Chimera Brain」.”

The long-standing serial killer, the Brain-Eater.

Sentio Magic Tower confirmed through magical analysis that Pexi was indeed the Brain-Eater.

“Detailed information regarding the Chaos Magic 「Chimera Brain」 will be explained by the one who provided full support in my investigation.”

I pointed to a corner of the press conference hall.

“4th-tier Wizard Ezell of the Sentio Magic Tower will now provide an explanation.”

Ezell finally stepped onto the platform. She looked quite nervous.

“Yes. I’m 4th-tier Ezell. First, I will present the prepared materials, present them.”

She stumbled a bit as she continued.

“The Chaos Magic 「Chimera Brain」 is a horrifying spell that consumes the brain energy of others no, it consumes it and seizes their body and is prohibited by Imperial law. It’s not just that particular spell that’s forbidden, not exactly, but all kinds of magic that ‘could cause disorder in the Empire’ are banned.”

Despite trembling, Ezell continued the briefing fairly well.

“As a result of a detailed examination of the spinal fluid of the suspect detained by the Sentinel Knight Order and presumed to be the Brain-Eater, a multitude of different types of brain energy were detected. Therefore, this suspect is not Pexi von Arzen.”

At that moment, I took the microphone again.

“At present, the suspect is presumed to be an unidentified ‘subspecies.’”

Subspecies. At that word, Ezell glared at me for a moment. Her brow twitched noticeably.

“Further details will be announced after the investigation is completed. That will be all.”

I acted as if I didn’t notice and concluded the press conference.

Grip. As I stood up from my seat, Ezell grabbed my collar.

“What?”

Ezell looked up at me.

“How can you be so sure it’s a subspecies?”

Her question was reasonable, but I could only give a biased answer.

“Because an Aran citizen of the Empire would never do something like this.”

“……”

Ezell silently gazed into my eyes, then quietly let go of my collar.

“Good work, Max.”

“You too.”

I left the press conference hall. I didn’t bother to look back at Ezell, who was left standing alone.

***

I returned to the mansion. I was quite tired, but there was still a mountain of work to handle. Documents that required approval, or information on tasks already completed.

I opened the files.

[Genen Branch Completed]

[Wiretapping, Surveillance Logs]

The Genen branch was completed, and last night, Schatz had appended intel that one of the Revolutionary forces’ bases had been identified. Solid evidence had also been secured.

There was no need to delay this case, so I decided to dispatch tomorrow.

Next.

──[Official Authorization Document]──

Project Title: Final Approval for Establishment of New Educational Institution

Institution Name: Academy of Special Magic Engineering…

────

On the barren land I had purchased, a new school and dormitory had been completed. Official authorization was granted by the Empire. Lorenzo had become the headmaster of the institution, and Arman became the first student.

It was good news.

Next.

[Hermes Province Airport Completion and Operation Request]

[Signature Required]

An airport was completed in Hermes Province, where the Lomilton area is located. I signed the documents signaling the start of operations.

From now on, southern Hermes would become a solid base for me.

Next.

[Mana Stone Purity Grading Chart]

This was performance data related to mana stones. In Lomilton, a new piece of equipment called the Kitten had been introduced, and the efficiency of mana stone mining had increased rapidly.

A workshop was also installed locally to process the mined mana stones directly. It was a space not only for the “mana carving” that Lorenzo had spoken of, but also for ultra-precise processing work to raise high-purity mana stones to their maximum purity.

[Mana Stone Processing Craftsman Recruitment Request]

[Approval Required]

I signed immediately.

Processing mana stones to the highest purity requires skilled artisans. Naturally occurring mana stones rarely exceed 96% purity.

However, training artisans requires massive costs and inevitable failures.

Breaking a precious 96% pure mana stone and reducing it to a 70% grade, this kind of blunder must be repeated dozens, even hundreds of times before a true artisan who can produce 98%, 99% purity is born.

I would not spare the cost.

Next was an audit document on the corrupt company [Golden Grain].

[Secretary Dieter Schmidt: Golden Grain Audit Proposal]

Golden Grain. A company that possesses a patented process for repeatedly distilling and fermenting top-grade grain harvested from the Empire’s eastern granary region using mana liquid. Through this process, the grain transforms into a special mana substance, which is sold as an expensive elixir.

The kind of “elixir of youth” that nobles can’t get enough of.

However, they neglected their obligation to treat mana wastewater and discharged it illegally into nearby sewers. As a result, a nearby village was polluted, and countless residents began suffering from unknown diseases and deformities.

Below that was a proposal written directly by Dieter.

──[Proposal: Golden Grain Acquisition Project]──

According to Headmaster Lorenzo’s research, Golden Grain’s grain distillation technology has great potential to be developed into a combat recovery agent that stabilizes mana circuits and maximizes recovery speed in wounded soldiers, going far beyond simple elixir production.

────

Medicine is extremely important on the battlefield. It is essential not only for treatment but also for morale.

The belief that the army can save you even if you’re shot or slashed actually increases the soldiers’ combat power.

Such valuable patents and facilities were being wasted by these scum, producing nothing more than luxury goods.

I called Dieter.

“Dieter.”

─Yes.

“Move on the Golden Grain case. Also, report any other valuable patents you come across.”

─Understood.

Ebenholtz doesn’t discriminate between means and methods.

If I want something, I get it. If I want to destroy something, I destroy it.

──Tap.

Just then, I heard the sound of a pebble hitting the library window.

──Tap.

I opened the window. Freya was in the training yard below.

“Hey! Why aren’t you coming out!”

“…Ah.”

Today was a lesson day.

“I’m coming right now.”

I jumped straight down from the library window. Freya frowned from the brow.

“You’re 15 minutes late. Double the lesson fee.”

“Yes.”

“Just because you’ve got money doesn’t mean you can slack off.”

“…When did I ever?”

“Just swing the sword already.”

I picked up the longsword. No preparatory movements were necessary. I simply swung the blade in silence.

……

Now, my sword no longer made any unnecessary noise.

Also, Ebenholtz’s sword draw──

Tap.

Had become so familiar that I could cover dozens of meters in a single step powered by mana.

If I added my ‘sense of time’ to that, perhaps even against Freya, it would be quite threatening.

“Oh-ho. You’ve honed it well. Try it on me too.”

Freya raised her sword.

“Yes.”

I poured mana into my sword. A silver trajectory spread. It surged toward Freya no, it flowed into her.

─! ───! ──!

Silent sword technique deployed at full power. Freya parried it with minimal movement. She looked composed, but a deep smile had formed at the corner of her lips.

As I lowered my sword, she spoke.

“It’s become natural.”

“Like flowing water?”

“And like moonlight.”

I gave a small smile. Freya pointed her blade at my jawline.

“But what’s with your appearance? That stubbly beard and all.”

“I’ve been a bit busy lately.”

“Didn’t I tell you? Ebenholtz must never show any cracks, even in those areas.”

“If there’s no time, it grows naturally, this thing.”

“Then grow it stylishly, like Sebestian.”

“…I hate beards, actually.”

Because I lived like a total beggar while on the run. I hate beards now.

“Remember this. Always keep your mind and body diligent. Sharpen your spirit. Become a noble who does not waver.”

I looked at Freya. She understood Ebenholtz even better than Ebenholtz, and she would speak of Ebenholtz to Ebenholtz. I always found her to be a mystery.

I wanted to ask who she was, but I probably shouldn’t.

“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind. But I won’t be able to become a completely noble person.”

“Why not?”

Suddenly, moonlight descended and lit the training yard. Tonight was a full moon. At some point, it had become a full moon.

Time was flowing that quickly.

“……Because I have to kill many people.”

I was already prepared.

Soon, once my foundation is complete, and that ‘time’ finally comes.

I will not hesitate to wield my heart.

“If that is your conviction,”

Freya said to me,

“Then if you hold that conviction upright and never give up, that itself is noble.”

***

Golden Grain, a company that owned the golden granary fields of Emmentel in the eastern Empire.

The company’s chairman, “Chamber von Wagner,” let out a hollow laugh as he looked at the documents handed to him by the man sitting across from him.

“Ha. What is this?”

The bespectacled man replied in a stiff voice.

“It’s a takeover offer, Chairman Wagner.”

“I’m asking what this is. Did you accidentally forgot to add about six extra zeros?”

“No company in this Empire is worth five billion dollars.”

The amount written on the check was merely fifty thousand dollars. Chamber glared at him, his face twisted with irritation.

“…Which sewer rat bastard are you supposed to be?”

“Before that, please take a look at this as well.”

The man placed another bundle of documents on the table. A chemical analysis report of the wastewater illegally discharged from Golden Grain’s factory. Evidence that the drinking water the nearby village had been consuming all this time was contaminated with mana waste.

“In exchange, we will cover the compensation for this criminal act, as well as the full restoration costs for the village.”

“…….”

Chamber’s face hardened.

“Hey, do you even know who I am?”

“You are Chairman Chamber of Golden Grain.”

“That’s right. Eastern Emmentel is my territory. No one here dares say a word to me. I, our family, has been feeding this city for three generations. You got that? Do you even know how much tax I pay, you moron?”

At that, the man nodded.

“I see. I am Dieter Schmidt.”

“Well, aren’t you something. Just a mere commoner-”

“Secretary to Knight Maximilian Ebenholtz.”

At that moment, Chamber flinched.

It felt like he had just heard a name that absolutely couldn’t be right.

“…What? Who?”

“If you accept the offer now, all charges including Golden Grain’s criminal activities, as well as your own tax evasion, embezzlement, and bribery, will be willingly overlooked.”

“No, who, what are you saying right now-“

Dieter pulled out a new document from inside his coat and handed it over.

[Correction Order]

A correction order from the Sentinel Knight Order, issued by Maximilian. The signature of Ebenholtz was unmistakably scribbled across it.

“……”

Chamber swallowed hard. A cold sweat formed on his forehead before he even realized it.

Was it forged? No, what lunatic con artist would impersonate Ebenholtz just to acquire a company?

“If you reject this offer.”

Dieter stared at Chamber, his tone dry and calm.

“You’ll likely see the knight’s face in person.”

Chamber’s breathing became shallow. With trembling hands, he picked up the acquisition proposal. He licked his dry lips and stole a glance at Dieter.

Dieter calmly rose from his seat.

“You have three days. Please make your decision by then. Keep in mind, this is the knight’s one and only ‘final’ favor.”

Step. Step. As the secretary walked away, Chairman Chamber clutched his chest, overwhelmed by hyperventilation.

…Two days later,「Veritas」acquired the facilities and patents of Golden Grain. Proper compensation was paid to the residents of the village, and Lorenzo and Arman began developing equipment to treat mana wastewater.

Once the wastewater treatment system was completed, Golden Grain would be redesigned into a pharmaceutical factory for future warfare.