Vol. 1 - Ch. 222 - Road Trip (4)

We gathered the statements from the eye-witnesses of a village farm, located east from Ado, and found the match that a black horse wagon indeed had arrived from Ado's direction and passed through this village at the crack of dawn.

The village was barely populated, with not even any official appointed. The report of the prime suspect had come from a couple who had been doing their preparation for the farm work early in the morning. It appeared the black horse wagon continued to trace the direction in the east, as quoted by the couple. 

We also speed up our chase. 

After passing through a few villages, we came to a relatively large town called Lapin. As we entered through the western gate, a group of enthusiastic officers rushed toward us and saluted.

"We’ve been waiting for you, Sir Allen Roven! I’m Faji, the head of the police headquarters in the Capione region! Our investigation in this town has already been completed!"

......Hmm? I wasn't expecting any help, but it appeared Zair-san did properly make a request for support.

"Thank you. Please, give me your report."

"Yes, sir!"

According to Faji, the carriage did not enter the town but instead headed south.

To the south lies an even larger city—Mingua, the capital of the Capione Viscounty, and beyond that was Eclair, the mainstream city in the region. I believe there should be a military base there.

"South, huh… that’s a bit surprising. I thought they’d try to avoid attention and take a more discreet route…"

Viz tilted his head and spoke.

"There's a saying; If you’re going to hide a tree, do it in a forest. When dawn breaks, carriage traffic increases, so they must have planned to blend in and disperse the investigation efforts. A rather bold thief, indeed. Thank you for the investigation, Faji-san. Now we know where to use our time instead of needlessly spending it around."

I thanked Faji-san with a smile, and Faji returned the gesture with a broad grin.

"It’s only natural for those of us who live in this kingdom to assist. Phew, it's not everyday you see the kingdom's army pulling the «State of Emergency»! This incident should've already become a top topic throughout the kingdom. Of course, it's our duty to give it all, moreso if you consider His Majesty might learn about this matter too! We’ve gathered as many as we can to help with the investigation, Including myself and those on their day off, so rest assured!"

"……S-State of Emergency!?"

What should've been familiar words with simple nuance made an incomprehensible echo inside my head.

Faji slammed his right hand down with a firm thud and immediately took a salute.

"Yes, my apologies for the delayed report! Following your request for assistance, Sir Allen Rovenne, the Knight Order station at Eclair garrison had declared «State of Emergency»! In order to reclaim 'Yuglia's Future' not only have the nearby police forces been mobilized, but the military as well, with emergency alert lines set up in multiple layers around the town of Ado! Not even a rat can escape from the scrutiny of the military!"

«Yuglia's Future»......?

I could feel the world spinning in my eyes. Who the heck was that idiot to spit out all this crap, come out for me...!

Just as the dizziness snared me, Viz cursed.

"Ah, shit! I knew it. So this was why I had been feeling unsettled......"

Oh dear, it appears the Great Detective Viz had already anticipated this scenario! I took hold of my slowly drifting consciousness, and strongly tapped on Viz's shoulder.

"...It reminds me, Viz, I mean, Vizkus Levancool—by the way, he's my *bestest friend*—had said he felt something fishy about the situation. Maybe, we’re not chasing after mere thieves, but... something big, like 'a shadowed power.' And with how much I know my *bestest friend*, if he said there's some ‘a shadowed power' behind the situation, I am willing to bet there's definitely."

"U-underworld force?"

'Stop with nonsense, Allen—' Viz tried to shout, but I ignored him, and turned to address a disheveled older man standing behind Faji-san.

"Excuse me, are you the one who gathered the information about the chestnut-colored carriage? I appreciate your diligent efforts in collecting this data. May I know your name?"

"H-Huh? Me? Ah, yes... I'm Ranier. Yes, I was there too, along with Director Faji during the questioning. But... I heard the reports say, the carriage was pulled by a black bay horse..."

Ranier nervously looked around, hesitating before speaking.

"Indeed, I also spoke directly to the witnesses, and their testimonies confirmed it was a black horse. Where did you get the information about a chestnut-colored horse?"

Faji quickly took over the conversation, and Ranier sighed with relief.

"Oh, my mistake. One of the witnesses along the way said it was a bay-colored horse. It was probably just a case of misidentification since it was just before dawn. Well, let's go, Viz."

With that, I urged Viz to move on, and without a word, he started the bike.

◆◆◆

"Hey, what was that back there?! You really need to stop with your crap!"

Viz remarked, still fuming. 

I was often dragged into investigations involving shady organizations by Master. At the beginning, I protested that what in the world was he doing, bringing a student on such a matter, but he just waved it off, remarking 'my motto is to use whatever I can.'

To be honest, while it’s different from the training we do at the military station, I can understand that he’s trying to give me real-world experience. He does his best to ensure it’s as safe as possible, so I can't really complain too much. But I have a hunch, he's just paving his path for retirement and pushing everything on me... 

Either way, at the end, I would focus on my ears with a mask on, and quietly learn to differentiate between suspicious folks after all the experience. 

It was like the police officers who often interrogate develop something like a 'sixth sense' from their experience, and were capable of ascertaining which person might be lying. I had developed a skill something along the line. 

Oh well, though I often refrain from relying on this too much. A lot of times it happened that the person was just a timid type, or happened to have suffered from the injury from another case. 

Master, on the other hand, had an even more sharper sixth sense, and topping it with his crooked personality, he would often use psychological tricks to pressure suspects, baiting them into revealing their weaknesses.

With smaller-time criminals, if you apply just the right amount of pressure, you can easily notice changes—like their voice, the sound of them swallowing, or even the way they walk.

What I did earlier was just a mimic of Master’s style.

"I told you that the only way to push unmotivated fellas to put effort is by twisting their arm.The details don’t matter—whether it's about the color of the horse or anything else."

"I am not talking about the color or whatever!! What did you mean by 'Viz doubted that—!? You're the one who promptly call for that support! I can't believe I got caught in your mess! ...Ah, no wait. So, when you said you will investigate around the village, was it all to put pressure on Zair or whatever name is?! Just 'fess up what did you realise!"

From behind the seat, I rubbed Viz's shoulder, and instead asked my own question. 

"Too much anger is dangerous to your heart, Viz, so calm down. When I put the pressure, how did Ranier look to you? Especially in terms of his facial expressions—I'd like an objective opinion."

"...I can't say for sure, and I don’t want to make irresponsible statements, but the moment his name was called, he seemed to panic... And moreover, you were right there with me, why do you even need to ask me?"

Viz questioned, and I slowly shook my head.

"When I wear the mask, I can’t see fine details like facial expressions... My eyes are covered."

"...Then take it off!!!"

"—Ack! At Least warn me before doing wheelie, damnit! I nearly fell down!" 

◆◆◆

In the forest southwest of the city of Mingua...

"What the heck is that bastard Jin taking his sweet time for? It's past the time we had decided to meet up... You’re right, Rio—I mean, boss. Something doesn't sit well with me too. Do you think we've been set up?"

An agitated voice addressed Rio, the leader of  mercenary group «Wings», a recent rising party among the others, sporting a golden brown short beard reminiscent of lion. 

Mercenary groups like them were dime a dozen in the continent. Affiliated to no place, they wandered around the places strife with war, or suffering from monster disasters, even often treading the thin ice if the money was well worth it. 

The mercenary group «Wings» was somewhat a midscale party with decent achievements under their belt. Rio, their leader, was only in his early 20's, but even Jin, who was beyond his age, had to pay his respect.

"They could have already put us in the bind of police ropes when we carried out the act, but it didn't happen. ...Well, with the lump sum we're getting for this commission, it was fat clear this isn’t going to be a smooth ride, Gil."

The man, leaning against a tree stump, lazily stifles a yawn.

"Boss, even you're taking it easy. And here I am like there's ants in my pants in the fear that others might catch us."

Gil says, shaking his head in exasperation. But barely a moment later, the sound of hooves clopping steadily from a distant horse-drawn carriage reaches their ears, driven by a familiar face.

"Haa, fella is finally here. ...He really kept us waiting for so long."

Gil remarked, and Rio chuckled at the twisted expression of the driver. 

"It seems it was quite a bumpy ride for him. It's rare for you to have a stumped expression, Jin."

"Sorry for the wait, Boss, Gil. What can I say, Mingua had been like it is caught in a storm with all the ruckus."

Rio remarked in a jesting tone. Jin had a wry smile as he finally get to rest his nerves, and started with the information he had gathered.

"Apparently, the Eclair Garrison has declared a 'State of Emergency'. Everyone from police officers to even the army has been moved. It's like the situation when you poke a hornet's nest."

Gil's face looked up at the sky in lament when he heard that.

"Why, why the hell?! Didn't that client say he will cut some slack for the investigation?! Then what the hell is the meaning of this?! And here I thought Capion—"

"You don't speak the client's name even if that's the last thing in our line, Gil."

Rio sharply rebuked his subordinate for running his mouth more than required, causing Gil to shut his mouth. 

"The cause is apparently 'that guy', whom we had heard rumours about in the royal capital. It seems he was also at Ado, and drum up at that the things stolen was 'Yuglia's Future.' I reckon even the client has not foreseen this. Even I had heard in rumours that he had left for Dosperior."

Rio's brow shot up, his lips curving into a smile.

"Oh? Interesting... it was a masterstroke to bring masks with us then."

Gil and Jin collectively sighed at the sight of Rio, who still had that devil-may-care attitude. 

"Oh, for the love of god, it's a rock and hard situation, boss... Anyway, now that *he* has stirred 'state of emergency' and called it 'Yuglia's Future,' we can only ditch them. The mountains are big enough to cross out our trails. At the end, we also couldn't pick up any work in Helrocaust case, and now we're at red, but with the knights joining the situation, any amount of money isn't enough if we don't get to enjoy our lives. Listen to me boss, let's give up here and escape."

Surely, if it's that leader of theirs, who had saved them countless times from even a bloody battlefield with his wild instinct, Rio should be also thinking of that. Gil raised his hands in surrender as he thought so. However—

Rio squinted his eyes, and after a moment of consideration, inquired Jin.

"......Did you get the thing, though?"

"Hmm? Ah, the standard magic cutter’s here. But… this chain seems custom-made, so I’m not sure if the blade will go through. So, like what, we really are not giving up on this gig, huh?"

Jin said while pulling back the cover from the wagon and retrieving the magic cutter he had hidden under a double-bottomed compartment, handing it over to Rio.

Rio grinned, and ecstatically channeled his mana into the cutter. The blade spun to life, emitting that signature, high-pitched whine.

“Boss! If you use that thing here—”

Jin tried to stop Rio, guessing the situation, but Rio unhesitatingly brought down that blade on the chains connecting three two-wheelers. 

*Grrrrrrrrrrr*

Sparks flew from the chain, and the deafening noise echoed through the forest.

“Dammit, Boss! We would be done if anyone heard us!"

However Rio firmly pressed the blade on the chain, which tried to resist, and further poured his mana to spin the blade even harder. 

After a moment, there was a dull thunk, and the chain snapped. The cutter’s blade also ground to a halt, but its blade now completely losing its sharpness, rendering it unusable.

Meanwhile, Jin and Gil cautiously picked up any sign of strangeness, and heaved a sigh when they confirmed no imminent danger.

"Can you not give us a random heart attack, boss...  anyway, you still adamant on keep going? It's clearly a suicidal move."

Rio however narrowed his eyes, as if relishing the moment, and raised a dauntless grin.

"Kuku. He said 'Yuglia's Future' huh? ...A job like this might not come around again. I need to make a killing to get hold of my dream. And relax, I am not going to ask you to throw away your life for my ego. You're free to join up with others at Mingua, and leave this kingdom."

Seeing the fierce determination burning in Rio’s eyes, whom they'd never managed to get a grasp of his intention, Jin and Gil couldn’t help but hold their breath.

"One day, the «Wings» will—"

Rio raised his hand toward the small gap in the trees, where a clear blue sky peeked through, and clenched his fist.

“I will make sure «Wings» look down on this filthy world from above!!!”

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