Chapter 30: If You Ask About the Empire's Future | Semi-Coercive Imperialist
Whirrrrr── Whirrrrr──
Deep within the Lomilton Mountain Range. A mana drill was roaring as it burrowed into the mountain range.
"...."
Dieter wiped the sweat dripping beneath his safety helmet and watched over the drilling site. In his hand was the ledger of the company 「VERITAS」.
This month was the deadline.
The initial capital investment Maximilian had provided was nearly depleted. The scale of expenditure, including land purchases, equipment rentals, and labor employment, was far too large compared to the 'allowance' he had saved up.
If there were no visible results by the end of this week, the company would go bankrupt.
As Dieter swallowed dryly and the mayor of Hermes beside him glanced around nervously,
─Ma... Mana liquid!
From a distance, near the tunnel face, came the urgent shout of the site supervisor.
"Mana liquid has been discovered!"
Mana liquid. A fluid infused with highly concentrated mana surging up from deep underground. The clearest evidence of the existence of a mana stone vein.
Dieter ran toward the site. It was already in chaos. Workers rushed in with cheers, and in the center, the mana liquid gushed like a fountain.
"Everyone, step back."
"Step back! Everyone, step back!"
Jensen, the mayor, shouted Dieter's words through a loudspeaker.
"...."
"...."
The two of them blankly stared at the scene. From the cracks in the drilling hole, the mana liquid surged up and solidified.
It was a mana stone.
"Mana stone, it's a mana stone, sir! Sir──!!!"
Jensen cheered and hugged Dieter.
"...Ha."
Dieter let out a sigh of relief without realizing it. A mysterious scene where the earth spat out mana stones as if it were breathing. A strange ecstasy wrapped around his body. His legs almost gave out and he nearly collapsed.
So this is why people dig the ground.
With trembling hands, he picked up his terminal.
***
"Confirmed. That's fortunate."
The money source had been secured. The Lomilton area would serve as a cornucopia for quite some time, and the first investment destination of this massive mana stone mine was decided to be Hermes Province.
"Dieter. Southern Hermes is going to be one of my bases."
I sometimes had this question.
Why were high-ranking nobles and tycoons always so greedy? Why were they always stingy even with those on their side? Why did they treat them in a way that invited betrayal?
There was only one conclusion.
It was because most of them were morons.
Tainted by a rotten ideology that others should serve them simply because they were born into noble families... Ah, I have no intention of making excuses for myself.
I was one of those nobles too.
Anyway.
They saved money they could have spent on others to accumulate wealth, but I had no need to do that. I would spend it as quickly as I earned it.
After all, when the world ends, it all becomes scraps of paper anyway.
"I'll entrust you with related investments as well, so we can both profit."
─Yes. I'll report the details.
"Alright. If I ever overstep, just tell me anytime."
─Understood.
If he's satisfied, if he focuses on his duties.
Jensen could probably serve as the mayor of Hermes until the day he died.
I ended the call.
"...Hmm."
I was in the backseat of the car. We were on the way to analyze the murder scene that occurred just last night, and thanks to the driver, my administrative officer, I was comfortable.
"Congratulations."
The officer seemed to be in a good mood too.
He still lacked a bit of decorum. He shouldn't even show that he was listening.
"Training starts this weekend?"
"Ah, yes. That's right."
Starting this weekend, the staff, including Schatz, would go to the main Ebenholtz Castle. To receive vocational training.
I decided to leave that matter to Enzi.
Tick─
I looked at the wristwatch on the officer's wrist holding the steering wheel.
Tick─
Time was flowing quickly.
That utterly natural fact was a pressure to me.
"Don't wear a wristwatch from now on. You have a terminal."
"Yes, understood."
In the meantime, we arrived at the crime scene. I got out of the car.
A site marked off with yellow warning tape. The police were standing in a line.
"Greetings! Sir Maximilian. It's an honor to meet you."
"Where is the scene?"
I returned the greeting with a glance and got straight to the point.
"This way."
The police guided me. The crime scene was a wizard's workshop. In the middle, thick with the smell of reagents, lay a corpse with its entire body burst open.
"It's been less than a full day since the incident. The victim is Jeremy Keshun. A 4th-tier wizard with no official affiliation."
"...."
I glanced around the scene. The mana residue was vivid. So much so that a wizard could practically smell it.
It was clearly a murder by magic.
"By any chance... would you be able to analyze it? The traces are a bit scattered."
Indeed, they were. Honestly, it wasn't the level of residue a year-zero Knight could interpret.
That meant it was highly difficult.
"Let's see."
I placed my hand near the collarbone. I injected mana mixed with my will into the virus.
'Analyze the incident based on the remaining traces in this scene.'
Immediately, my retinas were dyed blue. The scattered traces of mana spread across the entire space lit up like fluorescence.
Ssssss...
The particles floated into the air. A phenomenon that manifested regardless of my will. I nearly took a step back, but calmed myself with a deep breath.
Soon, the traces of mana flowed down over my eyelids. They surged and swirled like spray, then formed distinct shapes to reconstruct the situation.
──A residual image of the incident, reformed through active mana traces.
I quietly shifted my gaze. In the bluish world, the outlines of the perpetrator and victim appeared. Unfortunately, the faces weren't visible, but the silhouettes were clear.
When a sorcerer uses magic, mana floods explosively, and inevitably, it clings to all surrounding objects.
In other words, the shadow of the perpetrator becomes visible.
"The suspect's body is between 178 and 184 cm. Footprint size between 280 mm and 300 mm."
I relayed the information extracted from the traces.
"A wizard capable of using explosive-type magic. And...."
I paused there, omitting the rest for now.
"Sorry? What exactly did you do?"
A bewildered officer asked blankly.
"I just told you. 178 to 184 cm. Footprint size 280 to 300 mm. I visually captured the mana traces and retraced the information contained within them."
"...Is that even possible?"
It was data obtained through my virus. In terms of accuracy, it was certain.
"Does it sound like bullshit?"
"Ah, no! No, no. That was admiration. Wow. I can't believe that's even possible."
I took a step forward. I bent my knees to look closely at the body.
...Thump.
A faint heartbeat. Slight, but undeniable.
The victim was Ezenheim.
"Let's start with an autopsy. Tell them to pay special attention to the heart."
"Yes, sir."
"Also."
I had just seen something fairly decisive in the residue.
"From last night to the day of the incident. Investigate whether any Imperial Guard personnel passed through this area."
Magic releases mana, and mana adheres to objects, remaining for up to two days or as little as a few minutes.
People like 'us', in other words, Knights, wear extremely expensive uniforms. So mana doesn't stick to them.
But the Imperial Guard is different.
Especially that silver eagle badge they wear on their chests, mana sticks to it easily.
""An Imperial Guard member...?"
"If you find anything, don't contact anyone else. Come to me first."
There's something I want to say. I'm also curious who the brazen bastard was who committed murder in uniform. It's not exactly praiseworthy, but still- like catching a murdering rapist while stumbling backward.
"Here's my card."
I handed the officer my business card.
"Yes! Understood. I'll be sure to remember."
"That's all then."
"Loyalty!"
I left the scene and got back into the car.
The driver promptly informed me of the next item on the schedule.
"Next... we'll head to Empire Point. Today's just a simple visit."
"Right. I'll give the cadets a bit of encouragement."
I leaned back into the seat.
Being a knight is a grueling job. After stopping by Empire Point, I'd have to return to the office and work late into the night again.
"Yes. Departing now."
"...Alright."
This administrative officer had transferred from being a prison guard at West Prison to my driver. I didn't know how he felt at the moment, but he'd probably be very satisfied come payday.
I closed my eyes for a moment.
"──Sir, we've arrived."
I must have dozed off.
He drives well.
Anyway, outside the window was Empire Point. The Empire's top military academy for knights. A cradle for knights where only Arans of the Empire could enroll.
"Max!"
As soon as I stepped out of the car, Leon, who had arrived ahead of me, waved his hand. Tiana was standing beside him.
I gave them a brief nod in greeting.
"...Whew."
I took a deep breath. I grabbed a handful of the red dirt covering Empire Point's drill field.
"It's been a while."
"What are you talking about? It's only been two years since we were all rolling around here."
Tiana cut in, but for me, it had been over a dozen years.
"Max. I thought you wouldn't come to something like this since you find it annoying."
Leon asked.
Today was one of those trivial events where senior cadets who had joined Sentinel gave advice and assisted in training the junior cadets. Just as the saying goes, "If you ask about the Empire's future, look up to Empire Point", I was someone who had to illuminate that future, so this was worth attending.
"You never know."
"Know what?"
"There might be another subspecies hiding here."
The two of them gave a brief laugh.
I looked up at the central building.
Empire Point's curriculum is broadly divided into three stages: the middle course (3-4 years), high course (2-3 years), and elite course (2 years).
Not many cadets endured the full 7 to 9 years of this rigorous program, including cases of repeating years.
Only those in the top 30% of final academy grades were qualified to be formally knighted. The top 10% could enter knight orders based in the Empire's capital, and Sentinel took only the top 3%.
Those who didn't make the 30% cutoff usually enlisted as Imperial Guard members or military officers, or endlessly repeated knight candidacy.
"Knights, this way please."
A staff member from Empire Point guided us.
"The elite course cadets are currently out in the field."
"Wow. Must be tough. Field training in this weather?"
Tiana chuckled.
"Haha. Yes. It just so happens the high course cadets have just finished their training, so let's go see them."
We headed down to the opposite drill field. Hundreds of high course cadets stood in formation, drenched in sweat, facing us. Judging by their tense expressions, they must've been notified in advance.
I was like that too back then. I used to think Sentinel knights were incredibly amazing.
"...."
I scanned them. No response from the virus.
Well, this was the heart of the Empire. That meant it was extremely difficult for anyone who wasn't Aran to even set foot here. Infiltrating would require an impeccably forged background.
From the perspective of the Ezenheim race, Jacob had been an extremely valuable asset.
Fortunately, he hadn't been that smart.
"Mm~ Nice to meet you all. I'm Tiana from Sentinel. You're probably near the end of the high course now, and things will only get tougher from here, but that's normal. As long as you don't give up, you'll be fine."
"I'm Leon. All I want to say is... sorry, all I can tell you is to do your best. But I'll be here all day, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask me anytime."
Tiana and Leon offered various words of encouragement.
"Alright, next. Sir Maximilian Ebenholtz?"
Leon pulled me forward. The cadets looked at me.
To them, the name Maximilian would be less familiar than the name of the house, Ebenholtz.
"Put effort into your conduct and mindset. You are the Empire's future, and many eyes are watching you."
I didn't have much to say.
As I turned around quickly, the instructor shouted to the cadets,
"Everyone, a round of applause!"
Just as the short break ended and their training was about to resume...
One male cadet caught my eye. It was a face I had seen in a photo.
I slowly approached him.
"...Wait."
I called out to someone. All the cadets around him came to a halt.
"...Yes?"
He looked at me, startled, as our eyes met.
"It's you. Lukas."
The boy's shoulders flinched.
"Lukas von Limperck."
"Ah, y-yes. Yes, that's me!"
All eyes on the training ground turned toward us. Tiana, Leon, the instructors in charge of the high course, and even high-ranking officials from Empire Point who had appeared without notice were all watching.
"W-what business do you have with me...?"
Lukas von Limperck, son of Judge Klaus von Limperck.
He stood straight, facing me with what seemed like fear.
"I know your father well."
Lukas's academic record, which I had looked into beforehand, was excellent. Nearly straight A's across all areas. His grades were competitive even among the elite, but precisely because of that, he was someone likely to face pushback.
Even among nobles, if your family's influence is lacking, you cannot enter Sentinel.
"He's a man worthy of respect."
"Ah, a-a-ah... thank, thank you!"
I had received help from Judge Klaus, and I intended to return the favor accordingly.
"Continue to strive forward as you are now."
Tap. I raised my hand and placed it on his shoulder. Lukas's eyes bulged as if they were about to pop out, and the other cadets also looked extremely surprised.
The heir of the Ebenholtz family had called you out personally and acknowledged you. This was clearly a deliberate political move.
"If you don't lose your dedication, I'll be seeing you in a high places two years from now."
"Y-yes! I'll do my absolute best!"
I needed a faction now too, and someone like Lukas wasn't a bad choice.
But in return.
I leaned in and whispered quietly into his ear.
──Cut out those weird book club meetings that give your father grief.
Your career now has wings thanks to his sacrifice.
"...."
Lukas's expression stiffened for a moment. As I pulled away from his ear, I smiled again and said,
"It means you should work even harder."
"Sir Maximilian."
At that moment, the cadet commander of Empire Point approached.
Rank: Brigadier General. Name: Dane Rascal. A typical middle-aged man from the North, with a thick black beard.
"May I have a moment of your time?"
He requested a private conversation in a distinctly serious tone.
"Yes. Of course."
"Good. This way."
As always, his voice and demeanor were that of a heavy, deliberate soldier. I followed behind him as he walked ahead. I could feel the gazes of countless cadets on my back.
Whether Judge Klaus wanted it or not, his son Lukas now had me as his backing.
****