CH 15

"Berlin's Spiritual Wall," which surrounds the Imperial Capital, is said to have four cities located at each of its four corners:

――『Eastern City of Yatohra』,『Western City of Sandia』,『Southern City of Aveloigne』, and『Northern City of Salem』

These cities serve as checkpoints, and one needs to pay an exorbitant amount of money to pass through them and enter the Imperial Capital. However, even if one pays, direct passage to the Imperial Capital is not guaranteed.

Those who wish to pass through must remain in the city while their backgrounds and personalities are investigated for several weeks. If they don't pass the screening, they are kicked out.

Iris, my master (cutely), told me that this system blocks those who seek to harm the Imperial Capital. As these cities are so crucial, each one has a branch of the Magic Knight Order located within.

"Welcome, Kurou-kun. This is the 'Salem Branch.'"

After the attack incident, I was taken by Iris-san to one of the four cities surrounding the imperial capital, the "Northern City of Salem," and was invited to its branch.

Iris told me that as her disciple, I needed to meet the branch chief. So, I was led to the reception room and while sitting on a soft sofa, I sipped the tea that Iris had poured for me. It was delicious!

‘Ah... the warm tea is so good, it revives me! It was tough to get here...!’

Thinking back on a week of hardship… I was supposed to head straight to my destination, but my trash sword, "Muramasa," made me run around here and there every day.

I was tired, and I thought I was going to die from all the battles.

Moreover, I had to camp out and eat tasteless portable food every day, and I wouldn't have survived if I hadn't met Iris on the way. I am on the verge of tears.

"So, how is it, Kurou-kun? I did my best to brew the tea, is it delicious...!?"

"Yeah, I want to drink it every day..."

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Iris turned bright red, and she looked so cute. She was so happy to be complimented on the tea's taste.

"You said every day! You, you...!"

"Hehe…"

While Iris nudged my shoulder (ouch), I enjoyed the serene moment. Lazily lounging around is definitely the best way to relax, after all.

‘Kurou-kun is a pacifist, so I'm tired of battles and attacks already. If possible, I'd like to stop playing the stiff 'Evil Condemner' game and just hang out with Iris as the real Kurou.’

The truth is, I'm actually a shy boy who doesn't like to stand out, so using grandiose language and maintaining a sharp expression is tiring.

"By the way, Iris, isn't the branch chief a little late? Well, it's just the right time to get to know each other more."

"Getting to know each other?"

And so Iris and I were waiting for the branch chief…

"Ex-cuse meeeee!"

The door to the reception room was violently opened, and a

person in a white coat entered the room with an angry, husky voice.

I was surprised when I saw the person's face. His skin was deathly pale, and dark, heavy circles were carved under his eyes.

This person couldn't be the branch chief, could he?

‘If he is the branch chief of the Magic Knights, this person should be an incredibly strong individual among the knights, right? But he seem like such a weakling.’

Most likely, this person is not even a knight, but rather a lowly researcher or something. After all, he is not even wearing a military uniform of knight, and his face looked incredibly unhealthy.

His physique is also skinny and short, and he didn't even have time to visit a barber since his brown hair was disheveled and mixed with white.

I wonder if he is alright?

‘He seems to be in his late teens. So, he can’t be a big guy. Also, is he relly a guy?’

"Kikikikikikik, you must be Kurou, right!? Acting all innocent, you bastard!"

He yelled at me out of the blue. Who the hell is this guy?

I involuntarily twisted my neck, and the white-coated person, who had already become even more enraged, yelled at me as he (?) leaned over the desk and got close to my face, "Right now! Immediately! Withdraw the complaint against Miss Vīta!"

――What? Iris and I both uttered the words at the same time.

What did this person just say? Withdraw the complaint against that girl Vīta? Let the person who tried to kill me off scot-free?

In response to his (her?) shocking statement, Iris stood up with a furious expression.

"Hey, Hypnoc, what do you mean by that?! Kurou-kun was almost killed!"

"H-Hey, he survived, so it's fine, isn't it? More importantly, Iris, do you understand? She's the daughter of the Camblor Marquisate!

"Not only have they produced numerous powerful knights, but they've also spent a lot of money on researching magical weapons! If we turn their daughter into a criminal in the city where I am, the funding will be cut off...!"

"W-What? And you want us to just forget about what happened? You've got some nerve!"

Iris snapped and smashed the desk in her anger. It's scary.

‘Ah, so this research assistant's name is Hypnoc. But still, the reason is quite crude…’

Hmm… I pondered the situation. Thanks to Iris's anger, I was able to calm down a little.

――I am not sure what to make of it, but in short, it seems like he is asking for forgiveness just because she's his sponsor's daughter

I understand your situation. However, I’m sorry your argument is just too selfish.

"Grrr! Of course, I’ll have Miss Vita educated and also make a backroom deal with the Camblor family to get some compensation!

"So, Kurou, you and I, let's just say it was all a misunderstanding, okay You want money too, don’t you?"