CH 17

"Hey, don't misunderstand, you two. Let's forgive this girl named Vita. You should proceed with the release procedures right away."

"H-haha! You understand me now, Kurou! Alright, it's decided. Now, about the money..."

"I don't need any money."

"Huh?"

Hypno was perplexed once again. I continued speaking immediately. "I’m not forgiving that child for the sake of money. Hey, Hypno, isn't the Camblor family really rotten? Do you think those people from such a family can give a child a decent education?"

"Y-Yes, that's...not the case. In fact, I've heard that Miss Vita has had a pretty twisted education..."

"I thought so. That's why I'm going to do everything in my power to forgive that child. Children like her are treasures of the kingdom that must be protected."

"Huh...!?" Hypno staggered greatly.

For a moment, his eyes were narrowed as if he was seeing something dazzling. He wouldn't come at me anymore. After all, I was able to avoid the development of "if Vita is accused of a crime, there will be no investment in this branch."

I don't need to say crazy things to protect the future anymore... From here on out, he should speak to me with words that truly face the situation.

"You're...protecting someone who tried to kill you just because she's a child..."

"Is that strange?"

"It is. You didn't raise your voice against my unreasonable request, but instead took my situation into account...You're weird. You're so nice."

A husky voice tinged with sorrow. Self-loathing thoughts floated in his eyes.

"Oh...you're a kind person, Kurou. You're like a knight in a fiction. I can see you as Iris' secret disciple, after all she is too obsessed with knights of fairy tales."

"Who's obsessed with knights!?" Iris suddenly became angry at the insult. However, Hypno didn't pay any attention to her and continued to stare straight at me.

"Damn it...! I couldn't live like you! And I will always be a dog of the Camblor family!"

"I see."

"I have no choice. I have a position to maintain! And unlike the young Miss Vitta, I am far too dirty!"

"...Is that so?"

"Yes! That's why no matter what you say now, I can only live like a dog! I'll just rot away like this…"

"That's not true!"

Cutting off his shaky voice sharply, I lifted his chin with my finger and brought my face closer to his. Hypnoc trembled "Fahh!?"

For some reason, Iris also let out a surprised voice, "Whaaah!?"

Hehehe... it must be scary to see my Buddha face up close, right? That's why the words should be heard well

"It's fine to live as a dog. But don't decay. Don't forget your sense of justice. Sharpen your 'fangs' in secret so no one will notice."

"What, fangs...?"

"Yes. Hone your skills with the money from the Camblor family. Build your reputation. Gather powerful allies and one day rise to the top. Don't be a dog who can only live by flattering the Camblor family. Instead, become someone who can crush them."

"There is no way that’s so easy...!"

"There is a way to turn the tables. That girl, Vita, is the key. Hypno, from now on, guide her properly with all your might. As recompense for all the evil you have done, risk your life to turn her into a knight of justice. What do you think will happen when you

succeed?"

"The answer is clear. When she awakens to justice, she will surely move to expose her family's misdeeds. It will be the beginning of internal strife. And then, inevitably, the power of the Camblor family will decline."

"S-so, we raise our authority while weakening them...is that it!?"

"That's right. And then use that increased authority to assist Miss Vita. And with that, the 'giant evil' will be condemned."

"...!?" Hypno shuddered. He twisted his lips, then doubled over, clutching his stomach as he burst out laughing.

"Haha, what are you?! I thought you were just a kind man, but you're presenting a way to destroy a family! And wait, doesn't that mean that I, who was deeply involved with them, will be judged too!?"

"Well, that might happen, but if you assist in exposing their wrongdoings, you'll likely get a reduced sentence. Besides, aren't you a researcher? With the right technology, you can start over from scratch."

"Oh yeah, you're right!"

Hypno said, laughing and shaking his lab coat like a skirt. Gradually, the stagnant atmosphere dissipated, and a faint light returned to his dull eyes.

‘Wow, what a performance. Well, if I made it this far, I should pass, right? Chief-san who's watching somewhere, it's okay to let your guard down now, right?’

I talked to him (?), whom I haven’t seen yet. The reason why he set up this kind of surprise test is because I am ‘Iris’s’ disciple.

‘There are all kinds of mysterious magic weapons in the world, just like eavesdropping devices from a thousand years ago. Did they use something like that to investigate my relationship with her?’

Maybe it was installed on the carriage. Maybe the unseen Chief even knew that our relationship was a lie. Nevertheless, the unseen Chief did not judge me for using magic weapons without permission and gave me a chance to prove myself.

It was because I had the qualification of being Archangel Iris's disciple that I was given a chance to prove myself.

‘Thank you, Branch Chief.’

With gratitude towards him(?), I'll bring this skit to an end. Oh, should I also say, ‘I actually noticed it was a test long ago.’ It'll appeal to my ability to infer things, after all.

"Then, Hypno-san. Please tell Miss Vita, ‘Good job on the attack act.’ Thanks to it, it became good training.'"

"Haha, act? I see, we can just declare ourselves innocent on the grounds that it was training, right?"

Oops, Hypno-san is still acting. Come on, isn't it fine already? Let's relax and get along, shall we? It's okay for the Branch Manager to join in too, you know?

As I was thinking that, Iris said to me with a proud expression, "Fufun, as expected of my Kurou-kun! To shed light on the 'rotten Branch Chief Hypnoc' once again!"

Eh, Branch Manager? Huh?!?! I was confused by her incomprehensible remark, and Hypno smiled at me with a blush. And then,

"I thought my life was just going to be about falling into darkness, but you gave me the most incredible dream...! I really like you, Kurou-kun. As the Salem branch manager, I'll do everything in my power to recommend you as a knight!"

Wait, what?! This person is the branch manager!? Was all of this not a test, but for real?! IThis some kind of prank, right?!