CH 287.1

There was a disturbing atmosphere in the Imperial Capital of Zebrudia.

Merchants who are not based in the Imperial Capital are fleeing like rats from a sinking ship, and those who cannot leave the Imperial Capital for whatever reason are also making preparations. It seems that the Explorer Association has received several times the usual number of requests for escort quests.

The prophecy made by the Institute of Divination and Mystic Arts was not made public. Still, everyone was on to something. All because of the incidents that have been occurring every day.

The rampage incident involving a Magic Sword caused by the students of the 《Sword Saint’s (Kensei)》. The appearance of a monster at the Zebrudia Magic Academy, and a dispute over an illegal Potion caused by Alchemists at Primus, Academy of Magic Science.

One incident alone is a major event, but if it were to occur in succession, anyone will be able to guess that something is happening unless they are extremely insensitive.

There were gag orders on some of these incidents, but you can’t seal everyone’s mouth.

Franz was at his wits’ end with the inquiries he was receiving day after day, night after night, from nobles and merchants with whom he had business relationships.

“Damn, what the hell is he going to do next? We’re not getting anywhere!” (Franz)

The prophecy occurred at a time when the 『Nine-Tail Shadow Fox (Kyubi no Kage Kitsune)』 task force had just been formed and was about to begin its activities. As soon as he had the staff in place to deal with the situation, a series of unexplained incidents occurred, and the prophecy, which showed no sign of disappearing, completely exceeded Franz’s capacity to handle it.

No――Even if it wasn’t Franz, they wouldn’t be able to deal with this situation. Things were happening too fast and there was seemingly no connection between them.

We are cooperating with the Third Knight Order, which maintains the security of the Imperial Capital, and yet there are not enough hands on deck. While we were investigating the previous incident, the next one was already happening, so there was nothing we could do about it.

The incident at Primus, Academy of Magic Science is the worst among them.

“Strawberry milk!? Don’t mess with me!” (Franz)

It is truly a nightmare. It will be a shame that will remain in history that all the Alchemist Researchers who belonged to the best Alchemy-related Academy in the Imperial Capital were deceived and made such a big commotion over a canteen containing strawberry milk.

All the Alchemists who participated in the conflict were captured. Even if they stated that they had been deceived, there is no way that their crime would be lightened since the Potion in question was illegal in the first place.

Sure I told him to stop with curses, but I did not ask him to cause another ruckus!

It wasn’t like he didn’t understand what I said, he really has a bad character.

When I unintentionally leaked my curses on him, a subordinate from the same Knight Order as me says.

“But, “Commander (Dancho)”. The fact that the prophecy has not disappeared even after so many incidents occurring and solved means that the subject of the prophecy is even worse than those.” (Subordinate)

“…… If anything, I didn’t expect the 《Sword Saint (Kensei)》 to have such a dangerous object.” (Franz)

In this Imperial Capital where various Relics and human resources gather, there are naturally many dangerous items around. Magi and Alchemists have many secrets, and we don’t even know what the other nobles might be hiding.

And maybe even in the Imperial Castle’s treasury――You will probably find something if you look inside.

What 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 revealed was only a small part of it.

The illegal subordination drug, Strawberry Blaze, was a fake. According to our research, Sytry claimed to have obtained it at the Magic Academy, but if it is them, it would not be surprising if they had the real thing hidden away.

Knights were dispatched here and there to confirm this, but the results were not good. If they were going to be honest about it, they wouldn’t have concealed it in the first place.

To take a hard line, we needed some kind of evidence. It was not impossible to conduct an investigation by having the Emperor issue an imperial order, but it was not a move that could be used over and over again.

“Can we put some pressure on the 《Sword Saint (Kensei)》 and the Zebrudia Magic Academy?” (Franz)

“But they are big shots inside the Imperial Capital……” (Subordinate)

“However, we don’t have evidence even though we can see that there are destructions around them. Although, using this as evidence is less effective than with the Strawberry Blaze case――.” (Franz)

As for Primus the Academy of Magic Sciences, an investigation had already begun. The fact that they had caused such a major incident and had knocked down multiple official knights was enough reason.

As for 《Sword Saint (Kensei)》 and the Zebrudia Magic Academy, it would be too risky to oppose them without any evidence, but if we can find out that the items they were holding were the trigger for the incident, we will be able to investigate their warehouse relatively quickly.

They may be hiding other dangerous things.

As for the main culprit, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 ………… Well, it is probably impossible. After doing so many things, it is highly likely that he considered the fact that he will be investigated. In the first place, it is likely that he will show off his Relics collection without even us having to investigate it and he will likely unapologetically push his curse items on us.

As he was thinking about this, a frightening thought occurred to Franz.

Could it be that 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 is fully exercising his 『Divine Stratagem』 to remove all the possibilities in order to confirm the truth of the prophecy?

“…………… Tsk.” (Franz)

If it was the Franz from a while ago, he would have definitely ordered the interrogation of 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》.

However, he won’t do it now. For the past few months, Franz has had a lot of trouble with that man. He has already dispatched Hugh on that man. They don’t have any more resources to devote to him.