Chapter 46: Chapter 46 – Conspiracy (3)
If you want to read the first 25 chapters for free and read up to the final chapter for a cheap price patreon.com/Makima02
Just as I was about to take my foot off, I collided with someone, causing me to lose my balance and fall backward. It felt like I hit the back of my head, and everything seemed dizzy.
I tried to get up by placing my hands on the floor, but a girl's touch prevented me from doing so, causing me to fall back again.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry… Are you hurt? I wasn't looking where I was going…"
It wasn't anyone's fault, since we collided in a blind spot, but…
In the momentary confusion, I hesitated, but seeing Ellie's cold gaze, I suddenly snapped back to reality. I pushed away the girl's hand and got up.
"Get out of the way. I'm so unlucky…"
"Eek…! I'm sorry… I'm sorry…!"
I thought about saying a few more words, but seeing the girl trembling in fear, my motivation quickly vanished. I raised my hand, gesturing for her to leave.
"Hey, go away."
"…Yes yes…!"
The girl quickly got up and disappeared.
I tidied up my clothes and walked into the classroom, and during that short time, Ellie kept whispering in my ear in a small voice.
"Now it's… great…? How come you didn't move a finger while you were fumbling for a while…? You could push her away and get up so easily… Did you do it on purpose? Do you like that…? Say something, okay? Edwin…"
"Ellie, please…"
* * * * *
"Take your seats and take out your textbooks. So…where did we leave off last time?"
"On page 95, we even learned to differentiate between demons and ordinary monsters, Professor," a student replied.
"Oh, good. Then let's continue from there, shall we? Now, according to the latest standard demon classification system…"
It was a basic biology class. A young female professor stood enthusiastically in front of the blackboard, but more than half of the students were unable to concentrate, creating a chaotic atmosphere.
In recent days, ominous signs had been occurring incessantly, but the professors tried their best to maintain the atmosphere of the academy with a nonchalant attitude.
However, despite their efforts, the central summoning circle was still not found, and finally, yesterday morning, the academy announced that it could be temporarily closed depending on the results of the investigation.
The students' uneasy atmosphere was reaching its peak. Still, I silently focused on the professor's lecture.
The day the academy announced the possibility of a temporary suspension of classes coincided with the arrival of the investigation team from the Holy Kingdom. Two days later, tomorrow, would be the day when Eugene would capture the demon worshipers, just like in the original work.
In fact, I have seen Eugene rummaging around from afar, just like in the original work, so it is safe to say that the case will be resolved in the same way here.
The academy will soon return to normal, and at that time, those who had been following the current and not doing anything will be left behind.
As I was thinking about this and following the class, I heard a noisy sound coming from the hallway, and suddenly the front door of the classroom opened roughly and a dozen people in white uniforms rushed in.
The female professor, who was very angry that they had disturbed her class, shouted at them, her voice filled with frustration, "Investigators! What is the meaning of this! We allowed you to search the academy, but when did you say it was okay to behave like this?! I'll call the guards right now…"
"Calm down, calm down, Professor Priscilla."
As Professor Priscilla approached them with a momentum that seemed to overwhelm them at any moment, one of the people in white uniforms stepped forward and tried to calm her down in a conciliatory tone.
"We are also aware that our actions are now very inappropriate, but the situation is such that we have taken the liberty of doing this. I will apologize to Lady Evangeline myself later, so please forgive our impertinence this time."
As the man spoke, bowing slightly and mentioning the academy principal's name, Professor Priscilla's stance visibly weakened. Whether he interpreted it as tacit approval, the man nodded respectfully to the female professor.
Then, he turned toward the students and raised his voice, "I apologize for interrupting your sacred class time. We will do our best to minimize any damage to you, and we will leave as soon as possible. Is there a student named Edwin Reed here?"
What?
Why is my name here…
When they heard the familiar name, a great commotion broke out among the students.
Ellie, who was sitting next to me, also looked at me with a startled face, "Ed…"
Caught off guard by the unexpected situation, I felt extremely flustered, but I continued to take deep breaths, trying to calm my mind.
Seeing their attire, they seemed to be investigators from the Holy Kingdom. If they were looking for me in such a situation, there must be no reason other than something related to demons and demon worshippers. But I really have nothing to do with it.
Just to be sure, I never even went near the area where the summoning circle was discovered and controlled. I can't fathom what's going on.
"I am Edwin Reed. What can I do for you?"
"Oh, so you are…" As I stood up and answered, the man who had been talking to Professor Priscilla approached me, "I apologize for, I am Lazarus Fontana, the senior inquisitor from the Westford branch of the Ecclesiastical Tribunal. During the investigation of this unfortunate incident, we found evidence related to you near the scene, so we came here."
My head was even more confused after hearing the man's words, despite my promise just now. Evidence? I've never been there…
Perhaps noticing my bewildered expression, the inquisitor immediately added to his words, "Ah, of course, we are not confirming you as a suspect or anything like that. However, due to the urgency of the situation, we had to come forward like this after finding evidence related to you near the scene. Would you mind accompanying us? I hope you can understand."
Inquisitor Lazarus's tone seemed gently persuasive, but the underlying meaning was closer to a veiled threat.
In matters related to heresy, the Holy Kingdom had almost unilateral influence over other nations. And if the suspicion was confirmed, even if you were of noble status, you couldn't escape the consequences.
In this situation, the inquisitor indirectly conveyed that he could detain me, and in the worst case, even conduct an interrogation. Of course, I hadn't committed any crime, so there was no reason to worry. However, there was no immediate solution. For now, there was no choice but to follow them.
"One thing to keep in mind. I have not committed a single crime, but just with your actions, my reputation has been tarnished. So, when everything is resolved, and my innocence is proven, there will be a price to pay for this disgrace. It would be wise for the investigator to heed my words."
"There's probably nothing to say. Come on, get up. It seems we understand each other, and there's no need to delay any longer," Lazarus smiled a little apologetically and urged me on.
'Ed… !'
Ellie also made a move to stand up after me, but I desperately signaled her with my eyes.
Fortunately, she seemed to understand my meaning and sat down again, but she was still looking at me with a worried look.
As I followed the investigators out of the classroom, the hallway was already filled with students who had gathered to hear the commotion.
The investigators surrounded me and Lazarus to keep me from being seen by the people around me, which was probably their way of being considerate.
Taking advantage of the fact that the crowd was blocked, I asked Lazarus what I had been wondering about all this time.
"So, let's hear the story. What kind of evidence is it that you're taking me away like this for a farce like this?"
"…A handkerchief."
"What?"
"While we were searching the area near the auxiliary summoning circle we found yesterday, we found your handkerchief along with several footprints. It looked like you dropped it while trying to leave the scene in a hurry. And through the priest who resides within the academy, we were able to identify that the handkerchief was indeed yours, Edwin Reed."
Handkerchief? As soon as I heard Lazarus's words, I checked the pocket on the inside of my coat. No. The handkerchief is gone. According to the academy rules, I was supposed to carry a handkerchief at all times, but I was not used to using it, so I just put it in my pocket and hardly used it.
But even if it fell out by mistake, it doesn't make sense that the handkerchief was found near a place I had never been to.
What is going on here?
Someone was playing pranks on me.
—— End of chapter —–
If you want to read the first 25 chapters for free and read up to the final chapter for a cheap price patreon.com/Makima02
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone