Memoirs of the Returnee - Chapter 214



Only Krnovel

The Regressor’s Notepad 214

Setup (1)

“Zion.”

Cafeteria on campus. Breakfast time before classes start.

Solliet, across from me, asked, munching on cereal.

“why.”

“… … .”

He calls me but doesn’t say anything.

I tore into the steak.

Actually, the food I make myself tastes better, but I’m too lazy to cook in the morning.

Soliet opened her mouth cautiously.

“Bedenden… … I have a place I want to go.”

“Wherever you want to go, inside the tank?”

“yes.”

“hmm.”

I nodded. She must have noticed Javed’s presence there. She must be thinking about it now.

The dark circles under my face have also gone down quite a bit.

“I’ll go with you.”

“… … Is that okay?”

“of course.”

Soliet dipped her spoon into the cereal. I pointed at her with my fork.

“I told you that we would go together until the end.”

“… … .”

She smiled belatedly and nodded.

“Yes. There is someone I want to show to Zion.”

“whenever.”

I gave a small smile.

I also feel proud. Because I have become someone who can share our worries with her… … .

Then suddenly, over Solliet’s shoulder.

A seat about three seats back.

My gaze was drawn there.

“uh?”

It was like a magnet. I quickly got up.

“hey.”

I walked up to him and called out to him. The guy who was sitting eating pasta looked up at me with a start.

“… … Me?”

A college student with short black hair who asks in surprise. Her appearance is androgynous, but her voice is that of a woman.

“uh…….”

I suddenly felt confused.

He is a complete stranger.

It looks like ‘someone’, but when you look closely, it’s not like that. Only the characteristic black bob… … It’s just a little familiar.

But, who on earth does it resemble?

Who the hell is that ‘who’?

“sorry.”

I went back to my seat again.

“… … Zion. What’s going on?”

Soliet asked, munching on cereal.

“Uh… … I don’t know.”

I glanced again at the short hair over Soliet’s shoulder.

Certainly, it’s someone I don’t know.

but……

“I think I forgot something.”

“You forgot?”

“I don’t remember very well either.”

There was a precious guy.

That guy who was always by my side, no matter what lecture I was giving. That guy with that cute bashful smile.

“… … Did I have a friend?”

* * *

The curriculum of the Knight School is simple. Most of it is practical. Rescuing people, protecting VIPs, hunting monsters, fighting monsters, arresting criminals, etc… … You get to experience in advance everything you will do as a ‘knight.’

In that respect──

“You all have probably heard of ‘timing’.”

Today’s curriculum was [Teaming].

“Knights usually work together as a pair with sorcerers. Of course, in other dramas and movies, stories about knights and sorcerers are mainly featured.”

The professor continued speaking with a smirk.

“Actually, there aren’t that many knights who can team up with wizards. 70% of you will end up teaming up with simple sorcerers.”

Of course, the number of wizards is much smaller than that of knights.

When 100 knights are appointed, less than 20 magicians enter the Magic Tower.

“So, I want you to experience that competition today. It means waking up from the illusion of being a knight.”

The professor turned on the beam projector. The names of the first-year students of the Department of Magic appeared on the screen.

There were quite a few familiar faces. The current number one was Elise Petra.

“I’ve listed the students in the Magic Department in order of their grades. Choose one student from among them with whom you would like to form a team.”

However, that number is extremely small compared to ours.

“If both parties agree, that is, if the student you chose chooses you, then the teaming will be successful. The knights who are not chosen will be classified as dropouts.”

Then the undergraduate students start to tense up a little. Their breathing becomes a little rougher.

What kind of love is this?

“The two people who are teamed up will wear this ‘bracelet.’”

The professor took out the bracelet.

“These bracelets are a pair. The other pair is in the Magic Department. The two bracelets are connected by a line of magic. We will gradually learn more about the details, so let’s stop here… … . Choose. Who do you want to team up with?”

Everyone had worried expressions on their faces, but Asher quickly wrote down someone’s name. It seemed like there was already a woman he had seduced in the Department of Magic.

Kane fiddled with his chin as he wrote down someone’s name, while Gerken was surprisingly deep in thought.

“… … .”

I wrote down the guy’s name.

There are only two names I know in the Magic Department.

* * *

[Timing].

Although it was a bothersome curriculum for Elise, her heart still pounded for some reason, perhaps.

Is it because of that guy?

“I’m jealous~ Ms. Elise~ You must get chosen by so many people~?”

Suddenly a hoarse voice flowed in.

Elise dislikes this way of speaking from the students of the Department of Magic more than anything else.

Because the ratio of nobles in the Department of Magic is so high that it is seriously concerning.

“Who do you think will come and receive me~?”

Almost 90% of them are of noble birth, so they all act like they are classy and well-mannered, which really annoys me.

“well.”

Even though Elise responded rudely,

“As expected from Mr. Gerken~?”

He pretends to ask in an old-fashioned manner, but his eyes are restraining.

Because Gerken is quite popular.

“no.”

Elise shook her head.

“Is that so~”

“Hohoho.”

Ignoring the smiling undergraduates, Elise rests her chin on her hand and thinks.

She has only one worry.

Zion Ascal.

He will probably choose himself.

We had teamed up before and had great chemistry.

But if I accept him, those damn paparazzi will come and bother us again.

“The first selection for the College of Engineering has been completed.”

Just then the professor said.

Elise looked up askance.

“The results have been sent to your personal tablet PC, so please check them.”

Tablet PC on the desk.

Elise looked at it with somewhat complicated feelings… … .

“?”

He tilted his head.

“what.”

There is no name that should be there.

I’m looking for it by scrolling up and down, but no matter how hard I look, I can’t find it.

Of course, there are an incredible number of knights who chose him. There are as many as 15 of them.

But─

“Oh, what is it?”

Next to her, Raye opened her eyes wide. Elise wasn’t interested in that at all.

“Zion did this to me?”

At that moment, my eyes rolled back. I looked at Raye’s tablet screen.

[Zion Ascal]

It was Zion Ascal.

“… … .”

Elise kept her mouth shut, and Raye glanced at her for no reason.

“Um… Ellie. Zion asked me out~?”

No, I’m joking. Holding back laughter. Pretending to be aware of the situation.

“… … Do it.”

He waved his hand as if he didn’t really care.

“Why~? I want to refuse~”

“… … He’s good at teaming.”

“Hey~ Even so~ Zion, Ellie fits better-”

“Shut your mouth.”

Elise stretched out her finger. She quickly thrust it into Raye’s throat, who was giggling.

“Ugh.”

Raye grabbed my neck.

“Please make a decision within 48 hours. You don’t have to make a decision right away. Talk to the students from the College of Journalism who selected you and see how you fit together as much as possible before making a decision.”

The professor continued with a smiling face.

“Remember, you are the absolute winners in teaming. So, today I will first lecture on the theory of teaming. There are some things you absolutely need to know before you get into the real thing, so please listen carefully… … .”

Somehow, it was a class that Elise couldn’t quite hear.

* * *

At the family level, a disciplinary committee is essential to punish those with Libra’s blood mixed in – that is, collateral branches.

Of course, there are collateral branches, but Sonya has a fairly high-level career even among collateral branches, and above all, Libra’s current owner is ultimately ‘Shelock’.

Important decisions require the unanimous consent of successors.

anyway.

As soon as the lecture was over, I went to work at the Libra Intelligence Agency. As an internal investigator, I had a lot to do.

“You can just put your mark here.”

The face of the person who handed over a number of documents, including the [Secret Agreement] and [Obligatory Contents Agreement], was Bellingham Canta.

It’s surprisingly nice.

“It’s nice to meet you like this.”

Bellingham spoke instead.

“Yeah, I think I’m moving up pretty fast. We’ll be able to reach it soon.”

“haha.”

Bellingham just laughed, as if to tell me not to get confused.

“It’s nothing special. It’s a common occurrence these days. Especially in cases like the Disciplinary Committee where agreement between siblings is required, Lord Jedric’s proposals are always rejected by Lord Jahanna.”

“… … Then. In the end, no matter what I do, nothing will change?”

“Usually, right? This case has solid evidence. You don’t need to worry too much. Even if the result doesn’t change, Jahanna Gong refused for the sake of refusing anyway. I think you’ll understand.”

“Yes. What.”

I stamped the documents.

“I have received it. This document will be kept for one month and destroyed once the investigation is concluded. Internal Investigator Sion Ascal. Then, please speak to your superior.”

Bellingham smiled and stepped aside. A woman wearing a veil came in after him.

A person with very slender shoulders and a white, gentle fragrance.

Jia.

She spoke first.

“My brother and sister told me to leave the investigation to a third party… … so I ended up doing it myself… … .”

I nodded.

“Yes. Do you have anything else to say to me?”

There is no recording or wiretapping in this space. Because Jia is the youngest in the line of succession, surveillance is extremely lax.

“I am…….”

She gently took off her veil.

He said it looking me straight in the eye.

“I don’t think it was Sonya’s doing… … .”

“… … .”

It was a bit unexpected. But I didn’t show it.

Above all, there is zero chance of me being discovered.

“What if it wasn’t Sonya’s doing?”

“It’s happened… … If this continues, Sonya will be permanently exiled… … Her brother will order someone to take her life… … .”

I looked at Zia. I immediately knew why she had come to see me and what she wanted to ask of me.

“Can you protect Sonya… … ?”

Sonya was Zia’s number two, initially managing her shell companies and later getting involved in all the political aspects.

It could definitely be my competitor, but… … .

“yes.”

Gia asked me to do the impossible.

“I will only follow Miss Jia’s wishes.”

If you can do the impossible, you will definitely be able to get closer to her than anyone else.

* * *

The interrogation room of the intelligence agency.

I am facing Sonya. Her face is very worn. Her hair is as disheveled as a broom, and her eyes are filled with anger and despair.

“It’s a letter.”

I handed her the letter.

A letter I received, with Sonya’s handwriting removed, that I had personally manipulated.

“It’s manipulation.”

Sonya said. Then she looked up at me. Her eyes wavered as if she realized who I was.

“You at that time… … ”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Are you an investigator?”

“yes.”

“… …Because I don’t belong to the eldest son or eldest daughter?”

As expected from Sonya, she immediately realizes why.

I nodded. Sonya laughed bitterly.

“under.”

“I read the report.”

He handed her the statement.

Libra’s Chasers have already investigated the matter. Sonya’s statement ends with ‘She just keeps repeating that the letter was fabricated and that it never happened.’

“Is there nothing more to say?”

“Yeah. No. Someone manipulated it. Obviously.”

“Well then. Is there anyone you suspect?”

I asked back.

“……doubt?”

Sonya frowned. I picked up the fountain pen.

“Yes. That means there is someone who is trying to trap you by manipulating your handwriting.”

“… … .”

Sonya was silent for a moment. Knock knock – she asked again, tapping the table with the tip of her fountain pen.

“Isn’t there any?”

“… … I worked under Lord Jedric. There were countless people who were jealous of me.”

I was listening to her without thinking much, when suddenly.

The face of a dog comes to mind.

One of the intelligence team leaders under Jedrick.

That damn idiot who kept calling me an orphan.

Chew named ‘Bendeck’.

“By any chance, have you ever sent any other letters?”

I asked Sonya.

“… … Another letter?”

“yes.”

Sonya sighed. She muttered bitterly, her face almost giving up on life.

“Are you finally doubting me too?”

“I have no doubts.”

I shook my head.

“Forging handwriting requires study. Forging a simple signature is easy, but forging a letter of dozens of sentences so effortlessly requires a textbook and effort.”

“Hmm… … Well… … .”

Sonya thought for a moment. Her expression became serious as she looked at the desk.

“… … There is something like that.”

“Is that so?”

“However, there was no route to obtain it. My handwritten letter was only written to Jade Lord.”

“No, there are plenty of routes.”

I scribbled some words on the note with a fountain pen. I showed it to her without the camera showing it.

[Information Agency]

This is not a lie. The culprit is clearly in the intelligence agency.

I will create it.

“… … .”

Sonya’s face hardened. She looked up at me with a look of shock on her face.

“surely-”

“I will investigate as much as possible. For now, please keep quiet.”

“… … Okay, I see.”

I got up and walked out of the interrogation room.

* * *

“Are you done?”

Outside the interrogation room, one of the male chasers asked me. I shook my head.

“There is still more to investigate.”

“What? Is there anything left to investigate?”

Chaser frowned. It was probably one of Bendek’s men.

“yes.”

“Let’s answer briefly,” Chaser said with a hollow laugh.

“Hey Rookie. Just do it roughly and move on. Don’t tire people out for no reason.”

“I will try to do it on my own.”

“Alone? Is this kid crazy?”

Chaser’s face wrinkled in fear. It wasn’t scary at all. He pressed his fingers hard against my shoulder.

“You’re not wearing the armband. You’re just being treated like a spare.”

“… … .”

I looked down at the guy. He looked quite angry.

“Rookie. Your eyes are sharper than Kora’s. Show off appropriately and use this.”

There was a document stuck to my chest.

[Internal Investigation Conclusion]

I was just appointed as an internal investigator today, and I was told to get it done right away.

I folded it carefully and put it in my bosom.

“Please wait one more week. Even if you don’t want to receive it, I will deliver it to you then.”

“Hey you little punk. Do you want to get ripped off by the team leader? Don’t be crazy— ugh!”

I shoved him with my shoulder.

Boom!

The guy who was almost thrown out stood there, clutching the cabinet, while I walked down the hallway.

─Hey, hey, stop it. Rookie! Crazy Rookie!

The shouts coming from behind were ignored.

I gave my voice to Relic.

‘Grow.’

‘yes?’

Growl answered quickly.

‘Let’s do some background check on one person.’

The boy, who has grown day by day, is now able to act completely independently.

‘Yes, master! Who are you?’

‘Bendeck.’

As far as I know, there is no one among the heads of the intelligence agency who is not a dirty one. It is especially bad when it comes to Jedrick. Because of Jedrick’s nature of liking flattery, his subordinates are full of corrupt and corrupt officials.

Obviously, Bendeck would be one of them.

‘He’s the head of the Libra Information Agency. Dig into him.’

I can fabricate evidence with a “notepad”. I can easily create false evidence that ‘in fact, the information agency team leader Bendeck fabricated Sonya’s letter’.

However, no one will believe it if only that one thing is given.

Rather, I may be the one being counterattacked.

Therefore, before attacking an opponent, you must first lower their trustworthiness.

He must be made to roll around in the dirtiest shit possible, so that no one will want to touch him.

Only then will my fake evidence become real.

‘Yes, master!’

I liked Growl’s lively answer.

I felt pretty good too.

Because it’s a job to bury a guy like X,

It can’t be bad.