Memoirs of the Returnee - Chapter 320



Only Krnovel

The Regressor’s Notepad 320

Usurpation (6)

Regarding the suspicious death of the former Holy Knight Atan, his daughter Emilia accused Teia Isil. I added my suspicion that she was a Bancheon.

With that, Teia was taken into custody.

Because of this, Jedric’s trial, which Teia had been in charge of, was reassigned to the prosecutor’s office, and Libra’s pressure would be sufficient for them.

Just like now.

“……hmm.”

The interrogation room at the Edsilla District Attorney’s Office.

I saw Teia beyond the transparent glass partition. Her wrists were bound with the highest level of magical handcuffs.

To be honest, it was a burdensome sight for me.

Because she is my teacher.

“Oh my~ Are you Lord Ascal?”

The prosecutor in charge, Al-Ras, appeared from behind. The title he used to address me had the word ‘Kyung’ in it.

“Thank you for your hard work~ Right. I’ve heard rumors here and there, but as expected, you’re really good at getting things done.”

“We had the support of Team Leader Belmore.”

I was familiar with the name Belmore.

“… … Ah. I see. Team Leader Belmore. He’s famous.”

This guy called ‘Alas’ is a swordsman raised by Libra using Libra’s resources.

As such, countless people from Libra… … or more precisely, ‘Shelock’ are stationed in Edsilla’s countless internal organizations.

“What do you think?”

I asked Alas in a dry tone.

“Teia Isil.”

“Well… … If things continue like this, the death penalty is definitely possible. Since there’s even a Bancheon file, it’s more than enough.”

He answered, sipping his coffee.

“The death penalty is not possible.”

“……yes?”

Alras looked at me. I looked into his eyes and spoke clearly.

“I said there should be no death penalty.”

“uh…….”

He had a strange expression on his face, but soon nodded as if he understood.

“Ah~ haha. I get what you mean. Well, I guess so. It would be more helpful for Lord Jedrick’s trial if he were alive.”

Then he scratched the back of his neck.

“But, Lord Ascal. The trial of Lord Jedric may be a bit difficult. There are so many dead people.”

By the way, no, as everyone knows, the prosecutor is the one who reveals the guilt of the criminal. But the prosecutor is discussing the pros and cons of the criminal.

It’s a good thing for Jedrick.

“It’s okay. I just need to buy some time.”

“… … Yes, well. The public is like dogs and pigs.”

A rather familiar word came out of Las’ mouth.

“I don’t know if Lord Jedric will be able to endure it until then, but if the public eye fades, he will be able to proceed with the trial as he wishes.”

“yes.”

I nodded, looking at Teia in the interrogation room.

“Duke Jedric will definitely get out of prison.”

This much is certain.

“No matter what happens, I will make it happen.”

Whether innocent, probation, or a fine, he will be free from custody.

“… … Haha. As expected of Lord Ascal. Just as I’ve heard, you are very loyal.

Instead, he becomes penniless, having lost everything he had.

* * *

Information Agency.

Gedler had planned to kill Belmore. He had been preparing before he heard the news of Teia Isil, but he could not afford to waste any time.

After a day or two, the information agency will be eaten by that guy. The information and intelligence reports that Libra has accumulated over decades will be reduced to a mere private organization of a swindler.

──Gedler’s grand idea, or self-rationalization, is like that.

He couldn’t stand by and watch as Belmore attempted to swallow up the intelligence agency.

That’s why he joined forces with the team leader. He also brought together the chasers who were dissatisfied with Belmore. Fortunately, there were quite a few factions that were against his rapid promotion.

The operation was called ‘Beyond the Curtain’.

It was a metaphor for stabbing and killing Belmore, who claimed to be the mastermind.

[… … is ready.]

Gedler set up his own network to control information. He made a ‘confidentiality oath’ among key personnel. At the same time, he thoroughly calculated Belmore’s routines and tendencies, and verified them dozens of times through simulations through magic space.

Gedler completed such a perfect operation in such a short period of time.

[The operation will be launched soon.]

Gedler’s ability should not be underestimated.

… … .

“Ah~ Of course I want to go too~”

At the same time, Belmore is talking to someone on the phone.

“But I’m so busy these days. Seriously. You know, the social issues on the news these days are a mess.”

While wandering around the office for no reason, I also mixed in a coquettish voice.

“… … Oh my. What kind of woman is this?”

It is a top secret love affair through secret lines and cannon phones that cannot be traced.

“I! I’ll declare it here and now. I have no one but you.”

Bellemore’s first serious relationship, not a casual one, after a long time.

But you must never get caught.

Because the other person is a celebrity.

That too, a very famous, promising young top star.

“… …Honey. Didn’t I tell you? The person I had feelings for in the past… …was actually Bancheon.”

Belmore muttered in a very sad voice.

He liked Riley. He didn’t show it, but he still thought about marrying her.

“That was when I was falling apart.”

Belmore made a gesture like the main character in a drama.

“You came to me like fate. You healed all my wounds.”

Then, the other side becomes silent. This young woman also feels the same way about her own movie-like love.

“Now, you are the only one who can be by my side. So, you don’t have to worry. I only know you.”

He conveyed his feelings in a deep, low tone,

The only answer I got back was the immature reply, “That’s the only time I have a schedule.”

“… … Yeah, yeah. I know that’s the only day our schedules match. But… … . Ah, why are you crying?”

Suddenly, she starts crying again. The sound of crying fills my ears. What kind of waterfall is that?

“Ugh.”

He sighed.

This is really hard, even if you’re popular. A man like me would be hung up on even a top star like this.

“… … Okay. Just wait.”

Belmore sat in his office chair and looked at his laptop.

[Shock! Teia Isil, accused of murdering her teacher?]

The news that Teia Isil had been arrested. That was the reason why she couldn’t leave.

Of course, as a person in charge, you have to stay in your position.

“… … No.”

If I think about it, do I really have to do that? I don’t want to do it and I have no intention of doing it.

Bellmore licked his lips and sent a message to his second-in-command.

[hey]

The reply came quickly.

[yes.]

I quickly tapped on the keyboard.

[There’s Teia, right? Do I need it too?]

[Team Leader Bell. Do you have a separate schedule?]

“… … This is a ghost.”

How can you notice something just by looking at a single text?

“No, no. Not you. I have a subordinate. How can you be a ghost? You’re a goddess.”

Belmore answered Zion as he picked up his phone.

[Uh. I have something to do. Can I leave for a few days?]

[Yes, that’s okay.]

After thinking about that insignificant reply for a moment, I added:

[Not a few days, but a few weeks?]

[it’s okay.]

Belmore’s lips twitched. He clutched his cell phone tightly.

“Oh, honey. I think I can go.”

Now, instead of crying, I hear laughter. Kkarur kkarur. It is a sweet melody, like a flower smiling.

“Of course. I’ll prepare a separate secret room. A magical space.”

These days, even magic spaces are a business. They make private vacation spots with beautiful scenery into magic spaces and provide them to the rich.

“I’ll go right now~ I’ll be waiting.”

And, Belmore received millions of renminbi as a bonus for this operation.

It was just the right amount of money to squander.

* * *

I visited Vito again. I had completed the quest, so it was time to receive my reward.

─… … Wow. Okay. That’s refreshing.

Vito’s hologram smiled brightly. He held up a newspaper about Teia Isil and gave it a thumbs up.

“Now I want to hear the answer. About the homunculus.”

There was no reason for me to hesitate or wait, so I got straight to the point.

─Um… … Well. Okay. You mean Homunculus?

“yes.”

─Homunculus… …An artificial human. You might think of them as artificial humans. But the reality is different. It’s impossible to create a soul.

It wasn’t much different from what Akane said.

“Then what is it?”

─Do you know what artificial insemination is?

Vito chuckled.

“Yes, I know.”

─In the process, the fertilized egg is manipulated.

“……operation?”

─If you give the fertilized egg the awareness and restrictions that it is a ‘created human’, it becomes a homunculus.

“… … .”

It was quite a strange statement. First of all, it was very different from what I expected.

I frowned.

“So, does that mean you’re a real human?”

─No, that’s not it either. Because it’s an act of manipulating the soul itself.

It is impossible to create a soul, but it is possible to manipulate a soul that has already been created.

Vito seemed to be saying something like that.

─If you manipulate the soul, you will be born with talents that far surpass those of ordinary humans. It will also become easier to handle.

Bellingham Kanta. He possessed talents comparable to Teia Isil, but was loyal to no one but Libra.

“… …Why did you develop such technology?”

─Um… … .

Vito touched his chin for a moment, thinking.

─Do you know? When I die, there will be no intelligence like mine. No intelligence that can surpass me or even catch up with me… …there won’t be any.

His voice was faintly stretched out.

It was a sudden narcissism.

─It would be the same if I had children. They wouldn’t inherit all my intelligence and talents.

“… … It’s not hereditary?

─Yes. That’s right. No matter how much the nobles try to maintain their noble bloodline, a ‘quality decline’ will inevitably come at some point.

Vito smiled brightly.

─In fact, noble families fear the loss of talent more than anything else. Libra is no exception.

I thought of Arcne. Before the return, Arcne had cut herself off from Soliet, but when she actually committed suicide, she panicked.

It was because the family line could not be continued.

It was because he had lost a talent that would have left a lasting impression on his family’s history.

“… … Bellingham Kanta must have been a test subject.”

I asked directly. Vito nodded with a smirk.

─Yes. That’s right. He recognized himself as a homunculus and became Libra’s servant at the same time. His very existence is a perfect PR product.

Vito’s words made something pop into my head.

─… … I guess you got the idea.

Vito asked meaningfully.

─Mr. Zion. Why would I call you? Because you’re close with Dr. Killian? Just because of that diary?

I looked at Vito.

─I trust Dr. Killian, but I don’t trust the diary. It’s a medium that can be manipulated at any time. You probably manipulated it.

I needed to revise my assessment of the guy.

This is a guy you have to be wary of, much more than you might expect.

─Mr. Zion. Zia has ambitions, right?

Vito chuckled.

─Zia is a child who has been infused with the essence of Libra. She is a person who is even more perfect than Bellingham Kanta.

“… …Is that so?”

From Vito’s words I knew for sure.

─That’s right. He is the successor who is more perfectly prepared than anyone else.

Libra.

Deep within the heart of that giant, there must be some kind of ‘ghost’ lurking.

“Was it destined for Miss Jia to be the successor from the beginning?”

─Ah. No. That can’t be. There is no such thing as fate in this world.

Vito waved his hand.

─Lord Sheilok wanted to be fair. If he could defeat the perfect successor, it would mean he would become an even more perfect successor. But… … .

Vito’s eyes, staring at me, curve gently.

─Jia is really lucky.

He shrugged, sweeping his lawn-like hair back.

─Somewhere, in a deep hole of mud, I found the perfect ‘Joker’ named you.

Vito’s hologram walked around me in a circle.

─Outstanding talent. Cool intellect. Infinite loyalty. Turning every situation to his advantage and eventually solving it… … The all-rounder, Skeleton Key.

Vito had an expression of rapture, as if he was in awe. To me, it looked absolutely disgusting.

─I didn’t expect a joker like you. A perfect knight, prepared for the perfect successor. It was like a movie.

“… …Thank you for the compliment.”

I asked Vito back.

“Where is Lord Shelock now?”

─Well? I guess he’s sleeping now. Waiting for the right time.

Vito crossed his arms absentmindedly.

─Anyway, that’s all I can tell you. You just continue to serve Zia. There’s no need to doubt anything else.

The voice of the snake-like creature continues.

─Go forward as you have done so far. For your lord… … .

Chijijik-

The hologram went off, like a TV frequency going out.

“……ha.”

I exhaled softly in the abandoned factory left alone.

What kind of onion is this family? No matter how much I peel it, something keeps coming out.

‘Master! This is a big problem─!’

Suddenly, Growl’s telepathic voice rang in my ear. It was a cry that shook the bone.

I pressed my temples.

‘That’s surprising. Why all of a sudden?’

‘The Gedlers are now attacking Belmore!’

‘what?’

My eyes widened. It was intelligence that I didn’t know about, that I couldn’t even expect.

‘Really?’

‘Yes! The information agency is now… … .’

I bit my teeth. I let my guard down without realizing it.

Of course, Gedler is not a vegetable. He is treated like an inanimate object.

‘Huh? Oh. Wait a minute.’

Growl suddenly became dazed.

‘Why again.’

‘There is no Belmore.’

‘… …What are you talking about?’

‘Gadler made an attack, but Belmore was not there.’

‘What is that… … ‘

Then it occurred to me.

Last night, I think, the text that Belmore sent me.

[Uh. I have something to do. Can I leave for a few days?]

[Not a few days, but a few weeks?]

“……and.”

I couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration. A ridiculous laugh spread across my face.

“This kid is lucky… … .”