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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Everyone Has a Story - 1
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Clink.
Jenia set down her teacup and continued.
"The investigation and trial rights over major and minor incidents in the territory belong to you, my lord. We only handle the 'unusual' cases."
"..."
"For example, the Witch of Atrocities."
Frank's back stiffened rigidly.
"You don't mean that witch is in our territory?"
"When the Witch of Atrocities uses magic, a thick residue lingers. It's so unique and sticky that it stands out."
"..."
"We've dispatched knights to every mage in territories across the continent, and Quelk Territory was no exception."
Viscount Frank's face twisted.
It meant there had been a spy from the capital right in his own territory.
But Jenia paid it no mind and pressed on.
"We received a report just recently detecting the Witch of Atrocities' mana. She's such a big fish that I had to come myself."
"..."
"Before seeking you out, my lord, I found traces of a battle in the clearing north of the territory. It was unmistakably her doing. She fought someone."
"To fight that witch. Whoever it was, they must have passed on to the next world."
"Who knows."
Jenia furrowed her delicate brow.
"It might be the exact opposite."
"Pardon?"
"On my way here, I heard some rumors in the territory. Maide Mohan. A great mercenary who captured the notorious criminal terrorizing the locals, right? And there was a woman by Maide's side."
Frank recalled the woman who had stood behind Maide like a doll.
That woman was the Witch of Atrocities?
Cold sweat trickled down his back.
"You seem to have an idea who it might be."
"There was definitely a woman with Maide."
"Tell me the details."
"Well... I never spoke to her. Maide led all the conversations, and the woman just listened."
"That witch? She wouldn't act so meek."
"I'm telling you what I saw. It felt like she'd delegated full authority in this matter to Maide."
A glint appeared in Jenia's eyes.
She chatted a bit more with the viscount, then realized there was nothing more to learn from him and excused herself.
She found a quiet bench in the garden and sat down, then pulled something from her bosom.
It was a communication orb.
A tool developed by Iori Otics, the great mage who was one of the heroes who appeared when the second Demon King descended.
Jenia brought the orb to her lips and spoke.
"Father. No, sorry."
-Yes?
"Captain. I have a report."
-No need to be so formal. You're still my daughter.
"Mentioning that during official business was a mistake."
-Fair enough. Any progress?
"Yes. Just as we suspected, it was the Witch of Atrocities."
-I figured. She'd been quiet lately, and now this commotion out of nowhere.
Jenia shook her head.
Then, in a quieter whisper, she opened her mouth.
"It feels a bit different. The Witch of Atrocities wasn't alone."
-What?
"My sense is... I hesitate to use the word for that witch, but she seems to have gained a companion."
-No way.
"And not just any companion. There was a petty criminal causing trouble in this territory, and it looked like she delegated everything related to it to this new companion. And that companion..."
-Go on.
"Maide Mohan. You might not know him, Captain, but in the mercenary world, he's already at the top. A formidable figure."
There was no response from the other side of the orb, as if he were gathering his thoughts.
Jenia waited a moment longer before speaking.
"What should we do?"
-What happened to that petty criminal? Another victim of the witch?
"No. That's the strange part. Maide handed the criminal over to the lord and exposed every single one of his crimes. The criminal went through a formal trial and was imprisoned. Though... it sounded like a trial laced with quite a bit of personal grudge."
-Still, it followed proper procedure?
"Yes."
Even as she said it, Jenia could hardly believe it.
Who was the Witch of Atrocities?
A criminal etched into human history, who even after getting thoroughly thrashed by her father—the man on the other end of this call, Dame Side—thirty years ago, continued her reign of atrocities across the continent.
And now she'd properly reported a criminal and been welcomed by the territory folk?
-I can't make sense of it.
"Maybe she's finally repenting? Getting humbled by you back then might have changed her. Something like that."
Dame noticed Jenia had unconsciously called him "Father," but he chose not to point it out.
Instead, he brought up something else.
-No chance. That was thirty years ago, and as you know, Neril flaunted her atrocities for thirty years after.
"...Right."
Of course, that was a false accusation.
The secret pact between the Empire and Neril.
The Empire guaranteed Neril safety and rewards, and Neril bore the infamy under her name.
Nearly all the atrocities pinned on Neril since thirty years ago had been the Empire's doing.
And leading those was Dame Side, captain of the Knights of Light and Jenia's father.
The tragic part was that Jenia didn't know any of this.
As Dame listened to his daughter's report, he thought.
'Why? The Empire used the witch's infamy, and she got safety and rewards in return. It was a solid deal, so why change her mind now?'
Was she trying to shed the infamy at this late hour?
Had something shaken her resolve?
That would be a problem.
The Empire's dirty puppet couldn't rebel.
Meanwhile, Jenia asked.
"What should I do now?"
-Hmm. Return for now.
It was then.
For the first time, the tone in Jenia's voice—which had been full of respect and reverence—shifted.
In a cold voice, she said.
"No."
-What?
"Ah. No. Slip of the tongue. Not 'no,' but... I'd like to know why."
Dame let out a low groan.
The tone Jenia had just used wasn't simply the resolve of a professional seeing a mission through.
And Dame could read her true feelings perfectly.
But he feigned ignorance as he replied.
-Too dangerous.
"I'm strong."
-...
"Please don't record this. But I'm telling you clearly: I'm stronger than you, Father."
Jenia realized she was getting a bit worked up and forced herself to calm down.
She racked her brains desperately.
To find a logical "justification" for why she couldn't return now.
A good idea came to her shortly after.
"Captain. We need to verify it. As I said, she has a companion now."
-...
"We have to check if this Maide is a boon for Neril or for us. Based on this incident alone, it seems like a win for us, but you never know with people. I'll confirm it myself."
-Hmm.
"Once I find the witch, I'll contact you, so please send support then."
Dame acknowledged his daughter's strength.
Surely Jenia could hold her own against Neril.
That was the problem.
'With her upright personality, if she learns of the secret deal between the Empire and the witch, she'll cause a huge uproar.'
Especially if she found out 'that incident' had nothing to do with Neril.
Dame fell silent for a moment before speaking.
-Even so, if I order you to return, what then?
"I'd probably leave the Knights of Light. Then I wouldn't have to follow your orders, Father."
-What?
"I've been entrusted with the grave duty of the Knights of Light. It doesn't sit right to back off now that we've found Neril, whose whereabouts have been unknown for years."
From his daughter's response, Dame intuited it.
Persuading her further was impossible.
'No helping it. I'll have to tip off Neril's side first.'
He sighed and said.
-In that case, swear it here and now. That if you find Neril, you won't rush in alone. That you'll contact me immediately.
"Of course. I swear it, Captain."
-Good. Permission granted. Let me know if you need anything.
"Yes. Thank you."
The call was about to end.
Jenia hesitated, then blurted out hurriedly.
"Um, and... Ah, don't record this either. Absolutely not."
-Yes?
"I'm sorry for being so insolent just now. Father."
-...
"I respect you now and forever! Excuse me, I'll go ahead!"
Jenia cut off the communication as if fleeing.
She could feel her face flushing red.
She lightly wiped her dry face and pocketed the communication orb.
When she rose again, the face of the doting daughter admiring her father was gone.
All that remained was the visage of the Knights of Light's vice-captain on duty.
Neril seemed a bit more talkative than before her regression.
Not a chatterbox, by any means.
Clatter. Clatter.
Inside the carriage heading to Rior Territory, Neril asked.
"Who's the real hero?"
"Huh?"
"You said it before. The real hero would get a proper oracle later and step up. And if my hunch is right... you already know who it is?"
Smart girl.
I shrugged.
"You wouldn't know even if I told you. It's a guy named Kaild. Kaild Wake."
"Hmm."
"The rumors haven't reached this area yet. But in the Empire's southwest, he's a big name. Probably gripping five territories tight."
Neril didn't bother asking where or how I knew that.
She knew I wouldn't answer even if she did.
I went on.
"That's why I'm a bit anxious. The real hero I need to catch up to is already way ahead. I've got to hit it big in Rior Territory."
"...No."
"Huh?"
"You're the real hero."
"..."
"For convenience between us, let's call that Kaild guy the fake hero. Got it?"
For a moment, my chest tickled oddly.
I glanced away, and so did Neril.
We stared out the carriage window in silence for a while.
[Man, you two are like puberty-struck teens.]
It was then.
Suddenly, a bluish light bloomed from Neril's luggage.
She made a face like she'd expected it, and rummaged through her bags.
What she pulled out was a communication orb.
"Dame Side. Captain of the Knights of Light. Feel it?"
"Yeah. Let's listen together. Pretend you're alone for now."
"Phew. Been a while since I heard that bastard's voice."
Neril fiddled lightly with the orb, and a middle-aged man's low voice emerged.
-Neril.
"Dame. Long time no see. Not that I'm glad."
-Same here, so I'll get straight to it. What's with the fuss in Quelk Territory?
"Investigation over already?"
The man named Dame answered cautiously.
-Yes. For your information, the one sent to investigate is my own daughter.
"Jenia, was it? Makes sense. You've been stepping back lately."
-One more thing. Jenia knows nothing of our contract.
Neril burst out laughing.
"What? Wanted to play the saintly father figure for your girl?"
-Don't mock me.
"Just stating facts calmly."
-...Anyway, now that we've found traces of you in Quelk Territory, the Knights of Light had no choice but to investigate. Jenia will find you soon. So, just... play along.
"Don't mention the secret deal and submit to interrogation nicely?"
-No. You won't even run into Jenia. I told her to contact me immediately if she finds you.
Dame lowered his voice.
-I'll send a subordinate who knows our contract soon. But if Jenia tries to approach you alone by chance, just stall until my man arrives.
"Do I have to play along that much? If you were gonna agonize like this, why send your daughter at all? Should've sent another subordinate from the start."
-I couldn't stop her once she heard about you. How could I refuse the vice-captain of the Knights of Light wanting to pursue the Witch of Atrocities—a target missing for years?
I nearly snorted.
'That's not it.'
[What do you mean?]
'I heard before regression. This pursuit of Jenia's is clearly personal. Even the captain's orders won't sway her.'
Trail seemed about to ask more, but Neril's retort came first.
She must've been thinking the same.
"That all? My gut says no."
-...You don't need to know more.
"Ha. The kid's grown cocky."
-Don't take it the wrong way. It's a request. I'll reward you if it all wraps up smoothly.
"Don't need it."
-Forcing me to say this, huh.
Suddenly, Dame's tone turned menacing.
-No choice. Let me make it clear.
"..."
-If you tell Jenia about our secret contract, I'll burn 'that item' I'm holding.
Neril's face hardened.
-It's something you value, right? Burning it would be a shame?
"You..."
-So let's keep our amicable relationship going.
Dame cut the call there, without waiting for a reply.
Neril's lips twitched.
"That son of a bitch."
"That item? He's got some leverage on you?"
"..."
"Makes sense. It was weird from the start. A free spirit like you negotiating with the Empire just for safety and rewards? Nah."
I waited for an answer, but Neril's lips stayed sealed.
Suddenly, Trail spoke.
[Want to see it?]