Chapter 49

Chapter 48

That Moment in the Inspectorate - 2

A noble should be a lofty and ruling presence. They should guide the foolish and incompetent commoners, receive the reverence of all, and lead the world in the right direction. That is what a noble is. Only the nobles can lead the world.

However, what is the empire like today? Those who should bow their heads and receive the guidance of the noble blue blood dare to raise their heads and seek equality. Even beasts know gratitude, so how can these ignorant ones not know the grace bestowed by the nobles? How can they seek equality with the nobles?

Moreover, it is even more unacceptable for the lowly red blood to become blue blood. Blue blood is chosen by heaven; how can red blood turn into blue blood?

"What is the empire coming to?"

It was always a source of lament. In places where no one was around, I would sigh alone. As a noble burning with patriotic loyalty for the royal family and the empire, I could not help but worry.

The order where nobles rule nobly and commoners obey obediently is for the peace of the empire. Although Afels was a corrupt and greedy nation, it could still rule as an empire because this order was maintained.

How much more powerful would Kepheropen, which is incomparably greater than Afels, become if this order were also established?

"The order inscribed in blood must always be firm."

That's why I was pleased with the conversation with the person who introduced himself as the head of the Rye merchant guild. He knew his place and the truth. Even though he was a commoner, he was quite commendable. No matter how foolish and incompetent a commoner might be, if they know their place, they deserve attention.

After that, I met the head of the merchant guild more often. Thanks to that commoner, we could make some very good deals.

"Recently, a mine has been discovered, but there are difficulties in its development."

So I gave him an explosive scroll. I have gained a lot through the head of the merchant guild, and the benefits of giving him this scroll are also considerable. Although it is a concern to leak it to others, there should be no problem if it is only used for mine development. Yes, there should be no problem.

"─Snap─"

There should be no problem.

"Viscount!"

Turning around at the butler's shout from behind, I saw him sitting on the floor with a pale, terrified face. How could the butler of the Vendel viscount family show such an undignified appearance? How dare he shout at his master? Not only the butler, but all the servants nearby were the same.

But I couldn't blame them. I was the same.

A group of people in black uniforms surrounded me and the servants, mocking our appearance. Then the door to the mansion opened, and a large man entered.

"This is unexpected. I thought you would resist."

I bowed my head at his words. The Inspectorate had already informed us about the news of the Gorpu baron family and the Dossil viscount family. They mobilized private soldiers to resist the Inspectorate, but were quickly annihilated, and the entire family was hanged in front of their burning mansion.

It's a futile resistance. Rather, rather, prostrate yourself. Then mercy might be shown. My death is inevitable, but my child might avoid disaster. The family's destruction can be avoided.

"Bind him."

At the words of the man in the lead, two Inspectorate members bound my hands behind my back and gagged me. Then they pressed my head forcefully to the ground. Now I can't even see the face of the one who has come to take my life.

"Listen, Johan Vendel of Camora, a traitor who has defied the royal family and the empire."

I felt a sense of unease at the man's words. Defied the royal family and the empire? A traitor? This is strange. The tone of the statement is not ordinary. It's not just a matter of corruption.

"The criminal, who was supposed to serve the noble royal family and protect the subjects, had the duty to revere the royal family, the guardian of the mandate, and the right to serve the only empire on this continent. However, the criminal dared to betray the glorious duty and right with a private heart. How can this not be lamented?"

This is not a matter of corruption. It's not a problem that ends with just the death of the individual involved.

'Treason!'

The Inspectorate has come to deal with treason. I was puzzled by the futile resistance of the Gorpu baron family and the Dossil viscount family.

I tried to speak in my defense, but the gag prevented any words from coming out. I tried to lift my head, but the Inspectorate member's hand pressed it down. Despite my struggles, the man's words continued.

"Therefore, His Majesty the Emperor, the legitimate and sole ruler of the Kepheropen Empire, has decided to strip the criminal of all rights and no longer expect any duty from him."

No, that's not true. How could I dare to defy the royal family? How could I raise a banner against the empire?

"Camora viscounty will be reclaimed by the noble His Majesty the Emperor, and the Vendel family will disappear along with its vile desires. The criminal Johan has no right to defend himself, so do not defile the royal family and the empire with false words and further sin. Comply with His Majesty the Emperor's decision, for this is His Majesty's last act of mercy."

This is wrong, there must be a great misunderstanding! My loyalty is unwavering. My loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor is absolutely un─

***

The third division chief wiped the blood off the axe and handed it to the chief team leader standing beside him.

Johan Vendel, the head of the Vendel viscount family and the viscount of Camora, is now just a traitor Johan, a beheaded corpse.

"Clear everything away."

At his words, all the members of the third division, who had been waiting behind, began to ransack the mansion. The servants were captured and handed over to the first and second divisions, and all members of the Vendel viscount family were beheaded and hanged. Just like what happened to the Gorpu baron family and the Dossil viscount family.

'This wasn't it either.'

At first, he was relatively quiet, but as soon as he realized it was treason, he started to struggle fiercely. He didn't know that he was dealing with the Afels Revival Army, but he was actively involved to some extent.

But it doesn't matter. His Majesty the Emperor and the deputy chief wanted the destruction of those three families. Even if it's unjust, what can be done? The fact that he dealt with the traitors who sought the revival of Afels is true. How could he leak important materials to someone he didn't even know?

One by one, the servants were dragged out, or the members came out with only their heads in their hands. I went outside the mansion. Now, all that's left is to hang the heads and burn the mansion. Fortunately, the deputy chief's anger didn't turn on us.

'I'm alive.'

I stopped the deputy chief from moving.

I left the mansion and confirmed that the members of the Vendel viscount family (who were) were hanged.

'Head of the family, correct. Wife, correct. Heir, correct.'

In the current situation, it's better to keep the faces intact. I need to confirm that the criminals were properly dealt with. Fortunately, the most important figures were definitely taken care of.

I confirmed the heads hanging in a row, and my gaze stopped at the last one. The last head was so severely damaged that the identity could not be confirmed.

"Who brought this one?"

I asked the chief team leader standing beside me, and soon a member was brought over. He bowed his head, seemingly aware of his mistake.

"What happened?"

"The criminal fell face-first during the escape, causing severe damage. I'm sorry for not handling it quickly enough."

"I see."

Looking back and forth between the last head and the member, I nodded.

"Come to think of it, I don't recognize this face."

"Yes. I was recently assigned to the third division."

"This was your first mission, then."

"Yes, that's right."

"Good job. You can go now."

The new member bowed again and quickly retreated. After the new member left, the chief team leader spoke.

"What do you want to do?"

"Dispose of it."

"Understood."

Watching the chief team leader move towards where the new member had gone, I took out the communication device from my pocket.

'The call should come soon.'

Sure enough, the communication device started to glow after a short while.

"Hey, fifth division chief. Did you go that way?"

- Yes. He managed to escape this far.

"Sorry. He must have been too small, so we missed him."

- Be careful. Thanks to you, our heads almost rolled too.

After the call with the fifth division chief, the severely damaged head was taken down and a new one was hung.

In the report on the suppression of the Vendel viscount family submitted by the third division chief to the deputy chief, it was recorded that one member of the third division died during the operation. It's a regrettable incident.

***

The three families who dared to participate in treason have been successfully suppressed. Now, all that's left is to submit the evidence obtained from the suppression to the higher-ups, and the suppression operation will be completely over.

"What do I do with this poor memory?"

In the basement of the Inspectorate, the first division chief tilted his head in confusion.

The servants captured during the suppression of the three families were sent to the first division as they were. To obtain testimony that the suppressed families had collaborated with the Afels Revival Army. However, unfortunately, the servant in front of me doesn't remember what happened recently. It seems he is tense due to the sudden unfamiliar environment.

"You were the closest to the traitor. You must have seen him in contact with the rebels, right?"

"I, I don't, don't know... I, I haven't, haven't seen it..."

The servant, trembling and stuttering, is truly regrettable. How can the butler have such a poor memory?

In the end, the first division chief sighed and leaned back in his chair. There's no point in continuing to interrogate someone who doesn't remember.

"Your son was a trainee butler, right? He often served the traitor, didn't he?"

"Y-Yes, yes?"

"Thinking about it, even if he's the butler's son, he was close to the trainee. It means he was highly trusted. So he must have seen a lot. Right?"

At these words, the butler's eyes darted around.

"If you can't remember, there's nothing I can do. I'll ask your son instead. You can rest."

"I, I remember! I remember everything now!"

Yes, it's over. This method is indeed effective for recalling memories.

"The, the traitor, often, often harbored, harbored resentment, resentment towards, towards His Majesty, His Majesty the Emperor... He, he said, said Afels, Afels must, must rise, rise again..."

"What a terrible thought."

After receiving several testimonies and completing the interrogation, the first division chief left the interrogation room.

"Hey, are you done?"

As he left the interrogation room, the second division chief, who was chewing on dried meat outside, greeted him. Since the second division had no proper work to do, this was possible.

"Yes. We have all the testimonies. They were really vicious traitors."

"They were vicious, indeed."

With the first division's report, the Inspectorate's suppression operation was officially completed.

***

The reports from each division were compiled and finalized by the deputy chief. Then, the deputy chief's report, which was a direct order from the Emperor to the Inspectorate chief, bypassed the Minister of Finance and went straight to the Emperor.

The Emperor, pleased with the Inspectorate's report, which was completed in just a few hours, praised the Inspectorate.

"The traitors have been punished without exception. His Majesty the Emperor was very pleased."

- Well done. As expected, you never disappoint.

And someone at the academy was also satisfied with the deputy chief's report.

No one questioned the process, and the result was perfect. It was truly a perfectly executed operation.

Author's Note

Inspectorate: Due to considerable job stress, the officers are quite casual and friendly with each other. Anyway, they work hard when given a task.

The daily life tag that was whispering through the air will start to stir again. I didn't forget about daily life.

Thank you for reading this chapter!

Thank you, DragonDragon, for your support!