Volume 2 - CH 3

After finishing the culling operation in the forest, I immediately returned to the city.

I left the troops in the hands of our old man and concentrated on finding the culprit.

“It would be quicker if we could do a fingerprint analysis, but then again, what can I do even with that evidence?”

While grumbling, I started to examine the arrow, the only clue I had of the assailant.

First, the tip of the arrow is sharply pointed in the shape of a diamond.

A soldier in my unit who could use a bow told me that this was an armor-piercing type of arrowhead.

At first, I doubted if this could penetrate a thick armor with a tip this odd, but then I remembered the power of magic enhancing the capabilities of humans of this world. Even with this, they could easily penetrate leather armor, chain mail, and even full plate armor if they pull the bow strong enough.

Also, the diamond-shaped armor-piercing arrow’s pointed design makes it fly faster, making it an ideal arrow for sniping.

However, the soldier also said that this type of arrow is rarely seen these days.

This is because goblins and ogres, the mainstay of monsters, do not wear armor.

“This is the arrow that the soldiers in the unit always use. But, as you see, it’s completely different.”

The archers in the army use what is called a “sword butt”, which has a triangular arrowhead.

As for why it was designed like this, it gives the advantage of making larger wounds and being more difficult to pull out than diamond-shaped armor-piercing arrows.

However, they are heavy, and they fly slower due to higher air resistance. Thus, this type is not suitable for fine sniping.

However, monsters are basically always in a swarm, so there is no need to take fine aim every time.

“In other words, these arrows are mostly used against people, right? If they are rarely used, there is no way that they are easily obtained. You’ll have to get them from somewhere.”

I stood up with the arrow in hand and headed for the military stockpile.

“The assailant is on the battlefield, so they could be a commander of one unit at best. I don’t think the Count, who was the commander of the whole unit, would cause problems out in the open, so all that remains is the nobility up to the Viscount who was there or someone related to them.”

For the commander of a mere squadron to obtain arrows that don’t come around very often, they would have to pull them out of the military warehouse. Of course, having a craftsman make them is also an option, but I don’t think that would be an option as it might be traced. If yo u are a ble to r ead this me ssa ge, you are rea din g from an una uthor ized agg rega te s ite. Re ad at my Word Pr ess at stab bing wi th a sy ringe. h ome. blo g to sup port me and my tra nsl ations.

When I arrived at the stockpile, I used Lucy’s name to call the person in charge.

At times like this, I realized the power of Lucy’s name as the holder of a title. I’m a junior officer, so I can readily call out the officer in charge even though I’m a commoner.

Pretty neat, actually.

“You are Baroness Finlay’s adjutant? I’m a busy man myself, so if you could make this quick, I’d appreciate it.”

“Don’t worry, it won’t take long.”

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With that, I took out the arrow I had brought in front of the officer.

His expression changed to one of annoyance.

“Armor Piercers. they haven’t been used much since the rise of monsters. So don’t expect to find much due to its low demand.”

“Yes, I know that too, but I believe we still have a stockpile of them here, right? So I’d like you to check and see if they’ve been depleted.”

“All right, I’ll have them check it out right away.”

The man went to the back of the warehouse again, only to come back a few minutes later with a worried-looking soldier in tow.

“Here. Pulled out the man whom you can ask of your troubles. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I still have some work to do.”

After saying that, he immediately returned to the back.

But from there, I knew I had made the right decision.

I spoke to the timid-looking soldier in front of me.

“Who’s the guy who recently brought out this type of arrow?”

“Well, that’s……”

Based on his reaction, it seems that he knew something but was afraid to say it.

And if my suspicions are correct, the one who brought this is also a nobleman.

After all, anyone wouldn’t want themselves to be sandwiched between the feud of two noblemen.

“You don’t need to feel responsible. You were just following orders, weren’t you? But we almost lost a superior officer to this. And for that, I need your help.”

I added a few more words to make up his mind.

“It’s probably hard for you to say because the other party is an aristocrat, right? But don’t worry, I have conclusive proof. If we bring this to the commander, the truth will become clear.”

As I said this, I showed him closer the arrow with a bit of blood on it.

His eyes widened for a moment, and then, he began to open his mouth as if he had made up his mind.

“……exactly three days ago. One of the junior officers came to me and said, ‘I am the adjutant of Viscountess Krone Karl. I need a bunch of armor-piercing arrows as soon as possible.”

“I see, Viscountess Krone Karl. Thank you for your cooperation. This matter will not be made public, but come to Baroness Finlay’s military office if you feel yourself in danger. That way, I can assure you of your safety.”

I patted him on the shoulder for speaking up and left the place.

Now I finally have proof of the culprit. I won’t let her get away with it.

I’m going to make her pay for all the harassment she’s caused me and for the damage she’s done to Lucy.

The next stop would be Viscount Karl’s place.

“The parents must take full responsibility for their child.”

An hour later, after doing some preliminary research on the Viscount, I found myself face to face with him at his residence.

At first, he refused to even meet with me as expected, but as soon as I mentioned the name of his daughter, Krone, he immediately accepted. Apparently, he treasured his daughter very much.

“If you have something to say, do it quickly. If it’s something trivial, you will leave this place all beat up.”

The Viscount seemed to be in a slightly bad mood and would not even look at me.

Well, you’re going to have to face me sooner or later, and you’re not gonna like it.

“First of all, I would like to express my gratitude for allowing this humble officer to enter your premises. I will be straight. Have you seen this arrow?”

I spread out the arrow I had wrapped in cloth on the desk in front of me.

“Hmm, armor-piercer. We don’t use them much these days, but we do use them on rare occasions when we come across Living Armors.”

Living Armor is a monster that is basically a moving set of armor. Recently, I’ve been studying the monsters that appear in the vicinity of Krasland, and I think I saw the name in one of their books.

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To defeat it, one had to destroy its inner core, but the armor was so hard that ordinary arrows would not reach it.

That is where armor-piercers would come to play. Archers would snipe its joints with these arrows to slow it down, and after they are disabled, soldiers with warhammers must then come together to smash the cores.

“As expected of a Viscount who serves as a general counselor in the army. He talks fast.”

“So, what does this have to do with Krone?”

Now here’s the thing, how will the Viscount react?

“Her Ladyship withdrew the armor-piercing arrows from the stockpile three days ago and used it in the recent Culling Operation. It was intended for my Lord, Baroness Finlay.”

“…..what?”

The viscount finally turned his gaze to me and glared.

As expected of someone who has survived the fierce competition within the military, he has a powerful gaze.

But, well, he’s not so much anymore since I already met with the chief commander, which has a stronger gaze than him.

“That’s not good. If this is true, we’ll be in big trouble. But can you prove it’s not false?”

“Yes, of course. We’ve identified the person who recently took the armor from the stockpile as your daughter’s adjutant.”

“Then it must be a personal grudge against the deputy or something.”

“I don’t think so. The person in charge of the armory said that the adjutant used Her Ladyship’s name. This alone would make her liable for suspicion. Either way, if we interrogate the adjutant, we’ll know exactly who the ringleader is.”

His expression became bitter as I said this.

Then again, this shows that he seemed to know exactly what his daughter is capable of.

“If we go through their barracks now, we might be able to find the rest of the arrows. But by then, it would be harder and harder to talk her way out of it.”

The flow of the negotiations is in our hands. We’ll just have to keep on pushing.

“It’s not good to be divided when you have to face a common enemy, moreover something that always overwhelms us with numbers. Every soldier’s life is a precious resource. That’s why it would be a grave sin if one were to be caught suddenly killing the other.”

I don’t know much about the laws of this world, but I do know that this is a case that will inevitably result in a court-martial if it comes to light.

“……seeing you haven’t taken it to Command yet, there must be something you want from me, right?”

“Well, well, well, you sure are catching up fast. And indeed, we have no intention of making things worse.”

If we try to turn this into a court-martial, the Viscount will do everything in his power to stop it.

A commander of a squadron and a chief of staff close to the military’s top have a very different range of connections. This chap ter tran sla tion is mad e pos si ble by stab bin g with a syr inge tran slat ions. ch eck only up- t o-da te trans lation s on my Wor dpr ess si te.

The evidence may be in our favor, but I believe the aristocratic society could overturn it in one go.

After all, I wouldn’t get unscathed from the ‘bribery incident’ if this weren’t the case.

If that’s the case, it’s in the best interest of both parties to keep things civil from the start.

“Our request is nothing much, really, from the perspective of the viscount. Good quality equipment and armor for all of our troops are all we want. We’ve been on the front lines more and more lately, so we need to make sure we have the right stuff.”

Recently, Lucy’s men have experienced many actual battles, and their skill level has been improving.

The morale is good, and if ordered, they will immediately destroy the monsters without pause.

However, their equipment hasn’t changed much since I first saw them.

It’s as if we’ve been cheating ourselves by repairing our tattered equipment.

“As you know, a Barony’s finances are quite on the smaller scale compared to other aristocracies. I’m sure the Viscount can get the equipment easily with his contacts in the military.”

“You say that so easily. But we can’t easily prepare equipment for more than a hundred people!”

“Then we’ll have no choice but to take the matter to a court-martial. We know that it will be tough to acquit the young lady. But even if we fail, it would be a big blow to her credibility in the aristocracy. What do you think?”

The viscount gritted his teeth at those words. Once your credibility is tainted, it can never be made white again.

And after a few minutes of contemplation, he finally looked up.

“……All right, I’ll get it ready. In exchange, you will give up the evidence.”

“We have a deal then. Once the equipment arrives, I will give you the arrow in exchange. While at it, I recommend that you take this opportunity to retrain your daughter not to cause trouble for others.”

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Thus, in exchange for my silence on the incident, I was to supply the troops with the latest equipment.

I was still angry about Lucy being hurt, but I couldn’t let revenge drive me to forget my original goal.

It’s important to me that she gets promoted and comes into power. And good equipment will always come in handy.

I said I’d give him the arrow, but the testimony that Krone pulled the arrows out of the armory on her own orders is in my hands.

And even if the arrow ends up being insufficient evidence of the attempted murder, the act of receiving weapons without paperwork is still illegal.

From now on, I’ll be flirting with them again for funds the next time I need them.

Once I have their weakness, I’ll squeeze every ounce of flavor out of them.

I left the viscount’s house satisfied.

◆　　　　　◆

“Damn you, young man. You won’t be getting away with this.”

The Viscount looked down from the window of his room and swore as Yuushin left the mansion.

He really wants to kill the man right now. Or perhaps skin him alive. However, since the evidence is in his hands, he couldn’t make a move to him yet.

But even if he left it at that, it was evident that he would be threatened forever.

The Viscount summoned his trusted butler and secretly gave him an order.

“Get in touch with His Excellency Luke Krall and tell him that I demand to see him.”

“Very well, sir.”

The viscount then looked away from the butler, who quietly exited the room, then folded his hands on the desk.

“You think you can get it easy with that piece of evidence, you’re too naïve. I’m going to show from here that the aristocracy is not something you can easily trifle with.”