Chapter 92 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Beck's Interrogation
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"...."
The man across from me furrowed his brow, his eyes clouded with confusion.
I forced out words I didn't mean and flashed a smile.
"Sorry. I came here to help you, Mr. Beck, but old habits kicked in."
"…Habits?"
"Habits from interrogating Pleroma suspects."
It was something I had to say to make it clear we were on the same side.
Now, if I may insert my own thoughts here…
My brother wouldn't have given a direct order like "check if he uses magic or not."
That perfectionist doesn't leave evidence behind.
Instead, just like before, he would've sent something along the lines of, "I'm worried because even after having the steward drug him, there's no way to tell if his mana is under control," or "I'm worried my brother might lose control and fail to hide his constitution."
If you take that cautious letter of his as established fact and link it to this violent outcome—which is the complete opposite…
*The person who got the letter must be brimming with a sense of justice.*
Someone from Pleroma would've been shaking with rage and ordered Jürgen Beck to prove my mana.
And…
Judging by Jürgen Beck's immaculate clothes, it was unlikely he'd gotten involved in something like this for lack of money.
He was either being blackmailed or shared the same ideals as the one giving the orders.
"Shall we get started?"
"...."
"Locking up a student is a crime, no matter what your intentions were. That much can't be avoided."
I clasped my hands together and leaned in closer.
"But I'd like to hear why you did it—your motives. I say that because I've heard all the rumors about that student myself."
"…What do you make of those rumors, Lord Nicolaus?"
"Who knows. I've never met him, so I can't say anything rashly."
"And if that student really is Pleroma? What then?"
I met his gaze.
*That student is Nicolaus, sitting right here in front of you. What am I supposed to do?*
"If he really is Pleroma, then we'd have to root him out ahead of time, thinking of future victims. But without solid proof, you couldn't take any action for ten whole years, right?"
He stared straight through me, then glanced warily around the room before speaking.
"The rumors are true."
"...."
"His family knows. They all say the same thing. The moment that student uses magic, Ascanien is finished…"
"I see. So that's why you were trying to find out if he uses magic?"
"...."
The second we circled back to the incident, he clammed up like a ghost.
I smiled.
"Well, if you don't want to talk, that's fine. From what you said earlier, it was obviously meant to see if he'd try using magic anyway. Did you get anything out of it?"
"...."
"No. Word is, the student couldn't use magic at all, so he triggered the fire alarm to give away his position…"
"That's fake."
"Is it now?"
I had to fight back another laugh.
To say that right in front of the person involved.
Of course it was fake.
He'd deliberately chosen a method someone incapable of magic would use.
"Mr. Beck, your claims need evidence to back them up. If you want to report Lucas Ascanien as Pleroma, you'll need real, ironclad proof."
"…Evidence? Surely you don't believe that too, Lord Nicolaus?"
"It's not a matter of belief. Investigations have to follow procedure at the very least."
"The locked door must not have felt like a crisis to him. He just happened to have a way out without using magic…"
Beck trailed off.
He didn't sound convinced.
"Really? If he could use magic, he'd have warped out. I doubt he'd even think of the fire alarm. Especially since… he's not the bold type, is he? If there'd been a gentler way to escape, he'd have used magic to make it happen."
"...."
"Mr. Beck, this isn't how you gather evidence."
I leaned in closer, letting a hint of pity color my expression.
His eyes twitched faintly for a moment.
"Wh-what are you…?"
"And look at the results of chasing evidence like that. No leads at all, just waiting for the next chance?"
I tapped the back of his hand.
"The instant divine power gets infused, your arteries will burst. Is this really worth that price…?"
"There's value, of course! Have you forgotten what kind of mana he had as a child—even you, my lord?! And if he's Pleroma on top of that…!"
"Couldn't you have found a more effective method? Or did you skimp on planning and thinking it through… You really ought to consider it. Your life is worth more than you think."
"...."
The composure drained from his face.
He'd willingly taken on this task for the greater good, so of course hearing that the price of his arteries was too steep would rattle him.
But it was the truth. He'd gained nothing.
I'd succeeded in shaking him. Now it was time to drive the wedge home.
"From what I can see, things didn't turn out well at all. Not the way you intended, Mr. Beck."
"...."
"Who cast that spell? It's quite sophisticated. If I know the caster, I might be able to offer a little help…"
He eyed me with open suspicion.
"If you go back like this, you'll die. They'll have to silence you somehow."
"He's not the type."
"You think you know him well from watching, but everyone says that. You can't bet your life on it, though."
"...."
I let out a slow breath and leaned back against the chair.
"Whether Lucas Ascanien is Pleroma or not, I'll prove it myself within the year."
"…A year…!"
"Too long? It's still far more reasonable than trading arteries."
He glared at me before muttering under his breath.
"Six months."
"Fine, that works. There must've been orders to find out as soon as possible? The professor must be the impatient type."
"…!"
Beck's eyes went wide. Without realizing it, he balled his hand into a fist and locked eyes with me.
I let out a dry chuckle at his reaction.
*As expected…*
He never failed to deliver.
Even after screwing up once, he hadn't learned from it—so of course he'd double down on the same approach.
*Always so nosy.*
He probably thought swapping his informant out for Narkel had been his own idea, so I'd never find out about his bold little stunt.
This time, though, he'd used divine power to seal mouths—a sign of some progress, at least.
"I've heard Professor Stefan Trout is the worrying type. Seems the rumors are spot on."
"…H-how…?"
Beck blinked furiously.
Was it a lack of learning ability, or had he just been too flustered to hold back…?
Either way, reacting like this again was almost impressive.
It was as good as confirming my words for me.
But that was where the problem came in.
*Ding—!*
〈Chapter 5. Good Things Take Time (1)〉
Proposal 2: Make the optimal choice. (0/1) (0 hours 9 minutes 59 seconds)
*Route 1 — 〈Proposal 3〉
*Route 2 — 〈Chapter 6. Not All That Glitters is Gold〉
*…It's been a while.*
*'Optimal choice.'*
Even that annoying Route 2 title felt almost welcoming after so long.
As far as I remembered, that 'optimal choice' only popped up for events with major future impacts. This one clearly qualified.
It made sense.
*Once they realize the cards my brother's holding are a rotten rope, they'll grab for a different hand.*
The spy had to stay in *my* pocket.
My brother and Trout both needed to stay blissfully under the delusion that they were winning. That way, I wouldn't have to go through all this twice.
*Looks like I'll have to guide him.*
All I had to do was lead him to the outcome I wanted.
Conveniently, it lined up perfectly with what he'd understand.
"I hear all sorts of things where I am. I know full well how hard Professor Trout always works. But…"
Beck watched me without letting his guard down.
"It's a little surprising. Did he really order this?"
"...."
"Considering how well you know the atmosphere in Ascanien… That professor must be getting support from them. Now the pieces are falling into place."
"Th-that's… No, do we really have to go this far for something this minor?"
He'd spilled his name earlier out of fear of punishment.
It'd been fake, of course—but his attitude had shifted noticeably now, which meant punishment was still the perfect topic to rattle him.
"Of course we do. I understand the goal, but the outcome was still a crime. We especially need to find out who planned it."
I tapped the desk thoughtfully with my fingers, and he fidgeted, biting his lip.
It was the natural reaction.
Agreeing to let Trout use him as a hostage would take more than ordinary loyalty.
"Unbelievable. Does Ascanien know about Professor Trout going rogue like this? If this blows up, even they might consider punishing him…"
"I do."
"...."
I stared at him flatly, and he averted his eyes before speaking.
"…I never said the professor ordered me to do this. I just planned it and carried it out based on what I'd heard."
"Can you swear that's the truth?"
I pressed on seriously.
"The spell on the lab's back door was dismantled by the management office, but the one on the front door was preserved right after the report came in. It's only a matter of time before they figure out whose mana it is."
"…I know. It's not a lie. I already owe that man a lot. A sudden report would shock him, and making him a suspect…"
The Trout I knew wasn't the type to drop vague hints and act cautious.
Entrust one of his own students with spying on me? If it were me, I'd put in the effort to do it personally.
I nodded and tore a sheet from the file, sliding it over.
"Then aside from him, write down the names of anyone who helped you get information. We'll investigate them all—no lies."
"Ah…"
Beck frowned.
Despite the reaction, he'd fill it out willingly enough.
*It keeps the spotlight from focusing solely on Trout.*
He stared at the paper with his mouth hanging open for a moment, then looked up at me. A flicker of subtle triumph gleamed in his eyes.
I smiled and gestured toward the pen.
Soon enough, Beck began jotting down names without hesitation.
*He thinks I'm grasping at straws.*
*Go ahead and think that.*
My real goal was learning who all my brother had mobilized for his plan.
The intense reaction to "professor" had already accomplished that.
And with this, I'd gotten a list of people ideologically aligned with Trout, too.
*Meaning they could be under my brother's influence as well.*
They were prime candidates for future use.
Beck slid the paper back to me and asked with resolute determination.
"You'll really look into it within half a year?"
The mistake people make when they charge headlong into justice without regard is never questioning whether the justice they believe in is truly just.
Right now, wasn't he throwing everything away for one thing alone: *Is Lucas Ascanien Pleroma or not?*
Leaving that Lucas Ascanien alone would do far more to reduce the number of Pleroma.
Either way, I had no intention of lying.
I gave him a measured smile.
"Of course. I promise."
*Ding—!*
Congratulations!
'Proposal 2: Make the optimal choice.' complete!
'Route 1 — 〈Proposal 3〉' confirmed.
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