WeTried Translations

Translator: Coughing Baby

Editor: Coughing Baby

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◈ The Reluctant Imperialist

Chapter 53

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Head-Eater (3)

Tick, tick.

Two weeks into detention.

A prison letter Pexy wrote was smuggled out without my knowledge. I found out when Jun called and threw a fit. He unloaded every sarcastic barb a noble could muster, and I listened quietly.

Which meant someone inside the Order had helped her, but there was nothing I could do about that flimsy sympathy.

I could not stay inside the Order twenty-four hours a day.

Tick, tick.

While waiting for the deadline, I sold part of my Kanillan stock. At the same time, I kept saving, cutting out unnecessary spending.

Dieter established a new corporation in Kanillan to make investment operations smoother. There was still plenty of time before the bubble burst, but we had to prepare in advance.

“Sir Knight. A man from House Kandel is here. He says he is their personal physician.”

At the staff officer’s words, I looked up from the documents.

“Send him in.”

“Yes, sir.”

A middle-aged man entered my office soon after. I did not recognize him, but he introduced himself as House Kandel’s personal physician and handed over documents showing he was from the Imperial Medical Academy. Forging credentials with “Imperial” on them was treason. So he was probably the real thing.

“What is this about?”

“Yes. I brought treatment records from the hospital Mage Pexy von Arzen usually visits, regarding her chronic condition. Please review them and allow treatment.”

He set his house-call bag at his feet.

“According to these records, Mage Pexy was born with unstable mana circuits and suffers from a rare condition. Without regular mana stabilizer injections, she may have seizures.”

The house-call bag.

“If she remains detained like this, she could be in serious danger.”

The house-call bag.

I stared at that neat, square bag for a long moment, then shook my head.

“I refuse.”

The doctor’s face hardened.

“...Do you really have to go this far? People should be kept alive. If anything happens to Mage Pexy, the Magic Tower will not be pleased.”

I looked straight at him. More than anything, that bag bothered me. Because of what Ezel had said.

‘There is a poison that coagulates blood and mana at the same time. The side effects of 「Chimera Brain」 happen when mana in the body surges out of control, but if that poison is used, mana itself stagnates and...’

Was this doctor really sent by Jun Kandel?

Or...

“I should ask you the same question. Do you really have to go this far, doctor?”

“...What? What are you talking about?”

The doctor frowned. I pulled the longsword from under my chair and placed it on the desk.

Thunk!

The mana-tempered steel dropped with a heavy thud. This old Ebenholtz longsword of unknown origin looked destructive on sight alone.

“...”

The doctor said nothing and kept a calm face. I looked into his eyes and asked,

“What is inside that bag?”

His face twitched. I could feel his heartbeat thudding from where I sat.

He really was a doctor. A genuine one, someone who had done nothing else.

People who were bad at mind games always gave themselves away.

“It is probably not a normal poison. The kind where each component is harmless on its own, but becomes deadly when mixed.”

If someone died with blood and mana coagulated, 「Chimera Brain」 left no evidence.

Kandel, especially the younger sibling’s side, had already investigated 「Chimera Brain」 and was now trying to erase evidence themselves. From their point of view, they could not be certain Pexy was the Head-Eater, but if she died, Kandel gained and I lost.

“But Jun Kandel would never personally try to kill that woman, so...”

The doctor’s eyes shook.

Sonnet Kandel. She claimed to be a “woman of letters,” neither knight nor mage, but in truth she was practically the core of Kandel itself.

“So this must be Duke Mateus’s order.”

Mateus was Jun’s father.

I deliberately hid what I knew about Sonnet. There was no point in tipping my hand and making them wary for nothing.

“...”

The doctor glared at me. I gave him a reassuring smile. I meant it.

“There is no need to force this. Do you think I would make an enemy of the great House Kandel over one woman?”

The rigid tension eased for a moment.

“I detained Pexy von Arzen for what I believe is right. So please deliver my message.”

I picked up my longsword again and rested it carefully against the desk.

“Even if Pexy’s true identity is exposed, I will show Sir Jun the utmost consideration.”

Jun did not matter to me. If he dropped dead in the street or got struck by lightning and went bald, I would not care.

Sonnet was what mattered.

I would put her in my debt.

She was exact about debts and grudges. She returned what she received, and repaid what was done to her in equal measure.

That was both her talent and her restraint.

“This is a promise in the name of Ebenholtz.”

* * *

The Kandel main estate. House physician Dominic lowered his head.

“I am sorry.”

“It is fine.”

Sonnet waved a hand.

Dominic was neither a knight nor a specially trained spy. He was simply House Kandel’s real physician, allowed to enter the Order.

“I was worried, but I am glad you came back alive. And you brought the bag back too?”

Sonnet pointed at the house-call bag. Maximilian could have confiscated it as evidence, but he did not. He let him go peacefully, with a certain “promise.”

“He said it was out of respect for House Kandel...”

Sonnet drew a quiet breath.

Jun was emotional and good at showing himself in public. Active, sociable, fond of people. He was handsome and tall, with the looks and stature to match.

So Sonnet stayed behind her older brother, gathered information, and used it to build influence in multiple sectors, including the Imperial Guard, the Intelligence Bureau, and the underground city.

But it seemed their read on Maximilian had been badly off.

Had Maximilian deliberately shown Jun only his weak points? Or had Jun refused to acknowledge Maximilian out of pride?

“Yes. We are giving up on Pexy.”

“But will Sir Jun allow that...”

“It is fine. Tell him we treated her in secret. He will believe it. And.”

Sonnet continued,

“Ask Knight Maximilian one day in advance to let us observe. He will probably allow it.”

If that woman Pexy was truly a criminal who used 「Chimera Brain」,

“My brother is frustrating, but he is colder than he looks. He also has sharp aesthetic sensibilities. So...”

He would never be able to endure the sight of that body mutating, skin melting all over.

* * *

Tick, tick.

Three weeks into detention.

I removed every clock from the mansion. Lately, I was sick of anything that ticked.

“It has been a while.”

Lorenzo came up again from southern Hermes.

“Yes. A-Kkaengi is complete. I only refined Armand’s blueprint a little.”

He handed me Armand’s pickaxe invention. It looked something like an iron mace, alias A-Kkaengi. A new mana-stone mining tool.

“First, I wrapped protruding mana stones in protective chains to extend their lifespan. I also engraved mana circuits inside the handle, cutting total cost by half.”

I picked up A-Kkaengi with one hand.

Sure enough, Lorenzo was not perfect either. Scholars sometimes focused too much on function alone.

“This is good. But the handle needs to be a bit more ergonomic. So miners can swing it more easily, with less force.”

Ergonomics became a major theme after the New Cabinet took power.

They preached, almost like propaganda, that efficiency rose when work got easier, environments improved, and people were given rest. And in practice, they were right.

“Ah, yes. You are right. I will revise that part.”

“What does production cost?”

“About 40,000 dollars per unit, roughly ten times a standard pickaxe. But it raises average extraction purity by about 20%. With existing pickaxes, mining high-purity veins causes losses, so you only get mana stones in roughly the 50 to 60% range. With A-Kkaengi, intact extraction at 70% or higher is possible.”

The efficiency more than offset the cost.

“Also, I thought more about 「Spherical Aura Guard」. If we engrave proper carving into high-purity mana stones, I think we can amplify the effect.”

“You mean Mana Carving?”

“Yes. We create the paths in advance inside high-purity mana stones to amplify 「Spherical Aura Guard」. Dedicated mana stones for 「Spherical Aura Guard」. By my calculations, cube-form carving is the most stable and efficient.”

I nodded.

“Good. What is the process?”

“First we need to recruit a carver and set up a dedicated workshop. Initial investment would be... well... around five million dollars...”

Lorenzo hesitated as he named the enormous cost. He still seemed tied to his university years, when he was constantly starved for funding.

“The amount does not matter. Tell Dieter. I will fund all of it.”

“...Yes. Thank you.”

Lorenzo’s face brightened. As he turned to leave, even the way he moved with his cane looked light and brisk.

It was good to see the old scholar finally spreading his wings.

Tick, tick.

Four weeks into detention. I looked over what Alphonse at Jemion Daily had written so far.

1. Steel Heart Heavy Industries: blast furnace explosion due to missing safety facilities, evasion of responsibility.

2. Blue Crystal Corporation: mana dust poisoning victims reported, compensation refused.

3. Golden Grain: mass illness among nearby residents due to wastewater discharge, denies causal link...

So many.

As I underlined the company names with a red pen, a thought crossed my mind.

“Worms like these are sitting on better tech than expected.”

In that case, taking it directly was not a bad option.

The Imperial Guard seized companies for private greed, but I was different.

I had a cause.

After thinking it over, I picked up the terminal and called Dieter.

“Dieter.”

“Yes.”

“I will send companies over soon. Strip them top to bottom. If they are worth it, think about pulling out core patents and research staff too.”

“Understood.”

Dieter, who was receiving Engi’s “special training” every day at the main estate, was gradually becoming complete.

Tick, tick.

Day 30 of detention.

All week, I assigned staff officers to monitor Pexy. I had to prevent any chance of her revealing her true form, or knights being fooled by her act and opening the door.

Pexy’s condition worsened day by day, but she endured.

...Honestly.

Honestly, I was anxious.

I was only human. I was certain she was the Head-Eater, but what if she endured the detention period to the end?

“It is fine.”

In the Order’s rear yard, Ezel answered my call with confidence.

“Based on what?”

“The error range in my calculations assumed no external variables. If she is detained this far to the limit, she will be much more sensitive to mana. The moment she is exposed, even slightly, to a high-density mana wave...”

「Chimera Brain」 was magic that consumed another person’s brain energy and took over their body. But the prey’s brain energy did not vanish completely. It remained in the predator’s brain. That mana attacked the predator’s mind, so the predator had to keep consuming brain energy. In a weakened state like this, if external mana pressed in...

“...You already know what happens, right? So rub two top-purity mana stones together hard. At least 98% purity, each worth over 500,000 dollars. A mana wave of that level will be enough.”

I heard you made money from mana-stone mines.

“Word is already spreading?”

“Think about your spending habits.”

Top-purity mana stones, meaning 98% and above, released a clear mana wave when struck together.

“Anyway, understood.”

“Were you anxious?”

“...Of course I was. This has to work if I am going to become a star knight.”

“Do not worry. If I am wrong by some chance, we can just move to the countryside and live together.”

I smiled. It was an attractive ending in its own way, but sadly, if I left, we would not even be allowed the countryside.

“Thanks. I am hanging up.”

Tick, tick.

Day 34 of detention.

With only a few hours left before a knight’s 35-day authority expired, Jun Kandel requested an observation visit.

I accepted at once, and he came to the Order in person.

With one reporter carrying a camera. One personal guard. And physician Dominic.

“Good to see you, Sir Kandel.”

He looked exhausted, and he did not take my handshake.

“Today?”

“There are still eight hours left.”

A laugh slipped out before I could stop it. Jun Kandel had an unexpectedly cute side.

“This way.”

I led him to the underground prison. The physician, the guard, and the reporter followed behind.

“Sir Kandel. Have you studied the chaos magic 「Chimera Brain」?”

I asked as we went down the stairs.

“...Still that bullshit?”

Low, simmering anger in his voice.

Step, step.

Footsteps echoed through the cold corridor.

“Why would I feed you nonsense? Ms. Pexy must consume other people’s brain energy to maintain her body. The Pexy you think exists is already dead.”

Jun pressed his lips shut. He looked like he was not listening to a word I said.

Step, step.

Each of us carrying different thoughts, we reached the very bottom of the underground prison.

“There she is.”

I tilted my chin toward one corner of the dark. Beyond the bars, Pexy lay collapsed.

“Pex!”

Jun shouted her nickname and ran. A full sprint, noble dignity forgotten. He practically clung to the bars and stared at Pexy.

“Get a hold of yourself, Pex!”

How sentimental.

Pexy slowly opened her eyes.

“...Kandel, Professor?”

“Yes, yes! It is me! Pull yourself together! Home, let us go home!”

“Professor...”

Pexy looked terribly gaunt from detention, yet even that had a fragile beauty to it. Hollow cheeks, skin that looked even whiter because of it. Like living artwork, perfectly matched to Jun’s taste.

Jun spun toward me and shouted.

“Open this door right now!”

“There is still a little time left.”

I took top-purity mana stones from inside my coat. Blue stones that looked like jewels.

“Sir Kandel.”

“Open it! She is dying!”

“As I said, what is tormenting her right now is not my detention order.”

Jun’s desperate face was almost comic. I stared right at him and clenched the mana stones.

“...It is the mana of countless victims still alive inside her brain.”

Claaang!

I smashed the two mana stones together. Mana rippled outward in ring-shaped waves.

“The mana of all those victims is what is killing that subspecies wearing Pexy’s skin.”

“Stop spewing nonsense and open the-”

- Gggghrk!

At that moment, a grotesque sound burst from the cell, impossible to believe came from a human throat.

“...”

Everyone froze. As if they sensed something ominous, no one moved. They only swallowed hard. Faces went pale in an instant, cold sweat breaking out.

Grrrraaaaaagh.

A beast’s cry, or a monster’s. The reporter who came down with Jun raised his camera without realizing it, and physician Dominic’s face filled with shock.

At last, even Jun Kandel forced his stiff neck to turn and looked at what used to be Pexy.

I asked him,

“Does that monster still look like your Pexy?”

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