Chapter 93: CH 92

Afterwards, the investigation proceeded smoothly for a while.

The strategy of offering plea bargains one after another bore fruit, until now more than ten nobles have been arrested for their crimes.

It seems we became the topic of rumors right away, some nobles with guilty consciences rewrote ledgers, hid documents, or hurried to create cover-ups.

But, rewriting ledgers isn’t something done quickly.

If they have a guilty conscience, no matter how they try to hide documents, they’ll strangely come out.

From the start, these are the documents Rod-sama and his group investigated over the years.

Additionally, because I have a know-how to see through embellishments myself, nobles creating cover-ups was useless resistance.

Bringing down corrupted nobles Claire-sama and Lily-sama earned great popularity among commoners.

Such being the case, we were proceeding relatively smoothly, but the problem arose there.

“E, evidence leading to Dor-sama or Father isn’t coming out at all…”

While arranging documents in the room provided to special officials in the Royal Palace, Lily-sama muttered such a thing.

That’s right.

Beginning with lower nobility, the investigation reached some higher nobles, but evidence leading to Dor-sama or Salas-sama isn’t coming out.

We were confident we were right on track, but it’s not enough.

Dor-sama and Sala-sama are thoroughly prepared.

“This is why I said Father and Salas-sama are innocent… I cannot say that, can I”

Claire-sama’s voice had no vigor.

There might not be definitive evidence, but there’s more than enough circumstantial evidence.

The possibility that Dor-sama or Salas-sama committed crimes is high.

Actually, the arrested nobles above immediate grade spoke unanimously about how those two demanded bribes.

But, in reality no records remain of Dor-sama or Salas-sama giving such instructions.

Their guard is high.

While we were feeling gloomy, suddenly the door opened.

“Yo, looks like you’re doing your best”

“Rod-sama…”

The one who came in was Rod-sama.

“Good day”

“Yeah. Claire-sama doesn’t seem to be in a good mood though?”

“The investigation reached a deadlock”

“Well, I expected this much. Other nobles aside, Dor and Salas are…”

Rod-sama who was conducting the investigation before we took over can understand the challenge we are facing.

“Rather, why don’t you try talking with them directly?”

“When we have no evidence?”

“There’s no decisive evidence, but there is circumstantial evidence. I guess that isn’t enough, but if their daughters present it, they might just crack?”

Is that so.

However, it’s a fact we can’t come up with anything else.

“Well, I’ll leave it up to you whether to do it or not. I have my own work”

“Wha, what is Rod-sama doing right now?”

Lily-sama asked.

“Do you know two rumors that are the hot topic in the royal capital?”

“Ah, these worthless rumors”

Claire-sama seemed to get it right away, but I have absolutely no idea.

“What are the rumors, Claire-sama?”

“Rei, is the difference between your sharp side and the side that feigns ignorance not too extreme?”

Somehow, I was insulted.

For me it’s a reward.

“O, one is a rumor about wrath of a spirit. The other is a rumor about Sein-sama’s birth”

Claire-sama further explained Lily-sama’s words.

“Recently, a rumor seems to be spreading that the Spirit of the Mountains is turbulent, and that spirits arrived at the decision to punish corrupt nobles. Probably the source of this rumor are people angry at the scandal of nobles’ crimes that came to light in these last few days”

Ah, I see.

It’s spread to that degree already, huh.

I felt ashamed, but I kept it from showing on my face.

“The other one is a rumor that Sein-sama is not His Majesty Rousseau’s child. Honestly… Commoners’ delusions are strong”

Claire-sama seems angry.

I don’t know how it’s now, but Claire-sama had a crush on Sein-sama.

Of course you’d get angry if a person you’ve liked was spoken ill of.

“Well, these are the rumors. Because I’ve entrusted exposing nobles’ crimes to you, I’m investigating that”

“There is no need for royalty like Rod-sama to go along with such stories”

“No, that’s not right”

In an overly serious voice Rod-sama replied to Claire-sama’s grumbling.

“The rumor about Sein aside, it’s the fact that the Spirit of the Mountains unleashed its fury in the past. It was a long time ago”

“Is, is that so?”

“In the Spirit Church’s terms it’s Taboo Fire”

“A, aah… Sassal Volcano’s… is it?”

“That’s it”

When introducing baths of the academy I explained it, but the baths are hot springs.

That means the Royal Capital is in a volcanic zone.

The closest volcano to the Royal Capital is Sassal Volcano.

“In the records it says Sassal Volcano erupted several hundred years ago. At that time, it seems misgovernment was rampant in the Royal Capital”

The records say the eruption at that time was a devastating blow to the Royal Capital.

“I don’t think it’ll happen, but I can’t ignore people’s worries”

“What about the rumor regarding Sein-sama?”

Is it not a family squabble following Yuu-sama’s matter, Claire-sama asked.

“Regarding that, I won’t say it myself. Ask Sein directly”

Rod-sama said ambiguously.

“So, Rei. Feel like responding to my proposal?”

“No, not at all”

“Rei!”

“Ahaha! Ah, way to go. Saying no is also an expression of fondness”

How old are you, I wanted to say.

“We’re busy now, since Rod-sama is also busy let’s get to work without jesting”

“Yes yes. Well, regarding the rumors, tell me if you overhear something. Laters”

Saying so, Rod-sama tried to leave the room.

“Ah, wait a moment, Rod-sama”

“Oh? What is it?”

“There is a small village at the foot of Sassal Volcano, isn’t there”

“Ah, there is”

As expected of Rod-sama.

He knows the kingdom’s geography well.

“You better evacuate that village”

“Why?”

“If it erupts, magma that gushes out will hit it directly”

At my words, Rod-sama stroked his chin.

“Of course, I also would like to evacuate it, but if the explosion only ‘may’ happen people won’t move?”

“… That’s right”

I guess it’s hopeless.

“Well, I’ll keep it in mind. Then, laters”

Saying so, Rod-sama waved his hand and left the room.

“Rei, you…”

Claire-sama still seemed like she wanted to say something, but for now she didn’t say anything else.

It’s love!

“…”

“What’s wrong, Lily-sama?”

I noticed Lily-sama made a stiff face and called out to her.

“N, no… It’s nothing”

“There is no way it is nothing. Your face is ghastly pale?”

Certainly, Lily-sama’s complexion is poor.

“Ta, Taboo Fire… Lily is worried about it”

So it was about Sassal Volcano’s eruption.

“The, the volcano… will it really erupt…?”

“It cannot be helped even if you worry about it. Things like spirit’s wrath are beyond human knowledge”

“Tha, that… might be the case”

But, Lily-sama continued.

“According to the records of the eruption, it seems terrible damage had occurred. Is it okay if we don’t prepare in any way…?”

“Cardinal Lily. There is no way the Royal Family and nobles have not prepared in any way?”

Claire-sama pointed out in a calm voice to Lily-sama who was still worried.

“In the Royal Capital there are stockpiles of crops prepared in case of a bad harvest, and the organization called military is prepared for emergencies. Even if the eruption occurs, there is no way nothing would be done”

What Claire-sama pointed out is correct.

It’s correct, but I know it’s not enough.

Moreover――.

There’s not much time left until the eruption.