Chapter 154: The Identity of the Faceless Man (part one)
In this way, the All Souls Day case was successfully completed.
Nobody died or floated in the cold river, and the case ended peacefully.
At any rate, there was no monstro in this third scenario, the scenario which I had been wary of for so many years.
Does that mean this scenario was meant as a curveball all along, having humans be the culprits instead of any monstro?
When we were brought back to the academy by the dragon knights, interrogation and investigation of Jan Carlson had already begun.
Chloe and I carried Beatrice to the infirmary together with the vice principal, and were then asked by the principal to attend Jan’s interrogation.
☆
In the principal’s office, there were the principal and Brad Clochydd.
When we were all present, Jan began to testify slowly after being prompted by the principal.
“My family was killed by a bloodsucker.”
Jan was the victim of a vampire case eight years ago.
While all the villagers were being devoured by a young vampire who couldn’t control their cannibalistic impulse, he seemed to have been saved only because he was out in the woods.
The vampire who devoured his entire village had assumed the shape of his 8-year-old older sister.
“I, who had become an orphan, was picked up by Harlan-sama and raised in a monastery that belongs to the Military Order of Útför.”
After accumulating experience in the military order, Jan swapped his background with another Jan Carlson before entering the academy.
I see.
So that’s why there was no mention of him being someone belonging to the Military Order of Útför in Harold’s database, huh.
“It was Harlan-sama who saved me. So I decided to live for him.”
What a heavy confession.
That means his lifesaver dictated the rest of his life.
“This is the only evidence I can offer.”
Jan took out a thin wrapped parchment from his robe’s sleeve and handed it over to the principal.
“Swapping the clothes secretly, time and place for the hand over…you don’t know anything beyond this?”
“Yes.”
“Did you not know what was going on?”
“No. I thought it was just putting a person who had a likelihood of being a bloodsucker into quarantine as usual.”
In response to the principal’s question, Jan answered with a sad expression.
“Why did you make a false statement that she was taken by a monstro?”
“That was an instruction given to me verbally. It seems because there are many mages and alchemists who can use magic eyes in the academy. I already forgot who I heard it from. I think it is useless to try to remember it because I took a drug.”
“Is it a hallucinogen used in Lucanrant? If I remember correctly, it is used to cause mind to become hazy and to erase memories.”
“Yes.”
Citrouille said something similar, but there is actually a drug like that in the North?
In the end, no matter how I look at it, this is a terrible treatment.
“Did you not question this instruction?”
“I merely followed the instructions given to me, because I’ve been doing it all the time. But…I was sad that the subject was Beatrice. When I was with her, I felt like I was back to the time when my older sister was still alive.”
When Jan said that, Chloe looked down with a sad expression.
“I think I did a terrible thing to that girl…to Beatrice Glaw.”
While listening to the conversation, I realized again.
He had allowed the abduction in hopes of exterminating vampires, and his loyalty was to Harlan.
He had nothing to do with the rebel movement within the military order.
“In other words, you didn’t know that this was done by the knights who rebelled against Harlan, right?”
“Rebel? Me? Betraying Harlan-sama…?”
When I asked him, Jan had an inexplicable expression on his face.
“I will never betray Harlan-sama.”
Jan’s eyes, which were staring at me as he answered, burned with fanatical heat.
In the end, no new information turned up.
The principal determined that no other information could be obtained from Jan at this time, and the interrogation was over.
☆
The time was midnight.
Then, leaving the principal and Jan behind, we headed home.
Just as with the previous vampire case, Brad escorted us on our way back to the dormitory.
“Um…what about Jan?”
Chloe cast a question towards Brad’s back.
“He can’t be acquitted.”
Brad answered without turning around.
“False personation, assisting in an abduction…we can’t overlook those just because he didn’t know the details.”
“Is that so…”
“In addition, being in custody at the academy for a while will protect him more than not.”
“…I see. You’re right, maybe that’s for the best…”
Chloe nodded with a quiet voice.
Jan was the extremity’s spy who could be taken advantage of by traitors.
Whether he is in pro-Harlan faction or anti-Harlan faction, we can’t leave him be.
I understand the reason, but it’s terrible.
“In this case, there will be major changes not only in him, but also in Lucanrant itself. Harlan Lucanrant will be held responsible.”
“That’s—”
“He won’t have to relinquish his territory, but the leader of the Military Order of Útför will be replaced and he will have to resign from his position as the Northern Deputy Governor-General. Until an official successor can be appointed, a magistrate will be dispatched from Ignitia, most likely.”
Although that is better than Aurelia and Hafan interfering, an opposition from the North will be inevitable.
However, since no successor can be appointed until the investigation of who took part in the case has been completed, this is a reasonable step to take.
“Not only Harlan, but the northern nobles and members of the Military Order of Útför will also be under a thorough investigation. To see whether there was any similar activity like this case. Also, whether there were any other actions violating the humanity code.”
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