#34 – Suspicion
Imperial Police Department Headquarters. A large department that exceeded thirty-thousand employees, but inside, it was made up of numerous branches.
In one of them. 1st Division of the Criminal Investigation Bureau.
They handled the crimes that were considered to be the most diabolical.
The serial murders of imperial nobles…also called the ‘A’ Case, was one of them.
“…I think it’s time that you told us something.”
“I said everything that I should say.”
After being arrested by the police, Yukito explained everything truthfully. He had no reason to hide anything.
However, even though half a day had now passed, he had yet to be released.
“…The murder weapon was thrown into the garden from the window.”
The detective pointed to one of the photos on the table.
“It is a katana. A weapon you seem to have a preference for.”
“As I told you already, it is not mine.”
“…Indeed. We have witnesses who say you did not bring a weapon with you into the house. However, it would not be impossible for you to slip out of the house and secretly retrieve your weapon.”
“If I really am the killer…”
Yukito turned to the detective.
“I would have left the city before you could arrest me.”
“…”
The detective had no answer for this.
(What is this?)
Yukito was confused by the detective’s attitude.
He thought that he had been framed.
However, it felt as if the police who arrested him had not looked into the matter thoroughly.
They just repeated the same questions.
As if they already knew he was not really the culprit.
There was only silence for some time, and then there was a sudden knock on the door.
It opened, and a man in a suit walked in. Likely, another detective.
“Hey, what’s the meaning of this? You aren’t on this case. Why…”
“Excuse me. This should explain everything.”
He handed over a card, and the other man looked surprised.
“Investigation Office? Why are you people…”
“We will take charge of him now.”
Said the detective, and before the other could object, he moved in front of Yukito.
“Mr. Yukito. Please come with me.”
“…I would like to get out of this place as soon as possible.”
“Yes, of course.”
◆ ◇ ◆
Outside, a black car was waiting for them.
He climbed in as ordered, and they drove off to a three-story building in a corner of the capital.
In one room, which was like a large meeting room, a man in a suit waited with a warm smile. He looked like he was in his forties.
“Thank you for coming, Mr. Yukito. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Ravalo Keivis. I’m from the Central Intelligence Investigation Office.”
In other words, spies?
His smile was similar to the Count’s… No, there was more venom in it. Like he would swallow you if you lowered your guard.
“Don’t be so suspicious. We called you here in order to share information. Information that will be useful for you.”
“…You would do that? I’m pretty sure I’m still a suspect.”
“No, it is impossible.”
He laughed as he unfolded his hands.
And then he threw something so that it slid across the table.
A photograph… The letter ‘A’ written in blood.
“Ever see that before?”
“…Next to the Prime Minister’s body.”
“This photo was taken five days ago. A similar incident occurred two weeks ago. This is the third one. In each case, a nobleman was killed.”
He had never heard anything about this.
“Of course, information has been suppressed. If it came out, it could ruin the festivities.”
“…From what I saw from the car…”
“Everything looked normal?”
Indeed.
The murder of a Prime Minister would shock the nation. And yet people were still celebrating outside.
“Back to the subject at hand. The same mark was found by the Prime Minister’s body. In other words, this is the work of a serial killer. But you only entered the city three days ago. So you cannot be the killer.”
Yukito had felt it.
From the beginning, he had been monitored.
And he knew the reason as well.
This world was so unbalanced.
Sometimes, an individual could overwhelm a group. A world where the power between individuals was so different.
And sometimes, it led to the destruction of order.
For instance, in modern Japan. What would happen if one person had enough power to destroy an army?
Even if that person had good intentions, surely the results would not turn out well.
And if they meant to use their power for evil, things would collapse very easily.
They would be like a walking bomb.
And so such people were monitored at all times. Not just Yukito, but probably most of the people who participated in the Combat Techniques Tournament.
That was normal in this world.
“…And the police department knows you are innocent as well.”
This was puzzling.
Then why had he been held for so long?
“As for why they didn’t release you. Well, there is a reason.”
He slid another photograph across the table.
In it was…
“Do you recognize this person?”
“…Yes. I do.”
Old man.
Sword Saint. Jin Raidou.
“So you really are his apprentice then.”
Yukito’s eyes widened.
But after a moment…he nodded.
“Well I’ll be… Normally, you would be received with the highest honors… But this is such bad timing… Or is it good?””
“What are you saying?”
“Currently, the police have marked a single suspect.”
He said as he tapped the desk.
Yukito’s eyes turned to the photo there.
“You don’t mean…”
“The old master was staying at the Prime Minister’s house until yesterday. And now he has gone missing. Do you think that it’s impossible for him to be the culprit?”
This isn’t sewn with thick threads. It’s sewn with ship’s ropes!