#35 – Closed Room
The photo that was pushed forward. The words said. The eyes directed towards me.
I felt as if the ground was crumbling from under my feet.
“…That’s ridiculous.”
I finally managed to say. However, the man was unphased.
He picked up the photo and narrowed his eyes.
“Yes, it is ridiculous. Jin Raidou is a hero within the empire. A living legend. It is hard to imagine him committing such a crime.”
“Then…”
“But that is not enough reason to eliminate it as a possibility.”
I could not argue with that, and so I stayed silent.
“…Of course, the country will not be powerless against the violence of an individual. The empire has a trump card or two.”
He paused and looked at me sharply.
“But, is that what you want?”
I did not understand what he meant. However, as I stared at the dim light in his eyes, it slowly dawned on me.
“…You want me to stop the old man?”
“Of course, this is just based on an assumption. But judging by what I know of your nature, I don’t think you will be able to ignore this.”
“So that is the reason the police were keeping me there?”
The man did not answer. He just smiled.
Indeed, what he was saying was right.
If the old man was committing crimes with his sword, I would want to stop him no matter what anyone said.
“That is, if he really is the culprit.”
I knew.
I had watched him for so long. He would not use his sword for such a thing.
It wasn’t as if I had proof. Perhaps it wasn’t logical. But I just knew.
“If that is all you wanted to say, I will be going now.”
“Yukito.”
I turned around.
“There are procedures for releasing you. We’ll take you back to the station.”
“…Thank you.”
“It was an honor to meet you. I’m sure it won’t be the last time.”
Indeed, as I turned away, I had a feeling that would be meeting him again.
◆ ◇ ◆
“Are you sure about releasing him, Director?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
In a dark room. The man, Ravalo, said while filing his nails.
Streaks of light shown through the blinds, illuminating a face that had no traces of the gentle smile he had earlier.
“…So that is the Sword Saint’s apprentice.”
“Yes. If his combat ability is as high as our investigations suggest, he is quite the monster.”
Ravalo said with a chuckle.
“But he is still very young.”
The subordinate sighed as if put off by this.
“To be honest, I feel bad for him.”
Ravalo Caves. Also known as Stradivarius.
In the Central Intelligence Investigation Office, he was known for having a terrible personality. Whether friend or enemy, all ended up dancing in the palm of his hand.
“…So, what should we do, Director?”
“Do?”
“In regards to sending them out.”
Ravalo was not lying when he talked about the empire having some trump cards.
In the past, there had been several times when an individual with overwhelming power had posed a threat to society.
And so they were prepared with countermeasures.
However, if there was a problem…
According to Military Intelligence’s assessment of his combat abilities, the probability of success against the Sword Saint was incredibly low.
“Of course, it will not be necessary.”
Ravalo said as he snapped the nail file shut.
“Those people are beasts. The farthest thing from justice.”
“Justice?”
“We deceive and betray people without regret. Even if it destroys someone in the process, and people hate us.”
It might be evil for other people.
But it was justice for them.
“We cannot lose sight of our own justice. The only thing that matters is the protection of the empire.”
“Yes.”
He walked over to the window and used his fingers to look through the blinds.
At Yukito as he left the building and entered the car.
“Do you dislike relying on others?”
“Yes. I am a soldier, after all.”
“I see. By that reasoning, I am not.”
Said Ravalo, and his subordinate did not know what to say.
Not because he had no words of objection.
But he pitied the young man who was no doubt being manipulated at this time.
This is so pathetic. He let himself BE manipulated and I’m pissed off. How many chapters is this gonna be until the “reveal”? So pathetic…
I just stopped liking this novel.