The Prozen Republic in the west. A nation separated from the Empire by three countries, it is the center of art and culture. Professor ‘Jean Pierre’ of the Department of Political Sociology at Prozen National University pointed at a single photograph displayed on the projection screen. “The Adeline murder case. A secretary from the Governor-General's Office picked a fight on the street with an ordinary college student from Genen. Perhaps the secretary made an advance, and Adeline may have rejected it. Either way, a clash occurred between the two parties in the process, and the secretary pulled out a pistol from his waist and fired a single shot.” Bang. He mimicked the gunshot with his mouth. “This single shot pulled the trigger for a show of force.” The topic of today’s lecture was the ‘Genen suppression incident’, which had become a fairly major issue across the continent. Hundreds of students filling the tiered lecture hall listened with bated breath. “Genen burned in extreme chaos for a short period of time.” The professor drew a circle in the air with the tip of his pen. “As I always say, mana is a ‘human power’ more dangerous than firearms. The nature and attributes of mana differ from person to person, but there is one thing they all have in common. Mana whose emotions are not controlled always spreads like wildfire.” Srrrk. Mana flowed out from the professor’s fingertips. “College students of Genen, wizards who had been living in hiding, and others who studied mana rose up against the garrison forces, and the city fell into chaos in an instant.” The mana wriggled as if alive and formed numbers. 59 and 187. “According to the Empire’s official announcement, in the initial suppression process, 59 military and police personnel died, and 187 people were killed, including protesters and civilians. Even this may be a reduced figure, but for now.” It was not a small number. The Republic’s students frowned as they imagined the scene of that day. “If things had continued in this direction, Genen would surely have burned until it turned to ashes. The garrison’s incompetent response effectively placed the autonomous region onto a furnace. However, immediately after that.” The professor’s gaze sharpened. “Tanks.” This time, his mana boldly engraved a single word. “Hundreds of armored units, a mix of new and old models, suddenly deployed and entered all across Genen.” The students began to murmur. “With this level of force, you could easily wipe out an autonomous region. It’s a scale capable of conducting a full-scale war.” Tanks are not mere vehicles, so even those who can handle mana to some extent cannot help but fear them. That is because they fire high-performance shells condensed with mana and Mana Stones. “If tanks of this number had struck the city, several thousand people would have died without difficulty. With a single shell, dozens of bodies would have been blown apart.” The students expected as much as well. The Empire would thoroughly crush Genen as an example for the Gigantes terror incident, without caring how many died or in what manner. “However, here is where another strange thing happens.” Jean Pierre flipped the projection screen. They were photographs taken by the Empire’s reporter Alphonse. There were many destroyed structures and buildings here and there, but there were no scenes of damaged human bodies. “The result: zero civilian deaths caused by tank bombardment. However, 23 military and police personnel were immediately executed due to their sudden actions. Among the protesters as well, 103 were executed.” The professor circled the number [0 civilian deaths]. “The Empire announced that all reasons for immediate execution were either excessive violent force exercised as protesters, being external forces not from Genen, or individuals whose identities could not be determined. Well, setting aside that this is an Empire-style announcement……” It seemed that at least the claim of zero civilian deaths was true. Even reporters inside Genen were saying that “the tanks did not touch civilians”. “In the incident itself, one could say that several hundred people died, but as a result, Genen, which was on the verge of boiling over, cooled down in an instant. A situation where it would not have been strange for thousands or tens of thousands to die was brought to a close like this.” The professor flipped the projection screen one more page. “Therefore, we need to look at the individual who led this suppression.” [ Maximilian von Albrecht Ebenholtz ] “The heir of the great Ebenholtz family.” There has never been a photograph of his face accurately taken and released outside the Empire. Perhaps in preparation for assassination or other threats, most images show only his back. Well, he's such a famous face within the Empire that portraits are apparently circulating through word of mouth. “He moved this massive army as precisely and efficiently as a single machine. He exercised extremely meticulous control over hundreds of tanks and tens of thousands of troops, extinguishing the flames of the autonomous region at an early stage, and wielded only rigorously restrained force. He crushed only the core of the protests and riots.” The professor continued. “He also had no hesitation in killing military and police personnel. The greatest enemy on the battlefield is a stupid ally. If some deranged soldier had fired a machine gun, or if a tank crewman had slightly turned the muzzle, far more casualties would have occurred in Genen.” Maximilian cut down such people without mercy. “He used the fear of tanks as a means. But he handled it with extreme strictness. There was even a sense of order in the way the tanks were maneuvered.” Therefore, if one were to describe this Genen suppression in a single phrase. “It was very imperial, but in some ways, very aristocratic.” Both the word ‘Empire’ and the word ‘aristocrat’ describe a knight who appears quite rarely in the present age, where their once brilliant etymologies are fading. Maximilian was a very interesting figure. “Huh, is it already 3 o’clock?” In the meantime, the lecture time had come to an end. Professor Jean Pierre banged on the lectern. “Today’s assignment. Describe in more than 10,000 characters the cause of the outbreak of this Genen incident, its development, the suppression process, and the repercussions it will have on continental affairs.” Aaaaaah. Groans echoed. Jean Pierre waved his hand with a smile, and the students gathered their bags and filed out of the lecture hall. “……Hmm.” Before he knew it, the lecture hall was completely empty. Professor Jean Pierre quietly gazed at the projection screen. He stared at Maximilian’s back as he stood there. According to rumors, a knight with golden hair and golden eyes possessing very handsome features. However, he had never actually seen him. But Jean Pierre, as a professor who expands from 'points' called individuals to 'planes' called history, knows Sebestian. “Sebestian’s son.” Sebestian, the Supreme Commander of the Empire, was already old. Once a man who dominated the continent and left a powerful impression, he had now become nothing more than a sword for the Emperor alone. A loyalist who does not defy the Emperor’s will, who merely carries it out. That too was a kind of downfall. The Ebenholtz family had originally been such a house, but a predictable man was academically uninteresting. Could his son be different? “Hoo.” Jean Pierre let out a light sigh. Through this Genen incident, he understood. War was a fait accompli. Therefore, the Prozen Republic, both this university and I, who lecture about ‘individuals’ while believing the Empire to be far away─ Someday, I too may come face to face with the golden eyes of the knight called Maximilian. ……That is, if he does not get assassinated first. *** The New Year. The streets of the Empire were dyed in festival colors. Fireworks embroidered the night sky, and the citizens greeted the new year’s wind while wishing for each other’s well-being. In that season when everyone was excited, I received news that Yukia’s father, Eric’s body had been recovered. I immediately flew to the Western Border Region. “……This way.” A place that could hardly even be called a morgue, merely a freezer where refrigerant Mana Stones kept the temperature low. There, my attendants and the guides who had assisted them were gathered. “The body is reduced to bones, but the personal belongings are intact.” An attendant held out a tray. I picked up a certain accessory from among the miscellaneous items. A necklace made by thinly carving wood. It was a distinctive article of the Yaken race. “.......” This alone was enough. I slipped the necklace into my chest and gave instructions to the attendant. “Collect the rest and bury them in the sunniest place in the Empire.” “Yes.” ......After that, I boarded a plane again and returned home, and just as I was about to get some rest. An unexpected guest came to see me. “Ah. Hello, Sir Knight. I apologize for the discourtesy of visiting at such a late hour.” It was Inspector Josef from the Imperial Central Police Bureau. He came inside with a face full of tension. Perhaps because rumors of the Genen incident had spread, quite a few people these days were excessively afraid of me. “What is the matter.” "The thing is...... a strange serial killer has appeared in our jurisdiction lately." Josef handed over an investigation file. “It’s too personal to be called terrorism, and to call it simple mur...... the culprit is marking them.” I opened the file. They were photographs of the murder scenes. All of the victims’ bodies had their chests opened like a cross, and a clear mark [†] had been left in blood at the exact center of their foreheads. A serial killer who leaves his own mark, in other words, one who asserts himself. “There are mana residues left behind, but they are so subtle that...... I’m sorry, but with our abilities, we can’t get any grasp on it at all.” The police inspector watched my reaction carefully. “You are the knight who solved the brain-eater case, and there are many rumors that you are among the top in the Empire when it comes to analyzing residue mana, so......” “Many rumors?” “Ah, yes! Of course! You’re an authority, an authority!” I had only been dealing with the accumulated workload, but it seemed I had earned quite a good reputation before I knew it. Thanks to the virus. “If you are too busy with official duties─” “No.” I shook my head as I closed the file. “I’ll take it.” Josef’s face brightened. I tapped the date of the incident written on the front of the file. A murderer who draws crosses. There was such an incident from before my regression, and I remembered it. It was a mission well worth taking. *** A certain day in mid-January. Without delay, Genen’s new appointments were announced. I personally placed selected individuals into the vacant positions left by the executed department chiefs. The criteria were clear. It didn’t matter whether they were commoners or nobles. Background or family lineage was not a consideration. Tracing back my memories from before regression, I selected particularly competent working-level officials from the New Cabinet, or talented individuals who had been outstanding but had never seen the light of day due to being blocked by those above them, and for financial matters, I took recommendations from Dieter. "Then, we will now hold the inauguration ceremony for the newly appointed officials of the Genen Autonomous Region." The grand hall of the Governor-General's Office building. In this place filled with people, Governor Fabian stood on the podium. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚 I stood two or three steps behind him, slightly to the side. “New Department Chief of Internal Affairs. Hermann Krauss.” As his name was called, a man with a small frame walked up with trembling steps. An administrator who had graduated second in his class from the Imperial University’s Department of Public Administration, but had remained merely an official in the 30-something district because he came from the lower district. Coincidentally, he was someone who had completed his studies with a scholarship sponsored by the Ebenholtz Foundation in the past. He had the ability to restore Genen’s administrative network. “I hereby appoint you as Department Chief of Internal Affairs of the Genen Governor-General's Office.” The governor extended his hand for a handshake. Hermann clasped it. Receiving the letter of appointment and the inauguration plaque, he came toward me. I gave him a small nod with my eyes. I could see his legs trembling. “H, Hermann Krauss.” “I know. You received support from Ebenholtz.” “Y, yes. Thanks to that, I was able to graduate from university...... safely.” I patted his shoulder a few times, and he stepped down from the podium with a face that looked as though it might melt away. “New Department Chief of Land. Erika Giono.” Next was Erika Giono. She had been recommended by Dieter. That meant she was an employee Dieter trusted quite a bit. “New Department Chief of Industry. Harman Hein.......” Like that, one by one, key positions were filled. The atmosphere among the audience was strange. The bewilderment was especially evident on the faces of the reporters. The reason was simple. They didn’t know who these people were. Nevertheless, the appointments continued in that manner, and finally. “Second Secretary.” Second Secretary. The very position once held by the culprit of this incident, the one who murdered Adeline. A title positioned close to the Governor, positioned just below the department chiefs. “.......” The Governor paused for a moment. He knew the name written on that paper. It would probably be a highly controversial appointment. However, he soon opened his mouth. “Elias Walter.” At that moment, the hall stirred. The Student Council President of the recent Genen protests. The man who had ordered the peaceful dispersal of the rally, only to be shot down by an ideological criminal who refused to comply. Elias returned dressed in a perfectly tailored suit. Step. Step. He walked confidently. The bandages wrapped around his chest protruded out over his shirt, and there was no hesitation in his stride. As he came up onto the podium, the Governor spoke. “Elias Walter. I hereby appoint you as the Second Secretary of the Genen Governor-General's Office.” A emotionless handshake. After receiving the letter of appointment and the inauguration plaque, he took a few more steps and stood before me. Elias looked at me. I looked at him in return. Eyes that had been coldly refined, the eyes of someone who had faced reality. I liked it quite a lot. “You got out of prison faster than I expected.” “......Thanks to you.” The meaning contained in his brief reply was deep. “Keep the necklace from now on as well. It’s not a disposable item.” “Yes.” Smiling, I extended my hand toward Elias, who had bowed his head. “Congratulations. Secretary of Genen, Elias Walter.” He willingly took my hand. ~~~ Merry Christmas everyone!🎄 ~~~