Major Kai Han entered the interrogation room. He looked back and forth between Lorenz and me with a hardened expression. “......Major.” Lorenz conveyed to the Major the words I had just said, And I, as a knight, came to a definitive conclusion. “Lieutenant Lorenz has in fact long been a victim who was blackmailed by Jeremy Keshun. Jeremy Keshun was a Subspecies Ezenheim who sought internal information from the Imperial Guard, so this murder is sufficiently excusable.” Major Han and Lieutenant Lorenz exchanged glances. In their eyes was a mixture of subtle confusion and wariness. “That is my conclusion.” “Then. What is it that you wish from us, Sir Knight......?” Major Kai Han asked. “A faction.” A faction within the Imperial Guard, more precisely, one I could implant within the military. It is very weak and insignificant now, but precisely because of that, they can be trusted. The other factions, already massive in size, would stab me in the back for their own gain even if I sponsored them with tens of millions of dollars. Therefore, those who are not yet tainted are far more trustworthy. Especially, Kai Han was an exceptionally impressive figure even in my hazy past. He gave a bitter smile. “......We do not yet have a firm enough footing to support you, Sir Knight.” “It doesn’t matter. From now on, we’ll build it up.” With support from Ebenholtz, even a mere commoner can be granted a star. After all, my father, Sebestian, is the Supreme Commander of the Empire. ......Though I wonder if he’ll even help me. “.....Yes. Speak freely, Sir Knight.” Major Han accepted my proposal. I immediately changed my tone. “Major Han. Then from now on, there is a mindset you must possess.” Will you continue to live trampled like a weed in this rotten organization as a mere commoner, or- “Ambition.” Climb to a higher place and seize power. “If you’ve chosen to stand with Ebenholtz, you must abandon the thought of remaining just a soldier. A half-hearted stomp won’t satisfy my standards.” I glanced at the clock in the interrogation room. Tick─ tick─ “Major Han. Do you know the difference between a commoner and a noble?” Tick─ tick─ That incessant ticking still grated on my nerves. "......It is that their births are different." I shook my head. “No. What differs is not birth, but time. Time to build up lineage, wealth, and the power of people over long years.” Before the Regression, watching the Empire’s decline and the corrupted nobles, I had come to a realization. “But the abilities of individuals are not like that. Rather......” There was a thought I came to understand while living as a fugitive and a vagrant. “Rather, one rotten noble can be more harmful than thousands or tens of thousands of commoners. If it’s truly for the Empire, then trash nobles are unnecessary. A noble who is not respected has only themselves to blame for their corrupt conduct.” “.......” Han and Lorenz both stopped breathing at once. Their pupils trembled violently. To them, were my words a shock, or a contradiction? “I don’t care whether someone is a commoner or a noble. If they have ability, if they can contribute to the Empire, that’s all that matters.” I would elevate those who were no more than nameless weeds of the Imperial Guard to a higher place. At the very least, to a level where they could stand against the Imperial Guard’s secret police organization, 'The Executive Division'. “What do you two think?” Major Han was already a vetted asset, and Lorenz Tilman was a very promising wizard. They were enough to be my first step. “.......” “.......” Major Han kept his mouth shut tightly. Lorenz did too, but only briefly. Soon after, both exhaled with a heated breath and answered with action. They stood up with such force their chairs nearly broke, and saluted me. I nodded with a small smile. “Then, return as if nothing happened.” With serious expressions, they left the interrogation room. *** Knight Office. A peaceful afternoon. “......Um, Sir Knight. I think there was an error with the deposit.” Two administrative officers from the Western Prison visited me with bewildered expressions to request a meeting. It was because they could not believe the amount deposited in their salary accounts. “What’s the issue?” “The base salary you mentioned is quite different from what was deposited, so we were wondering if there might have been a mistake-” “The base salary is six thousand dollars.” Even if I wanted to give more, my knightly budget was 600,000 dollars a year, and the monthly salary I could offer to administrative officers was limited within that. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦 “But the bonus paid from my personal account is separate.” “Th-then, this is all... our monthly salary...?” “Yes. You can think of it as effectively fifteen thousand dollars a month.” Considering that their salary as prison officers had been at most three to four thousand dollars, this was more than four times that amount. The administrative officers stared at each other with dazed expressions. I gestured to them. “Now get going and do your work.” “Y-yes! Understood! We will serve with utmost loyalty!” Both of them left the office unable to hide their joy. Just like that, money, Imperial dollars, is the most certain and convenient form of compensation. People throw away their lives for it, and pledge endless loyalty for it. Therefore, I need money. The greatest invention of humanity shall be poured out for the preservation of humanity. ....... Pazzzzt! Pazzzzt! Schatz was endlessly honing her mana in the well-polished training ground. Through sincere effort, she had now mastered her attribute, electromagnetic mana. When she detonated mana beneath her feet, her body would shoot up like a bullet, and when she discharged electricity, it was powerful enough to melt steel. “......Agent Schatz.” At that moment, someone called out to Schatz. Zendo and his investigators who had come up from Genen. By Maximilian’s order, they were new comrades who had joined Schatz. Zendo spoke. “We’ve caught the tail of the Revolutionary forces.” They would now be tasked with monitoring the interior of Genen alongside Schatz, and identifying the ‘Subspecies’ who sought to agitate the area. “This is the location we uncovered through wiretapping, where the Genen Independence faction and the Revolutionary forces were to make contact.” Schatz looked at the box full of evidence. “There’s a massive amount of records.” “Yes. We reviewed all several tens of thousands of minutes’ worth.” Zendo’s face twisted as he spoke. He clenched his fists tightly, as if in disgust. Schatz shook her head. “For now, suppress your personal feelings. They do nothing to help the mission.” It was the very first thing she had learned at Ebenholtz’s main estate. When carrying out a mission, even one that is a deeply personal revenge rooted in one’s own resentment, we must coolly suppress ourselves. ....... Dieter moved swiftly. He began construction of a refinery to process the mana stones mined from the Lomilton Mountain Range, and temporarily borrowed funds from Hermes Province to cover expenses. He also maintained the highest wages in the industry for the workers during the mining process, and spared no expense on safety gear and welfare facilities. “For this backwoods place Lomilton to change so quickly, it’s truly amazing. Hahaha.” Mayor Jensen came to visit, full of flattery. Thanks to the economic effects of the mine development, not just job creation but also new roads being paved, and shops and restaurants opening, his popularity in Hermes had soared. “However, sir. By any chance, did Sir Maximilian have anything else to say.......” “......There will probably be those who complain or try to incite unrest, claiming that the mana stones from this land are being monopolized by nobles or the bourgeoisie.” Dieter’s expression suddenly turned cold. “Those who say such things are our enemies.” He looked Mayor Jensen straight in the eye as he spoke. “Those were the words of the knight.” “......Ah, yes. Of course. Of course. But, must we really provide that mask or whatever it is to all the workers? I heard the cost is quite high.” The mask, a piece of safety equipment that filters fine mana dust generated during mana stone mining. “He said not to spare any expense for the safety of Imperial citizens.” “......As expected! The knight truly is a noble~ Hahahaha!” Ding- ding- ding- 8 p.m. The bell announcing the shift change rang. Their working hours never exceeded ten hours a day. Families stood at the entrance to greet the workers pouring out from the mine tunnels. The weary miners warmly embraced their children, wives, or husbands who approached them with bright smiles. “It’s a truly beautiful sight, isn’t it?” At Jensen’s pleased remark, Dieter responded matter-of-factly. “Among them, there are likely Subspecies.” “......Pardon?” “Sir Maximilian harbors a deep hatred for the Ezenheim among the Subspecies. So, regarding that matter-” Dieter spoke in a low voice. “Please pay attention. It means to closely analyze the origins of the workers.” “Ah, yes. Of course. I’ll keep that in mind without fail.” Jensen also took on a serious expression and jotted the note in his notebook. ....... Thud. Thud. Major Kai Han commuted to the Imperial Guard as usual. Thud. Thud. Marching down the hallway in military boots, he sat on a chair in front of someone’s office, clutching a fruit basket he brought as a gift while glancing at the nameplate. [Imperial Guard Command Headquarters, Deputy Chief of Staff Office: Jens Joachim] He waited five minutes. Then ten minutes. Then thirty minutes. He had made an appointment in advance, but the wait dragged on endlessly. This was the position of Kai Han, a commoner. “Major Han?” After about an hour, the Deputy Chief of Staff’s secretary finally called him. “Yes.” “He’ll see you now.” Major Han straightened his uniform and entered. “Loyalty.” After saluting, he sat across from Deputy Chief of Staff Jens. The work of Major Han, who had seized a new 'connection', began here. Jens was nearing retirement, but was well respected, and many of his juniors held general-level positions involved in personnel decisions. “What is it?” He asked while picking his teeth with dental floss, as if he had eaten meat. He didn’t even treat Han as a subordinate, despite the fact that Han had once served under him. Major Han understood the reason. Until now, he hadn’t been able to give Jens the kind of offerings he liked. “Brigadier General Jens, I heard you’ll be retiring from active duty soon.” “......Still six months left. Are you here to tease me?” Jens frowned and ran his hand over what little hair remained on his head. “No. I’ve come to give you a gift.” “A gift?” Han lifted the fruit basket he had brought in advance. As soon as Jens saw it, he scoffed. “Take it away. I don’t care for that kind of-” “Please, take a look.” “I said take it away.” He tried to push it away irritably, but the basket wouldn’t budge. “......?” He pressed it again and again with his palm, the weight was unusual. Jens looked at Han with a puzzled expression. “It’s fruit.” At Han’s words, Jens finally picked up a piece of fruit. In that moment, his expression changed. “It’s very yellow. I only selected the best.” They looked like ordinary apples on the outside, but the insides were filled entirely with gold. The work of a skilled alchemist, they were more valuable than their market price. “What... how did you get something like this?” “It’s only out of respect for you, Deputy Chief of Staff. I’ve been saving little by little until now.” “.......” Jens suddenly turned serious. He crossed his arms and exhaled solemnly before asking, “So, what is it you want to say?” “Oh, it’s nothing major. I just heard that a position recently opened up for the commander of Fromm Company, under the direct control of the Imperial Magic Division. It’s truly nothing major, but I happen to know a soldier I believe is highly suited for the role. His name is Lorenz Tilman......” “.......” Jens’s face hardened. Han tensed for a moment as well. Did he phrase it wrong? He was nervous, this was his first time pulling strings. “.......” “.......” After an awkward silence, Jens suddenly burst into loud laughter. “Hahahaha! Look at this guy.” “......Haha.” Han laughed along with him. “Don’t worry. Who doesn’t know how much you care for your subordinates? In fact, I’d been thinking that person would be perfect for the role too. Rotzran Talso. He’s from the Magic Tower, isn’t he?” “Yes, Lorenz Tilman. That’s right. As expected of you, Deputy Chief of Staff Jens-” “Hahahahaha. That aside, I really wonder how you’ve grown so much. I heard land prices in the Capital have been going up lately, did you ride that wave?” “Oh, well-” “No, no need to say. It must be your secret, so you should keep it. Of course. Hahahahaha─!” “Hahaha.......” Major Han forced a smile as he looked at Brigadier General Jens. He looked at him, a noble. He looked at him, endlessly fondling the golden apple with his wrinkled hands, laughing until sweat beaded on his bald head. Suddenly, that man’s voice echoed faintly in his ears. ‘If it’s truly for the Empire, then trash nobles are unnecessary. A noble who is not respected has only themselves to blame for their corrupt conduct.’ Brigadier General Jens was already sixty years old. But age is not experience. It is not maturity. Nor is it wisdom. The moral capital this sixty-year-old noble had built up was worth less than the grime under the fingernail of someone just past twenty. “Well then. I’ll take my leave.” "Ah~ yes yes. I was disappointed because you have not shown your face lately, but it was good to see you. Come visit anytime." “......Yes. Loyalty.” Major Han saluted without a hint of expression, and quietly exited the Deputy Chief of Staff’s office. ─Ah~ really, hahaha...... Even with the door closed, laughter leaked out from inside. Hearing that laughter, Major Han sank into cold silence.