Chapter 4: Great Detective Horun? – Part 2

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Part 2

　The room was more modest than she thought it would be.
　There were no extravagant fixtures, and although it was wide, there wasn’t that big of a difference from a student dormitory room. The Headmaster’s desk was large, and difficult-looking books lined the wall of bookshelves.
　The Headmaster sat down on an oak chair.
　Putting both of her elbows on the desk, she put her fingers together.
「In regards to this recent incident, just how much have you investigated so far?」
「There were seven people at the end of the year, and three people today. It’s most likely a kidnapping, and the reason to think that is──there were neither any notes left behind, nor any friends that received any consultations that would cause them to run away……it’s because there were those kinds of rumors -ssu. Also, there were stories that they were seen going to the old school building -ssu kedo.」
　The old school building that was currently not being used was securely locked. It wasn’t possible to enter it without a teacher’s permission.
「The State Knight gentlemen are investigating the old school building as well.」
「I believed that they were -su kedo.」
　On the contrary, every nook and cranny of the academy’s premises should have been investigated.
　However, they haven’t found anything.
　Horun spoke.
「But, I haven’t examined anything yet.」
　The Headmaster made a face like she found it surprising.
「I see……I have heard a bit about your circumstances from your guardian.」
「Ah……」
「I haven’t told this to anyone else but……Horun-san, you are actually a famed Adventurer, aren’t you?」
　Famed!?
　She had thought about denying it, but it was probably better to leave the misunderstanding for now.
「Yes -ssu.」
「Saving a western town from the Demon King army, and playing a large role in the fight to correct the Church’s corruption──that is what I have heard.」
「Well, I did fight against Holy Knights -ssu ne.」
　Going *Pupupu……*, Babylon laughed.
『All you did was run around. And you were even totally cut down.』
「……」
　Horun blushed.
　The Headmaster cast her eyes down.
「In truth, the problem within the academy that the teachers and I should be resolving but……could you please lend us a hand?」
「Please leave it to me -ssu!」
　Remembering the time she accepted quests when she was an Adventurer, Horun felt a light exhilaration.
　If the Headmaster gave her permission, then surely the investigation be easier to do.
　She held out a key.
「This is the Magic Academy’s master key. If there is a place that you can’t enter even with that that you need to investigate, then come and consult me again.」
　It meant that she would even prepare a cooperative worker for the investigation.
　Horun undertook the matter of solving the case.
　Going *Waa!*, Babylon increased in tension.
『It’s that, isn’t it!? It’s that there is always only something truth thing and that type of thing where they put out the name, isn’t it!? This tension increase is totally cray-cray.』
　──I don’t know what she’s talking about, but I’d really like for her to stop saying such dangerous remarks -ssu!

　From behind, bloodlust!?

　Horun turned around at that unpleasant presence.
「ッ!?」
　The door to the Headmaster’s room was opened by someone.
　To think they wouldn’t even knock!
　She put herself on guard.
　What came in was a blond man wearing a deep red long coat. His ears were long, and he had a slender face. So he was an Elf.
　He glared with his dull blue eyes.
「You’re the top of the Magic Academy, right?」
　The Headmaster narrowed her eyes.
　Inside her monocle, her golden eyes shone.
「And who might you be? I should not have had any plans for visitors though.」
「I am a Royal Palace Knight──Thanatos the Immortal.」
　Horun’s body froze up.
　A Royal Palace Knight!
　When she had just come to the royal capital, there was only one time where she came into contact with one.
　At that time, she had her eyes fixed upon the parade and hadn’t noticed him but……later she was told by Alicia that they were a dangerous bunch. Rem said that even the ones that killed the people of the Cardinal Institute were Royal Palace Knights.
　Thanatos sent his gaze around the room.
「A wicked magical power has filled this whole area……I have come to investigate that.」
「And by whose order? The Magic Academy has an autonomous……」
「I don’t know. If you have a complaint, then report it to His Majesty. We Royal Palace Knights have been given plenipotentiary powers for the sake of eliminating anyone that would do the kingdom wrong. In other words, it means that this is the same as His Majesty’s order. If someone is going to stand in the way, I will show them no mercy no matter who they are.」
「I see. Very well……I give you permission to do an investigation within the campus. In exchange, I will be making a report to His Majesty if there are any outrageous deeds that are done.」
「Do not get in my way. Make sure that you tell that to your subordinates as well.」
　He had a high-handed attitude.
　The man had a black-lacquered long sword hanging on his waist. As if to show that off, it was only after he flourished his coat did he turn his back to her.
　Saying only what he wanted to say, Thanatos left the Headmaster’s room.
　The door was closed.
『That super pissed me off, and made me want to super slug him in the face! Like totally seriously!』
　Babylon was going *shuu shuu* punching out her fists. Left, left, right.
　Horun shrugged her shoulders.
「If the incident is going to be resolved, then it doesn’t really matter who it’s done by though -su kedo ne. At this rate, it feels like the number of incident will increase -ssu.」
　The Headmaster agreed.
「That’s true……But, it is true that wicked magical power has sprung forth within this academy. It’s been skillfully concealed so we can’t tell its origin though.」
「Even for you, Headmaster -ssu ka?」
「To pinpoint it, it seems like it would take me a bit of time.」
「That magical power is connected to this incident……And if even the culprit were to be aware that they were eventually going to be pinpointed……」
　Would that mean that it was already at a point where not much time was needed anymore?
　It seemed that it would be better to hurry the investigation.

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