Chapter 105

Excess Power

Yernil collided with that red-haired woman as she was leaving the dormitory.

What does that mean?

It means Yernil didn’t sense the presence of that woman entering through the dormitory’s back entrance.

Of course, Yernil is human too, so that could happen. She can’t detect and react to every sound around her like a robot.

But she should have reacted at that particular moment.

Why?

Because she had sharpened all her nerves to return to Teramond’s murder scene.

Her hearing was extremely sensitive to track the professors’ voices.

Therefore, it’s contradictory that Yernil missed the footsteps and the sound of clothing rustling as that red-haired wizard entered the dormitory.

In other words, to put it differently.

‘That woman used noise suppression magic.’

That’s why she collided with Yernil.

Now the probability that she’s the real culprit has approached 100%. If she were just a dormitory student, there’s no reason she would sneak in at night using noise suppression magic.

From what I can see, Bipa and Mugol are truly unrelated to Teramond’s murder. They probably had never even met Teramond to begin with, and wouldn’t have been interested in university slaves.

However, despite informing them of this fact…

“Then we’ll arrest all three and investigate them.”

Magistrate Peterson reacted firmly.

“It’s just that we have one more suspect, but there’s no reason to exclude the Windham duo from the list of suspects. Their corpse explosion and memory erasure magic are still suspicious. Besides, they don’t have a proper reason to visit Soren at this time.”

The reason was because of the elevator and Ingelram, but it’s not something I can carelessly mention right now.

“Moreover, didn’t they almost kill Caleb? After Teramond, Caleb was the next one who almost died. Could these two incidents really be unrelated?”

Right. That’s how it has to be seen.

Bipa. Mugol.

You can’t resent me.

This is a grave you dug yourselves.

“I’ll tell you my deduction. Caleb. There was one accomplice collaborating with the Windham duo, and that was the red-haired wizard.”

“Hmm…”

“If they were innocent, why would they run away like that from the dormitory? They attacked thinking Caleb was a possessor? When it was confirmed he wasn’t, the normal reaction would be to apologize and comply with arrest.”

A valid point.

“But they fought with professors, destroyed the dormitory, and even attacked security officers while escaping? I still think the Windham duo are more likely suspects than the red-haired wizard for the Teramond incident.”

Magistrate Peterson was already mass-producing wanted posters of the Windham duo and spreading them throughout Soren.

One more was added to that – ‘the red-haired woman’ was also wanted.

Although Yernil didn’t get a good look at her face.

“Regardless of the Teramond incident, the Windham duo will inevitably face heavy punishment. Outsiders invaded Soren and attempted to murder a university student, only failing by chance?”

The magistrate’s pride was seriously wounded.

“Attempted murder of an innocent freeman in Soren is punishable by death! I’ll catch them and execute them.”

***

“…So it goes.”

Bipa handed Caleb’s note to Mugol.

“Things have gotten really fucked up. But why is he telling us this?”

“The content below is the key part, so read it.”

[I’m willing to make a settlement regarding the series of crimes where you two trespassed in my dormitory, assaulted me, falsely accused me of being a possessor, and attempted to murder me. That would significantly reduce your sentences. If you want a plea bargain, please send a reply about Hyedam and the inter-floor village.]

“Now he’s not trading for elevator information, but trading for our sentences.”

“Damn.”

The tiger-man’s brow furrowed.

“Since when have we been dancing in this bastard’s palm?”

“This is troublesome. What should we do?”

“…”

Sharp claws emerged from the displeased feline’s fingers.

Mugol scratched the back of his neck with them roughly.

“If we’re not trading for elevator information, it doesn’t add up.”

“I think so too.”

“But it’s true that we’re cornered.”

“…”

A brief silence passed.

Bipa’s mind became complicated.

Originally, their plan was just to spy on how far Soren’s security headquarters had investigated after Ingelram’s death.

If possible, find the elevator location and go there to destroy related materials.

Was the plan ruined because of Caleb? Or because of that murderer who killed that wizard called Teramond or Amond or whatever?

“Let’s catch that murderer ourselves.”

“The slave hate crime perpetrator?”

“Yes.”

Bipa said.

“Soren’s security headquarters is always struggling with financial and personnel shortages.”

That’s why they sometimes indirectly entrust back-alley security to organizations like Black Dog, and also give medals to citizens who show excellent skills and sense of justice, recruiting them as citizen security officers.

“They definitely recognize contributions to investigations. Let’s try to reduce our sentences with that.”

“Would such a thing even get attempted murder dismissed?”

“Of course it wouldn’t. But let’s at least increase the cards we can use. And more than anything…”

Bipa was really bothered by that murderer.

“I’d like to get rid of them. It’s unpleasant being constantly tied together.”

Mugol agreed on that point.

“A red-haired woman, right?”

Now the most dangerous deep-layer duo in Soren hunts the murderer.

***

‘No reply.’

Somewhat disappointing.

Did I lowball the price too much?

My offer to settle my assault compensation might actually be outside their interest.

Unless the magistrate is really about to catch and execute them, there are still more options available to Bipa and Mugol right now.

In extreme terms, they could escape Soren and wander the outskirts using barbarian tribe labyrinths.

The plan they want to carry out in the inter-floor village would be considerably disrupted though.

‘I really want to find out about Hyedam and the inter-floor village possessors.’

Since it’s a possessor-related topic and involves stories about my past that I don’t know, I feel I must find out.

But it can’t be helped.

Even if those two are uncooperative, I have ways to approach this from other angles.

“Inter-floor village tour? That was quite interesting.”

Asking the professors, that is.

“We toured from floor 1.5 all the way to floor 3.5.”

Meldini excitedly rattled off that adventure story. During the last labyrinth opening, Meldini along with Isilof, Dalstream, and the three professors conducted research expedition to the inter-floor village.

To investigate the true nature of commemorative coins like 10-tier magic, large-scale evil extermination monuments and dagger raptors, gourmet whales, and spider doctors.

Shouldn’t something come out if I wait for the professors’ research?

“Unfortunately, neither I nor Professor Isilof obtained particularly important information this time.”

Meldini said awkwardly.

Originally, the inter-floor village was a place ignored by adventurers even when they knew how to enter, because there wasn’t much to gain compared to the risks.

“But Professor Dalstream seemed to have something come to mind. Wait and see.”

“Caleb shouldn’t worry about such things right now. Whether it’s research or labyrinth adventures, you have to survive to do them.”

Isilof said.

“So… Caleb. Are you really going to do that?”

“I’m also against it.”

The professors looked quite worried.

***

The magistrate had devised a plan to use me, a citizen security officer, as bait to lure out the murderer, and I agreed to it.

Honestly speaking, I’m somewhat skeptical.

Logically, if I, who almost died two days ago, wander around outside, wouldn’t anyone see it’s a trap?

Unless it’s a murderer with a seriously empty head, how could they approach to kill that?

‘Of course it might not work. But let’s try every possible means right now.’

For that, the magistrate made two preparations. One was confining(?) Yernil in the most heavily guarded place in the security headquarters, and the other was this.

‘Soul Preservation.’

Nataniel Temple provides such services.

Magic that prevents an adventurer’s soul from leaving their body for a certain period.

Then even if they die, the soul doesn’t separate, so they can be revived through appropriate treatment and resurrection scrolls.

“However, if the body is damaged too severely, Soul Preservation will break.”

Bishop Azello at Nataniel Temple said.

“And the price is 1 million gold for one week of Soul Preservation.”

Really fucking expensive.

It’s newly realizing that Abisson, who entered the labyrinth’s first floor with this attached, was truly a diamond spoon.

But I don’t have to spend my own money.

“This is for the security of all of Soren, so couldn’t you give us a discount…”

The poor magistrate struggling with budget shortages attempted to haggle, but he knew it was impossible himself.

“Soul Preservation prices are non-negotiable. Magistrate.”

If they couldn’t pay and therefore couldn’t get Soul Preservation, and consequently died?

Then they should die. Nataniel wanted him to die.

“Show me God’s will. Magistrate!”

Truly psycho religious people.

“Here… 1 million gold.”

Magistrate Peterson handed over the money he had prepared.

***

Next was protective personnel.

“We meet again, Caleb.”

Inspector (genuine) wizard Neko along with her subordinate security officers. The orc fighter Urgash I’d seen before, Mikhail who also serves as a priest, and several additional security officers.

The university also sent a practitioner to participate. Who was it…

“Izel!”

She had returned straight to Soren after hearing about the slave-hating criminals and then learning that I was attacked by the Windham duo.

“This operation is a collaboration between the Magic University and the Security Headquarters. Caleb. I’ll take responsibility for your safety, so don’t worry.”

“I’ll repay at least a little of the debt from Abisson’s incident.”

Clarence also joined.

And two teaching assistants under Meldini.

“If you’re not a possessor, all university students are like family.”

Jacob and Scarlett from the slave management department, who had cast lie prevention magic on me and tormented(?) Yernil by wielding the Scale of Justice.

However, the operational force for this mission wasn’t all…

“And since there’s also a possibility that the deep-layer duo might attack, I’ll personally command the operation.”

The deep-layer adventurer magistrate stepped forward himself.

“My neck still throbs from when that tiger bastard got me from behind. This time I’ll definitely pay him back. Caleb. Don’t worry about anything. Anyone who approaches will be blown up.”

Professor Meldini naturally joined as well.

“I’m still skeptical about this operation, but it can’t be helped. Caleb.”

Professor Isilof too.

Wait a minute.

But is this right?

I think the real culprit is just someone who killed Teramond, a 2nd-tier wizard at best – a common psycho among Soren’s average criminals.

Is this level of personnel really appropriate…?

This is the force for catching the Windham duo, isn’t it?

“And there will probably be a few more.”

Magistrate Peterson chuckled as if he had a secret weapon left.

“Who?”

“Although Teramond was murdered on the bright main street of the university district, from the perpetrator’s perspective, wouldn’t they naturally prefer places that are sparsely populated, gloomy, and have poor security rather than such places?”

Ah.

I understand.

“Caleb will wander around Black Dog Alley late at night to lure the culprit.”

If anything happens there, Orc berserker Chrome will come out with bloodshot eyes and an axe, right?

Along with Black Dog organization members?

Now I’m starting to feel a bit sorry for that red-haired woman.

… (continued)