Melvin, who had been looking at the paper the whole time, asked quietly.
"Monsters?"
"Yes, since the beginning of this year, corrupted animals have been appearing all over the empire. Earlier, my... no, Leo went out to check it personally. What did you see?"
"Rotting rats gnawing at each other."
"They probably conducted a resurrection ritual using dead rats. I don't know how it got out, though."
In the novel, Pleroma never created chimeras or released invasive wolves.
But considering the problem of the mass appearance of monsters, it must be Pleroma's doing.
It hasn't been revealed yet, but by the end of the year, it will be officially recognized as Pleroma's crime.
At that moment, a student pondered my words.
"So they're conducting resurrection experiments on animals too. But why are they doing it with animals now instead of before?"
Leo put the documents on the desk and spoke quietly.
"They must have used up all the humans. Or they could see the depletion coming."
"Ah."
"Hmm."
"Their growth is starting to slow down. They're likely struggling to secure followers and test subjects."
That's correct.
But since I can't mention what I know from the novel, I have to rely on statistics.
I took out a chart summarizing Pleroma's crimes and pinned it to the blackboard.
"Last year alone, Pleroma was involved in 22 kidnapping cases. The year before that, 7 cases, and the year before that, 3 cases."
"That's a huge increase."
"It seems they're really in need of people."
I nodded and continued speaking.
"If you were to choose humans for human experiments, who would you pick? Kids wandering without guardians or kids with parents or belonging to an institution."
The students frowned, answering reluctantly.
"Those without guardians?"
"Me too."
"Yes, because such cases wouldn't be reported properly. The increase in cases means that they're having to capture even those under government protection, indicating that the previous supply of manpower isn't enough."
At first glance, it seems like they're acting recklessly, but Pleroma has strict internal rules.
If they truly acted without restraint, they would have already raided all the graves in the empire.
Having captured children outside of the protection network until now, they are now openly targeting children under state protection, which means they are that desperate.
The students nodded with grim faces.
"The missing persons section in the newspaper has gotten really long. Is this all because of Pleroma? The problem is more serious than expected…."
"Yes. Let's summarize."
I wrote down the summary on the blackboard.
"First, Pleroma moves in different directions depending on the season. This is basic and should be considered in future predictions. Second, they're facing the biggest crisis in their 12-year history, and they're likely planning a new system to find a way out."
Or, they might have already done so.
Considering the surge in monsters this year.
Some students took notes on the summary.
"I've never analyzed it this way before, it's refreshing."
"Indeed. This is something even the royal family might only know."
This meeting was originally organized to gather supporters for my cause, so I hadn't expected much in terms of analysis. It's nice to see they're thinking that way on their own.
I should keep pushing forward as I have been.
"So far, I've just discussed the current situation."
"Is there more?"
"We need to analyze the crimes in detail too."
I pinned a new map and grabbed a piece of chalk.
* * *
Before the next meeting, I suggested they think about places where grave desecration crimes might occur, then stood up.
"Now it's just us left."
"What are you going to do now?"
Narce asked while sifting through the materials.
"I'm going to think more about the monsters."
"Oh, you're going more in-depth?"
"Yes."
Solving the issue related to Pleroma is the best way to gain nationwide support.
Of course, I can't operate openly, but I can wear a mask again if needed.
I need to dig into the monster issue now, while everyone is still unsure that it's Pleroma's crime.
I pinned a large map on the wall and took out a pen.
"Let's start with the regions. Last year, there were 25 cases of corrupted animals appearing in the empire."
"That's pretty manageable."
Leo murmured while looking at the map.
It makes sense. 25 cases now seem like a distant issue.
This year, the number is nearing 1,000.
"When combined, the number of appearances this year is in the triple digits. Even with the royal family setting up restricted zones to contain them, this is the situation."
I drew boundaries around the areas where monsters appeared.
Narce, who was observing closely, pointed to the remote forests.
"If they conducted experiments with monsters, there's a possibility that the experiment site could be around those areas."
"That's possible, but… I need to think about that."
If it were me, I wouldn't use such an obvious method.
I would conduct the experiments and then dispose of the bodies in remote areas or warp them away.
'Or, they could be audaciously conducting experiments near their base, anticipating such thoughts.'
At that moment, Narce snapped his fingers, drawing my attention.
"If we investigate in person, we might find something."
"Hmm, okay."
It's good to have someone with a different perspective at times like this.
I stopped thinking and started reading the visible text.
"If the restricted zones were set up on February 1st this year… the royal family's response was quick."
Leo cautiously asked, responding to my sneer.
"…You know not to say things like this outside, right?"
"I know."
Imagine hearing this from the person who had the most influence in replacing the emperor?
Anyway, the number of monster appearances in January was 271.
What about February when the restricted zones were set up?
'37 cases.'
It drastically decreased. But after that, it rose again to 80-90 cases.
'Even with the barriers, this is the situation.'
This either means the barriers are extremely ineffective, they only restrained themselves in February, or they moved freely, relying on the barriers.
"..."
Trusting the barriers?
I removed my hand from my chin.
"…Is it possible that Pleroma is colluding with someone in the royal family?"
"What?"
I stepped up to the blackboard and hastily wrote down the words.
"There were 87 cases reported last month, in September."
The 271 cases in January are not a big number. It's the 87 cases in September that should be alarming.
On average, 1 out of 100 creatures manages to escape a low-level barrier.
Compared to January, when there were no barriers, now it means there are 8,700 creatures.
'…This could become a huge issue.'
But there's no need to say this now.
I need to gather evidence to verify this hypothesis. The fact that there was no indication of collusion between Pleroma and the royal family in the novel is also a concern, and it's possible that the royal family's simplistic decisions caused this situation.
Of course, I only read up to Luca's chapter, but there wasn't much left until the final chapter.
I turned my gaze away from the blackboard and shook my head.
"That's enough for now. Let's investigate and think more."
"Hmm? What's it about, making me curious."
"Let's decide on the area to scout. As Narce suggested, we should check it out ourselves. Since today is Saturday, we can operate until early Monday morning."
"Staying up all night and then going to school? Cool. Maybe I should disguise myself and join later."
Narce leaned back in his chair and smiled slyly.
Narce needed permission from his old school, so he couldn't move openly right away.
Leo chuckled at his words.
"…You expect me to take two guys who look like thieves with me? It might be better if just the two of you go."
"Ha ha, but Leo, you have to come too~ Take care."
Narce waved his hand dismissively.
His abilities are too valuable to leave behind.
If he gets permission, I'll take him immediately.
Meanwhile, Leo tapped the blackboard.
"If we're leaving today, let's choose quickly. Other than the area where the chimera wolf appeared, no other zones have been properly investigated. The only inspections have been one hour during the day since the incident."
"As expected of the royal family."
"…Ahem… To be precise, it's the Security Office within it. Anyway, we should start with the lower-level zones for safety."
Leo pointed to the closest restricted zone to the capital.
"How about here?"
* * *
Three hours later, I warped to the reconnaissance location.
As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I saw a forest at the end of the vast plain.
Leo, who had warped after me, squinted and grabbed my shoulder.
"Hey, you're…"
"What."
"…Never mind. It's just that wanting to come to such a place reminds me of someone I know."
"Did choosing one location make you feel that way?"
Leo shrugged.
"I didn't expect anyone else to choose a swampy restricted zone over vast fields."
"Interesting. Did the person you know also come here?"
I asked, feigning ignorance.
I know who he means. But I can't help it.
Seeking change in a place unheard of is inefficient.
It's much better to revisit a place the protagonist has already cleared.
"Recently. I even got a letter the day before yesterday, begging me to come here. I declined, but I didn't expect to come here with you…."
"Really? What a shame. If you had gone first, I could have heard about it."
"Now that I think about it, your attitudes are similar…."
We stopped at the edge of the fir forest after crossing the plain.
Having experienced this before, I had no hesitation. I approached the eerie wooden building and knocked on the door.
"Who's ther…."
Bang―!
Someone kicked the door, slamming it against the wall. I reflexively stepped back at the loud noise. Leo, also startled, instinctively reached for his wand.
A kid who looked barely in his early teens stood there, gaping at us.
"Really…!"
"Hello."
Leo tilted his head slightly and greeted the kid, puzzled by his strange reaction.
"We're here to deal with the monsters. We want to enter the barrier, where's the person in charge…?"
"It's me! I'm not seeing things, am I?! It's such a remote place, I didn't expect the crown prince to come all the way here…!"
Leo looked at me in bewilderment, then asked, dumbfounded.
"Excuse me?"
"Ah, sorry. My name is Hubert Kunst."
"No, not your name."
"Huh? Then what…"
A suffocating silence followed.
Leo, unintentionally locked in a staring contest with the kid, calmly asked.
"How did I end up with such a title?"
"…What do you mean how? The adults said to address nobles by their highest titles…"
I could feel Leo's face darkening even in the dim light.
'Witnessing this firsthand.'
The empire consists of various duchies, and Leo's family rules the second most powerful kingdom.
In the novel, Leo never liked the social hierarchy and always felt burdened by such titles.
Fortunately, Leo seemed to regain his composure quickly and replied with a straight face.
"Just call me by my name."
"Is that okay?"
I grabbed Leo's shoulder and whispered seriously.
In a place where the class system is alive and well, it's unlikely anyone would dare address a royal by name.
The caretaker blinked and stammered.
"That's… And the person next to you is your attendant…?"
I spoke as quietly as possible, but it was silent enough for him to hear.
"He is indeed my attendant. What's the matter?"
"Oh, no. I must have misheard. I was up all night, and now I'm confused about whether I'm dreaming."
"I see. To clarify, addressing someone as the Duke of Bavaria is more appropriate outside the Wittelsbach realm."
I signaled Leo to be satisfied with this much. In the novel, Leo didn't like this either, and now he only managed a vague smile.
Fortunately, it seemed like the caretaker wasn't paying attention to our words.
"I'm so excited! Everyone living around the restricted zone has been waiting for you two. I heard it's even more so in the capital."
"I see."
"The monsters are increasing. Yesterday, a corrupted rat bit my uncle's leg down there."
Leo, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.
"Is no one coming to handle this?"
"There was one mage last month, but that's it."
Leo pressed his lips together and nodded.
We received a magic-infused quartz from the caretaker and approached the barrier at the forest's edge.
I asked Leo, who was following me with a troubled look.
"What's on your mind?"
"…Thinking we need a national tour."
"Hmm."
I expected that.
It would be a good investigation, so I have no objections.
Leo sighed and spoke.
"There are many issues. It's no different from before. I read the newspaper daily, but I couldn't find stories like this."
The media doesn't cover the lives of commoners living in such places, so it's no wonder he doesn't know.
I grasped the stone and reached into the air.
The air shimmered with a flash of light where there seemed to be nothing. As I touched it, the air rippled.
Inside the barrier, it wasn't much different from the outside.
Leo illuminated the surroundings with his wand.
"There aren't many signs of monsters coming through here."
"Indeed. Let's head to the swamp."
"Ugh!"
Just then, Leo waved his hand in front of his face.
A large moth fluttered around and, after a few attempts, fell away from Leo's hand. The moth's movement seemed desperate for some reason.
"Turn off the light, Lucas."
Sensing something ominous, Leo spoke in a subdued voice.
Leo had already extinguished the light from his wand and was standing, clutching his neck.
"..."
I get why he's reacting this way.
If we turn off the light here, we'll be plunged into pitch darkness, but I lowered my wand.
Fortunately or unfortunately, it didn't take long to verify the hypothesis.
Woooong— Buzz buzz—!
The sound of countless moth wings flapping overlapped, drawing near and then fading away repeatedly.
Suppressing the urge to leave immediately, I quietly spoke.
"They're corrupted."
They're attacking even without light.
Not wanting to speak amidst the swarm of moths, Leo silently slashed the air with his wand.
The desperate flapping intensified as if in a last-ditch effort. After confirming the moths had fallen to the ground, Leo quickly moved away.
"Experiments on moths? That's sick. They're moving from animals to insects now."
"..."
Instead of answering, I stopped and looked around the forest.
'…This is unexpected.'
In the novel, there was never any mention of Pleroma experimenting on insects.
Finding something right after arriving is a good start.
I need to investigate further.
I knelt on one knee and sat on the ground, searching under the trees.