The Knights are an organization founded by the nation to pair with the Adventurer Alliance.
If the Adventurer Guild moves for people's freedom, then the Knights move for order.
Control criminals and keep the city safe.
That's the Knights.
The Knights are not the only King's Capital, but branches are set up in each city.
Me and Canade asked about that branch.
By the way, everyone else is leaving a message.
It would be annoying to ask in large numbers, and I don't want to imitate much more conspicuously than Edgar is after me.
"Excuse me."
Enter the building and speak to the receptionist.
The system around here is no different from the Adventurer Guild.
"Yes, what is it?
"I wanted to ask you something about the crime damage."
"What is it?
"If you file a damage report, you can have an investigation, right?
"Yes, of course. Because our Knights exist to keep the city in order."
"So can you accept our damage report? The contents… by the son of the lord, about the acts of abuse of power"
"Huh!?
When I cut into the straight, the receptionist's complexion changed.
Well.
How do we get out of here?
"Not long ago, did you know about the disturbance in the square?
"... Yes, of course. Rapid information-gathering is essential."
"We are the victims of that incident."
"Eh."
"Me and the two of you who aren't here have been harmed. Oh, this girl, she's just one of us."
"Hi, I'm just taking you."
"Hey, Cat Spirit Clan? Why are you here... Yes, no. That's not the case now, is it? Anyway... is that story true?
"Of course. If you need testimony, shall we gather it? Because there must be a lot of people still remembering it because it's about as good as it gets."
……
"I want to submit a damage report, so can I get a form?
"... you don't have to."
My voice flew from somewhere else.
A magnificent knight in armor shows up and stares at us.
"And say?
"Sure, the lord's son seems to have caused a commotion... but I hear it's trivial and it's like a light fight. It's just a fight, there's no reason for the Knights to get their hands on it. Excuse me, but isn't that what you're talking about?
"I see."
"Hey, what do you mean, it's just a fight? Sola and Luna are forced to...... Rain?
Canade, who tried to protest, was stopped by gaze.
"So you think the Knights aren't going to move in this matter?
"There are a lot of incidents going on every day. The Knights aren't as hippocampal as they are dealing with every little incident."
"Small incident..."
"Besides, there are findings that such stories are highly suspected of fabrication. plotted to discredit the Lord…"
"I wouldn't do that. I'm not even going to."
"Then will you try not to think about anything extra? If you speak too unnecessarily, you will have to investigate with defamation and vice versa."
I was assuming different patterns...
Hi, looks like it's the worst development ever.
"I appreciate your advice. We're not trying to discredit the Lords... so we're not going to file a damage report."
"It's a hard decision."
"Okay, now. Canade, let's go."
"Huh? Oh, yeah"
I followed the Knights Branch.
Leaving the building, Canade sees this one as he travels to an unpopular place.
"Hey, Rayne. Weren't you supposed to listen to me?
"I was going to... First, I wanted to be sure"
"Nyah, what do you want to be sure?
"The Knights are connected to the Lords or something."
After many national audits, we cannot find evidence of the Lord's evil deeds.
How can we obtain such a perfect ability to conceal evidence?
How, if you're witnessed by a large number of city people, are you crushing the evidence?
I can think of many possibilities...
One of them is called "Adhesion with the Audit Side".
It's a simple story.
In advance, by spending money and other things, you stay close to the Knights who audit you.
In doing so, ask them to loosen their audit hands and conclude that there was no evidence of anything.
There will be no evidence of this, no matter how many audits you have had.
You can dismiss the victim's complaint and do whatever you want forever.
There was no certainty.
I was just thinking as one of the possibilities.
But what if the Lords and the Knights were connected behind it?
It would be impossible to hear from the Knights first.
On the contrary, it could stick out to the lord.
So first, I decided to make sure there was a back...
That knight's attitude was telling the whole story, so I just retreated...
"I see... Rayne, you're thinking a lot"
When I told Canade what I thought, he looked impressed.
"Hopefully, I wish I was wrong..."
Lords are not the only enemies.
The Knights, who are supposed to defend the city, are also enemies.
Exactly, not all members will be connected to the Lords...
At least, the knights conducting the audit will be connected to the Lords.
That's why there's no evidence.
"Well, shit."
"Nyah... If the Knights are getting along with their lords, no matter how much they sue, it's going to be for nothing."
"We must somehow tabulate the evil deeds of our lords. But by nature, the knights who are supposed to do it are the good lords."
"We audit, we expose evil, what do you mean?
"It's hard... I'm not allowed to audit individuals. Whether or not admitted as evidence... if you do poorly, this will also apply to treason"
"Nyah... Something pisses me off"
"Really."
The city lords are the enemy.
The Knights are enemies too.
Somehow, we have to break this situation...
Okay, what's going on?
"Sorry."
Looking back, there was a woman dressed in a knight's armor.
Older than me...... maybe 20?
He holds his long hair together in a ponytail.
Rin's expression was knightly, and his eyes felt a strong will.
"Holy shit, knight!? You came after me!?
"Canade, calm down"
Canade takes a fighting stance, but not all over the city, and not with the knights.
"... something?
"You were in the Knights' branch earlier, weren't you?
"Come on? In some mistake. I don't remember taking a trip to that place."
"I was there, too. I heard you talking. [M] You've been consulting on the crime damage caused by the lords?
"Not a very good hobby to eavesdrop on."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, but I'm curious... No, that's just an excuse. I apologize if I offended you. This is it."
A female knight bows her head.
It's too easy to lower, so I was surprised.
Usually knights have high pride.
It is a profession that only those who dive through many gates can become.
There are many who are elite conscious.
And yet I can't believe how easy it is to bow your head...
Is it the character of this woman?
Is it also a ruse to alarm this one?
... No, I can't judge.
In times like this, let's rely on Canade.
"... Canade, what do you think?
"... um, I don't feel bad about it. He thinks it's really bad for him."
At a time like this, you can count on Canade's eyesight to spot people.
The Cat Spirit Clan is the closest to the wildest of the most powerful species.
Sharp survey and excellent ability to spot opponents.
If that canade says so, you don't have to trust this woman.
"I accept your apology. I want your head up."
"Well, that helps."
"So, what can we do for you? I don't know, have you been pushing me to keep the case quiet or something?
"Terrible. Rather, vice versa."
"Reverse?"
"I'm late. I'm Stella Emplace, deputy captain of the Knights, Horizon branch."
"It's Rain Shroud."
"It's Canade."
"My purpose is to expose the lords' evil deeds under the day and to deny them their sins."
Female Knight...... Stella said a hell of a thing.
This is a completely unexpected event.
I unwittingly round my eyes.
"Nyah... I mean, Stella's on our side?
"I wanted to be, so I called out."
"In the meantime, will you let me talk to you?
――――――――――
The Horizon branch of the Knights seems to be rotting in adhesion with the Lords.
The majority of the members are good lords.
The captain is also drowned in gold and never conducts a proper investigation.
Stella, with a strong will and sense of justice, never stained her hands with the bribes prepared by the Lords.
One, he said, was on the run to get the Knights back who they were supposed to be.
I want a wind hole in the system of the Rotten Knights.
I want to reveal all the evils of the lords who are the culprits of all.
But there's only so much I can do on my own.
It equals nothing can be done.
Who is one of us and who is the traitor?
I just had to keep acting like I was walking alone in the dark.
That's when they heard us talking.
An adventurer with the most powerful species, the Cat Spirit Clan, is complaining of the damage done to the Lords.
It could be some kind of turning point.
That's what he thought, and he called us.
"... I see, is that so"
"Nyah... you're in trouble"
"It's embarrassing, but I can't help myself anymore... so I called out to you guys because I'm so overwhelmed with straw. Now I need some information to move forward."
"Even if they say so... we don't have much information either, do we? I've never been involved in a Lords' case before today."
"Mm, really...?
"It's just that the purpose is the same"
"Right. We've decided to do something about the lords, too."
"Yes...... is it? But how..."
"If you found out about this situation, you wouldn't be able to leave me alone, would you?
……
……
"Huh? Is that all this is about?
"Yeah, but?
"Can't let it go, I can't believe it... is that why you're turning your lord against your enemies? You want me to set things up with the Knights?
"For me, it's a good enough reason. You need a reason to help someone in need?
"... pu, kuha"
Laughs like Stella can't stand it.
"No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fool around. I just didn't think anyone would seriously say that."
"Sounds like Rayne."
For some reason, Canade is Nico's face.
Like I've been praised, I look happy.
"We think we can work together, don't we?
"Oh, of course. Speaking to both of you doesn't seem to be a mistake"
I shook hands firmly.
"But what do you do? Not only the Lords, but the Knights are enemies, right?
"Right..."
"I knew it, putting it together and beating it up?
"Well, that's just not good. If we do that without proof, we'll be guilty of treason."
"Uh-huh... that's a pain in the ass. I need proof, but, but the Knights aren't moving... nya, I think I'm thinking too much, I'm going to have a short head"
"... no"
Summarize your thoughts in your head.
The Lords are enemies... and so are the Knights...
All we need is proof...
What we need to do for that...
"... will you beat everything up, as Canade put it"
"Hey, what?!?
"Rain, did you get laid?
"That can't be true. I have a good idea."
"What kind? Let me hear it. Let me hear it."
"There are two things you need. Evidence of evil and the right knighthood to judge the lords. First, restore the Knights to the right way they should be"
"That's... but what are you going to do? Already, the majority of the group is linked to the Lords. We're overwhelmingly disadvantaged, aren't we?
"At this time. Let's clean up."
"Nha? Cleaning up?"
"Eliminate members, all those who are dyeing their hands illegally"