Chapter 53. Imperial Investigation Unit

As I got closer, the Imperial Investigation Unit camp, now fully visible, was undeniably impressive.

For starters, its sheer size was enough to completely encompass the large cave system. A sturdy, two-story wooden building served as the centerpiece, surrounded by orderly rows of large tents – so massive they hardly deserved the name 'tent'.

Unlike the ones I saw on the plateau earlier, these were the size and height of houses. And with soldiers and investigators busily moving through the space, it felt densely packed.

A tall, tightly woven fence made of thick wooden stakes surrounded the perimeter. The fence was so high that even after descending the slope and approaching it, I couldn't see much of the camp's interior from my eye level.

“Who goes there?”

Four soldiers guarding the entrance approached me.

“I’m from the Void Family.”

“Ah, understood! I’ll fetch someone of authority!”

The soldier looked like he belonged to the Kingdom’s forces. He was visibly startled when I showed him the Void Family seal.

While the soldiers went to get someone, I checked my uniform.

Fortunately, thanks to my careful preparation, there weren’t any dirty spots. Since I came in the name of the Void Family, I figured I should look as presentable as possible.

That’s why I left behind all the usual miscellaneous gear I’d bring to the mountains and only brought a single knife.

Anyway, after a short wait, the camp entrance opened and a man came out to greet me.

“I hear you’re from the Void Family.”

“Yes.”

He was a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed mustache and a protruding belly.

“You’re from the Empire, I presume?”

His shirt was a style I'd never seen in the Kingdom, so I asked. The man gave a friendly smile.

“That’s right. Edwin Brunn, from the Investigation Unit. And you are?”

“Rain, Knight of the Void Family.”

“Oh… Impressive at such a young age.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“Come with me.”

As I followed Edwin into the Investigation Unit camp, all eyes were on us.

“Mr. Edwin… and who’s that with him?”

“The Black Hawk? Could it be… someone from the Void Family?”

“That medal… He must be someone important.”

Unlike the gate guards who hadn’t really had the chance to take me in, these people were getting a good look.

Well, I guess my physique does tend to draw attention.

I’m not incredibly built, but I’m tall. There's a significant difference between me and Edwin here, for example.

Not that Edwin is short.

He’s quite stout, actually.

He's probably taller than the average soldier around here.

“Here we are.”

As I was looking around the camp, we arrived at the two-story building in the center.

“This is…?”

“The main research lab of the Investigation Unit camp.”

“I see.”

The same two-story wooden building I saw earlier.

It's even bigger up close.

Did they build this here too?

Building a structure like this in the heart of the Kain Mountains is quite a feat.

“Come in.”

I followed Edwin inside, where people were bustling about.

A few of them noticed us and approached.

“Chief, who is this…?”

At the woman’s words – she was wearing a white lab coat, probably a researcher – I looked at Edwin. Chief? Him?

Sensing my gaze, Edwin gave me the same friendly smile as before.

“Ah, let me introduce myself again. Edwin Brunn, head of the Imperial Investigation Unit.”

“...Would’ve been nice to know that from the start.”

“Haha, I have a bad habit of enjoying people’s reactions.”

“I respect that.”

I also sometimes enjoy people’s surprised reactions when I show them the Void Family seal, so I couldn't fault him for that.

More importantly… this guy is the head of the Investigation Unit?

He doesn’t give off that impression.

I was expecting something more… imposing, more elite, from the Empire’s Investigation Unit.

But the people here don't really give me that vibe.

“Everyone, I’d like you to meet the Knight who has come from the Void Family.”

Edwin introduced me to the researchers. Their eyes widened at the mention of the Void Family.

From the researcher who had greeted Edwin…

To the others who had seemed busy, they all stopped to look at me. It made me wonder if I’d done something wrong.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Don’t you know why?”

…I don’t.

Is the Void Family a bad Family or something?

Well, considering their secretive techniques and the Adel Kingdom being a militaristic nation and the top Noble Family… hmm.

Okay, I’m starting to understand their reactions.

“Wh, why did the Void Family send a Knight…?”

“I came to greet the Imperial Investigation Unit on behalf of my Family.”

“Oh, uh… We thought you weren’t coming since you didn't come yesterday…”

I suppose the other Nobles would have already sent their representatives yesterday.

And then the Kingdom’s most prominent Noble Family sends some young kid with a single sword.

They must be wondering what the hell is going on.

…Which, I guess, was the intended effect.

Lowell seemed to dislike the Empire.

The Void Family is probably wary of them.

“I apologize for not being able to visit yesterday.”

However.

Regardless of the Family’s preferences.

I spoke as politely as possible.

I couldn’t afford to be disrespectful here. I didn’t want to get caught in the crossfire. I just needed to play it cool and get out of here.

“It’s fine that you came today. So, what do you think of our research facility?”

“It’s magnificent. To build something like this inside the Kain Mountains…”

I answered honestly, genuinely impressed. The exterior was impressive, but the interior was even more so.

It was a research facility worthy of the Capital.

It was a bit disorganized, but the equipment and facilities showed just how advanced the Empire’s technology was.

“You have a good eye.”

“What are you investigating here?”

“Of course, we’re conducting magical research on most of the incidents that occurred within the cave.”

…So, it's not scientific after all.

Well, with all-powerful magic, who needs science?

“They’re investigating the Demon Worshippers as well, huh?”

“Yes, it’s rare to find such a well-preserved and large-scale trace of Demon Worshippers within the Empire.”

Is this some high-level Kingdom shade-throwing?

To over-interpret it diplomatically, it sounds like they’re asking what the Kingdom was doing until such a facility could be built near the Metropolitan Area.

“I guess the Empire has good disease control.”

Honestly, it's true.

It's a mountain range right next to the Capital; they should've increased the search party’s budget and manpower long ago.

Closing the barn door after the horse has bolted, isn't it?

Recalling the few weeks of investigation we did last fall is just horrifying.

“...That’s true. There was a large-scale war against the Demon Worshippers in the past.”

“Were the Demon Worshippers that significant?”

“Ah, their power was quite strong at one time.”

…Even now, they feel more influential than I thought.

To think they were once capable of engaging in a full-scale war against the Empire.

“They're a real pain in the ass.”

“Yes, they swarm in incomprehensible numbers.”

On this point, Edwin and I agree.

What the hell is so great about worshipping those devils in Hell?

If you worship them, you go to Hell, right?

No matter how hard life is, I absolutely don't want to go to Hell after I die.

Well, I guess they’re worshipping them at the risk of their lives because there's some kind of merit.

Just look at the Remnants of the Lugard Kingdom. They don’t seem like the type to worship demons, yet they joined forces.

“So, the facilities are impressive, but shall we head to the main cave now?”

“Ah, yes, I'd like to see what it's like.”

After seeing the camp facilities, we headed to the cave.

Two Knights in white armor, with quite large builds, were guarding the entrance.

“We’ll be entering.”

“Yes, understood, Edwin.”

…I haven’t seen them before. Are they Imperial Knights?

The Investigation Team wouldn't have come without any bodyguards, so they must have come together.

“Are you interested?”

Edwin spoke as I stared intently at the two Knights.

“A little.”

“Haha, if there’s a chance, we can arrange a time for you to interact with them.”

“That's a good idea.”

Interact with Imperial Knights?

I’d welcome it with open arms.

I don’t think Aura techniques would be drastically different, but still, if they’re assigned as bodyguards for an Investigation Team going to another country from the Empire, they must be skilled.

I’d love to spar with them sometime.

“Come on in.”

For now, I followed Edwin into the cave.

“It’s well-organized.”

The inside of the cave was different from when I first entered. A path was laid down on the floor.

It looked much easier to climb up and down now.

“I was also impressed by the organized interior when I arrived this morning.”

“Ah, the first Investigation Team must have done all this.”

“Yes, the team leader of the first Investigation Team is also inside.”

Come to think of it, Edwin had just arrived at the camp today.

He was so naturally strolling through the camp and introducing the facilities that I'd momentarily forgotten.

Besides, Edwin is the leader, but the captain of the first Investigation Team is referred to as the team leader.

It seems Edwin’s position here is higher than I thought.

After that, we passed through the stone door that the elite soldiers had struggled to open before.

We walked through the cavity used by the Demon Worshippers towards where the Gigant Statue was located.

“By the way, Sir Rain, you seem rather unfazed. Have you been in this cave before?”

As we walked, Edwin asked me this, since I didn't react much to the huge cavity and the path.

“Yes, the search party I was with was the first to discover the cave.”

“Oh? Was Sir Rain the one who said the Void Family contributed significantly to the investigation to find the Gigant Statue?”

“Yes, that’s probably right.”

Since I was the only member of the Void Family who participated in the investigation, it’s probably correct.

Besides… I feel like I've been the fill-in for everything happening in the Capital.

Well… the Void Family is a Marquis Family, and our territory is far away.

So, it’s rare for the Family Knights to be dispatched for incidents in the Capital.

Lowell sent me because I’m excess manpower.

Anyway.

We went further inside, past the altar, now cleared of corpses.

Finally, we entered the deepest part of the cave where the Gigant Statue was.

“What do you think?”

And…

In the space with the Gigant Statue, there were facilities and people resembling the research facilities back at the camp.

Several people were clinging to the statue, which was covered with a huge white cloth, drawing magic circles.

“Impressive.”

…At least the scale is tremendous.

As expected of the Empire. A cloth that covers a statue of that size? I’ve never seen anything like it.

“What’s that…?”

Then, my gaze turned to the Magician Women I had seen earlier.

They’re continuously chanting spells, but what are they doing?

“Ah, as you can see, having the statue in the cave is unsettling, so we are preparing to move it outside.”

Move that thing?

A statue that’s tens of meters tall?

“Is that even possible?”

“They’re currently working on reducing its weight with the process you see there.”

“Aha.”

If they continuously stack magic to reduce the weight, it would be easier to move.

“They’ll break through the ceiling to take it out, I presume.”

“Precisely. It's apparently only a few meters up.”

So they’re going to open the cave roof, reduce the weight of the statue, lift it straight up, and take it out?

“Where will it go after that?”

“That will have to be discussed with the Kingdom.”

So they could take it to the Empire?

I don't know what the Kingdom thinks, but personally, I’d prefer the Empire just took it.

Anyway.

“I hope it goes well.”

Whatever happens, I hope that statue is handled without any issues.