Semi-Coercive Imperialist - Chapter 62: Enemy of the Empire (2)

Arnolt von Eschenbach was the intellect of the Empire. A towering figure deeply rooted in the lineage of knowledge, who traversed the boundaries between magic and magical science.

He devoted his entire life to exploring the principles of mana and the laws of nature, and he opened his mansion as an academy to foster students without any conditions. His benevolent character earned him the widespread respect of intellectuals, and he was recognized as a notable figure in academic circles.

However, recently, one of Arnolt’s students was arrested by the military upon re-entering the country after attending an international academic conference.

The charge was dissemination of subversive thought and suspicion of technology leakage. He had been caught in the Empire’s censorship.

Yet, as Arnolt believed his student was not the type to commit such acts, he decided to personally visit the place where the student was being held.

“Will you be alright?”

The butler asked with concern.

“I might be, or I might not. However, as one who has become a teacher, I must go see my student……”

He tightened the tie of his suit and got into the car.

“We’ll depart now.”

In the back seat, he pressed his fedora deeply down and looked out the window at the passing scenery.

“We’ve arrived.”

Lost in various thoughts, he had arrived before he realized it. The destination was a military base on the outskirts of the central region, near the airport.

As soon as Arnolt stepped out of the car, soldiers with cold expressions approached him.

“Mr. Arnolt. This way.”

They guided Arnolt somewhere. It was not a dark interrogation room, but a neatly arranged office.

“Welcome, Wizard Arnolt.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Please have a seat.”

At the desk, a colonel with a nameplate reading [Keynes] politely pointed to the sofa. Arnolt was about to speak of his student as soon as he sat down.

“First of all, the young man you arrested is–”

“Ah.”

Colonel Keynes raised his palm to interrupt him.

“One more person will be joining us.”

“……One more person?”

“Yes.”

Keynes smiled at him.

Step. Step.

At that moment, the sound of steady footsteps echoed from the hallway beyond the office.

Colonel Keynes stretched his neck and peered out the window, and Arnolt looked at him curiously.

Step. Step.

The distinct resonance of knight boots of leather and steel striking marble.

Creeeak──

Soon the door opened, and he appeared.

Keynes stood up from his chair and saluted. Only then did Arnolt turn his gaze toward the newcomer.

In a moment where time seemed to slow, his appearance imprinted onto Arnolt’s retina.

Blond hair and golden eyes. Handsome features and textbook proportions of limbs.

His form was the very embodiment of the Aran people, and his bearing was extremely noble-like.

Not a single strand of hair out of place, his posture diligent, he approached with a gentle smile and extended his hand.

“Pleasure to meet you, Wizard Arnolt. I am Knight Maximilian.”

Arnolt awkwardly stood and grasped his hand.

“My apologies. I should have been here earlier.”

“……It’s fine.”

“Please, feel free to speak comfortably. Let’s take a seat.”

Maximilian’s voice and pronunciation were perfectly that of a central noble.

Just as the rumors had said.

“Two days ago, there was a bit of an incident. It just wrapped up now, so I arrived a bit late.”

“Ah~ I heard about it.”

Colonel Keynes interjected knowingly, and Arnolt asked, trying to hide his tension.

“What kind of incident was it?”

In that moment, Maximilian’s movements abruptly stopped. He looked directly at Arnolt.

“……Are you curious?”

At his question, Arnolt gave a small nod.

“I suppose I am curious about a knight’s duties.”

“Hmm. It wasn’t anything major, but…….”

…….

Two days ago.

In the luxurious office of Johann Schiller, Vice President of the trading company Golden Gate.

“Johann Schiller. You are under emergency arrest under Imperial Law Article 112 for conspiracy to commit treason, and Article 114 for financing anti-state organizations.”

The very same day in the past when he had foolishly paid 2 million dollars for Ritruman’s useless sword at a charity auction.

The Ezenheim named ‘Johann Schiller’ had been written on Maximilian’s kill list.

“The following are the material evidences.”

Surveillance recordings and financial tracking data collected over weeks by the team led by Schatz were thrown onto the desk as evidence. Johann Schiller, as if resigned, merely looked up at Maximilian and gave a hollow chuckle.

“Search him.”

At Maximilian’s signal, the investigators moved in perfect coordination and began searching the office.

“──This is illegal! You don’t even have a warrant!”

The company’s lawyer shouted loudly. For a moment, the investigators turned their attention to him. Zendo let out a scoff as if he found it absurd.

“Illegal? Can’t you see this evidence right in front of your eyes?”

“Evidence obtained through illegal means is invalid–”

“No.”

At that moment, Maximilian slowly walked toward him. The lawyer flinched and stepped back. His once-confident blue eyes trembled slightly.

“It seems you don’t understand.”

Maximilian placed a hand on his shoulder. Staring into his fear-stricken pupils, he whispered quietly.

“The law is not decided by people like you. It is decided by the Empire.”

Afterwards, the trading company known as Golden Gate was disbanded for supporting Revolutionary forces, and Maximilian’s report was delivered to both the Knight Order and the Imperial Household.

The responses from the two institutions were quite different.

From Anton, he received a concerned response: “I hope next time you’ll follow proper procedures.” Meanwhile, the Imperial Household was satisfied with the swift efficiency.

…….

“It was something like that. Nothing major.”

At Maximilian’s words, Colonel Keynes chimed in flatteringly.

“As expected of the knight of Ebenholtz.”

“It was simply something that needed to be done.”

Maximilian waved his hand modestly. Arnolt gave a bitter smile and asked him again.

“So, what happened? To that man named Johann.”

“Well.”

Maximilian raised his eyebrows for a moment, as if recalling that supposedly unimportant day.

“He persistently refused to confess to the very end, but since the evidence was solid.”

Maximilian’s gaze sharpened. He looked directly into Arnolt’s eyes and said.

“I killed him. Yesterday.”

“…….”

Arnolt swallowed without realizing it. His face felt stiff.

From across, Maximilian muttered quietly.

“So this matter should also be a simple procedure.”

A calmly subdued tone.

“If Wizard Arnolt’s student has no connection whatsoever with the Revolutionary forces, and it’s all just a misunderstanding, then of course he’ll be released.”

Maximilian signaled to Colonel Keynes.

“Ah, yes. First, these are the letters we obtained.”

The bundle of letters he handed over were exchanges between Arnolt’s student and scholars from the East. Most of them contained ordinary academic discussions. However, among them were sentences criticizing the Empire’s strict censorship for hindering the progress of academia, and suggestions to ‘discuss’ certain magical and magical science technologies together.

That was considered a technology leak.

Colonel Keynes asked Arnolt.

“Do scholars commonly exchange letters like this?”

“……It depends on the person, but we usually don’t draw boundaries in scholarship. A researcher’s background is secondary. In order to advance one’s research, to learn something new. However, we never leak the Empire’s secrets. That magic theory is simply ordinary–”

“Then.”

Maximilian looked at him calmly.

“Do you also have such penpals, Wizard Arnolt?”

“Not so consistent as to be called penpals–”

“So you do.”

Maximilian’s gaze tilted briefly. His eyes swept over Arnolt’s half-white hair, glasses, and wristwatch in turn.

“Let me ask. Have you ever received such a proposal for ‘discussion’ as well?”

“…….”

In the suffocating atmosphere, Arnolt hesitated.

However, hiding the truth from this knight might not be the wisest decision.

“There were such times, but I never had any reason to accept. I already have many students with whom I can discuss such matters.”

Maximilian glanced at Colonel Keynes. Reading the signal, the colonel stopped the recording device.

“Wizard.”

Then Maximilian stood up first.

“Shall we continue this conversation outside?”

Colonel Keynes pulled his hat down and suppressed a grin, while Arnolt rose stiffly from his seat.

***

As the sun dipped low, scattering crimson afterglow across the sky.

Anton arrived at the military base where Maximilian had been dispatched.

Screeeeech-!

The vehicle screeched to a halt near the main gate. Anton and Adria threw open the car doors.

The moment the two of them were about to run toward the military base.

Boom──.

The iron gate at the entrance opened heavily, and two figures emerged from within. Arnolt and his student.

Arnolt was the first to spot Anton.

“Hmm? Anton?”

Anton also looked at Arnolt’s face. Though he looked weary, he appeared completely fine.

“……Huh?”

Anton and Adria froze on the spot as if struck by lightning. They just blinked blankly.

Anton swallowed dryly and barely managed to ask,

“What happened?”

“……What do you mean what happened.”

Arnolt pointed at his student, Ensilen, with a jerk of his chin.

“This brat made a mess, so I cleaned it up.”

Cleaned it up?

How could it be cleaned up?

Anton still didn’t understand the situation and asked again.

“By any chance, did Knight Maximilian come here?”

“Ah. He did.”

And yet, the military had released Arnolt’s student. For Anton and Adria, it was an inexplicable outcome…….

“Haha.”

Arnolt gave a faint smile, as if he had read the doubt on their faces.

Just hours ago, the memory was still vivid in his mind.

…….

Arnolt walked with Maximilian along a quiet path inside the military base.

Amid well-maintained landscaping, he gazed at the back of the young knight walking ahead of him.

An upright back and unshaken steps. A figure like a sculpture of the ideal Aran person the Empire promoted.

Arnolt unknowingly let out a quiet murmur of admiration.

“You truly are the embodiment of an Imperial citizen.”

Maximilian gave a faint smile, but nothing more.

Rustle. Rustle.

He simply continued walking down the wooded path. Arnolt followed behind him.

They stopped in a secluded area surrounded by trees, far from people.

Swoooosh──

The air around them was chilly and ominous, leaves rustling in the desolate spot.

A longsword still hung at Maximilian’s back.

“Wizard Arnolt.”

Maximilian had already reached his conclusion.

Detaining or harming Arnolt here was not the right choice. This was a stunt by those bureaucrats, driven by personal emotion and short-sightedness.

If Arnolt were detained, the entire academic world would turn against the Empire, and against “Ebenholtz”.

As the heir of Ebenholtz, there was no need for him to take such a risk. Above all, he had no intention of acting like a damn puppet for the Imperial Palace and those agency bastards.

“From now on, say you never even received such proposals. Never exchange letters again. If any letters come from the East, don’t even read them, burn them.”

A clear ‘line’ had to be drawn.

The will of the Imperial Palace is not the will of the Emperor. Likewise, the will of the agencies is not the Emperor’s will.

The palace sycophants who leech off the Emperor must, one day, be wiped out like vermin.

“Raising your pride or insisting on the truth is nothing but reckless defiance.”

Arnolt, on the other hand, was someone useful to the Empire. He was not a revolutionary, but an outstanding wizard and a perceptive scholar of magical science.

“Also, I ask that you stop speaking about Subspecies from now on. The Imperial Palace no longer has the patience to tolerate your remarks.”

Arnolt’s face turned puzzled, and Maximilian placed a hand on his shoulder.

“What do you think of the Subspecies, Wizard Arnolt?”

“There are differences, but not to the extent that they deserve discrimination.”

There were, indeed, differences between races. But they were as natural and unremarkable as differences in skin color.

“They are the characteristics that make the world more colorful.”

Maximilian gave a bitter smile.

“You are wrong. Subspecies are an inferior race that must be strictly controlled by the Empire. Do you understand, Wizard?”

“What are you……?”

“You are a pure-blood Aran noble. You are far more useful to the Empire than dozens, hundreds, maybe even thousands of lower-class people.”

Arnolt silently gazed at the young knight. There were many parts of his claim he wished to correct, but now was not the time.

“Even if you deny it yourself, the world will judge it that way. Your life is in no way the same as theirs. The nonsense that every life is equally valuable is simply wrong.”

From the beginning, this knight may have been the kind of person who could not be reasoned with…….

Arnolt shook his head.

“But-”

“Be quiet.”

Maximilian cut him off coldly. With that single sentence, Arnolt was rendered speechless.

Silence settled into the forest.

“……Haah.”

Suddenly, Maximilian looked up at the sky and let out a faint sigh. Arnolt quietly followed his gaze.

“The world is changing rapidly. Academia will be polluted by ideology, and knowledge will become a weapon that kills humans.”

Maximilian lowered his head again and met Arnolt’s eyes squarely.

“I won’t deny it. I am one of those imperialists.”

There was no emotion in Maximilian’s desert-colored golden eyes, precisely why they felt as sharp as blades.

“So, I ask you, don’t make me cut you down.”

There was no lie in his words. It was sincere advice from the young knight.

Arnolt nodded in response, and Maximilian soon led him somewhere.

“Follow me.”

Together, they moved to the military prison.

Past cold iron doors and corridors, they stood in front of the cell where the student was being held.

Through the iron bars, a man in a disheveled state could be seen.

“Ensilen!”

Maximilian gestured to the guard.

“Release him.”

The guard looked momentarily confused, but soon brought the key and opened the door.

Clack─

The iron bars opened.

Clack─

The chains binding the student’s body were unfastened.

“While we complete the paperwork, please wait outside.”

Arnolt turned without a word, then called out to him again.

“……Knight Maximilian.”

Maximilian turned to face him.

“Was it Anton’s request, by any chance?”

Anton’s request. Maximilian repeated the words softly, then smiled. It was a twisted smile, almost like a sneer.

“No. In fact, I dislike that man.”

In times of peace, a sage with the virtues all people desire.

In times of chaos, an old man clinging to ideals like clouds in the sky.

“However, my personal feelings and his capabilities are separate matters, so I respect him.”

A fallen noble who rose to become the Deputy Knight Commander of Sentinel purely on merit.

A man born in the wrong era.

“……I see.”

Arnolt quietly nodded as he looked at Maximilian.

…….

Inside Anton’s car. Arnolt was on his way home with Anton.

“What did you think of Maximilian?”

From the driver’s seat, Anton suddenly asked about Maximilian.

“Hmm…….”

Arnolt fell into thought for a moment.

Today, through the words Maximilian had spoken to him, he was able to grasp a ‘part’ of the him.

‘You are a pure-blood Aran noble. You are far more useful to the Empire than dozens, hundreds, perhaps even thousands of lower-class people. Even if you deny it, the world will judge it that way. Your life is in no way the same as theirs.’

Pure-blood Aran. The distinction between the low and the high.

He was someone who followed the Empire’s ideals completely, yet not someone blinded by them.

“In my view…… a noble who has awakened.”

Maximilian had said something rarely heard from Imperial nobles.

‘Academia will be polluted by ideology, and knowledge will become a weapon that kills humans.’

He diagnosed the Empire’s reality accurately. Yet he did not withhold his respect for Arnolt. Every word and gesture carried dignity.

‘I ask you, don’t make me cut you down.’

Evaluating such a man was not easy. He was far too multi-layered to be understood from a single meeting.

But if there was one thing Arnolt was certain of.

“Very…….”

Even while issuing a threat of death, even while expressing open hatred toward Subspecies, he never lacked the dignity of a human being.

“He is a noble imperialist.”

Such a noble would never be common in this Empire.