How a Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom

Book 17: Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Investigation

Some days later, I called a certain person to the governmental affairs office...

Liscia and I worked together for a while until there was a hesitant knock at the door.

Excuse me. A woman entered. Did you call for me, Sir Souma?

Standing on the other side of my desk, bowing her head slightly, was Ichihas elder sister, Sami Chima, who was now the librarian of the castle library. However, her duties as librarian were something Id temporarily given her in order to ease the pain of the emotional wounds left by the political struggles of the Union of Eastern Nations. She wasnt formally one of my retainers or anything.

I set down my pen and turned to Liscia, saying, Lets take a break. Ask Serina to prepare tea.

Okay.

Follow me, Madam Sami, well have a seat over here.

I headed over to the sofas with Liscia and Sami. Some time later, our maids Serina and Carla arrived with everything needed to prepare tea. I had them do so, and after a break, I got straight to business.

Ive called you here today because I have a favor to ask, Sami.

Hm? A favor?

She looked blankly at me, inclining her head to one side.

I nodded. This is regarding something Id discussed with Hakuya recently...

The other day, I told Hakuya about what had happened during my meeting with Fuuga.

Now that hes married to Jeanne, hes Hakuya Euphoria now, and also my brother-in-law due to my own marriage to Maria...

As I was thinking about that, Hakuya frowned, saying, Hes made another troublesome request...

Yeah. But itd probably be more dangerous for us if we let Fuuga go to the Demon Lords Domain alone.

He might suddenly cause an all-out war with the demons, after all.

Hakuya and I were already on the same page about the risks here.

So, thats why I want to gather as much information on the demons as we can between now and the 11th month. Im thinking that digging up records from the officers who led the united forces in the former Gran Chaos Empire would be perfect for that. And the one best positioned to do so is...

The Euphoria Kingdom, yes? I agree. I will make a suggestion to Madam Jeanne and have her begin a formal investigation into it.

Thanks... Hold on, youre married, and youre still calling your wife Madam Jeanne?

We make a distinction between public and private settings, Hakuya said nonchalantly.

I could see he was enjoying the newlywed life in their private time. Id have loved to hear all about it, but Hakuya must have sensed the incoming teasing and opened his mouth first.

In order to help things along, I have a request for you, sire.

Hm? Whats that?

As much as wed love to investigate for you, many of our personnel here in the Euphoria Kingdom are occupied with moving over to the new systems in the wake of the countrys reorganization. In short, we dont have enough people we can assign to the investigation.

Oh, yeah. I get that.

The Kingdom of Friedonia was in a similar situation, after all...

As such, I would like you to send people to handle the investigation, Hakuya said.

I see...

Being able to swap people and supplies back and forth was one of the benefits of the Kingdom of Friedonia and the Euphoria Kingdom moving to operate as a single nation. Sending Excel there to lead their fleet was part of this.

So, who do you want? I asked.

Sir Ichiha, given hes an expert on monsters...is what Id like to say, but I doubt thats possible.

Youre darn right its not. Itd be too much for this country to lose both its prime minister and his stand-in.

Then please give us Sir Ichihas elder sister, Madam Sami.

Sami? Sami Chima? I asked, just to make sure I had the right person. Hakuya nodded.

Yes. I helped her organize the library before, so I remember her. She has a high degree of ability when it comes to organizing and sorting materials. It likely comes from her academic interest in science and mathematics. There are those who might think a librarian needs to be trained in literature, but sorting and organizing call for skill in science and mathematics.

Ooh... That kind of makes sense.

I had specialized in literature and history, but hadnt been very good at using software to sort through information. Id heard that archaeologywhere theyd systematized ways of sorting the countless chips, fragments of pottery, and stoneware they dealt withwas a lot closer to a science than people who studied historical documents.

I dont think there could be a better person to help us with this investigation.

Since Hakuya said it so definitively, I was convinced he was right.

So, there you have it. Do you think you could help us?

I explained what had happened so far to Sami and asked for her assistance. While she might not have been my retainer, I did have custody of her, meaning I could force her to do itbut I didnt want to be that heavy-handed when she was still recovering emotionally.

Liscia, who was standing next to me, added, Obviously, you can refuse if you dont want to do it. If having Ichiha nearby is helping you feel at peace, we can understand why you wouldnt want to go to another country.

No... Thats fine, Sami said before nodding silently. He already has a fiance. I wouldnt want her to feel too constrained by her sister-in-law.

Dont say that, Liscia replied. Tomoe and Ichiha arent bothered by you at all.

Sami shook her head. But it bothers me. I think...its time I face the future.

Madam Sami...

So Ill take on this task, Sami said, looking me straight in the eye.

It was like she was saying she was done hanging her head and letting the past tie her down.

Youre okay with it? I checked.

Yes. Im interested in the great library in Valois Castle too.

Ah ha ha. You sound like Hakuya.

Maybe the great library in Valois Castle was the holy land for bibliophiles. If Sami liked the great library there, maybe shed settle in at Valois even after her task there was done. She wasnt officially attached to our country, so...if it happened, I wasnt in any position to complain. Id have to be happy that shed found something new to live for.

Well then, Madam Sami. Im counting on you to gather information on the Demon Lords Domain... Try not to get so distracted by the great library that you neglect the investigation, okay?

Yes. Ill be careful not to.

I exchanged a firm handshake with Sami.

One week later

Welcome to the Euphoria Kingdom, Madam Sami.

Jeanne and Hakuya greeted Sami as she disembarked from a Friedonian royal gondola that had landed in the courtyard of Valois Castle.

Sami hurriedly bowed as she suddenly found herself in front of the royal couple. Um, thank you for having me, Lady Jeanne, Sir Hakuya.

Oh, dont thank us. Were the ones who should be grateful you came. Right, Sir Hakuya?

Yes. I think we can have high hopes for Madam Samis ability to sort through information.

Y-Youre too kind...

Sami shrank into herself a little, feeling awkward at the compliments. She generally was an indoorsy type whod only really talked with her twin Yomi.

Hakuya smiled wryly at her reaction before raising his hand to give a signal. When he did, a line of bureaucrats formed behind Hakuya and Jeanne.

Sami blinked in confusion. Hakuya smiled faintly before explaining, We will be loaning you some of our countrys bureaucrats. These fifteen have been told to do as you command. Please, use them as if they were your own hands and feet.

If you need anything else, just say the word. Ill lend you all the help I can as queen of this country, Jeanne said, causing Sami to shrink a little more.

Y-Youre too kind... she murmured.

Seeing this, Jeanne said, Now, Im told youre here to gather records concerning the Demon Lords Domain, and to ask about the memories of soldiers whod been deployed there. Is that right?

Y-Yes. Thats correct.

I see. Im sure you can easily split the workload with the bureaucrats when it comes to going through the records, but interviewing soldiers about their memories from the campaign may be difficult for you all to handle alone. Some of those retired soldiers can be real ruffians, after all.

Th-They can?

Oh... Collecting memories means having to sit down with those sorts of burly men, does it? Sami thought, which hadnt occurred to her before.

Sami was a famous mage in the Union of Eastern Nations, so if it came to it, she knew magic that could blow a dozen big men away all at once, but...that didnt mean she wasnt uneasy about them. Sami and Yomi, who hated their warrior brothers Nata and Gauche, had always gotten on poorly with soldier types. Warriors who had a relaxed personality like her adoptive father, Heinrant, were a rarity. If possible, Sami didnt want to be alone with burly men.

Hee hee, dont you worry, Jeanne said, clapping Sami on the shoulder with a look of understanding. I thought this might come up, so Ive prepared a bodyguard for you. Come over here.

At Jeannes beckoning, a large man in armor made his way between the bureaucrats. His full mail clanked with each step he took, but his steps didnt sound heavy. He also didnt give off a feeling of self-importance. The man stood tall beside Jeanne, snapping his hand to the side of his head in a salute.

You called, Your Majesty?

Indeed. Let me introduce you, Madam Sami. This is General Gunther Lyle.

Call me Gunther, the man Jeanne had introduced said, lowering his hand and bowing to Sami.

He had a large stature while Sami was on the petite side, so he felt big to her even with his head bowed. When Gunther raised his head, she came face-to-face with his imposing visage. His face was scary at first glance, but on closer inspection, his expression was a little tense, perhaps because he was meeting her for the first time. He was likely unsociable, the type who got nervous meeting people. Sami, who tended to be shy herself, felt a certain sympathy for him.

Ah Im Sami. Its nice to meet you, Sir Gunther.

It took a moment for him to reply, As it is to meet you, Madam Sami.

The two exchanged an awkward handshake.

Jeanne said, With General Gunther at your side, those rough-and-tumble ex-soldiers wouldnt dare look down on you. General Gunther, Im counting on you to look out for Madam Sami.

I ask this of you as well, General, Hakuya added.

It will be done, Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness.

Gunther saluted in response to Jeanne and Hakuyas request. He looked akin to a big dog or a friendly horse to Sami.

And so, this odd couples search for information on the Demon Lords Domain began.

Wow...

Sami let out a wide-eyed sigh of admiration as she first witnessed the great library inside Valois Castle.

The library in Parnam Castle had been like a forest of books, the innumerable volumes it housed making it the stuff of bibliophiles dreams, but the great library of Valois Castle was even better. This place was a genuine forest of booksan untamed jungle, one so fantastical she wouldnt have been surprised to find unicorns in. The size of the collection was impressive, and the design and decorations of the room were so stylish. The carpets were thick and soft, there were spiral stairs to the upper levels, and paintings on the walls.

Perhaps because Souma and Hakuya were so utilitarian, the library in Parnam Castle had worked on growing its catalog and organizing it systematically. It was functional, but not stylish. In contrast, the great library in Valois Castle exuded elegance, as if to say that the only action with any merit in a persons life was reading books.

You could tell it was the library of the once greatest nation on the continent.

Sami was overwhelmed for a moment, but...

Ahem!

Ah!

Sami jumped a little as Gunther cleared his throat, bringing her back to reality.

Oh, right. I have a mission to accomplish. Sami turned to the gaggle of bureaucrats behind Gunther and said, First, Id like you to gather official records from around the time of your invasion of the Demon Lords Domain.

Theyve already been prepared for you. This way, please, one bureaucrat responded before leading the way.

Did Hakuya already give them some instructions? Hes always so well prepared... Sami thought as she followed the bureaucrat to a single table.

Huh? Sami looked at the table with blank amazement. There was only one book, and maybe twenty to thirty pages of reports on it. Hesitantly, she asked, This is really all we have?

With an apologetic bow, the bureaucrat said, Yes... We searched all over the great library, but these were the only official records we could find.

There are no other records? But the destruction of the combined forces of mankind inside the Demon Lords Domain was a major debacle, wasnt it?

Yes. We suspect that may be why there arent many records...

It seemed the higher-ups in the Imperial government of the time were afraid of being held responsible after cheerleading a campaign that led to such a massive defeat, so they hadnt been eager to keep records of it. On top of that, Marias father, who was emperor at the time, was rendered bedridden with despair over the many lives lost and passed away not long after. Maria ascended the throne following this, and used her natural charisma to advance the Mankind Declaration. This caused the chaos inside the country to subside, but there likely werent the resources to keep detailed records.

Sami gazed up to the ceiling.

Rulers are always like this...

History is written by the victors of the next era.

If you look at the history of Soumas world, the Han Chineselike the Romansleft behind many records. However, Chen Shou had written the Romance of the Three Kingdoms under the Jin Dynasty in the following era. The task of making records of a defeated government is the job of the government that defeats them. Naturally, that means events are often twisted in ways that are politically advantageous to that new government.

In order to secure the legitimacy of the current government, the rulers of the previous governments are often depicted as tyrants to a degree, where it was only natural they should have been destroyed. They do this without taking into consideration the countrys situation in that earlier era. This is a wall that you are guaranteed to encounter in historical studies.

It was the same in this world.

Is something the matter? Gunther asked hesitantly.

Sami slapped her own cheeks in an attempt to change gears. Then she turned back to the bureaucrats.

If we cant rely on official records, then so be it. Lets gather private records, she said. There may be mentions of it in diaries and letters from the time. Hopefully, well find letters conferring honors for actions taken in the Demon Lords Domain, or perhaps reporting damages and requesting assistance...

But wont those tend to exaggerate the facts? one of the bureaucrats asked. Such as saying they killed far more monsters than they actually did, or inflating the damage inflicted by a demon attack in order to demand compensation.

Thats true. Sami nodded. Well need to make up for that with numbers. If there are many similar reports of monsters or demons, that makes it more likely they reflect the reality of the situation.

I see. Understood.

Gathering and sorting through information to get a look at the big picturethis was exactly what Hakuya had hoped Sami would excel at.

Will you be involved in gathering private records too, Madam Sami? Gunther asked.

Sami shook her head. Lets leave that to the bureaucrats. Well go meet with the people who actually participated in the combined force and hear their stories.

Understood. Please, follow me then. Gunther nodded and began walking.

Sami tottered along after him. Despite starting a little slower, she soon caught up. It seemed he was matching her stride and walking at a relaxed pace. If hed walked at the normal gait of a man of his height, Sami wouldve had to jog to keep up.

His awkward kindness reminded her of her adoptive father, Heinrant, in a way. Though Heinrant was always all smiles, while Gunther had a scary face and was hard to read.

Maybe deep down...theyre both kind in the same way? Sami thought as she followed Gunther.

The two of them boarded a carriage. Apparently, the ex-soldier they were interviewing lived in the castle town.

I had expected it would be someone in the military, Sami said, but Gunther shook his head quietly.

I hear that those on the front lines were nearly annihilated. It must have been hell. Anyone who managed to make it back has emotional scars. Those linger, even after the physical ones heal...

And those emotional scars were bad enough that they couldnt keep serving in the military... Is that it?

When Sami lived in the Duchy of Chima, she had seen people so badly scarred by the demon wave that they were always worried monsters might attack them at any time. Emotional scars were difficult to heal. Sami knew this all too well, having not fully recovered from losing her adoptive father herself.

Talking about this means dredging up painful memories... Its an incredibly cruel thing to do to a person, Sami said, a hint of self-derision in her tone as she reflected on her position.

And yet, do it we must...

Sir Gunther?

In order to prevent repeating past mistakes, we must learn the lessons of our predecessors and put them to use. That is our duty. I am here, serving as your shield because I believe it will be vital to this countrys future.

That was a lot of words coming from the usually taciturn Gunther. He must have been trying to comfort Sami.

Hes awkward, but truly kind, Sami thought.

Thank you, Sir Gunther.

A mushroom?

The carriage had stopped in front of an inn and tavern, the owner of which was apparently the ex-soldier they were looking for.

Standing at the bar was the other, who scowled when they asked him about his memories of the campaign. But when he heard it was an important request from the new queen, Jeanne, hed reluctantly started to talk.

Yeah...one the size of a mountain. We were making good progress across the Demon Lords Domain, wiping out monsters as we went, when it appeared. Though, I dont know if it really was a mushroom. It was just shaped like one.

I... I see...

Sami and Gunther stared at him wide-eyed, not knowing what kind of expression they should make in response. The owner laughed at himself a bit when he saw their reaction.

No one ever believed me though. Ive even been told I mustve been so disoriented that I started seeing things. But I know I saw it. That massive mushroom came towards us, making the ground shake under it, and crushed man and horse alike. And after that...

After that?

After that...the inside of it shone, and then a moment later, there was a blinding flash of light... My comrades, everything, all in an instant... Ngh!

The owner clutched his head and groaned. It must have been painful to remember.

It all vanished. But Ill never forget that smell. The scent of burnt meat...hanging in the hot air... Urgh...ghh...

Um, I think thats enough. Thank you for your valued opinion.

Ugh...

Seeing the way the owner was clutching his head, Sami and Gunther gave up on getting anything more out of him.

Was there something in the Demon Lords Domain that had tormented people so badly that it lingered in their memories even now? Sami wondered what the massive mushroom he had spoken of might be.

Gathering and sorting through informationthese are the fundamental tasks of all research.

If enough hazy or worthless facts can be arranged into a single group, it may lead to the discovery of a principle or truth. In that sense, you could say a researcher is someone who sorts through the data they gather, which may not appear that valuable, in order to find hidden treasure.

Consider the boom of reborn in another world novels in Soumas old world. Imagine gathering as many as possible and thoroughly categorizing them.

Is the protagonist sent to the other world through reincarnation or transportation? Alone or in a group? Do they gain abilities, and are those abilities powerful or weak? Are there gender differences? Do they turn into another race? What is the world they are sent to like? And so on. By thoroughly categorizing them, sorting the information into charts and graphs, and comparing the results with trends in society at the time, you might achieve some insight into the writers or the readers of such works and how they have changed over time.

Value can be found in anything. It might even be said that gathering and sorting are the keys that allow any phenomenon in existence to be a subject of research.

And Sami Chima was a specialist in both.

Divide eyewitness reports of monsters from eyewitness reports of demons, Sami commanded.

Having expanded their search for reports of monsters and demons from just official documents to private ones such as letters, they were confronted with a mountain of paper.

That said, even a specialist like Ichiha cant perfectly distinguish between demons and monsters. And these are the imprecise recollections of people that were going off of too. For now, we will define a demon as those that use tools and language. Youll be categorizing them into monsters and demons based on the presence or absence of sapience. Im counting on you people.

Yes, maam.

The bureaucrats all started moving on Samis orders. The people who had supported the former Empire could sort documents quickly and efficiently so long as they had clear instructions.

Meanwhile, Sami was looking through the papers detailing the interviews theyd had with ex-soldiers.

Does it bother you still? Gunther asked and Sami nodded.

Many of the ex-soldiers mentioned an enormous mushroom. Its existence is hinted at in the few official documents we have, and there is also the armored giant mentioned in rumors...the demon god. These two seem bizarre and out of place.

There are quite a number of accounts of them though.

Right. Which is why Im thinking they probably exist, but... Sami rested her cheek on her palm and sighed. I cant decide if an enormous mushroom and an armored giant are classified as monsters or demons. Its hard to imagine a mushroom moving around, and the giants seem more likely to be demons, but Ichihas monster identification system assumes monsters are warped in some way. And a humanoid seemingly that gigantic is way too warped.

It satisfies the conditions for being monsters then.

Yeah. But if its really wearing armor, that shows its sapient.

You said to categorize those with sapience as demons.

I dont even know where to put it. Some of the reports even say it flew.

Sami groaned as she stretched herself out over the table. Gunther picked up one page and looked over it.

Monsters are warped to begin with. Could it just be that some are like that?

If we say that, I feel like our investigation loses all meaning...

If I had gone on the campaign, I could have been more helpfulbut I was just a fresh recruit back then, left behind to defend the home front. It still eats at me.

If youd gone, you might have died.

I suppose I might. Gunther looked at the reports of the armored giant as they talked. Could it be that this giant is the one they call Demon Lord Divalroi?

Its not impossible, but...thats something Im curious about too. Sami picked up a number of reports. I used to think that the Demon Lords name was Divalroi, but after investigating the reports, its inconsistent. Different soldiers heard different things, such as Deeroy, Valloid, and Dilroma.

Hmm... We dont even know if Divalroi is the right name then?

Its hard to make out words in a different language. You cant blame them for mishearing.

For instance, in Japanese, Machiavelli might be rendered as Makyaberri, Makiaverri, Makkyaberi, Makkiaberri, and so on, depending on which book youre reading and when it was published. They have to fit Italian words into Japanese phonetics, so its natural for the way thats done to change depending on whos doing it. It was possible the same thing was happening with Divalroi.

Seeing the troubled look on Gunthers face, Sami shrugged.

Theres no point dwelling on questions we cant solve. We should set aside Divalroi for now and quickly gather material on monsters and demons.

Yes, that makes sense... What about the mushroom and the giant?

I cant see us coming up with answers to either of those now, but... Sami smiled a little. I have a reliable little brother. Lets have him decide.

So there you have it, Ichiha.

You cant just say there you have it, Big Sister. Ichiha sighed on the other side of the broadcast, exhaustion clear on his face.

Having received permission from Queen Jeanne to use the jewel, Sami and Gunther were now having a broadcast call with Ichiha who was in the Kingdom of Friedonia.

The Empire isnt our only source for information. Were asking all the countries in the Maritime Alliance that took part in the combined force, and Yurigas getting the Great Tiger Empire to send us info too. My hands are full sorting through all of that... Are you really going to dump this on me too?

It sounded like he was busy. Hed been gathering information on monsters on the side ever since he took over the role of acting prime minister, so he had to have a lot on his plate. That much was plain to see.

But Sami was Ichihas big sister. And big sisters have a history of not being fair to their little brothers.

We need you to give it your best as an expert in monsterology, Sami said with a smile, causing Ichihas shoulders to slump.

I get that... Still, it hurts not having Mr. Hakuya around anymore. Im using my connections, like the former chairman of MonSoc at the Academy, to help bring in more people, but...

Hee hee, youre getting some use out of the time you spent at school, I see.

Its nothing to laugh about. Everyone is coming to help despite having their own positions to consider.

Incidentally, the former chairman of MonSoc refers to the former chairman of the Monster Research Society, the person who assisted Ichiha and Hakuya during the Monsterology Symposium in the capital. After graduation, he was passionately wooed by a young noblewoman, Sara, whod had her eye on him while they were at the Academy, and married into her family.

It turned out that Sara had been told by her folks to find someone who would be up to the Soumas personnel standards, and shed been after the former chairman all along. She was a super girl who had supported him in school, backed his research after graduation, seduced him with love and gratitude, and now had already blessed him with a child.

Ichiha scrutinized the information he had with the help of his old research colleagues, including the former chairman and his wife Sara.

Ill send you a messenger kui when we finish sorting through the remaining information on monsters and demons in this country, Sami said.

Im both grateful and really not. Its a weird feeling.

The bigger issue is the things that dont seem to be monsters or demons.

The mushroom and the giant you mentioned, right, Big Sister? Ichiha said, looking serious. I dont know about the giant either, but I really dont get the mushroom. Its enormous, it moves, and it crushes people. Then it releases light, and burns them to death...?

Do you think theres a monster like that?

I cant say categorically that there isnt, but Ive never heard of any like that. If its a monster, it needs legs or tentacles to move, and if it spits fire, it needs some sort of internal organ that can produce flames. It seems impossible for a monsterat least, as we understand them nowto do that while shaped like a mushroom. And I cant imagine a being that warped having sapience, so its hard to imagine its a demon either.

Then...you dont think this mushroom-shaped monster exists, Ichiha?

No, if there are a lot of eyewitness reports, it may. But its possible its neither a monster nor a demon.

Hm? What do you mean? Sami asked, cocking her head to the side. Ichihas expression grew grim.

I suspect it might be a weapon the demons use.

Ah...! I see.

Sami got what Ichiha was trying to say. It was plausible that a weapon might come in a mysterious form that could be confused for a monster.

Trebuchets had a form that might look like a massive sauropod, the Euphoria Kingdom had rhinosauruses that carried cannons, and there was Mechadra in Genias dungeon laboratory. If someone who didnt know any better saw these things, they could be excused for thinking they were some new type of monster.

Theres also the massive cube His Majesty encountered in the Star Dragon Mountain Range. If we assume that products similar to what Madam Genia studies in overscience lie sleeping in the Demon Lords Domain...

Then a massive mushroom weapon doesnt sound so unusual, Sami concluded for him. Ichiha nodded.

Ill need to report this to His Majesty.

Yes, you will... You can do it, Ichiha, Sami said, showing him a clenched fist.

Ichihas eyes widened at how she made it sound like it wasnt her problem.

Huh? Youre not going to help me?

I couldnt. I plan to stay here in this country, after all, Sami said, shaking her head. I fell in love with the great library at first sight. I want to work here.

R-Right... Well, youre not one of our retainers, so youre free to do as you like, but I feel like you didnt have to decide that right this second... Ichiha said resentfully, earning a chuckle from Sami.

Once I saw the great library, I couldnt resist. Its okay. Ill keep gathering information for you here in this country. You can let Sir Souma know that.

Okay...

Seeing her mind was firmly made up, and happy to see her more positive about her future, Ichiha realized he should be supportive and accepted her decision.

Then, turning to Gunther, who had been watching them, he said, Sir Gunther. My sister can be a handful, but please look after her.

Understood.

The general was a taciturn man, and because of that, the sincerity of his response was apparent. Beside him, Sami wore a peaceful smile. Ichiha was relieved to see the two of them like that.