Interrogation

I sat at the desk and opened my notebook.

…It’s nothing special, I just wanted to review the events that have happened so far.

With each student having different stories and some stories being interconnected, I wouldn’t be able to grasp the progress if I just stayed idle.

Since I originally didn’t exist in this world, many events were skipped.

I spent quite some time comparing the original flow of events with what has happened so far.

“Let’s see… About halfway through?”

As a result, I concluded we were about halfway there.

…Some might find this strange. Even excluding Orca, the remaining four students have just started moving.

It might be more accurate to say we’ve just taken the first steps rather than being halfway.

That wasn’t wrong. Judging by the game’s storyline, the world was about to become chaotic from now on.

Numerous incidents and accidents would come crashing down on the academy.

However, that was the game’s story. The changed reality was different.

“I need to have counseling sessions with two people soon… Find the Sword Saint’s location… Sigh. It’ll be busy for a while.”

First, Orca’s storyline had been deleted. About 20% of the entire story vanished.

Since she realized she wouldn’t go berserk, while minor troubles might occur, all main quests related to her were effectively gone.

Because Orca no longer needed to avoid fights or reveal her power to others.

Next, I had integrated the students’ stories.

Instead of the remaining four students (excluding Orca) moving separately, I paired them up to move together.

As a result, the game’s detailed storylines became useless garbage information…

But the number of main stories was effectively halved.

…Looking at it this way, it seems we’ve progressed a bit more than halfway.

As I clutched my sluggish head worrying about what to do next, the cellphone on the table started ringing.

“Hello?”

“Teacher.”

“…Stella?”

“It’s urgent! Is the counseling room empty right now?!”

“Yes, well… It’s empty.”

“Good! I’m coming right now! Don’t let anyone in-no. Call only the Watcher and keep everyone else away!”

Click.

After saying only what she wanted, Stella immediately hung up.

“…What’s this about?”

Rather than feeling displeased at her hanging up first, I couldn’t help but feel bewildered.

Stella was a polite girl. There was no reason for her to call so rudely and abruptly.

Clearly something had happened.

“She said to call the Watcher.”

I picked up the phone again and dialed the number.

It didn’t take long for the blindfolded nun to arrive at the sparsely populated counseling room.

***

“Huff, huff…”

“…He’s half dead.”

“Half dead indeed.”

Why did she come to the counseling room? And calling Anastasia too.

While enjoying our tea party with such questions in mind, we were startled when Stella barged in.

Her ragged breathing suggested she’d run here in a hurry. Clothes soaked with blood and sweat. Slightly torn garments revealing oozing blood where blades had grazed.

Anyone could tell she’d been in a fierce fight moments ago.

Probably fought with that man she dragged here?

…It was amazing to see a girl barely 170cm tall dragging what looked like a 190cm giant.

Well, since mana exists, I shouldn’t really marvel at it-but knowing doesn’t make it any less astonishing.

“Were you attacked?”

“Huff, huff… Yes. It’s maddening.”

“Stay still. I’ll heal you.”

As Anastasia murmured something, Stella’s pained expression visibly improved and her wounds began disappearing.

Magic was amazing, but healing with sacred power was equally fascinating.

Honestly, I don’t know the difference between mana and sacred power.

“Whew… This is impressive. As expected of a Watcher-your healing abilities are exceptional. I feel healthier than before getting injured.”

“You flatter me.”

“…So, who is that person?”

I didn’t want to ruin the good mood of mutual compliments, but my curiosity was unbearable.

A wounded Stella dragging someone to the counseling room.

The man had blood around his mouth, seemingly having coughed it up before losing consciousness.

His pale complexion suggested he might die any moment.

“Can’t you tell? An assassin.”

“…Bit large for an assassin, no? I mean-why did you bring him here?”

No one was startled by the appearance of an assassin.

Because everyone knew Stella was in danger.

But why bring him here? That was the question.

“To keep him alive. We need to know who sent him, even if it’s just formally. Besides, it’s a chance to get information.”

“…His internal organs are all crushed. If you wanted him alive, you should’ve hit softer, Your Highness. He’s already at heaven’s doorstep.”

“So you can’t save him… Understood. I’ll be more careful next time.”

“I didn’t say I couldn’t save him. Just warning you to be careful since he’d be dead without me.”

Crushed internal organs? Eek.

I cautiously took a step back from Stella.

If she could turn a combat specialist’s insides to pulp with her fists, I might pop like a balloon if she squeezed too hard.

“…? Teacher, why are you backing away…?”

“Oh, no reason… Just thought I should be careful.”

“?”

“Guh-hack…!”

“Oh, he’s alive. Impressive as always.”

“Wh-where is this…?”

The man who coughed up black blood seemed disoriented.

…But seriously, why is this assassin so muscular?

Assassins are supposed to be slim and wiry-that’s the standard.

I don’t like this guy.

“Come to your senses?”

“The imperial princess. I lost, then.”

“Yes. No matter how much you underestimate me, thinking one person would suffice…”

“…”

“Aren’t you going to say anything?”

“…Nothing to say. Kill me.”

That line should only come from pretty female knights, you bastard.

A hairy muscle mountain like you shouldn’t be saying that!

I swallowed the words I wanted to shout, not wanting the students nearby to give me strange looks.

I always wanted to hear that line-but from a beautiful knight, not this thug.

“Step aside, Stella. Anastasia.”

“Teacher Ophelia…?”

“Let me handle the interrogation.”

“…Teacher, he’s an assassin trained by the Imperial Family. They’re conditioned never to divulge information, even unto death.”

“Don’t worry.”

His appearance meant the Imperial Family had heard about Stella.

They must have sent assassins upon hearing she was making friends.

It happened faster than expected, but they seemed to underestimate Stella more than I thought.

Sending just one person-in the game, they always sent at least six.

Did they send an assassin just to eliminate an eyesore?

To hear the details, interrogating him was necessary.

And I’m more specialized at extracting information than anyone in this world.

“Sorry, but could you wait outside the counseling room for about an hour?”

“…Teacher Ophelia. It’s a waste of time.”

“Now, now. You never know until you try. The teacher may look like this, but she’s well-versed in psychiatry.”

“Still, I doubt an Imperial Family member would break easily…”

“Better to try than not try at all, right? I can do better than Her Highness or the Watcher.”

A lie, of course.

My knowledge of psychiatry is superficial at best.

But they didn’t know that, and naturally would think someone with knowledge should try rather than someone without.

“Fine. Worth a try.”

“That’s the spirit. From here on, it’s R-18 Zone territory. Shoo, shoo. Kids, scram.” (T/N: Wholesome time?)

“…Teacher Ophelia should fix that humor sense of hers.”

“Agreed.”

“What?! This is hilarious! Interrogating assassins should be full of blood and screams…!” (T/N: Aww)

“Sure, sure. …Ah, wait a moment.”

“Gyaaaaaaah!”

Crunch.

Before leaving, Stella casually approached as if she had forgotten something and grabbed the man’s arms and legs-the scream that followed was inhuman.

His limbs became as thin as paper under her grip.

“Can’t have him moving. Well then, good luck with the interrogation.”

“…Already R-18…”

Even after the two left, the man’s agonized moans continued.

No wonder-his limbs looked like they’d been through a hydraulic press.

It was miraculous he was still alive.

“Guh… N-no matter what you demand… what you offer… I won’t talk…!”

“Ah, no need to speak.”

“…What?”

“I already know everything.”

I knew this event well.

The assassin’s identity, appearance, and numbers were randomly determined, but the reason for the assassination attempt was always the same.

Right now, I just wanted to confirm the facts.

“Let’s see… The client is the First Prince. He must have heard about Princess Stella and thought-ah, that bitch is still alive.”

“Wh-what nonsense…”

“With her personality, she couldn’t possibly make friends and must be plotting treason-so he ordered her death?”

“…”

“Ah, and he probably told you: Stella’s weak, no need to worry. Kill her and receive great rewards.”

“…”

“No response…”

I thought he’d react to something.

Showing no reaction to sensitive topics-trained people really are different, I thought.

…Meaningless effort.

“Then I have no choice. I’ll just ask your brain directly.”

He’ll spill everything I want to know anyway.