Elite Instructor at a Third-Rate Academy

14 – Now, We Can End It Quietly ☆

Leading the interrogation was Warren Remelts.

Ochia, despite doubting the actual power of a major, there was little reaction. Who would take the words of commoners seriously? Denying it would end at the Temuric Staind line. However, Genoa, who had the potential to become the head of the Cliff family, was different.

“If I investigate, you can take notes on the side, senior.”

“Are you going to use negotiation strategies?”

“Good and bad, it doesn’t seem necessary.”

─ After all, among the noble youths, there’s no one who trusts a lieutenant and reveals all their faults.

Off to the viscount’s residence, they went. According to the Imperial five-rank system, to obtain the title of viscount, one not only had to defend the borders but also have a territory larger than that of a baron. On the other hand, for a duke, there needed to be some connection to the royal family, whether through blood or through kinship, and mixing of blood was necessary for an elevation in rank.

“No matter how powerful the Rada family is, it’s tiring to incur the enmity of the Cliff family.”

Warren said this and opened the door. In the meeting room, Genoa was sitting in a dignified posture. His expression was gentle but carried an arrogant air. Rather than being beautiful, he gave off a handsome vibe. His features were sharp, and anyone could tell he was the leader among peers.

“Western Administrator, Colonel Warren Remelts.”

“Greetings.”

A salute of a high rank. It signified an intention to take a position within the military, and in doing so, the viscount had secured a good match for his daughter.

“The instructor for C-8 Unit, Lieutenant Temuric Staind.”

There was a distinct difference in the way they were addressed. The Western Administrator and the instructor of C-8 Unit felt even more distant than the colonel and the lieutenant.

“Velasquez del Torro made a strange statement, leading to an unavoidable interrogation.”

Kennis furrowed his brow slightly.

“Starting now, explain. If you answer my questions honestly, there won’t be a problem.”

Colonel, openly mimicking the Major’s previous tone, Lieutenant’s expression crumpled.

After taking his seat, Genoa responded sincerely to Warren’s question. The issue to be resolved within the school had become known even to the imperial court, so telling lies was out of the question. Sending letters to the family was undesirable. The Marquis would defend him, but just the thought of it was embarrassing.

“I swear there is no falsehood!”

As Genoa shouted like a soldier, Warren nodded.

“In the novice’s story, there are two points to consider.”

Scratch, scratch, scratch—the pencil drawing in the notebook snapped.

“First, is it true that you assigned various errands, including buying alcohol, to your friend Amy?”

“Yes.”

“Why did you do that?”

“Amy always lacked pocket money. So, I occasionally asked her to do such chores and told her to keep the leftover money.”

Genoa added that it was an agreement between them.

“Lieutenant, is it a violation of regulations for comrades to assign errands to each other and exchange money?”

“Yes, any import of alcoholic beverages, including alcohol, among comrades is subject to disciplinary action.”

“That’s something friends commonly do for each other!”

Despite Genoa’s protest, Warren emphasized the hierarchical relationship among comrades.

“Second, is it true that you engaged in cruel acts, including corporal punishment, if orders were not properly followed?”

For a moment, Genoa, who did not understand what “청령” meant, hesitated and then defended himself.

“Well, that was… you see, it was just a joke among friends, not something I consider as cruel behavior.”

Even though he had already stated this, Genoa’s anxiety grew as he faced further scrutiny from the investigating officer.

Now, Genoa’s uneasiness was not about receiving another disciplinary action. Amy’s death was unrelated to him. What frightened him was how Senite would perceive him and whether his father would come to know about the incident.

“Friends?”

Warren called Kenneth to express the boiling emotions within.

“Lieutenant, immediately fetch three bottles of wine.”

“What?”

“Make it five.”

“Understood.”

Warren suppressed the laughter bubbling within. He would never be able to rid himself of this awkward personality until the end. Well, it had been the foundation for his success. Not long after, Kenneth returned. Seeing him sweating, it seemed he had rushed.

─ A competent leader is also a competent subordinate.

Seeing a senior giving his best even in such trivial matters, he thought he should leave it to the Emperor again. He would stay here. Here, he would do his best to bring about change within the limits of what he could do.

“Is it not the wine I desire?”

Warren instructed Kennes to reveal his forehead. Though the Lieutenant’s expression remained unchanged, his eyes were mismatched in intensity. Nevertheless, undeterred, he delivered a fierce blow to the well-shaped forehead. Watching him take the hit with wide-open eyes, it was clear he was no ordinary person.

“Is this what the novice calls friendship?”

Colonel and Major simultaneously looked at Genoa. The emotions in their eyes were only filled with doubt and denial.

[#14 – Investigation]

The interrogation with Velasquez was to be conducted by Kennes alone.

While Warren waited outside, he planned to receive a report once their conversation concluded and then draft a document to be submitted to the imperial court. It was a much harsher interview than during Genoa’s time. Any slip of the tongue would be recorded in the official report of the chief investigator, causing discomfort to anyone involved.

“Velasquez Del Tor.”

In the dimly lit interrogation room, when his name was called, Velasquez responded with a mixture of arrogance and unease.

“I heard you’re talking nonsense.”

Kennes picked up a stone and spoke quietly.

“The chief instructor will give his opinion on the case. Listen quietly.”

After writing down a few numbers, he systematically unfolded his deductions.

“About a month ago, you learned that Amy was pregnant. She had been pregnant for more than two months now, counting from today. Initially, you didn’t take it seriously. Like always, you intended to give her some money and break up when she mentioned she was pregnant. Many other women handle it that way; after all, they’re commoners. The information comes from the testimonies of Ochia and Genoa.”

“Is this a novel?”

“But a problem arose. Even though you intended to break up and offered her money, she demanded responsibility, especially since she was pregnant. I don’t know the details, but you might have lied or ignored her. At some point, your desires clashed. You had no intention of marrying a commoner, and Amy had no intention of living as an unwed mother.”

“Fascinating.”

“Amy’s demand became a troublesome matter, not just in personal matters but at the family level. You must have pondered on it. Should you resort to abortion? No, she wasn’t the type to agree. Amy saw Lailrand as a place to graduate to nobility. Denying the child wasn’t easy either. You weren’t a virgin, and logically, a woman without virgin blood couldn’t accuse a man. Velasquez fell silent and clenched his fist.

“Have nothing to say?”

“You’ve made unreasonable deductions from what the women said.”

“Fine. What were you thinking? You probably considered it bad luck. Since Amy wouldn’t listen to persuasion, you would have pondered on what to do from here. As long as she has your child, it’s a perpetual threat. Suddenly appearing when it’s time to choose a successor, it becomes troublesome. Moreover, anytime money is needed, she could demand it under the guise of child support. So, it was better if Amy’s child never came into this world.”

Velasquez was surprised, not by Kennes’ deductions but by the fact that he knew the approximate annual revenue of his territory.

“How did you do it? You probably called Amy and negotiated. If she didn’t have the child, you would pay more. Perhaps, that’s what you said. Amy refused until the end. In reality, a woman who has given up her virginity and has a child has no other choice. Coming to this academy implies a desire for social elevation at least. If you let her go, she will have to marry an appropriate commoner and live with a sense of guilt for the rest of her life. She probably pleaded for you to take responsibility. But you were in no condition to do so. Now, there was only one option left. Since you couldn’t kill the fetus, you decided to silence the mother, even if it meant killing her.”

“I enjoyed listening.”

Almost everything he said was correct, but there was a corner of Velasquez’s mind that believed him.

“It’s surprising to hear such intricate deductions from just hearing others speak. Major, you seem more suited to being a novelist than an instructor. If you want, should I write a recommendation letter to your father to change your profession?”

“He threw away the wig.”

“First time I’ve heard of it.”

I don’t know how you got into Amy’s dormitory. There are no witnesses. Anyway, you took the girl you murdered somewhere and tied her to the railing. Maybe you were in a hurry, or you didn’t clean up well. You left enough traces that anyone could figure it out. Well, who could do that well? Murder and cover-up are not things that a novice can handle. Right now, everyone is supporting you because it’s easier to push it as a suicide. Amy can also preserve her honor, so you were thinking optimistically.

“Warden, it’s ridiculous to ask when you’re talking seriously.”

“Speak.”

“Do you have evidence?”

“Wig, marks on Amy’s neck, traces of homicide.”

“Is it funny to claim that I killed her with just that?”

“Bellasquez del Tor.”

“Stop calling me that, please.”

“There’s one thing you’re mistaken about, so let me tell you.”

“Tell me.”

“I’m not trying to expose your guilt.”

When Bellasquez scoffed, Kennes spoke in a serious tone.

“If we cut open Amy’s abdomen, everyone would be sad. Even if it’s just for the sake of her honor and the feelings of her family, I don’t want to do an autopsy. It means I intend to end it with suicide. But someone has died, and someone has to reflect and apologize. Only then can we discuss punishment.”

“As I listen, it’s getting funny.”

Kennes wanted to finish the job in a familiar way.

“We can end it quietly now.”

“I haven’t done anything wrong. What am I ending?”

“You said harsh words to Amy. If she didn’t know she would commit suicide, you’ve been lying out of fear. Cry. Even if you don’t want to, cry for your child and burn incense for the deceased woman. Then, share the compensation you should receive with the bereaved family. It’s not much needed. It’s the value of two lives, so about 4 hectares should be enough. Send condolence money every year and hang a mourning notice. Just say you express condolences. You don’t have to continue. If you can’t apologize to your wife after marriage, it’s enough. She’ll understand. You don’t need sincerity. Just imitate it. That way… everyone will forget this incident, and it’ll be over when the wounds heal.”

It was very different from the truth, but it was a solution for everyone to be less hurt.

“Why me?”

Bellasquez just laughed when he said that.