Episode 2 of the Overly Competent Villain

With illustrations by Jacques Pietro

Elysia von Wittenberg woke at the same time as usual.

A small room of about 4 pyeong. In a small, dark room where there is no sunlight, you can only recognize the surrounding objects when you turn on the light by groping your hand.

Sunlight filtering in through the windows. As I stepped along the small beam of light that did not even reach the head of the bed, the old wooden board rattled.

“·······.”

I need to fix it.

But if you expose the bottom plate to fix that one, you’ll have to break everything around. This month’s salary is limited by the limited amount.

After all, she passed on improving the poor living environment as the next thing today, and she removed the curtains and opened the window.

Although all you can see is the dingy wall of the building in front of you, the cold air that contains the smell of the sea is refreshing.

‘I have to prepare for work…’

After waking up and taking a 15-second break, I go straight to the wash. The shabby building with 20 studios and only two shower rooms were crowded at any time of the day, but you should be grateful that men and women are separated.

After washing everything, I pick out only three sets of clothes from my worn-out closet.

One uniform provided by the Knights Templar and two sets of top and bottom for daily wear. Unlike everyday clothes that are all torn apart, the knight’s uniform is shiny.

At least he wears a uniform, which is fine, and wears a sword and a revolver for supply. These are basic supplies given to knights.

On the way to get ready to go to work. The partition that occupies most of the space in a narrow studio stands out.

The detective board, which would not be strange even if it were an office of an investigative agency, with numerous photos and a skein of relationships, finally points to one name.

“Jacques Pietro”

The criminal with ultramarine blue hair always wears a relaxed smile.

It was terribly annoying.

* * * *

Imperial Lombardy University Courtroom and Lecture Hall.

In the special class, which sometimes invites investigators or experts in the field as lecturers, lectures on notorious criminals were in progress.

“This time we’re going to tell the story of the Empire’s most notorious criminal.”

Today’s daily lecturer is Sir Elysia von Wittenberg, an investigator belonging to the Imperial Central Bureau of Investigation.

She is a sword prodigy who won a swordsmanship competition sponsored by the imperial family at the age of sixteen.

Also known for her beautiful looks, she deserved attention from lazy undergraduate students.

The rich silver hair shimmered delicately as if the silver was melted and planted one by one, and the clear and clean walls like the blue sea catch all eyes.

Thanks to this beautiful daily instructor, today’s attendance rate has exceeded 100% and is 160%. It is overflowing with students from other departments.

“Does anyone know of a criminal named Jacques Pietro?”

At her words, the students were busy whispering and looking at each other. The students’ ignorance to walk the path of defending the law was a little disappointing, but fortunately, there was someone who raised their hand.

“I remember him as one of the ten most wanted criminals of the Empire.”

“That’s right. He’s one of the highest-ranking criminals wanted by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the General Bureau of Foreign Affairs.”

Elysia uploaded a picture of the criminal with the prepared magic tool.

Ultramarine blue hair and hat. Although he was wearing sunglasses, his facial features suggest that he is quite handsome.

The most impressive thing is his unique relaxed smile.

The criminal in the photo is staring at the students across the street with a fresh smile as if he has mastered the world.

“Jacques Pietro. Current estimated age is thirty-two. He enlisted at the age of eighteen at the top of the Imperial Academy.”

At that, the undergraduates were surprised. The court here has a high cut-off, but the military academy is an even more elite course.

In this country where the military has a lot of influence, the military academy is a place where only the country’s top elite can enter.

“Even after entering as the top student in the entrance exam, he was evaluated well by those around him as an excellent cadet who maintained the top position for three years.”

“Looks like you’ve got a good head on the subject of criminals.”

The students seemed to be surprised by Zach’s amazing grades, but they also thought this.

Why did an excellent cadet who was certain to become the next general become a criminal now?

“One of the traditions of the military academy is that excellent students are recommended and invited to the imperial palace banquet every year, but Jacques Pietro was invited to such a celebration for three consecutive years.”

A banquet where the real power of the country called the Empire gathers. It is there that future excellent cadets make connections.

“But during the third celebration, the headquarters of the Imperial Knights were suddenly terrorized.”

“why······.”

Even the instructor, Elysia, did not know that. Numerous investigators in the Empire could only speculate and could not find out the motive for Zach’s terrorism.

“What do you think? Why do you think Jacques Pietro staged such a terrorist attack?”

Research criminals and accumulate data. It is important in crime research.

Students put forward their guesses.

“According to the records, it is written that Cadet Jacques Pietro was a rational and rational person. I don’t think it was an accidental terrorism, but maybe it was a grudge?”

“then?”

“This incident led to the dismissal of Sir Janssen von Wittenberg, who was the commander of the Imperial Knights at the time. Then, I wonder if they were aiming for him?”

“Wittenberg?”

“Huh? The captain of the Imperial Knights must be——”

The students stiffened as they recalled the name they had mentioned.

The knight commander who was sacked due to Jacques Pietro’s terror attack on the imperial family. Wittenberg——

Elysia nodded her head in response to their gaze.

“Your guess is correct.”

“I’m sorry. Sir Elysia.”

“No. It was a case that deserved it, and someone had to take responsibility. But… there is something missing in the student’s guess.”

It was taken for granted, but Elysia bit her lip without anyone noticing.

“If it was a personal grudge against the Imperial Knight Commander, why did he endure the three years? And why did he terrorize the Knights in the Imperial Palace?”

“Um… then it’s a grudge against the imperial family…?”

It was also refuted with similar logic. If the imperial family was the goal, why was it the knights and not the imperial family?

The undergraduate students who had been refuted several times found an item while carefully examining the lecturer or the materials handed out.

“After the terrorism, we sold key secrets to our adversaries. Wouldn’t the purpose be money?”

The continent’s hegemon, the Bahamut Empire, has many enemies.

Looking at the countries where Jacques Pietro sold deadly secrets to the Empire, such as the Albion Tribal Union, the pagan kingdoms beyond the Red Sea, Pasha or Kaplan Kingdom, Zaitu or the New Kingdom, it is speculated that he did it for money.

He also entered into such a motive, but then the problem was that the means were excessive compared to the motive.

Why did Pietro ‘terrorize’ the Knights headquarters?

Terrorism, not theft. A means that contradicts the motive. Whatever the motive, I guessed, contradicted it and was full of questions.

‘As expected, a plausible answer doesn’t come out.’

Elysia, in case of any doubt, presented it to the undergraduate students in the form of a question, but no clear answer came out.

She was curious too. Why did they become members of the Imperial Knights? Why did you cheat on your father?

‘My father… called him a good cadet.’

Why did he betray his father, why was it us…

“After that, Pietro is believed to have set up his own fortune-telling organizations all over the world. In the dark world, he is a legendary criminal and acts as a criminal enabler, informant, and consultant.”

His history was lined up in the materials.

Occupy Romanama Hightower.

Stealing the Lanquest New Drug.

Bruenthal Brotherhood train robbery.

Alcatraz prison island jailbreak.

Karamboost Provincial Overthrow Incident.

Since Elysia became a knight… no, even before she became a knight, the events she had been tracking for a long time were shocking to her, so needless to say the students’ reactions.

“My God. Even if one of these is handed over to trial, it’s a death sentence.”

Is this something that only one person did? Each of these incidents will become legendary in the criminal world.

What’s even more astonishing is that even after all this, he still hasn’t been put to death.

“His criminal motive and purpose are evaluated as close to chaos. But what is certain is that he is different from other criminals.”

thirty two. The official period of activity is 14 years. His notoriety was that he was unrivaled in the study of criminals in the Empire.

In many ways, it is an enigma itself.

* * * *

“Sir Elysia.”

When the lecture was over and I came out into the hallway, a man in uniform was waiting for Elysia.

“Sir Günther.”

“Are you going to work like this?”

“No, I plan to work overtime after reporting back to the National Security Agency.”

“The Lombardy Public Security Office treats people harshly. Is it so harsh on the dispatched officers of the Bureau of Investigation? Isn’t it time to leave work early?”

“No. I rejected it and said I would work.”

At those words, Günter put on a face that he would like to see all strange people. However, he shook his head as he recalled his days serving in the same Imperial Knights.

“It’s still the same.”

“I’m just keeping my duty as a knight.”

“Knights like Sir were extinct a hundred years ago. These days, even brides take care of war labels.”

Günther, who had been staring at her with a frustrated look, slightly lifted his luck.

“How is the Count these days?”

“······It’s still the same.”

Elysia rapidly darkens when her father is mentioned. Günter wondered if he had asked for nothing.

“He’ll stand up on his feet. Because he’s strong.”

Günter patted Elysia on the shoulder to encourage her, then turned around.

“Jacques Pietro has been found.”

“Where! What have you done!”

“·······.”

Günter was taken aback by Elysia’s sudden change, but thought it was hers.

Eleven years ago, after the fall of the Wittenberg family due to the terrorist incident, Elysia followed only Jacques Pietro.

“Someone must have seen him get off at the Sigarna Snow Mountain Station.”

“Are you sure?”

“It’s just eyewitness testimony, and reports like this are common, but… the day after the sighting, a huge landslide occurred in Sigarna Snow Mountain, and there are quite a few people buried there.”

“…Could it be that it’s the same method as the one in the North?”

When Elysia immediately brought up a similar case, Günter nodded in agreement.

“There is no clear physical evidence left, so the intention is to issue a warning order around. First of all, personnel from the Pietro task force will come down, and Kyung-do is asking for cooperation as a local agent.”

“Of course, I intend to respond… but what about the riot police from the Bureau of Investigation, did you come alone?”

The Bureau of Investigation is the central agency in charge of the domestic part of the entire Empire.

Of course, it was possible to manage its own troops. If that is also the search for Jacques Pietro, one of the 10 wanted criminals of the Empire.

“The deputy director said that the man cut the budget and the recruitment of troops.

“Deputy Director Bergman?”

“It’s a nobleman who expelled the Lord from the task force and reduced the authority and budget, so it’s a natural consequence. I don’t think he’ll catch it anyway.”

That’s why I came here to ask for help from my former colleague Elysia.

“I’ll be a little busy, but I’ll take care of the allowance separately.”

“That, that’s something I’m grateful for. I’ll do my best!”

Günther smiled bitterly at Elysia’s overflowing enthusiasm.

Due to the betrayal of the once promising next general, the name of Wittenberg, a master of swordsmanship, fell to the ground.

Count Jansen, who was the head of the imperial knights, got sick and died today and tomorrow, and even Elysia, a genius swordsman, was yoked.

The only way for her to overturn the prejudice and set the family right is to catch the culprit herself and bring her to justice.

Günther hoped that her motivation would work synergistically.

“But why did he do such a remarkable thing?”

“Well. Because his behavior is uncertain in many ways. But one thing is certain… at least he’s not a guy who would play with fire for no reason.”

He’s arguably one of the Empire’s worst criminals. In terms of incomprehensibility, he surpasses the infamous Brotherhood leader Cromwell.

“I’ve been chasing him for a long time, but I don’t have a good feeling this time either.”

“I agree with you.”

A big villain that the Imperial Bureau has been chasing for over 10 years. The guy showed up after a while. Heaven knows not what evil plans he may have.

* * * *

– Quaang!

My body floated with a loud explosion. The impact was enough to crash my body into the wall.

“Keuk…”

If it wasn’t for the protective clothing comparable to a knight’s protective coat, it would have gone straight to the goal.

[Damn, what just happened?]

Osman is stunned by the huge crater that spreads out before his eyes.

The sorcery lab, which should have been made of a special alloy, was shattered. I paid expensive money to install the facility and blew it up in 3 days, but it’s not too wasteful.

“I’ve learned a lesson from this.”

[what? If you don’t have talent, half go even if you just stay still?]

“If you’re going to fail, you’ll have to fail. Thanks to that, you got caught.”

Even in the yard where the fire that spread in the aftermath of the explosion burned down the warehouse, I smiled brightly.

Elysia von Wittenberg character illustration

uncut version