Player-Hunting Inquisitors

Chapter 20

"This is all the information that Player knew."

The next day, at my house. The four companions who always gathered shared the results of the interrogation conducted yesterday.

Riel expressed her dissatisfaction after hearing my words.

"Unfortunately, there wasn't much content."

"It can't be helped. The Goddess seems to be wary of us, so Players are extremely reluctant to unite."

The Goddess cannot directly intervene in our world.

Therefore, even if her pawns, the Players, go astray, she cannot properly sanction them.

We've taken advantage of that and continued our judgment.

The Goddess also noticed this and tried to scatter the Players as much as possible, but as a result, fewer things went according to her intentions.

It's like she tripped over her own feet while trying to avoid obstacles.

"Still, we've put out the immediate fire for now. At least there won't be any status discrimination happening openly."

"Yeah, yeah. Even the Pope said this much would be a satisfactory achievement."

Natasha headed to the Papal Palace immediately after the interrogation ended at dawn yesterday and completed her report.

'How can she go and return so quickly?'

I was slightly curious, but Natasha has always been like that.

By now, I've gotten used to it.

"Anyway, the investigation on Ella will continue. Rina wasn't the sixth person Kian mentioned."

"Got it."

What the Player we interrogated yesterday did was mostly cause fights.

Other than that, we didn't know about creating organizations or receiving sponsorship from outside.

In the end, even though we caught one Player, the investigation returned to square one.

"By the way, Natasha."

"Yes?"

"How is the handwriting analysis you mentioned last time going?"

"Oh, that. Figured it out."

Natasha is tasked with comparing the handwriting from the letter found in the Player's room with that of the faculty members.

I inquired about the progress of that task.

"The black market. The handwriting was found in letters exchanged between a professor and the black market."

"The black market?"

The black market. It's a place that handles the darker aspects of the academy.

Even professors at the academy can't obtain all the materials needed for experiments through legal means.

The black market refers to a place that sells special materials for such professors.

"Yes. The handwriting matches the reply a professor received after placing an order with the black market."

'This means the sponsor is someone from the black market... More investigation is needed. This isn't enough yet.'

Natasha shared what she had investigated about the professor with us.

"Name: Thomas. Subject of research: History of the Royal Palace. Items ordered from the black market: Magical materials."

"A history professor ordering magical materials?"

"Yes. That's why it's suspicious."

"Could you tell us more about those materials?"

Riel listened to the materials Natasha listed and fell into deep thought.

However, nothing significant seemed to come to her mind.

"I think it's better for me, as a fellow professor, to handle the investigation of that professor."

"Got it. Let me know if anything about the materials comes to mind."

Whether or not a Player has infiltrated the black market, it's certain that someone moving according to the Goddess's will is there.

"And Yuria."

Anyway, we need to gather information.

"Yes."

"Do you know how to access the black market?"

"Of course. My subordinates from the Flonia Family have a branch in the black market."

As expected from the Tenia Family.

"Then I'll leave the investigation of the black market to you."

"Understood. However, if you need to investigate directly, it would be helpful for the Saint to visit. Let me know first, and I'll give you a VIP membership card."

"Thanks."

Tasks were assigned.

As soon as we finished the interrogation, we set out to gather information for the next one.

Riel and Yuria headed to their classes, while I headed to the academy to search for information.

'If it's magical knowledge Riel doesn't know, I should ask this person.'

The person I sought out was Professor Callas, who teaches the subject of Advanced Magic.

"Oh my, Saint. What brings you here?"

"I'm curious about these materials."

The purpose was the items Professor Thomas ordered from the black market.

Since Riel hadn't come up with anything yet, I decided to consult others proficient in magic.

Professor Callas frowned as she looked at the list I showed her.

"Hmm... These materials... Each one is highly reactive."

"What do you mean by highly reactive?"

With a serious expression, Professor Callas explained further.

"These materials... Especially the 'Core of Chaos' and 'Tear of Immortality,' are extremely unstable substances. The Core of Chaos absorbs surrounding magical power and can cause unpredictable explosions, while the Tear of Immortality reacts rapidly with other substances to generate toxic gas. There have been several major accidents in the past at the academy due to mishandling these materials."

Professor Callas paused, as if recalling a past she didn't want to remember.

"So, if I understand correctly, the risk of accidents is high?"

"Yes. Of course, professors would know how to handle them safely, but for students, these materials are too dangerous."

The items Professor Thomas requested from the black market were excessively dangerous for a professor of a non-magical discipline.

"But why are you interested in these materials?"

"They're materials requested by the Cult. I thought the academy could procure them, but if they're prohibited items, there's nothing I can do."

I deflected Professor Callas's question with a plausible excuse.

After finishing my business, I left Professor Callas's office and moved to prepare for my class.

'The Player we interrogated last time said something similar.'

A magical potion that grants abilities upon consumption.

Although unrelated to the materials the Player mentioned, if the purpose is the same, it's very dangerous.

'A child gained a strong ability like brainwashing with materials they could obtain. Then, how difficult would the ability gained with materials from the black market be?'

My worries deepened.

The more I uncovered their identity, the more the Players' traces spread far and wide.

This is the nature of the original scenario.

The Players summoned by the Goddess and the Quests they undertake bring great changes to this world.

The Goddess's schemes to restore 'order' to this world continue without end.

'Sigh, the problems keep piling up. Should I visit the black market myself?'

Anyway, it was time for me to give a lecture.

The lecture hall was filled with students, and Riel was also waiting for me at the back of the classroom.

'For now, let's focus on the lecture. Clues will emerge as we proceed carefully.'

I set aside my thoughts and began answering the flood of questions from the students.

**

"Hmm, I feel like something's coming to mind...."

Riel was searching through books in the library about the materials Professor Thomas requested.

"Highly reactive, that's true. But that can't be all...."

The information Kian conveyed from Professor Callas still left Riel with a sense of unease.

As she thought about Professor Thomas, Riel suddenly had a realization.

'A history professor, right? Then it might not be modern knowledge but ancient knowledge!'

While searching for books in the alchemy section, Riel stopped a passing librarian to ask for directions.

"Excuse me, where are the books related to history?"

"Oh... Over there. Turn left after the alchemy section ends."

"Thank you!"

Riel walked in the direction the librarian pointed and finally discovered what she was looking for.

'Here it is.'

The book Riel pulled out seemed to have endured a long time, with its cover so tattered that its original form was hard to discern.

'The content of this book is lost alchemy. But if it's the Goddess, she might be able to reveal it through the Quest.'

Even the Goddess cannot escape the laws of this world.

She can grant supernatural powers, but not without a price.

That is why the Goddess uses the Quest as a detour.

'But there's always an intention hidden in a Quest. The potion made by the Player caught by Miss Yuria—was it truly meaningless?'

Familiar ingredients caught Riel's eye as she flipped through the book.

'Here it is... A potion passed down by a vanished religious group... The ingredients have changed, but the similarities are striking. The Player's potion... Water that brings one closer to the gods? Such a thing existed?'

Riel transcribed its content onto paper.

'Black petals, mushrooms imbued with light, gray breath... They have different names now, but these ingredients are unmistakable.'

The ingredients listed in the book were named before the current alchemy system was established.

Because of this, it took Riel a long time to interpret them.

'I won't finish this today. The time to observe Ella is also approaching.'

As the library's closing time drew near, Riel took the book and approached the librarian.

"Can I borrow this book?"

"Just a moment... Ah, that book has already been reserved by a professor."

"Could you tell me who it is?"

As the librarian flipped through the list, a voice came from behind Riel.

"It's me. I thought you were only interested in magic, but you're also curious about history?"

At the voice from behind, Riel felt her whole body tense up.

'Professor Thomas...'

The person who had been occupying her thoughts until just moments ago appeared before her eyes.

Riel turned around, trying to maintain her composure.

Professor Thomas wore his usual gentle smile, but Riel sensed a subtle coldness from him.

'Why is he here...?'

Riel instinctively knew he hadn't come here by coincidence.

"I'm conducting research on that subject, you see. I need someone with excellent knowledge of magic. Would you be willing to help me?"

Hearing Thomas's words, Riel fell into deep thought.

'This is a chance to get closer to Professor Thomas. But it could also draw unnecessary suspicion. What should I do...?'

Hiding her true feelings, Riel responded to Professor Thomas.

"I'm sorry, but as I'm currently serving as an assistant, it's difficult for me to make time."

"Haha, I understand. Well then, come by if you ever have time. At least let me treat you to a cup of tea."

Professor Thomas laughed heartily as he left, but his gaze lingered on Riel's back for a long time.

Feeling the cold stare from behind her, Riel sighed inwardly.