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Case 34: Clues.
Case 34: Clues.
*****
The Aragon Empire is the biggest country in the world.
Under the monarchy, there is a total of five Dukes, twelve Marquises, thirty-five Counts, and numerous Viscounts, as well as Barons.
Many nobles have their own territory to govern, many are vassals of higher nobles.
For the five Dukes, their territories and economies are enormous, equivalent to that of a kingdom.
Currently, there are three Dukes whose territories border the demon's land, thus making them the defenders of the Empire, for that, they receive financial and military support from the imperial family, as well as the other nobles for their services.
The remaining two Dukes are Duke Spencer and Duke Forbes.
As the heir of Forbes, Jack Forbes's life was always easy. He had everything laid out for him. He could have anything he wanted. As long as he qualifies as the heir, money, power, women, anything he wants.
Fortunately for him, he also has talents, so he only needed minimum effort to achieve what his father wanted from him.
So he was spoiled from his childhood. He is rude, arrogant, and abusive towards his workers. And, just like his father, he is a sadistic maniac who likes to collect slaves.
At first, he was a little bit reluctant. After all, slavery is banned by law. But when he saw that even the imperial family ignored the accusation of the Spencers towards his father for owning slaves, likely because the imperial family didn't want a conflict with his family, he let his instinct control him.
He had a lot of slaves, which he used to satisfy his desires, many of them died due to the harsh treatment.
Even now, as a third-year A-class student at the academy, he's still enjoying this 'hobby'. He forced some of his more talented slaves to enroll with him, serving him whenever he needed. He even carefully chose those who have a family, so that he could easily blackmail them if they try to run.
Now, taking one of his slaves to a blind spot near the gym, he is about to do what he likes the most.
*****
''What about him?'' Anastasia asks curiously.
''There were rumors about him coercing female students into doing 'that' kind of thing with him. Despicable. Truly despicable.'' Christina replies, her eyes burning.
This... Is probably him with his slave. If I leave this alone now, that girl is most likely going to be violated. I don't want that.
It's time to sort out the trash again.
I stand up, escaping Emy's hug.
''I have a bad feeling, I'll go and see them.''
Immediately, Emy and Liana stand up as well.
''Wait, I'll go too.'' Christina says.
''E-Eh? I-I'll go too!'' Anastasia follows, her face confused by our sudden decision.
So we all go after the guy. As expected, he's taking the girl to a blind spot between two buildings.
Peeking out of the wall, I can see the girl being groped violently by the guy, her face terrified.
Tch, fucking garbage.
But before I can do anything, Anastasia has already charged toward him, delivering a clean kick to his side, which the guy hastily blocked with his left arm coated in mana.
Still, the kick did some damage to him, evident in his shaking arm right now, and his pained expression.
''What the fuck did you think you were doing?!?'' Anastasia yells angrily.
''Hah! You stupid whore, who do you think you are to decide what I do?'' The guy sneers, glaring at Anastasia.
''I don't care who you are motherfucker.'' Says Anastasia, cracking her hands.
What a flip, jeez~
Anyhow, the girl seems confused, but she runs behind Anastasia anyway.
''Puh- hahahahah, you really want to fight me?? Third year's top 1?''
Well, it's time for us to appear, I guess, I don't think I want to let Anastasia do this alone.
''Hey there, garbage.'' I say to the guy, who only now notices us standing beside Anastasia.
''Hoh~ What do we have here? Your Highness, where did you pick up these pretty elves?'' The guy tells Christina amusingly, his lustful eyes scanning our bodies, focusing on my breasts.
WHACK
''Don't ignore people, stupid.'' I use telekinesis to slap him real hard at the back of his head.
Holding his head, the guy again glares at me.
''So you want to be killed too, huh?! Stupid bitch, I'll make you regret it soon-''
''!!''
Before he can spit out more bullshit or do anything, I pin him down to the ground with telekinesis and shut his mouth as well.
Even if you pull out the head professor, you still couldn't win against me, idiot.
''Hey, girl, what did he do to you?'' Liana asks the girl, who had been shaking from before.
''H-He threatened to kill my family i-if I don't become his slave. P-Please help me, Your Highness!'' She pleads to Christina instead.
Hearing this, Christina clenches her fists ''I will. Don't worry.'' Then she turns to the guy.
''To think that it was even worse than the rumors... What excuses do you have before I tell this to my father?''
I release the telekinesis on his mouth.
''Puh- Hah! Hahahah! You don't know anything, Your Highness. His Majesty and your brothers don't care! Try whatever you want, you can't do anything against u-''
THUD
I kick him in the face.
''Yo-''
THUD
Another kick.
''W-''
THUD
Another one.
''W-Wait!'' The guy finally realizes that he could be beaten to death here.
Looking down at him, I calmly says—
''Care to answer some questions?''
''Y-You wouldn't want to make the Forbes family your enemy, release m-''
THUD
''Care to answer?''
''My father won't forgive-
THUD
''Care to yet?''
''F-Fine! Don't hit me anymore!''
''Good.'' I smile. ''So, how many slaves do you have?''
''A-Around 40, but as I said before, even the imperial family ignored this, so you can't do anythi-''
THUD
''Didn't ask you to speak more after the answer.''
Just in case, I turn back to Christina to see that all four of them are looking at me strangely. I guess I didn't show this side of me to them, well, it's just that I didn't need to be like this before.
''Is that true? Christina?'' I ask Christina, who is still dazing a bit.
''A-Ah, I don't know about that, I've been out of the competition for the throne since a long time ago, so nobody really cared to give me that information.''
''I see. That makes sense.''
Turning back to the guy, I continue to ask him.
''So, where did you leave all your slaves?''
''I-In the main estate of our Dukedom.''
''All of them? What about that girl over there?''
''I-I have 3 more in the academy.''
''I see, your father on this too?''
''Y-yeah.''
''Right, let me warn you this, if you don't release all the slaves at the academy, or if you continue to threaten their families after this... I will personally find you and give you the worst beating there is, and I will be watching your actions, understood?''
''H-Huh?''
''And, don't bother to try and get back at me either, I'm sure the Emperor would want to slap you in the face for owning slaves rather than having to go to war with the elven kingdom because you attempted to hurt their crown princess, no?''
''P-princess??''
THUD
''Answer.''
''Y-yes! I will release them, please let me go!''
''Have a nice sleep first, you're pretty hurt, you know?''
THUD
The guy loses his consciousness.
Turning back to my companions, I can see Emy smiling lightly, giving me a thumbs up, while the others are still stunned.
Finally, Anastasia snaps out. ''Y-You were the princess?? Why did I not know about that?!''
''Sorry, I just didn't tell you.'' I smile apologetically.
''Well, let's get this girl out first.'' Christina says with a sigh.
After helping the girl with her luggage, we sent her to back her family first for them to sort out their situation. Christina decided that we should go and inform the headmaster about this.
The headmaster Stephen was shocked, to say the least, when we told him about this. He said that he would do his best to protect the families of the three former slaves. Well, that's done, I guess.
But now I need to accelerate the pace, I can't let the slaves at the estate endure this anymore.
''Sorry, I think I'll go home first, see you guys around.'' I say, pulling my girlfriends to go home.
''Ah, see you later, Sylvia.'' Christina replies.
''See you later!'' Anastasia waves her hand.
Let's inform Isabella and Adam first.
*****
Left behind by the three, Christina and Anastasia are now standing in silence, processing the horrible things that the man before had allegedly done.
''I'll have to ask my brothers about this...'' Christina unknowingly mutters.
''Um... Your Highness?''
''A-Ah, Anastasia, what's wrong?''
''Are you planning to save the slaves?''
''...How did you know?''
''Mhmm, you could say my intuition. I just have a feeling.''
''Hm... I see.''
''So, please let me join as well, my divine magic is very helpful! As a priest, I can't ignore crimes like this!''
''...I'll consider it.''
''Thank you very much!''
''...No problem.''
''Then, I'll see you later!''
Anastasia begins to walk to her dorm, waving at Christina, who also waves back.
''And somehow, I have a feeling that those three are going to be involved in this as well...'' She mutters.