“There’s no time. The Primrose Path investigation will likely be closed today or tomorrow. The evidence seized during the raid will be returned.”

Elias lowered his voice.

“What happens when it’s returned?”

“Naturally, it’ll turn to ashes.”

“You know well~ Nothing will remain. The grounds for rearresting them will disappear too.”

Elias’s voice turned serious.

“We have to stop that. That side… something’s not right.”

“Yeah.”

Perhaps surprised I agreed so readily, Elias raised an eyebrow.

“You seemed to think differently the other day when I mentioned it.”

He caught that.

My disagreement was purely regarding the hypothesis that ‘Primrose Path tried to induce *Vitriol* in Adelbert and Elias for revenge.’

The situation has changed now. The fact that Primrose Path evaded investigation means either there was an incredibly powerful figure behind them from the start, or someone new has attached themselves.

“No. In the first place, how could a place where murder is mentioned not be suspicious? Either significant powers are behind them, or they did something crazy because they have nothing left to lose. It’s one of the two. The same applies now as they try to cover up all crimes.”

“Good. Then who do you think halted this investigation?”

After thinking for a moment, I opened my mouth.

“His Majesty. Or police bureau officials, or even if not them, there must be many people involved.”

Primrose Path’s main industry is prostitution, which was outlawed after the emergence of the new generation.

‘The new generation has a duty to lead the old generation onto the right path so they don’t make wrong choices.’ This is the current ruling class’s logic. Then where must the evidence of inferiority be brought from?

The biggest difference between the new and old generations is sex. To be precise, it would be correct to say the level of interest in sex.

Since the new generation doesn’t reproduce among people, they have no interest in reproductive activities, and creating people with Magic Power is considered the most similar to Christ’s conception by the Holy Spirit, thus perceived as a superior form. Therefore, their very way of thinking regarding sex is distinctly different from the old generation’s.

So, one of the tools chosen by the new generation is prostitution.

It’s an industry irrelevant to the new generation, and in most cases, the existence of pimps leads to many derivative crimes. Furthermore, the customer base comprises a staggering 25% of the entire old generation population, yet it’s not considered a particularly respectable act, making it a tool to quickly and easily convince people of the new generation’s superiority.

Considering the new generation’s benefit increases when this industry is suppressed, the action of the new-generation cabinet terminating the investigation doesn’t add up.

Ultimately, it means there was a more important issue than the eugenics-based logic of dominance.

What could it have been?

A large-scale incident occurred that could justify the new generation’s superiority, yet in this situation, which new-generation human suffers a loss?

‘Thinking conversely gives the answer.’

Who benefits most from attacking Primrose Path?

The one who achieved the greatest merit.

Though I didn’t calculate this far, it’s clear that Elias, the very person who conducted the undercover investigation leading to the raid, would gain the most benefit. His approval ratings and image were set to rise.

Ultimately, the problem in this incident isn’t anything else but the person who brought forth justice.

The Emperor couldn’t possibly let Elias Hohenzollern take the credit for justice.

‘The Security Headquarters must be in chaos.’

Nothing left but to get chewed out by the Emperor.

“Wow~ Luca, you’re refreshing.”

Elias clapped, looking pleased that I pointed to the Emperor.

“Narce, you?”

“I’d need to see their face first. Haha, sorry.”

“Nah, what’s there to be sorry about.”

Elias answered casually and started ticking off fingers.

“My thoughts are similar to yours, Luca. What wouldn’t my uncle do to prevent my name from rising? Though the report that I was involved hasn’t gone out yet… he must have found out I conducted an undercover investigation into Primrose Path because of the disciplinary hearing.”

Right. It seems the Security Headquarters either tried to ride on Elias’s coattails or couldn’t resist his pestering and handed over the investigator credentials. It’s unlikely they’d confess their mistake to the Emperor only belatedly after screwing up. It’s more likely the Emperor heard about the disciplinary hearing and made his own judgment.

“First time realizing His Majesty’s ethics are this fickle. Is it really okay for such a person to be Emperor?”

Elias sneered.

From the Catacombs to this current matter, I agree in many ways.

Still, there’s something that needs to be addressed.

“He wouldn’t have supported Primrose Path until now. He must have started intervening after the Primrose Path issue was raised.”

At my words, Elias and Narce looked at me simultaneously.

“The backer of Primrose Path and the one who pressured to end the investigation could be different. Even if His Majesty ended the investigation, the reason Primrose Path could operate freely until now likely lies with someone else’s efforts.”

“……”

Elias nodded.

“True. That man isn’t the type to feed something like that to Adelbert. No matter what, he’s his own child.”

He still firmly believes it was Primrose Path’s doing.

Of course, it’s quite possible right now, but isn’t it better to leave room for doubt? The moment I opened my mouth to say that, Elias voiced my thoughts exactly.

“And, even if that drug wasn’t Primrose Path’s doing…. something else doesn’t make sense. Catching Primrose Path benefits uncle too. There’s a reason the article was so big in the Imperial Newspaper. There’s no reason for the Emperor to covet the paltry sums offered as bribes by old-generation pimps.”

Elias let out a dry laugh.

“So, uncle acted solely to stop me…. Just as you said, Luca. The backer until now probably wasn’t uncle. It must have been some other bastard. Especially those police bureau guys.”

Quick on the uptake.

I have one hypothesis, but if he converges towards my hypothesis too, there’s no reason for me to state it.

I waited silently, watching to see how far he would go.

Elias, who had been clutching his head with both hands for a long while, suddenly spoke.

“…Then.”

“Yeah.”

“Then the guy who provided backing until now, what reason did he have?”

Elias’s eyes flashed as he looked back and forth between us.

The corners of my mouth turned up automatically.

‘As expected, the protagonist also questions this part.’

“Right. Even if His Majesty ended up doing Primrose Path a favor because of you, now that the crime has become visible, other new-generation humans have no reason to help them. This is precisely performance results and propaganda material.”

Elias answered half-jokingly, sighing.

“…Is it about money? Maybe the police chief is poorer than expected?”

“Hahaha, could he be poor after reaching that position? Still, Primrose Path is probably raking in money, so if the police chief wanted more money, it’s certainly plausible he’d accept.”

“Yeah. But that district grew large enough for even the new generation to know of its existence… Why no one raised the issue until now is questionable.”

A statement solely concerned with justice, very protagonist-like.

Because it itself is propaganda.

Forming enclaves by crawling in despite being legally banned actually benefits the new generation.

Ultimately, establishments like Primrose Path are used as evidence that ‘the old generation requires the control and management of the more rational new generation.’

Of course, Elias’s raising of the issue wouldn’t be pushed aside.

What if there really were people backing Primrose Path with other objectives?

Meanwhile, Elias muttered.

“Then stopping uncle is the answer…. Need to think about it. Finding evidence that uncle halted the investigation and exposing it wouldn’t be bad, but no media outlet would accept it.”

He knows well.

Still, glad he didn’t say something like threatening the Imperial Newspaper chief editor using his career like in the novel.

“Eli. If His Majesty also gains benefits, he might stop the termination of the investigation. For His Majesty to benefit from continuing the investigation, what needs to happen? Let’s consider that.”

“Benefits.”

Elias stroked his chin, then slowly lifted his head.

Seeing his eyes shine, it seems he too immediately recalled what would work on the Emperor, what I was thinking.

“Wow~ You didn’t seem too fond of my ideas before~?”

“What can be used must be used.”

To confirm if his guess was correct, I voiced what I was thinking.

“First, my thought is this. His Majesty’s greatest interest currently is Pleroma.”

“Right. Probably no politician isn’t interested right now.”

“And the fact that Adelbert’s and your room’s air was contaminated is certainly Pleroma’s method. His Majesty the Emperor doesn’t know this fact yet. Whether it’s connected to Primrose Path or not…”

“Ahaha! Still think my hypothesis is wrong~”

Less wrong, more like lacking conclusive evidence.

Anyway, I nodded and continued.

“The fact that his child was attacked by Pleroma is an issue His Majesty the Emperor would move on more cautiously, and with heightened nerves.”

“Right, Luca, what you’re saying now is this, right? You’re going to tell uncle that Primrose Path messed with Adelbert. Then he’ll definitely reopen the investigation. The evidence won’t get burned either.”

Elias said, tilting his head.

His eyes narrowed, and a subtle smile played on his lips, an expression suggesting agreement but having something more to say.

Smiling, I answered.

“No.”

“Isn’t that what you’ve been saying until now?”

“I won’t say it was Primrose Path’s doing. If I did, His Majesty could use that to attack you. By that logic, if his child was attacked because of his nephew, not showing mercy to the nephew is somewhat forgivable.”

“…Hmm. Okay. Considerate of you to think of me too. Then, how will you link Primrose Path and Pleroma to divert uncle’s attention? Are you planning to say something like, since an incident involving attacking an Imperial Prince occurred, decide carefully?”

“Correct.”

It’s all about how you phrase it.

And though it’s difficult to present as solid evidence, there is something that could raise the Emperor’s vigilance.

“Elias, do you have the photo that was posted on the notice board that day?”

“Ah, the one Günter posted?”

Elias took the photo out of his jacket pocket.

Pushing it to the center of the table, I said.

“Just looking at it, all you see is that the hair is white. The face isn’t even clearly visible. But besides the hair being white, doesn’t the atmosphere resemble you, Eli?”

“…Hahaha…. Annoying, but yeah, kinda. At first, I was surprised too, thinking it was a picture of me.”

Nodding, I said.

“Sorry to say this… but when I first met Ainsidel, you were the first person who came to mind too.”

“…?! What? We look alike?!”

“Just the vibe, just the vibe~”

Narce placated Elias.

Anyway, since he didn’t deny it, Elias’s face turned ashen.

He really seemed annoyed.

“In other words. Isn’t there a possibility this is Ainsidel? In my life, I’ve only seen two people with hair this white: you and Ainsidel.”

“……”

“Of course, there’s no proof this is definitely Ainsidel, and even if it is, we don’t know what he went there for. But it should be enough to raise His Majesty’s vigilance.”

Since Elias just stared down at the photo silently, I immediately continued.

“It’s much safer to bring this up to His Majesty and make the connection. And it won’t stop there. We need to find out if it was really only the police bureau people backing Primrose Path.”

“Wow~ Honestly, I bet there are definitely more. It would be good to know, but isn’t there no way to find out? Maybe we all infiltrate together~?”

At the mention of infiltration, Narce’s eyes lit up, so I shook my head.

“There’s a more certain method. Coincidentally, there was one contract put on hold when Pleroma started using the entire nation as a compatibility testing ground.”

“…Ah.”

Narce crossed his arms and leaned back against the backrest. His face was full of laughter.

“There was Pleroma in the Imperial Government. Luckily, we secured the opportunity to legally use Divine Power on politicians, so we must use it.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep