“Arima, I know what you’re scheming.”

Usui rested his left hand on the desk before him, tapping the surface rhythmically with his index finger.

“Having Butagaya and Aoto jointly handle this case serves two purposes. First, it allows Aoto to learn investigative techniques from Butagaya and gain practical experience.”

“Second, if they’re fortunate enough to solve the case, Aoto’s performance record would become much more impressive, increasing his chances of passing the Elder Council evaluation in a month and a half.”

Here, Usui sighed lightly.

“Arima, I know you’ve always been someone who cares deeply for your subordinates. You want to secure more opportunities for merit as the Elder Council evaluation approaches.”

“But such matters require considering one’s actual capabilities.”

“Given Aoto’s current abilities, is he truly capable of handling such an important case?”

“As I mentioned earlier, regardless of whether this case gets solved, our magistrate office must at least demonstrate a serious attitude.”

“If we send Aoto and he creates another mess like before, how would we explain ourselves to all those who received kindness from Granny Apple and her husband?”

“Even with Butagaya assisting him, I can’t feel at ease entrusting this case to Aoto!”

“We could consider assigning Butagaya to handle the case, but sending Aoto is absolutely out of the question.”

Usui’s tone brooked no argument.

Arima pressed his lips together, brows slightly furrowed as if carefully considering his words for debate.

The office fell into brief silence.

Soon—this silence was broken by a lazy, deep male voice:

“Ah… I just remembered… Nishino happens to be available right now.”

The speaker was Tōjō, who had been standing silently beside Arima until now.

After yawning loudly and scratching his ample belly, Tōjō continued unhurriedly:

“The case Nishino was handling was successfully resolved several days ago.”

“He currently has the time and energy to take on another investigation.”

“Oh? Nishino is available?”

Upon hearing Nishino’s name from Tōjō, Usui’s expression immediately changed completely from when Aoto’s name was mentioned.

His lips curled upward, eyes lighting up.

Tōjō nodded: “He should be patrolling his assigned district now. I can recall him at any time.”

Usui placed his right hand on the desk again, tapping rhythmically with his index finger.

“Hmm… Since Nishino is available… let’s assign him to this case!”

“By sending our Northern Watchhouse Teimachi Squad’s ‘top crime-solver’ to handle this, even if it ultimately goes unsolved, no one can accuse our magistrate office of not taking it seriously like they did three years ago.”

“Understood.” Tōjō replied flatly, “I’ll recall Nishino immediately.”

Seeing Usui decide to assign Nishino from the “Tōjō Group” to the case, Arima froze momentarily before gritting his teeth:

“Magistrate, please…”

“No more words, Arima.” Usui said dismissively, “I won’t repeat what I’ve already told you.”

“I’ve decided Nishino will handle this case.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Arima slowly lowered his head:

“…Yes. I understand.”

……

……

Edo, Kiyayanagi Town, Granny Apple’s murder scene—

—What’s this idiot Aoto doing… why’s he staring at Granny Apple’s house like that?

Watching Aoto who had been contemplatively observing Granny Apple’s house, Hairo couldn’t help curling his lip.

As the household head working at Kiyayanagi Town’s jishinban office, Hairo was semi-official himself.

Thus—he’d heard of “Idiot Aoto” and how the nickname came about.

Hairo particularly despised incompetent officials who held positions without merit.

As a commoner, unless he somehow obtained samurai status, he could never hold an official position.

This caste restriction doomed him to remain a “town official” forever.

These born samurai possessed privileges commoners could never achieve through lifetime effort, yet they squandered such fortunate birthrights!

Regarding “Idiot Aoto,” Hairo felt not just disgust but utter contempt.

Only someone truly talentless could accumulate so many ridiculous incidents—like accidentally destroying crime scenes or mixing up victim information—within just half a year of appointment.

“…Hairo.”

Hearing Aoto’s sudden address, Hairo quickly straightened his expression: “Yes?”

Aoto shifted his gaze from Granny Apple’s house to Hairo: “Could you gather Granny Apple’s neighbors for me?”

“Granny Apple’s… neighbors?”

“Yes, I have some questions for them.”

—Questions… what’s this idiot planning now…

Despite his disdain, Hairo dared not show his true feelings.

However incompetent, “Idiot Aoto” remained a samurai—a Teimachi Squad constable responsible for maintaining order in Kiyayanagi Town and surrounding areas.

Not just a minor household head like himself—even their “town self-governing organization’s” leader wouldn’t dare show Aoto disrespect.

Not daring to voice any objection, Hairo outwardly smiled while inwardly cursing as he obediently sent people to summon the neighbors.

Soon, jishinban clerks brought over a dozen neighbors—men and women, old and young.

Most wore grief-stricken expressions, with children and women shedding tears.

After confirming their home locations, Aoto got straight to the point:

“Granny Apple was perfectly fine yesterday daytime, correct?”

“Yes…” A balding middle-aged man wiped his eyes while answering weakly, “She was fine yesterday… even chatted with my wife in front of our house yesterday afternoon…”

“Recently, have you noticed Granny Apple behaving unusually? Doing things she normally wouldn’t?”

“No…” the same balding man answered first, “She seemed completely normal… nothing unusual…”

Others echoed this, all claiming they’d noticed nothing abnormal about Granny Apple recently.

“Then… last night, did you hear any strange noises from Granny Apple’s house? Or notice anything odd? Like lights still on very late?”

After exchanging glances, the neighbors all shook their heads—they’d gone to bed early and noticed nothing.

This era lacked entertainment. For commoners, nighttime offered little beyond procreation after dinner. Sleeping by 7 or 8 pm was utterly ordinary.

After more questions, Aoto dismissed them.

“…Hairo.” After the neighbors left, Aoto looked back at Granny Apple’s house.

Hearing Aoto call him again, Hairo immediately leaned slightly forward attentively.

“I need to examine the crime scene inside.”

“Please continue guarding this place strictly—don’t let anyone enter.”

*******

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep