Published: September 10, 2025
Satou here. I’m not great with serious mysteries, but I’m pretty fond of detective TV dramas. Maybe because they’re short, the culprit is often obvious from the start, or there’s an obviously suspicious character, which makes it easy for amateur viewers like me to follow along.
◇
“All right, next one.”
In the room reserved for the trial before the gods, which we booked through the shrine maiden of the central temple, I’m conducting an inspection.
Helping me with the inspection are six companions: the beast girls summoned from the isolated island palace, plus Mia, Nana, and Mito.
Since we’ve closed off the room this time, there’s no risk of them becoming targets of discrimination.
“Hamburg steak is delicious.”
One by one, my companions answer my question.
“Yes!”
“That’s right! Mr. Hamburg is the strongest!”
“It’s a bit soft, but tasty.”
“I declare that the deliciousness of hamburg steak is the truth.”
“Hm.”
“That’s right.”
The golden scale tips towards my side.
“Now it’s my turn, right? Hamburg is so-so.”
Mito, standing across from me, asks a prearranged question.
“Really?”
“That’s not true! Mr. Hamburg is very, very tasty!”
“Some might find the softness a bit off, but I think the hamburg itself is delicious.”
“I protest and object to that evaluation.”
“Hmm.”
The golden scale doesn’t budge.
“That’s right, it’s so-so.”
I say something I don’t really believe, but the golden scale remains steady.
Apparently, when there’s a discrepancy between what you speak aloud and what you truly think, the inner truth takes precedence.
I notice a gaze and look down to find Pochi and Tama staring up at me with sad faces.
“Saying it was so-so was a lie.”
“Phew.”
“Tama’s relieved, but lying is bad.”
Patting Tama’s head as she relaxes and Pochi’s in a “no way!” pose, I organize the inspection results in my mind.
“—I think I mostly understand the mechanism.”
I conclude the inspection.
“Is it over?”
“Yeah, thanks to everyone, I fully grasped it.”
“I’m honored to be of help.”
“No worries~”
“That’s great.”
“Master, what’s the next support task?”
“Was that good?”
I thank the beast girls, Nana, Mia, and Mito who helped with the inspection.
They’re so straightforward that the golden scale’s verification finished quickly.
I express my gratitude and send my companions back to the base.
Of course, I plan to treat them to a full-course hamburg meal as thanks for their cooperation.
I thank the shrine maiden who reserved the room and return to the airship moored on the outskirts of the city.
We don’t plan to take off, but the espionage defenses there are solid.
◇
“Well then—”
Since there seems to be time before Chuuta and the others, who were teleported to the underground passage of the reconnaissance building, take their positions, I’ll try gathering information using spatial magic.
“Usually, I’d start with the king, but—”
This country has a political system close to ancient Greece’s direct democracy, so there’s no king.
Someone must control the city core, but the map search didn’t find anyone matching that.
Maybe the city core’s control is also split according to political structures.
It’s interesting; perhaps I’ll try this on a random city core when I have free time.
“For now, let’s try the director of the central judicial bureau.”
Based on the map’s location data, I’m about to activate spatial magic but hesitate.
If the country’s security is poor and crime rampant, they might have anti-detection magical devices.
Also, senior bureaucrats in this judicial nation Sherifard have a status similar to nobles elsewhere, so they might have city core terminals.
If they have a city core terminal, they can set up anti-detection barriers.
So I cast anti-detection spatial magic first, then use spatial magic’s clairvoyance and distant ear.
The director of the central judicial bureau is a portly, balding middle-aged man.
“—Who’s there!”