Jack of All Trades, Party of None

"Hmm? Orun Dura, is it? Could it be that you’ve also caught wind of this trading company’s misdeeds? Impressive. Perhaps letting you leave the hero party was a mistake after all."

Marquis Forgus locked his gaze on me and spoke smoothly, as if reciting lines he had prepared in advance.

"…Long time no see, Lord Forgus. I hope you don’t mind my boldness, but could you tell me about the misdeeds you uncovered?"

"Hmm, yes. You have a right to know, considering you’re here. Actually, I’ve been hearing dark rumors about the Flockhart Trading Company for some time now. It's a company I’ve had a long-standing relationship with. I initially thought someone jealous was spreading baseless rumors, so I investigated. But just recently, my subordinates brought me information confirming that this company really has gotten involved in human trafficking—"

"W-what are you saying?! Isn't this your own doing?"

Pascal interrupted Marquis Forgus, his voice trembling as he insisted that the accusations came from Forgus’s orders.

No doubt, what Pascal said was probably true.

However—

"You say I gave such an inhumane order? How dare you insult me so! To claim I would instruct such a dehumanizing act—how can you lie so brazenly? It’s shameful to think I was ever close to someone like you."

"……"

Pascal looked stunned, as if witnessing something unbelievable.

"This man claims the orders came from Lord Clive. Is that truly a lie?"

A stern-looking soldier clad in armor, who had come with Marquis Forgus, spoke up.

(This must mean Marquis Forgus has cut ties with the Flockhart Trading Company. But whether that was his own decision or forced upon him changes the story significantly.)

◆

The grim-faced man who appeared with Marquis Forgus is a well-known military figure called the Purger.

His name is Lester Huston, and he commands the Central Army’s 4th division.

The Central Army is the royal family’s military force, consisting of the first through fourth divisions.

Each division has its own specialties. The 4th division is smaller in number than the others but is more agile and primarily focuses on intelligence gathering.

Why does this division commander have such an imposing nickname as "the Purger"?

Because he relentlessly punishes wrongdoers, regardless of whether they are nobles.

He is highly trusted by the royal family and is therefore untouchable, but nobles resent him.

On the other hand, he is quite popular among the common people.

It’s a bit strange that the leader of an intelligence-focused division is so well-known, but then again, the 4th division seems to operate under his cover, so it might be part of information control.

And I don’t like Lester Huston.

Sure, he probably does the right thing.

There are stories of him punishing counts without mercy and rescuing oppressed subjects.

But what he does is only the punishment part.

He leaves the aftermath to others.

When someone commits a misdeed right before his eyes, he punishes them. That’s it.

That’s not necessarily bad, but I’ve heard quite a few stories where victims suffered even worse after the punishment.

That leaves me with a poor impression of him.

◆

Given all this, it’s possible Marquis Forgus had no choice but to cut ties with the Flockhart Trading Company because Lester Huston was about to catch him red-handed.

"Of course not. There’s no way I gave such an order. Pascal, you’re trying to set me up, so you must have solid evidence."

"Th-that’s… it was all verbal…"

"Hmph, that’s no good. Lester, you don’t really believe I’m involved, do you?"

"...Looks like this time you missed. But I will expose your crimes in broad daylight, Marquis Forgus. — Arrest the four individuals on the ground and the head of the Flockhart Trading Company on charges of child abduction."

"Y-yes, sir!"

"Rather than chasing after things that don’t exist, I think you soldiers have plenty of other things to do."

Pascal muttered, "It’s a lie, it must be a mistake," but did not resist as the soldiers restrained him.