Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 65: The Captive Knight
“What!? Mitsurugi is being put on trial by the Inquisition!?”
After reporting to Lord, Reina also contacted Sieg.
Reina judged that Sieg should be informed of this matter through communication.
“I understand… I’ll see if there’s anything I can do on my end.”
“Yes, please, Papa.”
With that, the transmission ended.
“Issei, do you know what the Inquisition is?”
Standing next to her was Issei Tanaka.
Right now, Sieg was at the research facility where Tanaka was hiding, both for the adjustments and test runs of Takemikazuchi.
“Ah, the Inquisition… It hasn’t been active for a long time, but during wartime, it was quite common.”
“You mean with the EU?”
“Yes, but not just that. It’s an old organization that dates back to the era when battles were fought with swords and guns. Its purpose is…”
The Inquisition had a long history—just as long as the military itself.
In other words, it was established alongside the Asgard Empire.
And its purpose was clear.
“To root out rebels. But their methods are beyond brutal.”
“Are you saying… they use torture?”
“Yeah… But Mitsurugi is now Lord’s knight and the Holy Knight Commander. He holds an important position, and with the Imperial Sword Martial Festival coming up, they shouldn’t be using their usual methods. However…”
(Those bastards know exactly how to break people… Damn it. I can’t believe they’d use such an underhanded tactic.)
Sieg’s biggest concern—
Mitsurugi was not a soldier who had undergone special training.
If tortured, he might break easily.
And if that happened, he could reveal the truth—that he was originally from Japan.
If that secret got out, it would be the end.
Lord’s influence would crumble, and Mitsurugi would be executed.
(I’ll have to rely on those guys…)
With that in mind, Sieg reached out to an old comrade—someone who had once fought by his side on the battlefield.
“Hey, it’s me. Sieg… You’re as loud as ever. Yeah, yeah. Listen, I need a favor. Just like old times. Thanks… Actually—”
And another call—to a junior who had once looked up to him.
“Hey, it’s been a while. What? No, this isn’t a date. I’m a 40-year-old man, you know? And I have kids… Alright, alright. Do me a favor, and we’ll meet up after a long time.”
For now, he would rely on whatever resources he could.
“Hang in there, Mitsurugi. Just one week. Once the Imperial Sword Martial Festival begins, you’ll be released. And if you win, everything will be resolved.”
…
“This is so boring…”
Kenya sat by the window, hugging his knees for some reason.
Apparently, in Kansai, this position was called the “triangle sit”—not that it mattered, but he was so bored that even trivial thoughts like that occupied his mind.
“I wish I had something to entertain myself with. There’s nothing to do, so I guess I’ll just sleep…”
Kenya lay down on the bed.
When there was nothing to do, sleeping was the best option.
“It’s too hard. No blankets, and it’s freezing…”
The prison bed was as hard as stone, and Asgard was a cold country.
It had been half a year since the entrance ceremony—now it was around December.
“Come to think of it, Christmas is coming up. I thought this year, I could finally avoid spending it alone with Reina… but here I am.”
Of course, this world didn’t have the concept of Christmas.
After all, Christmas itself was tied to a specific birthday, and unfortunately, that tradition didn’t exist in this world.
Kenya gazed out the window for a while.
The air from outside was chilly against his skin.
This cell was completely exposed to the cold.
“Since this is a prison, that means other people have been locked up here before me… No blankets in this freezing place? That’s just cruel. I want to go home—to a warm bed, heated by Reina’s body warmth…”
As he indulged in those thoughts, a soldier appeared.
“It’s time. Step out.”
“Finally…”
Kenya was led down a long stone hallway.
When they reached the door and stepped inside, he found himself in a massive room.
(This looks exactly like a courtroom.)
It was just like the courtrooms he had seen in his previous world.
The only difference was that there was no audience seating—just Kenya standing there and several military officials, likely the judges, sitting before him.
“Now then, Sword Sylphid. Stand there.”
Kenya was made to stand in front of them.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sound of a gavel echoed through the dimly lit room.
Thus began Kenya’s Inquisition trial.
The soldiers looked down at him, as if appraising his worth.
And yet, Kenya still did not fully grasp what was about to unfold.
He had no idea of Odin’s schemes.
Nor did he realize that from this moment on, his personal hell was about to begin.
…
“It seems to have started, Catherine.”
“Yes, Odin-sama. I’ll join later.”
“When I first heard about your plan, I thought you were truly a vile woman.”
“Oh, Odin-sama! Please, don’t flatter me so much.”
In Odin’s chamber, a woman called Catherine sat on his lap.
She was beautiful—yet had the air of a wicked witch.
“The Imperial Sword Martial Festival is unavoidable, and so is a one-on-one duel. But if Lord’s knight were to be killed, it would be a huge problem. It would lead to civil unrest… no, even an outright civil war.”
“Indeed. I don’t think Osiris will lose, but there is always a risk. That’s why…”
“Yes, we’ll make sure Sword Sylphid is weakened—so much that he can’t even think properly. With this.”
Catherine waved a small pouch of white powder.
It was clearly some kind of drug.
“This is a mild poison. It’s not lethal, and it will dissipate from the body quickly. However, it will temporarily lower his cognitive functions and weaken his immune system. It’s so subtle that it won’t be detected.”
“Ah, that won’t leave any evidence. But it’s troublesome… We still need to leave him with just enough strength to fight.”
“The Sword Martial Art Festival is about fighting and winning. No one will be satisfied with a default victory. However, if you show up carelessly and get cut down… If that happens, even Lord-sama, Asgard, and perhaps even the world itself—”
Catherine wraps her arms around Odin’s neck.
“It is yours, Odin-sama.”
“If you succeed, I will give you a country of your choice. Enjoy ruling it. It will be your reward.”
“Oh my, what a wonderful present. If I get a whole country, even if I kill and kill every day, it won’t be enough. I’m drooling just thinking about it.”
“Hmph. You’re just like my sister.”
“It’s an honor. Ymir-sama was my idol…”
“By now, they must be screaming… They’re quite extreme. I’m sure they’ll take care of it without me saying a word.”
Odin then shifts his gaze to a boy standing nearby.
“Still, to think that a seed I planted long ago would sprout here… Do it well.”
“…Yes. Odin-sama should be Emperor. The world must be unified.”
The boy’s glasses glint, and behind them, his eyes burn with hatred.
—
The Heresy Inquisition.
“I-I’ve already told you!”
“Don’t raise your voice. Honestly… This is why tainted blood… Mixing even half of an inferior species’ blood makes one this unstable…”
Kenya is being interrogated at the Inquisition.
He doesn’t even know how many times he’s had to repeat himself. He’s lost track of what they’re even asking.
And they keep calling him “tainted blood.”
In the Empire, it’s a well-known slur against half-bloods. Officially, its use is prohibited, but among the older generation, many still say it.
“Now, I’ll ask again. Why did you attack our army and commit treason?”
“I already told you! Lord-sama ordered me not to kill the resistance. How many times do I have to say it?!”
“When did you receive that order? Were you given direct communication at the time?”
“N-no. I don’t know who contacted Lord-sama, but… It was something we were always instructed to follow.”
“So you weren’t ordered in that moment, but rather, you acted based on your own interpretation of Lord-sama’s ideology?”
“N-no!”
“Answer with yes or no.”
“B-but—”
“Yes or no. Do you not understand words?”
“I did not interpret it on my own—”
BANG!
The sound of a gavel slamming down.
The sharp noise forces Kenya’s attention back and fuels his irritation.
Like the sudden blare of a car horn from behind.
“When I say answer yes or no, you will answer accordingly!”
“T-then… no!”
“So, you were given a direct order at that moment from Lord-sama?”
“I’m telling you… that’s not—”
Kenya endures this back-and-forth interrogation all day.
Meanwhile, his interrogators sit comfortably, take breaks, and swap out. But Kenya isn’t even allowed to sit.
It’s already evening. His stomach growls, and he’s drained of energy.
“This is getting nowhere. Let’s move on. You injured many soldiers that day. Do you understand that?”
“…Yes.”
“Between the inferior species and the Asgardians, who do you value more?”
“I can’t answer that in absolute terms.”
“I’m asking who you would save. There are only two choices: the inferior species or the Asgardians.”
“……”
BANG!
“Speak up!”
“I don’t have an answer to that.”
“Heh, I see. So you really are a traitor. Let’s see how long you can keep up that attitude.”
One of the soldiers exchanges a glance with another, signaling.
A waiting soldier steps forward, holding a club-like baton designed for beating people.
“Keep hitting him until he gives an answer. We’ll break his defiant spirit.”
“Ugh! What the hell is your goal?!”
“Our goal? We’re simply questioning you, a suspected traitor. If you answer, nothing will happen. It’s in your best interest to speak quickly.”
The soldier raises his baton.
Kenya instinctively lifts his arms to block the blow.
“Stop!”
But the baton never falls.
A commanding voice halts the action.
“Org-sama!? And Lamia-sama?!”
The soldiers immediately bow to the two figures who have just entered.
“Org and Lamia…”
Kenya remembers.
A towering, rock-like man with a booming voice—one of the Empire’s Three Great Heroes, Org Obelisk, who had been present during Kensei’s interview.
“You are not permitted to raise your hand against this child. I order you to conduct a proper interrogation.”
And beside him, a woman.
She appears to be in her thirties, a strikingly beautiful career woman with long blonde hair.
She winks at Kenya.
(With this, I’ve earned some points with your father ♥ One day, I’ll be your mama, Lamia speaking~)
Kenya sensed some kind of intent behind that wink, but since it had stopped him from being beaten, he bowed his head in gratitude.
“Org-sama, Lamia-sama. However, this is an order from Lord Odin…”
“Yes, we are aware. That is why we cannot stop the inquisition itself. However, we have been instructed by Odin-sama to conduct it properly.”
“…That means…”
“Odin-sama has ordered that the interrogation must continue without laying a single hand on Sword Sylphid. Understood? Also, I will leave this man here as an observer.”
“…Understood. Hey!”
“Yes, sir!”
The soldier holding the baton steps away from Kenya.
Then, another soldier approaches Kenya.
“Lielbert!?”
The young man stands beside Kenya and whispers.
“Sorry for keeping quiet. I’m one of Lord’s subordinates. I’ve been acting under a concealed identity… Basically, an undercover mission.”
“S-so that’s how it was…”
That soldier—Lielbert—is a friend of Kenya’s from the Special A Class.
But in reality, Lielbert was an agent of Lord, conducting espionage.
He had been ordered to infiltrate the Special A Class while hiding his true strength, all to keep an eye on Kenya.
With Lielbertt watching over him, the inquisitors, unable to resort to violence, glare at Kenya with frustration.
Sensing this, Org shouts loudly, as if delivering a final blow.
“Son of Sieg! We can’t stop the inquisition, but if they lay a hand on you, remember their faces!”
His voice carries not just through the room, but across the entire floor.
“I’ll personally beat the hell out of them afterward! Got it!? Stay strong, kid!”
With that, Org leaves the room.
“Sword-kun, do your best, okay? Once this is over, I’ll pat you on the head like a good boy.”
Lamia winks before following Org out, making sure to send a clear warning to the soldiers: Do not harm Kenya.
The pressure is effective. He can feel their attitude toward him softening.
(Org-san is a good guy… And Lamia-san… She gives off such a motherly vibe…)
As soon as that thought crosses his mind, Kenya’s exhaustion momentarily fades.
“Then, today’s inquisition is over. Dismissed.”
“Today? What do you mean?”
“Obviously, we still have many more questions to ask and must confirm whether or not you’re a traitor!”
Kenya had assumed it would all end today.
Instead, he’s taken back to the cell where he had been waiting earlier.
At this point, even he realizes the real objective.
“So this is Odin’s plan—to wear me down.”
“Sword-kun, here’s your meal. It’s not much, but…”
“…Is this all?”
“Sorry, the surveillance is strict… I even managed to sneak in extra bread. Just endure it, Sword-kun. Lord-sama is making his move.”
Lielbert hands him two pieces of bread, a bowl of soup, and some water.
For a growing boy like Kenya, it’s nowhere near enough.
But if he doesn’t keep up his strength, he won’t last the week.
Thankfully, thanks to Orggand Lamia, he won’t have to worry about physical abuse.
All he has to do now is endure the daily inquisition.
Kenya quickly devours his food, then lies down, trying to conserve as much energy as possible for the next day.
The night wind is cold.
There are no blankets.
Curling his body tightly, he shivers as he falls asleep.
(It’s okay, Lord. I won’t lose.)
Kenya steels his resolve.
If this is already a battle, then he will endure the week—and defeat Osiris.
Then, peace will come to the world.
—
“Did he eat properly?”
“Yes, he finished everything.”
“I see. Tomorrow should be interesting. Though, I doubt he’ll be breaking anytime soon.”
A beautiful witch smiles at the man.
She is Odin’s secretary and mistress—Catherine.
Her lips curl into a faint smirk.
“A week from now will be quite the sight.”