I Become a Secret Police Officer of The Imperial Academy

Chapter 10

After finishing my conversation with Ethel, I returned to the classroom and found Isabel lying on a makeshift bed she’d built out of desks.

“Oh, Ellen? You weren’t around this morning—where did you go?”

“I just went for a walk to get some fresh air.”

“By the way, you seem especially tired today. Don’t tell me… did you get yourself a boyfriend or something?”

I had assumed Isabel wouldn’t be attending the academy until classes resumed, but she’s been coming every single day.

It’s a bit of a problem.

Normally, I’d just leave it to the other friends to deal with, but right now, I don’t have that option.

“…It’s just, a lot’s been going on.”

“Is it something you can’t tell me about?”

She leaned in, closing the distance between us, as if trying to pry into my secrets.

“It’s because my parents passed away. It’s been tough.”

“…When you say that, it makes me feel like I’m the bad guy for asking.”

Even when I gave her a difficult answer like that, she didn’t seem to have any intention of backing off.

“I’m just kidding. I figured you wouldn’t be coming to school until classes resumed, but here you are every day. It’s a little surprising.”

“I was worried about you.”

That’s not good.

She should be worried about something—or someone—else.

I’m used to being the one leading conversations, but it’s been a long time since I’ve let someone else take control like this.

“Hearing something like that makes me want to fall for you.”

“Anyway, want to go see Theo?”

“He’s probably training right now. We shouldn’t interrupt him…”

“Training? More like flirting with some demon girl.”

“Ah, that must be that thing he picked up and started raising.”

Theo treats demons and humans with the same kindness and righteousness.

It wouldn’t be surprising if she’s already fallen for him.

She’s half-human, so there’s no need to get rid of her, and I suppose it’s fine to leave her be.

“‘Raising’ her? You’re talking about a person like she’s livestock.”

Ah, right.

This is the academy.

To the world, Ellen is just a normal, frail-looking girl.

Not a counselor who “lightly disposes” of disobedient demons and trains them for re-entry into plantations.

Lately, I’ve been going out too often at night to capture demons, dispose of them, and have conversations with the antisocial guests who hide them.

I’d almost forgotten.

Or maybe this is because I just finished facing Ethel.

I’m not really sure.

Now that I think about it, I lost my composure in front of Theo the other day too.

In moments like this, the best course of action is to blush, act embarrassed, and twist my body like an innocent girl.

If I do that, they’ll believe me without question.

“Ah, um, I was just reading a novel earlier, and it had that kind of story in it.”

“Oh… So, it was one of those novels, huh?”

“You really don’t need to bring it up like that.”

“Anyway, I’ve been so sluggish lately since I haven’t moved around properly for a while.”

“How about a sparring match for old times’ sake?”

“Uh, o-okay.”

***

When I went with Isabel to the training grounds, I saw the “half-wit” we rescued last time, watching as Theo trained his body.

Every now and then, she’d casually touch his arm muscles.

Maybe they’re already dating.

If he really does start dating that girl, how would the story play out?

If it’s going to be about saving oppressed demons… I don’t even want to think about it.

How many people would I have to send after Theo to capture him?

He’s already one of the top-ranked fighters at the academy, so killing him would be no easy feat.

Should I invite him to the mansion and dispose of him there?

As I frowned and stared at Theo, Isabel spoke up in a loud, excited voice.

“Look at her, isn’t she super pretty?

She might just steal Theo away from us at this rate!”

She nudged me with her elbow as she spoke.

Seems like Isabel likes Theo.

Not that I have any intention of helping her.

Besides, no matter how “pretty” a pet is, it’s still a step below a human.

Unless, of course, the person in question is a depraved beast-lover.

I suppose I could throw a few encouraging words her way just for fun.

“Then you should try to get even closer to Theo than that pretty thing.

Why don’t you just snatch him up for yourself? Beat her to it, and it’s all yours.”

“Y-you think I could? It’d be okay for me to get that close to Theo too, right…?”

I shrugged.

“Why are you asking me? Do whatever you want.”

Meanwhile, the half-wit sidled up even closer to Theo.

She slipped her arm through his and pressed herself against him.

Disgusting.

No, no.

It doesn’t matter to me who gets involved with pets or how they do it.

My job is to capture and punish demons, not to go after insane humans engaging in unspeakable acts with beasts.

Anyway, after hearing what I said, Isabel called out in a loud voice, “Theo!” and ran toward him like she was throwing herself at him.

For some reason, after talking for a bit, the two of them suddenly started sparring.

Is that how they communicate? With their bodies?

Theo fought with a weapon in hand, but for some reason, the two of them were engaged in a fistfight.

Or maybe they were practicing some sort of martial art.

I wasn’t particularly interested in their fight.

Anyway, I sat down in a suitable spot inside the training ground and watched them from a distance. That’s when Theo’s pet spoke to me.

“You’re the one who saved me last time, right? Thank you for that.”

I didn’t expect her to start talking to me first.

“Hm, if you’re grateful, just keep your mouth shut. Getting a thank-you from a demon is just disgusting.”

Her face twisted with mild irritation, and she barked back.

“Ah, um… I just wanted to say thank you, that’s all…”

“I said I don’t need it.”

“Did I do something wrong to you?”

“Yeah.”

“…I don’t remember doing anything, though.”

“You’re still breathing, aren’t you? If you’re so clueless, go hang yourself right now, or get lost, you filthy whore.”

Her lips quivered, and she bit down on them, clearly furious.

If I cut off those horns sticking out of her head, she might look a little cute.

Neither Isabel nor Theo was in sight anymore.

“Calling a succubus a ‘whore’ is a serious insult, you know.”

“You’re not even a succubus. You’re not human, either.

Wherever you go, you’ll be rejected.

You have no use in this world beyond spreading your legs, so why don’t you quit talking so much?”

Grind, grind.

It’s been a while since I’ve heard the sound of teeth grinding like that.

Is that just a trait of demons?

The ones leading their little band of thieves last time also ground their teeth like crazy when I cursed them out.

“…For someone who looks so innocent, you sure have a foul mouth.”

“And for a pet that’s been locked up by its master, you have a surprisingly refined way of speaking. Didn’t your mother teach you the kind of words prostitutes use?”

“She’s dead. Your humans beat her to death on the street. After that, my father completely broke down.”

“Sounds like things worked out nicely for you.”

“I hope your whole family died that day too—”

I drew my pistol from my coat with my right hand and grabbed her throat with my left as I lunged at her.

Her head hit the ground, but she’d be fine—she’s sturdy, after all.

Probably.

I slammed her face with the grip of the pistol and let out a deep sigh.

I really need to get this temper under control.

With the muzzle pressed against her forehead, I felt a sudden urge to pull the trigger and shut this filthy beast’s mouth for good.

But then I remembered—this isn’t the conference room.

This is the academy.

“What’s wrong? Are you actually going to shoot me?”

This sly demon knew all too well that I wouldn’t shoot her.

“Who knows? Even if I did, it wouldn’t be a problem for me.”

“My father is a Count—ugh!”

I shoved the muzzle of the pistol into her mouth.

It looked almost fitting, like she was sucking on something she was well-practiced at.

“I don’t care if your father is a Count or a Marquis.

It doesn’t matter.

I’m not scared of him, and even if I killed him, there’d be no consequences for me.

So why don’t you take this opportunity to learn to keep your mouth shut?

If you so much as tell Theo, I’ll have my men carve up your father first.”

Of course, it would be a real pain if she actually did tell him.

Even when surrounded by people with a noose around her neck, she barely showed a reaction.

But the feeling of cold metal pressing against the back of her throat must have been a first for her, as she coughed and gagged violently.

When I finally pulled the muzzle out of her mouth, she gasped for air, her senses seemingly returning.

“Gathering up anyone even remotely connected to demons into one place, are you…?”

“Shut up. What are you going to do about it if you know?”

I’m irritated.

Something about this is bothering me.

And, as expected, Theo and Isabel walked into the building.

Good thing I’d pulled the gun out of her mouth in time.

That was close.

As always, I have a sharp sense for these things.

Maybe I’ve got a Spider-Man-like sixth sense or something.

Theo and Isabel approached, looking a bit awkward, like they’d been doing something behind the building.

“Ah, um, d-did you two have a little chat while we were sparring?”

“Just a light conversation. But why are you stuttering all of a sudden, senior?”

“Ah, I was just sparring with Isabel for the first time in a while, so… it’s a bit, y’know, different.”

Did they hook up or something?

Why is he being so awkward with his words?

And with Isabel’s face a little flushed, it’s possible they just kissed or something.

“By the way, Theo, Isabel.

I’m thinking of staying home until classes resume.

I think I’ve caught a cold or something—I’ve been feeling really tired lately.”

“Ah, if you’re sick, you should rest! Right, Theo?”

“Y-yeah, yeah.”

Why are they both stuttering like this?

Their faces are a little red, too.

They’re probably planning to do something as soon as I leave.

Not that it has anything to do with me.

If it were the old me, I might have found it a little amusing.

Love stories are either beautiful or scandalous—either way, they’re entertaining.

Before heading back to the mansion, I took a detour to the slums.

If I hunt a few demons, I’ll be able to sleep peacefully without tossing and turning.

Just a few catches, then I’ll head to the underground conference room and relieve some stress.

I felt a presence behind me, but I was too lost in thought to pay it any attention.