Chapter 436 – Interrogation
The news wasn’t even interested in Rebellion rescuing slaves.
It was only reporting that Rebellion had stolen the magic stone from the Debodu power plant storage.
『Look at this! The vicious terrorist group has finally revealed its true nature!』
『They may even be using the slaves they robbed from innocent citizens under the pretext of emancipating them for secret backroom deals!!』
The panelists on the news were spitting and criticizing Rebellion.
『The stock price of security themes rose slightly, perhaps because the theft of Rebellion’s power plant magic stone was so shocking.』
“Master. Rebellion, it looks like you’re in big trouble? Before, it felt like you were a slightly illegal apostle of justice, but now it feels like you’ve been branded a completely vicious criminal organization!”
They say that a big problem has occurred, but the sight of Suni half-lying on the sofa watching television gives the impression of someone watching a house on fire.
It may sound like nothing to them, but I couldn’t help but feel a little stung.
“…”
My head was spinning for the first time in a long time.
Zaid said during the first operational briefing.
With this operation, all security data inside the power plant will be lost.
That means there is no video left at the power plant showing me stealing the magic stone.
And Rebellion doesn’t know that I have inventory.
I don’t know anything about my abilities as much as my claws.
What he meant was that there was no actual evidence that I had taken the magic stone.
Still, Rebellion knows that the power plant is the place where Zaid, Linnet, and I carried out our mission.
“…”
It is inevitable to be suspected by Rebellion.
But wouldn’t it be difficult to think for sure that I stole the Magic Stone?
Once I had a rough calculation, I was able to make up my mind.
‘Let’s pretend not to know.’
If I keep my mouth shut, no one will know.
〈Where is your conscience?〉
My strong heart did not waver despite the abuse of the angel of conscience, Cosmos.
It doesn’t look like they’ll be arrested and interrogated…
I wouldn’t know if you put clear evidence in front of me.
Until then, I decided to ignore it.
A vibration occurred on the smartphone.
The number of people I can contact through my smartphone is limited. First, it’s not just three people sitting on the sofa and watching television.
“…”
I gently placed my smartphone on the table and carefully headed to the capsule to access Pantera.
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The incident in which all the refined magic stones in the magic stone storage were stolen from the Debodu Magic Power Plant naturally reached the ears of the four people who could be said to be the leaders of Rebellion.
Debodu’s operation itself was a successful success.
It’s all over.
But something happened in an unexpected place.
They knew that Rebellion’s actions were terrorism.
For something like this, public support was important, so I was even more careful.
Above all, the biggest thing was that there were very few Zephyrians who owned slaves.
Rebellion was aware that their actions were criminal, and tried not to cross the line as much as possible.
Although he used somewhat violent methods, he never committed murder, even if it meant ending up in the hospital.
Therefore, Rebellion’s reputation among the public was not bad.
Despite such efforts, the situation became quite difficult as reports appeared that Rebellion was pursuing self-interest.
It’s not like something like this hasn’t happened before.
Most of them were absurd rumors and could be explained without difficulty.
But this time was different.
This happened at Rebellion’s operation location.
It is true that the power plant’s security and management system was paralyzed, and Rebellion could not avoid responsibility.
The four people who ran Rebellion felt the seriousness of this incident and held an urgent meeting, albeit via video.
『Call the team that deployed to the Debodu Power Plant.』
They decided to hastily call the team that carried out the Devodeau power plant operation and ask what happened.
However, only two people could be contacted.
『Who is that person called Bakk?』
『I can’t contact you. It’s not like it leaked somewhere else. I went into the house. Looking at the access to virtual reality, it feels like I’m in Pantera…』
Cowra, who contacted Bark, responded.
『… You are diligent. I can’t help it. Let’s listen to the two of them first.』
Cloud thought that it was enough for the two of them to know the circumstances of the incident. And I decided to do their interrogation alone.
Who managed Rebellion and how many people managed it was a complete secret.
Cloud’s face on the screen changed to a grave face. The face and voice altered for interrogation are basic.
After completing preparations, Cloud attempted to connect with the two people to be interrogated.
The two screens have been enlarged.
The faces of Zaid and Lynette appeared on the screen.
After confirming that it was connected, Cloud spoke first.
『My name is Lau, and I am investigating this matter. Zaid. You probably know why I called you, right?』
Cloud first asked Zaid, the leader of the operation, a question.
『Of course.』
『Do you know what happened?』
『The culprit of the magic stone theft incident is clearly Bark.』
『… Bark? He is the culprit of the magic stone theft?』
Cloud was more embarrassed than surprised by Zaid’s shocking remarks.
He called me in the first place to understand the situation.
It didn’t even occur to me that they were the culprits.
『Yes, that’s right.』
“Yes?! Bark can’t do that!』
In response to Zaid’s firm answer, Lynette intervened and strongly denied it.
『Linette, don’t let your personal feelings ruin things, he is clear.』
『S-It’s not a personal feeling! Mr. Bark is not the person to do such a thing!』
Cloud was puzzled by the dramatically different opinions of the two, but decided to mediate.
『Both of you, stop it. Our words are different. Then, let’s listen to each person one by one. Zaid, why do you think he robbed the magic stone vault?』
『That’s… Me and Lynette infiltrated different buildings and paralyzed the power plant’s systems, and Bark was the only human outside. He was the only human who could access the magic stone vault.』
Cloud still couldn’t understand it.
Rebellion’s mission prohibits possession of equipment other than that provided. And with that equipment, you can’t do anything about the lock on the power plant’s magic stone storage.
『Zayd. Did you see him stealing the magic stone?』
『No… No.』
『But why do you think that?』
『Well, that is…』
Zaid was speechless for a moment.
It was just an intuition that was close to certainty that Bark would have done that.
It’s not just an intuition.
He had an intuition that was close to a superpower that only he knew.
『Is it just a case of heart disease?』
The problem is that it is an ability that is difficult to receive recognition from others.
『Yes… That’s right.』
“Even though pit bulls are heavy machines, they can’t break through the thick locks in the locker room. Even if you are a veteran of safecracking, it is impossible to collect all the magic stones in the vault in such a short period of time without any preparation or proper equipment.』
『Is that so.』
Despite Cloud’s logical words, it was difficult for Zaid to understand. But he knew that if he insisted any longer, he would only be seen as a herd, so he had no choice but to pretend to agree.
『Then, let’s listen to Lynette. Why do you think Bark is not the culprit?』
『Of course it’s not Bark! As Lau said, there was neither the time nor the equipment, and he was the one who came to my rescue without hesitation even when I was being chased by the Predator. I can’t believe that such a person would have stolen the magic stone from the magic stone storage. Even if he has the ability to do that, he is not the type of person to do that!』
Lynette spoke passionately in defense of Bark.
『The Predator has appeared?』
“Yes? Yes…』
『Can you tell me more about that?』
『Of course!』
Lynette praised Bark’s performance, spitting out his mouth. He saved himself. Even dealing with the Predator.
『There was a fight with Zayd?』
『Yes… I guess Bark didn’t like the fact that he went against Zaid’s instructions and saved me.』
『What?! That’s it!! 』
Zaid didn’t know it at the time, but in hindsight, she felt like she was trash.
『Zayd, do you have anything to correct about this?』
『… There is… Nothing.』
Cloud gave him a chance to explain, but Zaid could not refute.
Because what I said to Bark who saved Lynette was also true.
There will probably be evidence left on the transport ship.
It would be pathetic to make any more excuses here.
Zaid suddenly turned into a piece of trash who would scold the person who saved his comrade.
As Cloud listened to Lynette’s story, he could understand why their opinions were so sharply divided.
After listening to both Zaid and Lynette’s testimony, Cloud disconnected.
And I asked the three people who had watched their interrogation from the beginning: Claire, Kaura, and Hermann.
『What do you guys think?』
