"So that's the story—I'm the one impersonating him, and I've come to expose his true identity."
In a room of Baron Minutes's manor, where the family heirloom had been stolen and still hadn't been found, the head maid was about to see off Tia, a maid who was resigning.
Even being told something like that out of the blue by a boy who'd suddenly shown up, she couldn't believe it.
"Oh, right now, that person will answer any question you'd want to ask. What happened to the maid you were impersonating?"
"How would I know that...! After I touched her and used [Imitation], she was useless, so I killed her and dumped her body in the woods by the road! ...What the hell is this?!"
The mouth of a woman speaking frankly, against her own will.
"So that's the story. Just interrogate her and she'll talk on her own. Anyway, that's that."
And just like when he'd appeared, the boy vanished in an instant.
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Come to think of it, the condition for [Imitation] is physical contact.
The culprit that [Perfect Research] pointed to was someone who'd pulled a lewd move on me in the carriage over here, but was that just them messing with me?
The [Imitation] skill can perfectly replicate not just appearance but voice and mannerisms too, but it seems it can't copy skills.
That said, Tia's own abilities were quite high—she was skilled enough to steal without needing to impersonate me in the first place.
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In the end, Tia was publicly executed by Baron Minutes after being tortured.
For the record, Tia was in such rough shape she couldn't even walk to the execution platform on her own.
She had a Slave Choker on, so she should've spilled everything—yet the fact that she was tortured anyway either meant the baron's rage was that extreme, or it was meant as a warning about what happens when you commit crimes.
Public executions aren't exactly my style, so I figured this should wrap things up.
Just when I thought it was over, I was summoned by Baron Minutes at a later date.
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"Tia really did talk straightforwardly about everything she was asked. I was able to recover the family heirloom without incident, and exposing her other crimes was simple as well, Alan, Orichalcum-rank adventurer. You've been cleared of all charges too."
I was being served tea and snacks in Baron Minutes' reception room.
It seemed I was being welcomed, in a manner of speaking.
"I'm glad to hear that. But what about the people who were punished for crimes they didn't commit because of Tia?"
"We'll publicly release the truth behind each case we extracted from Tia, and take measures to restore the reputation of those individuals. We're also providing the victims and their surviving families with food, clothing, and shelter."
"Your Lordship, forgive me for asking, but haven't the surrounding nobles been calling you soft or spineless?"
"You caught on fast. But I'm used to it. You simply let the words of such heartless nobles pass by."
What a stand-up guy.
"Apparently, Tia found it overwhelmingly pleasurable to watch the people she'd framed get arrested for crimes they didn't commit, screaming and struggling. And when she watched them get executed, she was practically at the point of climax."
Ugh...
Wait— so that's what I nearly got framed for? Me?
"Now, I'd like to ask about your abilities, but I think I'll hold off on that. You seem to have skills that would be useful for apprehending criminals, but would you consider serving in my domain?"
Huh, um, well...
"I was thinking we could arrange it as a case-by-case reward system— only when incidents arise, and you'd be free to do as you please the rest of the time."
This was Baron Minutes offering me a position as his retainer.
For a commoner, these were exceptional terms, and he was clearly no bad noble, but I couldn't accept.
"I'm truly honored by your high opinion of me. However, this case was purely coincidental, so I'd be in trouble if you expected anything further from me."
He said case-by-case, but I could already see how it would gradually turn into full-time service.
Even if the Baron himself had no such intention.
"I see. What a pity. But I can't very well let you walk away with no reward at all. Is there anything you'd like?"
"Well... In that case, how about doubling the reward money?"
"So there's nothing you want. It seems I can't win you over. Very well—I'll grant your wish and double the reward. But do remember, the gates of my baronial house are always open."
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Skills: [Reverse] [Divine Eye] [Sword God] [Fist God] [Spear God] [Scorching Magic] [Freezing Magic] [Clear Gale Magic] [Rock Iron Magic] [Holy Magic] [Dark Magic] [Spacetime Magic] [Thunder God Sword] [Gentleman Thief] [Ninja Master] [Seeker of Truth] [Monstrous Strength] [Pain Dulling] [Complete Status Ailment Resistance] [Dark Spirit's Protection] [Super Intuition] [Heaven's Gate] [Abyss Contractor] [Magic Hand] [Treasure Search] [Seduction] [Eloquence] [Extraordinary Luck]
Rank: Orichalcum
Thank you for reading!