Inspector—a position established by His Great, Benevolent, and Wise Majesty the Emperor to mediate conflicts between commoners and nobles, and to handle noble crimes and special incidents.
They were always objects of local wariness.
They were never true symbols of justice. Instead, people called them hyenas.
Nobles’ pet hyenas.
To describe them as opportunistic and bullying was practically a compliment.
"Trouble" was the perfect word for them.
Mei Yige knew this group well.
For thirty years, she’d lived hidden in the capital, rarely stepping outside the Kakacha Empire Witch Society’s library doors.
In that secluded yet gossip-rich environment, she’d heard countless tales of Inspectors deliberately "showing bias" when handling noble affairs.
Thus, when Tata Town’s mayor feigned illness and the Adventurers Guild’s president and vice-president were absent, only she—the magician from the capital known to nearly every townsfolk—could greet these noble parasites.
The reception party consisted solely of Mei Yige, Leya, and Ryan.
Yes, the Advisor Office trio.
The streets lay empty as they waited at the town gate for the Inspector’s convoy.
But Mei Yige knew someone else was watching nearby.
*Sister Shiren. Just switch to Sami’s identity and join us already.*
She wanted to laugh at her landlord hiding in the alley but feared Shiren would notice.
*It’s adorable.*
This sneaky act eased Mei Yige’s dread of receiving Inspectors. Yet her heart sank when she saw a five-person team led by a brown-haired girl.
After hearing the girl’s muttered curse, Mei Yige nearly fled on the spot.
*"...Filth."*
Her gaze locked onto the armband on the girl’s right shoulder.
Two crossed longswords entwined with peonies.
Others might not recognize it, but Mei Yige knew instantly: the emblem of Sword Hero Fuchi’s followers.
The Hero who defeated the Demon King was the idol of countless youths. Factions devoted to her had swelled rapidly over thirty postwar years.
Fuchi herself actively shaped these groups.
They were the ones most likely to whisper directly into the Hero’s ear.
"What’s wrong, Teacher?" Leya whispered, noticing Mei Yige’s tension.
"Nothing. Hmph..." Mei Yige smoothed her expression and strode toward the Inspectors.
"You’re the Inspectors from the capital investigating Baron Albert, correct?"
Up close, the brown-haired leader’s features sharpened. A cat-eared humanoid—the most common beastkin race, yet rarely gifted in magic.
Mei Yige instantly sensed this Inspector’s considerable magical prowess. Remarkable for her kind.
Such talent, combined with being Fuchi’s devotee? Mei Yige’s head throbbed.
"And you are?"
"Magic Consultant for the local Adventurers Guild. Having lived in the capital, I’m likely the most qualified to receive you."
Humility and deference would lower her profile. Mei Yige desperately avoided drawing their attention. Unlike guards, Inspectors held immense power—they could dig up residents’ secrets with ease.
She privately called them *gestapo*.
"A Magic Consultant in this backwater?" The girl’s brow furrowed slightly. Her gaze held disdain, then a trace of confusion. "You don’t look like a failure. Why choose such a remote place?"
"Family to care for."
Mei Yige answered without hesitation, her mind flashing to Shiren—her landlord, almost a father figure. She sighed inwardly.
*Just posturing. Good.*
The Witch Society partnered with the Adventurers Guild: the Society assigned students and certified Sorceresses as Magic Consultants, while the Guild supplied research materials. Leya, for instance, was interning under Mei Yige. Top students usually served in big-city guilds for better resources.
Though Mei Yige suppressed her aura, the Inspector—a fellow mage—sensed her strength. Out of professional respect, the young Inspector introduced herself.
"Aviva Qika. Inspector, Capital Nobles’ Administration Office."
"Mei Yige. Magic Consultant of Tata Town Adventurers Guild. These are my colleagues and assistants."
She wasn’t afraid of exposure. Few knew the name "Mei Yige"—a modified version of her birth name. Cognitive magic ensured those who tried to remember her face (without her permission or resistance) couldn’t recall or record her appearance after parting.
Since the Hero’s faction erased all traces of the Void Witch’s likeness, Mei Yige had vanished completely.
Less trouble.
Early on, wary and traveling with the Hero’s party, she’d used a Western-sounding alias: Merlin. Not this native-style name that invited "Miss Mei" greetings.
The unfamiliar name sparked Aviva’s suspicion.
"Uncommon name for the Society."
"I was an exchange student. My ancestors were Otherworlders. But that shouldn’t hinder your investigation. Baron Albert was hunted down and sheltered by our Guild. Without your assistance, his presence might disrupt the town’s peace."
Mei Yige, skilled in rumor-crafting, had prepared this defense against scrutiny.
Hearing "hunted noble," Aviva dropped the name inquiry. She followed the Consultant toward the Guild’s reception room.
Once they vanished, the quiet street soon filled with pedestrians.
"Think we’ll get through this?"
"No problem! That’s our Magician Lady!"
"Exactly! Miss Ryan said she’s a capital noble. I’ve always known she’s kind—who’d expect an upper-class lord to work so hard for us?"
"If those old dogs doubt us, we’ll show them our teeth..."
Tata Town’s residents stood united. Mei Yige’s rumors had primed them to fiercely defend their home.
"*Hmph. They’ve got spirit...*"
Shiren emerged from the alley. She hadn’t planned to attack the Inspectors—harming them would doom Tata Town’s peace. She’d only wanted to observe Mei Yige at work.
She needed to confirm if the Mei Yige she knew was real.
But no matter how she watched, she found no contradictions. Instead, the Inspector’s words brought troubling news.
"*Why is the Hero heading south again? Maybe I should lie low...*"
Shiren avoided those deeply tied to gods. Her mother had warned her:
God-chosen Heroes were often newborn possibilities.
Evil wearing justice’s mask was far deadlier than gutter filth.
