Volume 1 Chapter 40 Not All Is Solved
*Back to Ryuuji's perspective.*
<hr>
"This time, truly thank you. You all, not just my father, but my life as well... as a princess, but also as a person, I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
From the tumultuous night into the following morning, we were in the reception room, Lady Cecil giving us such gracious words.
Today, Her Highness the Princess' side is not only with her maids but also Mr. Dietrich.
It seems they are reinforcing security, just in case.
"No, no, please. It's a trivial matter. I'm glad the plan went well. Indeed, everyone."
"Yes, I never expected the hallucination agent to be so useful."
It's Lene, her expression complex as she discovers an unexpected use for the drug.
She wasn't carrying the hallucination agent originally intending to use it for confessions.
"Ms. Minori, Ms. Suzu, thank you as well. Because you two protected me, I slept soundly even though I was sure an assassin would come, how embarrassing."
"No... It's your kindness, Lady Cecil. Even though I was so──"
With a bashful, shrinking Lady Cecil, Minori gives a slightly cold gaze.
Last night, in order to counter the assassins, Ryuuji, Minori, and Suzu each hid in His Majesty the King's and Her Highness the Princess's bedroom, respectively.
So, His Majesty and Her Highness have hidden the <Magic Stone of Diamond> in advance.
Thanks to that, they were able to easily fend off the assassin's blade.
"But... was it really okay? Even though it was Mr. Ryuuji's kindness, to give up the <Magic Stone of Diamond>..."
"I can just make another one. Though the catalyst is a bit hard to come by, I should be able to buy it in this town, so it's not a problem."
The medicinal herbs needed to create the <Magic Stone of Diamond> are rare and can only be found in the northern continent.
However, they are common enough that it wouldn't be strange to find them for sale in the royal capital.
"Instead, what will happen to Elmer after this?"
"...After interrogation, he will likely be sentenced to death for treason and assisting in the assassination of royalty. Even though he is a Grand Duke, he can't escape this serious crime. The Stern family will likely be dismantled as well."
When Minori asked about the treatment of the mastermind behind this, Lady Cecil's face darkened.
She is a kind princess, so it's likely that she is feeling troubled.
"If it's a gain from assassination, it must be foreign forces. Perhaps the Guanne Kingdom..."
The mountainous nation of Guanne Kingdom has sought land facing the sea and has historically invaded Beistein Kingdom many times.
As Minori mentioned, it might be safe to say that the most suspicious is indeed the Guanne Kingdom──but──
"No, it might be a bit hasty to come to a conclusion about that. I'd rather not think about it, but it's quite possible that the Deahr Kingdom to the east and the Goldmont Kingdom to the north are also plotting something behind the scenes. First, we need to check with Elmer; we can't say anything yet."
The Beistein Kingdom is on friendly terms with Deahr, which Bechmer belongs to, and the northern Goldmont.
It seems that when Lene and I first helped Lady Cecil, we returned from secretly forming a friendship with Deahr.
In any case, once we figure out the connections behind Elmer, it should become clear.
It's probably not something us commoners need to worry about.
"...Well then, I shall excuse myself soon. With the Prime Minister absent, my father's duties might be delayed, and I must help out──"
Just as Lady Cecil said that, Lene suddenly stood up with such force that her chair nearly toppled over.
Although she was the center of attention in the room, she placed her hand behind her ear without a care.
"...Is something the matter?"
"It's noisy in the castle. Something is happening. I can even hear sounds like something being destroyed."
Lene answered while staring into the sky, lost in thought.
Did her elven ears catch some commotion?
"Diet, could you go check?"
"No, Lady Cecil. There may be someone aiming for you causing the ruckus. It wouldn't be wise for me to leave your side right now. ──guard! Enter!"
"Yes!"
At Mr. Dietrich's command, a guard who had been outside the door entered and saluted the two of them.
"After you grasp what's happening in the castle, return here and report."
"Mr. Dietrich! I'm going too!"
Minori stood up, 2 swords on her back.
My sister must sense something is wrong.
But I can't let my sister go alone.
"We'll go too. I have a bad feeling. Lady Cecil, gather the guard and fortify the defenses. Lene, Suzu, you in?"
"Yes, I think I can tell you the exact location."
"Suzu's fine too. Let's go, Big Bro Ryuuji."
We left Lady Cecil and Mr. Dietrich and, guided by Lene, headed toward the heart of the disturbance with one of the guard.
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