Chapter 117 (1/2)

The Second Prince's Investigation (3)

“Master Johan? What's the matter?”

“…It was just an insect”

Leonhard sent a concerned glance when I looked preoccupied I gave him a short reply and he didn't pursue the issue any further

“Hey, Johan I have so I'd like to ask about Philipp”

“What about him?”

“Is he really Lord Geisster's son?”

I was surprised by his question

“You went straight to the point, huh”

“There's no use sugar-coating my words here, is there?”

“That's true”

I bitterly s ave him a serious reply of my own

“Philipp is the child of Lord Heinz and his wife, who died when he was young I heard that he has had a weak constitution since birth and is rarely seen in public In fact, this was the first time I saw him in the flesh”

I knew Lord Heinz had a son, but I've never met him personally before

Not only that, but he had never oes for Lord Heinz's subordinates

Iton my part, but I was suspicious Lord Heinz hadn't just avoided speaking about the topic; he had never mentioned his own son at all

I was sure surprised to see Philipp the other day He didn't resehtest His delicate frame and slender body were similar to Lord Heinz's deceased wife, but if no one had told me that, it wouldn't have crossed my mind that they were related It's no wonder why Nacht had his doubts

“I see No wonder I never see therave Geisster's kid is sickly It must've been hard for the child to live with that”

Nacht's narrowed eyes were slightly tinged with syreed with him on that point and returned a brief, ‘Yeah'

Grenze was a city that prospered as a military base with numerous soldiers stationed within In a society that values utossip about the rave's unhealthy heir And precisely because Lord Heinz was a respected person, the scrutiny channelled at him will be even more intense

As Nacht said, it could be assus weren't kind to him

“But, Nacht”

This is a different matter entirely No matter the situation or whatever the reason, there are tis cloud your vision

Before I could continue, Nacht cut in by raising his hand

“I know I do syo If the people are suffering because of hiets”

Nacht declared without hesitation

“I'll make hiht that I couldn't believe it cae boy

Undeniable resolution shone in his eyes as he slowly blinked I swore I saw a brief glimpse of someone ould eventually stand on top

A short but heavy silence followed

As if to break it, Nacht continued, ‘Well then,' and stood up fro If you sit for too long, you'll grow roots under your heels, you know?”

Leonhard loosened his expression when Nacht cracked a s up myself

I broke out some stretches Despite the short break, htly recovered its strength I looked ahead towards the abundant greenery once again

It was not even an hour after we started walking that the sunlight turned bright orange, piercing through the leaves

This forest e shouldn't be too far now It would be nice if we could get there before the sun sets

As I pondered along, Leonhard gently called out to ht hit nal

I huddled behind the shadow of a tree and Nacht soon followed suit

“Scouts froe”

Leonhard said, as quietly as possible

Apparently, we've reached our destination But it didn't seelanced next to ue