Extra Story 9: Then…? (1/2)

The sunset had sunk to the horizon and the evening sky was beginning to fade into the colors of the night. The faint remnants of the setting sun cast a silhouette of a slender man on the roof of the boys' dormitory of Serendia Academy.

*sneeze*

Louis Miller was sitting there, quivering in the blowing north wind, blowing his nose.

He, who came to the school festival to support Monica Everett the [Silent Witch] was now in the middle of guarding the second prince on her behalf.

Just as he had predicted, the assassin from the chess tournament has reappeared at the school after the latter used a body manipulation spell to disguise himself as a student of the school.

Realizing in the nick of time, Monica engaged the assassins in battle. In the end, the assailant made her inhale poison, resulting in her being unable to move for the time being.

Although Monica's familiar seemed to have gone to her rescue on his own, there was not much he could do as a familiar. So Louis had no choice but to send Lynn to help Monica.

If it were possible, he would like to pursue the assassins, but since the second prince was safe, he changed his priority to provide protection for [Silent Witch].

They couldn't afford to lose a talent like her in a place like this.

That is how much Louis Miller values the talent of Monica Everett the [Silent Witch].

”Sir Louis, I have returned.”

A beautiful woman in a maid's uniform softly landed on the roof. Her appearance without a cloak gave off a sense of frigidity, but as a high-ranking wind spirit, Lynn did not feel any cold.

After dispelling his mana sensing, Louis erected a barrier to block wind and cold air, took out a small bottle of liquor from his pocket, and gulped down the contents. There's no better way to warm up a cold body quickly than with strong liquor.

Letting out a breath that reeked of alcohol, Louis turned his eyes to Lynn.

”How's Monica's condition?”

”She is suffering from a minor illness. She said she would continue to attend the evening ball after this.”

”In that case, I may as well be going now. I've made Rosalie waiting in the carriage already.”

While security is necessary even at a ball, honestly speaking, not many people would dare to try to kill the second prince at a ball. The fact that all the students were gathered in one place makes the security much tighter, making a crowded place unsuitable for assassination.

But I wonder what the purpose of the assassins was… If their goal was to assassinate the second prince, there were easier ways to do it.

The only thing they did was approach the second prince in disguise. Although he had used his mana sensing to search the entire school, there was no indication that anything had been tampered with at the school.

”Lynn, you're listening in on the conversation between the assassin and Monica, weren't you? Didn't the assassins say anything about their purpose?”

”Yes, they were talking about something. It was…”

Lynn nodded her head and replayed the conversation she had heard in an inexpressive voice.

”…' have you confirmed that matters?' ‘Yeah, I’ve confirmed it at a close range while pretending to be getting rid of a spider that latched on him. It’s the work of the traitor Arthur… That person’s prediction was right.'… that's all.”

”Confirming at close range? The traitor Arthur?”

The name ”Arthur” was commonly used by people from the Empire. Therefore, it would be reasonable to assume that the assassins were people affiliated with the Empire.

Then again, why would someone from the Empire have gone through the trouble for approaching the Second Prince?

And, who is the traitor Arthur?

Don't tell me…

One hypothesis ran through Louis' mind. It was too far-fetched and ridiculous to even consider. But if this were true… it would make sense given the fact that the [Star Oracle Witch] was no longer able to read the fate of the Second Prince.

Has His Majesty been dimly aware of this? …which is why he sent me here, to catch their tails?

However, this hypothesis was not something one could rashly inquire about to the king. If he's not careful, Louis' head will be sent flying for impudence.

Firstly, he needed to validate this hypothesis.

And to complete it, he must…

The question is whether or not there is a person named ”Arthur” around the second prince. And perhaps that person will be the key in this situation.

If Louis' hypothesis is correct, this case will be a major event that will shake the whole kingdom.

Louis cupped his hand over his mouth, letting out ‘kukuku' voices.

”Sir Louis, your face looks like a villain plotting his evil scheme.”

”Now that's rude, to even call me a villain. It's just, the thought of Duke Crockford's downfall just made me smile with delight.”

If his assumption is proved to be true, Duke Crockford will be destroyed along with the Second Prince. He has no reason to show mercy, as he has no favorable feelings for them.

But I think it would be best to keep this a secret from that little girl… she's a little too easily moved by emotion.

There was no telling how Monica would react if she found out that the Second Prince would be doomed.

Therefore, it would be appropriate to keep this speculation under wraps until the last minute.