Chapter 224: 99% Effort and 1% Luck 1

“Hmm…”

Abruptly seized and dragged into an interrogation room, Pradie.

Regarding this, I could not help but feel profound unease over the ominous turn this situation seemed poised to take.

‘This is bad… from the circumstances, it appears that woman Athena intends to implicate us as the culprits behind the assassination attempt. If so, matters will undoubtedly become complicated.’

As a Grade 12 mage, Athena’s very existence carried absolute authority.

Essentially occupying the highest echelon of specialized professionals, few could readily dispute her words in such an incident.

The problem was that her blade now pointed toward us.

Based on the peculiar case of ‘the witch from the Dragonian Empire’, it seemed Athena intended to pin the blame on us by exploiting Pradie, then leverage that to bolster the Kalmar Union’s disadvantageous position at this conference.

‘Given the circumstances, the likelihood of her involvement in orchestrating this assassination incident itself is quite high. But without proof…’

It was a hopeless situation where the criminal effectively investigated the crime itself.

As I racked my brain for a breakthrough in this seemingly insoluble predicament, Bayther suddenly spoke up:

“Pradie…I had a feeling that woman would try something like this…”

“Hm? What do you mean, sister?”

Puzzled by Bayther’s unexpected remark implying foreknowledge, I questioned her.

Regarding my confusion, Bayther glanced uncomfortably at Cazerios before carefully addressing me:

“The truth is… and I should have mentioned this sooner, but I’ve long found that guy rather suspicious in relation to Queen’s disappearance.”

“…Hm?”

As if deciding to lay everything bare now that it had come to this, Bayther began divulging a surprising revelation.

Looks of astonishment crept across Cazerios’s and my faces as we listened.

Pradie Mas, the witch of the Dragonian Empire…

No, to be precise, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Bohemia concealing her identity – Queen Andreassia – felt profoundly vexed by her current predicament.

‘Ah…no, why me all of a sudden? Even if I’m the only Dragonian witch around, I haven’t even been near the crime scene.’

Minding her own business when abruptly accused and dragged off as a suspect, Pradie’s situation defied reason.

And at this very moment, an irritable-looking woman in blue maid attire gazed her way…

None other than Athena, one of the strongest existences – a Grade 12 mage.

‘Athena Invisibilis…someone I had personally admired in the past. But meeting her under these circumstances leaves a rather sour taste.’

Cautiously observing Athena’s demeanor, Queen’s thoughts were interrupted as Athena asked in a chilling tone after a tense silence:

“So you are the witch from the Dragonian Empire?”

“Y…Yes, that’s correct. I am Pradie Mas from the Dragonian Empire, currently serving as Lady Cazerios’s escort.”

“…Hah…well, I did not specify any names. But to think you would actually try deceiving me like this…”

“Pardon?”

Athena’s incomprehensible words automatically raised questions in Queen’s mind.

Regarding her confusion, Athena scowled as if annoyed and said:

“I have no business with the likes of you. Return at once and send a proper witch to Lord Santana. Convey that such childish antics will not help in this situation.”

“…No, what are you talking about?”

For a moment, Athena’s baffling statements left Queen utterly perplexed and offended her pride.

Toward the stunned Queen, Athena sighed coldly and spoke in a chilling tone:

“Hah…or are your wits so dull you cannot even comprehend plain speech? I am not here for word games. If you do not wish to test my patience further, summon your master or superior, whoever they may be, here immediately!”

Athena’s voice dripped with sincere anger.

Yet in response, Queen felt her own rage boiling over as she raised her voice in outrage:

“What nonsense are you spouting? Is that all it takes to be a Grade 12 mage? You think you’re so great? Summoning someone only to spew such drivel – what is the meaning of this?”

Queen had been under considerable stress from concealing her identity, made worse by her sister Bayther’s constant suspicious glances while working alongside her, resulting in many a sleepless night.

And now, after being abruptly accused as an assassination suspect, Athena paid her no courtesy, spewing incomprehensible insults and affronts.

In that moment, Queen’s restraints snapped as she unleashed a torrent of words she would never normally utter.

Then…

“Kuhuk!”

An intense, searing pain gripped her suddenly.

Seized by the sensation of someone viciously strangling her throat, Queen let out an anguished scream.

And observing her state, Athena spoke in a bone-chilling tone:

“I have no leisure to entertain the ramblings of a mere servant like you. I will say this once more…summon your mistress immediately. Continuing these futile antics will only bring you further suffering.”

“…Kuhuk!…Kuhuheruuk!”

Athena’s voice dripped with deep, indignant rage – as if she had suffered a grave insult.

Yet the next moment, she seemed to realize her slight misstep as her expression soured slightly.

‘Tch…what’s this? She lost consciousness from just that much of an attack? Even as a Dragonian witch, I expected her to have considerable resistance to magic… I momentarily lost my temper.’

Having incapacitated the foreign escort she had summoned for questioning, Athena pondered her oversight.

However, this situation itself posed little issue for her.

While she may have misspoken initially, the witch she had requested from Santana’s side was not some late-Grade 7 senior witch, but the Grade 12 mage Senel.

Deliberately sending someone else and attempting such word games was sufficient grounds for indignation on their part.

It was merely Athena’s underlying impatience and the witch’s audacious demeanor that had momentarily provoked her genuine ire, resulting in her accidental excessive force.

‘Hah…in that case, I have no choice.’

Lest the witch attempt further antics, Athena decided bringing her directly to apprehend Senel would be wiser.

She then proceeded to levitate the unconscious Queen and exited the room.

-Thud!-

In the process, Queen’s mask fell to the floor.

Athena scooped it up with her free hand as she departed, mildly curious why the woman bothered wearing such a mask when her uninjured, bare face was visible.