Chapter 225: 99% Effort and 1% Luck 2

“That is what she said…”

“Yeah, so I’ve been wondering if that Pradie woman might be the one who kidnapped our sister, or at least is somehow involved with whoever did.”

“Hmm…”

After hearing Bayther’s account, I found myself grappling with yet another unforeseen dilemma.

‘The Dragonian Empire is our ally for now… but that does not necessarily mean their intentions in aiding us are pure. They likely have their own motives and agenda…’

For an empire of their stature to take no action whatsoever in this situation would be stranger still.

However, despite Bayther’s testimony, the unsavory incidents so far, Pradie’s suspicious masked conduct, and crucially, the rift between Hestia and the Dragonian Empire depicted in the original…

I found it somewhat difficult to openly voice suspicions.

The reason was none other than…

“That cannot be.”

“…Ah…no, I did not mean to imply guilt, merely that the circumstances seem…”

“If such a thing had occurred, I would certainly have informed you. Surely you do not suspect me?”

Cazerios directly refuted Bayther’s claims.

As the one effectively overseeing Dragonian affairs among us, Bayther’s assertions seemed to deeply offend her.

And coming from my wife, I could not bring myself to say anything further.

“Of course, I cannot claim the Dragonian Empire never employs schemes. However, as I am its de facto representative here, I have consulted you, Lord Santana, about all matters without the slightest falsehood. Please refrain from insulting me and my nation over mere seemingly suspicious points without basis for certainty.”

“Um…my apologies, my lady…”

Rendered speechless by Cazerios’s slightly heated remarks, I glanced at Bayther and Polena, who regarded me with rather bemused expressions.

‘How shall I put this… the saying about women ruling men seems quite accurate…’

While I had attained considerable power and influence in this world by my own reckoning, Cazerios’s ability to subdue me with a mere stern tone made the old adage ring true.

Then, from the somewhat tense, awkward atmosphere, Polena spoke up in her characteristically bright tone:

“Now, now, no need to quarrel. The important thing is how we deal with Pradie’s situation. In my view, while the likelihood of her actual wrongdoing seems low, the other side has openly decided to implicate her, so we cannot rule out her becoming embroiled regardless of truth.”

“Hmm…”

“Indeed, that seems likely…”

Regaining her composure after Polena’s grounding perspective, Cazerios nodded.

Inwardly grateful for Polena’s assistance once more, I saw a faint smile grace her lips as she met my gaze.

Just as we were about to discuss how to handle Athena’s accusations, there was a loud:

-BANG!-

“Hm?”

The next moment, the door burst open violently.

Through it strode Athena, an expression of cold fury on her face.

“How…How dare you act so discourteously!”

“Discourteous? It does not seem you have any right to make such claims after the disrespect you have shown us.”

With those words, Athena callously dropped someone she had been levitating to the floor.

Then, in a biting tone, she raised her voice toward us:

“To think you would attempt such childish word games with me – how vexing. When summoning the witch of the Dragonian Empire, the highest-ranking one is naturally the principle, is it not? Cease these foolish antics and present Senel at once! As the prime suspect in this incident, I will not let this slide so easily…”

Athena ranted at us in a savage tone.

However…

At this moment, her words no longer registered in our ears.

A sight before our very eyes commanded our full, stunned attention, rendering Athena’s ramblings utterly insignificant.

“Sis…ter…?”

“…This…How…”

The identity we had never imagined for Pradie.

Contrary to Bayther’s suspected kidnapper, she was none other than the daughter of our very own House Andreassia of Bohemia.

Queen Andreassia herself.

‘This…What is this… Queen, believed missing, was actually Pradie? How did this bizarre situation… No, wait. If matters stand thus, then in that case…’

The profound shock of Pradie’s true identity as Queen momentarily stunned me.

Yet separately from that, a potential breakthrough to exploit this situation flashed through my mind.

Athena’s evident assault on Pradie – no, Queen – under the pretext of questioning.

Regarding this, I fixed Athena with an icy glare and spoke resolutely:

“Just what did you think you were doing?”

Seeing the fallen escort, Santana glared at Athena with fury.

In response, Athena scoffed disdainfully:

“What was I doing? I was merely exercising due authority in conducting a legitimate investigation. So cease your nonsense and present Senel at once…”

Using force against someone of a mere escort’s status during an investigation was not unreasonable.

Moreover, the woman in question was not an official Bohemian participant, but an outsider from the Dragonian Empire present unofficially.

From that standpoint, Athena asserted her rights assertively, attempting to brush aside Santana’s attempt to defuse the situation.

However…

“Due authority? You dare make such a claim after treating a noble lady of a great house in this manner?”

“Wha…What?”

The next moment, an unexpected statement left Santana’s lips.

He then turned his gaze to the unconscious Dragonian witch on the floor, speaking in a cold tone:

“It seems you are laboring under a misapprehension. This woman is indeed a witch of the Dragonian Empire, but she is also the lady of our Bohemian house and my very sister – Lady Queen Andreassia. Since when has torturing a noble lady become permissible during an investigation?”

“…Tha…That cannot be…”

Santana’s unforeseen words visibly struck Athena with profound bewilderment.

‘These people…what are they saying? That Dragonian witch is Lord Santana’s sister? How could that be…No, wait. If so, then my actions just now…’

Athena had incapacitated not some ordinary noble, but the sister of a key conference participant.

Regardless of her lack of awareness, such an act could not be easily overlooked.

It transcended a mere investigative matter, becoming an issue unto itself.

And in that moment, Athena realized Santana had unexpectedly gained the upper hand.

‘Curse it! I knew that man was cunning…but I never imagined he would defend against my move in such a manner!’

If word spread that she had assaulted Santana’s sister during the investigation, the consequences were clear.

Athena’s authority as a Grade 12 mage – the sole asset she could rely on in her currently precarious position – would suffer irreparable damage the moment she violated the very principles she championed.

Grasping this, Athena felt a profound sense of defeat as she met Santana’s icy gaze.

‘Was he holding all the cards from the very start?…I never imagined I would be outmaneuvered so completely by Santana Andreassia…Formidable indeed…’