episode_0157

Dang――Dang――

As I was hiding and searching for the Crown Prince to avoid being seen by others, I sighed as I heard the two bells ringing, indicating that lunch time was almost over.

Rather than wandering around looking for the Crown Prince like this, it would be much better to wait for him in front of the classroom where the next lecture is held.

“Ha… … .”

In order to research Princess Charlotte, I found out everything about the classes of first-year students, so I knew what the next class was… … .

As I wanted to end this incident quietly under water, waiting in front of the classroom to meet the Crown Prince was not an option I wanted to take.

“… … .”

I can’t help it.

It’s not like I can stop the investigation just because I don’t feel like it, and I can’t just let an important witness go.

I sighed and released my neck by bending it from side to side.

I felt like the cool pain I felt along with the clicking sound of my bones calmed my complicated mind a little.

“Was the warehouse this way? … .”

Since waiting for the investigator to live up to the situation could lead to unnecessary drama as the case becomes public, I decided to put on a disguise for now.

After looking around briefly, I went to the academy’s supply warehouse, tracing the structure of the academy in my old memories. After changing into the clothes worn by cleaners, I headed to the classroom carrying a bucket and mop.

On the way, I filled a bucket with water and came to the front of the classroom, wiping the hallway with a mop soaked in water and waiting for the Crown Prince to arrive.

―Princess Hermel has been acting a lot these days… … . hmm… … . Don’t you think you’ve become more mature?

-Yes, I felt that way too. Should I say that it is completely different from the rumors I heard?

-Something in the mood, huh. know?

Pretending to clean, while eavesdropping on conversations that might provide useful information to the investigation.

Although there was a story about the princess, it was not helpful to the investigation.

However, the content gave me some room to think.

Crazy dog.

I recalled the princess’s nickname, as well as memories from when I first saw her years ago.

‘You look a bit strong. ‘Come fight with me.’

She was the type of person who would unconditionally raise a sword whenever she saw an opponent stronger than her.

Since I was an investigator, I had never dealt with her in person, but I could feel it even when I saw her from afar.

‘Tsk. ‘What, is this all there is to it?’

‘let’s fight! Let’s fight! Come on!!’

He was a person who was obsessed with fighting and strength, attacking someone who looked strong and trying to use his sword against an opponent who was stronger than him, no matter what.

Yes, until recently, many years later. The princess I saw was truly a mad dog, as her nickname suggests, crazy about strength and fighting.

The person who did that.

[Princess Charlotte was upset and shed tears at Crown Prince Sargela’s words. and–]

[Princess Hermel punched Crown Prince Sargela, who was holding Princess Charlotte’s wrist. After that, there was a slight confrontation, and Princess Hermel did not back down just because she was a friend.]

When Princess Hermel challenged the Crown Prince to a sparring match and began clashing swords, she fought back without retreating even an inch. In other matters, he did not show much opposition to the Crown Prince’s decision.

Because he was a person who moved based on the logic of power. He was someone who acted with the belief that if someone stronger than him had chosen it, there must be a good reason for it.

However, the person who said that, what happened after entering the academy is written in the notebook here. He punched the Crown Prince for his ‘friend’ and did not back down from the Crown Prince, saying he would protect his friend.

Those who knew the former princess will know how big of a change that is. So did I…

‘for a moment… … .’

At that moment, a question came to my mind and shook me.

―Seria, you often visit the Knight Academy these days. Why is that?

-uh? Umm, just… … . I thought I needed to become a little stronger. lol… … .

―What page did today’s lecture start from?

―I heard there is a friendly match against Knight Academy this weekend?

―Hmm… … . It will be good for your eyes. Because the drivers are in good shape.

-Well, it’s not like that! And now, I’m not really interested in that… … .

――… … … .

A large crowd of people entering the classroom were talking as they passed me, but I couldn’t hear what they were saying at all.

Instead, it felt like the sound was getting further and further away. I feel like I’m in another world alone. I felt like I was standing alone, separated from the world.

“… … .”

Something is strange.

No headaches.

why?

I definitely thought about Princess Charlotte and Princess Hermel. To be precise, I think about Princess Hermel’s past, and through him, her relationship with Princess Charlotte… … .

relationship?

“No way.”

Thinking about their relationship didn’t give him a headache. However, when I think about the spring festival that Princess Charlotte is associated with――

“Qu… … .”

I frowned at the familiar headache that felt like someone was squeezing my head from both sides.

The headache got worse than last time. It’s as if they’re telling us not to get involved anymore, not to dig any further.

I’m finally getting some sense of it now. All the evidence, alibis, and suspicious activities finally began to make some sense.

‘Someone is intentionally trying to isolate Princess Charlotte.’

If you think about it, that kind of paper could easily be obtained from other noble families. Suspicious activity? Curse itself is a study, so you can learn it if you want.

In fact, isn’t there also a descendant of the Marquis of Venom who learned curses from a wandering witch doctor and used them? And even if you don’t have to learn it, there is a way to purchase castings from a witch doctor and use them.

And an alibi. If you say that he intentionally gave her a headache whenever he thought about that incident, so that he had no choice but to doubt her… … .

‘It all makes sense.’

But who? What on earth are you doing that for?

I’m in the middle of combining various thoughts in my head and putting things together. Someone stood in front of me.

“What is the janitor thinking so hard about instead of cleaning?”

Shocked, I blink and look ahead at the familiar voice. The Crown Prince was standing there, looking somewhat tired.

“… … The fact that you are here means that something has happened again.”

“Yes. This time is no different――”

“Wait.”

The Crown Prince raised his hand, interrupted me, and slowly shook his head.

As I was blinking as if telling me not to say any more, the Crown Prince slowly turned his head and looked out the window and spoke.

“If you are trying to ask me to help you with an investigation or deduction… … . I will refuse.”

“… … .”

“Earning Stone, I’m talking about you. I thought I was brilliant until now. I thought I was better than anyone else.”

After saying that, the Crown Prince lowered his eyes with a bitter smile that seemed somewhat wise.

I couldn’t open my mouth to see the atmosphere that could not be considered the next king and the appearance of a person who seemed to have no motivation at all.

“But it was all my mistake… … . People around me say that I have a brilliant mind, that I have greater talent than anyone else… … . Because it was floated like that, I got used to it, settled into that comfort, and became arrogant.”

It wasn’t that he couldn’t say anything just because he was the crown prince.

Just that look, that atmosphere and attitude.

“I realized this painfully through an incident at this spring festival. I am just a little better than others, and those who are better than me are a little better in this wide world… … . No, there will be a lot of them.”

A helpless figure who keenly feels his own shortcomings, regrets them, and is overwhelmed by a guilt that is too much to endure on his own, letting go of everything he holds in his arms.

“Heh, maybe I had vaguely felt it since I met her, but I was trying hard to deny it.”

It felt like I was seeing myself in the past, so I couldn’t say anything.

“… … .”

“Oh my, I’ve been saying too much. I’m sorry. From that day on, I became a little more sensitive when stories related to that came out.”

“No, I think it is entirely possible.”

“… … under. okay. These words come from you, who have gone through all the hardships before birth, so they are a little comforting.”

The Crown Prince smiled bitterly as he said that, then sighed quietly and looked at me.

“So, why are you standing here, even disguising yourself as a janitor? Unless it’s an investigation, a mystery, or something that requires suspicion and investigation of someone, I’ll listen to the story.”

“Um… … .”

Is it okay to say this? May I ask?

I thought about it for a moment, but remembering that this was also a necessary question as part of the investigation, I cautiously opened my mouth.

“What happened during this spring festival… … . Do you remember?”

“It’s something I don’t want to remember, but… … . I remember. How could I forget the memory of the day when I most keenly felt my shortcomings.”

“The fan that Princess Charlotte dropped that day. I understand that the Crown Prince took that fan. Is that correct?”

The Crown Prince nodded to my question.

“That’s right. Even then, I was still suspicious of her.”

“Was that fan a fetish?”

“… … That’s right.”

The moment I heard the answer, I felt like the missing piece of the puzzle had fallen into place.

It felt like I was getting a glimpse of a huge picture full of evil that someone had drawn.