Chapter 89

Now, we are walking down the pre-determined path.

"Ah, this is how we are presenting the results of our studies and research, which we have refined at the academy, to the public in the form of market stalls and exhibitions. I'm sure it may seem rather amateurish to adults."

"No, it's a wonderful initiative. There's no need to be ashamed."

The queen praised Magilka's explanation while looking around. As for me, I was trembling with embarrassment, my mind a blank. The reason being, I was currently walking in front of a group of proper knights. A small, fully-armored girl walking in front of these handsome knights in splendid armor, the sense of being a cheap imitation was overwhelming and incredibly embarrassing.

(Ah, I was running around just now, so I might smell sweaty... But it should be fine, r-right?)

I wanted to keep my distance from everyone, but the current situation didn't allow for that, and I started to feel restless.

"Still, the students in charge of security are remarkably well-organized, Mary."

"Y-Yes!"

I was startled when my name was suddenly called, and my voice cracked.

"Everyone is communicating and following instructions through the transmission magic from the headquarters."

"Oh, transmission magic? I never thought of using something like that. Mary, you are very clever."

"N-no, this is because of the prince..."

"Yes, thanks to Lady Mary, not only has the security but also the communication within the academy become much smoother, which has greatly helped us. The prince, as the highest authority, has also been very supportive and helpful."

"Oh, oh! That child..."

Just as I was about to launch my ultimate strategy, 'Everything is thanks to the prince,' Magilka chimed in and lifted me up.

(Please, don't praise me.)

Being praised by friends and nobles is honestly flattering. However, based on my past experiences, this is a bad pattern for me. Besides, it's both delightful and embarrassing, so I want to change the topic somehow...

"Um, I'll go check the destination."

Saying that, I fled because I couldn't think of anything clever to say and feared I might dig myself into a hole.

As I tried to pass by a certain exhibition space, I stopped. The reason was simple: it was a graveyard. Upon closer inspection, it seemed to be made of cardboard, not real. However, I stopped not only because of the scene but also because I had a bad feeling.

"Um, do you have any business with the Undead Research Club's exhibition?"

A student, who was intimidated by the fully-armored person standing in front of the exhibition, called out to me.

(Cemetery + Undead = Alice-senpai)

I instantly made this calculation, and my bad feeling intensified. I took off my helmet, showed my face, and revealed my armband to the student.

"I'm part of the security. Did you create this exhibit?"

Upon learning I was part of the security, the student's fear subsided.

"No, the cardboard was made by adults. We just displayed the research materials."

"Was there a sister with silver-rimmed glasses meddling in your exhibit?"

"Could you be talking about Alice-senpai? I'm very grateful to her. She taught us a lot of wonderful knowledge and even drew a fake summoning circle for us."

"Summoning circle?"

I reacted to the ominous word the student said with a smile.

"Yes, Alice-senpai said that a real summoning circle would create a better atmosphere, so she drew it for us. However, a summoning circle for the undead isn't something that can be easily made, so it's probably just a fake one."

The student laughed happily, but I turned pale.

(No, no, no, that person is putting her life into it. It's not just a fake; it's real! That senpai has left us something terrible.)

I'm glad I came ahead. I need to remove that dangerous summoning circle before the queen arrives.

"Where is the summoning circle?"

"Huh? It's further back..."

The student, slightly flustered by my question, turned around and saw a person in a full cloak doing something on the ground where the summoning circle was drawn.

"Emilia!"

I pushed the student aside and shouted at the cloaked figure. Thinking it was the same full-cloaked girl who was supposed to be dressed as a maid by the queen's order and was trying to cause mischief again, I tried to stop her with all my might. Surprised by my voice, the target stopped what they were doing and flew low towards me, and I quickly closed the distance.

"!"

The cloaked person drew something and swung it horizontally at me. I extended my arm and blocked it with my armor, and a sound of something breaking echoed. However, I didn't care about that.

To prevent this princess from causing unnecessary trouble again, I was determined to give her a decisive blow.

"Meteor Strike (Physical)!"

I swung my helmet like a bowling ball and threw it at the target's body with all my might. The cloaked person, hit directly by my helmet at close range, flew backward and rolled on the ground.

"Huff, huff, really, both Alice-senpai and Princess Emilia cause trouble."

"What about me?"

A familiar voice came from behind me as I caught my breath and cursed. I lost my words.

"Huh! Oh? Princess Emilia!"

I turned around and alternated my gaze between the girl in the maid's uniform standing there and the cloaked person on the ground.

"Oh? If the princess is here, then who is the cloaked person?"

I wobbled as I tried to approach Emilia, but she quickly backed away.

"D-don't come near me, Shirogane!"

Emilia's face was pale. Even though she could see my face and knew it was me, the fear of the armor hadn't subsided.

(No, that's not important. Who did I just execute?)

I looked at the person on the ground again and saw that Klaus was already there. I approached him as he bent down to lift the cloak, and we peered inside together. A small man was unconscious inside.

"This person is carrying a weapon. He's probably from somewhere..."

As Klaus said, the man held a broken dagger and had several daggers and knives on his belt.

"Weapons shouldn't be allowed in this academy."

Of course, visitors are not allowed to bring weapons into the academy. The teachers are vigilant, and today, the royal guards are also present, so there shouldn't be any oversights.

"Probably, he infiltrated before the festival started and was hiding."

Klaus's guess made me realize something.

(Come to think of it, there was a report of a suspicious person disappearing before the festival started... It wasn't Princess Emilia. And I think I saw him yesterday too.)

"The target is the queen... or perhaps the princess..."

Klaus's muttered words, heard only by me who was close by, made me look up at him anxiously. Noticing this, Klaus smiled and placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Still, you are quite the lady. To detect and capture a spy in advance is quite an achievement, indeed. You are truly the Silver Knight."

"Huh?"

I let out a silly sound, not understanding Klaus's words for a moment.

"Ah, no, I just felt embarrassed and went ahead to check for any suspicious exhibits. I found out about Alice-senpai's parting gift and tried to remove it. When I saw the cloaked person, I thought it was Princess Emilia and executed the judgment."

After spouting all this in one breath, I was panting heavily. Klaus smiled and patted my shoulder again.

"Still, it's quite an achievement."

"Indeed, it's a great achievement, Mary. You deserve a reward."

The queen's voice, which further cornered me, made me hastily turn to her.

"N-no, that's not necessary. I was just doing my duty as the security responsible for the festival's safety. As a noble's daughter, it's my greatest happiness to serve the royal family, so I don't need a reward."

I was confident that this was a good excuse and that I could escape.

"I like your humility and loyalty. I must reward you for your efforts. We'll discuss this matter later."

(No, no, no! If I receive a reward from the queen, I'll be exposed and can't hide anymore. I need a good excuse.)

I opened and closed my mouth, my eyes darting around, while the queen watched me with a smile.

(No, no, no! I can't think of a good idea.)

"Queen, please leave the handling of this to us. Let's go to the arena a bit early. The special viewing area there is well-secured."

"Yes, that's a good idea. Mary, Magilka, please lead the way."

"Yes, Queen. Let's go, Lady Mary."

"Wait, wait, just a moment. I need to explain—"

Everyone started working as if the conversation was over. I was dragged away from the scene by Magilka, who linked her arm with mine.

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