Chapter 57

"Lord Reynold, there's something I'd like to consult you about... Would it be alright if I took a little of your time after school today?"

"Is it something that only I can help with?"

"...No, but... However..."

"It would be better to consult with the Ajet family first. I don't want to do anything that might be seen as a breach of etiquette towards a noble family. I'm sorry."

He rejected her with a smile that was natural for social occasions. I don't know what she intended to talk about specifically, but I can imagine. It was probably another veiled insult towards Lilianna.

When I heard that Lilianna was injured during the hunting trip, I was so shaken that my memory of the events before and after became hazy. I can't forget the feeling of my body temperature suddenly dropping at that moment.

After the commotion from the hunting trip was settled, and I finally felt relieved upon hearing about Lilianna's condition—she was unconscious but not seriously injured—the next day, I heard the details from a female teacher who had taken down the account of what happened. The content was so unusual that I had to ask the teacher and the knight who was present during the questioning if it was really true.

Lilianna had apparently boasted that "it would be fine because she was there" and added Nina, who had little experience, to her team, and then recklessly ventured deep into the forest. The instructor in charge of the Light attribute, Professor Amado, who had conditionally approved this special arrangement, also confirmed the same content. The other two team members, who said they were just filling the numbers and didn't know the details, also agreed with this report.

This was Lilianna's first time participating in the school's hunting trip, but in monster hunts and training exercises where noble heirs were the main participants, Lilianna had always been the top performer among her peers. She would have undoubtedly taken the lead in this hunting trip as well. If the goal was just to achieve the best score, it would have been more efficient for her to go deep into the forest alone.

Moreover, I can't imagine Lilianna putting others in danger. It's not just because she is cautious, but also because of her character.

So, why did this happen? The cause seemed to be the actions of a girl named Nina, who appeared to be worried about Lilianna but whose behavior was terrifying. I had felt a sense of unease about Nina from the first time we met. When she refused to call me by name, it would have implied that the Ajet family, who adopted Nina, couldn't properly educate their foster children, which I didn't want to acknowledge.

However, the Ajet family seemed to believe the story that Lilianna had taken risks to improve her score in the hunting trip. "Do you really think Lilianna would do something like that? Why?" When I questioned them, they were evasive and wouldn't give a clear reason. They seemed to have some conviction, as if they believed the story that "she caused an incident after being driven to a corner."

Even when told that there was no evidence of foul play, I couldn't feel any relief. Moreover, Lilianna's note, which was supposed to be a clue, was kept secret because it contained "private family matters." Even when I suggested that it might be useful for the investigation, it wasn't revealed.

The Ajet family warned that making a big deal out of it would make it harder for Lilianna to return. Nevertheless, I mobilized the military on a large scale in secret, but there were no traces to follow. The only lead we found was a strand of hair buried in a forest on the border, which turned out to be a decoy set by Lilianna. The delay in chasing this lead meant that there were no sightings of Lilianna.

I had hoped it was a test run to see if she could be found quickly, but that didn't happen. In a way, it was within my expectations because I thought, "If she really wanted to run away, regular soldiers wouldn't be able to do anything." The Ajet family's grief seemed unusually intense.

They didn't mention the worst-case scenarios but worried that Lilianna might have been kidnapped or deceived by someone. As a result, various criminal organizations in the country were thoroughly investigated, and many criminals were arrested, but there was no sign of Lilianna among the victims.

After all, this is Lilianna. If there were kidnappers who could abduct her by surprise, they should become adventurers or soldiers. They could even become heroes. While she is somewhat naive, she knows international law and the legal codes of neighboring countries. Could she be deceived by a fraudster? Maybe, because she is kind and might fall for a scam that uses children to evoke sympathy.

These are all valid concerns for a 15-year-old noble girl's disappearance, but I can't imagine Lilianna making such a mistake. The days have passed, and my suggestion to consider her being abroad was not accepted. The joint investigation with the Ajet family is becoming increasingly difficult.

The absence of the maid Lilianna trusted like a sister was also noticeable. When I asked again if they had any idea why she ran away, the words they told me were a shock I hadn't expected.

"Although we didn't hear it directly, we felt that she might have had some thoughts about the engagement that was sealing the alliance. That's how we interpreted it."

"Wh-what...?"

"As you know, we, as a family, have always doted on Lili and showered her with love. We are just as puzzled as to why this happened."

The implication that there were no problems at home and that the cause must be the engagement made my throat feel constricted.

Did I... Did I drive her to the point where she couldn't refuse and had to run away? I thought, "If she hated it so much, she should have said something," but then I answered myself, "That's why she ran away."

The king, my father, who had allowed me the freedom to search for Lilianna, is no longer pleased, especially since the crown prince's family now has a son. The main reason is that we still don't know her whereabouts, but the public reason, "recovery in the territory," will make people oppose the marriage if it drags on. I can't imagine the nobles who want to marry their daughters to me letting this go.

It hurts as if my heart has been stabbed. But because of that, I can't stop searching. If I drove her to the point where she had to run away, I must resolve it. If she is in trouble, I want to help her. Besides, I won't make the same mistake again, so she can return to the Ajet family with peace of mind... That's all I want to convey.

I decided to start my own investigation, separate from the Ajet family. With no leads, I would investigate widely based on speculation. The main focus would be adventurers, but I would also look into alchemists and other fields.

Her age and appearance might be hidden or falsified, but if I investigate those who "suddenly appeared and excelled in the past few months," I should find her. If Lilianna tried to earn a living, she would definitely be recognized and become famous. This was based mostly on my intuition.

The reports that came in were enormous, and I had to balance them with my studies, the prince's education, and training. I spent all my available time reviewing the reports and looking for any trace of Lilianna. My childhood friends, who were supposed to become my future aides, helped me despite their exasperation. They are invaluable companions.

Even if I thought it might be her, I ruled out those with known identities, like "the daughter of a local merchant." She would never do anything illegal, like forging a birth certificate. Even if she was exceptionally talented for her age, it still didn't match her.

I noticed a report about a gold-ranked adventurer under the age of adulthood in the city of Delor, but I quickly determined it wasn't Lilianna. The achievements listed suggested that only someone like Lilianna could have done them, but this person had been active as an adventurer for at least a year. Therefore, it couldn't be her.

Since she couldn't use the adventurer's license from the academy, she must have registered as a new adventurer. If I searched among adventurers, I would find someone who had set a new record for the fastest promotion to gold rank.

"This is..."

The information came to me as a notable story in the industry while I was investigating foreign countries.

A new alchemical technique had been announced in a foreign country, a method to create large-output magic stones from smaller, useless ones. It was a revolutionary technology. It might even enable humans to use magic devices that create tactical-scale barriers. The invention, backed by a powerful marquis family, was so sought after that there was a three-month wait for purchases. Many alchemists had tried to create magic stones artificially over the centuries, and it seemed that someone had finally succeeded. The technology itself was fascinating, but what caught my attention was the brief description of the developer: a very young alchemist who had only registered a few months ago.

The newspaper, which was aimed at the educated class, didn't provide more information.

I was almost certain. It was too coincidental for a genius to appear and make such a significant invention right after Lilianna's disappearance. Such geniuses are rare, and the possibility that it was someone else seemed lower.

Suppressing my excitement, I found that this alchemist, "Rio," had obtained a senior alchemist's license just a few days before announcing the new technology. It seemed as if there was a reason for this "Rio" to need a license to create potions and magic items for human use, which would be inconvenient for higher-ups.

I visited the Ajet residence, which I had been avoiding lately. My pretext was to ask Lord Cornelia, the country's top alchemist, to explain the technology, but my true purpose was to discuss whether this alchemist could be Lilianna.

As her mentor in alchemy, she might recognize something familiar. I hoped.

"Did you say this might be Lili...?"

"Yes. I couldn't investigate in detail because a foreign marquis family is involved, but the age is close, and the timing is significant. This 'Rio' has never been affiliated with any alchemy workshop. It fits if it's Lilianna."

The laboratory I was led to was as messy as she described. Her unique way of speaking hadn't changed since she taught me alchemy. Lord Cornelia, who had already investigated the new technology, quickly scanned the report on the alchemist and looked up.

Her eyes showed no excitement.

"The chances are high that it's a coincidence. Many alchemists change their names when they become independent."

"...I remember that more alchemists keep the same name from their apprenticeship."

"Also, this technology... The parts protected by patents are concealed, but I don't think Lili could have come up with it. Your Highness, are you just imagining it because you want to see her?"

She threw the document on the table with a lack of interest. It was indeed intriguing how the technology was discovered, but that's why I thought it might be Lilianna.

"Creating magic stones... I was interested in it too. It's a problem if the magic devices you create can't be used in certain environments."

"Yes, that's true. Lord Cornelia's magic devices often require high output."

"Exactly. Cultivating monster tissues and generating magic stones from the core... I was close to success, but if this method makes it easy, it's impossible to compete. I'll continue researching because it's interesting, but not for commercial production."

Her expression clearly conveyed her displeasure. She had likely invested a significant amount of money. For someone as expressionless as Lord Cornelia, the frown on her forehead was unusual.

"...Anyway, I understand that this is a remarkable invention."

"Indeed. It will change the history of alchemy. It's frustrating, but..."

The conversation didn't go as I had hoped. It felt like Lord Cornelia was silently asking if I was done. I couldn't press the issue further and left the Ajet residence. I also wanted to leave before Nina noticed me.

"Your Highness, you must be tired. Did you make any progress?"

"...I thought it was her, but Lord Cornelia denied it."

"Oh."

"But, I will visit Lindemann as planned, accompanying Minister Goetze on his foreign trip."

"It might be a wasted trip."

"If it turns out that the alchemist Rio is not Lilianna, it won't be a wasted trip."

My childhood friend laughed in exasperation. "You're so optimistic, Your Highness." I smiled back. He and the other aides are among the few who know that Lilianna is actually missing.

But even to Gerald and the others, I haven't mentioned the possibility that I might have driven her to run away by sealing the alliance. I'm afraid of being blamed, or maybe I don't want to hear comforting words like, "It's not your fault." I do want to tell her that if I step back, she doesn't need to run away to a foreign country. But I can't be sure if it's just my pride.

And now, the second volume of "The Unaware Genius Girl Doesn't Realize It ~ She Became an Adventurer After Running Away Because Her Family Never Praises Her Efforts in Any Field ~" is confirmed for release! Thank you to all the readers who bought the first volume.

The illustrations are still being handled by Mr. Kyozip. I've written over 10,000 new words for this volume.

The release date is June 1st! I would be very happy if you could pre-order it ✧＼\ ٩( 'ω' )و /／✧

The next update is scheduled, but it will be a while due to book production and writing bonuses.