Chapter 76

"Are you saying it's all just a coincidence?"

Back at the palace the next day, I was being questioned by Duke Strategos.

I had learned about the Criminal Guild and the secret passage of the Varfan group, and even the documents of the Curo group above them. I tried to explain everything away and divert attention, but Duke Strategos saw through my plan to pass it all off as coincidence and glared at me.

I gave up and nodded with a smile, and Duke Strategos pressed his forehead and looked down.

"But, isn't it something I can't control myself? It's just that my guess based on something I happened to hear turned out to be right by chance."

I said this, even though I thought it sounded lame. Duke Strategos groaned in protest but didn't deny or interrogate me further. It seemed that Levain hadn't told him about my escape from the palace.

When I looked at Levain, who was standing against the wall as usual, he shook his head silently. It felt more like he couldn't say anything rather than not wanting to.

"I want to know if this coincidence can help us take down the Criminal Guild?"

"......Yes, it can. With such clear documents, we can't let them go."

"It's useful, then. Here, I'll give you this too."

I handed over the documents I had. They were parts of different documents, each containing text that wasn't particularly important. However, I added a quick reference table of the cipher we had solved with Sefira.

"I think these are the locations of other Criminal Guilds in the capital. There are also the locations of warehouses, so I think it's a good idea to check the contents of these warehouses."

"......So, you're not going to be more careful?"

"Hey, I am being careful. I'm not saying this is my achievement or anything."

Duke Strategos looked very tired as he left. Levain had also complained before leaving.

"You should have told me before. Or better yet, don't do it at all. If you throw in something like this, it messes up the priority of the work."

Indeed, it was like suddenly adding a new problem to a case that was about to be closed.

But I have no intention of leaving the Criminal Guild for Terry. Even if we take down one branch in the capital, the main organization will remain, and that's a problem. It's not good for Duke Strategos, who is in a state of delegating all practical matters, but I don't intend to leave it half-done.

"Lady Asha, I do not deny the rudeness of the guards. However, I agree with the content of what they are saying."

Oh, a lecture from Wearrel. And Helcof and Icto are nodding too.

I hadn't mentioned that I brought the documents written in cipher. I just happened to notice them while sneaking around. The context seemed off, so I asked Sefira, and she said it was a cipher. If I was wrong, I thought I could just admit it and hand them over to Duke Strategos.

In the end, we figured out the content of the cipher.

"I was being careful, you know?"

"......Did you even consider checking the contents of the warehouses yourself?"

I nodded at Icto, and Helcof sighed.

"Your Highness, our primary role is to ensure your safety and oversee your daily life. If you ignore that, we have no standing."

"I didn't go to the warehouses or do anything dangerous. I just took the documents while I was there."

I tried to explain, but in the end, I was scolded. They said that the situation changes and becomes dangerous the longer it takes, and that it's a bad move to add a new task to an ongoing mission.

"Your Highness, have you ever considered joining the military? It's a common story for princes who don't inherit the throne to join the military."

"I think getting too close to military power might make the dukes more cautious. However, learning discipline and the importance of group action could be beneficial."

Wearrel seemed a bit more positive, and Icto was thinking, looking at me.

"Fundamentally, the problem might be that you've never participated in group actions until now. Even though you understand the importance of not standing out, it's easy to forget."

The conversation seemed to shift to my education. It felt like even going to Mollie's place might be restricted. Maybe I should change the topic.

I've already experienced group actions in my previous life. I can hold back if I think I'll be scolded or if my safety can't be guaranteed. The warehouse is a good example, but maybe my attendants are a bit overprotective.

"Speaking of group actions, the three of you worked really well together. I understand Helcof, who was in the military, and Icto, who was a hunter, but Wearrel was amazing too."

I was surprised that they could actually do what I described. I was also surprised that Wearrel, who was a former teacher, could keep up with the two combat-experienced men.

"It was a bit like moving in the dungeon during my time at the Luciusaria Academy. However, I did receive support from the two of them."

"No, it was much better than working with someone who can't move at all."

"Having someone who doesn't miss their target makes it easier for us too."

Icto and Helcof praised me, but I wanted to stop them.

"Dungeon? You mean the dungeons with monsters?"

I leaned forward, and the three of them looked at each other.

In this world, there are places called dungeons. They are also known as magic pools, which are created by the distortion of space-time due to high concentrations of magic. Some mages even choose locations that could become magic pools and turn them into dungeons.

"You seemed excited about Icto's adventures, but are you interested in the dungeons themselves?"

I nodded vigorously at Wearrel's question.

Actually, just being able to use magic is fun for me. I don't intend to master it, but I enjoy it and it can be used in alchemy. The idea of dungeons is also fun to imagine. I was born and raised in Japan, where subculture is prevalent, so I have some admiration for them.

"The Luciusaria Academy has dungeons designed for students to use. Students are allowed to enter, and they are sometimes used for exams."

Wow, it's like a manga or a game! According to Wearrel, they are treated like sports fields or practical training buildings.

That's why I'm drawn to them. It means I can play in a managed environment with a certain level of danger! Maybe I can even do alchemy experiments that I couldn't do here due to concerns about damage.

"This could be an opportunity. Prince Asha was hesitant about entering the academy due to pressure from the surroundings."

"True. If you're this positive, you might be motivated to use your head and work to get into the academy."

Icto and Helcof nodded at each other, but I wanted to stop them.

"I'm not hesitant about entering the academy?"

"But, you told Duke Strategos that you wouldn't enter, didn't you?"

Wearrel looked at Icto, probably referring to the meeting with Diora.

"Yeah, in the current situation. I think I'll definitely be obstructed. The son of Duke Eulasion is the same age as me, right? I mean, the prince entering the academy in the same year as his son, he wouldn't like that, would he?"

My attendants nodded, frowning at my reasoning. Duke Eulasion is after the throne, so he cares about attention and such.

"That's why I want to strengthen the Emperor as much as possible now, so he can deal with any interference. And if someone like Duke Strategos, who has his own power, gains more influence, maybe they'll take their eyes off me a bit."

I had actually been thinking about this while dealing with the Criminal Guild. Of course, the main goal is to catch the criminals who ruined Terry's efforts. I thought that by increasing the workload, Duke Strategos would also gain something in return, and that this return would also benefit me.

When I explained this, my attendants were stunned.

"I might have underestimated you, Your Highness."

"It's clear that you are growing with age."

"Recently, you've been smiling more like a child."

My attendants were mumbling to each other.

Well, if the misunderstanding is gone, that's fine.

(Thinking about it, getting along with my brother, eliminating future problems, strengthening the Emperor's power, and even finding a way to enter the academy, this whole situation might have been very lucky for me?)

(Objection. Your expectations for your luck have been corrected.)

I got a strange comment from Sefira.

Regular update

Next: Criminal Guild 5