Chapter 20

The group returned to the cottage and gathered in one room, leaving Lean in the care of Mordred. The members present were Hughie, Cecilia, and Jade, whom they had met on the way back. Oscar and Dante had not yet returned.

Gilbert returned to the group, who were all wearing serious expressions, and after looking at each of their faces, he sat down in a chair.

"I found some of the guards as well. They were all knocked out with some kind of drug. They don't seem to remember much before or after they fell asleep, and they didn't see the culprit's face."

"In other words, we don't know who did this to Lean, right?"

"…That's right."

Gilbert nodded in response to Jade's words and continued.

"It seems we'll have to ask Lean herself, but given what happened to the guards, it's unlikely she remembers anything."

"There's no need to do that."

Hughie, who had been silent until then, interrupted, raising his head and staring intently at Cecilia.

"Obviously, this woman is the culprit, right?"

"Huh? M-me?"

Her voice betrayed her shock. The other two were also surprised, their eyes widening.

"Why would Cecilia be the culprit?"

"Because it makes sense, doesn't it? If not, how did you know where Lean was? There were plenty of suspicious places in that direction! Besides, you could have just left her in the forest."

"Well, that's…"

"At the time, I was so angry that I believed you without thinking. But if you think about it, it's too suspicious. How could you have known exactly where Lean was?"

Cecilia involuntarily took a step back.

"You weren't around when Lean disappeared either, and you could have taken her without arousing suspicion."

"Um…"

"Have anything to say in your defense?"

Cecilia's eyes darted around, panic-stricken.

This was bad. Very bad. It was a scenario that had played out many times in the game. It was fortunate that Oscar wasn't there, but if he had been, the conditions for Cecilia's death would have been met.

(I have to come up with an excuse!!)

But what could she say? The main reason Cecilia had known about the cave was her "past life memories." If she told them the truth, they wouldn't believe her, let alone accept it.

(But if I stay silent, it will look even more suspicious! I have to say something!)

"Um, you see!"

Just as Cecilia spoke, the door opened, and the last person she wanted to see appeared.

"We're back."

"It's over!"

Cecilia gasped at the arrival of Oscar and Dante.

(What do I do—)

The conditions for her death were now in place. Cold sweat broke out on her forehead.

Her relationship with Oscar wasn't bad, but if he mistakenly believed she had hurt someone he cared about, he would likely start to dislike her, just like in the game.

Oscar and Dante both looked confused by the tense atmosphere.

"Is something wrong?"

"The air feels strange."

"Um, Hughie said… that Cecilia might be the one who kidnapped Lean."

Jade explained, frowning. Instantly, both of their brows furrowed. Cecilia couldn't read their expressions. Did they think "I see," "That's it," or "No way"?

After a moment, Oscar spoke. Cecilia tensed involuntarily.

"That's a bit too simplistic, don't you think?"

But it wasn't Oscar who spoke; it was Gilbert, who had been listening to the conversation. He spread a map of the cottage area on the table in front of Hughie.

"Look at this map. You're right; there are many places where Lean could have been hidden. However, all of those places are exposed to the rain."

"So?"

"The culprit left Lean there to be attacked by dogs, but didn't kill her. If it rained, the raindrops could have woken her up. If she woke up and made a commotion or tried to escape, it would have been troublesome for the person planning to attack her with the dogs."

Gilbert glanced out the window.

"The wind is strong today, and there are rain clouds to the east. There was a good chance it would rain. Therefore, the only place that was both hidden and protected from the rain was the cave. My sister must have anticipated this. …Right, sis?"

"Ah, …yeah!"

She nodded, even though she hadn't anticipated anything. Gilbert added, as if delivering the final blow.

"Also, at the time Lean disappeared, my sister was with someone else. If you want to verify this, I can take you to that person's room. What do you think?"

He must have been referring to Ticky and Bernard. Their meeting had been the worst, but now it was a good thing. They were alibi witnesses for Cecilia.

Hughie fell silent at Gilbert's words. Dante patted his back.

"I understand how you feel, but calm down."

"Right. Let's stay calm."

"Right."

He still looked unconvinced, but that was to be expected.

"Besides, I think this was a crime that a woman couldn't have committed."

Oscar's voice made Hughie look up.

"On the way back, I talked to the guards stationed at the back of the building and the entrance to the cottage. They said no one saw Lean during the time she disappeared."

"Even the guards at the entrance?"

"Yeah. So, she must have been taken out through the window. And she must have jumped from tree to tree to avoid being seen by the guard at the back. That's a feat even we would find difficult, let alone a frail young lady."

"Right. Ah… you're right…"

Hughie scratched his head. Then he turned to Cecilia.

"Sorry, I was wrong."

"Ah, no. It's fine if you understand…"

Cecilia sighed in relief. It seemed the worst had been avoided.

"Let's call it a day for now. We've doubled the number of guards, and whoever the culprit is, it's unlikely they'll make a move today. We can discuss this further at dinner."

Everyone nodded silently in agreement with Gilbert's words.