Chapter 50

After school, Gilbert was standing behind the school building. This place, facing north, was dark and rarely visited by anyone. It was a perfect spot for secret conversations.

In front of him stood Bernard. His usual timid demeanor was gone, and he quietly gazed at Gilbert.

"Is something wrong today?"

Gilbert was the first to speak. Bernard's gaze wandered for a moment before he spoke in a thin voice.

"…I've come to be your accomplice."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Earlier this morning, I received this information."

He pulled out a black envelope from his pocket.

"What is it?"

"It's information from an informant we employ."

Bernard's eyes fell on the note he had taken out of the envelope.

"To summarize, it says, 'Gilbert Sylvie is seeking accomplices to take revenge on the Colson family.'"

"…"

"From this, it seems you've been treated quite badly before you joined the Sylvie family."

The corners of Bernard's mouth turned up, and his eyes behind his glasses narrowed.

"On the other hand, Gilbert, Ticky's analysis was correct. You were investigating the Colson family, but you were gathering information to tarnish Ticky, not Nicole. Am I wrong?"

"…Well?"

"If the next head of the Colson family were to be avenged by the next head of the Sylvie family, it would cause a conflict. But if Ticky, who has fallen to a commoner, were to be targeted, it would be a different story."

With an unprecedented eloquence, he cornered Gilbert.

"However, you can't take him down alone. Because if you move, you will definitely be suspected. That's why you were gathering accomplices to help you take revenge."

Bernard placed his hand on his chest. His eyes were slightly bloodshot with excitement.

"I can help you. You understand my situation, don't you? I also want to take revenge on Ticky!!"

Gilbert looked at the breathless Bernard with a cold gaze and then slowly exhaled as if giving up.

"I will give you some credit for bringing this information."

"Then!"

"However, I cannot make you my accomplice."

Gilbert's dismissive words made Bernard take a small step back in disbelief.

"Why not?"

"You truly hate Ticky, and you genuinely want to help. …However, you lack the resolve."

"Resolve?"

"How can someone who has always been content with being a goldfish's waste and has never even killed a bug help me? What would you do if I had planned an incredibly cruel scheme?"

Gilbert spoke as if testing Bernard's resolve. Bernard was silent for a moment, then a thin, eerie smile appeared on his face.

"That's not true."

"What do you mean?"

"Do you know about the incident in March where a woman was hit on the head with a rock?"

"Yes."

"…The culprit in that incident was me. Before I knew it, I had the rock and was attacking her."

Bernard moved closer to Gilbert.

"At that time, various things happened, and I couldn't kill her. But if there's a next time, I will definitely finish the job. And if the target is Ticky, I can do anything!"

With wide eyes, Bernard grabbed Gilbert's chest.

"Have you understood my resolve? Now, choose me as your partner! Since you are known to be cunning, you must have already gathered some information, right?"

"…"

"Have you found evidence of his misdeeds? Or are you planning to frame him with a crime he didn't commit? Ah, or have you figured out a day when he will be alone?"

Gilbert casually pushed Bernard's hand away and straightened his slightly wrinkled shirt.

"Still, I cannot choose you as my partner."

"Why not?"

"Because you will be caught here."

At that moment, Cecilia suddenly appeared where there were only two people.

"Gotcha!!"

She touched the treasure on her wrist and then touched Bernard. Instantly, Bernard was covered by a round, transparent glass-like object.

"Don't touch it carelessly! It will repel you with great force!"

Cecilia said this while still touching the glass-like surface. She had turned the treasure, which was supposed to protect her body, into a cage to capture Bernard.

Bernard's voice trembled as he looked at Cecilia.

"Where did you come from…"

"From here."

Jade suddenly appeared behind Cecilia. He had covered his body with a treasure that could hide his presence and had been hiding with Cecilia, watching the situation unfold.

"There are people here too."

This time, the voice came from behind Gilbert. The background distorted, and Leen, Oscar, and a frozen Mordred appeared. Leen's wrist was wrapped with the treasure that Jade had once returned.

"You shouldn't believe things so easily. You're such a fool."

"I could probably replicate something like this too."

This time, a voice came from above, and two people descended from the tall tree next to them: Dante and Hugh. They held the same black envelope that Bernard had just had.

Gilbert brought his hand, which he had been holding behind his back, to the front. In his hand was a palm-sized iron box. When Gilbert pressed the button on the box, the conversation from earlier began to play.

"Have you heard about the incident in March where a woman was hit on the head with a rock?"

"Yes."

"…The culprit in that incident was me. Before I knew it, I had the rock and was attacking her."

"!"

"It's a phonograph. I had Grace rush to make it smaller for today. Still, it won't fit in my palm."

Gilbert turned off the switch and faced Bernard again. He gave him a sly smile, one he had never shown before.

"If there's no evidence, then getting a confession is enough."

I've been feeling unwell (I still have a pretty bad cough... )

I'm sorry for the late update (´；ω；`) Uuu