Chapter 52

"…You've worked hard. I'm grateful that you've summarized the report for me."

After finishing the dinner with Prince Dale, I compiled the conversation into a report and submitted it to Prince Eric the next day. I detailed the relationship between Nash, the ice cream shop owner, and Prince Dale, as well as the Duke of Merhyde.

"The Duke of Merhyde seems to bear a deep grudge against Prince Eric."

"That's only natural. To him, I am the very embodiment of evil trying to take away his privileges. He's fine as he is; it's easier to deal with him this way."

Prince Eric seemed to regard the Duke of Merhyde with utter disdain. I found his rough manner of speaking unpleasant, but it seemed to suit the prince's purposes.

"I'm more concerned about the Duke of Argluen. I suspect there's some meaning behind introducing Nash Hoffman to Dale."

"I was concerned about that too. In the end, I couldn't ask… I'm sorry."

"No, this much information is enough. You were willing to take the risk to find out more, and that's a great help."

Prince Eric put the report on his desk and began to get ready to leave. I wondered where he was going. It was unusual for him to go out at this time of day, except to accompany the Holy Maiden in her duties.

(I'm glad I could be of help to Prince Eric.)

I had been anxious because I couldn't read Prince Dale's mind, but it seemed my worries were unfounded.

"So, what did you think of this story?"

"Me? I still think there's another culprit. When I asked Prince Dale about Nash, it seemed to confirm my suspicions…"

"That's correct. He is not the culprit in this attempted murder. We're going to catch the real culprit."

"Yes!"

I fully agree with Prince Eric's determination to identify the real culprit. I was still puzzled by why the crime was committed in his own shop, especially since it was a shop he had opened with a donation from Prince Dale.

(But what does it mean to go to the real culprit? Does Prince Eric already know who the culprit is?)

"Thanks to Reia's report, I know who the culprit is. Linsha, you're coming with me. Johan, I have a task for you."

"Sure thing!"

"Understood!"

Prince Eric called out to Linsha and Johan, who were waiting outside the door, and headed for the palace gates. The fact that he was taking Linsha along suggested he was prepared to take drastic action.

He was determined to find and apprehend the culprit at all costs. Thus, we got into the carriage and headed for the real culprit's location.

◆

"Prince Eric, are you saying the culprit is here?"

"Linsha, you know this place! It's the ice cream shop!"

The carriage stopped in front of the ice cream shop. However, the owner, Nash, was still in the cell. Was there no one in the shop?

(No, I can sense someone. Is someone inside?)

This was strange. If the owner wasn't there, who could be inside? After all, only Nash, who excels in ice magic, can make ice cream. I couldn't understand why anyone would have business here.

"Hmm. Is the door locked?"

"Linsha, I'm good at breaking doors! And even better at smashing them!"

"Please calm down, Linsha. Someone other than Nash must have a key to this place."

Prince Eric confirmed that the door was locked. I thought Nash had locked it and left, but perhaps there was another way in.

The windows were also closed, and there was no sign of another entry point.

"Someone must have a spare key…"

"Yes, that's right. And the person with the spare key slipped in here when I ordered the guard to withdraw. …Open this door. I know you're in there."

Prince Eric knocked and spoke. Soon, the door opened with a click. The person who emerged was…

"Prince, I didn't expect you to come here. Is something wrong?"

The person who came out from behind the door was the waiter from the ice cream shop. The one who had agreed to taste the food for Prince Eric.

"What are you doing here? You're acting as if you own the place, even though the owner isn't here. What were you doing?"

Instead of asking the waiter why he was there, Prince Eric asked him why he was there.

"I was just trying to improve the ventilation. Nash will want to open the shop as soon as he gets back."

"Hmm. Ventilation, huh? I thought you were here to cover up evidence. I even suspected you might try to burn the place down."

"What!?"

The waiter's face changed when Prince Eric mentioned covering up evidence. What? Does this mean he's the culprit? Is that what Prince Eric is trying to say?

"Haha, what are you talking about? The culprit in the attempted murder was Nash, right? I have no reason to cover up evidence."

"You said you were trying to get the shop ready, but that contradicts your claim that the owner is the culprit, doesn't it?"

"Ugh…!"

The waiter was already digging his own grave. This person is definitely the real culprit. But why him…?

"Let's ask again. Why are you here? I've been told that you've been lurking around this area every day since the incident."

"I, I forgot something! I lied because I thought I'd be scolded for taking something from the crime scene!"

"Hmm. It sounds like a desperate excuse, but fine. What did you forget?"

"It, it was a knife! Yes! I forgot a knife!"

The waiter said he had forgotten a knife, his voice trembling. He was trying to talk his way out of it, but Prince Eric wouldn't let him.

"The culprit is Nash. Not me."

"Your attempt to feign innocence in this situation is impressive. But in my mind, he's no longer the culprit. He had a sure way to kill the Baron Almar without using poison."

"……"

That's right. Nash can use lethal poison magic. He could have killed the Baron without preparing poison.

Yet, he didn't, and ended up being caught as a suspect. It's a ridiculous story.

Prince Eric, upon hearing from me that Nash can use lethal poison magic, naturally concluded that Nash was not the culprit.

"Looking back, you were strange from the beginning. You smiled and agreed to taste the food without any suspicion about your true identity."

Now that I think about it, that's true. It could be seen as good customer service, but normally there would be more reaction.

"Indeed, I thought you were a strange customer, but it's basic customer service not to be rude."

However, that doesn't necessarily mean he's the culprit. Prince Eric must know that. He's just trying to shake the waiter.

"According to eyewitnesses, you were the only one, besides the owner, to touch the ice cream served. So, the poison must have been put in by either the owner or you."

"Then Nash is the culprit! He didn't use lethal poison magic to create two suspects!"

The waiter raised his voice to deny his guilt. I can understand his desperation, but that reasoning was a mistake. At this point, I'm convinced he's the culprit. Because—

"How do you know Nash can use lethal poison magic?"

"Wh-what? W-well, that is, um…"

"Few people know that information. Who are you?"

There shouldn't be many people who know that Nash can use lethal poison magic. We only found out from Prince Dale.

The waiter's face turned even paler. He was trembling and looking down.

(Why don't you give up? It's getting harder to talk your way out of this.)

"I, I…! Damn it!"

"「—!？」"

Suddenly, the waiter tried to run away. But it was a futile effort. There was no need for Prince Eric or me to chase him.

"I won't let you escape!"

"Ugh! It hurts! It hurts! My arm is breaking!"

Linsha jumped onto the waiter's back and twisted his arm. The waiter fell and let out a scream, writhing in pain from her ruthless joint lock.

"It seems our plan has worked, Your Highness…"

"Prince Eric, I heard about the release. Why is he here?"

At that moment, Johan appeared with Nash. It seems Prince Eric had asked Johan to bring Nash here.

"Nash Hoffman. He's the real culprit. He tried to frame you by poisoning the ice cream in your shop."

Prince Eric calmly told Nash who the real culprit was…

Tragic Heroine ~ The comic adaptation start date has been decided!

Starting on May 20th, it will be serialized on Comic Gardo!

The artist is Masuke Masukawa-sensei!

It's being drawn incredibly well, so please be sure to check it out!

For more details, see below:

http://blog.over-lap.co.jp/gardo_20220513_11/