Chapter 43: CH 42

For an instant I thought it was hopeless, but the blade that was meant to kill Claire-sama was stopped by a powerful arm.

“Sein-sama!”

“… I’ve just barely made it”

The black-masked man’s knife pierced through Sein-sama’s arm.

His blood trickled down.

“Oh my, isn’t it the leftover prince”

“… An enemy, huh”

Without caring about black-masked man’s words, Sein-sama unleashed his fist charged with magical power.

Although the black-masked man dodged, his mask was slightly grazed.

With his mask chipped, his real face peeked through.

The man hurriedly covered it with his hand.

“Oya oya. I thought I’ve seen it all, but you ain’t quite bad”

“… The army will arrive soon. Resign yourself”

Although the army also has excellent magicians, Sein-sama’s body strengthening magic is considerable.

With his quickened feet, he arrived first.

Nevertheless, with his position as a prince it’s unacceptable to take the lead.

“I see, I see. Well then, perhaps I should try my luck escaping”

The black-masked man said in his usual out-of-place cheerful voice.

“… Do you think you can?”

“Well, wouldn’t I manage somehow or another? Besides, I’ve already achieved my goal”

“…?”

“At first it was to kill as many nobles as possible… But I got an unexpected harvest”

While we were puzzled by what the black-masked man said――”

“… Guh”

“Sein-sama!?”

Sein-sama suddenly fell to his knees.

Claire-sama rushed to him in panic.

“… Poison… huh…”

“Correct. It’s specially made, the detoxification method hasn’t yet been discovered. Please savor it”

Having cheerfully said it over his shoulder, the man disappeared in the dead of night.

Soldiers came running late, and arrested Lambert-sama, Lene and the men with an exception of the masked one.

“Sein-sama! Sein-sama!”

Claire-sama clung to the collapsed Sein-sama and kept calling his name.

But, there was no response.

His breathing is rough, sweat covers his forehead, and from time to time he’s letting out pained moans.

Ominous dark spots appeared on his skin.

This is――.

“Doctor! Quickly call a doctor!”

“Claire-sama, please move away”

“But, Sein-sama is!”

“It’s okay. I can detoxify him, probably”

I somehow managed to tear off Claire-sama, who completely lost her cool seeing the person she loves on the brink of death.

This poison is probably that poison.

I wove a detoxification water attribute magic.

Probably, it should have this configuration.

“! Spots!”

Spots that afflicted Sein-sama’s skin gradually faded, and though he didn’t wake up, Sein-sama’s breathing calmed down.

“As expected, it was the poison from the Naa Empire”

“What did you say!? Then, that person was from the Naa Empire!?”

I nodded.

I touched on it a little before, the Naa Empire is a powerful country located east of the kingdom.

“How do you have such knowledge…”

“No comment about it”

“In the first place, why were you by yourself in such a place? It is as if you were aware of Lene’s betray from the beginning”

“Because I was suspicious of Lambert-sama. Still, I was surprised by Lene”

Mix the truth and lies subtly.

Claire-sama is straightforward, but since she’s sharp it’s hard to deceive her.

“You… perhaps――”

“… Uh… nn”

When Claire-sama tried to say something, Sein-sama woke up.

“Sein-sama!”

“… Claire… huh. You’re safe. I’m glad”

“What are you saying! Putting yourself in danger… What if something happened to you!”

Claire-sama clung to Sein-sama’s chest and wept.

Although Sein-sama was visibly troubled, before long he hugged her closely and stroked her hair.

“… It seems I made you worry”

“Honestly… If Sein-sama died, I… I…”

“… Sorry”

“Umm, sorry to interrupt while you’re busy”

Without even trying to read the air I spoke to the two who were getting excited while neglecting the heroine.

“For now, why don’t we move. It’s cold here”

“Y o u a r e . . . !”

Claire-sama stared at me with a demonic look, but although it’s spring, the night air is truly cold.

“It seems it’s more or less solved”

Rod-sama also came with the other members of the Order of the Academy.

“Should I tell the story”

◆◇◆◇◆

“―― And that’s how it is”

We gathered in the meeting room of the Order of the Academy to hear Rod-sama’s report about dealing with the riot aftermath.

The incident was quickly brought under control.

When the citizens who surged into the academy learned the truth behind the incident – that the culprit was behind the commoners’ movement, they lost their cause and dispersed.

The commoners’ movement, that had gained traction after the courtyard incident for the time being seems to have died down.

The dissatisfaction of commoners with nobility still runs deep, but it’s too early from the incident.

Everybody seems to be restraining themselves.

Although scars in the form of parts of the academy being destroyed remain, other than that the academy regained peace.

Now, we can see the figures of construction guild workers, who are doing repairs, carrying in lumber and bricks, before long everything will settle down.

“…”

Claire-sama has a listless expression.

While listening to Rod-sama’s story, from time to time she glances to her left with an uncomposed appearance.

That’s where Lene has always been waiting.

Lene and Lambert-sama were arrested for the crime of treason.

They may have been threatened, but it’s the fact they attempted to murder royalty and nobility on foreign orders.

Compared to nobles, they are only commoners.

Even taking extenuating circumstances into consideration their crime warrants death penalty at best, at worst their whole family could be executed.

Orso Company also lost their power overnight.

The magical gems mining and distribution rights were seized by the country, they’re now awaiting the country’s verdict.

“Orso family will be… put to death as expected?”

Claire-sama asked Rod-sama.

“It’s very likely. They might have had their own circumstances, but what they did was too big”

“… That is right, is it not”

The meeting room sank into silence.

It’s not just Claire-sama cherishing Lene.

Lambert-sama was deeply trusted by the members of the Order of the Academy.

Hearing such a person will be given death penalty, even if it’s a lawful punishment, is incomprehensible thought to the other people.

“That’s right, Claire and Rei. You will receive a reward”

To drive away the gloomy atmosphere, Rod-sama said so in a cheerful voice.

“A reward… is it?”

“Ah. You quickly found the mastermind behind the incident and defeated the chimera. On top of that, Rei saved the prince’s, Sein’s, life. It would be strange if you didn’t receive a reward”

“Soon, I think you’ll be called to the royal palace. It’s said you will receive the reward directly from His Majesty”

Claire-sama’s doubt was answered by Rod-sama and Yuu-sama.

“I did no―― mmm”

“Is that so. It is an honor. We gratefully accept”

Blocking Claire-sama’s mouth from uttering something unnecessary, I said.

“Hey, what are you doing!”

“Claire-sama, I have a good idea”

I whispered in Claire-sama’s ear what came to my mind.

“I see… It might be worth trying”

“Right?”

Claire-sama seems to have agreed.

Then, several days later, we were summoned to the royal palace.