Chapter 35

"Elnoga Miktinjer was late...? Elnoga is the assassin that Johan and Rinsya captured the other day, right?"

Elnoga Miktinjer—a well-known assassin from the neighboring kingdom of Delcott, who is said to have been involved in the assassination of several important figures. The identity of his employer was unknown, and he was still under investigation—

"Jade Belclain confessed. He said that he was the one who hired that man. ...Originally, Elnoga was supposed to be Belclain's trump card. To take out both of us at the same time. However, he didn't show up at the appointed time. It was then that we obtained evidence showing Jil Westaria's high aptitude for poison magic."

Elnoga appeared a few days after Belclain was detained, but it turned out that the client was Belclain himself. And this fact is connected to the execution of the assassination plan using Jil.

Given that Belclain likely had information on the movements of the troublemakers, I suggested probing him, but I never expected such facts to come to light...

"Leia, shall we take a walk?"

"A walk? I don't mind, but..."

With that, Eric led me out of the office. Would we walk in the palace garden? Indeed, the sunset is beautiful and the temperature is cool, so a walk might be refreshing.

"You've been dragged into quite a mess without realizing it. It's not right for a saint like you to be involved in the internal politics to this extent, but I understand that."

"I don't think I've been dragged in. Rather, I am proud to be able to assist you in upholding your own righteousness, Lord Eric."

"Thank you. I know I'm relying on you. But I want you to indulge me a little more. Recently, I realized that you are the only one I can be selfish with..."

"Lord Eric..."

Given his character, if he felt responsible for involving me, he might have pushed me away. But he didn't—instead, he asked me to stay with him. Eric's eyes, reflecting the sunset, seemed to be filled with warmth.

"I'm glad. When we first spoke, you called me a wicked saint who abuses her sister. I never thought you would be the one to be selfish with me."

"Hey, are you holding a grudge?"

"Of course. That day, you said you would judge me with your own eyes. I've been waiting for the answer."

On the day I was told my engagement to Philip was broken, Eric suddenly confronted me... and I ended up reacting with irritation.

Still, he said he would judge me by looking at me... and we've been together ever since.

I was happy just to be believed, but—

"Knowing that I can be selfish with you makes me feel special to you, Lord Eric."

"Leia, I—"

"That's why I want to resolve your worries as soon as possible. To do that, let's talk to Elnoga. We might recall useful information by hearing Belclain's story."

"......Yeah, that's right. Let's start with questioning him. As expected of Leia, you always make calm judgments."

Eric thinks I am special to him.

I'm sorry, but I deliberately avoided answering his feelings.

If I were to hear it now, in this situation, I might lose my composure and hinder him—

I intended to take a walk to relax, but my heart was pounding so much that I couldn't focus.

Trying to cover it up, I walked with Eric to the solitary confinement cell where Elnoga was being held.

To get closer to the truth—

"Eric Elscheid. Does my assassination target have another matter to discuss?"

"Your employer has been identified. Jade Belclain, the former duke of this country. Does that name ring a bell?"

Even with his hands and feet bound, Elnoga was spreading a killing aura as if provoking us. Eric continued to question him despite this.

"I don't know. Since I have been defeated, I will show respect to your subordinates and tell you what I know, but it's a shame."

We know that Belclain used multiple layers of dummy information to prevent his tracks from being traced. Therefore, this answer was expected. The problem is what comes next.

"Mr. Elnoga, your employer, Belclain, said you were late. Was there any reason for your tardiness?"

"...You are the saint, I see. It's a pity we couldn't fight to the death with such strong guards."

"Please answer the question."

"Was I late? It was against my will. I followed the instructions to delay the plan due to the client's circumstances."

I see. So Elnoga was late because he was instructed by someone. If that's the case, one fact becomes clear.

Belclain's assassination plan was interfered with by someone—however, from the fact that Elnoga was sent, it can be inferred that the mastermind also intended to eliminate Eric.

"Belclain also had enemies. He was trying to change the country, so it's true that Duke Argluen and Duke Merheid were wary of him."

"However, if someone was going to interfere, wouldn't it be enough to inform on the evidence of Belclain sending assassins?"

"Belclain also covered his tracks completely. Objective evidence is not easy to find. But it seems that he could indirectly interfere with the content of the request to Elnoga."

In other words, Belclain's failure to use Jil was the result of someone's interference. Perhaps even the plan to use Jil as his assassin was orchestrated.

Let's meet Jil once and talk to her—.