Arata: “This is… quite a severe situation, isn’t it?”

Vergil: “I’m truly sorry.”

 

Upon returning to the mansion, I was led to Rose-san.

Although the rushed manner of the maid guiding me gave some hints, seeing Rose-san’s condition was truly horrific.

Her beautiful face, derived from her avatar, was horribly burnt, with no trace of her original visage. Bandages were wrapped all over her body, with visible stains from burns and cuts.

 

Arata: “How is my disciple doing?”

Vergil: “Remarkably well. Not fearing the sword, charging into magic without any hesitation… As a warrior, they are top-notch. I’d like to start battling with them from tomorrow, no, even now.”

 

When I addressed Vergil-san, who was in the corner of the room, he responded more positively than expected.

With this, even after I go on my journey, Rose-san will not be lacking a training partner.

 

Arata: “That’s good to hear.”

Rose: “…I will refrain until these injuries heal.”

 

Indeed, if these injuries don’t heal, she won’t even be able to manage daily life, let alone train.

Luckily, I’ve just acquired healing magic, so I should treat Rose-san.

 

Vergil: “Oh, healing magic… It seems to be quite high-level.”

 

I used level 6 healing magic 『Absolute Cure』 just to be safe, but level 4’s 『Middle Cure”』would have sufficed.

Additionally, I cast level 5 healing magic 『Overheal』 to restore her drained stamina.

With this, Rose-san, who was previously in a battered state, has fully recovered without a single injury.

 

Rose: “Eh? What happened?”

Arata: “How do you feel? Any abnormalities?”

 

Rising from the bed, Rose-san feels her body over her clothes.

I can somewhat understand her feelings.

Experiencing the sensation of injuries healing through magic is truly surreal.

 

Rose: “I’m fine. In fact, I feel lighter!”

Arata: “That’s good to hear. It seems you can resume training now.”

Rose: “Yes! …Wait, what?”

Arata: “Vergil-san, please.”

Vergil: “Leave it to me.”

Rose: “Wait, now? My body might have healed, but I’m still tired from combat…”

Vergil: “On the battlefield, the tired ones die first. The enemy won’t consider your condition.”

Rose: “At least, let’s start from tomorrow—”

 

Vergil-san grabbed Rose-san by the scruff of her neck and led her out of the room.

Now then.

With the mood lightened, I should finish up my last task.

 

Arata: “I never expected you to betray us.”

Dorothy: “…”

Arata: “Right, Dorothy-san?”

 

The one who came in as Vergil-san left was the head maid of the mansion, Dorothy-san.

 

Dorothy: “Betrayal… What are you talking about?”

Arata: “There’s no need to play dumb. I know everything.”

 

Vergil-san whispered to me as he left.

That there’s a high possibility of a traitor in this mansion.

The high possibility that Rose-san was poisoned.

The most effective way to administer the poison would be during a meal.

But why target only Rose-san?

 

If one were to poison dinner, they should’ve targeted me as well, considering I’d be in the mansion tonight.

Then it hit me: the wake-up potion that Rose-san drank.

It’s logical to assume it was laced with poison.

Especially when the thieves who broke into the mansion directly targeted Princess Glen’s room, it’s clear someone with stature among the servants aided them.

 

Dorothy: “…It seems you’ve figured everything out.”

Arata: “Did you come here… intending to die?”

 

The expression on the face of Dorothy-san, who visited the room, was neither that of a villain plotting to kill her master nor a sinner regretting her actions.

It was the face of a servant with pride.

Betraying One’s Master

 

Dorothy: “Betraying one’s master is something a servant should never do. I will apologize with my life.”

Arata: “I feel Rose-san might forgive you.”

Dorothy: “This is a decision I made when I started working as a servant.”

Arata: “…Then let me assist in your end.”

Dorothy: “Thank you.”

 

Drawing a knife, Dorothy-san hesitated not a moment to place it to her own throat.

What drove her to betrayal remains unknown.

However, even in death, her face was filled with dignity—

 

***

 

Midnight—

 

All those affiliated with the dark guild 『Fenrir』 were simultaneously apprehended.

There had always been suspicions about individuals connected to Fenrir.

However, due to the gravity of the situation, every move had to be made with caution.

But with the acquisition of definitive evidence like ledgers and item lists provided by Aya, arrests were made.

Prominent figures involved with the dark guild  Fenrir  were detained, and this list wasn’t limited to nobles and merchants but extended to the royal family as well.

 

David, the Third Prince: “What is the meaning of this?!”

 

In his palace, armed individuals stormed in. These were members of the First Knight Order, directly under the king, commonly referred to as “The Royal Guards”. Only the elite of the elite knights are allowed to join this prestigious group.

 

David, the Third Prince: “Do you know who I am—”

Knight’s Captain: “Third Prince David, due to your support for the dark guild 『Fenrir』 and the stampede incident in Reine, you are hereby arrested for treason.”

David, the Third Prince: “What?!”

 

The Knight’s Captain produced a document. On it, the charges against Prince David were detailed, along with the king’s signature.

The movement of the Royal Guards indicated the king himself ordered this action. Thus, it meant the king had chosen to act against his son’s misdeeds rather than conceal or defend them.

 

Knight’s Captain: “Take him away.”

Knight: “Yes, sir.”

 

As the knights moved to detain the prince, he resisted.

 

David, the Third Prince: “Damn it!”

Knight’s Captain: “Any resistance is—What?”

 

The prince seemed to reach for something, which the captain initially thought might be a weapon for self-defense. However, what the prince produced was a gem emitting an eerie glow. Even if it were a high-rarity magic item, the low-leveled prince shouldn’t have been able to activate it.

However, the ominous feeling emanating from the item made the captain unsheathe his sword.

 

—【Rapier Technique】Skill, Level 6 Ability 『Deadly Penetration』

 

The ability pierced the gem held by the prince—

 

***

 

Report

 

Third Prince David Arthur Bruno: Deceased

Casualties: 6

Mark Griffin Cartright

Jason Pat Irvine

Allen Cox

Nicholas Foster

Edgar Dennis

Jim Roberts