Roswin had never left the Magic Department or the Imperial Palace.
It was almost a foregone conclusion that he had escaped using the Magic Department's warp gate research facility.
Of course, since this wasn't entirely certain, the defensive posture of the Imperial Palace and the Magic Department had not been relaxed.
Bertus, Harriet, and I left the Magic Department building. Our attendants followed at a distance, and we walked quietly through the Imperial Palace.
Harriet was still pale from the realization that she had unknowingly aided a criminal's escape.
"Although they're searching Roswin's residence, it's unlikely he left any incriminating evidence behind... Even if we can't determine his true level as a magician, capturing him is virtually impossible if he's escaped."
If Roswin had escaped the Imperial Palace the previous night, tracking him down would be impossible.
Bertus seemed quite uneasy, and understandably so.
Such an event had occurred within the palace, and the perpetrator remained at large.
"We may not be able to catch him, but there are a few things we've learned."
Bertus inferred the truth from the incidents that had occurred and those that hadn't.
"His goal wasn't the grimoire itself, but the source of the grimoire. If what we've heard is true."
"Mm."
Roswin was more interested in the source of the grimoire than the grimoire itself.
"But the slain magicians didn't know the source of the grimoire. What's important is that he couldn't attack those who were highly likely to know the source."
He was confident in escaping the Magic Department, but the only person who might know the source of the grimoire was untouchable.
In other words, he couldn't touch the Emperor.
Thus, Roswin was indeed skilled but not enough to single-handedly breach Tetra. Of course, where would one find someone with such skills?
"For someone like that to have infiltrated the Imperial Palace... If he's an underling of the Demon King, it'll be a real headache."
Bertus fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. Of course, there was no connection between Roswin and me, but the Empire naturally suspected the Demon King's involvement when strange events occurred.
"I don't know if I should ask this... But where did that grimoire really come from?"
"Ah, that."
The decisive reason why Roswin had killed people.
"I don't know either."
Bertus didn't know either.
"Charlotte brought it from somewhere."
Upon hearing this, I couldn't help but instantly understand the source of the grimoire.
I had thought that adventurers had brought it from the Lich's Tomb, but it turned out that Charlotte had brought it from the Demon King's Castle's underground.
"Wait, doesn't that mean Charlotte's in danger?"
At my anxious question, Bertus shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, very few people know that the stolen grimoire was brought by Charlotte, and none of them were among those who died yesterday."
Fortunately, Roswin didn't discover that Charlotte was the source of the grimoire and had no choice but to escape the Imperial Palace.
Upon hearing this, it seems likely that the scoundrel believes the Tomb of the Lich is the source of the magic tome. I'm not sure why... But if he really wants to know the origin of the magic tome and went through all this trouble, he might have gone that way.
Bertus gazes at me with a subtle smile on his face.
"And Reinhardt, for some reason, I think you might know the real origin of the magic tome."
"..."
"Well, I don't intend to pry it out of you."
I could have lied, but it didn't seem like it would work on Bertus.
As Bertus said, Roswin probably fled the palace without discovering the real origin of the magic tome.
If so, Charlotte would be safe.
If Roswin is Cantus Magna, it is clear that they will soon approach the Tomb of the Lich located in Darkland.
They want a large collection of rare magic tomes, and they will think the real origin is the Tomb of the Lich, not the underground of the Demon King's Castle.
Of course, even if the real origin is not there, the rumors of rare magic tomes being discovered in the Tomb of the Lich would be enough for Cantus Magna to approach.
Something is coming.
What kind of reality would this ominous warning that grips my heart become?
I could not know.
And then.
"Your Highness!"
From afar, someone hurriedly rushed towards us, bringing urgent news. The messenger who arrived in a short time whispered something to Bertus with an anxious expression.
Bertus's brow furrowed ominously upon hearing the news.
"...What? Are you sure?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
As Harriet and I stared intently, Bertus bit his lip.
He seemed to be both dumbfounded and angry.
"They say there's a secret room in Roswin's house. They've just discovered it."
A secret room.
Was there any evidence in there?
"But, the stolen magic tomes are just lying around in there?"
"What?"
"...Why?"
"What the hell is he doing?"
Bertus cursed in confusion at the incomprehensible situation.
—---
Bertus, Harriet, and I left the palace.
Bertus insisted on checking it himself, and so did I.
"..."
"What is this...?"
"It's really there..."
Upon entering the secret room hidden in Roswin's residence, we found numerous magic tomes scattered on the floor.
It was an impressive collection. Judging by the sheer amount, it seemed likely that a magic backpack had been used to transport them, rather than Charlotte carrying them alone.
It was now certain that Roswin had stolen the magic tomes and fled the palace.
The important thing is that he had vanished, leaving the stolen magic tomes scattered around the secret room.
It's clear from the fact that all the magic tomes were open that he had checked their contents.
The important question was, if he was Cantus Magna and needed the magic tomes, why on earth did he leave them scattered like this?
Had he managed to memorize the content well enough to make copies in the meantime?
"There's no way they thought this room wouldn't be discovered..."
"Indeed."
At Harriet's words, Bertus nodded. They wouldn't have trusted the secret room enough to leave everything so carelessly exposed. Yet, it had been discovered so quickly.
Bertus's expression had become fierce.
Why? What could be the reason?
I was wondering the same thing.
The one presumed to be Cantus Magna had carelessly left the magic tomes behind and vanished.
Of course, the magic tomes themselves might not be important to Cantus Magna. They could have a unique device to record and remember magic.
But one thing was certain.
The scattered magic tomes indicated that Roswin was acting quite hastily.
"I think he might have gone to the Lich's Tomb."
At my words, Bertus and Harriet nodded.
If Harriet's words were true, Roswin had been curious about the origins of the magic tomes. If the origin was more important than the tomes themselves, the chances of him heading towards the Lich's Tomb with wrong information were high.
Having already understood these magic tomes, was someone planning to seize them before others could break through the Lich's Tomb?
If the full force of Cantus Magna was headed to the Lich's Tomb, then the power of Antirianus and the Black Order within the dungeon might not be enough.
Bertus clenched his teeth audibly.
"Yes, it would be great to find out what's inside the Lich's Tomb, which is surrounded by rumors, and cut off the head of the insolent bastard who wreaked havoc in the palace."
Bertus yelled towards the agents waiting outside the secret room.
"Gather Shanafel and the Royal Mage Corps!"
The furious First Prince's shout echoed.
Following Cantus Magna, the empire's elites were heading toward the Lich's Tomb.
The situation was growing increasingly massive. Bertus looked at me with a serious gaze.
"Reinhardt."
"Yes?"
"You should go as well."
I thought I would be excluded, but Bertus's judgment differed from my expectations.
"If you capture the assassin suspect of murder in the palace and break through the Lich's Tomb, there will be no greater achievement for a rookie hero."
Bertus was making a decision to make the most of this situation. Even in a crisis, he was thinking of ways to achieve the best outcome.
For the hero's achievements.
I had more than enough personal reasons to go there myself.
"Alright."
At my response, Bertus nodded.
"Me, me too!"
Unable to hold back, Harriet interjected.
"I want... to go too..."
Though she was scared, Harriet felt a sense of responsibility for the situation. It was only natural that she wanted to join, especially when I was going too.
Bertus silently stared at Harriet.
He didn't expect me to capture Roswin and break through the Lich's Tomb on my own.
Most of the work would be done by Shanafel and the Royal Mage Corps, and I would just add a finishing touch.
In essence, we were hardly in any danger.
"Fine, if that's what you really want."
Thus, Bertus did not belittle or disregard the courage shown by Harriet and agreed to her request.
—---
Bertus instructed Harriet and me to join the empire's elite forces headed to the tomb of the Lich.
However, we couldn't leave immediately as it was necessary to gather the troops and prepare for the journey. The Shanafel Knights and the imperial mages were not always stationed at the palace; some were dispatched on various missions, so it took time to assemble them.
At least a day.
We had a day to spare.
So Harriet and I decided to return to the temple for now to regroup. Bertus would go back to the palace to discuss with the emperor how to handle the situation.
A dangerous battle was certain to ensue.
I joined for the sake of achieving new feats as a hero, and Harriet felt responsible for the situation, so we both had our reasons.
And more importantly, I needed to inform Lucinil about this news as soon as possible.
The Cantus Magna would come, but even more so, the full might of the empire would be unleashed.
Harriet's expression was stern and serious.
"It's going to be dangerous, isn't it?"
All the silent Harriet could say was that.
"Of course it's going to be dangerous."
"..."
"For those who will be there, not us."
"...Huh?"
Harriet was startled by my seemingly out-of-place remark.
"No, it's obvious. The imperial mage corps led by the archmage and the numerous Swordmasters of the Shanafel will be surrounding us; how could we be in danger? The ones we face will be in danger."
That's the problem right now.
The empire's elite forces, which the labyrinth's troops can't handle, plan to crush the small number of subordinates and allies!
We don't have to worry! They are the ones who should be worried!
"Is that how it's going to be......?"
"Of course. So we'll just watch from a safe distance and that's it."
The problem is that.
Assuming we capture Roswin, there is a high possibility that it would be the empire, not me, who will succeed. Then it would be impossible for me to obtain the information.
I obeyed Bertus's command to follow in case there was a way, but.
How can I handle this?
We were not in danger. I believed that no matter how many mages Cantus Magna had, they couldn't defeat the empire's elite forces.
For now, I had to return to the temple and relay the information as quickly as possible.
—---
There were many clues.
However, Charlotte suddenly said to Ellen.
“Today.”
“Let's stop for today.”
“Let's go back to the temple for now and cool our heads.”
Fear and trepidation flickered in Charlotte's eyes.
A reluctance to know something irreversible.
A desperate hope that it would remain a possibility for now.
Ellen and Charlotte felt the same complex emotions. Knowing how each other felt, Ellen and Charlotte decided to take the decisive final step later on.
The Statue of Rellia, or perhaps, Elena, at the Castle of Epiax.
They planned to visit the place tomorrow.
After returning to the temple, Ellen and Charlotte went back to their respective dormitories.
Even when one tries not to think about anything, thoughts inevitably come. Humans are like that.
However, since nothing is certain yet, they try not to be sure about anything.
Until something is confirmed and certainty is gained, it's as if nothing has happened.
But unconfirmed things can be frightening and terrifying.
That's why Ellen wanted to see Reinhardt.
Unable to stop, Ellen and Charlotte must find out more. And they will discover more.
So now.
If everything turns out to be just misunderstandings and illusions later, they don't know, but it might not be.
So.
Now.
Knock, knock
Ellen knocked on Reinhardt's door.
Having seen him leaving with Harriet, he might not have returned to the temple yet. Wondering when he would return, Ellen was about to turn away when...
Thump
"…Um."
"…"
Somehow, Reinhardt, with a slightly pale complexion, carefully opened the door.
"Why? Training? Today is not the day…"
Reinhardt seemed to be hesitant to train today, as if he had a bad feeling. Seeing Reinhardt's face, complicated thoughts boiled in Ellen's head.
She wanted to ask something right away, but fearing that it might make the situation irreversible, Ellen decided not to ask anything.
"May I come in?"
At Ellen's words, Reinhardt seemed a bit flustered but opened the door wide, as if it were okay.
Entering room A-11, Reinhardt's room, Ellen lightly sat on his bed.
Reinhardt seemed to be watching Ellen's every move, then he sat down in the chair in front of his desk.
"Here."
"…What?"
Pat, pat
Ellen patted the spot on the bed next to her.
"Can't you sit here?"
At Ellen's words, Reinhardt hesitated for a moment, then got up from the chair and sat down beside her.
For a while, Ellen just stared blankly ahead without saying anything.
What were the things Reinhardt couldn't tell her so far, and what were they really about?
Ellen and Charlotte stopped inflating the balloon, which was about to burst from being filled to its limit.
Just a little more.
One more breath, and the balloon would burst.
That's why, in this brief moment.
Because the balloon hasn't burst yet, they can still be together.
There are many questions.
Why did he help everyone so much, and why was he as gentle as he was rough?
Had he taken good care of them?
So, it might not be, Ellen still believes.
Her faith in Reinhardt is still strong.
Fiddling with her fingers, Ellen quietly says,
"What did you do today? I heard something happened at the royal palace…"
She had seen him leaving the temple with Harriet. And since she had heard from Charlotte as well, she had a rough idea of what Reinhardt had done today.
"Harriet seemed to be involved in the matter, so we looked around together to see if there was any information we could find..."
Right.
Like this.
There's no way the ever-attentive and caring Reinhardt, who always watches over everyone, could be up to something.
If that were the case, then Reinhardt wouldn't have to try so hard, so tirelessly. There would be no reason for him to put in all this effort. Therefore, it can't be him, as he wouldn't engage in something without a purpose.
The suspicion surrounding Reinhardt must be a mere illusion created by coincidental circumstances.
"Did you find anything out?"
"...There wasn't much more we could learn from being here. Well, what Harriet knew did provide some hints..."
"I see."
What had happened today?
What would happen tomorrow?
What would they eat tonight?
They had shared countless trivial conversations.
Forever.
They wanted to keep doing so forever.
Ellen turns her head towards Reinhardt. Reinhardt meets her gaze, albeit somewhat awkwardly.
Reinhardt is Reinhardt.
And Ellen is Ellen.
They can still be that way towards each other, for now.
"Reinhardt."
"...Yeah."
So, while they can still be themselves to each other.
Ellen wanted to do something she could only do now, something she wouldn't be able to do later.
Ellen carefully wraps her arms around Reinhardt's neck.
"!"
And their lips meet.
Ellen can vividly feel Reinhardt's body tensing up in her embrace.
After the brief kiss that seemed to last an eternity.
"I'm sorry..."
Ellen gently pulls away from Reinhardt, her lips slightly moistened, and quietly apologizes.
Reinhardt's eyes widen, more shocked by Ellen's sudden action than embarrassed.
"I just thought... if not now, I wouldn't be able to do it..."
Leaving only those words behind, Ellen exits Reinhardt's room.
