On the way from Berihill Prison.
The princess’s mind was extremely complicated.
Derek Minster, who had been the Prime Suspect.
He was from a family famous for Contract Killing and Loan Sharking.
He was even in charge of the Saintess, who could control Monsters.
If he, a Disowned Child of his family, was winning over prisoners for revenge, everything would fall into place.
That was why she went to the prison and even found the sword of the dead Lord, the evidence of their Collusion.
Yet, the conclusion was that Derek knew nothing about that sword.
He hadn’t even killed the Holy Knights.
“Then who in the world…?”
The princess on the white horse pondered seriously the entire way back.
With a finger placed on her smooth chin.
But no matter how much she thought, she couldn’t think of another Culprit who could control Monsters.
Because the only Wizard with Brainwashing Magic who hated The Holy See was the Saintess.
“Let’s think again.”
Camellia once again assumed that Derek and the Saintess were Accomplices.
If the Prison Warden had merely given his Connivance to the Saintess’s revenge against The Holy See, he could evade being the Culprit.
And what if Ange had secretly gifted the Treasure Sword of the Lord she killed as a reward for Turning a blind eye…?
If this guess was correct, it would also make sense how he avoided the Confession Magic.
However, even if that were true, there were still many strange things.
First, the fact that Derek remembered his Previous Life.
In reality, the Assassination Techniques she saw in their duel were quite incredible.
If he hadn’t told her beforehand where he would attack from, she too would have been helpless.
Furthermore, he currently wishes for The Empire to survive.
And for that, he came as the Prison Warden and is using the Saintess and her own uncle.
“I made a mistake…”
Come to think of it, the answer ‘I wish for The Empire to survive’ was very ambiguous.
The reason for The Empire’s survival might not be because of Loyalty, but because of his Ambition to swallow it whole.
The reason he coached her could simply be to win her Favor.
In fact, many had approached her aiming for Social climbing.
“Your Highness, are you alright?
You look very tired.” “I am fine.
I’m just a little tired from using Confession Magic after a long time.”
At the White Horse Unit Commander’s concern, the Princess gave a faint smile.
Afterward, she tried to force the man who filled her mind out of her thoughts.
‘Right, let’s not jump to conclusions.
I just need to keep watching and find out.’
Camellia glanced back at the distant Berihill Prison.
Below the perpetually snow-capped mountains, the old building stood gloomily.
The man who would be in the Warden’s Office on the 2nd floor.
The sight of him, having fallen on purpose during the duel, looking up at her with satisfaction.
“…How irritating.”
For the first time in her life, it made a feeling of vexation surge within her.
“What did you just say, Your Highness?” “It’s nothing.
It’s just because I felt a Competitive Spirit after a long time.”
She heard the New Prison Warden was just 21 years old.
He, a subject two years younger than her, had looked up at her as if she were cute.
“As expected…
he must be quite a tenacious man.
For Your Highness to feel a Competitive Spirit.”
The White Horse Unit Commander looked back at the prison with a very grim expression.
Filled with Loyalty, he confidently promised his superior.
“Do not worry.
My knights and I will watch him thoroughly and uncover his vile side.” “No, I will handle his surveillance myself.”
The Princess stopped the commander, who had clenched his fist.
“Since he is a suspicious person, erasing one’s Presence is important.
It’s better for me, who is familiar with magic, to do it.” “Ah, so you had such a Profound Intention.”
“Ahem…
Let’s return, it’s almost time for the meeting.” “Understood.”
Camellia skillfully rode her horse.
Even while returning to the Northern Imperial Palace, the prison kept weighing on her mind.
If Derek really turned out to be just an upright Loyal Subject.
It would be the first time in her life meeting a man who sincerely wished for the well-being of The Empire.
“Please, I hope he’s a proper one this time.”
In the past, there were similar men, but most had dark intentions.
Especially those with handsome faces had shady backgrounds.
Because of such experiences, the Princess intended to inspect him even more thoroughly this time.
Because Derek Minster, with his weary-looking eyes, had the face of a Mastermind to anyone who saw him.
***
Berihill Prison, after the storm had passed.
In the Office, two heavyweight prisoners sat facing each other.
While the Prison Warden and Clea went to get drinks, they silently looked at each other.
“…”
Ange had never been fond of Elder Darc.
Because for Politicians, their own turf wars came before The People.
It was the same for Darc.
To him, who valued principles and Justification, the group known as religion just looked like Fanatics.
However, they also had a common trait.
That they were the best in their respective fields and possessed a sharp eye for detail.
“Did you not sense something different about Warden Derek just now?”
The seasoned This Old Man spoke first.
“I saw the inside pocket of his jacket.
For a Civilian, you have a good eye for detail.”
The red dress that enveloped her beautiful figure.
The 22-year-old Ange complimented the 60-year-old Politician.
Darc showed no sign of displeasure at the words of someone young enough to be his granddaughter.
He showed the Dignity of a Power behind the throne, who acknowledges the strong regardless of age.
“Warden Derek’s jacket usually has nothing in it.
But when he came out of the Magic Circle, a slight bulge had formed.”
Ange calmly nodded her head.
“That’s right.
I found that strange too, so I looked closely and felt a faint Mana.” “If its Aura can be felt from afar, it must be a fine artifact.
It might even be better than the Sword at his waist.”
The Saintess’s expression darkened at Darc’s biting remark.
It seemed as if her intense Red Eyes would command the This Old Man before her to commit Suicide at any moment.
Because the Elder’s words meant that what he received from the Princess was better than the gift from the Saintess.
“No need to get so worked up.
The Warden I’ve seen is not one to decide who to follow over a mere gift.” “What do you want to say, Great Elder?”
“It just means you shouldn’t use him for your playing at religion.” “…”
The Prison Warden who overcame even the Test of his own cold-hearted Niece.
Darc finally began to rate his value highly.
“If the Princess has already given him a gift, his Standing in The Empire will grow day by day.
He doesn’t suit your fanatical Revolution.”
The Old Lion speaking without hesitation to the red Saintess.
He maintained an Aloof Expression despite knowing full well what happened to those who challenged her.