Am I Really Wanted by Anyone? - Chapter 29

“Olga, you mentioned there was also a diary. Who has it?”

His Majesty asked in a slightly irritated voice while tapping the desk with his finger.

“At the scene, Lord McCain the knight put it in his pocket along with the wooden box.”

“…I see.”

“Celestina, do you have any excuse?”

At the King’s words, the venue fell silent again, and everyone’s gaze turned to Princess Celestina.

“W-well, I! It’s everyone else’s fault! Because they all said they wanted to be by my side. That woman was plotting to steal Olga away! I’m not at fault. Right, Olga? That woman is threatening me to take the blame, isn’t she?”

“I am not being threatened. I would appreciate it if you didn’t speak ill of my fiancée.”

I had no reason to look at Princess Celestina.

Until now, the princess had been far too self-indulgent.

There were many incidents that the crown princes had covered up. There were also a considerable number of victims.

I didn’t care what happened to me.

If I could strike back even once here, perhaps the victims would find some relief…

In the heavy atmosphere of the conference room, only the princess’s excuses echoed, but when the prime minister cleared his throat, the King made a sour face and told me, ‘You may withdraw.’

Had my actions protected Miss Ginette?

If this led to the breaking of our engagement, then so be it.

As I left the conference room and walked down the hallway, Stefan came walking from the opposite direction and our shoulders bumped. Just as I was about to say “Hey,” something slipped into my hand with a rustle.

I was about to call out, but Stefan slowly blinked and then passed by without a word.

It was as if he was signaling something.

I clenched my hand and returned to my office as if nothing had happened.

After confirming no one was there, I checked the object in my hand—it was a small, folded piece of paper.

Remembering how it was passed to me and the exchange in the conference room, unease washed over me unavoidably.

I slowly unfolded the paper.

On it was written a single phrase: ‘You’re being targeted. Be careful.’

Tch.

Is the opponent the Queen, or those guys?

The worst-case scenario crossed my mind. Does this mean it’s not safe to stay here as I am?

I immediately wrote a letter and sent it directly using magic. It consumes quite a bit of magical power, but it’s an emergency.

I can’t afford to be picky about methods.

The more time I take, the more time I give the opponent to prepare.

Just as I was about to put on my sword and leave the office—

—Chirin chirin.

A sound rang out, and a letter appeared softly.

I hurriedly opened it—it said, ‘Be careful. We await you.’

I stuffed the letter into my breast pocket, left the room, and crossed through the knights’ quarters.

“Vice-Commander Olga, are you going out?”

“Yeah, for a bit. I think I’ll be taking a few days off, so I’m counting on you to handle things.”

“? Suddenly taking time off? Understood.”

The knight who called out looked puzzled, but I walked briskly to the carriage stop. While keeping an eye on my surroundings, I boarded the Duke’s carriage.

“Lord Olga, are you returning to the Duke’s residence?”

“No, I have business at the Bergier Marquis house. Head there.”

“As you wish.”

The coachman closed the carriage door and slowly started moving. My heartbeat quickened.

…It’s fine.

This is the busiest and safest area in the royal capital.

Besides, nothing’s going to happen.

Thinking that, I still kept my hand on the hilt, prepared for any eventuality.

Once we cross the main street, it’s just a little further.

I felt my hand gripping the hilt tighten and grow sweaty.

The carriage passed the main street and entered a road branching off from it, but it continued clattering along without incident.

Just a little further from the destination, the carriage tilted sharply with a loud impact.

“Are you alright?”

“S-sorry. A large rock suddenly appeared. I couldn’t avoid it.”

The moment I spoke to the coachman through the window, a fireball shattered the opposite window.

Tch.

So close.

“Hey, are you okay?” I called out, but there was no response. Before I knew it, the coachman was gone.

…It was a setup.

The fire spread to the seats and began burning vigorously.

This intensity of flames.

So the inside too, huh.

This is bad. But there are assassins outside too.

Steeling myself, I enhanced my body and kicked the carriage door open with force.

“He’s out!”

There were about six men in front of me. There might be more in blind spots.

Damn.

I recognize some faces.

Did my family join hands with those guys to kill me?

“Uoooh!”

Resolved, I let out a loud shout, drew my sword, and charged at the man in front of me.

The man in front of me sprayed blood and fell. Using that momentum, I cut down the man next to him too.

The enemies raised their voices, calling for their comrades, and quite a number began gathering.

…They outnumber us. I have to escape before I’m surrounded.

Knocking away the sword of the man in front of me, I created an opening, threw a high-intensity ball of light at the men with my left hand, twisted my body, and ran toward the Bergier Marquis residence.

“Hey!! He’s running! After him!”

I ran with all my might.

Finally, the residence came into view.

Just a little more, just a little more and I’ll be on the grounds.

Just as I thought that, a strong impact hit me from behind. My body was excited, my mind couldn’t catch up, and I couldn’t comprehend what was happening.

“We got him!”

A man’s voice reached my ears.

Ah, so I’ve been hit.

I couldn’t control my body properly and fell forward.

I need to escape, I thought, but my body wouldn’t move properly.

I felt like angry shouts were flying around me, but I couldn’t turn to look, and my vision gradually darkened.