“Alright, my little imp.” I grab Bell off my shoulders and hold her in my arms as I walk away from the Gold Dorm. Lunch ended on a pleasant note. I’ll never be able to relax around them, for more than one reason, but there’s hope we can be friendly. Especially after I save the prince’s life. “Let’s hear it.”

“Coo~” [The plan is rather simple. It seems the prince is preparing to take leave from the Hall to hunt manabeasts. Marcus plans to arrange a fatal accident.]

“So simple no one would think twice about it.” Manabeasts are dangerous. Going against one means risking your life, no matter who you are. “But wouldn’t that be incredibly difficult? Samuel wouldn’t go alone. Browyn would be there and probably a whole host of other people to keep him safe. How exactly does he plan on getting past all those watching eyes?”

[In his mind, I saw him associate the concept of hunters as allies. He must be planning to bribe one of the guilds, direct the prince into choosing them as bodyguards, and then they will collectively betray him.]

“That’s insanity. The crown will investigate anyone involved. They’ll be hunted to the ends of the kingdom.”

[Yes. So, to secure their cooperation, Marcus must be offering them a way to escape the country and enough gold to live comfortable enough lives.]

As if. He’s a useless spare son. That means he doesn’t have the capital or the connections to bribe and relocate an entire team of hunters. He has a rich backer and if we’re talking about getting out of the country…the Expansionists. “Julius?” He’s a vassal of the Guiness family. If anyone could do it, it’d be him.

[He is the only one that I haven’t had the chance to examine. The extent of his involvement is yet to be determined but I agree with you. Someone with immense capital is funding this plan.]

I grunt in agreement. What a mess. “He’d have to be an idiot but those aren’t exactly rare. Alright. We can talk to Maxine. She can snoop around a lot more effectively than I can. Ah, I feel a little bad getting her involved.” Though perhaps I shouldn’t? If Julius is really involved, her family will share in the responsibility to some extent. She’d undoubtedly want to stop this assassination more than I do.

[Then you will just have to make it—Master Lou, Marcus is approaching you.]

I stiffen but stop the urge to turn around. The hand landing firmly on my shoulder still manages to make me jump despite being forewarned. I turn and Marcus indeed stands before me. He doesn’t look very happy. “Marcus? Is there something I could do for you? Or the prince?”

“…what are you doing?” His eyes are hard as he stares down at me. Cheh, tall bastard. “By all accounts, you should be doing all that you can to get away from us.”

“Is it so surprising I would be on my best behavior? Doesn’t do me any good to be hated by your owner.”

His lips curl in distaste. “I don’t know what your game is but I suggest you stay away from Lady Rosefield and Prince Samuel. They don’t need someone like you hanging around.”

“You care a lot about your owner, don’t you?”

“It’s only natural. As Prince Samuel’s manservant, I prioritize his well-being over all else. That includes a lecherous fool besmirching his reputation.”

“Hilarious.” Here’s an idea. If I put the fear of Cosmo into this fool right now, can’t I end this nonsense? Bell, put on your mean face.

He takes a step back as the imp hisses, glaring at him with all four of her eyes. I claim his step and take another, putting me uncomfortably close to him. My own glare has less power having to look up at him but I’m sure having the conversation suddenly turned on him is unsettling enough.

“You are a very good actor, Mr. Manservant, but I can see right through you. You aren’t as dedicated as you seem, are you? Inside you’re a knot of greed and bitterness, wrapped in cold anger. Ready to lash out. I wonder at who, hm?”

He looks at me with wide eyes and takes another step backwards. A fearful step. “What do you know?”

“Know? I don’t know anything. Is there something you want to tell me?”

He frowns so deeply, I’m a little worried it’ll be stuck that way if I keep bullying him. Holding back a laugh, I slap his shoulder. “What are you getting so worked up for? Who of us isn’t a little bitter about life? Nothing a good drink can’t fix. I’ll get a bottle of the best stuff in the Myriad Zone. Protecting royalty must be thirsty work, huh? But I know Prince Samuel is perfectly safe in your hands.”

Giving him a wink, I slap his shoulder again before walking away. Perfectly vague but he knows what I mean. How about it, Bell? Do you think I scared him enough?

“Coo!” [He is disturbed but his determination is firm. I don’t think this will be enough to stop him but it should make him more cautious.]

Hm. Good enough, I suppose. Hopefully, after a little time to think on it, he learns to value his life and gives up. Or, he panics and exposes himself on his own. That’d save me quite a bit of work.

Now that I know his master plan, all I have to do is ‘persuade’ the hunters he has recruited to give up on their murderous ways and this thing will be solved without anyone knowing the role I played. A good day, a good day. Bell, you’ll go visit Maxine. Tell her how much you think she should know to get her cooperation investigating Julius and the local guilds.

“Coo~” [As you wish.]