Chapter 190: Secret Talk


    Despite that, you still did well operating as a masked thief huh?


    Uuu.I have nothing to say back(desuwa)..


    (TLN: Alright, you get the point)


    Vermillion hangs her head down at my words.


    We are currently at an inn Sebas prepared.


    Originally, I intended to finish the talk at the back alley but since I identally touched on the subject of Vermillions real identity, I decided to move to this ce.


    After all, it is safer here.


    Haa..I never thought that my expectations would crumble like this.


    I sat down on a chair andmented on her unexpected carelessness.


    Sebas muttered from behind that I have no right toment about such a thing but I ignored him.


    He should be talking about the time with Finne but who would expect that someone would just enter a prince room without permission? Id like him to not group that up with Vermillions failure. That was something I have no way to avoid alright.


    Lets start by introducing ourselves then. Im sure that you already know who I am but I am Arnold Lakes Adler, this Empires prince. This is Sebastian, my butler.


    Please feel free to call me Sebas. I am very sorry for what happened yesterday.


    N, No, it was my fault as well


    After Sebas politely bowed to her, Vermillion also did the same.


    Seeing her like this, it would be impossible to associate her with the famous masked chivalrous thief, Vermillion.


    However, she is indeed the chivalrous thief of the Dominion and it is also true that she possesses information that we dont know about.


    So I decided to ask her without hiding anything on my part.


    I told my father about Grimoire but the information I have is still uncertain so we can not move as a country yet. Thats why I came out here to determine if Grimoire is really lurking in the imperial capital and find out their objective. Can I recruit your help to do that?


    I am called a chivalrous thief. If a prince were to cooperate with someone like me, the rtion this country has with the Dominion will copse you know?


    I understand that. Thats why I came out to meet you secretly like this. Well, the fact that I can confidentlye out hereis just that I am a prince that the imperial family can easily cut tie with if necessary after all.


    at the festival, you were quite different from the rumors


    Hearing my exnation, Vermillion looked confused.


    Seeing her like that, I shift my leg up and answer her.


    You think that I am too decent to be the Dull Prince you heard from the rumors right?


    Yes, it is exactly as you said. The current you arepletely different from the ipetent prince I heard in the rumors.


    Well, I guess so. I am just motivated about this one case though. After all, my brother might be involved in this. I wouldnt mind if this happens somewhere I dont know about but if my family is affected by it then that is entirely a different matter. I decided that I will never show any mercy to those who try to harm the people around me after all.


    When she saw the look in my eyes as I said that, Vermillion took a step back.


    She probably didnt expect that I would say that, Vermillion herself seems to be surprised at my words.


    To such Vermillion, Sebas said to her with a troubled smile.


    It would be great if he is always this motivated though. Normally he is always a cker after all.


    Putting him as a cker would be too cuteI would say that a smart falcon hides its talons but that would be expected of the descendant of the golden falcon. All of you are highly skilled.


    Saying so, Vermillion slowly took off her mask.


    The real face behind that mask was that of a beautiful girl.


    I didnt notice when she wore the sses but her facial features were well arranged.


    She is different from Finne or Elna whose beauty attracts peoples eyes.


    If those two are flowers that you can only look at like rose or hydrangea, the girl in front of me is a bergenia that you can appreciate up close.


    My name is Mia. In the Dominion, I am called Vermillion. I came to the Empire because I discovered Grimoires n that was hidden in one of their bases that indicates that they are nning something in the Empire.


    Is it really alright for you to trust me?


    I do not mind. I do not like nobles and royalty but.I think that you are different.


    Your reason is?


    You are a person that doesnt get serious even when people dubbed you the Dull Prince, despite that, you get serious immediately for the sake of your family. Surely, your family must be important to you, correct? I have no family that I have blood ties with but I do have people that I can call family. I understand your feelings. Thats why I decided to believe in you.


    I smile bitterly at Mias words.


    She is acting as a chivalrous thief but her criteria in trusting people are quite something.


    However, it is convenient that she trusts me.


    Then lets join hands. I will not abandon you until this case is over. In exchange, I want you to give me your cooperation.


    Understood. After all, I wouldnt be able to collect information if the Empire sent out pursuers after me. In exchange, Id like to ess the information from your side as well.


    Mia requests information from our side as well.


    I see, I thought that she was a muscle brain who only solved her problem through power but it seems she has a good head on her shoulders.


    Since she knows that I had Sebas moved out to investigate the capital at night, she probably thinks that I also possess some kind of information as well.


    I dont mind but..you cant back out now you know?


    I have no n to turn back ever since I donned this mask in the first ce.


    I seethere are dignitaries from various countries inside the imperial capital right now to attend the 25th anniversary of the Emperors coronation. You are aware of that right?


    Of course. Orihime-sama who was with you earlier is also one of them right?


    Yeah, thats correct Among the dignitaries is the Saintess of the Kingdom. The person who was assigned to take care of her is my brother.


    are you saying that there is something strange with Saint-sama?


    She was acting unnaturally. She is not a person that would use the word until the end so carelessly. That was when I felt that something was off. If her life is in danger then there must be something going on behind the scenes. Thats why I had Sebas investigate for anything suspicious he could find.


    not because Saint-sama asked you to? You started moving because of a hunch?


    My bad premonition often hits the mark you see.


    I said so while letting out a small sigh.


    Unfortunately, it seems like my hunch is right again this time.


    The rest is to see how far that bad feeling will spread but depending on my effort, I should be able to prevent it.


    Honestly, if they are nning to do something to the Saint then they would need a coborator from the inside. But there are a lot of people in the castle and with the session war, there are many factions inside the Empire. It is difficult to find such a person from the inside so there is no other choice but to trace them from the connection they have with the Organization. You can say that they are our only clue now.


    It would be no surprise if Grimoire is trying tounch their attack on Saint-sama. That organization is a group of abnormal people who took over the dark side of the Dominion to further their research after all.


    We have no evidence that they are aiming for her butit is bad enough that they are here. We should quickly crush them together. I will have Sebas follow after the man who belongs to the Organization. Do you mind tagging along with him?


    Of course.


    Ah, be sure to follow Sebass instructions okay? You are quite careless after all.


    C, Careless!?


    You are careless alright? Your identity got found out because you didnt ditch that way of talking after all.


    I, I was just not used to it!


    Not used to it huhthen what would you do if you meet an enemy?


    Id knock them out from afar. I dont usually get close to have a conversation with them and my shot never misses in the first ce.


    .


    Mia said so as she showed off her bow.


    I see, so she is so strong that she doesnt have to worry about her identity huh.


    It seems I have another seed of worry on my hand.


    Make sure to be careful alright.


    Certainly.


    Wh, what do you mean!? I need some pointers to change!


    Start by fixing that weird speaking habit of yours ande back to me again.


    Weird speaking habit!? It was my Ojii-sama that taught me that it is moredy-like to talk like this you know!?


    A real nobledy doesnt speak like that.


    Looking at Mia who was in shock, I had a slight headache.


    Will she really be alright.


    While having such anxiety on my mind, the secret talk of that day finally wrapped up.


    TLN: Funny enough, there seems to be more people who discovered the secret game than I thoughtno one seems to get the answer right though