13/17 Bonus chapter thanks to @Greg on Ko-fi!
“Professor Alex.”
Alex turned at the voice coming from behind.
Frondier stood there.
Alex waved his hand in annoyance without hiding his irritation.
“What is it, Frondier? I told you the reward would be given later,”
“I found the rat.”
Alex’s hand stopped.
He looked at Frondier again with a stern face.
Still that languid, sleepy face.
Taking a step closer to Alex,
Alex asked with a frown.
“What are you talking about?”
“I found out who the traitor in Constel is.”
He said.
Alex’s eyes widened.
He asked in a voice even lower than Frondier’s.
“Is that true?”
“Yes. This isn’t the place to talk. This way.”
“Hmm.”
Following Frondier, Alex trailed behind him.
Creak-
The door to an empty classroom opened lightly, and Frondier entered.
A secluded building, an empty classroom in the corner.
“Let me cast a soundproofing spell.”
“Please.”
Frondier walked further into the classroom and then stopped.
Without turning his head, he said,
“Professor.”
“What is it?”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“What are you talking about.”
Frondier turned his head to look at Alex.
With a faint smile on his face.
“You don’t need to draw that sword.”
Just as Frondier said.
Alex’s hand was on the hilt of the sword strapped to his waist.
Finding the traitor.
That’s absurd.
Because Alex is the traitor.
But he tells Alex himself that he has found the traitor.
Frondier has made a mistake.
But if he was convinced of the traitor for some reason, there must be a reason for it.
If that reason is something that threatens Alex himself.
Furthermore, if it harms the princess.
“…Frondier. Don’t resent me too much. It’s your fault for reaching into the fire.”
“Professor.”
Frondier called Alex softly.
In a defenseless posture.
With that languid voice.
“You don’t need to be wary of me.”
“…What do you mean?”
Alex’s face became extremely tense.
Frondier chuckled softly.
And then, Frondier said something unbelievable.
“Because I’m also a rat.”
Saying so, Frondier raised his right hand.
On that index finger, there was one of only four rings that existed in the royal family.
‘The princess’s ring…!’
Alex’s eyes widened immeasurably.
* * *
After talking with Philly on the rooftop.
I glanced at her for a moment.
Philly wore the full regalia of an empress, adorned with extravagant and exquisite jewels. The ring on her index finger was particularly striking.
“Excuse me, Lady Philly,” I asked, “Is that your ring?”
“Yes?” Philly returned to using formal speech with me, so it seemed that her brief moment of sincerity was over. I felt a twinge of disappointment, but I continued. “Do you and your daughters wear the same ring?”
“Yes, I had them made for my daughters, but…” Philly trailed off, clearly realizing my intentions. Her gaze fell, and she brought her hand to her mouth. “…I see. I understand what you mean.”
“Are the rings identical?”
“They are, but there are no spares; they are custom-made for me and my daughters.”
That meant there were only four rings.
Because it has a very complex pattern, a clumsy copy would be immediately noticeable.
“However, I cannot remove this ring. In public, my every move is scrutinized, and if I am seen without my ring, the enemy will be alerted.”
“There’s no need for that.” I held the necklace, Obsidian, in my hand. I had considered showing this skill to someone someday, but to the empress of the empire? I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.
Weaving, Obsidian
Rank: Unique
Philly’s Ring
– The exquisite rings that Philly gave to her daughters.
– They have no magical properties, but their artistic beauty and rarity, with only four in existence, give them immense value.
I demonstrated Weaving to Philly. In an instant, a ring formed and rested in my palm. It looked exactly like Philly’s ring.
“…Oh my.”
Philly muttered in astonishment, her eyes fixed on the ring. It was the most genuine voice I had ever heard from her.
“What do you think, Your Majesty?” I asked, holding out the ring. Philly examined the Obsidian ring from different angles.
“…It’s identical. The texture, luster, and patterns. Even the most discerning eye wouldn’t be able to tell that it’s a fake.”
“I’ll use this to catch Constel’s traitor.”
As I said this, Philly gave me a bloodthirsty smile, her eyes still fixed on the ring.
“It seems useful.”
* * *
Alex trembled as he looked at the ring I showed him.
“How did you get that ring…!”
“I received it,” I replied. “I didn’t think you’d believe me if I just told you.”
Alex would understand the significance of the ring.
“But even so, how, how…!” Alex seemed confused. I was wearing the ring, but he didn’t know about my connection to Philly. Even if he did, he wouldn’t have expected her to give me her ring.
After all, this is a Weaving product, not something Philly handed over.
“So, did Elysia really hand that over to you?”
Oh, he said it himself.
As Alex said, the mastermind behind all the crimes is Elysia.
To Alex, this ring would seem as though it was given by Elysia.
He might consider the possibility that it was given by another daughter, Aten or Sale, or even Philly, but the hypothesis falls apart since I came to him claiming to be a traitor myself.
I’m the only one who knows that Alex is a traitor.
If anyone else suspected Alex, with his keen senses, he would’ve noticed immediately.
Alex believes it’s impossible for anyone to know his true identity.
Therefore, my lie works on Alex right now.
The fact that he was caught when he should’ve been uncatchable, implies that it’s because I’m ‘one of us.’
Because Frondier de Roach is the support troop sent by Elysia.
There’s no way not to be hooked by this strong and sweet lie.
“Are you really saying she gave you that ring? That precious ring?”
“Yes.”
“I can’t believe it.”
“Would you like to see for yourself?”
I extended my hand.
Alex, who until a moment ago thought of killing me, now flinches and pulls away at the mere gesture of my hand.
Even so, his eyes carefully scan the ring on my hand.
Well, it’s an item that even its owner, Philly, can’t differentiate.
There’s no way Alex would realize.
“But you are the one who interfered with Renzo’s plan! How could you be a subordinate of Lady Elysia!”