Chapter 48

"Someone has collapsed!"

"What on earth is going on here!"

"It seems he started suffering as soon as he ate the ice cream."

The customers in the store, now in an uproar, were all looking at a man who was lying on the floor, scratching his neck.

This is not good. I don't know if he's sick, but if we don't treat him quickly, it might be too late.

"Excuse me. ...This is probably poison. If left untreated, he will die from respiratory failure."

From the color of his lips and other signs, I concluded that someone had poisoned him. I had to remove the poison immediately...

(I didn't expect that my research on antidote magic to counter Zill would come in handy here.)

"O Spirit of Light, banish the evil shadow!"

I placed my hand on his chest, which was still convulsing, and activated the antidote magic. A silver light enveloped his body, removing the poison from within.

His complexion gradually improved. It's a relief...

"You've done well. He seems to be fine now."

"Yes. He needs to rest for the rest of the day, but it shouldn't be serious."

Prince Eric's convulsions had subsided, and his breathing had stabilized. He must have judged that the man had recovered.

He asked me if everything was okay. If we had been any later, he might have died, but the poison wasn't too potent, so he survived.

"Still, I'm surprised. I didn't expect this man to be poisoned."

"...Do you know this man, Prince Eric?"

It seems the man who was nearly poisoned was someone Prince Eric knew. I had guessed he was a noble from his appearance, but who exactly was he?

"He is Baron Almar. He is the father of Carol Almar, your sister's friend. Don't you know him?"

"So this is Baron Almar. ...I apologize. Since I am not involved in Zill's social circle, I only knew his name."

According to Jade Belcrane's testimony, Zill had apparently passed a note to Lord Philip during a previous dinner. The note said to wait at Carol Almar's house.

After seeing the note, she had a carriage take her to the Almar residence, where she met with Belcrane.

This was confirmed by one of our household servants.

In other words, Baron Almar had provided a place for Belcrane and Zill to meet.

"Cough, cough! Ugh...!"

"Father! Are you alright!? Oh, thank goodness!"

A young woman, who had been standing there in shock watching Baron Almar suffer, seemed to be his daughter.

She must be Carol, Zill's friend...

"Yes, I managed to save him. This is...?"

"Leia Westeria."

"―What!?"

The moment I introduced myself, their faces darkened. I remembered that Baron Almar was one of Jade Belcrane's followers.

Or rather, he was a devoted admirer of Belcrane, almost to the point of worship. He was proud to work for Belcrane's ideals and was happy to be used by him.

(I shouldn't have introduced myself so carelessly, should I?)

After all, Prince Eric and I were the ones who had framed Belcrane and sent him to prison. It wouldn't be surprising if the Almar family, his followers, harbored resentment towards us.

"Leia Westeria...! You not only bullied Zill but also betrayed Lord Jade!"

Carol, who had heard that I had bullied Zill, glared at me fiercely and lunged at me.

Indeed, she seems to hate me. To her, I must appear to be a villain who bullied her friend, making the situation even worse.

"Stop it. After he was saved, it would be a shame if you were sent to prison, wouldn't it, Baron Almar?"

"Let go! Let go!"

"Carol! Stop! This is... This is... Prince Eric, the Crown Prince!"

"Eh, Prince Eric!?"

Prince Eric grabbed Carol's arm, restraining her. Baron Almar finally recognized the Prince's face.

Shocked by the fact that the Crown Prince was holding her arm, Carol was trembling.

"The Crown Prince at an ice cream shop?"

"I didn't notice at all."

"Prince Eric? Why are you here?"

(With Prince Eric's identity revealed, the crowd is getting restless. The military police will probably arrive soon, so it might be best to leave it to them.)

I don't know why Baron Almar was nearly poisoned, but it's not our job to investigate.

Prince Eric wasn't the victim, so it might be better to leave...

"So, why was Baron Almar at this shop?"

"Prince Eric!? That's something for the military police to handle..."

"Yes, I understand what you mean, but I'm interested in the person who tried to poison him. I think it's important to know."

Interested? He must be suggesting that the person who tried to kill him might be connected to the mastermind targeting Prince Eric.

If the Prince wants to get to the bottom of it, I have no objections. I should support him as much as I can.

"So, Baron Almar, can you answer my questions?"

"Yes. Today, I was summoned to the palace and questioned along with my daughter. On our way back, we stopped here. We had heard good things about the ice cream and wanted to try it."

Baron Almar explained that he had been questioned at the palace.

I see. He was probably summoned to the palace to investigate the assassination attempt on me using Zill.

That incident led to the dismantling of the Belcrane family, revealing many facts.

The Belcrane family, located in a remote part of the kingdom, had supporters among the nobles in the capital who had been backing them. They were suspected of hiring assassins and sending them to Prince Eric.

Since Baron Almar and his family were released after the questioning, they probably weren't involved in that matter...

In any case, the Belcrane family has completely fallen, losing their noble status. While the collateral branches were not punished, all their lands were confiscated, and their influence is now non-existent.

"Hmm. I've heard that while many people worshipped the Belcrane family, they weren't a united group. It's possible that someone tried to silence Baron Almar before he could say anything incriminating."

Prince Eric crossed his arms after hearing the Baron's story. He seemed to suspect infighting.

Indeed, with Jade Belcrane now in custody, the nobles who had supported him are likely living in fear. If it were known that they were involved in the assassination attempt on the Crown Prince, they could face not just the loss of their lands but execution. If Baron Almar had any damaging information, it would be natural to want to eliminate him.

(Still, why go to such lengths at an ice cream shop? It seems more logical to choose a less conspicuous place for an assassination.)

Nevertheless, this attempted poisoning is full of mysteries. Prince Eric seems determined to find the culprit, but who knows what will happen...