Chapter 49

"Prince Eric, I have obtained permission from the garrison commander to conduct the interrogation."

"Johan, thank you for your hard work. Let's go and hear the story then."

After that, the garrison arrived, and all the customers and staff in the store were questioned.

The most suspicious suspect is the ice cream shop owner, a man who started his business using ice magic.

Prince Eric wanted to hear his story and obtained permission from the garrison commander.

(Baron Almar began to suffer immediately after eating the ice cream. Since he made it, it's natural that he's suspected, but I don't think it's that simple.)

It would be easy for the shop owner to poison the ice cream.

However, trying to kill someone by serving it to customers in his own shop is too risky.

He would definitely be suspected, and the shop's reputation would suffer.

I can't understand why he would make such a choice.

"Leia, you probably have the same doubts I do. That's why I want to talk to the shop owner."

"...Yes. It would be faster to hear it from him."

There's no point in imagining what we don't know.

I was prompted by Prince Eric and entered the interrogation room with him.

"I never thought the Crown Prince would come to my humble shop."

"Since it has a good reputation, it's not strange. I heard that not only commoners but also nobles often visit."

A young man with long black hair and a pale face. I heard he is the same age as me, eighteen.

The ice cream shop owner looks at us with hollow eyes.

He doesn't seem to have any vitality. I thought he might not be suited for customer service.

"Good reputation... It's over today. Who would come to a shop that serves poisoned ice cream? Besides, I'm the prime suspect in this case."

He laughs bitterly and laments that the shop's reputation has fallen and he can't do business anymore.

He seems to think that it's impossible to restart his business since he is the suspect.

(He seems to have given up on proving his innocence. I thought people usually defend themselves, but I don't see any sign of that.)

Which is it? Has he given up because he's guilty, or does he not believe in the garrison's investigative abilities?

In any case, he seems to think he can't make a comeback.

"If the suspicion against you is cleared, there should be no problem with your business."

"Crown Prince, once a reputation is tarnished, it's not easy to recover."

"I don't think so. That ice cream is something only you can make."

Prince Eric, I don't know much about business.

So, even if the suspicion against him is cleared, there's a possibility that his business won't go well.

However, the taste of that ice cream was remarkable, unique.

I can understand why Prince Eric says it's not a problem.

(But that's only if he's innocent. If he did poison the ice cream, he could face the death penalty.)

Yes. He is the prime suspect.

I am skeptical that he is the culprit, but I have no evidence to prove his innocence.

I wonder what Prince Eric thinks about this.

"It's an honor to hear such words from the Crown Prince, but it's not that great. Anyone can imitate it if they can use ice magic."

"Hmm. Is that so? Leia?"

I clearly thought he was being modest.

There are few people who can use magic. Even those who can use a little are valued, whether they are commoners or not.

Just this fact alone shows that using magic to make sweets is not something anyone can do. Besides—

"The cooling magic used to create the ice cream is quite advanced. I can't even imitate it."

The smooth texture and the existence of cooling stones made for takeout.

His culinary skills and magical prowess are undoubtedly high.

"That's what she says. Do you know the name Leia Westeria? She is a saint, and she says she can't imitate you."

"The saint is being modest."

"You are the one being modest."

Is he underestimating his own abilities, or is he being modest as the prince suggests, or...

It seems the shop owner doesn't want to admit his magical prowess.

"I don't understand what you mean, Your Highness. Does my magic have anything to do with this case?"

"...It does."

"—!?"

The ice cream shop owner is a skilled user of advanced magic.

What does this have to do with the case?

Prince Eric's deep blue eyes seem to see everything, and the shop owner shows a tense expression.

"Johan, tell me about his father."

"Ah! The suspect's name is Nash Hofmann. He is the owner of the ice cream shop, and his father, Gates Hofmann, submitted several papers on magic research to the Royal Academy."

The ice cream shop owner is the son of Gates Hofmann? Gates Hofmann is one of the top three magic researchers in the country.

I heard he died about half a year ago. His contributions were significant, and the news was reported nationwide.

(I see, it's not surprising that the son of a magic researcher can use advanced magic.)

The ice cream shop owner, Nash, I think.

He was being modest about his magical prowess because he didn't want his father to be known?

I don't know why, but that's what I think.

"Does it matter about my father?"

"Hmm, Nash Hofmann. Don't underestimate my subordinates' investigative abilities. You sold documents on lethal magic—prohibited magic—to Jade Belcain, didn't you? At Baron Almar's request."

"...Ah, I didn't think you would investigate that far. I give up."

Nash raises his hands and says in a resigned voice.

I was surprised that Johan could investigate so much in such a short time.

I think he was investigating Belcain, but still, it's impressive.

However, this connects Nash, Baron Almar, and Belcain.

The motive to kill Baron Almar because he knew inconvenient facts about him is now clear.

"Part of the ice cream shop's funds came from that money, right?"

"Yes, that's correct. Duke Belcain... or rather, he's no longer a duke. He said he was leaking dangerous spells for the sake of peace. I was deceived."

This time, Nash says he was deceived by Belcain.

Hmm. If that's true, it might be harsh to blame him.

(This feeling of unease. I have a sense that he's still hiding something.)

"Did you try to kill Baron Almar because you didn't want him to know about the prohibited magic you sold to Belcain, or...?"

"So, even you suspect me, Your Highness?"

"No, I'm not jumping to conclusions. I've learned from my mistakes."

He glances at me and nods.

He seems to remember accusing me based on assumptions before.

(That's right. No matter how suspicious, it's not good to jump to conclusions without evidence. This could be connected to a conspiracy involving Belcain or someone else.)

Prince Eric doesn't act rashly. He regrets and reflects on his past mistakes.

I already knew this, but I was proud of him.

"So, do you think I'm innocent?"

"No, I can't believe anyone that easily. Besides, you're still hiding something, right? Whether you're protecting someone or hiding something that would be disadvantageous to you, I would appreciate it if you told me everything."

"...I don't understand what you mean."

According to the prince, he is still hiding something.

Considering he is suspected of attempted murder, it's hard to imagine he's protecting someone, so it's more likely he's hiding something disadvantageous.

However, the prince doesn't make a definitive statement. I don't understand why.

"According to the garrison's report, you smoke cigars, right?"

"Yes, but only occasionally."

"I heard that just before you were caught, you tried to burn some records with a cigar. Is that true?"

"I was shaken by the attempted murder."

The records were burned? It looks like he was trying to cover something up.

Was he trying to hide the fact that he received money from Belcain...?

"The documents on prohibited magic alone weren't enough to fund the ice cream shop. This is confirmed by Baron Almar's testimony."

"..."

"Your father was deeply involved in magic research and had many debts, with almost no assets. ...Johan, investigate the source of the opening funds. There might be something."

"Ah!"

Prince Eric ordered Johan to investigate the flow of money.

He seems to think there's a hidden fact.

The ice cream shop owner, Nash, remains silent.

(I was looking forward to going out with the prince, but this turned out to be a mess.)

Feeling a little disappointed, I was moved by the prince's seriousness and decided to help find the truth.

I apologize for the delay in updates!

Next month, the second volume will finally be released!

The reason for the delay is related to the fact that the content of the second volume will completely rewrite the second chapter of the web version.

So, the second volume will start from the 1.5 chapter related to the ice cream shop, and about 80% of it will be new content.

I hope you enjoy the story, which will be different from the web version!