As the saying goes, does having a high ranking really make such a big difference? Besides the highest ruler, the duke is the most powerful figure, right?
Just as Ryuto was feeling amazed by this, the white-haired girl spoke in a calm and composed tone.
"According to the reaction from Cleia, those people did such extreme things for the good of this country."
Clebis Cleia couldn't sit still after hearing that.
"Holy Heir, ma'am..."
"No, this is a fact, and I have to admit it."
"..."
Although Clebis Cleia found it hard to accept, she didn't say much more.
At that moment, the white-haired girl suddenly changed the subject.
"However, thanks to everyone's help this time, there were no casualties."
With that, the white-haired girl's gaze shifted towards Asuka and the others standing beside her.
"No, it's nothing, we just happened to be there."
"Exactly, and this matter also concerns us a bit."
"Oh, so there's no need for thanks."
Asuka, Arashikaze Manami, and Katsuragi Reimi modestly replied.
"Even so, I must express my gratitude to all of you here."
After that, the white-haired girl closed her eyes, subtly lowering her head in gratitude.
Later on.
"By the way, you mentioned earlier that this matter concerns you, what's the story behind that?"
She inquired to the three.
"Oh, you see, we suspect that the hijackers and the people occupying the TV station are the same group."
Katsuragi Reimi said with a serious expression.
"The same group?"
"Because the hijacking incident was not an ordinary hijacking."
"Yes, I noticed that from the reports submitted."
Clebis Cleia suddenly spoke up from the side.
"According to the report, the guns used by the hijackers were hidden in the plane's restroom."
"Which means..."
"Exactly, just as Holy Heir suspected, someone must have provided them with the necessary means. Besides, the demands made by the criminals were too steep, asking for several hundred billion within minutes, which was impossible no matter how you looked at it."
"So, what was their goal?"
"Yes, the criminals' goal from the beginning was to crash the plane. The ransom demand was merely to make the world believe that it was because we couldn't pay the ransom that they crashed the plane in a fit of anger."
"Those despicable terrorists, resorting to such tactics."
Duke Osborne gritted his teeth in fury, then seemed to remember something suddenly.
"In that case, could their goal be?"
"Well, by causing the plane to crash, they aim to provoke conflict between Drebylin and our country."
"Ultimately leading to the Holy Heir taking responsibility and abdicating, right?"
"That's right, and in the incident on the TV station, the criminal also confessed it himself."
"So, the subsequent events were triggered because the previous one failed? Truly a group of unrepentant terrorists."
"No, the reality might not be that simple."
Katsuragi Reimi suddenly spoke up.
"Not that simple?"
Duke Osborne looked puzzled.
"Yes, let me ask, where is that woman who was the hijacker?"
Crepes Clea provided an answer.
"Well, according to the report submitted, she managed to escape while being escorted here."
"Ah, is that really so...?"
Upon hearing that, Katsuragi Reimi looked helpless.
