In other words, the reason he is working so hard to catch criminals is for revenge. But this seems a bit irrational. If it's just for revenge, there's no need to work so hard to catch criminals, right? Although the past efforts can be seen as building up strength for revenge, in my opinion, working hard to catch criminals and seeking revenge are completely unrelated. There is no necessary connection between them.

So, is there any other reason behind this? Perhaps there are other reasons combined with this one, or it could be the result of a separate reason acting alone. Whichever it is, it cannot be determined at the moment.

Furthermore, her deliberate silence suggests that she does not want me to know. Although many things are still unclear at the moment, it would be self-destructive to ask recklessly. At least she still believes that I am unaware of this matter.

Since that's the case, I'll just go along with her and pretend not to know. Perhaps there will be other clues later on.

With that in mind, Ryuto decided to set this question aside for now.

Then, inexplicably, Ryuto remembered the words of that person from earlier.

("Traitor, shameless traitor.")

So, is it because he used to be a slave that he's now called a traitor?

No, it's far from being that simple. It's mainly because... he's ignored them.

At least in their eyes, Crepes Clair, who once was a slave, is now very successful, having become some kind of team captain. But...

Even so, Crepes Clair turns a blind eye to their situation, which they cannot tolerate. It's not because Crepes Clair is doing well, and they envy her, but because Crepes Clair has forgotten about them. She completely ignores them after succeeding, even though she was once a slave.

Moreover, she even associates with those upper-class people and joins in persecuting them. Although they don't know Crepes Clair's true thoughts, that's how they see it. Not only does she not help herself, but she ends up harming them instead, giving them a feeling of being stabbed in the back by their own kind.

That's probably the main reason why they call Crepes Clair a traitor.

And is it because Crepes Clair was guilty in her heart back then that she didn't fight back?

Even though being called a traitor by others, she had no excuse to refute the accusations of being Heartless, so she could only silently accept them.

But... why is that? At least from Ryuto's perspective, Crepes Clair is not an ungrateful person, so why is she working so hard now? Whether it's capturing terrorists or protecting the Holy Heir, she is very proactive and dedicated. Doesn't she realize that the harder she tries, the more her former comrades resent her for it?

Nevertheless, Ryuto ultimately didn't voice this question, as even if he did, there wouldn't be an answer.

She must have her reasons, surely. At least the matter of capturing terrorists is of her own volition, which Ryuto confirmed last night at the bar.

Moreover, there are other matters to inquire about, as there were too many questions and they were forgotten just now. The atmosphere now feels quite awkward, so Ryuto searches for a topic.

"Oh, by the way, I've noticed since yesterday that you've been wearing that thing all the time."

"That thing?"

"Yeah."

Saying that, Ryuto pointed to the chain around Crepes Clair's neck.