Chapter 208: A Shocking Fact (1)

Half an hour later, in a room in the Floshious Palace.

The room itself wasn't especially large, but it could still fit more than ten people. Of course, if everyone stood shoulder to shoulder, it could probably hold over a hundred. Judging by the number and style of the tables and chairs, it seemed to be a conference room.

“I must thank everyone here, especially those of you who protected me.”

As she spoke, the girl in white bowed toward Ryuto and the others.

Incidentally, on one side of the rectangular table sat Ryuto and the other foreigners. On the opposite side sat several government officials: Duke Osborne, Shuke Reis, Marquis Delance, Crepes Clair, and Delance Anna. The girl in white, the Holy Heir, sat at the head of the table.

“Of course, Miss Anna, Captain Crepes, and Lord Shuke all played vital roles as well. It was thanks to Miss Anna's willing cooperation that we were able to capture the terrorists. Captain Crepes's capable leadership and Lord Shuke's assistance were just as indispensable. I wish to thank you all. It is thanks to everyone here that this country can enjoy peace.”

Perhaps it was because so many people were present, or perhaps because the highest-ranking leader was giving her summary. In any case, no one tried to brush off her thanks. Everyone listened in silence.

“Now, moving on...”

As she spoke, the white-haired girl turned her gaze to Crepes Clair.

Crepes Clair promptly stood up.

“I'll explain the incident and the current situation. Since everyone here is involved, please speak up if I get anything wrong or if there's anything you don't understand.”

After confirming that no one had any objections, Crepes Clair spoke again.

“First, I'll briefly explain what happened. Leaving aside what came before, this whole incident began with last night's kidnapping. Miss Anna was attacked by unknown assailants, and we later learned that the kidnappers were actually terrorists. If our theory is correct, their aim was connected to Marquis Delance. We believe they kidnapped Miss Anna to threaten the marquis, but that was only our initial assumption.”

“Your initial assumption?”

Marquis Delance sounded surprised.

“Yes. That's what we thought at first, but looking at the outcome, it was a trap our enemy had deliberately laid.”

“A trap... If that's really what happened, then what were they trying to accomplish?”

“I think they wanted to make us focus all our attention on the kidnapping.”

“The kidnapping... Could it be?”

“Just as Marquis Delance suspects, the Holy Heir was suddenly attacked by the terrorists while we were trying to capture them.”

“So the kidnapping was just a diversion?”

“Exactly. The Holy Heir was their target from the start. After their previous failure, security around her was tightened. To create an opening, they planned this kidnapping. At the same time, they found a way to draw Lord Shuke away, because no matter how you look at it, he was the greatest threat to them as they tried to storm this place.”

“It's an old trick, but a clever one. Honestly...”

Marquis Delance's sigh sounded tinged with helplessness.