“The explosion incident is why I’m here!”

The Marchioness of Buchanan responded to Ains as if she had been anticipating his question.

“What do you mean by that?”

Ains inquired, his sharp gaze unhidden. Just as the Marchioness of Buchanan was about to answer, Baron Lombardi interjected.

“You must already be investigating who planted the explosives.”

Ains nodded silently. While he had been unconscious, Jacob and Jackson had swiftly initiated an investigation. They had just returned to the hospital room to share their preliminary findings.

“And I am well aware that you suspect me, the two Viscounts, and our dear… Rosie.”

Baron Lombardi met the Marchioness of Buchanan’s eyes, using her pet name. Her gaze seemed to overflow with affection as she looked at him.

“But that’s a misunderstanding. We suggested to them that it might be best to stop at this point. As you know, they’ve already crossed the line. Of course… I’m not claiming to be entirely blameless.”

Baron Lombardi’s voice was heavy. He glanced at Ains and then at me, biting his lower lip.

The Marchioness of Buchanan placed a reassuring hand on Baron Lombardi’s shoulder. Only then did he let out a small sigh and continue speaking.

“Surely there are people who have been harmed and hurt because of me. But I have never been involved in Viscountess Marves’s case.”

Baron Lombardi insisted, though the truth of his claim remained uncertain.

“So, what exactly are you trying to say?”

As Baron Lombardi’s story dragged on, Ains finally interrupted, likely sensing it was all just excuses.

“Please believe in the innocence of Rosie and me. If you do, I will tell you where Viscount Chester and Viscount Shelton are hiding.”

Baron Lombardi’s plea sounded quite earnest.

Could his words be true? Though lacking credibility, if what he said was true, it explained why the wanted Baron Lombardi had come this far.

“So what you’re saying now is that you weren’t involved in this incident, and you’re willing to give up your friends’ information to save yourself.”

“Do I have to keep being associated with them? Even when I know exactly what they’re up to?”

When Ains seemed to treat him as a traitor, Baron Lombardi retorted angrily.

After his outburst, Ains turned his gaze to me, as if asking what I thought of his words. I hesitated briefly, then nodded.

If Baron Lombardi truly had betrayed them, it seemed wise to first accept his cooperation to capture Viscount Chester and Viscount Shelton.

Ains, appearing contemplative, glanced at the Marchioness of Buchanan and Baron Lombardi.

“Alright. For now, I’ll believe you.”

At Ains’s words, delivered after a slight pause, Baron Lombardi’s tense expression relaxed, and a bit of color returned to his face.

“Baron Lombardi, if what you say is true, it’s only a matter of time before Viscount Chester or Viscount Shelton realize you’ve betrayed them.”

“…Probably. Given that I moved even while being wanted…”

Baron Lombardi replied in a barely audible voice.

Then Ains stood up. He briefly furrowed his brow and staggered, but before I could reach him to offer support, he steadied himself.

“I’ll go myself. And if you’re lying, I won’t stand by.”

“Duke.”

I called out to him with concern as he prepared to go personally. His blue eyes turned to me.

“You just got up; are you sure you’re alright?”

“Don’t worry. Once this is over, I’ll rest.”

“…Alright.”

“Jacob, go outside and check how many troops we can mobilize right now. And Jackson, inform the guards about this.”

“Yes, I’ll check and report back.”

“As you command.”

Jacob and Jackson promptly left the doctor’s office.

“Uh, Duke.”

At that moment, Baron Lombardi called out to Ains cautiously.

“Even if I help, the warrant against me won’t be lifted, will it?”

“Once the investigation is complete, we’ll determine whether or not you were involved. Until then, you’re still a suspect. For now, I’ll leave you be since you’ve provided information, but once this is over, you’ll be arrested.”

“…Understood.”

Baron Lombardi responded in a subdued voice, and the Marchioness of Buchanan offered him comfort.

* * *

It wasn’t long before Jacob returned. Due to the recent carriage incident, the knights and soldiers of the Graham Duchy were already on standby, allowing for swift preparations. Shortly thereafter, the Imperial Guard also dispatched personnel. Given the high-profile nature of the recent incidents in the capital, a substantial number of troops were sent.

Ains turned to check on Baron Lombardi after taking note of the personnel filling the road. Baron Lombardi watched the waiting soldiers with a tense expression. Even if he had other plans, escaping from such a large group would be impossible.

“Cecil, stay here. It might be dangerous.”

“I want to go too. And… wouldn’t it be safer to quietly follow from behind?”

I subtly gestured toward the soldiers.

“If Baron Lombardi’s words are false, I’ll be the one in danger. There have already been several attempts on my life.”

It would be troublesome if Viscountess Chester and Viscountess Shelton attacked while I stayed here. Ains seemed to understand this as he looked down at me thoughtfully.

“I won’t step forward. Just let me follow from behind.”

“…Alright.”

Ains replied in a softened voice, allowing me to join the group.

“Then, Baron Lombardi, lead the way.”

“Yes, yes.”

At Ains’s command, Baron Lombardi began to move. With Ains, Baron Lombardi, and the Marchioness of Buchanan leading, I followed at the rear, guarded by soldiers.

We arrived at a warehouse operated by the Marchioness of Buchanan’s trading company. I was surprised to think they might be hiding in the warehouse but concealed my surprise and followed the soldiers.

At that moment, a commotion erupted at the front.

Being at the back of the group, I couldn’t see the details, but I guessed they had encountered Viscountess Chester and Viscountess Shelton.

“There’s no impact at the back yet, but it’s best to be as cautious as possible,” Sir Baker cautiously suggested to me. Although I felt safe here, I agreed with his opinion.

Bang!

A loud noise erupted from the front, similar to the sound of the carriage explosion.

“!”

Startled by the noise, I flinched. Having experienced an explosion before, my body instinctively tensed up.

I reflexively tried to see the front of the procession, but from my position, I couldn’t see anything.

‘What on earth is happening up there?’

Curiosity got the better of me, but I couldn’t bring myself to move forward and check.

I was always more of a burden. Although I was learning magic, I hadn’t mastered anything significant yet.

What help could I possibly offer by going to the scene of the incident? It would be fortunate if I didn’t become a hindrance.

I might even cause more trouble if I went forward. So, despite my curiosity, I couldn’t verify what was happening ahead.

Just then.

“I’ll go and find out.”

Sir Curtis, perhaps sensing my unease, spoke to me cautiously. I turned slightly to look at Sir Curtis and then nodded slightly in agreement.

“Please do.”

“Yes.”

Sir Curtis promptly left the group and headed to the front. I waited anxiously for his return.

It didn’t take long for Sir Curtis to return.

“What happened? Is the Duke alright?”

“Yes. Viscount Chester is holding a bomb and making threats. The Duke seems to have been injured, but he appears to be alright for now.”

“What? He’s injured?”

In my shock, I felt my heart sink at the news of his injury. Ains had only recently recovered from the carriage explosion, and now he was injured again?

Clenching my trembling hands tightly, I bit my lower lip. Otherwise, I felt like I would rush to Ains immediately.

“There’s no need to worry too much. The situation is almost resolved…”

Sir Curtis was in the middle of reassuring me when it happened.

Boom! A louder explosion than any I had heard before echoed.

The ground shook as if there had been an earthquake, and I reflexively braced myself. Sir Curtis also took a protective stance, ready for any emergency.

Although the loud explosion ceased, the surrounding chaos did not. The murmuring of the soldiers echoed loudly in my ears.

An uneasy thought suddenly crossed my mind.

I cautiously straightened my hunched body and looked towards the front of the procession. And I couldn’t help but feel despair.

The warehouse, which had been intact just moments ago, was now so collapsed that it was unrecognizable. This was the cause of the murmuring.

The collapse of the warehouse had resulted in many casualties.

“…Duke?”

Could it be…

As I stared at the ruined warehouse, my uneasy thoughts began to take shape.