HTNSA 127

Chapter 127

At her question, Darian’s eyes widened, and his pupils trembled faintly.

He opened his mouth several times, as if he were about to say something, but in the end, he stayed silent.

Sensing his hesitation, Piony asked again.

“What’s going on that makes you look so conflicted?”

“Ah…”

Darian flinched slightly, then raised his head again to meet her gaze.

After a brief pause, as if he had finally made up his mind, he cautiously spoke.

“Honestly, not being able to keep my promise has been weighing on me… So I looked into how the investigation was going on my own.”

“And?”

“…The Magic Tower hasn’t secured any evidence, nor even properly assembled an investigation team. It’s like they’re trying to cover up the whole incident.”

“…”

Seeing the serious look on Piony’s face, Darian closed his mouth with a bitter expression.

Lately, he hadn’t been able to shake the suspicion that his mother might be involved in all this.

She had canceled the previously scheduled plans and insisted he attend the subjugation festival. Then, when the incident occurred, she was the one who ordered the investigation to be shut down.

Even more suspicious was how she had warned him—using Piony and Adolf to convince him. That behavior was nothing like her usual self.

He had spent many sleepless nights haunted by these thoughts, and eventually, overcome by guilt, he had come to see Piony on impulse.

“I’m sorry, Piony. Please tell your friends I truly apologize for not keeping my word.”

Despite his repeated apologies, Piony remained quiet.

In truth, she was a little shaken. While listening to him, she recalled something Eila had said not long ago.

Back when the investigation first began, she had been certain that the culprit would be caught and punished properly.

But unlike her hopeful outlook, Eila had reacted with stoic calm.

“Don’t get your hopes up too much, Piony.”

Back then, she hadn’t understood why Eila said that—but now, she was beginning to.

‘Just like Eila said… Instead of finding the culprit, the whole thing is about to be swept under the rug.’

Maybe Eila had expected this outcome from the start.

Feeling stifled, Piony finally spoke.

“But anyone can see there’s clearly a culprit. Monsters moved as a group and attacked only one person…”

“I agree. But the victim wasn’t a noble, and… there were no casualties. So it seems the seriousness of the situation hasn’t really gotten through to the authorities.”

Darian offered several excuses, but none of them reached her ears.

Of course, she knew. Blaming him wouldn’t change anything now.

In fact, she was grateful he had come personally to explain.

Letting out a sigh and rubbing her face, Piony gave a dry laugh.

‘Is this really how powerless I am…? What am I supposed to say to Eila?’

Her head throbbed, but she couldn’t let this opportunity to expose Rosiana or Freya slip away.

Suppressing her frustration, she finally opened her mouth again.

“Alright. It’s not like this is your fault… I’ll explain things to my friends.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Darian looked away, clearly ashamed.

Piony hesitated, then added cautiously,

“And… since you’re here, can I ask you for a favor?”

“A favor?”

“Yeah. I just can’t let this go. Could you at least give me the documents you gathered when you started the investigation?”

At her request, Darian’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You’re going to try to find the culprit yourself? But… isn’t that dangerous?”

“If we let this go, something like this will happen again. That’s even more dangerous, don’t you think?”

Piony pouted and asked again,

“So, are you going to help me or not?”

Darian hesitated for a moment, then quietly nodded.

He figured that since a proper investigation wasn’t happening anyway, handing over the documents wasn’t a big deal.

More than anything, he genuinely wanted to help them in whatever way he could.

“Alright. I still have the original documents that weren’t handed over to the Magic Tower. I’ll give you everything.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, and the monster corpse Eila wanted preserved as evidence is still in storage. The Magic Tower refused to take it, saying they didn’t need it. Do you want that too?”

“They didn’t even accept the evidence? That’s like blatantly admitting they have no intention of investigating.”

“That’s what bothered me too, which is why I looked into it myself… Not that it changes anything now…”

“…”

Seeing Darian’s bitter expression, Piony’s feelings grew even more conflicted.

She could sense that he was genuinely worried about her friends.

This incident clearly wasn’t his fault. He couldn’t disobey the Emperor’s orders to continue the investigation.

Even so, he had come to her, explained the situation, apologized, and offered to help.

‘At times like this… Darian really seems like someone completely innocent.’

She wondered if his old vow to be a righteous emperor—for everyone—had been genuine.

With a faint smile, Darian said,

“Still, I’m glad to see you’re doing well. I’ll take my leave now.”

With that, he quietly stood.

Piony hesitated for a moment, then asked softly,

“Did you come because the victims were my friends?”

Darian paused mid-step and slowly turned around.

Then, he shook his head firmly.

“I would’ve acted the same no matter who the victims were. It wasn’t because of you.”

It was a very Darian answer.

Just, noble, and unwilling to ignore injustice.

The same person she once believed in and followed wholeheartedly.

That familiar side of him made the corner of Piony’s lips tremble.

What kind of person is Darian, really? Even she wasn’t sure anymore.

‘…Could he really be the one who tried to kill me?’

She didn’t want to believe it—but that doubt lingered, quietly wrapping itself around her heart.

The usually quiet front gate of Riod Academy bustled with activity thanks to the weekend.

Some were coming to visit dorm-residing students, others were heading out. Among the crowds, a particularly eye-catching, elegant carriage rolled quietly through the main gate.

When the students saw the crest emblazoned on the carriage, whispers began to spread.

“Isn’t that the Azenta duchy’s carriage?”

“Then those knights on horseback must be from the Kystar Order?”

As the crowd thickened, more eyes focused on the duchy’s carriage.

Even though many of the students were nobles, they couldn’t help but be awed by the prestige of House Azenta.

Then, from a distance, Eila and Felix appeared side by side—prompting everyone’s heads to turn.

“What? I thought the Duke himself was visiting or something.”

“Looks like the two of them are going out together.”

“They’re still always together, huh? Don’t they get tired of sticking so close?”

“Well… they do look good together. You’re just jealous, aren’t you?”

Some teasing voices floated in the air, but no one could deny how perfect the two looked as a pair.

Due to the hot weather, Felix wore only a vest over his shirt in a relaxed, casual look, while Eila wore a light ivory dress.

They looked like a sweet couple heading out on a picnic.

As they approached the carriage, Yetien—who had been waiting—greeted them with a warm smile.

“Welcome, young master, young lady.”

“Long time no see, Yetien. Is the luggage all packed?”

“Yes, everything is ready. And as for Piyo, may I suggest entrusting him to Lord Marc? It would be safer to place him in a separate carriage. Also…”

Yetien turned to Eila with a bright smile.

“You look truly radiant today, Lady Eila. You were dazzling last time too, but today you’re even more stunning.”

Eila blushed and smiled shyly, uncertain whether it was flattery or sincere praise.

‘I really did take forever picking this outfit…’

Unlike her last visit, she didn’t want to show up at the duchy dressed too flashily, so she had carefully chosen an outfit that was neat, calm, and well-mannered—even by the adults’ standards.