Chapter 84: The Cruel Princess Calls
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"...I see. I understand the situation."
Prime Minister Gilbert nodded deeply after listening to Stayle's explanation, which he had offered on my behalf.
I immediately granted it when Stayle requested permission to call Gilbert to the palace and in no time at all, Stayle teleported and brought Gilbert from his home, its almost as if he had done it without a word.
But according to Stayle, once he mentioned that I needed help, Gilbert immediately agreed and upon his arrival he greeted us with a warm smile while saying, "Sorry to keep you waiting."
"A special ability user who controls chains...I heard rumors about him in the past. He was a regular in the human trafficking world, infamous for selling many 'products' over the years."
"Didn't you eradicate the human traffickers two yearas ago, Gilbert?" Stayle sharply responded.
"Yes, to the best of my knowledge, I've wiped out all the organizations. However, pests like these always return no matter how many times you get rid of them." Gilbert said as he returned Stayle's criticism with a smile but Stayle couldn't hold back his disapproval as he muttered, "Worthless..."
Prime Minister Gilbert was well versed in crime and criminals and until two years ago, he even had personal connections in underground industries and human trafficking. In fact, he might be the most knowledgeable person in the country when it comes to crime, both in the public and private sectors.
"While the human trafficking market was completely destroyed, a few seasoned big players have been hiding for a while and this man is most likely one of them. It's been two years so he might be preparing for the next market."
"Do you have any idea about the current market or the whereabouts of these men?"
"Unfortunately, not that much cause if I knew I would have already wiped them out."
Gilbert gave a wry smile. His casual remark was rather chilling.
Still it seems even Gilbert is having difficulty with this...
The chain-wielding special ability user, I could vaguely recall an enemy character from the game who possessed this ability but I barely remember anything about him. So this leaves me at a dead end.
"However..." Gilbert paused, catching my attention. He then looked at me with a broad smile.
"I do have one lead on someone who might know more."
"Gilbert then turned to Stayle and requested, "Stayle, could you teleport to the alley from two years ago.?"
Though he was puzzled, Stayle eventually agreed. I then offered to join the both of them but both Stayle and Arthur as well as Tiara, stopped me. The ultimate consensus was that it would not be appropriate for the First Princess to visit such a place. I wanted to argue that I had been there myself two years ago, but in the end, Stayle and Gilbert disappeared together, leaving only the two of them to handle the matter.
The alley from two years ago...the place where Gilbert had attempted to make a deal with underworld figures. But....Gilbert had supposedly severed all ties with that world so just who could this "dealer" be that he's working with now?
I really hoped that Gilbert wouldn't push himself too hard, but with Stayle accompanying him, I trusted that the both of them would be fine so I decided to wait.
My little sister, Tiara, then cam to my side and then Arthur positioned himself between me and Val, who was sitting behind me. Looking at Val over Arthur's shoulder, I noticed that he had already opened his mouth but couldn't find the words. He stared, bewildered, from the place where Stayle and Gilbert had just disappeared.
Now that I think of it, this was the first time I had witnessed Stayle's ability in action.
I ordered Val to keep the information he learned today a secret. Then, I looked at Arthur, who had stepped between us.
"I'm sorry Arthur. You're the one who..."
'...who couldn't forgive Val' Just as I was about to say so, Arthur replied with a comforting, "It's okay."
"Pryde-sama has decided on the punishment already and I have no objections. I trust that whatever you believe is most important right now, and I will protect it."
Hearing that made me truly happy. To think he could forgive my selfishness and trust me...
Arthur, who is two years older than me, now felt almost like an older brother. I could understand now why Tiara often grabbed my sleeve whenever she felt uncertain. I lowered my head, grasping the edge of Arthur's pristine uniform sleeve, and whispered, "Thank you."
As I held Tiara's hand, she flashed a gentle smile at me and I returned it and when I looked up at Arthur, I noticed he was blushing, his lips trembling slightly.
I guess it wasn't all the surprising—being so close to Tiara's smile would do that to anyone.
And so we waited in silence for a while, hoping that Stayle and Gilbert would bring back a solution, or at least a clue that would turn things around.
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EUN:Just this morning I was all hype up in updating like I was in delulu mode but then!! BUT THEN--!! I got distracted with AHOF CONTENT!! I just found out about them today and had to like binge every content possible. I couldn't believe they're actually from the same franchise? company of universe ticket and then I just spiraled down. Sigh.... oRZ
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