"......Aside from the outcomes for the factions, there’s the handling of the individuals involved."

  "First, Berzera Ud—a captive Ice Attribute Mage was found in the dungeon beneath his estate.

  After verification, it was confirmed that the mana traces left at Crawford’s murder scene belonged to this person.

  Thus, Berzera has been definitively identified as the killer.

  Under imperial law, he has been stripped of his title, sentenced to death, and his family will be demoted from nobility."

  "That Ice Mage?"

  Hulim Heyerar set down her teacup and interjected,

  "I knew he’d be in Berzera’s home."

  "You’re right," Alicia Serions nodded. "Just as you suspected—the ‘Investor’ placed him where we’d easily find him......"

  In truth, even if we hadn’t gone looking, the "Investor" would have found a way to bring him to our attention.

  Hulim thought to herself.

  After all, the "Investor" had no idea we’d already deduced the killer’s identity. He’d likely planned a dramatic "discovery" of the Ice Mage to lead us back to Berzera.

  Which meant our decisive action was probably the reason the "Investor"’s plan had so many flaws......

  "Wait a minute—that doesn’t make sense! Wasn’t Theodore the mastermind?"

  Miko Kedar asked in confusion.

  "Why was he only exiled to the provinces instead of facing harsher punishment?"

  "About that......"

  Alicia frowned and sighed,

  "It’s because there wasn’t enough evidence."

  "Not enough evidence?"

  "No. Even though we have those two letters, they weren’t handwritten by him.

  He only needs to claim the letters are forgeries, and we can’t convict him. Besides, Crawford—and even the ‘Investor’—are dead, and Berzera has no direct proof to link him to Theodore."

  "In the end, everyone knows he’s guilty, but there’s no way to charge him formally."

  "Ugh! That’s so unfair!"

  "This is politics—unfairness comes with the territory."

  Hulim replied casually, but her thoughts drifted to someone else.

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  No—for those who truly hold power, these underhanded tactics are probably just childish games......

  "Additionally,"

  Alicia continued,

  "Marsim Letyer, who colluded directly with the ‘Investor’, is said to have died by suicide to atone for his crimes—according to the palace’s official statement."

  "‘Suicide to atone for crimes’—what a convenient explanation."

  "It certainly is."

  Alicia nodded. Everyone knew the truth, but no one cared to question it.

  After all, the palace was protecting its own reputation—not Marsim.

  "But even though Marsim ‘committed suicide’, his crimes can’t be erased. What he did was far worse than Berzera’s!"

  "He’s charged with betraying the world......"

  "The Letyer family will be completely erased from noble society from now on."

  "But these nobles who colluded with Gulos are the least of our worries,"

  Hulim added.

  "Gulos itself is the biggest problem. I can’t shake the feeling they’re becoming more active."

  "It’s probably because the Demon Lord’s return is drawing near,"

  Alicia responded.

  "Monsters across the world have grown far more active in recent years. There are even rumors that many beings sealed during the last war are stirring......"

  "You’re right. Gulos has the power to control monsters—with them growing more active, Gulos’ strength is at its peak."

  "We have to eliminate this threat before the Demon Lord arrives, or it’ll be fatal in the future......"

  "......"

  The mood in the room turned heavy for a moment.

  "Oh! Right, Hulim—haven’t you already met all your graduation requirements?"

  Miko changed the subject to academics.

  "I have. The exam at Professor Rylangrim’s potion garden was the last one."

  "That’s great! Now we can graduate together! What do you plan to do after graduation?"

  "Hmm...... After graduation?"

  Alicia thought for a moment.

  "......I’ll stay in Langard, of course. Whether as a royal family member or a faction leader, I still have a lot to learn. For the sake of everyone who supports me, I need to keep working harder."

  "You’re so responsible, Alicia—it’s hard to believe we’re the same age."

  "That’s just because you’re still too immature, Miko."

  "I am not! I’m fourteen—I’ll be a mature adult soon!"

  "......"

  No, normal adults don’t call themselves "mature"......

  "What about you, Hulim? Any plans?"

  "Me......"

  Hulim thought for a moment, then answered,

  "I plan to keep training and become stronger."

  "But I haven’t decided on the details yet—whether to become a full-time adventurer or join an organization. It’ll probably take some time to figure out......"

  "With your talent, Hulim, you’ll get offers from major organizations all over the world,"

  Alicia said with a smile.

  "Don’t let yourself get stuck choosing~."

  "That’s surprising......"

  Hulim looked at Alicia in shock.

  "I thought you’d try to recruit me for the imperial family."

  Alicia shook her head with a laugh.

  "If it were a royal order, I’d obey—but as a friend, I won’t. I know your stage should be bigger than this. You shouldn’t be tied down by the empire."

  "You’d make the emperor sad by saying that~."

  Alicia put a finger to her lips, winked, and said,

  "He doesn’t have to know~."

  "You really are......"

  Hulim laughed too, then turned to Miko.

  "We’ve talked about our plans—what about you, Miko?"

  "I——"

  Miko paused, then stood up, lifted her chin, and patted her chest.

  "I’ve already made up my mind!"

  "Wow, that’s unexpected—I thought you hadn’t thought about it at all."

  "Hey! Hulim—don’t treat me like an idiot!"

  Miko protested loudly.

  "Sorry, I couldn’t help it—I said what I was thinking~."

  "Hu—lim—!"

  "Ah, I’m sorry, I’m sorry......"

  Hulim quickly pretended to cover her mouth.

  "Hmph! You’re impossible, Hulim!"

  Miko glared at Hulim with puffed cheeks,

  then slowly shared her decision.

  "......Actually, when I saw you defeat Luigi and win the Royal Martial Tournament, something clicked for me."

  "Whether it’s the White Cat Royal Family’s troubles, enemies in the shadows, or the powerful opponents we’ve faced—everything."

  "If I become strong enough, I can overcome all of it."

  "......"

  Seeing Miko like this, Hulim and Alicia fell silent, listening intently.

  "......So at that moment, I decided——"