Chapter 223

Meanwhile.

Outside the restaurant where Clael and the others were.

"Prince Eric! This is the restaurant!"

"Ugh... They beat us to it. A lifelong disgrace...!"

On the main street of the royal capital.

In front of a certain high-class restaurant stood Eric Seincle, the crown prince, along with the knights.

They were in the middle of an investigation to crack down on a certain criminal organization.

A few days ago, that organization had attempted to sneak into the royal palace and commit heinous crimes.

They had plotted things like the assassination of the king's brother and the theft of a national treasure magic item... but thanks to an anonymous tip-off, the crime was prevented in advance.

The identity of the human who provided the information remains unknown. They are investigating, but since there are more urgent matters, it has been put on hold for now.

One of those priorities was the eradication of the remnants of that criminal organization.

It became clear during interrogation that they still had allies.

It took time to locate their hideout within the royal capital.

It wasn't due to a lack of ability on Eric, who had been entrusted with the command. Currently, a martial arts tournament was being held in the royal capital, and personnel had been diverted for its security.

As a result of prioritizing the protection of important guests invited from other countries, the investigation into the criminal organization had fallen behind.

And then... because of that, the incident occurred.

By the time they found the organization's hideout and stormed it, it was already empty.

They had taken over a certain high-class restaurant and were demanding the release of their comrades.

"What shall we do, Prince Eric? It's unconfirmed, but... there are likely nobles among the hostages."

"............"

The restaurant was already surrounded. There was no worry of anyone escaping.

However... inside were both criminals and hostages.

"......We do not negotiate with criminals. Releasing traitors is out of the question."

"Then... are we to abandon the hostages?"

"............"

Eric grimaced.

If he prioritized royal pride, he should abandon the hostages. Whether they were nobles or not didn't matter—yielding to criminals' demands would disqualify him from becoming the next king.

However... Eric wasn't yet mature enough to discard human lives so easily.

"All or nothing, we break in. I'll take the lead—follow me."

"What...!? Your Highness, yourself...!?"

"Even the hostages are risking their lives. If I don't do the same, how could that be fair?"

How could he risk only the lives of his people while he waited comfortably in safety for the outcome?

Eric took the initiative and prepared to storm the restaurant.

"Let's go, everyone... Subdue the criminals and rescue the hostages... Huh?"

Eric was about to rush into the restaurant with the knights under his command—but he stopped in his tracks.

Because the restaurant's windows and entrance suddenly flashed, and a mysterious light enveloped the entire main street.

The light quickly faded. As if nothing had happened, the area fell silent.

"W-What was that...?"

"P-Prince Eric... What should we do...?"

"W-We're going in...!"

Their momentum had been disrupted... Maybe the criminals had done something.

Despite his panic, Eric charged into the restaurant. The knights followed behind him.

"Huh...?"

And then... they witnessed the scene inside the restaurant.

Overturned tables. Torn curtains. Scattered dishes and remnants of food.

Amidst it all, hostages sat on the floor in a daze, while the men who appeared to be the criminals lay unconscious, their faces swollen and beaten.

"Who on earth did this to them...?"

Eric muttered, but then something white on the floor caught his eye.

He picked it up absentmindedly—it was a white feather, seemingly from a swan.

"Your Highness...?"

"For now... restrain the men over there. Protect the guests and question them about what happened."

"Understood."

As the knights swiftly carried out their duties, Eric was once again left with a lingering sense of frustration.

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