CH 73.2

“Leticia, thank you. How on earth did you defeat the thief?”

“You saved me again this time.”

“Seriously, I’ve heard the word ‘genius,’ but your tactics, coping methods, and imagination are beyond belief. It’s worth bragging about that I got such a treasure-like child in a ducal family.”

Our school kids rushed in and spoke. Even Madame Pauline praised me, hiding her trembling hands.

“I’m relieved that everyone is safe.”

I let out a sigh. I was covered in sticky sweat too.

“Five adults, five children. Are there a total of ten hostages?”

At that moment, I distinctly heard a police officer speaking.

Ten hostages?

‘Oh, come to think of it.’

I bit my lip.

‘There’s one hostage missing.’

That ‘betrayer’ must have escaped.

‘I mustn’t forget about that either.’

My attention had been distracted by Kien. I looked back at Collen.

“Dad! It’s urgent, please help me!”

* * *

“Gasp, gasp…”

He was running. And when he saw us waiting ahead, his eyes widened.

The wind slapped our cheeks. Collen and I were standing on the rooftop.

“Stop.”

I raised my magic bullet gun. The runner’s eyes widened.

A self-appointed retired knight, Uncle Charon.

“Sir, sir, were you the ‘betrayer’ the thieves were looking for today?”

Moreover, he stole the ‘Blue Tears of the Goddess’ cameo and hid it in the fountain. That person is Charon.

“Well, um, what are you talking about? I just want to avoid getting involved in useless matters.”

Charon said. I knew that was a blatant lie.

“You caused a commotion today, helped the temple, acted strangely whenever people approached the fountain where the ‘Blue Tears of the Goddess’ was hidden. At first, I wondered why, but I noticed it as soon as I saw the ‘Blue Tears of the Goddess’.”

A person who clearly showed suspicious behavior today. That could only be Charon.

Since he didn’t want anyone to see the bottom of the fountain, he caused a fuss whenever people approached.

But I didn’t say anything in front of the thieves. If I did, I didn’t know what they would do to Mr. Charon.

Still, wrong is wrong. He should be apprehended by the police as well.

“What are you talking about? Wow, the kid sure knows how to talk.”

“But, sir, the boots you wear are the ones given to the workers at the harbor. Isn’t it strange for a retired knight to have no sword marks on his hands?”

I have a talent for recognizing people’s shoes. Beggars are always huddled on the ground. I’ve had days when I approached them after seeing expensive shoes and begged.

Of course, I deceived other people about my status as well, but Charon’s direction was a bit different, I guess.

“So that means the interest is an accomplice.”

“We’ll have to investigate that in detail.”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Hey, you little brat! Don’t get cocky!”

That’s when Charon lunged at us.

Since I know for sure that he only faints, I had no hesitation this time.

Bang!

I aimed for his forehead and shot accurately. It hit him right on target.

‘Even if I hit him in the head, I adjusted the strength enough to just knock him out…’

As Charon’s body slid down the roof, Collen’s snake caught him. The timing was perfect once again.

“Kill the guy who deserves to die, and punish the one who deserves punishment, but we should also interrogate him, right?”

I nodded my head while looking at my father.

“I guess we’ll have a lot to explain to the police.”

* * *

The children, including Lavigne, underwent a brief investigation and returned home. The shock for the children was too great.

Meanwhile, the adults, including me, Collen, and Professor Siebel, headed to the police station to give their testimonies.

The police officer assigned to my investigation spoke, sweating.

“I’m truly sorry. It’s a big case involving the princess and the lady… And I heard that the lady made quite a contribution inside. Moreover, you managed to apprehend an accomplice.”

“Yes, I’ll testify to anything if it helps. I’ll do whatever I can,” I nodded my head.

“I’m not an accomplice of these guys! I just happened to stumble upon the hiding place of the treasure.”

Even as Charon was being taken away in the escort carriage, he shouted and protested.

“That’s something that needs to be investigated.”

Collen brushed it off lightly.

“However, if it’s revealed that my daughter was endangered because of you, I won’t let it slide.”

Collen said so and took me to a different carriage. When we arrived at the police station, the police officers guided us.

“We’ll take you to the investigation room.”

“Okay.”

“By the way, this case has turned into a murder case as well. It seems to be a serious matter.”

The corners of Collen’s mouth lifted.

“Oh, right. Now that you mention it, it did become a murder case,” Collen spoke with a faint smile.

‘The hostage takers are in big trouble now.’

Since they committed murder, Collen finally had a reason to take action.