I'm Not the Mastermind

Chapter 12

"The Second Princess, Your Highness?"

Hugo spoke with surprise, and it was understandable...

"Isn't that some kind of misunderstanding? The Second Princess, Your Highness, is renowned for her martial prowess, capable of personally venturing into labyrinths. Moreover, even if something unfortunate were to happen, as a member of the royal family, the Saint or Saintess could be summoned to heal her."

Indeed.

Elicia von Arcedium, the Second Princess, was the bloodline of the emperor of the Arcedium Empire, the most powerful nation on the Western Continent.

Her talent in martial arts was so exceptional that it was said even the captains of the royal knights couldn't best her.

For someone so strong to fall ill? Even if it were true, the Second Princess was by no means neglected by the royal family. If there were a problem with her health, they would undoubtedly summon a Saint or Saintess to heal her. If not, they could always consult the royal archives.

Yet, the rumors of her condition persisted... It was hard to believe. Eri spoke up again.

"It's just a rumor, but it’s not entirely baseless... After returning from the labyrinth, the Second Princess briefly left the academy to return to the palace. Since coming back, she hasn’t appeared much in public."

"Hmm..."

"The last people to see Her Highness after her return said she was covering one of her eyes, as if she had lost it. That’s all I know. The royal family has silenced anyone who might know more."@@@@

"Silenced them?"

"Yes. They wouldn’t admit it outright, but you can tell from the circumstances. People sense there’s something going on. And considering Her Highness did return to the palace after her journey to the labyrinth, it adds weight to the speculation..."

"So, people believe the Second Princess might be unwell, but they dare not investigate further for fear of royal retaliation. Hence, it remains an open secret."

Yujin’s remark made Eri flinch, her complexion slightly pale, but she nodded in agreement.

"Yes... that’s why, when I heard about a panacea, I immediately thought of Her Highness..."

"Hmm, I see."

This was news to Yujin as well. He was, after all, a novice when it came to the game Maze Academy.

Perhaps progressing through the story would have revealed these details, but frankly, it wasn’t something Yujin concerned himself with.

Somewhere in the world, someone was dying every day. Even if the rumors about the princess were true, from Yujin’s perspective, she was just another among them.

The only difference was that unlike those who vanished without a name, she held a position so high that everyone knew her.

As Yujin dismissed the thought, the dwarven warrior Crom spoke up.

"Haha! If that’s true, maybe this friend here could cure the princess’ illness! After all, the name is 'panacea,' so it must be worth something!"

It was an abrupt statement that caught everyone off guard.

Eri protested.

"Mr. Crom, what are you suddenly talking about..."

"What? Did I say something strange? It could very well happen. Didn’t Hugo here ask earlier if his goal was to make a panacea? If that’s true, then it’s not impossible, is it?"

Crom seemed to be speaking as if he were making a casual joke over drinks. Yujin responded with a laugh.

"Haha, that’s a bit of an overstatement. I’m just an ordinary mage, and the panacea was just an analogy, not an actual goal."

"Hmm, I see. That’s a pity."

Whatever he meant by “a pity,” Yujin just smiled lightly.

In any case, as the atmosphere settled and everyone finished their meal, Hugo spoke.

"Then, let’s get ready for sleep. What about the night watch?"

"How about pairing up, since the academy ladies are with us today? It feels a bit risky to have just one person on watch at a time."

Crom’s suggestion, though blunt, wasn’t met with much opposition. Eri and Shia exchanged sheepish smiles but didn’t argue.

"Then let’s go with Crom’s suggestion... but since there are seven of us, one person will be left out."

Hugo, the leader.Mirien, the scout.Crom, the warrior.Yujin, the mage.Eri, the student mage.Shia, the student priestess.And Hans, the porter with little presence but still part of the group.

"Hmm?"

Her sudden question was accompanied by the chill of cold steel pressing against his neck.

Yujin calmly turned his head to the side.

"...What are you?"

"......"

Mirien’s icy gaze bore into him, colder than a winter storm. In one hand, she held a dagger, the blade poised against his throat.

"......"

Yujin, still smiling, met her glare without flinching. He finally spoke.

"Is this how elves customarily greet people?"

"!?"

At his words, Mirien’s eyes wavered.

"Elf"—a term referring to one of the Aein races, also known as the forest folk.

A race blessed by nature, renowned for their longevity and their beauty, often exceeding that of humans.

At the mention of the word, Mirien pressed the dagger closer against his neck.

"How do you know that?"

Her words, though sharp, were an admission—a confirmation of her identity as an elf.

Yujin chuckled lightly.

"Haha, who knows? Perhaps I just thought so because you’re so breathtakingly beautiful."

His glib remark made Mirien scowl, her elegant brows knitting together as she leaned in closer, her expression threatening.

"Do I look like I’m joking?"

"A joke, you say... Ah, yes."

At the mention of the word "joke," Yujin’s smile deepened into something enigmatic.

"If I were to play a little 'joke' here, do you think it might lighten the mood?"

"What? What are you—"

"『Isolation』."

Boom!

"...!"

In an instant, the world changed.

The entire space turned black, as though someone had drenched a blank sheet of paper in pitch-black ink.

There was nothing around them—just Yujin and Mirien, standing alone.

Despite the absence of light, their forms stood out vividly, impossibly clear in the void.

"W-What...!"

"Haha, that’s quite the expression you’ve got there."

Yujin had risen from his seat at some point. With a deliberate motion, he pressed a finger against the dagger in Mirien’s hand, gently pushing it down as he continued speaking.

"This takes care of the threatening atmosphere, doesn’t it? Now, how about we have a civil conversation without any needless intimidation?"

His smile remained unchanged, serene yet unnervingly confident.