C84
If Liena had become the main culprit, Elliot's guilt would have been reduced. Still, Liena's suspicions that he was a traitor would not disappear, and their relationship would inevitably widen, so it might have seemed better for it to happen that way. At first glance.
However, later, when Liena investigates the treatment of Elliot, she would discover something strange. If he really were her traitor and our collaborator, it would have been right to avoid punishment or limit it to a superficial level.
But he can't do that. Because Elliot is not a true traitor.
It made no sense to give Elliot a lenient sentence to avoid suspicion. Because our original goal is to corner Elliot.
However, giving him a harsh sentence made Liena question the assumption that Elliot was a traitor. Liena is quite perceptive. Moreover, if Elliot acknowledged that he had fallen into a trap, he would definitely try to save himself.
The problem was that in a situation where Liena was the main culprit, there was a limit no matter how hard you tried to give Elliot a high sentence. He was just following the orders of his superior and high-ranking noble, so how could he be severely punished? Life imprisonment or the death penalty are absolutely unreasonable.
"Well, there is a way to kill both mice and birds without them knowing...."
If Terence had decided to kill Elliot that way, it would have been easier for him to be the main culprit. Externally, it would have been difficult for Liena to protest or question that Elliot was dead since he committed a crime without her knowledge.
So, for Terence, who wanted to kill Elliot, it was better for Elliot to be the main culprit. At best, it's the death penalty, and at worst, life imprisonment, so it's easy to pretend he's still alive even after killing him.
"Hehe."
Elliot, unaware of this fact, even hummed a song and enjoyed the joy of victory. I asked because I didn't understand common sense.
"Why do you like Liena so much?"
"She told me that the world was wicked for rejecting me because I have an immigrant mother and an eccentric personality."
There was a line like that in <Return and Walk on a Flower Path>. The scene where Elliot opens his heart to Liena for the first time. But this is something I felt since I read the novel for the first time...
"Even if the first part is true, doesn't the second part deserve rejection? How many people will like you when you openly ignore others and call them stupid?"
Moreover, Elliot's personality was more wicked than eccentric. Liena is also very good at persuading.
"When I heard that, I swore. I will follow this person until the moment of my death! I will pass until my death for her!"
Elliot's eyes looked cloudy as he spoke enthusiastically. Blind loyalty to Liena. His loyalty literally blinded him.
"Elliot, if you had looked at the situation more broadly and judged it objectively, maybe you would have realized."
The fact is that this board was created to capture you, not Liena. However, an unbreakable truth remained firmly established in Elliot's mind. A very dichotomous truth.
Liena is a good and important person who is always attacked. On the other hand, Terence and I are villains who hate her so much without any particular reason, seeking her ruin.
In a way, it was natural for him to have those prejudices. Most of the small villains I had defeated alongside Liena until now were like that.
Actually, I wasn't sure, but I hoped things would turn out this way. Because I couldn't imagine Elliot, a genius, silently suffering.
Now that the secret space had been discovered, it would have been impossible for him to completely cover up Iver's guild corruption. Even if he's trapped here.
"So there's a number he can come up with."
He will sacrifice someone to protect Liena.
And to dispel Liena's suspicions, there's a high probability he'll claim himself as the scapegoat.
Still, I felt anxious. I was afraid Elliot might come up with a clever move that I couldn't even imagine.
"Anyway, let's enjoy it for now. I think I got a little excited for the moment...."
I responded appropriately to Elliot's words and continued to act indignant.
"Isn't it a waste for Iver? You worked hard to get it, but it was in vain."
Whether the main culprit was Liena or Elliot, Iver's future was dark. The emperor was not foolish, and there was no way he would allow the empire's best family to own a guild superior to the empire.
Elliot's expression became somewhat serious.
"Yes, Iver will dissolve. In any case, if you're fined for your crime, it will be difficult to endure even if the government doesn't dismantle it."
"Doesn't most of it belong to the imperial family? It's a waste, it's a waste."
"You're worried for no reason. You just have to make it grow again."
"... That's a lot of confidence."
"Even without me and Cecil, it's more than possible with Lady Liena's skills."
Elliot wasn't just saying he simply trusted Liena.
"Does that mean the eccentric inventor is still there?"
The success of Iver was achieved thanks to the combination of three factors: Elliot's skill, Cecil's connections, and the eccentric inventor's innovative invention.
Elliot looked at me and smiled ironically.
"But what does it matter if it's a waste?"
"What?"
"Since I've proven my innocence, naturally, he will suspect that Cecil is a traitor. It will be difficult to dispel suspicions about Tara, who had a conflict with me before."
"Ah."
"I don't know what you did to get two spies in, but it was a waste. The kind lady won't abandon them immediately, but she won't give her heart either."
"......"
"It won't be long before you and the second prince's spies completely part ways. Please look forward to it."
"......"
"For your information, now it's useless to try using physical force against me to retract my confession. I don't yield to violence or anything like that."
"......"
"Why don't you say anything? Aren't you angry and want to respond?"
No, it's just that I was completely confused and had nothing to say.
Contrary to Elliot's beliefs, Cecil was neither a traitor nor a spy.
"Now that I think about it, I understand."
I secretly counted my fingers. Tara is already in the same boat as me, Elliot is facing life imprisonment at best, and Liena no longer trusts Cecil... It was like eliminating three talents from Liena's strength.
It wasn't my intention. Tara was only following because she was trying to appease her, and Elliot also threatened me first, so I dealt with him. Cecil was dismissed in the process.
"Of the seven talented people, only Matisse, the eccentric inventor, and two more remain."
At that moment, Elliot woke me from my thoughts.
""Hey, give me paper and a pen.""
""Eh, why?""
""If you don't want to, don't do it. I was thinking of being particularly generous with him, but I guess it's fine.""
The man Elliot referred to was Count Miloam. I brought paper and a pen, and he started writing long lines without hesitation.
""Hmm, whatever happens, it seems like you've become attached to the Count.""
Elliot came up with a plan for the development of Count Miloam's territory.
""Rejoice! This is nothing more than a rough doodle.""
""Even so, you're quite meticulous.""
It reflects well the situation in Count Miloam's territory.
No matter how much of a genius he was, it seemed difficult to come up with and write something like this in one go. Elliot suddenly turned his head.
""Think whatever you want. I'm the kind of person who can't live with debts, so I'm just doing him a favor.""
""Does he have a debt to the Count? Ah! I think your complexion has improved since you started training together.""
""It's not that! It's because of the bread, the bread!""
""The bread?""
""Yes. The cornbread he brought was quite decent to eat. It was much better than the food I eat every day.""
—"... I'm very sorry. For giving you only bland food."
I heard that if he is imprisoned in the future, he will only receive more bland meals, so what can I do?
""Anyway, this is a plan I came up with only from information I heard without having been on the land in person, so it will be superficial and not perfect.""
""That can't be helped.""
""Especially because he seems to have a rather low intelligence, he might not even understand what's written there.""
""Please explain it well.""
Although his evaluation of Count Miloam was very poor, Elliot seemed to have his own thoughts about him.
When I was about to feel a little proud, someone knocked on the door. It must have been the time for Elliot to leave for an audience with the emperor.
""I'm leaving now. My business is done, so I can take you right away...""
But when I opened the door and went out, I saw Terence.
""Are you surprised?""
There was no one in the hallway, but I led him to a secluded area and spoke comfortably.
""Yes, I didn't know Tay would come.""
""I sent Jack first, but I also left right after finishing my work with the investigation team.""
""You must be busy, so you should have sent someone...""
""Because I wanted to see you.""
""Oh, me?""
""Not just Ethel, but also the person in that room.""
""Elliot?""
""Shouldn't we discuss his future treatment?""
Ah, that's what it means. I ended up making another strange misunderstanding.
""Well, actually... I haven't been able to appease Elliot yet. I apologize for the inconvenience you've been waiting for.""
""It's okay. Originally, I was planning to get rid of him.""
""It's unfortunate, but there's nothing we can do.""
""Ethel.""
Terence looked at me closely. His eyes narrowed.
""There's no need to hide your true feelings from me.""
""... What do you mean?""
""Actually, you hope he doesn't die, don't you? Your eyes say that.""
I was momentarily speechless.
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