The Forest Race Clonne

Chapter 99

“So, they just judged by the birth record? Seems they couldn’t verify the birth mother?”

“That seems to be the case.”

“I see, just hearing ‘half-brother of the same age’ tells you everything. They must have kept it quiet for the sake of appearances. That worked out as a stroke of luck for you.”

Is it really luck, though? Being kept safe at the cost of someone else’s life as a shield? Markatis seems to think it’s fortunate, but I’m not so sure. Is my life truly more valuable than those endangered by my existence? If my survival is at the expense of others, doesn’t that make me more of a curse?

“Does your brother know about this situation?”

Semeion’s face had long since turned pale. As I recalled Dewey’s last appearance, I shook my head.

“No, it’s unlikely he knows. Even if he did suspect, he’d keep quiet about it. His value as a hostage would decrease, which could endanger him.”

“I suppose that’s true…”

For his sake, it’s better if he remains unaware. Realizing the situation would be like sitting on pins and needles.

“People covet good things, even if they belong to others. But you give up what’s yours without a care?”

“No one could truly do that. There must be some ulterior motive, right?”

His words, shouted at me, tangled my thoughts. His face, unable to hide his anxiety and frustration, was twisted in turmoil.

“Prince Sei?”

It took Semeion’s voice to bring me back to the present. He was looking at me with concern. I must’ve had my eyes closed for too long.

I shook my head to indicate it was nothing, then clenched and unclenched my fist. As I felt the blood circulating again, I slowly exhaled.

“Anyway, it seems luck is on my side. I’ve now decided on my next destination.”

“Perhaps…”

Guessing what I intended to say, I nodded.

“I don’t know where the captured people have been taken, but I do know where my brother is staying.”

The Clonnes did not surrender because they were weak. If they wanted, they could resist at any time. To fully subdue them, the Demonic Beasts would need undeniable proof of a hostage. At least once, they’d have to present Dewey as evidence.

“I need to return to the capital.”

* * *

Thud―

The pen slipped from Camille’s hand, falling vertically and breaking the nib. He seemed so dazed that he didn’t even realize he had dropped it.

“…Your village was attacked?”

“Yes.”

“The entire people was taken by the Demonic Beasts, and you barely escaped?”

“That’s what happened.”

“It happened? It just happened? You say that like it’s nothing!”

I was momentarily puzzled by his indignant expression. I thought I had given all the necessary explanations. Was something missing?

“I didn’t count the number of the Demonic Beasts who attacked. It looked like about twenty, but there were probably more outside…”

“No! Who cares about that?”

The notebook that had been lying open was now crumpled and tossed aside. It had been perfectly fine just moments ago, serving its purpose well. It shouldn’t crumple so easily, but Camille, being a promising former Imperial Guard, had quite a bit of strength.

“I’m not talking about that! I’m talking about your attitude right now! After going through such an ordeal, why are you acting so indifferent like it’s someone else’s problem?!”

“Do I seem indifferent? I didn’t mean to come off that way.”

“If you’re going to say that, go look in the mirror first! You’ve been wearing a calm expression this whole time!”

“It’s not something that can be solved by getting anxious.”

I shrugged my shoulders, and Camille looked momentarily speechless. In that time, I picked up the fallen pen and notebook and placed them in front of him.

“Take care of the supplies. They all come from the budget.”

“…”

“Occupational habit.”

Camille, looking at me with an expression that said “What kind of person are you?” sighed deeply.

“That’s what you’re concerned about right now?”

“Such things matter. You’ve only been in the field teams for a short time, so you might not realize the effort it takes to manage supplies. People need to remember their past…”

“Alright, alright! I’ll be careful! I’ll handle them gently!”

“Good, I’m glad you understand.”

Leaning back in his chair, Camille seemed more distressed than before.

“Can we get back to the main issue now?”

“Yes, of course.”

With another nod from me, he sighed again. Maybe it’s because he hadn’t been in the National Security Department for long, but he was too easily influenced by others. His constantly changing expressions suggested he wasn’t suited for interrogation. I almost laughed but stopped when Camille looked at me like I was a problem child.

“At least you don’t seem to be injured.”

“As you can see, I’m fine.”

“This is just a precautionary question. I heard there was a major fire in the Dras territory recently. That doesn’t, by any chance, have anything to do with what happened in the Clonne village, does it?”

“Oh, so the Empire has information up to that point. Unfortunately, it does.”

“…Really?”

“They set the fire while pursuing me.”

“I see. So they set the fire to catch you…”

“It made their search difficult, so they resorted to extreme measures. The forest suffered greatly trying to protect me.”

Camille let out a hollow laugh, running his hands over his face. His fingers trembled slightly, betrayed by how deeply he was affected. Sensing my gaze, he clenched his fists tightly.

“You damn bastard. You could have at least sent word that you were doing well. Even though I was furious you just left and vanished, I figured you were living well as you wanted. But how can you bring back news like this…”

From ‘damn fool to ‘bastard,’ Camille’s muttered words made me keep silent. If I mentioned I never intended to meet him, it would only anger him more. Camille seemed somewhat relieved by my silence.

“Anyway, it’s good you’re safe. You’ve come back. The situation here isn’t perfect either; things are still unsettled. But the First Prince isn’t as rampant as before. As long as I’m here, he won’t be able to mess with you.”

But his next words confused me. I couldn’t hide my bewilderment. As I stared blankly, Camille also seemed taken aback.

“Why?”

“I think you’re misunderstanding something. I’m not coming back.”

“You’re not… coming back?”

“It’s not something I can do in the first place. As I said, I have no intention of getting arrested.”

“No, that’s…! Then why are you here? Wasn’t your exploration of the palace to find someone for help?”

“Something like that. I needed to gather information.”

“Information? What information?”

I looked at Semeion as Camille repeated the question. Seated on the chair’s headrest and observing, Semeion nodded in response to my glance.

The brief explanation continued. That the Demonic Beasts had taken a young Clonne as a hostage. That’s why everyone was taken without resistance. And that there was a high possibility Dewey was the hostage.

It covered everything except the fact that I was the King’s son. Camille’s mouth fell open in astonishment once more.

“…So the Demonic Beasts already knew that the child aunt gave birth to was a Clonne. But they mistook Dewey for you.”

“Yes, so I was planning to investigate him.”

If things had gone according to plan, the person I’d be facing now would be Dewey, not Camille. I had intended to approach him alone when he was by himself.

“He seemed to be sneaking off somewhere alone. But I couldn’t confirm whom he was meeting.”

Semeion, who had successfully located Dewey but failed to accomplish the rest of the objective, looked down in guilt. I was about to offer a typical reassurance not to worry when Camille spoke up.

“That would be me.”

Both Semeion and I widened our eyes at the unexpected revelation.

“The person he was meeting was you?”

“Yes.”

Ah, so that’s how Camille discovered Semeion. I hadn’t anticipated such a convoluted coincidence. Dewey and Camille? Truly an unexpected pairing.

“When did you two become so close?”

“We’re not close! He suddenly came to see me. He said he had something to discuss and asked for some time. Then he asked about your whereabouts.”

“…My whereabouts?”

“Yes. He seemed quite scared. From what he said, it seems he was taken to an unfamiliar place recently and met some people there.”

“…!”

“He said it didn’t feel voluntary when they came to find him. They asked about his mother.”

Semeion and I exchanged glances almost simultaneously. Camille’s face had also turned serious.

“Seems like those people might be people you know. What do you think?”

I stared blankly for a moment, then let out a small laugh.

Fortunately, it seemed this trip wouldn’t end in vain after all.