Chapter 19: Aimai Baby
Ryuguin did not respond to Chancellor Madison’s inquiries. No, he couldn’t respond.
Madison continued to read from a piece of paper, calling out the names of various women one after another. With each name, the color drained from Ryuguin’s face, and eventually, his head drooped under the weight of gravity. In the end, his face tilted downward, and his bangs fell, completely obscuring his expression.
But I saw it. I saw Ryuguin quietly inhale and exhale during Madison’s speech—then, in the next moment, he suddenly shot his face up with a loud “Bam!” The abruptness left everyone speechless.
Ryuguin’s expression was a stark contrast to the panic he had shown earlier; it was a brazen smile that seemed almost defiant. Seizing the moment while we were all taken aback, Ryuguin spoke.
“Being asked something like that out of the blue is quite troubling… Even if you ask, ‘Do you remember?’ I can’t say I do, because honestly, I have no recollection of any of it…”
His smile carried a complex mix of confusion and sadness, born from being doubted, as he continued.
“To even ask someone if they remember something implies suspicion, doesn’t it? I think that’s a rather uncouth act that could lead to wrongful accusations… Don’t you all find that strange?”
With a beautifully sorrowful expression, Ryuguin glanced around at everyone.
“If you don’t think it’s strange, then I feel sad. Truly sad… It hurts my heart with this sadness…”
Ryuguin contorted his face in a pose of pain. He continued speaking.
“So, you really don’t think this farce is strange, do you?”
Ryuguin no longer averted his gaze from Chancellor Madison.
“Ah, of course. Especially you, being a chancellor and all, acting so high and mighty. I get it. It’s only natural. You’ve been using people like pawns, and even if you’ve clearly done something wrong, you’ve lived without being denied or challenged, right?”
He acted as if he were sympathizing with Madison.
“That’s why! You’ve never had a chance to reflect on yourself until now, have you? So, isn’t this the perfect opportunity for you to do just that?”
“…”
Chancellor Madison remained silent. Was he gauging Ryuguin’s reaction, or was it something else—
“Let me see… Your name is? Madison, right?”
Ryuguin asked.
“It’s Chancellor Madison. More importantly, I still have many questions for you—”
Ryuguin interrupted Madison’s words.
“Wait, wait! You still have many? You mentioned earlier that you wanted to talk about what happened between my summoning and my conquest of the Blade Labyrinth. Is it possible that the paper you’re holding contains other incidents that occurred during that time?”
“‘Incidents,’ you say? As if it’s someone else’s business, Hero. Don’t forget, you’re not just a third party; you’re already caught up in it.”
Chancellor Madison maintained his resolute demeanor, refusing to be overwhelmed by Ryuguin. In response, Ryuguin—
“Ah, I see, I see, so that’s how it is. Alright, let’s continue the conversation then.”
He smirked.
“Considering how you’ve set the stage to pin the blame on me, I assume you’ve thoroughly investigated the incidents that occurred during that time, right? I get it. I really do. I understand!”
Ryuguin kept his smile intact.
“So,”
He paused for effect.
“Is there even a single piece of evidence that I did anything?”
Ryuguin tilted his head, feigning confusion.
“I know it. There’s not a shred of evidence that I did anything, is there? Of course not! Naturally! Because I didn’t do anything!”
Ryuguin’s excitement soared. Riding that momentum, he continued.
“More importantly—”
He pressed on, his energy infectious. The seasoned chancellor remained silent. Ryuguin, undeterred, raised his voice cheerfully.
“You already know who committed the crimes you mentioned, don’t you?”
He spread his arms wide in an exaggerated manner.
Madison remained silent in response to Ryuguin’s question.
“Not saying anything means you agree, right? …What a coincidence! I know who did it too! So, how about we do a little ‘on the count of three’ to confirm our answers?”
Ignoring our intentions, Ryuguin shouted, “On three!”
“One, two, three! The answer is ‘Ichiro Yamada!'”
Ryuguin’s charming voice echoed throughout the King’s Chamber.