Chapter 224
…Give an example?
I thought for a moment and then blurted out.
“Well, maybe some mastermind fed their pet mutant with the bodies.”
“…?”
“Someone could secretly be raising a large pet mutant and kidnapping people to feed it. If the victims were bound, they wouldn’t be able to resist and would be eaten whole. The leftover bodies could then be thrown around the capital to create a mystery rather than hiding them poorly…”
Honestly, I didn’t mean it seriously. Who would be crazy enough to secretly raise a mutant in the capital and feed it human beings?
However, it also didn’t make sense for a large mutant to roam the capital, eating people, no matter how intelligent it was.
I just wanted more specific information. By eliminating implausible theories, I hoped to clarify the circumstances of the incident.
But…
Ugh!
Disgusted exclamations came from all around. I suddenly snapped back to reality.
The reactions of the people around me were… not great.
Here she goes again.
Some of the Guides had that exact expression. Among the Espers, there were a few snickers.
The center director’s reaction was particularly strong—practically choking, almost collapsing while sputtering, “That… that’s ridiculous…!”
…Okay, maybe I was being weird again.
I was used to such reactions. Whenever ‘Rose was being Rose,’ people responded like this.
Any further explanation from me would only lead to predictable outcomes: disregard, mockery, whispers… at worst, ridicule and scorn.
“…Then I don’t know.”
I finally resigned and told the old man. I assumed this was a normal answer.
But why…
The old man’s eyes, now meeting mine, sparkled with an odd delight.
When he first asked me the question, he hadn’t shown any particular interest in me.
He simply noticed my lack of focus and wanted to call me out.
But after hearing my so-called nonsensical story, he genuinely seemed intrigued by me.
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
I had no ulterior motive—I was genuinely curious.
It was because I had never experienced such a reaction when ‘Rose was being Rose.’
But hearing my words, the Center Director practically foamed at the mouth and began to rant.
“Miss Valentine, how dare you speak so rudely in front of whom!”
…Just who is this old man?
Seeing the Center Director sticking so closely by his side, he must be someone important.
Just as I was filled with questions.
“…Interesting.”
The old man muttered.
It was a quiet remark, but its impact was tremendous. As soon as he spoke, everyone in the room turned their gaze towards him.
Even the Center Director was startled and fell silent.
The old man, seemingly accustomed to such reactions, continued calmly.
“Sometimes, new thoughts that others don’t have, and the conviction to voice them despite criticism, are necessary.”
“…”
“And to show such boldness even in front of me… Well, well, I thought judging people by their appearance was a folly of the young. It seems this old man still has much to learn. Please forgive me.”
“L-Lord Hermann…”
The Center Director stood beside the humble old man, fidgeting anxiously.
Regardless, the old man, now with a gentle smile, spoke to me.
“I quite like you. How about it? Would you join me?”
The only thought that came to mind upon hearing his words was:
…Join you?
In the deduction game…?
I had no idea what he was asking, as I had been lost in my own thoughts throughout the class.
Unlike my confusion, the center director immediately panicked.
“P-Prime Minister, there seems to be a misunderstanding… She is not an Esper. She is a Guide.”
“…A Guide?”
The old man’s eyebrow shot up at the center director’s words. He had obviously assumed I was an Esper.
And I was just as shocked.
From his appearance and demeanor, and the Center Director who wouldn’t leave his side, I knew he was someone extraordinary.
But the Prime Minister of Arteon, Hermann Caulo?
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.