12 O’Clock Marionette

"It is an imperial decree, Your Grace. No matter what you say, interfering is a grave offense."

"That depends on how you frame it. I’m here to report a much greater crime."

"……"

"I happened to hear that the imperial palace is lined with bombs."

What nonsense is he spouting now?

The imperial palace had stood for centuries. There was no way it lacked countermeasures against explosives.

Reading my incredulous expression, Cruello merely shrugged.

"Actually, I planted them myself."

"Oh…"

"This is no time for jokes, Your Grace."

"Would you like proof? Though I’m not sure you’ll hear it properly from here."

With those words, Cruello snapped his fingers.

Boom! A faint explosion echoed in the distance.

And, coincidentally, it came from the exact direction of the imperial palace.

Considering the distance between Bonetti Manor and the palace, this was about the level of noise one would expect from a detonation over there.

"……"

I had fully intended to dismiss this as just another one of Cruello’s outlandish lies, but something about it made me uneasy.

Apparently, the Imperial Knights felt the same.

I glanced at him.

"…Is it real?"

No way, right? This has to be a bluff.@@novelbin@@

Ignoring me entirely, Cruello took a step toward the knights.

At the same time, he slipped my gate ring back into my hand behind his back.

A clear intention.