In the spacious banquet hall, Tales and Jann stood facing each other from afar.
Figures were sparse in the distance. The guards and servants were still seeing off the uneasy guests, cautiously yet reverently glancing over here from time to time.
"Now?"
Jann's astonished expression lasted only a second before his excellent composure allowed him to rein it in.
The Duke of Iris said nothing and paid no heed to the tense gazes of the few people in the distance. He simply walked over slowly, stepping across the wreckage strewn across the floor.
Tales watched him coldly.
Only when Jann stopped and stood before the short sword did he speak.
"So you were just a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse—throwing out a casual bluff and trying your luck?"
The master of Cavendil looked at the short sword on the floor, unhurried and wearing a half-smile.
He was completely at ease, showing none of the fluster or self-consciousness of someone whose conspiracy had been exposed and whose scheme had been seen through—just like six years ago, when Tales had exposed New Star's scheme at the National Affairs Conference.
That made Tales deeply uneasy.
"I got it out of his mouth." Tales kept his expression unchanged.
"This sword really was given to him by one of the guests, rather than coming through some other unknown channel."
The Prince glanced toward several exits.
"Unfortunately, security at tonight's banquet was strict."
"And there aren't many guests who could enter without being searched personally."
Jann spoke unhurriedly, almost cheerfully.
"Then what makes you certain it was me?"
He looked quite interested. Anyone who did not know the circumstances might have thought the two dukes were chatting about some amusing after-dinner anecdote.
Not discussing a breathtaking political conspiracy.
Tales frowned slightly.
The boy suddenly