Her Royal Highness the Princess, You Know

Since he was unsure whether this "Otsutsuki Yushi" was the real one, or an impostor, or perhaps a twin, or even a trap set specifically for him, Natsume did not dare rashly fully activate the [Shrine]-form curse and devour the other's soul.

If this really was a trap aimed at him, wouldn't that mean swallowing a bomb and courting death?

Better to remain cautious.

Very soon, Natsume woke this "Otsutsuki Yushi" up.

Of course, with Kuramitsuha's help.

Although the guy had awakened, his consciousness was suppressed, leaving him in a half-dazed, genjutsu-like state.

He answered pretty much whatever he was asked and would not scream or make a fuss.

It made it much easier for Natsume to obtain information.

Before long, after some interrogation, Natsume learned the general situation.

In short:

This guy really was Otsutsuki Yushi, the legitimate son of Prince Otsutsuki Yufu.

At least, that was what he himself believed.

Moreover, according to him, he had remained within the [Palace] these past few days and had never gone to Dragon Palace City.

He also had several older brothers serving in the Royal Army Group, but none of them were twin brothers or younger brothers who looked exactly like him.

Clearly, the possibility of twins could be ruled out...

This was enough to show that the "Otsutsuki Yushi" Natsume had encountered earlier in Dragon Palace City was most likely an impostor!

But who had impersonated him?

Why had they done so?

Questions like these still yielded no clues.

Could that "impostor" possibly not even be a member of the Main Family Royal House? Could someone from the Council, or one of Otsutsuki Xushi's people, have impersonated him?

If so, just how deeply hidden was the scheme behind it?

Natsume quietly drew in a breath.

He could not imagine