The Forest Race Clonne

Chapter 37

“I’ve given individual commendations, but I consider this success to be the achievement of the entire expedition team. The rewards will be generous. For now, you all must be tired, so it’s best to return and rest.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“You may all withdraw. Palace physicians, administer the medicine to His Majesty immediately.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

With this, my role was over. I sighed with relief inwardly. My plan was to pack my bags as soon as I got back to the quarters.

“Your Highness, if I may, I have something to say before we leave.”

It was just then that a man stepped forward, speaking clearly. His dull gray hair and brown eyes stood out. He was thin and wore the attire of a palace physician. Seeing as I didn’t recognize him, he must have been a recently appointed physician.

“Physician Taron, speak.”

“It’s regarding the solution that enhances the efficacy of the medicine. While there are records of the pill and solution being tested separately, there doesn’t seem to be any record of them being tested together.”

“Ah.”

Faces showed signs of shock at the overlooked detail. Given the efficacy that remained at the time, I too hadn’t thought to test them mixed.

“Some substances, though safe individually, can become dangerous when combined. I believe this requires testing as well. There seems to be an extra medicine available, so if permitted, I’d like to test it now, right here.”

He wasn’t wrong. It was a valid point anyone could make. Testing it wouldn’t cause any issues. Yet, perhaps because of the unfamiliar physician, I felt an unusually strong sense of foreboding.

“Indeed, you are correct. Go ahead with the test.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

The physician respectfully accepted the box. Suddenly, unease surged within me. It felt like a strong warning. I had the urgent thought that I shouldn’t let him take the lead.

“Your Highness, if further testing is required, I will do it myself.”

So, I opened my mouth immediately. But before the Crown Prince could respond, the physician spoke first.

“There’s no need for you to take responsibility, Officer Sei. The one who brings it up should handle it, isn’t that the right way?”

“No, since I brought the medicine, I should take responsibility.”

“Haha, you’re taking this too seriously. It’s just a formality. There shouldn’t be any real issues, right?”

I couldn’t think of a suitable counterargument. In my moment of hesitation, the physician began the experiment. He brought over a dish and transferred some of the medicine to it. Opening the glass vial, he carefully dripped the liquid onto the medicine.

“Now, I’ll just consume this and… Ah!”

“…!”

But suddenly, he seemed to lose his balance and stumbled. The glass vial was still open. The solution spilled onto his hand. And then—

Crack!

The sharp sound made everyone’s eyes widen. The vial had slipped from the physician’s hand and shattered on the floor. The red solution inside had completely spilled out.

“What on earth!”

Hamar exclaimed in shock. But he couldn’t finish his sentence. The physician was clutching his hand in pain.

“…”

I couldn’t believe my eyes. His hand was badly burned. Specifically, the part where the red solution—my blood—had touched.

“Taron! Are you alright?”

“Good heavens, how did this happen!”

The startled fellow physicians clumsily gathered around him. The Crown Prince was already on his feet. With sharp eyes, he examined the wound and then stared at the red liquid spilled on the floor.

“What on earth is going on here?”

In a chilling voice, the injured physician stopped cradling his wound and quickly knelt.

“I-I’m sorry, Your Highness. I accidentally broke the vial.”

“Is that the issue right now? If my eyes aren’t deceiving me, it looks like he got injured the moment that solution touched him.”

That was what I saw too. And surely, everyone else here saw the same thing. As the Crown Prince’s gaze fell upon us, the entire expedition team immediately knelt.

“That can’t be, Your Highness!”

“Indeed, Your Highness! When we tested it, the solution was perfectly fine! We drank it and even had contact with it, but it never caused any burns or injuries!”

“Something must have gone wrong!”

No matter how much we claimed our innocence, the fact remained that the solution appeared problematic. It couldn’t be dismissed as a misunderstanding, given what had just happened. Moreover, had this not been tested here, it would have been presented directly to His Majesty. The atmosphere turned frigid.

‘What’s going on here?’

I couldn’t make sense of the situation. It was just blood. I had drawn it directly from my hand right before entering. So why was it burning skin now?

Swallowing dryly, I watched the injured man receiving first aid from among the physicians. He too seemed to be watching me, our eyes met. I thought I caught a glimpse of a sneer on his lips.

‘No way.’

My heart pounded. I didn’t want to accept it. Something absurd was happening within the palace.

“It was fine during testing… So someone must have switched it in the meantime.”

The Crown Prince’s face was expressionless.

“Who was responsible for storing the medicine on the way here?”

“I kept the pills… and Officer Sei kept the solution.”

“Why didn’t Officer Raydan keep both?”

Because I insisted on keeping the solution, I needed to replenish the blood, so it had to be this way. Seeing that this was an unfavorable testimony against me, Hale hesitated to answer immediately. As he fumbled, all eyes turned to me

“Officer Sei, do you have anything to say about this?”

“…I did not switch the solution.”

“Are you claiming your innocence? Then how do you explain the acid in that solution?”

“You should ask the person who tested it for an explanation.”

“You’re suggesting Taron switched it? He tested it right after receiving it. Even if he used magic, I doubt he could switch it in such a short time.”

A crude sleight of hand wouldn’t fool the knights in the first place. Wanting to check the solution again was futile, as it had been entirely absorbed by the carpet. I felt trapped in a solid snare. As I clenched my fists in silence, my companions hurriedly prostrated themselves.

“Your Highness, there must be some misunderstanding!”

“Officer Sei isn’t someone who would do such a thing, Your Highness!”

“Exactly! Why would he commit such an act?”

Desperate words poured out, but the Crown Prince remained calm and inscrutable.

“So they claim, but what do you think, Duke Rouster?”

“I am ashamed for failing to manage my subordinates properly. I have no right to add any words. It is all due to my lack of virtue, Your Highness.”

“Grandfather!”

Camille raised his voice. He looked at his grandfather incredulously as Duke Rouster sent a stern glare his way.

“You are in the presence of the Crown Prince. Do not act rashly.”

“No! No matter what, you can’t do this! You know better than anyone that Sei would never do such a thing. How could you treat him like this…!”

“Camille Rouster!”

Duke Rouster raised his voice and quickly grabbed Camille’s arm. Shaking his head, his expression twisted.

By then, the Crown Prince, who seemed lost in thought, raised his head.

“Until this matter is clarified, Officer Sei will be taken into custody.”

“Your Highness!”

“The solution Officer Sei provided injured someone right before our eyes. Moreover, this solution was meant for His Majesty. Even if Officer Sei is innocent, this procedure is unavoidable.”

Camille’s momentum faltered at such an expected response. The Crown Prince lightly rubbed his forehead and looked at me.

“Officer Sei, do you object to this decision?”

“…No, I do not. I will abide by Your Highness’s decision.”

“It’s easier when one does not resist unnecessarily. Are you confident you can prove your innocence? Or is it that you are in fact the guilty party?”

“Of course, it’s the former, Your Highness.”

“Well, time will tell us the truth. Have him taken to the dungeon.”

The knights took hold of me, lifting me to my feet. The faces of my already pale companions stiffened further.

“Your Highness, please reconsider!”

“It’s a misunderstanding, Your Highness! Surely this is someone’s scheme!”

As I was being led away, everyone’s cries echoed like a lament. I closed my eyes, weighed down by the fatigue pressing heavily on my mind. It felt like I was trapped in a terrible nightmare.

* * *

The imperial dungeon is a place for serious criminals who conspire against the Empire. It’s more about confinement than rehabilitation; once imprisoned, there is rarely any release. The likelihood of leaving only came with death.

‘I never thought I’d end up here, being an ordinary citizen.’

From an expedition hero to a traitor overnight. It just goes to show, that one can never predict what will happen next.

“Step inside.”

Pushed into the cell, it was dismal. There was no bed, only some dry straw scattered over the bare floor. There was no bathroom, only a small hole in one corner served that purpose. Naturally, the smell was unpleasant. It was the kind of environment that could sicken a healthy person in days.

“A shame, Officer. Had you been nobility, they might have kept you under house arrest at first.”

The guardsman who had escorted me here expressed genuine sympathy. If Duke Rouster had intervened, perhaps I wouldn’t have been sent directly to the dungeon.

I understood. He probably had to protect the remaining members of the expedition team’s honor. Calling it negligence would implicate everyone, but framing it as my plot would spare the others from punishment. I had no expectations to begin with, so I felt no disappointment—only a bitter smile.