The God of Jesters
Chapter 350 - 6.03.3 Take a break.

Chapter 350: 6.03.3 Take a break.

"Then keep your secrets, it’s fun cracking the truth on your own." It was apparent, that he was never going to get any direct answer from this woman unless, of course, he agreed to go with her and join whatever shady organization she was part of.

Hence, the reason, Amir showed no direct interest in her words. If she wishes to tell, then she will, otherwise, he let go of the issue.

Besides, although the Butler was weird in his eyes, he wouldn’t harm him, that’s for sure. While she can’t say the same for the mysterious woman in the mirror.

"You are no fun.’ She said, before saying goodbye and disappearing altogether.

But her departure didn’t mean that Amir had forgotten about her words. ’Even their master warned them against Burghim... who is he?’ For one, it would be good to know who the master of the Woman in the Mirror was. This way, he can somewhat ascertain the danger value of Burghim. And how to handle him.

’Well, however strong or weird he might be, he still can’t notice the oddities in the mirror. So there is a limit to his abilities.’

His mind worked as fast as it could, before turning to look outside and seeing a small young woman working in his garden. ’Changes among servants every seven days, there are no patterns and rarely are there any repeats.’

’Same is true for my food, the same onion soup tasted different four times a week, which would mean that a change in cooks, a high chance, they might not even be aware of who they are cooking this food for.’

’Hmm... a tightly controlled environment where I won’t create relationships with other commoners besides the Knights that are next to me. I don’t even remember the faces of most.’

’Do They wish to turn me into a puppet of theirs? That’s what it feels like.’

A caged bird with no life outside the one he was forced into. And the only freedom he had was in the constraints of his own room.

’Well, the silver lining is that I will be safe from whoever is planning to kill or abduct me... besides that woman.’

****

Due to the incident in the factory, most of the classes he was forced to attend were canceled and there were two mages who came to oversee the operation and add to the security.

With their Archmage Title being the Twilight Flower and Blood Sun. Both were a married couple who were one of the rare war mages that have actively fought on the battlefield. So they were not as green or incompetent when it came to the war as in Durum.

"You are as beautiful as they say, Prince Amir." Twilight Flower, whose true name remained a secret spoke to Amir, showing some goodwill the moment they met the first time.

But Amir didn’t like this compliment at all, he preferred to be known for his accomplishment, not the face he was born with. "I am not very good with compliments, so I would prefer if you would get straight to the topic and don’t beat around the bush." There was no emotion of awe on Amir’s face. In the past, he might have been fearful of the existence of this level, but his identity as a prince made it possible for him to not put these people in his eyes.

Not like he would be in their awe, to begin with. As there he had felt the uneasy atmosphere in the room since their arrival.

So after a bit of pause, Blood Sun was the one to speak. "We have learned about some recent activities of Prince, it would seem you are investigating someone?"

"Yes, I am. I am looking for a girl I saw not too long ago, I wish to meet her again." Amir said, without a single hint of embarrassment.

There had been tales of lecherous nobles in the past, their crimes always being hidden by authorities with either money or might. So it would not be too odd for Amir to take part in similar hobbies.

That is if he was the kind to be a person like this. "I wonder if Sir can give us more details about this individual, where you met her, and how?"

They didn’t believe his words one bit, they seemed to be aware of his prior fights with Burghim and seemed to come here with some intent. They believed that he was aware of the perpetrator and hence had been looking for this individual himself.

This is not wrong in some sense, as Amir wondered if this new party was part of that woman’s group or not, just acting independently of her.

But then he shook his head. It didn’t matter if they were or not, what he was sure of was that he couldn’t give her up, no matter what. "Just a glimpse from the side, that was enough for my heart to flutter." He spoke with a straight face without a hint of emotion, making the two stay silent.

They understood, they couldn’t force out a word for the prince, not like he was a criminal, to begin with. And besides, with the current state of the prince, if he has to act in any way, he would be forced to use his Knights, and they can learn the latter from them anyway.

So after a few simple words, they left.

"How did Prince Amir come across the perpetrator? Isn’t his path predetermined? Rare for him to stumble upon the perpetrator." Twilight Flower spoke, turning her white hair to the side, while her husband remained silent for a bit before turning to Burghim who had appeared next to them at some point. "Sir, it seems the prince has become aware of his identity, he holds no fear in his heart for us."

As Blood Sun spoke these words, a proud smile appeared on Burghim’s face. "So he is learning, I thought all my work was for naught." But then he shook his head. "Don’t worry about the woman he is looking for, I believe the two of you should already have enough information on who you need to look for?"

"Yes, a marking ceremony with women between this age range ought to expose whoever the perpetrator is... that is if they are inside the city." Considering the factories were away from the colony, there was a high chance, that these people were never part of the colony to begin with. They were just people who probably found some hidden path that made it possible for them to walk past all the defenses.

That is what made the most sense.

Not to mention, no one would be stupid enough to spy inside a tightly controlled colony like theirs.

"The Prince might be stubborn, but he is not wasteful. I don’t know how and when he noticed her, but he is not the kind to waste the precious time of his Knights."

"As you say, sir." The two nodded before leaving Amir’s residence in a car.

While Amir looked at them from down below. ’5 minutes discrepancy, they met someone in the manor, or they were investigating something... the chances of former higher considering Burghim is still in the manor.’

’What is it that this old man wants from me?’ Wondered about Amir for a bit, before looking sideways, at his table where all his work was.

’Hah, seems like, I really have no time to bother with it... for now at least.’ There are times when you have to abandon your hobby for someone more important. And with the small weird things that Amir had noticed these past few days, he knew that this was no time for his research.

’Let’s start with something simple.’ He thought, looking forward to what the chaos might be caused in the city in the coming days.

*****

Days that never arrived at all.

"I believe the situation has stabilized." Burghim came with a smiling face, asking him to go back to his classes and Amir nodded without a word.

"I feel protected already," Amir said, looking at his small entourage that appeared out of nowhere, which not only included the Knights he took under him. But even some figures were hidden from the sight.

’...’ But he didn’t speak and went on his own way, taking part in practice as usual and going to Knight Training Classes as usual.

He was waiting, just like everyone else. He waited for the enemies to catch the bait.

And catch they did.

"Murder!!" A cry reverberated in the training hall with David. Startling him and causing his knights to cover him, acting like a shield.

"There is murder!!" Came the voice again, but by the time people reached the position, all they found was just a dead Rat.

A dead rat next to the locker of Prince.

"...."

"How is this possible?..." This was none other than David, who hunched down and tried to check the rat. But he was forced to stop as one Twilight Flower appeared out of nowhere and with the power of her elements, she stopped David from touching it. "There might be a plague or curse. It’s better to not touch it."

"Also, who was it that found it first?" She asked, looking among the crowd, but no one came forward, making her face creased with a hint of wonder.

"What is going on?"

"Nothing serious Prince, but it would still be better to leave this place and go to the safety of your manor."

"... You can’t keep even the locker room secure?" Amir turned to the officer who was meant to keep watch over Prince’s belongings. But all he could do was drop his head down in shame. "Don’t worry, I am not angry, but it would be good if you take a break for the next two weeks."

"Prince, I.. I apologize, I didn’t mean for such an oversight."