Water Prison (2)

Cordelia braced herself for pain… yet contrary to expectation, none came no matter how long she waited.

Opening her eyes cautiously, she saw a massive sphere of water — and inside it floated Benno, staring wide-eyed in shock.

(This is… His Highness’s “water prison”!?)

The water barrier Isaac once used against Fenrir had evolved. Not only did it defend, it now wrapped and imprisoned the attacker within water.

That very water magic now enveloped Benno.

“Cordelia!”

At the same time, the church doors burst open and Isaac rushed in, eyes bloodshot.

“Your Highness! Samuel-sama!”

Cordelia hurriedly looked toward Samuel — and blinked.

Where Samuel and the black-robed man had stood now stood Jean, splattered with blood across his cheek.

“I cut him a bit, but he should live… probably.”

Jean said nonchalantly while wiping the blood. Somehow he had slipped into the church unnoticed. She remembered he was actually a highly capable knight. Meanwhile, Samuel still slept soundly — a talent in its own way.

“I’m glad I cast the defensive magic just in case. Are you hurt? Let me see.”

Isaac hurried over and held Cordelia’s cheeks firmly, then carefully inspected her body.

‘Boy. I captured all the accomplices outside.’

Fenrir appeared lazily. Outside the church several black-robed men were piled like discarded rags.

“I’m completely fine. …Though when did you cast the defensive magic? I didn’t notice at all.”

“You remember the necklace I gave you? I modified it to activate magic if you were attacked.”

“Your Highness… that’s a magic tool, isn’t it!? And an incredibly rare one!”

He said it casually, yet even Cordelia had never heard of such a device. Something that could change history — and Isaac remained calm.

“If this can be mass-produced it will be incredible! Not only nobles — citizens too would be saved! Oh, the promotional potential!”

While Cordelia excitedly admired it, Benno struggled inside the water prison, but could not escape. Somehow air was maintained.

(The magic’s power is perfect!)

As she stared, Isaac spoke.

“You are unharmed… thank goodness. While investigating Hina-dono’s disappearance, I heard you were gone too — I thought my heart stopped.”

“S-sorry!”

She quickly turned to him.

“Wait — you already knew about Hina’s disappearance!?”

“I expected this. When you awoke, Hina-dono somehow had information despite being in another room. That told me you were being watched.”

“Now that you mention it…”

She hadn’t thought deeply about it, but no one had contacted Hina. If Isaac had been monitoring from the start, she might have interfered.

“I’m sorry… I caused trouble…”

“Not at all. Because you followed their instructions, we could tail them without suspicion. …In fact, rather than my men, Lily-dono alerted me first.”

Cordelia smiled.

Lily was an excellent maid.

A master who never ate spicy food suddenly requesting it — she would wonder why, and report to Isaac whom she trusted.

Their eyes met — then Jean peeked in, still dragging the man he cut down.

“You say that, Your Highness, but you were panicking about using Cordelia as bait. If I hadn’t stopped you, you would’ve charged in early.”

Isaac awkwardly looked away.

“That is… letting her walk alone at night, even under surveillance…”

His muttering showed his overprotectiveness remained intact.

“Stopping you was harder than fighting them. The moment she entered the church you almost rushed in. I handled the hidden accomplices.”

Isaac coughed, then turned with royal authority toward Benno trapped in water.

“Now… we have many questions. Tell us everything — who exactly are you?”

Benno’s golden eyes narrowed resentfully inside the water.