LIGHTNOVELONLINE
Chapter 571
The Malicious Gaze
While Mia was busy causing an uproar at the Clan Chiefs’ Meeting, Lugwig’s group was going around the Southern Capital City.
The members of the group were Ludwig, Dion, Abel and his escort, Grammateus. In addition, Bel and Citrina also decided to tag along.
“Are you sure about this, Your Highness Abel?”
In response to the question put forth by Grammateus, Abel quietly shook his head.
“No. If I relied purely on my feelings, I would want to go immediately, but…”
After saying that hesitantly, Abel shrugged his shoulders.
“I have no plans to storm in passionately and die alone in battle. However, if Mia were captured and held prisoner, I cannot say that I wouldn’t consider something like that.”
Abel smiled jokingly as he said that and then his expression hardened.
“I know that now is probably not the right time to risk my life. I am sure there will be other occasions when I need to put myself at risk.”
“I see. So you’re saying there’s a right time to fight? You’ve grown up…”
“No, not really. I just think that I should do what I can for now.”
After saying that, Abel looked around to survey his surroundings once again.
The group had ventured into the City not for sightseeing but to walk around and check for any Chaos Serpent members who had infiltrated.
The Serpent Priestess had set loose some Serpent soldiers. Ludwig and the others suspected that the man who had approached Prince Echard of Sunkland, dressed to give the impression of being from the Equestrian Kingdom, was one of them, so they were being vigilant.
The Southern Capital was frequented not only by the people from the Equestrian Kingdom but also by merchants from the Remno Kingdom. Unlike some of the more insulated Clans, there was a lot of interaction with people from other countries.
Therefore, it would not have been strange if some suspicious individuals had managed to sneak in.
Moreover, several people associated with the participants of the Clan Chiefs’ Meeting had also come to visit. There was a possibility that someone could have mingled with them and entered the Southern Capital City with the intention of targeting Mia’s life.
“Anyway, finding them among all these people will be quite difficult. Sir Ludwig, do you have any plans?”
In response to Abel’s question, Ludwig adjusted his glasses slightly.
“Well, I’m sorry, but I don’t have any particularly groundbreaking ideas. However, I think it would be wise to focus on people who are likely to get close to Mia-sama.”
Ludwig began to speak slowly after collecting his thoughts.
“Honestly, we have neither the time nor the resources. So, basically, we have no choice but to stay close to Mia-sama and protect her.”
Fortunately, or maybe not, unlike the White Crows of Sunkland, the Chaos Serpent members were not very good at forming or acting in groups. So, Ludwig and the others believed that the Princess Imperial Guard would be capable of dealing with any direct attacks.
“The most important thing to guard against is poison. We’ll need to handle this through poison tasting and other measures.”
It would have been different if there had been a long time to prepare, but it was only recently decided that Mia would be attending the Clan Chiefs’ Meeting. If someone was planning an assassination attempt against Mia, then the preparation time was too short.
“I think it would probably be difficult to create a special mechanism that could evade poison detection.”
Hearing Ludwig’s somewhat vague plans, Abel made a bitter expression.
Ludwig was saying this, but in reality, their countermeasures were by no means perfect.
The Serpents were quite elusive to begin with, so finding them and then preventing their attacks was indeed difficult. Still, they had no choice but to do what they could.
“What would be some other ways to approach Mia-sama?”
“Disguised as a merchant, I suppose.”
Abel said as he looked up, and before his eyes was the largest, bustling market in the Capital City.
“Mia-sama is interested in food from other countries. She doesn’t like seeing people starve. So, I’m sure she will try to build relationships with the merchants here as well.”
“The Serpents also know this, right? Then, there’s a high possibility they are hiding in this market.”
“In any case, it is just a possibility. Maybe they aren’t even in the Southern Capital, or maybe they are but are hiding somewhere else. Unfortunately, there are limitations to what we can do.”
“We have no choice but to do what we can given the circumstances. For now, I suppose we will just have to go around and ask if there are any unfamiliar merchants.”
Ludwig and his group were having a serious conversation. On the other hand…
“Oh, look, Rina-chan! They have horse amulet charms!”
Bel ran towards a nearby stall. She was quite pleased with the lively market atmosphere.
“Wait, Bel-chan…”
Citrina tried to chase after her but suddenly stopped and looked around.
“Huh? What’s wrong, Rina-chan?”
“Well, it feels like someone is watching us…”
As she said this, for some reason, Citrina rubbed her arm, and Bel tilted her head and looked at her.
“Is it perhaps because noble ladies are rare here?”
“Hmm… It’s true that aristocrats from the Empire do not have much association with the Equestrian Kingdom, but…”
The gaze she felt was malicious, a little twisted, so Citrina was a bit concerned about it, but…
“Well… never mind.”
For some reason Citrina still felt uneasy but decided to follow Bel anyway.
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