My Yandere Girlfriend Hiding in the Dungeon Kills Me Over and Over Again - Chapter 156

Chapter 156   Searching for the Culprit

“Nyau, what on earth happened?”

“I-I don’t know. Suddenly, the village chief’s body just… exploded…”

In response to my question, Nyau stammered as he tried to explain.

“That doesn’t tell us anything. Don’t you have any clues about the cause, the magic used, or the culprit?”

“I-It’s not that simple. There really were no signs of anything.”

Even with Lyune pressing her, Nyau had nothing more to offer. Not even Nyau, a sage, had any idea what caused this.

“Perhaps… if I examine the village chief’s body, I might find something…”

With that, Nyau moved to approach the chief’s remains. Given the brutal state of the body, it was honestly hard to look at.

“It looks like he exploded from the inside, doesn’t it? But how?”

“It seems like someone planted something like a bomb inside his body beforehand.”

With those words, the two of them started speculating as they looked at the chief’s body. It seemed best to let these two, skilled in magic, handle things, so I kept quiet and just watched.

But there was one thing I had to check.

“Hey, if someone else were to see this, they wouldn’t think we’re the culprits, right?”

At my words, both Nyau and Lyune went “Ah!” in realization.

We were the only ones in this house right now.

In these circumstances, with the village chief found dead under suspicious conditions, it was only natural that we’d be suspected.

At that moment, the front door opened.

A man, probably one of the officers, entered and saw the chief’s body, shouting, “Someone’s dead!” His voice was loud enough to instantly alert anyone nearby.

In seconds, a group of soldiers rushed into the room.

Among them was Captain Galette.

“Sage Nyau, may I ask for an explanation of the situation?”

Captain Galette, the leader of the guard unit, asked this with a puzzled expression. He seemed more confused than suspicious of us, not fully grasping what had happened himself.

“The village chief’s body suddenly exploded while we were in the middle of a conversation… That’s all I can say. I have no idea what caused it.”

“Is there anyone you suspect?”

“At this point, I really don’t know.”

“Is there truly nothing you know?”

Captain Galette and Nyau went back and forth a few times in a tense exchange. It was clear the captain was trying hard to extract any information he could from Nyau. When he finally became convinced that Nyau genuinely knew nothing, he ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

“This isn’t good… If an unexplained incident occurs while His Highness is on this expedition, we’re likely to be criticized for our lack of security. Unless we at least identify the culprit…”

He muttered to himself while glancing at us, as if silently urging us to help with the investigation.

“Should we not seek guidance from His Highness?”

“I’ve already sent for him.”

We could hear Captain Galette and his subordinate discussing the matter. It was evident to everyone that the best person to take control of this situation was the Second Prince. Nyau, being a possible suspect, couldn’t take charge, and though Captain Galette was the highest-ranking among the soldiers, he couldn’t assume command over the Second Prince.

The only concern was that the Second Prince wasn’t the most reliable.

“Excuse me.”

A few minutes later, Elsie, who had previously come to inform us of the Prince’s health, entered the room. If she had already been briefed, she showed no signs of surprise. Instead, with a calm demeanor, she took a quick look around the room and made an announcement.

“From this moment, I, Elsie, shall take command of this situation as a representative of His Highness, the Second Prince.”

At those words, the room fell silent.

I couldn’t help but frown. The Prince’s representative? Could she even do that? After all, she was only the Second Prince’s servant.

I wasn’t the only one with doubts; Captain Galette looked equally puzzled.

“Miss Elsie, forgive me, but such an important decision…”

Before he could finish, Elsie pulled a piece of paper from her pocket.

“This is a letter of delegation written by His Highness himself. Given his current health, he has granted me authority to manage this emergency.”

Captain Galette took the letter, carefully reading through it. His expression changed as he confirmed the details.

“This is indeed… His Highness’s signature and seal.”

I still struggled to grasp the situation. The Second Prince must trust this maid, Elsie, deeply.

Even though she held the role of a servant, there was an undeniable sense of authority about her. Those around her were starting to accept her leadership.

“His Highness entrusted me with this responsibility. It is our duty to resolve this crisis swiftly.”

Captain Galette hesitated momentarily but then nodded, regaining his composure.

“Understood. Miss Elsie, what would you have us do?”

“I already understand the situation. The village chief died under suspicious circumstances, correct? And present at the scene were Sage Nyau and her two attendants.”

Elsie’s gaze shifted slowly to the three of us.

“I have one question for you all. Do you know why the village chief died?”

“As I’ve said repeatedly, we don’t know. The village chief just suddenly died right in front of Nyau.”

Nyau’s words echoed as Lyune and I nodded in agreement.

“I see. Then, based on the circumstances, there’s no doubt: the three of you are the culprits in the village chief’s murder!”

Elsie declared this boldly.

I caught my breath. Even though I’d half-expected it, I was still shocked to see things unfold this way.

“W-Wait a minute! Why would Lyune and the others do something like that? Besides, even if we don’t know the culprit right now, if we investigate, we’ll definitely find evidence somewhere!”

Lyune’s outburst sounded reasonable, but Elsie dismissed it without changing her expression.

“You’re correct; the motive is unclear. However, given the circumstances, I don’t see the need for such debates. Captain Galette, please detain them.”

“Uh… r-right, understood.”

Captain Galette, though hesitant, prepared to carry out her orders.

“This is ridiculous! Because—”

“Lyune, it’s alright now.”

Nyau’s voice cut through the tension.

Surely, Nyau must have an idea to get us out of this situation. With that hope, I looked toward her, watching closely.

“But why!? If this keeps up, we’ll be treated as the culprits!”

“And what’s the problem with that? Lyune, think carefully. Do you really believe they can restrain me?”

Nyau said this, gesturing toward Captain Galette and the other soldiers.

I could hardly believe my eyes. The Nyau standing there now wasn’t the same person who had been confused just moments before. She now wore an expression that was calm, almost disdainful, as if she was looking down on everyone around her.

“But if we do that, we’ll only make them angrier!”

Lyune’s objection was entirely reasonable.

“If they’re going to brand us as traitors to the kingdom, then we can simply leave. There are plenty of nations that would welcome us.”

Her words sounded like a threat.

I didn’t fully understand the extent of Nyau’s influence, but even I could grasp the impact if she were to leave this kingdom and go elsewhere—it would be a major loss. The soldiers seemed to understand this as well, and their faces turned pale.

Yet Elsie alone remained unfazed, a faint smile even playing on her lips. Stepping forward, she spoke in a voice filled with authority.

“What exactly are you all afraid of? Regardless of how special she is, it’s only natural to detain a suspect. Or could it be that you won’t listen to me? Defying me would mean defying His Highness, you know?”

Watching her speak with such authority, it was as if she herself had taken on the aura of royalty.

“Captain Galette, let me be clear once more. Detain Sage Nyau and the other two immediately. This is a direct order from the Second Prince. Surely, you’re not suggesting that you, too, would commit treason against the kingdom?”

Captain Galette’s face grew paler. After a heavy silence, he finally spoke.

“Detain Sage Nyau and the other two.”

The soldiers responded with a firm “Yes, sir,” then slowly stepped forward.

Worried, I glanced at Nyau’s face. She looked over the soldiers with a cold gaze, then slowly spoke.

“I understand your decision. How very unfortunate.”

With that, Nyau pointed her staff forward.

“Green magic, Third Tier, Vine Binding.”

In an instant, vines sprouted from the walls and floor, wrapping tightly around the soldiers. They tried to struggle, but it was futile; they were soon completely bound by the vines.

“Lyune, prepare to leave. We’re getting out of this country right now.”

“R-right!”

Lyune responded, though she was clearly hesitant.

What was I supposed to do?

My mission was to prevent the tragedy brought by the demon Belphegor. And yet, not only had the demon not shown any signs of appearing, but the situation had suddenly taken an unexpected turn.

“Nyau, are we really leaving?”

I wanted to understand her true intentions.

“There’s no reason for us to stay here. If you remain, you’ll end up captured as a suspect.”

“I… I see…”

I answered, but I was feeling confused.

Back then, Nyau had definitely been killed by the demon Belphegor. But if Nyau leaves the village like this, the timeline won’t make sense.

Which means something must be about to happen—something that will stop Nyau from leaving the village.

“It’s strange. I always thought Sage Nyau was a more compassionate person, but to think she could be so cold.”

The one speaking was Elsie, the servant who, like the other soldiers, was bound by Nyau’s magic.

“What are you trying to say?”

Nyau stopped in her tracks, seeming irritated by the provocative words.

“Well, there’s a mysterious murder happening in this village right now. If we don’t figure out the cause soon, the harm could spread further. Don’t you think it’s natural to consider it heartless to just leave without addressing it?”

“And what makes you think the harm will spread any further?”

“Good question…”

Elsie paused, appearing to ponder Nyau’s question.

“Oh, I suppose it’s because I’m the one who killed the village chief. That’s why I know more harm is bound to follow.”

Huh?

My mind froze. She’d confessed so smoothly that, for a moment, I thought I must have misheard.

It wasn’t just me; Nyau and Lyune were both wide-eyed.

And there was something else critical she’d revealed.

She’d confessed, declaring herself the culprit. And she’d said that more harm would follow if we didn’t investigate.

This was bad—I had to stop Elsie, right now—

Just as I thought that, she began to mutter something. I couldn’t make out the words, but a powerful light radiated from her.

The brightness enveloped my vision, and I couldn’t see anything.