When The Silver Bell Of Charlotte's Pharmacy Rings (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 191

In a fleeting moment, Adonion clenched his teeth, expecting Matiel to strike him. Matiel did raise his hand, but just as he had with the guards, he stopped short near his waist. It was self-restraint worthy of praise—but unfortunately, neither the situation nor the person deserved any commendation.

“Why?”

Matiel asked. He no longer used formal speech, yet Adonion seemed determined not to address that point for now.

“I couldn’t afford to lose any more guards.”

“So you just stood there and watched as he escaped?”

Adonion’s eyebrows furrowed. For a brief instant, Matiel was struck by the absurd realization that he looked astonishingly like Largo. He’d never before thought the twins resembled each other much at all—how strange.

“Mind your words, Duke Elinak. Do you really think I wanted to let him go? I know exactly who he is. I understand the danger if we set him free. But I couldn’t sacrifice any more guards! Would that not be a pointless loss!”

Adonion shouted, glancing around at the nearly evacuated area. Though they had withdrawn on his orders, most of the guards remained—joined by even more who had rushed over in response to the call for reinforcements. Watching Adonion shout furiously, as if deliberately making sure they heard, Matiel suddenly felt a chill run through his blood.

Dissonance. That’s what Matiel thought. The brief, unpleasant sensation he’d felt was a kind of dissonance. Adonion’s attitude, expression, gestures—even his emotions—all seemed suspicious. While prattling on so long, he had acted sluggish, as if failing to grasp the situation, yet he emphasized only one point with inexplicable intensity: “I had to save the guards.”

“There’s something going on.”

Matiel glared at Adonion and clenched his fist tightly.

“He’s hiding something—about the real reason Maleblanc vanished. But still…”

Just then, the urgent rumble of carriage wheels approached, followed by the sound of the coachman calming a startled horse and then the creak of a door opening. Before Adonion and Matiel stood Bass, the king’s closest secretary.

“What brings you here? And His Majesty?”

Adonion stepped forward, nearly shoving Matiel aside, as he asked. Bass bowed politely before them, yet unlike his usual composed self, he appeared flustered and at a loss.

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