Scarlet Moon Goddess Irina

When asked by Frederick, the security officer smiled and said, "Mr. Frederick, this is a suicide case—you are not considered suspects. However, since Mr. Grace hasn't returned yet and we must continue monitoring everyone, I may indeed have to accompany you to the restroom. Please forgive me for that."

"It's all right—I'm willing to cooperate with the Security Bureau's investigation," Frederick replied with a smile.

The two then left the classroom and headed toward the restroom at the end of the corridor.

Upon entering the dark restroom, the officer was about to switch on the light when, suddenly, he heard Frederick exclaim, "Bang!"

It was the sound of mimicking a gunshot with his mouth. As a security officer, the young man instinctively shifted his body sideways—and immediately a sharp pain shot through his shoulder.

He groaned and staggered backward; almost simultaneously, he felt his feet slip uncontrollably and fell to the ground, his head striking the smooth floor.

In the darkness, he discovered that Frederick had jumped out of the window.

…

After finishing his conversation with Irina, Grace returned to the classroom.

As soon as he got back, he scanned the room and frowned, "Where's Frederick?"

"One of the officers said he went to the restroom, and that Anke followed him," someone answered.

"Not good!"

Grace's expression immediately darkened, and he quickly turned and dashed toward the restroom.

The others, unaware of why Grace had reacted so strongly, exchanged puzzled glances.

"Princess," Feilin came quietly to Irina's side and whispered, "I'm sorry—I was too nervous earlier. I should have stayed with you the whole time."

"It's all right," Irina comforted her.

"Mr. Grace, what's going on?" Feilin asked, curious and confused.

"He went to pursue the murderer," Irina replied softly.

Pursue the murderer?

This answer left Feilin momentarily stunned—wasn't this supposed to be a suicide case?

With so many people around, Feilin didn't dare ask further and had to suppress her curiosity.

It wasn't long before Grace returned. His clothes were a bit disheveled, and with a sigh he said, "It's very unfortunate—Frederick got away. I had already caught up with him and severely injured him, but I didn't expect he had an Extraordinary device for escape; he managed to flee from Silverleaf Academy."

"Frederick got away? An Extraordinary device? What does that mean?"

The others, not understanding the situation at all, began asking questions in confusion.

Grace then instructed the remaining officers to take the injured Anke for treatment and proceeded to explain the sequence of events in this murder case. When they heard his explanation, everyone was left dumbfounded, hardly able to believe it.

Mrs. Aileen, Robony's wife, sat there in a daze, unable to recover from the shock for a long time.

Scandine sighed, at a loss for words, while Lomingfu leaned against the wall, lit a cigar, and exhaled a spiral of smoke.

"Mr. Grace, you truly are a wise security officer—to deduce the murderer from these mere clues," someone praised him.

Grace waved his hand dismissively and replied, "No, no, no. These truths weren't conjured up by me; we must thank Princess Irina. Her keen mind is nothing short of astounding."

As he spoke, Grace cast admiring glances toward Irina. He felt he needed to correct his attitude—not to underestimate someone just because she is only fifteen.

Soon, the others also turned to look at Irina, and after their initial surprise, they began offering thanks and praise.

While Irina forced a smile and exchanged pleasantries, inwardly she was cursing Grace profusely.

Grace, you non-professional security officer—you revealed that I was the one who solved the case without even asking me! Has he forgotten that the murderer hasn't been brought to justice? What if I get retaliated against?

Since the murderer had now been identified, the Security Bureau—no, rather the Mysterious Bureau—would continue pursuing Frederick, and the rest of those present no longer needed to stay.

After receiving thanks from Aileen and the other relatives and friends of Robony, Irina finally returned to her villa with Feilin.

All the way, Feilin had been silent, prompting Irina to ask upon arriving at the villa, "Feilin, before we left, some of my responses weren't very proper—I thought you'd point them out, but you stayed silent."

Feilin snapped back, "Your Highness… I must have been a bit distracted. After all, you solved a case so brilliantly—this is the first time I've seen such performance, and it truly surprised me."

"I find myself in a country where it's hard to tell friend from foe, under unseen pressures. Perhaps this environment has forced me to grow," Irina said, effortlessly justifying her own changes.

Feilin, coming to her senses, agreed that Irina was right—people do grow, especially in dangerous environments where the growth can be astonishing.

Thinking of this, Feilin felt a measure of pity for Irina. Shouldn't a fifteen-year-old girl be living happily? Yet, the Princess bears a burden she should not have to carry.

…

Gradually, the night deepened.

The night wind blew, making Frederick feel his body grow cold and his breathing heavy.

"Third-tier Fighters—so what? They only made me run, and you won't be able to catch me next," Frederick muttered to himself as he hid in a narrow alley.

Just then, he heard footsteps and voices approaching. He quickly shrank further, hiding in a shadowy corner. But even that small movement disturbed his wounds, causing his face to twist in pain.

Although he had managed to escape, a Fighter's attack is not easily handled—his injuries were very severe, and immediate treatment was imperative.

"Princess Irina, I never expected you to be so clever—seeing right through Frederick's method of killing in one glance," someone remarked.

"Indeed, but it's a pity that Frederick got away. I wonder where he went."

Voices could be heard outside. Not all the guests invited by Robony were from Silverleaf Academy; some were acquaintances from outside, and at that moment, two of them were passing by.

Hearing their conversation, Frederick's eyes suddenly narrowed.

"Irina?"

So, was it that this foreign princess had sabotaged her own Advancement Ceremony?

In Frederick's eyes, a madness began to grow, and his fists clenched tightly.

"Hehe, Irina, is it? How could you not have foreseen that despite my severe injuries, I chose not to seek treatment first, but instead returned to take revenge on you?"

Frederick murmured to himself as he, supporting his weakened body, made his way outside Silverleaf Academy.

There were thick walls here, several meters high, but Frederick knew that the true protection of Silverleaf Academy wasn't these physical barriers—it was an Extraordinary device.