Suddenly a tremor ran all over my body. I just thought Joshua holding me was scared anyway. That time, Joshua, as if he were not Joshua, is now in front of me. Joshua, something not Joshua.

Scary, I thought so.

"Princess Luche?

"Oh, it's okay. Joshua..., you're the one who's okay... are you?

It's okay, I'm sure it's my fault. This must be my fault. I managed to calm down.

'Cause it's impossible.

That shadow I saw in my dream, it wasn't Joshua.

That's not true.

But how could my dreams have gone wrong?

"Oh, I'm fine..."

"What the hell happened?

Anyway, I'm scared, I can't help but be scared. I didn't want to think about it.

"I don't know. Suddenly, after breaking up with Master Rouchet, he was attacked from behind... I was here when I realized."

"Yes... Oh, what about the Count!? He's here!?

Yes, where did the Count go? At that time, I was stunned by things like puppet puppets, in the form of people. Is the Count the mastermind of this case...? But it's like you tried to shelter me then...

Scary, scary, scary.

"Yes, I am."

"Yes, I'm not... I'm here!?

I saw Joshua's face. And his whole body was even more total hair.

It should be Joshua's... there.

No, admit it. This is not Joshua.

Joshua looked at me and said nicely.

"I'll be in the next room.... with the kids."

Joshua stroked my cheek with a gesture that could be described as gentle.

"Josh... a?"

"Earlier, your heart was screaming that you were scared..."

"Ah..."

I suddenly remembered something.

"The other way around"

That's what I said, that strange man.

What was the opposite, I didn't know what it meant then.

"There's no guarantee anywhere that someone I know won't lie"

I remember when I was snooping.

"That people who are gone have something in common..."

That's what Joshua said then.

"... I thought it was a coincidence at first. Because his job is also to talk to the students..."

I thought the Count might have kidnapped the children when I heard that.

But what if it's all the other way around?

He was talking to the kids that Joshua wanted to grab beforehand. The Count saw that, suspicious...?

Is that why Joshua avoided the Count? Because you thought you could?

Which is the real Joshua?

Is that dream going to be real?

But that's...

"Kusu."

Being in a whirlpool of thought, I was drawn back to reality with a laugh.

"I'm working on it. Hey. You don't hate smart kids who work hard, do you?

This is not Joshua, it is not. Totally different from the way you talk.

"But it's a little different. Joshua (...) really thought the Count was the killer, didn't he?

"Huh?"

With Joshua's face, he describes himself (Joshua) as if he were someone else. That was very odd.

I'm not Joshua.

"To, dual personality...?

"Too bad. Outside. But if you didn't know, you wouldn't get the right answer, I'm sure. I'm... I'm... I'm... I'm... I'm... I'm... I'm... I'm... I'm... I'm...

He began to speak to me as if he were a young child.

"It's the power to interfere with a person's soul. It's precisely the power to take over people's spirits. It's called psychiatric interference."

This world is a fantasy after all.

My head was completely short.

but

"... you're not Joshua, are you?"

Too much overcapacity. I think I stopped for four seconds. of, but on the contrary, I felt calm. Enough, I've decided to make sure I want to know. I can't help it. There's nothing I can do. I don't know if help is coming, but let's buy some time anyway.

You must have brought me here on purpose for some reason.

"Yes, I am."

He stays laughing. It's like you know what I'm feeling.

Does reading my mind also mean the power of that spiritual interference? Because it's not very good..., maybe. My powers are broken.

"Hehe, you're not funny. Glad I didn't kill you."

I'm going to tell you something horrible.

"You don't have to worry, you can't read everything in your heart. I'm only human. [M] You are particularly strong and misread."

I was a little relieved to hear that. You don't seem to have to worry about being read the future.

"You said the kids were next door."

"Yeah."

"Can I make sure?

We'll have to make sure the children and the Count are safe first. Then look for the exit as well.

"Fine."

Permission granted. Is it a sign of confidence that you won't be able to get out of here no matter where you look? If so, I get upset.

I got up. I'm not flustered, I'm probably fine. I walked towards the door.

I looked like Joshua from behind. Something followed me.

I opened the door that sounded so loud.

It was a pretty big space. Surrounded by bricks, but as I dreamed, there are also bets, cups, etc.

I can't hear the children crying. Everyone seemed to be asleep. The bets seemed to be for a number of people, but the children slept side by side with some. There are obviously shadows of different sizes there.

"Count!"

I rushed over, and I stopped.

What, that.

The Count's face depicted a strange text. It also looks like a snake and makes me sick. It probably seemed to be all over my body.

"That's just a magic seal. As its name suggests, something to prevent you from using magic. You don't have to touch it."

I went to the Count and crouched in. You look pale, but you're breathing, so you'll be fine.

"He's an amazing psychic magician. You were supposed to be Joshua, but you felt uncomfortable watching over me..."

"Was the Count aware...?

"I wasn't sure. You're weaker than me. So I guess you didn't tell the king or the marshal."

This child is the First Princess's squire.

I mean, neither my father nor His Majesty would suspicion Joshua... Not good, Your Majesty. We can't find this place. I've somehow figured out where this place is, but perhaps, I'll never be noticed.

"Why did you take the children?

"You've just been asking questions. Why do you think that is?

"I don't know, I'm asking."

"Haha. Or so it is."

You don't answer me in the end. What the hell do you want? It's purposeful.

"How are you going to get these kids out of here?

How are you going to get out of here, as it was where I was expecting you to be? I've been exposed to more than twenty children...

"Hmm? Of course that's... Oh, yeah... You don't know.... Mother, didn't you tell me (...)?

Why is my mother coming out here?