Chapter 10 - Pact of Shadows

Fortunately, Amon didn't speak. He just stood by quietly in understatement. It's possible that he could relate to me, given his own similar past.

I rested a hand over my chest and took a deep breath. Emptying the glass of water helped me regain a little bit of my senses.

"If it's difficult, I can give you more time."

Amon attempted to console me, but I promptly declined with a shake of my head.

“No, it’s alright.”

I was unsure of the extent to which he could comprehend my actions, but I didn't want to come across as peculiar.

“Rather than that, can you tell me the purpose of your visit? Are you here to arrest me?”

"I am not."

Amon answered firmly.

"I am not being arrested despite having sufficient motives and engaging in suspicious activities, with the added factor of a witness. Why? Is it because there is no tangible evidence?"

Why did Amon believe in me, when even I doubted myself? I didn't think him to be the kind of person whose mind could be clouded by sympathy.

Amon paused briefly before speaking.

“I have my suspicions that you stabbed Russell. But I don't believe you're guilty of his murder.”

“…I beg your pardon?"

"Two individuals, including yourself and the actual offender, were present on the day when Russell was targeted for assassination."

As I contemplated those words, it occurred to me that they might hold the key to resolving the discrepancy between the situation I had experienced and the instructions given by the voice.

Perhaps this was the answer I had been seeking to clear my doubts.

‘I stabbed Russell, but I didn’t kill him…’

"Isn't that what occurred?" Amon questioned with his usual cold demeanor, although I detected a hint of restlessness in his tone.

It was easy to see that he, too, was hoping I wasn't guilty. The real culprit used undetectable poison; that person must exist so Amon could prove his parents' murder.

'He thinks I am aware of the whole situation.'

To gain Amon's complete trust and ensure the success of our plan to collaborate, I knew I had to nod in agreement. However, I found myself hesitating.

'Is this right?'

I was unaware of what happened at the scene. Whether Amon's reasoning was correct, once I confirmed it, it would become the truth.

Amon may ask for my assistance in finding clues, and I wouldn't be able to live up to his expectations. I could try to downplay it now, but I was unsure of how things would unfold in the future.

'A hasty lie might arouse suspicion.'

I shook my head slowly.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t answer.”

“Does that mean my reasoning is wrong?”

Amon appeared confused, assuming that I wanted to prove my innocence. However, my priority was not immediate innocence. I aimed to follow the voice's instructions, join hands with Amon, and attain my desired outcome.

'To return to my original world.'

What I needed to do now was more than just a mere affirmation...

“It's not like that. I mean I can't answer you right now.”

"What?"

“Please swear that you will hold hands with me first. If you do that, I will tell you everything I know.”

It was a negotiation.

Was it because of my overly confident attitude? Amon seemed puzzled at my response. After a long period of silence, he finally opened his mouth.

“Do we have any reason to hold hands? Can't you just leave this case to me? If I solve the case and pursue the true culprit, your innocence will be revealed.”

“I told you. This incident holds importance to me as well. I did not come to you simply to prove my innocence.”

Amon stared at me and sighed. He lifted the glass of water I left on the bedside table and, realizing that nothing was left, let out another long sigh.

"Great."

He set the glass of water down and gazed directly at me, his piercing blue eyes reminding me of our first encounter.

“Instead, there are conditions.”

“What are the conditions?”

Whatever it was, I was willing to do anything to accomplish it. As I glared at him with determined eyes, Amon continued.

“You will have to stay with me.”

I dug up the damp soil, forming a deep tunnel on the ground. Slowly, the dead corpse of Russell Bolev emerged from the dirt. I plunged my raised dagger into him without hesitation. He vomited blood as if he were dying all over again.

Russell slowly lifted his head. Despite having been buried many feet under, there was not a speck of sand on his face. His pupils disappeared and only the whites of his eyes bore at me—

I woke up from the nightmare.

“Huu…”

As soon as I opened my eyes, my hand instinctively reached under the pillow. But to my dismay, the familiar coolness was absent.

A sudden rush of panic swept over me as I frantically scanned my surroundings, only to realize that I was no longer at the inn, but inside the Knights Building.

“…Ha."

It had already been three days since I entered the Blue Knights Templar. I was required to live in the Knights Building as per Amon's condition.

I had no reason to refuse as it would reduce my lodging cost and provide me with quick access to information about Russell.

The room assigned to me was much more comfortable than the inn room, and the building was under strict security with well-trained knights.

However, I still had nightmares of me stabbing Russell with a dagger. Although the content of the dream changed bit by bit, everything overall remained the same.

As a matter of fact, my feelings towards the recurring nightmare were more concerning. Unlike my initial experience, where fear and unfamiliarity consumed me, I found myself experiencing a strange sense of relief with these recent dreams. This relief stemmed from the fact that I had taken matters into my own hands and stabbed Russell Bolev myself.

It all started after I learned of Julia Reitz's past.

'...’

Perhaps I was finally going crazy.

I slowly got out of bed up and gazed out the window, observing the sunrise. It was only after hearing activity out the hallway that I left my room.

The Knights Building consisted of three floors: the first floor was a common area for the knights, the second floor was used for lodging, and the third floor belonged to Amon.

I am currently residing in a room on the second floor. This floor was originally reserved for the knights. However, since few paladins stayed here, extra rooms were provided to those involved in cases.

Amon stated that the order had established procedures to safeguard individuals who were at risk of being targeted by criminals, including informants, witnesses, and victims. As a result of meeting the necessary criteria, I was able to reside in the building.

Since I was the only person involved in the ongoing case, the second floor of the building was relatively quiet despite its size.

“Lady, are you awake?”

Marvin greeted me cheerfully. He was one of the few Knights who ventured to leave their home and live here.

"Ah, yes. Hello."

As I greeted him awkwardly, Marvin jumped beside me and struck up a conversation as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Lady is the only one who treats me kindly in this building.”

I smiled awkwardly. From what I learned over the past few days, Marvin was the youngest of the knights. This could explain why he had more free time and frequently engaged in face-to-face conversations with me.

“Would you like to have breakfast?”

“Yes, I should.”

“You can eat with me.”

Marvin laughed softly, giving his already youthful face an even more youthful appearance.

We proceeded down the stairs and settled into the dining room, where a large blue drapery hung overhead. The meal was modest for most of the knights since they were aristocrats, but it could not compare to the food I had at the inn.

I squeezed the food inside my stomach until I was full, like I did over the past few days.

“Lady seems to be adapting better than I thought.”

"Pardon?"

I paused my bread-tearing and turned my attention towards him at his unexpected remark.

“Oh, that's a compliment! Usually, people who come because of an incident often have a hard time. Apparently, that's what I heard..."

Marvin remained quiet, but his message was clear. For ordinary individuals, staying inside the Knights Building was a result of either losing everything due to an unforeseen event or being targeted by a criminal.

It was evident that such people would not consume as much food as I did or roam freely around the building.

“Eating well gives you the strength to do anything."

Marvin smiled and nodded as I munched on the torn bread.

"Of course. Shall I bring you more?”

“No, it's fine.”

I stopped him from leaving and asked another question instead.

“Rather than that, has the Captain left already?”

I hadn't seen Amon's face since I entered the building. He was always out somewhere.

"If it's the captain, perhaps—"

Just as Marvin opened his mouth, a bang resounded against the table and my bowl jumped.

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