Chapter 21 - Unexpected Case

When I first opened my eyes next to Russell's lifeless body, I was unaware of the customs of this world. Therefore, I never questioned the urgent frequency with which the soldier outside turned the doorknob at the time.

Of course, I wouldn't have had time to worry about it, even if I noticed.

“It's surely strange."

Amon's face tensed upon listening to my inquiry.

“Could it just be that the specific knight was untrained or simply disrespectful?”

“Something like that is very unlikely. A knight with the authority to request access to the Duke's chambers would not be an average soldier."

“Then it must be one of the two. Either the knight was worried something dangerous happening to Russell, or he knew Russell was already dead.”

Amon's expression hardened as he scanned the empty hallway. Once certain that no one was within earshot, he continued.

“Neither case would be considered normal.”

"That's right. If it's the former, Russell was likely aware that someone was attempting to harm him. He, too, was conscious of the potential danger.”

"As for the latter, it's highly likely that the knight is responsible for carrying out the orders of the true culprit. He may have been tasked to remove any traces of the poison."

Amon glanced my way before quickening his pace. We hurriedly passed the hallway and ascended the stairs.

“First, we need to find out who the knight is. We will require Carlyle's help.”

As I pondered upon Carlyle, who would have to endure another day in the library, a sense of solemnity overcame me.

“I will help too. I am used to the library's structure by now.”

“Yes, but…”

As we reached the first floor, Amon smiled faintly and replied.

"You'd better take a rest today. It is already nighttime.”

I gazed out of the window and noticed the dimly lit street. Throughout the day, I had interrogated three individuals and wandered about the outskirts of Hayden's estate. The sun was currently on the verge of setting.

It was only when I acknowledged the time. My body started to feel fatigued. Amon glanced towards the stairs that led to the second floor.

“Then we will talk again tomorrow. Have sweet dreams.”

I woke up the next morning feeling alert. The nightmares were still there, but none of that mattered today.

I wanted to check in and see if Hayden had regained consciousness, as well as assist Carlyle in locating the knight.

Although I didn't expect to catch the culprit immediately, I was still thrilled to have a task at hand. I was happy that, despite being unable to hear the voice, I found clues thanks to my own abilities, or rather, our abilities.

As I hurried down to the cafeteria, Marvin was the first to greet me.

“Good morning, Lady.”

"Hello."

I quickly began eating after giving a brief response, prompting Marvin to inquire with widened eyes.

“Do you have any urgent business?”

“No, it's just… Do you know where Sir Yuste is?”

"Well. Wouldn't he be at the library?"

“I guess so, right?”

“By the way Lady, you know what? Today is a very important day for me.”

Marvin sat beside me and kept up a steady conversation, as though he was aware of my eagerness to finish my meal and head to the library.

"Why? Is it your birthday?”

“No, it's more important than that! It's the day I potentially catch the culprit of my first case.”

“Ah, that’s right…”

As I sat eating my bread indifferently, a group of soldiers suddenly rushed into the restaurant, catching me off guard. I raised my head, puzzled by the unfamiliar faces and attire. These soldiers were not the regular knights I was used to seeing.

“Who are these people?”

To my question, Marvin whispered cautiously.

“They are mercenaries. Didn't I just tell you we were going undercover to catch the culprit of the arson incident today? We're going to require many people for the operation."

"Ah…”

It was the story that passed through my right ear and left the other.

“But why mercenaries? The knights can do the job instead.”

“The Vice-captain and I are going, aren’t we?”

“Only two knights and the rest mercenaries?"

“Two is enough!”

Marvin pounded his chest in frustration.

"Of course..."

Upon reflection, the number of individuals I came across at the Knights Templar was rather limited. It made me question how they could handle all the cases within the system with such a small team, but it appeared that mercenaries were utilized for such relatively simple tasks.

I attempted to resume my meal while Marvin's chattering words flowed endlessly. However, at that moment, the voice rang in my head.

[Julia Reitz listened closely to Marvin Rosa.]

Tuk—

The bread I had been holding tumbled to the table. I raised my head and frantically searched around.

'Suddenly again?'

Yesterday, while I was actually engaging in important matters, it kept silent, but now this voice had the audacity to interrupt my peaceful meal time? On top of that, it told me to listen to Marvin, who didn't seem to hold any significance to the case?

"Lady?"

Marvin looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“Are you okay? Did you eat anything strange?”

“Oh, it's nothing.”

As my hand reached for the bread, I couldn't help but recall the embarrassing content of the voice. Despite the awkwardness, I couldn't ignore the instructions I hadn't heard in a while.

"So… What did you say? You found the culprit?”

"Ah, yes! That's right!"

Marvin continued babbling, thrilled at the sudden attention.

“To be precise, we have figured out the strategy to attract the culprit. Now all we have to do is lurk nearby and pounce on the scene.”

"Okay… Good for you."

It was a case that had nothing to do with me. Why did the voice tell me to listen to Marvin? It's not like it was asking me to solve all the cases that happened nearby.

After thinking for a while, I asked Marvin again.

“The arson incident. Can you tell when and where it happened?”

Marvin smiled brightly, his eyes pinched in delight.

“As expected, the Lady is also curious about my first case to go down in history!”

“Yes, now tell me.”

“It occurred at the General Store via Cleon Street. The whole grocery shop burned down.”

I had no idea where Cleon Street was, but I roughly nodded.

“How did you know it was an arson incident and not just a fire?”

“Well, we had no choice but to think it was an arson case. Explosive materials were found at the scene. Fortunately, it happened during the early morning hours when there were no people. It's a relief."

"Surely it is."

Despite his brief description, I still couldn't figure out why I should be interested in the case. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to be linked to Russell's case in any way.

“Come to think of it, the Lady must have seen it too, right?”

"What?"

“The general store. I heard you visited the Bolev residence yesterday.”

“What does that have to do with it?”

Marvin's eyes widened.

“Isn't Duke Bolev's residence also located on Cleon Street? It's right near the general store, haven’t you seen it?”

What?

“That means… Are you saying that the Bolev residence and the burnt general store are within close proximity?”

“Yes, they are only a few blocks from each other. So you didn't see it?"

The two incidents occurred within close proximity, and the voice suddenly announced its appearance. None of it seemed like a coincidence.

“I guess I didn’t see the store because I was inside the carriage.”

While I pondered the relevance of the incident, Amon and Eloise entered the cafeteria.

“Captain, Vice-captain!”

Marvin jumped up from his seat and saluted. As Amon and I made eye contact, he approached the seat beside me.

“Did you sleep well?”

“I did, but…”

I glanced at Eloise. She headed towards the mercenaries a distance away from our table. Since they were going to solve the case together, it seemed like she was greeting them.

“Why are you two coming in together?”

Amon blinked in response to my question as if he didn't know what I meant.

“I had something to tell her.”

Something to tell her? Marvin interrupted and inquired in my stead.

“Did you speak about the arson incident?”

"Right. Eloise informed me that she was going to solve the arson incident today. Marvin, I heard you're coming as well.”

“Yes, it's a pleasure. Captain.”

“Staying undercover all night is not going to be an easy feat for your first case. Are you nervous?”

“No, I’m rather excited.”

Like he claimed, Marvin's face was flushed. He seemed determined to catch the culprit himself.

'Then, do I just have to wait for the culprit to be arrested?'

After that, if I can somehow figure out its connection to the Russell case...

At that moment, the voice returned.

[Julia decided to accompany the scene.]

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