Mystery in the Market Town
Apex85: Oh well, it's just a minor detail as far as I know.
I said it before and I'll say it again, he will react different to certain situations, comments like that from Alisa will probably be a good part of those haha.
Once again thanks for suggesting the camera idea.
And thanks for answering about the Grunoja thing.
As always thanks for the support… and that'll be the last thanks for now (haha); until next time.
.
Also thanks to dougcupcake, jamesb497, knightblazer85 and misticslayer1 for adding this fic to their favs and/or follows list.
By the way, Trails of Cold Steel 3 is out and the opening is AWESOME… although I might be bias since its Trails of Cold Steel 3 haha.
Without further ado, on with the chapter.
Disclaimer: No ownership
"It's time to wake up". Group A heard the voice of Margot from the door of their room as she kept knocking.
"Thanks, we're getting up". Rean answered and the knocks stopped. '-sigh- I didn't get a good night sleep'. He thought glancing at the girl's beds, more specifically Laura. 'I have to apologize… and that could end up going badly'. With another sigh he got up, woke Elliot and both went to the bathroom to change.
After everyone got ready they went downstairs.
"Here are your tasks for the day". Margot said showing them an envelope like the one they got yesterday. "The market manager left them with me".
"Thank you". The black haired teen thanked her taking said envelope. "Let's see…" This time they got two requests but neither was marked as 'required'. "…so we can choose to not do anything?"
"I guess but I think it would be better if we do them". The blond archer answered him.
"Yeah I agree, you two?" Elliot and Laura each nodded to show they were on board with the idea.
"I'm surprised he gave us so few though". Alisa thought aloud.
"Maybe he wanted to give us less work because we're going back to Trista today". The musician offered.
"That sounds about right; he is a very considerate man". Margot supported. "The last train headed your way leaves here around nine tonight if you get those done quickly enough you can have dinner before you leave".
"Thank you very much".
"We greatly appreciate your kindness". The two swordsmen answered. "Shall we get started, then?" The blue haired girl added.
"Sounds good!" Alisa answered first, a bit too quickly.
"Y-yeah, they're all optional so they probably aren't too difficult compared to yesterday's". Elliot added.
'I know you two were eavesdropping and I'm pretty sure Laura could tell too; if not then this is a pretty clear giveaway'. Rean thought. 'But I don't want to keep things like that so'.
"Hey, Laura? I wanted to apologize for what I said to you yesterday evening".
The other three were surprised when he said that out of nowhere, but the two that weren't directly involved decided to keep quiet.
"As I told you then this is a matter you must come to terms with on your own; it is not something for which an apology is required". The swordswoman answered, her voice even.
"That's… not really what I meant; although I probably owe you two apologies now that I think about it".
Laura raised an eyebrow in confusion hearing this.
"M-maybe we should leave you two alone". Elliot said preparing to go out of the inn.
"It's okay, you two heard our conversation before so you can hear this too".
"W-wha h-how did you…?" Alisa trailed off in surprise.
"We knew you were listening in yesterday". Laura said.
'Th-this is something about that 'sensing' thing Rean mentions sometimes isn't it?' The red haired teen wondered in his mind but left that question for another time.
"But going back to the matter at hand, what do you mean about two apologies?"
"Yeah… sorry, I lied to you yesterday".
"Hmm, what about?"
"You know how I said Master Ka-Fai cut my training short?" Laura nodded. "That part is true but the reason wasn't because he said I don't have talent, it was because I… was afraid". He instinctively moved a hand to his hearth.
"Afraid?" The blue haired swordswoman repeated receiving a nod. "Afraid of what?"
"…"
"Rean?"
"Three apologies then". He said with a weak laugh. "Sorry I… don't want to talk about it".
"Why-" Laura was about to ask why but one look at Rean's face and she decided this wasn't something he wished to disclose. "I understand and I accept your apology". She was about to leave when she remembered what her fellow swordsman said. "You mentioned one more apology?" She asked in confusion.
"Yeah, probably more important than those other two… I wanted to apologize for making light of the way of the sword". Laura widened her eyes in surprise but didn't say anything. "When I said that my master decided that I don't have the talent and I simply agreed with it, not only it was a lie it was disrespectful; to Master Ka-fai, to the school I follow and to the path of the sword itself". He then bowed making the upper half of his body be parallel to the ground. "I'm sorry".
…
…
…
'I beg of you, say something'. The teen thought maintaining his position.
"Please raise your head". Hearing this he did as told. "I accept this apology too; however, if that's the case, then there is one other person you should be apologizing to as well". Rean threw a confusing glance at his classmate. "I can't pretend to know much about your personal circumstances but regardless of one's background or social standing, one should always be able to live with pride in him or herself".
'I'm with you so far… although I find it a bit difficult personally'.
"Thus, if you truly did make light of yourself and your own abilities, that is an act of shame for which you owe yourself recompense".
"I…" Whatever he wanted to say Rean didn't seem to be able to find the right words.
"Let me ask you a question, Rean". The aforementioned gave her his full attention once again. "Do you like the path of the sword?"
"Eh?... Hmm…" 'If I like it?' He didn't need to think about his answer much before answering with a smile. "It's not really a matter of liking it or disliking it, I don't think; it's a part of my life… an inseparable part of who I am".
"That's all I wanted to hear". Laura said smiling. "I feel exactly the same way".
"So you two are friends again, then?" Elliot asked with a chuckle.
"Hmm? Were we… not? There was never any rift between us that I knew about… was there?" Rean asked the last part to Laura.
"Not at all this was all handled rather neatly, I felt". She answered.
"You're both so simpleminded". Alisa said with a sigh.
"Why thank you Alisa". The black haired teen answered.
"I wasn't complimenting you". She said only eliciting a chuckle from the swordsman which in turn made her sigh. "I feel like an idiot spending so much time trying to devise a plan to get the two of you to make up-" She covered her mouth with one hand but it was too late, the 'secret' was out.
"You were planning a way to get us to make up?" Rean asked mildly surprised.
"It would seem we've caused you undue concern". Laura added.
"Geez! Can we just all forget about this and move on?"
"Like with the incident at the old schoolhouse?" The Eight Leaves practitioner asked grinning.
"Yes like with the incident at- I told you to forget about that!" The other three shared a chuckle and even Alisa ended up joining after a minute.
"Looks like the ground's dried after the rainfall, so to speak". Margot said with a smile. "Glad to see you all looking a bit less gloomy".
However, their conversation was interrupted by a person entering the inn while yelling for the owner.
"Slow down, Louise! It's first thing in the morning and you're about as poised to wake the dead, you're making such a commotion". The inn owner scolded the young woman who entered. "Where have you been, anyway? You're late" Those words seemed to take the wind out of her sails.
"I-I'm sorry, I just got caught up on the way here; but never mind that! We have big, big trouble! Something terrible happened over at the market!"
"Something terrible, you say?" Margot asked her worriedly.
"What terrible thing has happened exactly?" Alisa asked also worried.
Louise told them that last night someone smashed two stalls and stole the merchandise, Margot told her to get the inn ready since the market is probably opening late and they could get more guests than usual because of it; she also told Group A to leave this matter to the locals and that they should focus on their field study… but of course they didn't listen.
It's not that they wanted to ignore her warning, especially since she was saying it thinking of what could be better for them, but after hearing what happened they had to at least go see.
They reached the entrance where one merchant told them that the market wasn't open yet, they talked for a bit when they heard two voices yelling at each other and offered to try and break them up, to which the merchant thanked them.
As soon as they entered they could see the two merchants from yesterday, Marco and Heinz, blaming the other for destruction and theft and about ready to punch each other.
"HOLD IT!" Rean yelled as Group A approached.
"Class VII?" Otto, the market manager, asked in surprise.
"You kids again?!"
"Keep your noses out of this! I'm gonna make him pay for smashing my stall!"
"Smashing?" Elliot asked looking around and seeing that both their stalls were completely destroyed. "Wow, th-they're completely ruined".
"This is awful!" Alisa expressed with anger.
"However, harming one another is not going to bring them back". Laura tried to reason with the two merchants. "In the end, they will still be smashed, and you will be worse off".
"B-But this anger isn't gonna go away unless I do SOMETHING". Marco argued back. "He took all my goods too, so I haven't even got anything to sell!"
"What are you talking about?!" Heinz yelled back. "YOU were the one who stole MY goods! And you're gonna give them all back right now, AND fix the damage you did to my stall, or else I… I can't be held responsible for my actions!"
At this they once again grabbed each other by the neck and raised their fists.
'All right, stepping in'. Rean thought quickly stepping forward, placing his arms between them and pushing them away from the other, they scrambled a bit to avoid falling before getting back their balance.
"What do you think you'r-"
"SHUT UP!" Both merchants and everyone else at the scene flinched when the swordsman ordered this. "Let me see if I get this right, both of you are saying the other is responsible for destroying the stalls and stealing your goods, is that correct?"
"Yes! That's why-"
"That's stupid". Marco was going to start with the banter again when Rean said this. "What reason could there be? If it was just one of the stalls then I get it but destroying your own stall would damage your own business too".
"The stalls aren't the important thing, they can always be repaired!" Heinz answered angrily. "The problem is the stolen goods that HE took from me, without them I could go bankrupt!"
"It wasn't me! YOU are the one who stole them!"
They started to yell again saying how the other is responsible and that he should pay for the damage.
"Stop!" Although it was with less volume than before Rean managed to get them to stop their yelling just with this. "So both of you had your goods stolen right? And please limit your answer to a simple 'yes' or 'no'"
"Yes!" The two merchants answered loudly.
"Then it's even less possible for either of you to be responsible".
"…Huh?"
"Oh, I get it". Alisa thought out loud.
"What do you mean?" Elliot asked a bit confused.
"If both of them say the other stole their goods then they can't sell anything or it would imply they're guilty, so in the end they are just harming their own business". The blond archer explained.
"I see; in other words there is no reason to suspect either of them is responsible". Laura concluded.
Embarrassed by this realization both merchants hung their heads.
"So, do you think you can have an actually mature discussion this time?" The black haired teen asked his response were the two older men nodding in silence.
"What is going on?!" A new voice yelled from the entrance of the Grand Market; there stood a squad of five soldiers from the Provincial Army. "I want an explanation". The one in charge demanded.
"There was an argument between these two gentlemen about some stolen goods". The market manager Otto answered him before explaining everything that happened. "These students here helped stop it".
"Hmm, I see". The officer said half glaring at Group A. "I suppose there is no need for us to be here then".
'…why are you here then?' Rean asked himself mentally and staring at the officer.
"Hmm, should you not start an investigation on this matter?" The blue haired swordswoman asked.
"The Provincial Army doesn't have time to waste solving the petty squabbles of merchants". He answered with an 'hmph'. "We were going to stop the yelling but it seems that was already taken care of; however if you start with this again then I will take you into custody for disturbing the peace!" The officer threatened, he was starting to walk away when he noticed that Rean was staring at him. "Is something the matter kid?"
"…" The black haired teen just kept his stare; he wasn't glaring, it seemed more like he was analyzing.
The Provincial Army officer sneered before finally marching away with his soldiers.
"There they go…" Otto said with a sigh.
"What was that? There was a crime and they aren't even going to start an investigation?" Alisa wondered.
"Th-this isn't right!" Elliot complained.
"I see now how the provincial army conducts itself". Laura added.
Rean just kept staring the way they had gone.
"I'm sure you two are probably still angry but I trust you understand that neither of you is responsible for this incident". Otto said to the two merchants.
"Yes, I'm sorry for losing my head like this".
"I'm sorry too; I let my anger get the better of me".
Everyone in the market, including Group A, helped get it ready.
Once that was done, Otto asked the members of Class VII to go talk with him in his house.
"Thank you for your help during that fight and for preparing the Grand Market". The Market Manager thanked them. "I can't even begin to tell you how grateful I am".
"There's no need for that, we barely did anything". The orbal staff user was the first to answer.
"I'm just glad no one got hurt". The archer added. "I was kind of surprised when Rean stepped in like that, though".
"It was that or one of them knocking out the other, or each other, I went with the first". The swordsman said with a shrug.
"All the more reason to thank you". Otto answered. "A merchant's stall is his livelihood, any action taken against it can throw him into a blind rage and it's hard to bring someone back from that".
"It would seem the problems facing the merchants in this town are quite grave indeed". Laura commented thinking of the incident. "The provincial army may had have the intention to intervene but I don't believe they will make any attempt at trying to find the culprits".
"Quite right". Otto agreed regrettably. "It's clearer than ever now that they have no intention of trying to resolve any issues involving the market and I can't see that changing unless we decide to just accept the sales tax increase and keep quiet about it".
"Still, you'd think they'd at least be a little more… subtle about the whole thing". Alisa commented, not that she thought it was okay for them to be doing this in the first place. "There's no way those two merchants are just going to accept this and move on"
"No, I don't suppose they will, there is a good chance they may even try to find the culprits themselves and… that could go wrong very easily". The market manager agreed. "Not to mention that if word gets out certain groups of people could begin boycotting the marketplace something definitely has to be done… I'm just not sure what".
"…"
"Is something wrong Rean? You're awfully quiet". Elliot asked his friend.
"Are you feeling unwell?" The swordsman kept quiet a bit longer before facing Otto.
"Sir, I have a favor to ask; would you consider allowing us to investigate this morning's incident?"
"What?!"
"Are you suggesting that we attempt to find the perpetrator who destroyed the merchants' stalls ourselves?" Alisa and Laura asked in disbelief.
"It's a kind offer but as I said yesterday, this is our affair, not yours". The manager answered calmly. "You're students, you have your own studies to worry about and I wouldn't feel right interfering with them". Rean shook his head at hearing this.
"We're students training for the military, though; we can't just stand by and allow something so unjust to go unchallenged". He answered him. "It's the provincial army's responsibility to address this, sure, but they're shirking their duties here and that reflects poorly on us all".
"W-well, that's true enough, I guess…" The red haired teen of the group said. "But do you really think we're up for something like this?"
"I kind of have to wonder about that too; I mean, at the end of the day we're just… amateurs; we should at least check with Instructor Sara first and see what she thinks".
"She's already told us". Rean answered to his blond classmate. "'Put your heads together and think, and I'm sure you'll see what you need to do' Her words; this seems like exactly the sort of thing she meant, at least to me".
The other three widened their eyes in surprise and after a few seconds they all agreed that they would at least try.
"Are you really sure about this?" Otto asked worriedly.
"Sir, I mean no disrespect, but even if you were to say 'no' I would still investigate". The black haired swordsman answered.
"So would I" Laura supported.
"And me" Elliot joined.
"Me too" Alisa finished.
"…very well". Otto said with a smile. "If you're really sure then I won't say no; I'm very concerned about the market and the safety of our merchants so if you're one hundred percent sure, I have to admit, I truly would appreciate anything you can do for use".
"Thank you, sir. We'll do everything in our power to find answers for you".
"Just be careful, don't go seeking out trouble! I don't want you kids being put in danger". The older man warned. "We're dealing with a criminal who acts under cover of night, he may be capable of a lot more than just thievery and vandalism; remember I'm responsible for your safety. If anything were to happen to you, I couldn't even look Vandyck in the eye anymore!"
"W-We'll be careful; we promise!" The orbal staff user answered. 'I know I will, at least. I probably need to be more careful than anyone else here'. He added in his mind.
"Now that that's settled, we should act quickly". Laura suggested.
"Yeah, let's get this investigation started!" Alisa supported.
And so they left Otto's home.
"So, first things first". Rean started. "What do we do about the other requests we have?"
"…Oh right". The archer of the group said.
"I had forgotten about that to be honest" Elliot admitted with embarrassment.
"Even if we agreed to investigate this, we should still make sure they are taken care of". The swordswoman gave her opinion.
"I agree; that IS one of the objectives of this field study after all". Alisa supported.
"So do I, I would feel bad if we just ignored them". The red haired added.
"We're all in agreement then". Rean said taking out the envelope. "Two requests, a monster extermination and looking for a missing wallet". He read out loud. "I think we should split up".
"That seems to be a good idea, any objections?" Laura asked, the other two shook their heads.
"All right, now about how we do that… Laura would you mind coming with me to hunt that monster?"
"Not at all".
"Elliot and Alisa take care of the wallet; there is a good chance you won't have to leave for the Highway so once you're done try and see if you can find out anything about the robbery".
"Got it". They both answered to the Eight Leaves practitioner.
"Let's meet back at the inn once we're done, we'll have a quick bite to eat and share what happened". Everyone nodded to show their agreement. "All right then, let's split up gang".
And so the four went their separate ways.
Rean and Laura marched to the West Highway to look for the monster they have to slain, it wasn't hard to find since it was a giant bird flying near the ground.
It proved to be a lot tougher than it looked but weak to fire, and although neither of them was particularly good at using arts they both had a Master Quartz that specialized in fire more or less evening things out, they managed to beat it with a combination of swordsmanship and using said arts taking turns to distract it while the other prepared. Laura finished it off using the 'Radiant Blade Dance' after it was weakened enough; they sustained some wounds but nothing too serious.
Elliot and Alisa's task was relatively simple… just tiring and time consuming. They ended up walking around the whole town looking for the person who lost the wallet.
One of the merchants had found a wallet yesterday and kept it in case the owner would come and pick it up; so far no one did, hence the request.
First they found a train ticket in it (aside from a lot of money) so they went there to ask.
One of the station employees told them that a young lady had come in a panic to make an inquiry about her lost wallet, saying how she was at a complete loss without it; he told them she mentioned going back to the inn to do a thorough check.
The Weathercock Inn was the only inn the town had as far as the two teens could tell so that was their next stop.
They asked Margot about the wallet and she told them they were looking for someone named Annabelle but she had just left wanting to search the rest area in the Grand Market for her missing wallet.
Elliot and Alisa asked some of the people there if they had seen Annabelle, of course giving a description of a woman searching for something since there were little chances of anyone here knowing her if she was staying at the inn and had a train ticket for tonight, one of them told them that he saw someone that fit that description saying something among the lines of 'I have no choice but to rely on Aidios now'.
"I think there's only one place that could be…" Alisa trailed off with a forced smile at the obvious clue.
"Yeah, let's go to the church". Elliot said as they started to walk out the Grand Market.
"This is starting to get a bit tedious". The archer confessed. "Let's hope she really is at the church".
"Yeah". Her classmate answered with a nod. "Hey, aren't those Rean and Laura?" He pointed towards the west exit of the city where the two were coming from.
"Oh, hi you two". Rean greeted when they got closer.
"Hey, how did it go?" Alisa asked looking them over.
"We sustained some minor wounds but nothing too serious, it proved to be a rather challenging foe". Laura answered her. "How about you?"
"We ended up running around the whole place; there is a good chance she is at the church so that's where we're going next". The musician answered.
"Lead the way". The black haired swordsman said as the now complete Group A walked together.
Luckily they didn't have to search much, as soon as they entered the church they heard a woman asking for help saying how she lost all her mira.
When they called out to her she first thought they were trying to rob her… in a church no less, but Group A explained the situation about how one of the merchants asked if they could give it back to her; she then offered a reward in mira that they declined but accepted when she gave them a souvenir from the Grand Market at her insistence.
They reported back to the merchant Lizzie about the wallet and went back to the inn to get something to eat, Rean and Laura got their wounds treated too.
Once they finished with that they went to the town square.
"So you guys couldn't investigate anything due to the wallet?" Rean asked just to be sure.
"Yeah, sorry, it took longer than we expected". Alisa apologized for both her and Elliot.
"There is no need for an apology". Laura assured them. "More importantly we should focus on starting now".
"I think we should start at the Grand Market; that is the scene of the crime after all". The Eight Leaves practitioner suggested.
"Can't argue with that!" His red haired friend supported. "We should probably get statements from those two merchants before anything else".
"Indeed, after what happened they probably calmed themselves so perhaps we can get something a bit more substantial from them". The blue haired swordswoman added. "And although it is scarce we should also consider the possibility that they did indeed sabotaged themselves"
"Yeah, personally I doubt it but its best if we don't rule out the possibility". The black haired teen agreed.
"We'll need to keep a close eye on the time, though". Alisa reminded them. "If we miss the last train towards Heimdallr we'll have no way of getting back to the academy today and we've already spent a good part of the time we have on the other tasks".
"Let's not waste time then, let's go".
Once again the four went to the Grand Market this time looking for Marco and Heinz, they weren't near their stalls so they went to ask Lymon and he told Group A they were in the rest area.
"Oh, there they are". Alisa said when she saw them together in one of the tables.
"Hmm? You're the kids from the military academy". Marco said when they approached the two older men.
"What are you doing here?"
"You see…" Rean explained to both of them about how they were investigating what happened last night.
"You're investigating?" Heinz asked in surprise.
"That's right and we'd really appreciate if both of you can answer a few questions".
"…I suppose it can't hurt". The suit wearing merchant answered with a sigh. "It's better than doing nothing at least".
"Y-you don't have to sound so… pessimistic". Alisa answered him.
"Well, can you blame me? You're students at a military academy; you're not exactly ace detectives".
"Come on Heinz, it can't hurt to hear them out". Marco said, although judging from his tone he was thinking the same thing.
"I already said that but there isn't much I can do to help; I didn't see anything worth mentioning".
"You didn't?" Rean asked.
"As soon as I made sure my stall was ready to open the next morning, I left everything set up and went home, the other merchants around here can vouch for that". His expression suddenly fell as he sighed. "Guess I shouldn't have left the stall unattended, though; by the time I got in, it was too late, the deed had been done".
"I see… what about you?" Elliot asked the other merchant in the table.
"I left the market right after arguing with Heinz here and I didn't come back till this morning; I stayed at a friend's place, another merchant, just got piss drunk and ranted at him all night".
"Since we're on the subject… why are you two sitting together like this?" Alisa asked a bit confused. "It's great that you aren't trying to knock each other out but it seems a bit odd".
"Well, after you guys left we apologized to each other". Marco started to explain. "When you said the thing about 'if either of us is responsible then he can't sell anything either or it would be the same as admitting they're guilty' we realized that we were been stupid about it… so we made peace".
"And we're on the same boat so now we're just… lamenting". Heinz added with another sigh that was soon accompanied by one from Marco. "This reminds me, I am sorry for my behavior today and yesterday".
"Me too, sorry".
"It's okay, we get why you would react like that". Rean assured them. "Another thing, what was stolen?"
"In my case it was processed foods; nuts, cheese, bacon… all foods that have a long shelf life, made with local ingredients; let me tell you when I saw my things gone I REALLY sobered up".
"For me it was accessories, I have a sample with me… my last one". The merchant in a suit looked in his pocket and took out a bracelet. "It's been a real hit lately in the capital so I was hoping to bring the fad here by selling them at the market… and now this is the only one I have left… I dread to think just how much money I lost in a single night".
"I hear you; I could make do even without a stall but without anything to sell… I guess this is where the dream ends for me". Both merchants sighed simultaneously.
"I'll be honest with you two, I'm not sure how much we'll be able to do for you but you have my word we'll do everything we can".
"So… you know, try to cheer up?" Rean and Elliot tried to assure them but it seemed to have little effect, they did wish them luck though but it was clear the two merchants weren't expecting much.
After talking with them the members of Class VII walked back to the entrance of the Grand Market.
"That's all the two victims of this crime have to say, it seems; what does everybody think?" The black haired swordsman asked his friends.
"Well, I know we can't completely rule it out… but I really don't think either of them was responsible". Elliot answered first.
"Both merchants certainly have adequate motive to damage the other's stall but, even without taking into account the matter that neither could sell anything without implying their guilt, the chance of both of them committing the same crime on the same night, without crossing paths, is virtually nil". Laura supported the red haired teen is statement.
"It's not impossible that they were just out to steal each other's merchandise but I don't believe that's what happened and both of them have alibis confirming that they were somewhere else when the crime took place". Alisa also supported.
"I'm inclined to agree I can't see either of these merchants being responsible for what happened". Rean put the proverbial 'final nail in the coffin' for that line of thinking. "So we're going to have to look elsewhere to find viable suspects".
"Where, though? I mean, who could it possibly have been?" Elliot asked.
"Maybe one of the other merchants was having trouble and after listening to their argument they saw an opportunity?" Alisa offered, although she wasn't too thrilled about the idea.
"I'm afraid that line of thinking would not help us figure things out". Laura answered her. "If that's the case then we would need to investigate every single merchant here and check their alibis, even if we were to split up I'm afraid we wouldn't be able to confirm everyone's story and in the case it wasn't a merchant we would only waste valuable time".
"Hmm, I guess you're right, but how are we supposed to start narrowing down suspects then".
"Well… there is one thing that's been bugging me for a while". Rean said earning the attention of his three friends. "There's one group of people involved in this whole situation whose actions don't seem to make any sense… maybe if we can work out the reasoning behind their strange behavior we can come one step close to finding our culprit".
"Wh-whom do you mean?" Elliot asked.
"The Provincial Army". He answered immediately. "They haven't done a thing to try and solve this crime, despite it happening right under their noses and that begs the question… why not?"
"Hmm… the market manager said they're refusing to fulfill their role due to the tax issue, which means the provincial army should refuse to intervene in quarrels within the market as well". Laura said.
"If that's the case, then why did they appear this morning?" Everyone other than Rean widened their eyes after hearing this.
"Now that you mention it, that really doesn't make any sense". Alisa was the first to talk. "They said they were there because of the noise, even if the dispute was over by then, it is weird they would get involved".
"Yeah, one minute they're refusing to do anything, then the next they're taking a stand". Elliot added, noticing the inconsistency. "It's definitely suspicious".
"My point exactly, there's definitely something unnatural about the way they're conducting themselves and since we have no other feasible leads, what do you say we go to the army's guardhouse and take a look around?" The Eight Leaves swordsman asked. "We might be able to learn something from them that could aid us in our investigation".
"Hmm… that may be worth an attempt". The other sword user supported.
"The guardhouse isn't too far from here, let's head on over and see what we can find out!" The archer of the group agreed as they all started to walk to the guardhouse.
"I'm surprised you were able to see that Rean". Elliot said to his black haired friend. "How did you do it?"
"Elementary, my dear Craig". He said putting on a deerstalker hat that he got out of nowhere and taking it off and it disappearing just as fast.
"Wh-where did you get that hat?"
"What hat?"
"The hat that… never mind, you were saying?"
"It was just something that struck me as odd, and to be honest I'm partially hoping I'm wrong about it".
"Why?" The read haired musician asked tilting his head.
"…Because it would mean that the provincial army was most likely in on it with the culprits". Their conversation was cut short when they arrived at the guardhouse.
"Hmm? Aren't you those students from that… military academy, was it?" A soldier standing in front of the guardhouse asked. "What are you doing here?"
"We're terribly sorry to trouble you, but we were hoping you might be able to help us with something". Rean answered as calmly as possible. "Could we ask you a few questions about the incident that occurred at the Grand Market his morning?"
"…What?" The soldier's demeanor clearly changed after he heard this. "What does that have to do with you?"
"U-umm…" Elliot mumbled trying to find a good excuse but Laura beat him to it.
"We're visiting this town on a field study as students of Thors Military Academy and we would very much appreciate the chance to see how experienced soldiers such as yourselves handle difficult everyday situations".
'…By Aidios, that was some quick thinking Laura'. Rean thought doing his best to keep his surprise from showing in his face in front of the soldier.
"This seems a perfect opportunity for an anecdotal case study, and could prove most invaluable to our education… if you'd permit it".
The soldier stood silent for a few seconds saying he'll go see what he can do and marched inside the guardhouse.
"It looks like we might be able to hear what they have to say for themselves after all". Alisa said once the soldier was out of earshot. "Nicely done, Laura!"
"Heh, in times like these we need to make good use of our positions; no one can fault a student for wanting to learn, after all". She answered with a smile.
"Even so, that was some real quick thinking you did there". Rean also congratulated.
"But now comes the hard part". Elliot said with a sigh. "This makes me nervous".
"Well, let's just wait and see what we can get out of them". The black haired swordsman said. "Remember, it's not always what they say that matters, but how they say it and even more importantly… what they DON'T say".
"Right!"
They cut the conversation short there because the soldier came back accompanied by the officer they met yesterday and this morning.
"I hope you appreciate us taking time out of our busy schedule for this". The officer said with an annoyed sigh. "So what do you want? And make it quick, I'm a busy man, you know."
Alisa wanted to say a few things as an answer but knew it wouldn't do any good so she simply opted to keep a poker face.
"I'll be brief, then". Rean said keeping the calmest expression he could. "We came here to discuss the incident at the market this morning; would we be correct in assuming that the provincial army will be conducting no further investigation?"
"Hmhp. Is that all you came here to ask?" He asked clearly considering ti a stupid question.
"…'is that all'? Should the armed forces, charged with maintaining the peace in this region, not be taking this matter more seriously?" Laura said, clearly angry by the answer the officer gave.
"L-Laura, I'm not sure-"
"Hmhp, you've got a big mouth for someone your age and it seems you have a lot to learn about how military units actually work". The older man said interrupting Elliot.
"What do you mean?" The archer of the group spoke.
"Let me ask you this, what should be the number one priority of the provincial army be in order to maintain the status quo?" The officer gave a few seconds before answering. "I'll tell you, their number one priority should be to enforce the will of their region's ruling lord".
'…is this guy serious?!' The four teens thought at the same time with disgust, some were better at hiding it than the others though.
"You mean Duke Albarea".
"As members of the provincial army, the will of the nobility is absolute". He kept going. "We're just following our orders, protecting what we have a duty to protect".
"…I assume you're referring to the local petition against the sales tax increase". Rean said as calmly as possible. "So you're saying as long as the petition isn't withdrawn, the Grand Market isn't something you have a 'duty to protect'?"
"Interpret my words however you want". The officer sneered. "We're soldiers, we follow orders; that's how the military works and we don't need some fresh military academy inductees telling us how to do our jobs".
By this point every member of Group A was glaring in disgust at the guy, some with less intensity than others, but glaring nonetheless.
"So, is that it then? I hope this has been… enlightening; now, if you'll excuse me, I have a job to do"
"W-wait". Before the officer could even move for the door Elliot spoke up. "Would you mind answering just one more question?"
The other four were surprised he said this, although the reason was different between Class VII and the officer.
"…Hmph, fine; ask it".
"Well… umm… do you have any idea what might have happened to the goods Marco was handling? You know, the accessory merchant, all he was left was that one sample".
"Hmm? What are you talking about? That merchant from the capital, Heinz, was the one who was planning on selling accessories".
'Yeah, he is righ- wait!' Rean thought, apparently reaching the same conclusion as the rest of his classmates who stared at the provincial army officer.
"What did you just say?" Alisa asked, not that she needed to hear it again.
"Wh-what are you all looking at me like that for?!" He said, clearly uncomfortable.
"How do you know that?" The orbal staff user asked. "I was under the impression you hadn't investigated the matter at all". The officer gasped at hearing this.
"Hmm… how peculiar; we only discovered what each of the merchants was intending to sell a short while ago". Laura added causing even more discomfort to the older man, even the soldier standing guard started to look uncomfortable.
"S-sir-"
"W-we have our own ways of finding these things out; you'd do well not to underestimate us!" The officer said quickly. "Now, we've wasted enough time answering your questions; we're leaving!" He all but ran away while the guard urged them to leave and knowing there is little chance they could get anything else there they left and went to the town square.
"D-do you think…?" Alisa trailed off not wanting to complete the sentence.
"The fact that they know what each of the merchants was selling means they did investigate the matter after all but the burglary happened last night, and it was only first discovered this morning…" He trailed off to gather his thoughts. "Realistically, I don't think there was any opportunity during that time for them to do any digging, not without running into at least the two of you while looking of the owner of the missing wallet". The last part he said it to Elliot and Alisa.
"Agreed, I suspect they knew what each merchant was planning to sell well in advance of yesterday's incident". Laura supported. "Thought that would be easy information for them to learn, since Duke Albarea must have issued permits for both stalls". Before giving an alternative to what they were all thinking.
"That's true and the army would have no trouble gaining access to transaction records for something like that". Alisa agreed. "But… why would they bother?"
"Maybe they needed to know so they could prepare". Elliot offered.
"Prepare for what?"
"I get the impression that the incident at the market has been carefully planned out for a while now". The musician explained to the swordsman. "I don't think those two merchants being given permits for the same spot was a coincidence, either. It was probably done to get them to start fighting… so they could be robbed while there was tension between them". The other three mulled it over in their heads for a second before he started talking again. "Basically, to create a situation that couldn't be brought under control without the army's help".
"So the two merchants were being used all along". Just then a thought suddenly passed through Rean's mind. "Or were they…? No I don't think they'd do that"
"Hmm, what do you mean?" Laura asked confused on that last part.
"No, it was just a thought, I was considering the possibility of Marco and Heinz been part of the ruse… but I honestly don't think it's possible unless they're really good actors".
"Yeah, now that you brought it up I don't think we can completely rule it out… but my gut tells me that's not what's happening" Alisa answered.
"But getting back on topic, Elliot's explanation seems to fit perfectly with that happened this morning".
"Meanwhile, the provincial army has shown no interest in actively working toward a solution, unless the market manager chooses to withdraw his petition". The blue haired swordswoman said.
"So if we didn't intervene this morning they would've probably force both parties into an uncomfortable truce". Alisa thought out loud. "If they kept it up the merchants would eventually get worn down enough that they'd feel like they have no choice but to withdraw the petition… this is turning out to be an even shadier situation that I thought". She murmured the last part with a bit of sadness.
"Yeah but thanks to Elliot, I do believe we've finally uncovered the truth of the matter". He then looked at the red head in question. "By the way, it was awesome how you came up with that in the spot!"
"Hehe, I just tried to come up with something that would make him slip and this is what I got". The musician said embarrassed.
"But really, if it wasn't for you we probably wouldn't have been able to learn about this".
"It's true, that was quite commendable". Alisa and Laura praised him too.
"S-stop, you're embarrassing me". It was true since his cheeks were starting to turn the color of his hair.
"It was some very quick thinking you displayed Elliot, you'd make a fine military strategist". Laura said nonetheless.
"Really, please stop". He asked again with a smile full of embarrassment.
"So what we know is, the provincial army is somehow involved with the actual perpetrators of this crime". Rean said, partially to help Elliot out of his situation. "The only way to solve it once and for all, though, seems to be… well, to find them and catch them but if this was carried out by members of the provincial army, that's not going to be an easy task". The last part seemed to take the wind out of his sails but Laura helped with that.
"No… I don't think anyone from the army was directly involved". All eyes went to the swordswoman. "The soldiers here are far too proud to dirty their hands with such escapades"
"I tend to agree". Alisa supported. "Really, whoever the culprits are, I doubt they're still here in Celdic; there just aren't many viable places to hide such a huge volume of goods without them being found".
"Yeah, that's a good point". The black haired teen agreed before taking a hand to his chin and murmur. "Maybe they escaped by train? No, that can't be; boarding a train with that much merchandise would raise suspicion for sure".
"It's been less than a day since the burglary happened, so they can't have gotten far". Elliot mentioned.
"Maybe we should ask around on the main roads and see if anyone saw anything out of the ordinary; someone suspicious may have been spotted leaving or even entering the town".
"That sounds like a wise course of action". Laura supported her fellow sword user. "Come, let's resume our search! We mustn't let this cowardly thief to run free!"
With renewed determination they resumed the investigation.
I'm stopping here.
I honestly wanted to finish Celdic in this chapter but I ended up writing a lot more than I thought; next chapter is most likely going to be last one for the first field study, though.
By the way... I wonder how many people got it?
And yes I am playing the pronoun game hehehe.
Fun fact: I kid you not; I wrote all this while having the opening for CSIII been played on a loop in the background, I really like the song; although I still prefer Senkou no Yukue, the CSII opening.
I think that's it, as always a review is greatly appreciated and I hope you enjoyed.
Until next time.
