Chapter 14 - Shadows
Entering Saint-Arkh's harbor district was like a return to her former life. Different than the fancy-ass areas within the walled city, the dock area outside was a bustling place of commerce. Warehouses dotted the piers and the slightly ramshackle buildings clearly favored function over beauty. Muscle memory awoke within her as she stalked through the alleyways, taking notes of seedy bars, the garish decoration of a casino and if that orbal light outline of two shapely legs were any indication, a brothel.
Was that what the arts instructors at Thors meant when they talked about minimalism?
Fie glanced at the advertisement as she drew nearer - beautiful, well-endowed women wearing these strange bunny suits which were all the rage in Raquel. Fishnet stockings and strapped heels completed the ensemble coupled with the kind of pose sex workers struck to show off their assets.
Nice, but she had seen better.
She continued her silent stroll, passing several street vendors until she arrived at the pier. Saint-Arkh's inland port with its trading house of white marble was the only place similar to the houses within the walls. But unlike those it stuck out like a sore thumb surrounded by cranes, containers and orbal haulers.
As she let her gaze wander, some dock workers walked across her carrying shipping crates. Familiar smells wafted towards her nose. Gunpowder, the artificially sweet scent of plastic explosives and...
Fie sniffed the air a few times to make sure. Yeah, no doubt. The astringency of Seed.
She looked closer around the harbor to pick out the Provincial Soldiers on duty. There were only a few like she suspected. Far fewer than the last time she visited this area two years ago. The officials really let customs security deteriorate, if drug dealers dared smuggle the hard stuff in broad daylight.
Or perhaps this was just the way things went. When Kirsi taught her infiltration, she said there was no such thing as perfect security. Especially for a place as big as a city. Even attempting such always involved a trade-off. Guards, patrols, constant vigilance and alertness could only be maintained for so long until it interfered with quality of life. Until it stifled trade. And no matter how different nobles were from Jaegers, everybody cared about making money.
Fie walked along the Trish river until she finally reached her destination. It looked like a middle sized passenger cruiser on the outside with the white paint flaking off. Rust could be seen where the waves sloshed against the metallic hull. No fancy placard to advertise its name. No colorful decorations to attract attention.
The gangway had seen better days with signs of wear and tear. The construct shrieked of tortured metal despite her light steps as she embarked on the vessel.
It made sneaking all but impossible though there was always the option of simply jumping the whole distance.
Not that she had any intention for stealth.
The inside of the ship was a cross between bar and restaurant, the air heavy with the smell of tobacco, alcohol, spices and sizzling fat. The lights were kept dim, the floor, tables and stools made of burnished wood, belying the shabby exterior of this floating watering hole.
The place was crowded and the moment Fie entered all eyes fell on her.
She suppressed a sign. Given that the overwhelming majority of the patrons were male, she kind of expected this reaction but it was still annoying. Murmurs and stupid insults mixed with lewd whistles and catcalls. The jeers followed in her wake as she walked to the bar counter. She ignored them while watching her surroundings from the corner of her eyes, taking special notice of people who weren't part of the horny peanut gallery.
It didn't take her long to identify the few people who watched her with appropriate wariness. She did wear typical Jaeger gear with her gunblades openly displayed. Fie would be the first to admit that her notoriety stemmed from being part of Zephyr, but the name 'Sylphid' should still carry weight in underground circles.
Or so she hoped.
The guy manning the counter didn't recognize her, though he took his time watching Fie's every movement like a hawk. The white-haired ex-Jaeger sat down and leaned slightly forward on the counter.
"I want to see your collection."
The barkeeper continued to clean the shot glass, seemingly ignoring her. Fie wasn't fooled though. The man continued to wipe the same spot several times despite it being spick and span. A cheap way to buy time.
Two could play the game as she focused her gaze on him. It always amazed her how people became uneasy with silent attention. How they needed to fill the empty space with the sound of their voices. Fie leaned into the backrest of her bar stool, crossed her legs and stared.
Pointedly.
Seconds turned into a minute. The barkeep started to fidget until a drunken sailor approached them, providing the man an excuse to ignore her further.
Fie drew one of her gunblades and threw it right in the middle between the two men. The weapon buried into the wood causing both of them to jump back in surprise.
"What in Gehenna, are you crazy, girl?" The barkeep shouted.
The sailor was far less coherent in his cursing, but him barreling towards her with his hands outstretched spoke volumes about his intentions.
A barfight, huh? First time she provoked one.
Fie evaded him by performing a quick handstand on the counter. Her legs carried enough momentum for her to do a full spin and the instant the sailor collided with the empty bar stool, she scythed with one leg at his neck and used it as an initial hold. From there she snaked her other leg around his biceps like she would a trapeze bar. With her hands free, she grabbed that same arm at the elbow and thumb joint and rotated her entire body around it, using the mass of her slight build to twist the limb in a direction that it wasn't supposed to go.
The sailor's natural reflex to lessen the strain only served to unbalance him. He crashed into the ground chin first with an ugly sound of teeth against teeth.
Whatever. Fights were never pretty. Not even the ones without weapons.
Fie entangled herself from the man and sat down again, right in front of the buried gunblade as if nothing happened. She then looked at the barkeep.
"My order came first."
The guy started to splutter, the glass he was wiping shattered on the ground. Soon enough, the sailor's buddies surrounded her. Three burly men with pumped up arms and shoulders. Very top heavy and the tallest of them wore only a vest, revealing his chest and abs. Fie wasn't impressed. His core muscles were far less developed and the same went for his lower body. It was the physique of amateurs.
"Don't fight her!" The barkeep cried. "She's a jaeger."
The sailor buddies froze in their tracks. Two of them started to retreat though they still cussed at her. The tall guy with his haired chest didn't seem to get the message though. He stepped to her side until he was looming, his face contorted in a sneer.
"Who do you think you are? I'll make you pay, little bi..."
Fie pulled the gunblade out of the wooden counter in a flash while drawing her second one. She was upon the man's back in an instant, one blade resting at his neck with the other pressed against his unmentionables. It took the tall guy a second to react, but she simply increased the pressure between his legs.
He stopped squirming almost immediately.
"Please don't cut them off."
"So I'm allowed to shoot them?"
"Please don't shoot them, please don't shoot them..."
"Then get lost."
The man hobbled away with his tail between his legs and Fie resumed her position in front of the counter. What a bother. Sara owed her for this.
"Was that really necessary?" The barkeeper had a pained expression on his face.
"I used the blunt side of the blade," Fie deadpanned. "Not that he knew."
"That makes it okay then I guess." The man's voice oozed sarcasm.
She leaned forward again. "I want to see your collection. And show me to your boss."
"What makes you think I'm not the one in charge?" He sneered.
"Because you don't know your stuff," Fie said. "You can't treat any jaeger lightly just because they happen to look like girls." A memory flashed in her mind. Flaming red hair, stylized tattoos, the aura of a feral beast. "If I were somebody different, those idiots would've ended as bloody smears on the ground.
"Now, stop wasting my time."
The lower deck of the ship restaurant was a black market shop. Drugs, restricted weapons and ammunition, unregistered tactical orbments, poisons - and of course the most bothersome commodity of all: information.
The barkeep accompanied her to the hidden room, his face scowling the whole time. Fie wasn't sure what his problem was, so she put it out of her mind. Instead she focused her attention on the person maintaining the illegal goods; a woman in her thirties with green hair tied in a messy ponytail. Her face was weathered by pockmarks and carried the tan of someone who spend much of her time in open waters. Her left ear missed the lobe. Judging from the uneven scar tissue, probably ripped off by shrapnel fragment.
Or a really, really jagged knife.
The faded lapel of a whitish whale was sewn on her right sleeve. A sea jaeger, probably retired. Finally someone not stupid.
"Didn't I tell you that we aren't having customers today, Jason?"
"Sorry ma'am, but this little hellcat is very persistent."
The woman looked her up and down. Then realization dawned on her face. "Aren't you Clausell's kid? Sylphid?"
"Yes."
"Wait, Clausell? As in, Jaeger King Clausell?" Fie watched in amusement as horror slowly crept into the barkeep's expression.
"What did I tell you about not judging jaegers by their appearance?"
"I'm so sorry, eh, ma'am... I mean, Sylphid. If you've told me upfront, I'd..."
The boss lady palmed her face. "Jason, thanks for bringing her here. Now return to your post before our customers decide to raid the liquor collection."
"Y-yes, ma'am."
They waited until the guy was out of earshot. The woman then faced her squarely. "My name is Joanne. Former Silver Whale. Allow me to express my condolences, Sylphid. When Zephyr's leader died, this continent lost a great man."
"Thanks."
"But you're probably not here to collect sympathies. What can I do for you?"
"I want information."
She nodded as if she expected the response. "Out of respect for the Jaeger King, I'm willing to give you a discount. But I'm not running a charity here. Can you pay?"
Fie took out five 2,000 Mira notes. Her own money. Joanne quirked an eyebrow. "Front payment?"
"Yes."
The former Sea Jaeger took the Mira. She then pointed to a set of ottomans strewn around. "Make yourself comfortable then. This is going to take a while."
"Kay."
"Anything to drink?"
"Snacks would be good."
"I only have dried cuttlefish. That okay?"
"Is it edible?"
"Yes, but it's an acquired taste."
"I'll have some."
They settled down on the ottomans. Joanne placed a plate of dark tentacles between them. She poured herself some rum and offered the same to Fie. The white haired girl hesitated for a moment, thinking back to all the times the corps members did their best to be utter buzzkills. Then again, they had left her to her own devices, hadn't they? And she was sixteen now. Probably.
"Thanks." She took the shot glass and nibbled at the rim, exploring the liquor. Seconds later, it seemed as if her lips were set on fire.
Joanne grinned at her reaction. "It's an acquired taste."
"I figured." Fie set down the drink. She then reached into her pouch and took out the photograph of a glass bottle with stopper. Some residual liquid was still left, shining with the blue hue of Sapphirl. "Is this familiar?"
"I'm not sure what I'm looking at."
"Surely a shop like yours has septium solution stocked?"
"So that's it? Well, the bottle shape is not one I use around here. The blue residue is meant to be water septium?"
"Yes."
"And you want to know whether I sold this recently and to whom?"
She nodded.
"How long back are we talking about?"
"One week."
"Hmmm. So the shelf life of most septium solutions." The woman folded her arms. "Sorry to break it to you, Sylphid, but the last time I sold sapphirl solution to anybody was end of last year, so almost five month back."
Crap. Another roadblock. "But you did sell other kinds recently?"
"Yes. Confirm for yourself." She pointed to a high shelf at Fie's right side. Several bottles could be seen filled with scarlet and golden liquid. Mostly scarlet though. "There's currently a crazy demand for carnelia solution. I hardly manage to keep up with the orders."
"And where does it all go?"
The woman paused for a moment. "The only thing I'm willing to reveal is that most of the orders come straight from Raquel. If you want more details, it's going to cost you extra."
Raquel? Why would such a place need... "Neue Blanc." Joanne kept her pokerface, but the sudden spike in her heartbeat didn't escape Fie's notice. "So Red Constellation is ramping up their military beast training, huh?"
The Sea Jaeger narrowed her eyes. "Inquisitive little thing, aren't you? The Jaeger King was just as bad."
"Thanks."
"This wasn't meant as a compliment and... you know what? Forget it. Anything else you want to know, Sylphid?"
Fie closed her eyes for a moment. A lump formed in her throat, but she swallowed it down. "Do you have any information on Zephyr's current movement's? Especially info about the regimental commanders. Anything about the Behemoth, the Trapmaster, the Freischuetz or the Elemental Fist?"
Joanne sighed. "You just have to ask the hard questions, do you? Though given your situation it's not unexpected."
"Do you know anything or not?"
"The lower tier members of Zephyr have scattered to the four winds. As for the regimental commanders, it's almost like if the earth has swallowed them up since that fateful duel. You know how good our information network is, Sylphid, but even then we haven't heard a single whisper from either of them. You should know what that means."
"Any chance they all headed eastwards?"
"Unlikely. Eastern organizations like Heiyue are very territorial and while Zephyr certainly has the combat power to muscle their way in, it would create a lot of noise."
"Like the situation with Red Constellation some time ago?"
Joanne scoffed. "That was straight up turmoil, but the Orlandos have never put much stock in subtlety. To get back on topic, my instincts tell me that your former comrades are still in Western Zemuria. Zephyr is after all the West Wind."
So they went underground. Deep. Still, everybody left traces and while her former family were good at infiltration, they weren't spies. Fie racked her brain, trying to dredge up everything she was taught about field craft. She thought back to Rean's explanation. How deduction was like climbing a cliff."
"You said there wasn't even a whisper. What about a money trail?"
Joanne shook her head. "That's the disturbing thing. None of the regimental commanders have purchased anything through black market channels since your corps disbanded. It's like they've become ghosts."
Fie massaged her brows. This didn't make any sense. Jaegers, especially the big-shots, depended on illegal equipment to be competitive.
"If you want my advice then stop wracking your pretty little head about this. Your corps' disappearance has turned into an urban legend in recent months. If I had anything conclusive I'd sell this info for big money, believe me."
She sighed gustily and stood up. "I believe you."
"You're leaving?"
"Yes."
"Okay, look, I feel bad your inquiries were all dead ends. The info I gave you isn't even worth the front payment I received."
"Your point being?"
"How about a little consolation prize?"
Fie stared at the former Sea Jaeger as the woman rummaged through the drawer of her working desk. Finally, Joanne stepped forward and passed her a small transparent bag. There were three pills inside, glowing an eerie blue that wasn't quite the shade of Sapphirl. The color was mesmerizing and for a moment, Fie lost her focus as she was completely drawn in by the unearthly light.
"What's this?"
Joanne chuckled. "This, Sylphid, is the hottest combat drug circulating among jaegers right now. Increases strength, speed, reflexes and perception. Side effects are minimal to non-existent." She leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially: "There are even customers who swear by all that's holy that this pill boosts luck."
"Sounds like bullshit."
"You never know until you try. Take them. It's on the house."
She stared at the drug with mixed feelings. The more Joanne talked the fishier the whole deal sounded. But if these pills really were as good as the woman claimed... Fie hardly dared to imagine the possibilities.
"Who's the main distributor?"
"Sorry, but this is information I cannot disclose except for an astronomical lump of Mira. But because I like you, I'll tell you where it comes from." She made a pause for dramatic effect. "Crossbell."
The City of Sin. Why wasn't she surprised?
"How much?"
"As I said, the Information I gave you isn't worth the front payment. Consider this compensation." Joanne grinned like a sharkodil. "Besides, nearly everybody who tried this came back begging for more. Once you turn up at my doorstep again, Sylphid, we can discuss the prize."
Originally, Fie was supposed to meet the others at a cafe near the Remiferian embassy. But after receiving a call from their operator she instead headed for the Aulic Council. It seemed plans had changed.
Cadet Sterling gave her an update on the current status of the investigation and it only served to make her head spin - a corpse that didn't properly bleed. A suspect with very convenient amnesia. Space art residue without any sign of damage and contradictory witness statements whether the prosecutor even left the building or not.
It seemed like she was simply not fit for these kind of mental logic puzzles.
She felt frustrated. During her stay in Trista she made numerous attempts to probe for her corps' whereabouts. She mainly used Micht's connections, but despite Sara's glowing recommendation the guy came up with a pile of nothing each and every time. At some point he even refused to take her money anymore. Not that it made much of a difference. Fie had a lot of Mira to burn.
2,246,000 to be exact.
A lump payment for all her contributions to Zephyr operations since she started fighting with the corps. The earnings of a proper member. A proper adult. Leo was the one to calculate the bill, deducting the cost of living, travel expenditures and weapon maintenance over all these years. The money was handed out in the form of precious gems and rare metals for ease of carrying.
Fie had never held so much money before. It was enough to live a decent if frugal live for several years. Enough to start anew.
Back then she'd have thrown all the Mira away if it meant a return to how things were before. Zephyr's motto was big on freedom. But it was during that moment when one comrade after another left her that Fie experienced the dread of being utterly free.
No human bonds to tether her down. Starting capital to make her way into the world and become whatever she wished. Like a bird in the sky she could've flown wherever her fancy took her. However, the vastness of the horizon paralyzed her instead. All she could think about was that this freedom she was granted was merely the freedom of being alone.
There was pressure inside her chest and it continued to build up without any way to vent. Fie ground her teeth. Right now, she could use a fight. The thrill of bared steel, the danger of whizzing bullets, the bodily strain that only came from proper exertion. Sara always made an excellent sparring partner who gave as good as she got, though Fie was under no illusion that the Purple Lightning was using her full power. Probably wanted to prolong their fights for 'instructive purposes'.
Her mind jumped to images of a whipping blue ponytail, of mesmerizing swordplay and honest, straightforward brutality. Her jaeger mindset didn't care much for fancy martial arts. The battlefield was the best teacher and whatever worked, whatever helped one survive, was the correct answer. But seeing Rean and especially Laura in action made her falter in her belief. There was a polish to their movements that transcended mere speed. An efficiency to their actions that was uncanny as if they were constantly predicting occurrences on the battlefield mid-fight.
Fie had full confidence that she could match those two. She'd pit her rich experience in firearms against them as well as her superior speed, reflexes and agility. But there was something she lacked and the ARCUS connection only solidified her hunch. There were insights about fighting the two sword users were aware of, but which she failed to grasp.
When she entered the reception hall of the Aulic Council, Jusis was the one to greet her.
"Back from your secret errand?" His voice carried a hint of sarcasm.
"Another dead end."
"Shame. Fortunately, our endeavor was met with success. We found two witnesses who saw Prosecutor Freising and her bodyguard outside the embassy. It was during the timeframe when she lost her memory."
"That bodyguard whose brains she blew out?"
The noble grimaced. "It hasn't been ultimately proven, but all current signs point to that conclusion."
"Have you already contacted Machias' group?"
"Naturally."
"And what does this all mean?"
Jusis shrugged elegantly. "I don't have the foggiest. It's already strange that the doorguard's testimony is being called in doubt. Otherwise we could've saved ourselves the trouble of asking after the prosecutor's movements in icecream joints and bookstores. And crimes committed with the involvement of tactical orbments are always a mess to sort out."
Fie quirked an eyebrow. "Speaking from experience?"
"Let's put it this way," he said with faint amusement, "the introduction of devices capable of turning anyone with more money than sense into a spellcaster of legends opened up previously unthinkable ways for members of high society to backstab each other."
"I thought all you nobles do at your parties is playing dress up and eating expensive food."
His smile was so thin as if carved by a knife. "The pretty dresses and the decadent food is just the surface. Underneath it all you will find a battlefield as merciless as any involving guns, tanks and aircrafts. Merely the weapons are of a different make."
"And you lose your life if you mess up?" She asked sceptically.
"In a sense. More than one emerging noble family forfeited their fortune and prestige amidst all the schemes or because they dared to reach beyond their station. Their names dishonored, their coat of arms tainted and ridiculed. More often than not, the only escape was found in suicide."
Fie suppressed an eye roll. It all sounded backwards and melodramatic to her. "So what are the others doing?"
Jusis rose from the lounge chair. "Questioning another set of witnesses. The family of the victim to be exact. Laura, Gaius and the others have just begun. Care to join us?"
She closed her eyes, using willpower to banish the baggage from her mind. The past was the past. Here in the present, she wasn't alone anymore. And while questioning people wasn't exactly her forte, catching their bodily tells was another matter entirely. "Sure."
They went to a small, unassuming office in the east wing. The guard waved them through and Fie found Elliot, Laura and Gaius inside. The prosecutor's assistant wasn't present though. Strange.
Her gaze fell on the witnesses and Fie's eyes widened in surprise. Two women of average height, their facial features so similar to make them nearly twins, were it not for the fact that one was older than the other if the stress lines and slightly hunched posture were any indication. What startled her though was how both looked as if they emerged straight out of Calvard's Eastern Quarters. Raven colored hair that was blacker than Rean's. Beautiful almond-shaped eyes which were more prominent than Towa's. The younger one, most likely the daughter, had her hair cut in a short bob while the older one wore it long with the hair reaching the small of her back. Fie also noticed a pretty hair decoration worn by the mother, which stood out starkly amidst her otherwise plain outfit. An exotic design she was sure couldn't be found in Erebonia.
"Hey Fie, Jusis. Nice of you to come," Elliot greeted. "We're just starting."
Laura stood up. "But before that, introductions are in order. You've already met Jusis Albarea. This is Fie Clausell, another classmate and member of the task force assigned to the embassy case." The bluenette looked at her. "Fie, these are Akira and Maya Sagitarus, the wife and daughter of the deceased."
"Hello," she greeted. The witnesses greeted back though they appeared overwhelmed. Especially the mother who started to cough violently.
"Do you require medical aid, Mrs Sagitarus?" Laura asked, her expression one of worry.
"It's okay. It's a chronic disease. Not contagious." The daughter answered in the kind of tone as if she had explained the same thing a hundred times already. The kind of tedious phrase that had to be spoken nonetheless.
There was an awkward silence. Gaius was the one to break it. "Please, make yourself comfortable then. We have some simple questions about your husband and father. Questions about his background and his affiliation with Prosecutor Freising."
"Will this help in finding the murderer?" There was a hard cast to the daughter's features.
Gaius looked her straight in the eyes. "We believe so."
"Then ask."
Laura leaned forward. "What did he do for a living?"
"He's a... was a clerk at Albion General Store."
The mother started to cry, calling out the name of her husband between sobs.
Laura reacted immediately. "Gaius, be a dear and escort Mrs Sagitarus outside." Her gaze softened. "And lent her a shoulder to cry on, if she requires it."
"Of course." He put an arm around the widow's shoulder and steered her out of the office, all the while whispering softly to her. The tension in the room only relaxed when the door finally closed.
"You didn't show any scruples in separating mother and me," the daughter said. There was strange chill to her voice and demeanor.
"And you don't seem to mind much," Laura countered. "Maya right? I sense that you're intent on getting this questioning over and done with. Besides, your reaction to your father's demise is markedly different than your mother's.
"Mother has always been hopelessly in love with him. My feelings for father are... mixed though." Her entire body became rigid.
"And if I may be so bold, what has caused your mixed feelings?" Laura asked.
"He was a hopeless drunk for years. Recently he became much, much better with all the support from Veteran Affairs. But his behavior from before is hard to... forget."
Fie had the inkling that the daughter barely held herself back from saying 'forgive' instead.
"You said he was a store clerk," Laura continued. "What made him eligible to receive services from Veteran Affairs?"
She sighed. "He was a former Lieutenant Colonel of the Imperial Army. A sniper of the 7th Scout Regiment. Back in his military days it was attached to the 13th Armored Division."
Elliot's eyes widened in shock. "The 13th? Wasn't that one infamous for having so many of its commissioned officers cashiered?"
"Yes."
"But wouldn't this mean your father fought..."
"...in the Hundred Days War, yes."
Elliot, Jusis and Laura all grimaced in unison. Fie blinked. What was this all about?
Maya looked around as if she expected the reaction. "He rarely talked about the topic. But when he did, there was always rage brimming underneath. Another thing which improved once he started to visit Veteran Affairs."
"How so?" Jusis asked as he leaned forward.
She furrowed her dark brows. "Well, it's actually a little strange thinking back. Two years ago, dad went to this place on mother's pleading and he came back home absolutely furious. The only reason he didn't quit immediately was because of the medical service offered." She squirmed. "Mother's condition was far worse back then."
The noble steepled his hands. "Interesting. Continue please."
"What's more to say?" She shook her head. "It was like from one day to the other his attitude completely changed. Suddenly, he couldn't visit often enough. Mother and me didn't think too hard on that. He kicked his drinking habit, finally managed to hold down a job, made friends with his war buddies." She raised her hand to shield her eyes, but the single sob which shook her body was plain to see. "He finally became a proper father..."
Laura put a hand on Jusis shoulder. They exchanged a silent signal. "Thank you very much for your help," the bluenette said. "That was brave of you." Like Gaius before, she put an arm around the grieving girl's shoulder. She stiffened first, but then started to cry into Laura's chest.
Fie watched everything with numbness. Her desire to share the girl's burden warred with the awkwardness she felt of intruding into the embrace. But there was also a muted rage boiling inside her. The pain she saw was too familiar, too raw for comfort. Up till now, she simply went along with the tasks because it was a mission. Because she was part of the class, part of a team.
But this... this was personal now. Whoever was responsible for this mess, they were going to pay.
They led Maya to her mother once she vented her tears. Seeing the pair stew in their misery didn't sit well with either of them, but given the tension in the air there were things their group needed to discuss. They excused themselves and convened in the small office again.
"Care to tell me what this questioning was all about?" Fie asked. "Why isn't Prosecutor Freising's assistant present? Or Instructor Neithardt? And why didn't you tell her that there's already a pretty clear suspect?"
"There's a simple answer to your last question," Jusis answered. "The prosecutor's guilt hasn't been proven beyond doubt. As such, I considered it prudent to avert the risk of the bereaved developing a case of misguided blame. And about the absence of Instructor Neithardt and Secretary Hibelle Wagner - I didn't want them to be present because our questioning was strictly off the record."
Fie folded her arms. "In other words, we're doing this behind their backs. Why?"
Gaius, Laura and Elliot looked decidedly uncomfortable. Jusis was the only one who didn't waver. "Because information is being withheld from us. When investigating a crime, one of the key aspects is motive. However, Prosecutor Freising's motive isn't even questioned. Regnitz rushes ahead on the presumption that she's being framed. Instructor Valestein goes along, given that despite all the unsightly bickering, she is friends with the prosecutor. And even now that all evidence points to Freising being the one to pull the trigger, no one even thinks of examining whether she has a legitimate reason to kill the victim."
He paused and massaged his brows. "And even if we accept Regnitz's biased presumption that this is indeed a frame job, the members of the Aulic Council - whom we are supposed to help, mind you - prove utterly uncooperative the moment we ask about possible reasons why conspiratorial forces seem intent on ruining their day. You also received the status update from Cadet Sterling, didn't you? When Group A interrogated the prosecutor she straight up refused to answer what she was doing in the embassy archives in the first place."
Jusis eyes became frosty. "I for one have enough of this duplicity. So I convinced the others we do some... unsanctioned digging so to speak."
"And did we find something worthwhile?" Fie asked. "You all looked like you swallowed something sour the moment Maya mentioned the Hundred Days War."
"It's a topic nobody likes to talk about," Elliot said.
She glanced at Gaius. "No Erebonian, you mean."
Laura chuckled mirthlessly. "True that. It was the war which saw the unbreakable Imperial Army broken. A stain on the Empire's pride."
"Not to mention the way the peace treaty was negotiated," Jusis added. "Erebonia had to issue an apology to the Kingdom of Liberl due to the war's casus belli being a misunderstanding. I'm sure that didn't sit well with a lot of the military higher-ups."
"What?" Elliot looked confused. "This is the first time I've heard of it. I was always told the Hundred Days War was a military response to an unsanctioned massacre upon an Erebonian settlement by Liberlian Black Ops. The main reason we settled for a ceasefire was due to international pressure after the Liberlian Royal Army emerged victorious against the Imperial Army's first offensive wave."
Laura shook her head. "Jusis is right. The Erebonian Government did issue an official statement in that regard. Though it's considered mere diplomatic lipservice due to the Empire's weakened position back then."
That's not what I heard," Jusis interjected. "There was an investigative report by the Sutherland Provincial Army. That misunderstanding was based on facts. There wasn't any attack by Liberlian Black Ops. The settlement was destroyed by a landslide."
"What are you saying?" Laura bristled. There was a dangerous edge to her voice. "Am I to believe that our Empire threw ten entire Armored Divisions at a nation that was wholly innocent? And how is it even possible to mistake a massacre for a landslide?"
Fie raised her voice. "Okay, stop it guys. It's clear no one knows what's really going on. The way your stories contradict each other reminds me more of a gossip fest."
"I didn't take you for a person interested in rumor-mongering," Jusis said.
"I only eavesdrop."
Gaius stepped forward. "Fie is right though. Instructor Lysander always tells us that we need to learn from history's mistakes to avoid repeating them. And from what I was taught about the Hundred Days War, it was a momentous occurrence in Zemurian History. The first instance of true modern warfare on a large scale."
The Nordian paused. "I find it disturbing how your accounts can end up so different. Shouldn't this be a topic that needs to be clearly dealt with in Erebonian history books?"
Elliot scratched his head. "I honestly can't remember ever seeing a history book about this particular topic. I only know what I know through little bits I heard from dad."
"Talking about the Hundred Days War is an excellent way to ruin the mood in the presence of so-called polite company," Jusis added.
Laura folded her arms. "Perhaps Rean knows more? He is our history expert."
"I'm not so sure about that," Fie said. "Even he can only know what he reads."
Nobody had an answer to that.
"Then what did we actually learn?" Gaius asked.
"I honestly don't know whether we learned anything substantial at all." Laura rubbed her eyes.
Elliot raised his hand. "I might have an idea?"
"Then spit it out."
For a moment, the redhead was taken aback by her words. But he soon caught himself. "I heard rumors that Veteran Affairs has a really bad reputation among retired soldiers. Something about sidelining veterans who know inconvenient military secrets. When Maya mentioned how her father came home furious from his first visit, I was reminded of that."
Gaius furrowed his brows. "Except his discontent didn't persist. In fact, he seemed to have turned into an enthusiastic supporter. Working as a bodyguard for Prosecutor Freising was obviously not his main occupation."
"What Elliot heard might have some basis in the truth though," Jusis mused. "The Aulic Council is famous for being one of Erebonia's two Supreme Courts, but it has another, lesser known function."
"That being?" Laura asked.
"It is the highest board of censors in the Empire. Newspapers and political treatises need the Aulic Council's approval before they can start publishing. Even the Imperial Commission on General Books and Prints are subservient to the Aulic Council's executive decisions."
Gaius blinked. "Meaning that the Aulic Council is the highest authority when it comes to banning books in Erebonia?"
"Not quite," Jusis said. "They are subordinate to the Emperor's will. But they do have an enormous influence over the flow of printed information."
Fie felt like there was far too much info to digest. "The Empire restricts the reading material of their citizens?"
Jusis quirked an eyebrow. "Naturally. Erebonia isn't as frivolous as countries like Calvard or Liberl that allow Freedom of the Press."
"Then we really shouldn't be surprised the facts around this Hundred Days War are so muddy," she said flatly.
The three Erebonians in the room paused. Laura sighed deeply. "You might have a point."
The bluenette's ARCUS started to ring.
"Cadet Arseid speaking. Oh, hello Rean. Yes? Okay... I understand. Wait, really? This is good news. I'll tell the others immediately. Yes, understood. Then see you later."
"What's the matter?" Fie asked.
"Rean claims to have figured out how the murder happened. We are to meet at Philemon's Cafe in front of the Remiferian Embassy right now."
"This is preposterous!"
Rean expected such a reaction, though it did worry him a little that Machias was the first to speak against his hypothesis. Well, he insisted on divulging his thoughts only when their whole class plus instructors were present. Their operator Cadet Sterling was also here alongside his friend Rex. This way he'd only need to explain everything once. After that, everybody could take a stab at tearing down his conclusion.
He glanced at Emma and Elliot, the top casters, and then Jusis and Alisa, who were most knowledgeable about the technical limitations of tactical orbments. To his relief none of them dismissed his words outright.
It was a pretty outlandish theory but then again, their field study landed them a pretty outlandish case. And were it not for that duel a few weeks ago, when he saw Angelica use her space affinity to phase through the second part of his flawed Arcane Gale, he probably wouldn't have directed his thoughts to such an avenue in the first place.
"Spatial translocation." Emma nodded. "I think this fits all the hard evidence we have so far."
Machias looked at his fellow bookworm with a slightly betrayed expression. "But... is that even possible?"
"It is," Alisa answered. "Although it's highly wasteful and inefficient."
"Agreed," Jusis said. "I don't know about 5th generation orbments, but let's assume that the culprit doesn't use one of those. As for 4th generation, even top level casters," he acknowledged Emma and Elliot with a nod, "with goldia quartz of sufficient purity and fully energized orbment lines could only teleport a couple dozen arge at most. And that's only with sufficient practice and proper quartz synchronization. Furthermore, this single act is enough to completely drain the orbment's entire EP-reservoir."
"So in most cases nobody bothers," Instructor Sara said. "Why waste money, energy and effort on such a short range transportation art when one could as well walk the distance?"
Major Neithardt pinched the bridge of his nose. "Valestein, you're seriously considering this?"
"Do you have anything better, major? A couple dozen arge are inconsequential most of the time, but during a national border situation they can mean the difference between two sovereign jurisdictions." She folded her arms. "If this is really how the case went down, it's actually quite clever."
Fie leaned forward. Rean was surprised to see her eyes glimmer with intensity. "Let me get this straight: your theory is that the murder happened outside the embassy and once the deed was done, the prosecutor and the victim translocated into the embassy. That's why there's no bullet to be found, why there was so little blood and why the space art residue overshadowed everything else. Two persons being where they shouldn't was the space art effect."
"This sounds quite wondrous," Gaius remarked.
Jusis chuckled. "Is this a diplomatic way to say that you find everything hard to believe?"
"I for one find this hard to believe," Laura spoke up. "Such a... contrived murder can only be the product of a twisted mind."
Rean wondered what this said about his own thought processes.
"Let's back down a little," Elliot said. "Are we even sure the prosecutor and the victim didn't make it back to the embassy during her... well, amnesic period? Through the front door, I mean."
"The door guard is adamant about this," Machias said. "While he was unsure whether Prosecutor Freising left the building after 2 p.m. he testified under oath that neither she nor the victim entered the building during that crucial timeframe."
Sara nodded. "This makes sense. The Remiferian Embassy is well frequented, considering how many people were caught up in this mess. Before their security got today's wake-up call, the guards didn't bother to remember every visitor who leaves. Entering is another matter entirely because they need to go through the metal detector and a registration process."
"I think this theory has merit," Alisa said. She looked at him with glowing eyes and gave him a small, almost shy smile which did strange things to his heartbeat. "With the witness statements the way they are, we must find an explanation anyway why two persons infiltrated a guarded building despite possessing the authorization to enter properly. Additionally, there's a practical way for us to test Rean's hypothesis."
Major Neithardt folded his arms. "How so, Cadet Reinford?"
"Because the translocation distance is limited, this also limits the area from where the translocation was initiated. And I find it likely said place is also the true site of the murder."
Rean cleared his throat. "There's the possibility the site of the murder is farther away if there's more than one art user casting the spatial translocation."
Machias groaned. "Seriously? You want to make this whole case even more contrived? Didn't the others already explain how costly the whole thing is? Two teleporters also implies at least two culprits who are well coordinated."
"I fear that for this hypothesis to work, it necessitates the existence of at least two well-coordinated culprits." It was Emma who spoke up. "And one of them would need to operate from inside the embassy the whole time."
Several gasps could be heard.
Rean stroked his chin. "I think I know what you're going for, Emma."
"Me, too," Fie said. "The exact place and timing where two bodies appear inside the embassy cannot be random. Otherwise it runs the risk of two persons suddenly popping up in front of a witness. The whole gig would be up then."
Emma nodded. "Correct. In addition, aiming an art is usually done via line of sight. But whoever cast the spatial translocation didn't have that luxury."
"I'm not familiar with the practical ramifications," Alisa furrowed her brows, "but do you think it was done through some kind of beacon the caster zeroed on?"
Emma nodded again.
Jusis swept his chill gaze across Group A including Rean. "There's also the possibility this whole framing, if it is one, is a mere farce to divert attention from destroying part of the Remiferian archives."
Gaius folded his arm. "I'm not sure about that, Jusis. Emma raises the possibility that there must be someone working from the inside. If the archives were their true target why not simply set it on fire and be done with it?"
"In these kind of games, obfuscating one's true intent while taking action is as important as the action itself."
"This isn't a game, Jusis," Laura admonished.
"For the ones pulling the strings it very well is. And the people caught up are seen as nothing more but pawns to be sacrificed." The Albarea heir folded his arms. "I refuse to sugarcoat the reality of the situation by not calling things as they are. Whoever is truly behind the case, if we really intent to drag them to out we need to prepare ourselves for the kind of depth they are willing to sink to."
A somber atmosphere settled between them.
"This is getting us nowhere," Fie said. "Alisa says the area from where the art was cast is limited. Let's check these out and see what we find."
"You're surprisingly gung-ho about this," Sara remarked. Rean had to agree. The white haired girl rarely showed so much initiative.
"Is there a problem with that?"
"Not at all," their instructor said with a smile. "I'm very happy about this."
"Whatever."
Jusis cleared his throat. "I've estimated the distance to be a couple dozen of arge, but it's merely that: an estimate. I'd feel better about our chances if we calculate it instead."
Alisa shrugged. "I don't know which exact formula to use."
"Me neither," Elliot added.
"I do." To nobody's surprise, it was Emma.
"That's our top scorer for you," Sara cheered.
The purple haired beauty took out paper and pencil. "I'll use a variation of the Goldstein Formula. Let's go with a realistic worst case scenario. What is the maximum possible energy capacity for a 4th generation battle orbment?"
Jusis and Alisa looked at each other. "If we assume an unbroken orbment line, which is extremely rare," Alisa gestured at Emma, "fully energized slots, Epstein's most cutting edge model, goldia quartz for energy compression and argem quartz for capacity expansion..." she took out a piece of paper herself and started to write, "we'd have the equivalent of 12.3 megajoule."
"Thank you, Alisa. Do we know the exact mass of the persons involved?"
Machias took out a folder. "The preliminary autopsy report has the weight of the victim stated... 72,4 curim."
"Add another 1,5 curim for good measure," Sara said. "Standard procedure for autopsies is to weigh the victim without clothes. As for Helena, her weigh is 63 curim."
Everybody looked askance at the fuchsia haired instructor. "Do we even want to know how you're aware of this?" Fie quipped.
"No, you don't. Helena might strangle me for even saying this much."
"I think she'll forgive you, instructor," Rean said. "It's for a good cause."
She narrowed her eyes. "Should I be worried I can't tell whether you're earnest here or whether you're mocking me?"
Rean wasn't sure himself what he wanted to convey exactly. Perhaps it was a mix of both sentiments.
Emma put down her pencil with a click. "98 arge under optimal conditions. Now the only thing we need is a properly scaled map."
Hibelle stepped forward and unfurled a large, detailed map of the Government District. The largely untouched cups of coffee were pushed aside to make room. Hibelle then took out a compass followed by looking at Rean with both trepidation and disbelief. "You insisted through Cadet Sterling to prepare these. Have you foreseen the entire situation?"
This time, Rean found the attention of his classmates plus instructors directed at him. He scratched his head sheepishly. "Haha, it's nothing much really. This is my hypothesis to begin with, so I had the longest time to think through the implications. And in case our class did take it serious, it's pretty obvious a proper map would be needed as well as a compass."
"Schwarzer," Instructor Neithardt said. "While I still have my doubts whether this line of inquiry will bear fruit, this is the kind of commendable attitude I like to see in all of Thors' officer cadets. Foreseeing the consequences of ones actions and then make proper preparations in advance."
Meanwhile, Fie had already drawn the circle after comparing Hibelle's map with the embassy's schematic they got from ambassador Hylefias. "Only seven, huh? Pretty spaced out, the buildings."
"If I may make a suggestion?" Hibelle spoke up.
Elliot gestured for him to continue. "We are all ears."
The prosecutor's assistant looked green in the face. He then pointed at a building at the embassy's north-east. "You might want to investigate this place first."
"What kind of building is this?" Machias asked worriedly.
"It belongs to the Aulic Council and serves as a depot for decommissioned equipment." Hibelle closed his eyes and a shudder went through his body. "Prosecutor Freising testified that she received a call on her communicator before she blanked out, right?"
The members of Group A nodded.
"She was in the middle of an important investigation and I think you all figured out by now that it's very dangerous. Even with Joseph at her side I cannot imagine her being so reckless to meet anybody in a place she wasn't familiar with. Especially not for something that looks like a side trip."
"Hibelle," Machias voice was shaking. "Are you aware what you're implying?"
"Of course I am!" He shouted. "But nothing else seems to make sense." He flopped down on his chair and buried his face in his hands. "I don't know what I'm supposed to believe anymore."
"The prosecutor claims to have lost her memory the moment she received the call," Laura mused. "Could that be the moment the mind manipulation started? I mean," she looked at Hibelle with pity, "if the coercion was established through the voice call, then the circle of suspects needn't be narrowed down to... well..."
Jusis shook his head. "That's preposterous. If Prosecutor Freising is telling the truth, her muddled mind is obviously the aftereffect of some kind of mirage art. Silver Thorn or Chaos Brand come to mind. It could even be the reason she set the archives on fire. But it's impossible to directly affect any person's mind through a simple voice call. We're dealing with orbal arts here, not magic."
Fie stood up. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."
Due to Ambassador Hylefias giving Class VII her full support, they decided to mix up their groupings. Machias and Emma stayed with the embassy team to sort out the affidavits. Gaius and Laura joined them with Instructor Sara to serve as guards. Rean and Alisa meanwhile went with the rest of Group B to seek out clues in the depot. Hibelle was also present. After he calmed down, he resolved himself to see the investigation through.
While Claire Sterling returned to the Aulic Council to continue her role as operator, Rex decided to tag along despite Instructor Neithardt's pointed glares.
"I'm surprised the major didn't chase you away," Rean whisphered to his former classmate.
Rex chuckled. "That guy is one military hardass alright. But there isn't much he can do. I have the Council Chancellor's approval to follow you guys during the investigation. At least when it's inside Erebonian borders."
This was news to Rean. "Council Chancellor Linquist allowed this?"
"He sure did. Though it's not like I have permission to do anything I want. I need to keep completely mum about any details concerning an ongoing investigation for one. Or the scariest lawyers this side of Erebonia are going to sue my ass off."
Rex leaned towards him, his facial expression smug. "Because you're all buddy-buddy with our Supreme Overlord Towa, I can tell you some additional inside stuff. Apparently there's a high level negotiation going on between the Rogner heir and Chancellor Linquist. Don't ask for details, I don't know them. But part of the deal is granting the Thors Herald a publication license. It's one of the Aulic Council's functions after all."
"I wasn't aware of that." Rean stroked his chin. "But what does this have to do with you accompanying us?"
"Pfff, besides how you Class VII guys stumble into one clusterfuck after the other? My instincts tell me that as long as I tag along with you, I'll have a front row seat on the juiciest stories in the Empire." He chuckled to himself. "Claire totally agrees by the way. Says you guys make her reporter senses tingle like crazy. As for the Aulic Council's angle, well, they want a counterpoint to the Imperial Chronicle's inevitable report on the embassy murder."
Rean furrowed his brows. "Is there animosity between the Justice Department and the Imperial Chronicle?"
"Hell if I know. But when talking to Chancellor Linquist, I got the sense there was something going on. If you're curious you might want to ask Claire. And just wait until tomorrow when the journalists from the Imperial Chronicle start to swarm over Saint-Arkh like locusts. That's when the fun really starts for me."
He smiled. "I'm glad for you Rex. You seem to like your new job."
His former classmate put an arm around his shoulder. "And who was the one who put me up for it?"
"It was on Towa's behest, just saying. I was just a messenger."
"Man, Rean, some things never change, do they?" His friend laughed. " Not that I don't get why you love to work under her."
"Is that going to be another one of your long-winded rants extolling the virtue of cute girls in their natural habitat?"
"Don't go all denial-mode on me, will you? After all..." Rex grinned evilly, "you did buy that one photo."
He felt his cheeks heat up. "Only after Towa was made aware of its existence and gave her consent."
"Yeah, yeah, such a stand-up guy you are." He paused and his tone lost its playfulness. "But you know Rean, back in the days I rarely shot anything else but pretty girls doing what they did best. You know my style. I dislike this whole smiling into the camera stuff; all the artificial posing. Freaking waste. But that photo was one of the first shots that ever made me feel right about shooting two persons at once. You know why?"
Rean shook his head.
"Are you daft or something? You bought it. You can look at it whenever you want. Or are you telling me after all this time, you still can't see the truth depicted there?"
"I..."
Rex palmed his face. "Oh well, let's shelf the topic for another time. Besides, we don't want Prez Alisa to overhear, right?"
The building before them was a three story construction made of solid stone. The windows were small and Hibelle procured a key to open the depot. While the others waited around, Rean stood to the side, emotions roiling. He was glad Alisa and him were on speaking terms again, but it was also clear they constantly tip-toed around the topics that truly mattered. As for his feelings towards Towa...
For one reason or another he never found it in him to properly explore them. Basking in the easy comfort their friendship provided was too alluring for him to risk rocking the boat.
The others entered and he followed along. Rean breathed in deeply, but once again the teachings of the Eight Leaves failed to calm the turmoil within him.
No. If anything, he was the one who failed the Eight Leaves. Right now, they were in the middle of an important investigation. Lives and enormous amounts of political capital were at stake. His personal drama could wait. He bit his lip and shoved his emotions down.
The inside of the building was as plain as its exterior. Rows over rows of catalogued crates could be seen. There was a significant layer of dust everywhere, except...
"This building has been used recently," Fie said matter of fact. Rean used her voice to center himself. Something had changed the girl. Instead of her usual apathetic demeanor she instead brimmed with initiative. For a moment, he felt bad for relying on someone younger, but he immediately banished the thought. Fie was as much of a Class VII member as anybody else despite her age. She was among equals. Elise had given him enough lectures about how his attitude went both ways. Feeling bad for relying on her due to age implied at the same time that she wasn't quite as qualified to be relied on.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
They screened the first floor without finding anything that stood out. When they entered the second floor Rean felt something amiss. A sliver of killing intent lingering in the air. He closed his eyes and drew breath, directing it towards the base of his stomach. His senses expanded and the sliver became a thread leading upwards.
"Did you sense something?" Alisa asked worriedly.
Fie whipped her head around. "What is it?"
"A tinge of killing intent. I think it's the residue of something that already happened. Third floor."
The white haired girl walked up the stairs without pause. It wasn't fast enough to lose Rean and the others, but it did drive them to hurry.
"What's got into her?" Elliot murmured.
They found her in a sequestered room, standing still like a statue. When their group entered she said only one word:
"Blood."
Jusis crossed his arms. "I don't see any."
"It's been wiped, but the smell remains. It's fresh."
Alisa sniffed the air. "I really don't want to know how you can possibly discern these things."
Rean turned to Hibelle. "You got the luminol?"
The legal assistant nodded.
"And you have the UV photoquartz ready, Rex?"
"Yep."
Fie pointed to a spot that was clean from dust. While Hibelle and Rex secured the evidence, the white haired girl was active again. Rean followed her. "You found something else?"
She crouched down. "Look, scuff marks. These crates were moved."
Rean watched where she pointed. "Looking at the tilt, it was sloppily done. Let's return them to their original position."
"Ja."
By working together they soon had the objects out of the way. And when they finally got a look at the revealed section of the wall...
"Is this what I think it is?" Elliot asked.
Alisa flipped her hair. "Seems like you're right again, Rean."
"Not so fast," Jusis interjected. "Right now, this is just a bullet impact. Nothing more. And the only way we could conceivably tie this to the murder is by analyzing the rifling marks on the bullet to prove that it belongs to the only firearm this case has unearthed until now."
"And if it fits, the prosecutor is in a lot of trouble," Fie deadpanned.
The Albarea heir sighed. "My thoughts exactly."
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
Everybody around him jumped and even Fie seemed slightly startled. Rean turned to the person he had sensed a few moments ago, a middle aged man with frostings of white in his hair. He wore a checkered shirt, work trousers, solid shoes and there were countless keys hanging from his belt.
Most likely the janitor.
It fell to Hibelle to calm down the man which took quite a while. The legal assistant presented his identification and the keys to the depot again and again, until the janitor was finally convinced that they were indeed authorized to be here.
"Sorry ladies and gentlemen for yelling at you," the man grumbled. "Have been on tether-hooks since noon. Bloody ghost, gave me the scare of my life. Thought it has returned or has brought more misfortune."
They glanced at each other for a moment. Out of some reason, Hibelle signaled for him to do the questioning.
Well, he already did it once today. Why not a second time? "Good sir, my name is Rean Schwarzer. May I ask about yours?"
"I'm no sir, but you're certainly well-mannered." He looked around. "In fact, all of you look like high-bred people. Name's Denver. What can I do for you lord and ladies?"
Rean stroked his chin. "You mentioned seeing a ghost today, Denver. Do you know when it happened?"
"Yeah, I know it alright. Saw the blasted thing in the middle of my break, so around 2:30 p.m. Perhaps a little later."
He felt a jolt of energy going through their group. Looks like they struck gold. "And where did that ghost appear?"
Denver looked at them with a suspicious expression. "You believe me? Just like that?"
"Let's just say that today has been a day full of surprises." Rean scratched his head. "We try to keep an open mind."
The janitor grunted. "Is that so? Oh well, the ghost appeared outside the window of this room." He pointed to said window. "That's why it threw me off finding you guys here of all places."
"Wait, does it mean you were inside this room during that time?" Hibelle burst out.
"Bloody no. I was outside the building. Drinking coffee and minding my own business, when this... thing suddenly came down and then it simply hovered in the air, facing the window to this room as if watching inside."
Rean folded his arms. "And can you describe this ghost? How did it look like?"
"White, Black. Mostly white. Silverish white, I guess. It's form was like nothing I've ever seen. Straight up unnatural, I tell you. I mean, the blasted monsters in the wilderness at least resemble proper animals. But that thing was... I don't know. The limbs and body looked smooth, too smooth. And there were no claws or fingers or anything where the hands of the thing should be. Everything was rounded up and... smooth. Oh, but there was something sticking out from its right side that looked real strange."
He leaned forward and started to whisper. "It looked like blue hair."
Jusis quirked an eyebrow. "Blue hair?"
"Yeah, real light blue. Or teal."
The Albarea heir massaged his eyebrows. "Are you sure we're not wasting our time here, Rean?"
"I don't think we are." It was Rex who spoke up.
His friend from Baldurs walked up to Denver and took out a photo. "Hey oldtimer, this 'ghost' you saw, was it perhaps this?"
The janitor looked at the picture in confusion. A few moments later, his eyes lit up. "Yes, YES. That was it!"
Immediately, their entire group crowded around old man Denver and the photo.
It was a picture of a pretty woman with magenta hair and a toothy smile, scooping up icecream cones for her little customers. The lighting was as always excellent and Rex managed to frame the beauty and her vendor stand perfectly with her surroundings. There was only one flaw: the photo was taken from a greater distance than what Rean was used to from his friend and there was a good strip of the sky visible.
And on the right corner there was Denver's 'ghost', hovering in the air as if gravity didn't matter. There was no engine propulsion or exhaust visible, making Rean wonder how the thing stayed afloat. And it's form was indeed completely unnatural. More an approximation of a creature than anything else. As if somebody wanted to create something resembling a living body but lost interest midway.
"I can't believe what I'm seeing," Jusis mumbled.
"Why is there no propulsion?" Alisa asked in a despairing voice.
Elliot leaned forward and narrowed his eyes. "Say, could it be that this 'blue hair' actually belongs to a person? I mean, the photo is all grainy if I look closer, but with a little bit of imagination I might see somebody riding it."
"Too small to make out," Fie said flatly. "But whatever it is, it seems directed."
"I agree," Rean said. "And given its timing, it could've witnessed the moment of the murder."
The janitor did a double take. "Murder? This is...
Rean raised his voice. "Mr Denver, focus! We're from the Aulic Council. Investigating crimes is what we do. Now, after you saw the ghost, did you enter this room?"
"I... I mean, I'm an Aidios fearing citizen and all. And after seeing such an abomination, I, well..."
"You ran," Fie deadpanned. "Got it."
"In other words, our only material witness is some undefined lifeform being potentially ridden by an unidentified person that can freely travel through the air." Jusis looked towards the ceiling. "Oh Aidios, she who dwells above, please deliver us from all headaches."