In Neirin's office inside the mansion of the Halstead in the capital, she was going over the documents she was able to take home with the emperor's permission. Neirin flipped one page after another. She then gaze at the map of the entire capital of Devonshire.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
She then tapped the table using index finger as though she was thinking.
Serial murders.
In the previous timeline, according to Neirin's memory, the north land was safe from such serial attacks. With this reason, there were many nobles who risked their lives coming through the north. In those time the flow of opportunities and money opened for the Halstead duchy.
If she was able to solve this serial murders, then, such future might not happen. However, she should not conclude with the uncertainty in front of her. A different path. Would she be able to open a different path for this empire?
This killings would continue for at least a year with 50 nobles being killed for the whole year. For some reason, the nobles who were killed were not that influential nor known. These killings would soon become a nightmare for everyone in the nobility making them hide in their houses and postponed all the gatherings.
Back in her previous life and memories, while the capital was being ruled with fear, the north continue to expand their influence and power.
As Neirin begun to think of another possibility hoping that there was another path that won't alter the future, she looked at the map of the capital of Devonshire and marked the spots where the five nobles were killed.
The first victim was killed in the street of Prague. The other was few meters away to the left just on the sign of De Vencer street. This street was known for prostitution and even illegal gambling. Crimes usually happen in this street and people just shrug it off.
It was also one of the reason why the officials did not dwell on this matter too much and just concluded that this was an accident or perhaps a crime filled with passion.
However, after that, a week later, the third victim was report in front of the cathedral. The sanctuary of the grace and sinned. This was the popular and only branch of the temple in the empire. This street was considered to be the holy street of the capital and were respected because of the cathedral.
This was located in the streets of Colmar. With such blasphemous act, the priests of the cathedral had put pressure to the royal family to start the investigations.
The emperor had given his command to the knights to tightened their security all over the capital of Devonshire but, after three months, the fourth victim appeared. This time, it was just in front of the palace gates located at Eostinia street.
And finally, the last victim reported, it was found in the steers of Terre.
The first victim was Lady Isabella Havens. She was the daughter of Count Havens. In terms of his political side, he side with the royal family. The second victim was Lady Caroline Brown. Daughter of Baron Brown. He was also in the side of the royal family.
The last three victims were male. The third one was Johnson Elrod. He was the first born and the heir of the Elrod County. According to the reports, Count Elrod demanded for the full investigation of what happened to his son but up until now there were no news. He sides with the empress family.
And finally, the last two, Young Lord Alger Hartz and Albert Moretti. According to the investigation they were friends but before the reported death of Alger Hartz, the two had a fight at a pub near the De Vencer street. So, it was rather odd that his body was found few streets away.
The last victim who was Albert Moretti was afraid that he would have the same ending as his friend, hence, he coiled himself to his room for months. However, after he finally let his guard down, he was then killed by the killer.
According to the reports, there were no culprit reported yet nor even leads. It was only said that the corpses were all found in a similar way. Dried and rotting. Neirin held her suspicions as she stared on the map of the capital of devonshire.
No one had investigated the sewers. In the future, they reported that there were even corpses seen in the sewers and would soon cause a major pandemic. The pandemic will be the cause of few deaths that will affect the north.
After marking the places where the first five deaths were reported, Neirin connected the dots hoping that they would have an intersection but it did not even made any connections. It was such a disappointment.
She should prevent this.
As Neirin contemplated these matters, she finally decided to have her own investigation first and to not relay on the papers given by the emperor. If then, she needed to visit the Hilstone Salon.
Finally deciding what she needed to do, she called the servants to made preparations as she will be having an outing outside the mansion. The maid who answered her call bowed and ask one last time before she leave.
"What dress should I prepare my lady?"
Neirin smiled mysteriously. "I won't be needing any dress. Prepare suit instead and a cane."
The maid did not ask any further questions. "As the lady wishes," the maid said as she dismissed herself.
--
In front of the mirror, Neirin looked at her reflection. Right now she was wearing a tailored attire made exclusively for her. Neirin was wearing black and white suit partnered with gold chain extending from her breast pocket to the buttons on her chest. She held her black cane to her right. It has a different designs made of gold and she was wearing a top hat like most of the gentleman roaming around the streets of the capital.
However, in contrast to those gentleman she had a long silky hair making people conclude that she was a woman in first glance. Of course she would be received with prejudice if she went to a party looking like this but her destination was different.
After being satisfied with what she looked, Neirin appointed a knight of the Halstead duchy to accompany her. He was one head tall compared to Neirin and he looked timid and dignified wearing his knight uniform.
"What is your name?" Neirin asked the moment he bowed in front of her.
"My name is Clarence Howard, your grace." He sounded respectful too. Neirin gave a satisfied nod as she smiled gently.
"Escort me for now as we are about to depart. If you have questions, I will entertain it along our journey."
"Yes my lady." The knights eyes landed at her. She can read the curiosity flickering in his eyes the moment he saw her attire but he did not ask and respected the preference of his master. The Halstead knights were taught to keep their mouths shut unless their master told them to speak.
Neirin climbed the carriage with the help of Sir Clarence. He then moved and climbed his horse to escort the lady. After signaling the coachman, the carriage rolled through the streets passing some street lights and few mansions.
As The carriage passed the De Vencer street. Neirin pulled out the curtains looking at the view outside. Compared to her expectation, the whole street looked deserted without any people strolling around. Some famous bars were even closed.
They were really that afraid. The carriage then turned left entering the Hilstone street. This street was quite lively compared to the first one. People stroll around and there were even music and bustling noises from the crowd.
The carriage then stopped in front of a fourth story building made with fine walls and woods. This was the Hilstone salon. The outside exterior of the building was painted in black and red and everything inside were bright and elegant.
On its side there were carriages parked. Neirin saw the crest embedded on their carriage. It signified that most people who gathered here were nobles and those who were rich in this capital.
Hilstone salon was one of the few salons owned by the duke of Halstead however, only a few people know that. On the outside, this salon was owned by a noble outskirts and it has bee in their dream to open a salon.
Neirin stepped down on her carriage with the help of her knight. They did not waste any time as they both entered the salon looking at the people enjoying inside. Neirin can sense some of the people's gazes but she just shrugged it off and continue to inspect the whole salon. She saw most met and women enjoying themselves.
Seeing this, Neirin gave a satisfied smile.
Although most nobles gathered here for gossip and alcohol, what they do not know was this salon was also the main entrance of to the court of miracles.