Blackmoon Academy
"Where is she?!"
City Lord Istana's thunderous roar shook the academy grounds and disturbed several ongoing classes from the very moment she arrived with an entourage of soldiers and battle witches.
"Lady Istana," Gwena greeted politely, having expected the City Lord's arrival.
She quickly guided the City Lord to the infirmary, where the crime scene was left untouched, lest the City Lord nitpick points of suspicions and wrongfully accuse the academy.
"What is this pungent stench?"
Istana frowned before she even reached the first ward as an acidic smell permeated the infirmary's hallway.
"As you know, our students are still young and green, having not experienced the baptism of blood. Several students vomited upon witnessing the gruesome sight inside the first ward," Lady Gwena explained.
Lady Istana immediately frowned and stared at her. "And you didn't bother getting people to clean it up?"
"Out of consideration for the City Lord, no. We thought it was best not to do anything that would affect the City Lord's private investigation at the crime scene."
Istana nodded after hearing Lady Gwena's explanation and said, "At least you're tactful."
Shortly after stepping over the puddles of vomit, Istana entered the first ward and laid eyes on the scene before the surrounding atmosphere became heavy as Lady Istana painfully closed her eyes.
"I'm sorry for your loss, Lady Istana." Lady Gwena stated.
"…"
After a moment of silence, Lady Istana asked, "You must have clues for me. What were the results of your own investigation?"
"According to the clues, Lady Elaine and I concluded it to be the work of a demon," Lady Gwena stated.
However, Lady Istana's shoulders quickly trembled with anger as she shot Lady Gwena a fierce glare, full of malice.
"The work of demons, you say…? Did you think I would believe that?! If there were even the slightest activity of demons within my territory, did you think I would let the rats slip into my city?!" Lady Istana thundered furiously.
The fact no one reported why her daughter was in the infirmary in the place angered her.
The academy was definitely trying to hide something from her! It may even have something to do with her daughter's murder!
Whatever the academy is hiding, she will find out what it is at all costs!
"From this point onward, my people will be conducting the investigation! The academy best cooperates and aids the investigation. Otherwise, I will view all of you as accomplices of my daughter's murderer!"
Lady Istana's harsh words made Lady Gwena frown as she replied solemnly, "Naturally, the academy will cooperate willingly so long as the City Lord doesn't push things too far and treat everyone as a criminal before verifying their innocence."
"If the students are unfairly mistreated, I will have to report everything back to Headmaster Astoria once she returns," Lady Gwena added as she stared at Istana sternly.
"Hmph, do you think you can suppress me with Headmaster Astoria's name?" Istana snorted before ordering her battle witches.
"I want documents detailing all the people my daughter had interacted with since her admission into the academy on my desk by tomorrow! Have it done immediately!"
"Yes, my Lady!" the battle witches complied with stern looks.
Sometime later, Istana wrapped her daughter's body in a layer of mana and placed her remains in a high-quality coffin she had prepared before she departed the academy.
Back in the castle, a battle witch waited for the City Lord's return.
"As per your orders, the entire city has entered a lockdown, my Lady. No one will be able to enter nor leave until it is lifted!" the battle witch reported the completion of her task.
"Good." Istana nodded with a stern look before she said, "However, that isn't enough. My daughter was murdered sometime in the evening last night. Go check whether anyone had left the city since and report back to me."
"Yes, my Lady!"
After accepting the task, the battle witch swiftly departed without hesitation and flew towards northern garrisons.
Istana was left alone in the garden with her daughter's coffin.
The atmosphere appeared peaceful and tranquil as the manservants watched their Lady stare at the coffin in silence from a distance.
However, they all knew that this was only the calm before the storm. Once the murderer is found, all hell will break loose.
…
…
…
In the northern parts of the Blackmoon Region, Vaan continued to travel with the witch sisters and the Steelguard Escort Group, unaware of the brewing storm back in Blackmoon City.
"Do you really want to know?"
Once Vaan raised this question, the older sister Linette glanced back at him curiously. She really wanted to know how he earned a Senior Witch's favor.
"Yeah!" Lillias nodded energetically with intense curiosity.
"Well, it's not something to brag about. I used to work in a brothel and had a good teacher, so my pleasure skills are better than most of my peers," Vaan casually explained before asking, "Would you like to hear in detail or experience it yourself, my Lady?"
"If it's good enough to earn a Senior Witch's favor, then, of course, I would like to—"
"Hold it right there!"
Linette immediately sealed her little sister Lillias' mouth before she could finish speaking and turned her body to face Vaan directly.
"My sister is still young and a little undeveloped. Please demonstrate your skills on me instead," Linette volunteered.
"Mmf—! Mmf—!"
Lillias struggled with wide eyes as her older sister prevented her from speaking.
Her? Undeveloped? No way! She was already 18 years of age! Her body was simply still growing because she had yet to awaken her specialized magic and become a True Witch!
It was obvious that her older sister wanted to steal her opportunity!
"Ahem, it's just a simple massage." Vaan coughed wryly, wondering if the witch sisters may have misunderstood him. "Nothing too intimate. After all, this is hardly the time and place for it."
"Though if Lady Linette desires it, I can provide a better experience during our break," Vaan added.
"Ahem, I see." Linette coughed and fixed her expression before she said coolly, "We'll have to see how great your massage is first. You may use my shoulders."
"Understood, my Lady." Vaan nodded.
His calm yet piercing gaze soon fell on Linette's defenseless shoulders and fair skin after she swept her long brown hair out of the way for him…
"Mmf—! Mmf—!" Muffled noises escaped Lillias's mouth as she continued to struggle in her older sister's arms.