Part 1: Morning (Study Room)
Tatiana's Perspective
The tranquility of the morning was shattered by an unexpected intrusion—a gathering of townspeople stood before the manor's gates, their faces etched with concern and frustration. The recent series of monster attacks had driven them to seek solutions, and they turned to us, their newfound protectors.
Lily and Aria, ever vigilant, guarded the entrance, preventing the agitated crowd from entering. The air was tense, heavy with their collective grievances.
"My apologies, but Her Highness is not currently receiving guests," Lily's tone remained polite yet firm, deflecting their demands.
"Sigh, now our reputation is soaring, attracting even those who seek to voice their grievances," Blanc's exasperation was palpable, a sigh escaping her lips. Scenes of commotion and noise were not to her liking, a sentiment I could well understand.
A pang of frustration tugged at me. "This also makes it harder for me to leave," I lamented, the realization dawning that my newfound status as a target would impede my casual wanderings through town. I found myself confined within the manor's protective walls, my outdoor adventures restricted.
As Lily entered the room, exhaustion painted across her features, I couldn't help but acknowledge her efforts. "Good work out there, Lily," I commended her, appreciating her dedication.
Her response was tinged with an ominous undertone, her words carrying an air of warning. "Yeah, I'm waiting to see if they'll return... ufufu," she trailed off, an unsettling glint in her eyes.
Not one to ignore an ominous premonition, I treaded carefully. "I don't quite like the sound of that," I admitted, an uneasy feeling settling in.
A heavy sigh escaped me. "And just when we thought things were finally settling down," I mused, a somber note tainting my voice. The elation that had come with restoring order was now dampened by the resurgence of unrest.
"Aya, reporting for duty, Master," Aya's entrance was punctuated by her customary salute, an air of seriousness enveloping her.
Sakuya inquired about her recent mission, her tone brimming with gravity. "How did the mission unfold?" she questioned, all business.
Aya's response was punctuated by weariness, the exhaustion of sleepless nights evident beneath her eyes. "Everything went well, Master. Over the past five days, I maintained constant vigilance, gathering this report. Aeris offered her assistance as well." Aya's presentation included a stack of well-worn papers, a testament to her dedication.
My curiosity piqued, I examined the contents of the report, only to be met with a surprising revelation. The words on the pages had transformed into a captivating series of illustrations, resembling a picture book rather than a formal report. My eyes traced the faded handprints that adorned the pages, and a smile tugged at my lips. Lumina's influence was unmistakable.
"As expected of my diligent student. Now, rest and replenish your energy," Sakuya's praise was followed by a directive, her approval mingling with her concern for Aya's well-being.
Aya's wobbly departure towards her room was met with a gaze of surprise from Lyra. Though her gesture was a simple bow, it spoke volumes of her respect for Aya's commitment.
"Despite the charmingly handwritten nature, we can decipher the contents with our reading skills," Blanc's voice broke the silence, her keen eyes deciphering the text within the hand-drawn illustrations.
A wave of empathy swept over Blanc as she commented, "For once, wasn't her training too rigorous? Even I can't help but feel sorry for her." Even the Ice Queen, it seemed, wasn't immune to the concern that Aya's sleep-deprived state elicited.
My sentiments echoed Blanc's, the worry for Aya's well-being gnawing at me. "I was actually thinking the same thing. She must be utterly exhausted," I confessed, my heart heavy with concern.
Sakuya, however, held firm to her standards. "If she cannot meet my expectations, she holds no value," her words were resolute, unyielding to the concerns voiced. It was a sentiment rooted in her stringent training methods, a philosophy that had guided her own journey.
Blanc's summary unveiled a glimmer of hope amid the shadows. "To consolidate all this information, we've uncovered a new lead," her smile held a promise, a positive development amidst the tumultuous events.
Perplexed, I inquired, "What do you mean by a 'new lead'?" My curiosity burned, eager to unearth the truth behind the town's recent turmoil.
With a knowing glint in her eyes, Blanc began to explain, peeling back the layers of deception. "It appears that all of this has been an orchestrated performance." Her words unraveled the intricate threads of the elaborate scheme that had ensnared the town.
Blanc's narration unfolded, unveiling the extent of the deception. "The monsters were merely a smokescreen for their ulterior motives. The initial attack took place near the forbidden cave to the southwest. The cave, forbidden by Sunaria's officials due to the presence of powerful monsters, was exploited as the first location." She continued, revealing Aya's discovery—an absence of monsters and the presence of soldiers entering and exiting the cave under the cover of night.
"Furthermore, the costume worn by the 'monsters' was reported to be sighted from a distance outside the town. In reality, these 'monsters' were merely people in costumes, likely came in from elsewhere." Aya's observations had confirmed this, the visual evidence captured in her illustrations.
Despite the clarity of the scheme's mechanics, the motives remained shrouded in mystery. "The question remains—what is their motive? This campaign began roughly a year ago, and prior to that, there were no reports of monster raids. But now, the evidence suggests an orchestrated effort to incite chaos," Blanc's deduction was insightful, laying bare the complexity of the situation.
Lily's applause resounded through the room, a recognition of Blanc's astute deduction. "Oh? That was a well-executed deduction, Lady Blanc," Lily chimed in, her applause conveying both admiration and approval.
Sakuya's voice cut through the growing realization, providing a concise summary of the sinister motive behind the orchestrated chaos. "So, their ultimate aim was to seize control of the town, perhaps in preparation for war." Her words came with a clarity that was supported by the gathered reports and incidents. It was evident that a series of calculated moves had set this elaborate plan into motion.
Sakuya's keen observations even touched on the Duke's involvement, linking his appearance to the timeline of disturbances. She also pointed out the detail of Reingald's sudden incapacitation, which we deduced was no mere coincidence. Sakuya's deductions flowed seamlessly, piecing together a puzzle that only she could see, despite her relative distance from the ongoing discussions.
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on me. "That's truly dreadful," I couldn't help but voice my despair at the realization that innocent lives had been lost due to these orchestrated events. The trust I once had in the stability of our surroundings had been shattered, leaving me adrift in a sea of uncertainty.
Blanc's practicality kicked in, her words cutting through the gloom. "Methods aside, their loose execution makes it clear why they've remained elusive." Blanc's words reflected her desire for tangible evidence, something concrete that could lead us to the heart of the operation. As much as we'd uncovered, the true masterminds still eluded us.
Sakuya's voice cut through the discussion, infusing a note of finality into her words. "With the butler and his accomplices removed from the equation, we finally have a tangible lead." Her words were marked by an undercurrent of satisfaction, as if the puzzle pieces were finally falling into place.
Part 1: Noon (Study Room)
A soft knock interrupted the room's atmosphere, and I turned my attention to the door, surprised by the unexpected visitors. "Miss Sera?! And Aeris?" I couldn't help but express my astonishment at their presence. It seems that Blanc had instructed them to conduct an investigation at the site of the incidents that had plagued our town.
"As instructed, we have completed our investigation at the incident site," Sera stated, her tone professional and composed. Aeris stood by her side, a hint of determination in her expression. It was clear they were both committed to unraveling the mysteries that surrounded us.
Aeris hesitated slightly as she began to speak. "We also meticulously reviewed all the incident reports and interviewed witnesses. We found that the attack locations…" Her words stumbled a bit, but she persisted with a sense of duty. "The places that were attacked were targeted using magic, most likely by a human." She managed to convey the core of their findings, despite her initial uncertainty.
Blanc, with her arms crossed, leaned forward slightly. "And how did you arrive at that conclusion?" Her question held a deeper purpose, as if she wanted to gauge Sera's analytical skills firsthand.
Sera maintained her composure and handed Blanc a neatly organized set of reports. "Here is the comprehensive report detailing our findings." She remained steadfast, ready to elaborate.
"Very well, explain it to me," Blanc responded in her usual composed manner. Her request seemed more of a test than a genuine query.
Sera took a deep breath and summarized their findings. "We discovered traces of recent magical activity at each attack site. The assailants seem to have used fire magic, with a focus on buildings in close proximity." Her explanation was concise and to the point.
Blanc's demeanor showed approval as she pressed for more information. "And how did they execute it?"
Sera elaborated further, her confidence growing. "They employed high-explosive spells, mimicking the destructive effect of an explosion. The use of these spells seems calculated; by positioning their operatives within the town, they could maximize the impact on specific targets." She presented a map of Silverhill, indicating the points of attack and the direction from which they came. It became evident that the assaults were systematically executed, with each one leading back to the same direction—the forbidden cave.
Lily chimed in with her understanding. "So that's how they orchestrated it," she remarked, her eyes fixed on the map.
A deep sadness settled within me as the implications sank in. "But people were hurt and lives were lost," I murmured, struggling to come to terms with the callousness of their actions.
Sera's voice held a somber tone as she responded. "That was their intention all along—to cause harm and chaos."
Blanc's questions continued, seeking clarity. "And the magical residue you detected, it originated from the direction of the forbidden cave?"
Aeris, finding her voice, stepped in to contribute. "Yes, that's correct. The magical traces led back to the same direction as the forbidden cave." She displayed a newfound sense of confidence, showing her growth.
"Why couldn't the attacks have been carried out by monsters?" Blanc probed further, seeking to eliminate any doubts.
Sera explained, her words logical and clear. "While monsters are capable of causing harm, their actions lack motive and follow a different pattern. These attacks display a level of coordination and strategy that is more aligned with human involvement."
Blanc nodded in understanding, acknowledging Sera's reasoning. With a command, she dismissed them from the room. As they left, Aeris bowed slightly to me, and I responded with an encouraging thumbs-up.
The room quieted as Blanc and I absorbed the gravity of the situation. "So the cave was being used for these attacks," I mused aloud, pondering the implications of their findings. As the reality settled in, I faced a decision. Would I join Blanc and the others in their pursuit of truth and justice?
"According to the pattern we've discerned from the reports, we will be heading to the cave in three days' time," Blanc declared, her gaze steady as she took the lead in planning our next steps. She extended an invitation to me, recognizing my inner turmoil. "Will you be joining us?"
In that moment, as I gazed at the map before us and contemplated the path ahead, I knew my answer. "Yes," I said firmly, a sense of determination igniting within me. "I want to be there to help and make sure no one else suffers."
And so, with a resolute decision, I cast my lot with my companions, united by our shared purpose and the unyielding desire to protect our town.
-Chapter 48 END-