"Alright, Miss Yula, you may return to the front hall."
As Yula exited the room, Elyon turned to Councillor Carter.
"Finally, Councillor Carter, I have a few questions for you."
"Ask away. By the look on your face, you must have some conclusions."
"More or less. Who else has keys to Annie's and your rooms?"
"I possess all the keys to this house, and Annie has her own set for her room and mine."
"What size shoes do you wear?"
"Size nine."
"From the second floor of the mansion, one could see the street of Pine Wood behind it, right?"
"I suppose there should be no problem."
"Disregarding the two courtyard guards and the front gate sentries, were all your servants preoccupied in the front hall or busy preparing for your daughter's debutante ball tonight?"
"Yes, you know how it is with so many guests tonight. The servants, butler, coachmen, and cooks were all busy."
"I have no further questions."
Broken glass, moist soil, a ceiling with holes, a frame without a photo, and two sets of footprints leading to the high wall of the backyard—under the effect of the intellect-enhancing potion, Elyon's logical capabilities were heightened.
He had a fair idea of who might be responsible for all this. The only question remaining was where the necklace had gone. He had searched the scene thoroughly and found no place large enough to hide such a sizable jewel.
It wouldn't make sense for the thief to have pockets large enough to walk out with the necklace, nor to throw it out of the mansion.
The thief must have hidden the necklace in an unexpected place in the room or taken it out in an unusual way. Elyon berated himself for being oblivious, blinded by the very light that shone down upon him.
Wait a minute, 'blinded by light'?
Looking up at the iron tray of the chandelier, Elyon realized where the necklace was.
"Mr. Carter, I can retrieve the necklace for you. There are two explanations for how your daughter's necklace went missing, and each explanation corresponds to a different method of retrieving it," Elyon said expressionlessly to Councillor Carter.
"Two explanations? Tell me both. What's the difference?"
"Don't worry, let me first help you retrieve the necklace. Could you help me steady this chair? I'd rather not fall."
After moving a chair from the round table beneath the chandelier, Councillor Carter steadied it while Elyon climbed up. Grasping the tray of the chandelier with his left hand, he felt around with his right, soon pulling out a cold, hard object.
The yellow metal gleamed in the gaslight, and the stone like blood dangled from the chain. Climbing down, Elyon said to the councillor:
"Mr. Carter, I have found your necklace. Now, there are two explanations. One is fictitious but will preserve your family's dignity, and the other, though closer to the truth, is quite undignified."
Councillor Carter closed his eyes in apparent pain, then asked quietly:
"Why has it come to this? Am I not a good father?"
"No, Mr. Carter, you may need to spend more time with your loved ones. Although the ruby necklace is precious, some might prefer spending time alone with their parents on their birthday, rather than being used as a tool for their father's ambition."
"Give me the dignified ending," Councillor Carter said, making his choice clear.
"I understand your decision. Next Monday, you will publish a notice in the Aegsburg Daily about the theft of the necklace, hoping someone provides information. Next Sunday, I will write you a letter, and during a patrol in the port's underground black market, I will encounter a suspicious individual. While questioning him, he will appear nervous and flee. During the chase, he will drop the stolen necklace from his pocket. I will then write to you, and you can send your butler to the Gonia Police Department's port branch to retrieve your necklace."
Elyon pocketed the necklace as if it were a worthless trifle.
"Do you think this plan is feasible? Otherwise, do you have any demands, Mr. Carter?" the councillor asked, regaining his composure.
"No, no, Mr. Carter, I only request one thing. For the two gentlemen who guarded the courtyard today, please only dock their wages for three to half a week at most. Later, find an excuse to reimburse them," Elyon smiled.
"Is that all?"
"That's all, though next week I may need to write up a few more case files."
"I see why Mr. Russell values you so much, young man. Your future may involve more than just a back seat in the lower house," Councillor Carter said, half in jest and half earnest.
My future? I just want to go home early. This world without new anime and games is dreadfully dull, Elyon mused silently.
"Let's go, it's already past nine o'clock at night. Sir, I have work in the morning," Elyon said to Councillor Carter after checking his watch.
Upon returning to the front hall, the main room was devoid of dancers, with most guests conversing along the sides. Councillor Carter cleared his throat and announced:
"Thank you all for attending my daughter's debutante ball. I apologize for the delay earlier. We have a billiard room, poker, and plenty of drinks upstairs for your enjoyment. If you have other commitments tomorrow, feel free to leave as well."
"Let's go. Professor Russell, Mr. Orion, we're leaving now. Enjoy the rest of the evening," Elyon called his sisters, who were still scouting for desserts.
"I'll join you—let's escort you home. Orion, be sure to tell Mr. Carter we're leaving," Mr. Russell said, gesturing to Councillor Carter, who was still busy with his guests.
"Alright, you still know how to boss people around, my senior," Chief Orion said with a wry smile.
Mr. Russell's carriage was a bit smaller than Chief Orion's, and Elyon squeezed in with his mentor while his sisters sat opposite. Without a soft backrest, the long and bumpy ride seemed to threaten his back.
"How did it go?" Mr. Russell asked, lighting his pipe.
"Councillor Carter's family lost a necklace, the one presented at the coming-of-age ceremony."
"Ah, Miss Annie must be heartbroken. How much do you think such a large ruby is worth?" Seraphina inquired.
"I'd wager it would take you, dear brother, at least five years of saving every penny. Such a large stone must be worth over fifteen hundred gold pounds," Elyon said, pulling the necklace from his pocket.
Displayed under the faint glow from the gas lamps outside the carriage window, the ruby lost its luster, resembling a cheap glass trinket from a street vendor.
"How do you have it? Wait, we've been in the hall all evening; when did you learn to clone yourself?" Seraphina asked in astonishment.
"Maybe you should turn yourself in to Chief Orion; you might get a shorter sentence," Nyara's sarcasm tinged her words.
"Are you being serious?" Elyon looked across at Nyara.
"Of course not. Seraphina and I still have four years of college to spend with our beloved brother."
"I haven't felt any love here. But let's get back to business. What you see now is a necklace I will have recovered from a thief next week."
"Next week?" Nyara asked, puzzled.
"Let me finish. Tonight, after half-past seven, a petty thief climbed into Councillor Carter's backyard and then sneaked into Miss Annie's room on the second floor. After breaking open the door, he rummaged around and eventually stole the necklace," Elyon paused for effect.