"So how is this any different from the old 'covering your ears to steal a bell' trick?" Waver Velvet, or Lord El-Melloi II, grumbled, pinching his nose as he pulled his foot out of a muddy pit. He scowled at his now mud-covered shoes.
"What's the problem? I'm a necromancer; walking through graves is kinda our thing," Kairi Sisigou replied nonchalantly. "Besides, this is a shortcut."
Right, after listening to Cyd's suggestion, Sisigou had proposed cutting through the graveyard to reach the workshop faster. Waver had reluctantly agreed, mainly out of fear that some magecraft enforcer might ambush them along the regular route and snatch Welsh away.
But why did it have to be this miserable?
"The girls aren't complaining," Sisigou pointed to Reines, who was curiously looking around, and Gray, who kept her head down. "You're the lord here, so maybe suck it up a little?"
"It's not about complaints or dignity," Waver sighed. "How much further do we have to go?"
"We're almost there, trust me," Sisigou said, shrugging. "This tomb goes straight to the mountain's base. At this pace, we'll be inside the hall in no time."
"Going through the back door like this, we look like criminals sneaking back to destroy evidence," Cyd quipped dryly.
"If we get caught red-handed, it'll be even more fun," Reines added with a mischievous grin. "They might just declare you the culprit on the spot."
Welsh shifted uncomfortably at that, his expression tightening.
"Speaking of which," Cyd said, rubbing his chin, "do you have any evidence or clues that would make them think you're the killer? If so, now would be a good time to share, so we can plan."
"That's... true," Waver nodded.
"Well..." Welsh hesitated, then gave a sheepish smile. "It seems like every time someone dies, I just so happen to be in the workshop."
The group fell into an awkward silence. Even Gray had a look on her face that practically screamed, Maybe you should just turn yourself in?
"You just thought to mention this now?" Waver rubbed his forehead in frustration. "Why didn't you say something earlier?"
"I always thought it was a coincidence!" Welsh hunched his shoulders defensively.
"There's no such thing as coincidence," Cyd clapped him on the shoulder. "Everything happens for a reason. But don't worry—I believe in you. You're not the culprit."
"Detective!" Welsh exclaimed, teary-eyed, grabbing Cyd's hand in gratitude.
"Brother, your client's about to be stolen by the guy you were hired to protect," Reines elbowed Waver, smirking. "If this keeps up, your reward's going up in smoke. Though I guess you could always squeeze it out of him later."
"That's a surefire way to get cursed," Waver muttered.
Reines rolled her eyes, but suddenly winced and stepped back, clutching her head. "Looks like the curse came faster than expected."
"Seems the leyline here is a complete mess," Waver said with a weary sigh. "Why would Lord Codrington let it spiral out of control like this?"
"Who knows," Reines replied, taking a small vial of eye drops from her maid, adding a few drops into her eyes. The fiery glow that had erupted from them began to fade.
"Almost there," Sisigou said, surveying the area with a nod. "Oh, by the way, try not to step on any traps. They're old, but..."
Click.
Waver's face twitched as the ground gave way under his foot.
"They still work," Sisigou scratched his head. "Little late for that, huh?"
Rumble.
Small stones fell from the ceiling, and Sisigou, acting on pure instinct, jumped back, pulling out a shotgun strapped to his leg.
Before Waver could react, a massive boulder came crashing down toward him.
"Master, watch out!" Gray lunged toward Waver, trying to shove him out of the way.
But someone was faster.
White hair flashed in Gray's vision like a gust of wind, and before she knew it, Waver was safely in her arms.
The boulder hit the ground with a heavy thud, kicking up dust. Gray squinted through the haze, only to see a familiar white silhouette standing between them and the fallen rock.
"Si—"
Boom!
A deafening gunshot echoed as the second boulder shattered mid-air, thanks to Sisigou's shotgun.
"I'd love to say the traps aren't too dangerous, so don't worry, but..." Sisigou reloaded his gun and then fired at a lurking undead that had emerged from the shadows.
"...looks like the tomb's defenses have activated. We've been marked as intruders," Sisigou said with a grin, aiming his shotgun again. "Things just got interesting."
"Ugh, it's so weird!" Reines clutched her eye again, sinking to the ground. "I just used the drops!"
"Sisigou, take them and go. I'll hold them off," Cyd cracked his neck, planting Reforged Pandora firmly on the ground.
"You sure you got this?" Welsh asked, clearly concerned.
"Relax," Cyd waved him off. "I can handle myself."
Waver nodded, lifting Reines into the arms of her maid. "Let's leave it to him."
"I want to stay and help!" Gray protested.
"No need," Cyd reassured her. "This is nothing. You'll probably run into more undead ahead. You'll be needed to protect them."
Gray hesitated but then nodded. "Understood!" She quickly turned and followed Waver.
Once the others were gone, Cyd stretched his shoulders. "Alright. Time to get to work."
He tossed aside his flashlight, black mist leaking from the crystal embedded in Reforged Pandora as it began to shift and transform, the blade gleaming in the dim light of the tomb.
"Restless spirits bound to this tomb," Cyd raised his scythe, stepping forward, "let me free you from your shackles."
Meanwhile, Welsh, a little panicked, shouted over to Sisigou, who was busy disabling a trap. "Are you sure he'll be okay?!"
Sisigou laughed, flicking a switch that activated a staircase. "Trust me, if Cyd can't handle this, we might as well give up now. Alright, found the way out!"
As gears turned and light streamed down from above, Waver patted Gray on the shoulder. "Let's go."
"Yes, Master." Gray glanced back at the dark passage before following Waver up the stairs.
At the top, they were greeted by two women—one with long hair and glasses, and the other with tan skin and a commanding presence.
"Well, well," the woman with glasses smirked at Waver, "quite the ruckus you were making down there."
"Long time no see, Lord El-Melloi II," she said with a sly grin.