At the marketplace...
While watching the people close their own shops and hurried home, Tobias noticed similar figures nearby. He immediately climbed down from his position and walked towards those figures. He cautiously glanced at them from the corner of the shop.
"Thank you for your service," a deep voice said. A familiar deep voice.
"Mm. By the way, why are you trying to spread rumors about the former Supremo? You know that it is strictly forbidden to talk about him. Also, about that Luminous. What is that thing?" his companion asked.
"If I were you, I would not ask any questions. Remember, if your life is dear, keep silent."
After a while, Tobias heard that one of them walked away. He then glanced at the remaining figure. He was quite startled when he saw that he was coming his way. He is wearing a mask.
Tobias cautiously followed him and he successfully found out where he went. Tobias is in disbelief when he sees that person enter one of the Commander Osiros' abodes.
Commander? What are you really doing? Are you a foe or an ally?
Only one way to find out.
Tobias then stealthily entered the abode where the man entered. He went around the abode trying to find anything but he's unsuccessful. The only thing that he found out is that the man earlier is the same man who attacked him – the brother of the person who attacked Sol. Moreover, it is already definite that he is connected with Osiros.
Did the Commander also order the uncalled for attacks on the Wishbones?
Tobias then proceeded to go to the Commander's house. It was heavily guarded that it caused Tobias a few minutes more in order to enter the abode.
He has entered the Commander's abode for numerous times when he was investigating the three cases that were suspiciously dropped- the cases where the Commander is in charge before.
And every time he slipped on this abode, he couldn't find anything that might pin the Commander. And now, here he is again at the Commander's bedroom. The commander is currently sleeping soundly. Tobias took his time checking everything inside that room. Finding nothing once again, he moved to another room and to another. He arrived at the bathhouse. He decided to walk around it before deciding to leave. Then, he noticed a dent on the wall. He carefully tried to open it.
It opened and he saw a book with the title "Veritas" written on its cover. Tobias immediately hid it in his pocket. He closed that secret compartment and tried to leave that abode.
Tobias was about to leave the room when his neck met a cold hard steel - a sword. Standing in front of him was the now awakened Commander.
"If you want to leave this place in one piece, leave the thing that you stole from me," Osiros ordered.
Tobias didn't respond and grasped the Commander's arm holding the sword and pushed him away from him.
"Do you think you can still work under the Bloody Cloaks Division if you disobey my order, Captain Tobias Karsh!"
Tobias was dumbfounded when the Commander said his name. How can he recognize him when he's wearing a mask?
Tobias walked back towards him and pointed his sword at him.
"I can just seize your breath Commander," he coarsely said.
"Well, don't you want to know why I dropped those three cases? Don't you want to know why I know the thing called Luminous?"
"The rumors regarding Luminous, was you right, Commander?...even the rumors regarding the late Helios Supremo's death?" Tobias said and pushed the tip of the sword closer to the Commander's neck.
"Don't you know that it is a serious crime to accuse your superior, more so, you don't have any evidence?"
"Then Commander, how about your guest who is staying at one of your abodes? He has a good build and rough features."
"How did you.." upon realizing, the Commander let out a chuckle in disbelief, "Captain, you've broken many laws."
"Commander, do you really think that I care about the law?"
"Oh. Then tell me, who really are you Captain that late Chief Healer Sapiensa entrusted your well-being to me?"
"The Chief Healer..?"
"The thing that you stole from me is only a fragment of what I know. If you want answers to all of your questions, I need to have a collateral from you."
Tobias just smirked and left the place with the Commander slumped near the bathhouse.
Captain Karsh, who really are you? If not for the Chief Healer, I would have done everything in my power to let you answer all your crimes.
XXX
As soon as Tobias arrived at the shared abode with his friends, he opened the book that he got from the Commander's abode.
To his dismay, only a few words were written there:
Evidence of the Order to Kill- none
The True Accounts -missing
Commander Remus- Mastermind
Captain Tobias Karsh
Luminous
Late Helios Supremo's death
XXX
A diary-like narrative was also written in that book.
It says...
A few days after the unfortunate events at the Manse where the Supremo was accused of treason and his family was also wiped out; and after a mass slaying of those supposedly involved in the act of committing treason; here I am starting a job at the Investigation Bureau.
I started investigating three suspicious cases of a robbery-murder case of a Manse servant, the questionable death of a Chef working at the Manse and the unsolved murder of a food taster.
Case of the Manse servant :
I went to find the lover of the servant, who had become depressed upon hearing of his death. However, I was able to hear something from her. She said that her lover has been delivering food from the kitchen to the Supremo, months before the supremo's execution, he was strictly ordered not to touch the drinking water since supplements that are beneficial to his health were added to it. He was even scolded when he accidentally spilled that glass of water.
Case of the Food taster:
When I went to visit the family of the food taster. The father said that his son observes that the Supremo became weaker and weaker and crazier each day. It started three months before he was slain.
Case of the Chef:
As for this case, I didn't find any important information from his painter friend as the late Chef always says that it's been pleasant to work at the Manse. And the painter friend hasn't heard any unusual things from the late Chef. Also, the painter friend couldn't believe that the late Chef died from a heart attack caused by accidentally eating a shrimp. The late Chef has severe allergy to shrimp, just by smelling it could block his airways. The painter friend insisted that he is very cautious with his allergy. All of the staff that worked at the Manse kitchen knew about his allergy.
"So, these are the statements of the victim's family and friends? When I re-investigated the cases, they refused to speak. And we couldn't find the friend of that Chef," Tobias muttered, while reading the diary.
However as I progressed, I was abruptly stopped and warned. To not endanger my family, I became a loyal dog. I accepted all the corrupted promotions in order to reach the top. When you are at the top, you can do something.
That's true, I finally found out just recently that Commander Remus was behind those murders. However, I cannot be aggressive against him because behind him is the Supremo.
I need to find definite evidence to nail the Supremo. However, we lost the evidence- the True Accounts written by the late Historian Lukas. It records the detailed event of what happened on that night and the days before. However, it has been stolen.
Now, Chief Healer Sapiensa brought out a shocking information. It's about the Luminous- a dangerous concoction that could better or kill the person who will take it. She gave a few signs: Mt. Arcanus, Dragon Blood, Blue Moon and a possibility of missing cases as they will certainly need test subjects.
It has been happening. Someone is trying to concoct the Luminous.
Also, Chief Healer Sapiensa entrusted a defender to us- Captain Tobias Karsh. He is the nephew of the labeled traitor Golden Shielder Assos Karsh. I don't know why she would say that.
Lastly, she mysteriously said that if we could solve the death of the former Helios Supremo, then every question will be answered. Basically, she is saying that someone orchestrated his death.
We already know the answer. Who benefitted the most? That would be his successor- Augustus Supremo.
Tobias closed the book and hid it under his bed. He dropped heavy on his bed.
It can't be. It can't be uncle. When I investigated, Uncle didn't want to be the Supremo. He was just seated there because of the ministers' confidence in him. He also tried to stop them from slaying my father and pleaded with them to give a proper burial to my father and mother.
It can't be.
I need to…I need to find the True Accounts. The True Accounts will confirm the facts.
Wait… could that True Accounts that Senior Historian Gracias asked me to find is the same as the one written in the Commander's book? That would mean Commander Osiros is with Historian Gracias.
I really need to find it.
But where will he start? He already searched all of the abodes of all the people mentioned in the list that she gave him and yet, he couldn't find the book.
Should he try his luck again with the murderer- Commander Remus?
XXX
After reading the content of the book, Tobias decided to seek advice from his adoptive family. In no time, he arrived at their abode. He then relayed what he had read.
"So, Augustus Supremo is really involved…?" Assos concluded.
"But Uncle, we have already concluded based on our investigation that he is not involved?" Tobias retorted.
"But the content of the Commander's book seemed credible. Tobias, people can turn to chameleons in order to achieve their goals. Or, is there a reason why you don't believe that the Supremo couldn't do it?"
Yes. Sol.
"I just…"
"Or are you just being cautious in reprimanding a person that might turn out to be innocent?" Mrs. Karsh asked.
"Then, you should focus on finding the True Accounts first," Essos said.
"But father, I've been trying to find that for several months and I couldn't find it."
"Whoever has stolen that Account doesn't want it to be let out to the world. If Augustus Supremo is really involved, there's a possibility that he might have ordered it to be stolen..or worse, destroyed."
"Father, I was able to sneak into the Manse a few times already. I tried to look around the Supremo's room and office but I couldn't find it there. Also with Commander Remus."
"Then, it might have been really destroyed. That's almost 2 decades ago."
"Seeing that we cannot gather any evidence that might incriminate them. Then, we cannot reprimand them by law," Assos heavily said, "We can just go by our judgment."
They don't only want revenge. They also want to clear the name of the late Helios Supremo. They want the public to know it. That's why they are trying to involve the law, instead of just blindly assassinating the people who wronged them.
"Slow down, brother in-law.." Mrs. Karsh responded to him, "How about the Luminous? If we can find out that the Supremo is involved in its concoction and that they are really using human test subjects. Then, when he has nothing to turn to, we can force him to spill the truth."
"You should keep an eye on Commander Remus. He is the loyal dog of the Supremo. For sure, you will find something from him," Essos said.
"I guess I'll do that, Father."
"By the way… can you handle him now?" Assos asked.
"I think uncle. I have been staring at the sketch of his face and his scar for quite a long time. I'm less and less affected."
He'll try even at the risk of his life. If he wouldn't even try, how can he face his mother who was slain helplessly by that murderer?
He stared at the sketch of his family photo as he stood at the hill enveloped with cosmos.
Now that I am near in finding the truth. I am both overjoyed and anxious. I don't know what I will find out and I don't know what will happen. It's like a Pandora box that I shouldn't even try to open.
Now I am worried, what will happen to us Sol?
If your father is really involved…for sure, I will seize his breath.
Then, after that… your burning love for me will undoubtedly turn into burning hate.
We will turn into enemies.
Tobias harshly sighed as a tear fell from his eyes.
We shouldn't have even met and grown fondly of each other, then it wouldn't be too painful.
XXX
One evening, the next day, Tobias decided to set out towards the Capital in order to keep a close eye on Commander Remus. As soon as he arrived at the foot of the mountain where he came from, he spotted a familiar figure who was also gearing towards the road leading to the Capital.
Commander Remus. He is not wearing his uniform.
What is he doing in this isolated place?
Adrenaline suddenly kicked in on Tobias. He immediately tore his sleeve and put it on as a mask. He then galloped faster to catch up with the Commander.
Hearing an approaching company, Remus turned around only to be met by a sword attack.
"WHO ARE YOU?!" He shouted as he unsheathed his sword and pointed to Tobias.
"Your creditor!" Tobias shouted as he swung his sword on the commander, tearing his robes and flesh on the shoulder part.
"You picked the wrong person!" Remus said and attacked Tobias but he was able to dodge it.
Aboard their steeds, they continued to flash their swords against each other. After a while, Remus could infer that the one he's fighting is much stronger than him. He was able to notice the purple strands on his raven-black tresses even with the little light. If this fight goes on, he will die.
Remus decided to escape. But before that, he tried to tear off the mask from his opponent's face and it luckily fell after his third attempt. His opponent immediately raised his arm to cover his face. With that, Remus struck him on his chest, but it only tore his robes.
Then, they heard faint chatters going towards them. His opponent immediately hit him on his backside and he galloped away.
Surprised by the attack, he fell off his steed.
As the chatters were coming closer, Remus could only try to pull himself together and climbed over his steed as he went to the nearest Healers' center.
After getting sufficient medical attention, he continued towards the Capital.
It's Captain Karsh again. Why is he trying to assassinate me? Does he know that I was the one who slayed his Uncle Assos? Or is there any other reason?
Commander Remus and the whole land of Largus thought that Assos was already dead.
XXX
The next day, Remus immediately went to find Senior Historian Gracias. He went to the Library as she's always there when she is not working.
"Hey," he called out to her.
"Oh. Commander…" she stated, beaming with a smile but was concerned when she noticed that Remus was walking a little bit unusual, "By the way, what's wrong? Why are you walking like that? You also got a cut on your cheek."
"It's nothing. I bet I'm already getting old. My juniors can already injure me. By the way, here are your apples. Fresh from the South," he said as he handed her a bag of apples.
"So, did you get that treated?"
"Yes. Here, eat your apples."
"Thank you. Be careful next time. Come, and take a seat." She said as she led him to the table full of aged books.
Gracias then went to find a knife and a plate. While waiting, Remus lazily browsed the books at the table. Then, he saw a familiar family portrait. He immediately reached for the sketch that Tobias had dropped when they had a combat.
It is very similar.
"This painting…is of the former Supremo's family right?" he asked Gracias as he pointed at the painting of that book.
Gracias immediately closed the book.
"Yes. I only brought out these books to clean it as they've been dusty."
"Mm."
"I know that you know that it's taboo to talk about them right? So, let's not talk about it."
"Mm. By the way, Historian Gracias, I remembered that I have something to do so I'll be on my way."
"Okay then."
Remus immediately walked away as images flashed before his eyes.
He finally remembered.
That's why Tobias and the scar on his eyebrow looked familiar. He was…he was that Young Master. The young master barely managed to get away from his sword, thus he only got a cut on his eyebrows.
The Golden Shielder Assos came on time to save him and they tried to run away. He chased them until that cliff at Mt. Artemis. When he swung his sword on them, they fell off towards the roaring currents thousands of feet below.
It's impossible to get down there and check if they are dead, so they just assumed that they are because no one could survive that fall.
And now, that young boy is alive.
But how is that possible? Why is he alive? Is there a way to survive that fall? Then is it possible that Golden Shielder Assos is alive?
XXX