Chapter 2.5

Azrael’s knights escorted Beatrice to the Delphinium estate. Upon arrival, several servants, including Adam Mason, rushed out to meet them. Among them was the estate’s resident physician. 

The knights, mindful of Beatrice’s condition, only took a brief statement before departing from the estate. During the statement, the physician examined her, applied bandages, and continued treating her injuries. 

After the investigation team’s carriage departed, Adam returned to Beatrice’s room. The physician bowed to Adam upon entering, then quietly left the room. Only after the sound of footsteps faded did Beatrice lean against the bed with a smile. 

“It’s good to be the victim in a case. You get to hear all about the investigation.” 

“You mentioned testing something earlier. Did you achieve the results you wanted?” 

“More than satisfactorily. But the case isn’t over yet, is it? I have another favor to ask.” 

Beatrice pointed to a small box placed on the bedside table. When Adam approached and opened the box, he found two vials inside. 

“Are these prescribed medications?” 

“Being the victim is a convenient excuse. I’m supposedly so shocked by the incident that I can’t sleep properly.” 

In front of the knights, Beatrice had trembled like someone suffering from the aftermath of the case, flinching at loud noises and displaying nervous reactions. However, now that she was alone with Adam, she hardly seemed like a victim at all. 

“Use these to help Robert escape.” 

Even as she leaned against the bed with bandages covering her wounds, she didn’t appear frail. Instead, she whispered to Adam like someone who didn’t know pain or fear. 

***

“Commander, the Second Investigation Unit Leader, Duke Azrael Hyacinth, has arrived. Should I let him in?” 

“Duke Hyacinth? Wasn’t he investigating cases in another region?” 

“Yes. He was in the middle of investigating the Newethen Street Serial Killer case but ended up taking on an additional missing person’s case. He apprehended the culprit and said he has matters to discuss with you regarding the case.” 

“Is that so? I suppose I’ll need to hear what the Duke has to say myself. Let him in.” 

Shortly after the aide left, Azrael entered the First Commander’s office. Despite sensing the presence of someone entering, the man didn’t bother to lift his head. Even when Azrael greeted him, his eyes remained fixed on the documents before him. 

“I greet the First Investigation Unit Leader, Duke Cesar Servan.” 

“It’s been a while, Duke Hyacinth. I understand both you and I are quite busy these days. What brings you here? While your knights may be busier than ours, we’ve had our fair share of incidents as well. Just today, my subordinates have piled up several reports on my desk. Honestly…”

Being surrounded by knights of common birth, Azrael rarely encountered the formal speech patterns of nobles. It was clear from the tone: both parties were busy, so they should avoid wasting time and quickly state their business before disappearing. Fortunately, Azrael had a capable aide, which allowed him to make time to ascend to the capital despite his packed schedule. 

Azrael glanced at the documents on Duke Servan’s desk. There seemed to be more material related to the Duke’s personal affairs than to the case itself. While the position of Investigation Unit Leader was largely honorary, with most practical work delegated to knights under their command, Servan’s negligence was exceptional. 

As someone who actively worked in the field, Azrael struggled to understand Servan’s approach. The same could be said for Duke Servan. The two dukes, each leading the First and Second Investigation Units, operated in stark opposition to one another. 

“You seem to lack time to oversee the First Investigation Unit. Given how valuable your time must be, I’ll get straight to the point. Do you recall the ‘Lily Serial Killer Case’ that you oversaw during your time as a marquis?” 

“It wasn’t that long ago, and it caused quite a stir among investigators, so of course I remember. But why bring up that case now?” 

“I informed your aide of my purpose briefly, so I assume you’ve been told. I’m on my way back from interrogating the culprit of a recent missing person’s case, who is also a suspect in the Newethen Street Serial Killer case.” 

“I heard, but I fail to see how that concerns me.” 

Duke Servan flipped through his papers with a dismissive expression, showing no interest in Azrael’s words. 

Unfazed, Azrael mentioned something that was likely to catch Servan’s attention. 

“The suspect’s name is Robert Medley. He was a friend of the alleged culprit in the Lily Serial Killer Case, who committed suicide two years ago.” 

The Lily Serial Killer Case was so brutal that only parts of the truth were published in the newspapers. The reality was far worse. 

Most of the bodies were horribly mutilated. Some were suspected to have been tortured while alive, while others were dismembered or partially taxidermied. 

As such, the First Investigation Unit, which oversaw the capital, was assigned to the case. However, during the investigation, Duke Henry Frederick, the leader of the First Investigation Unit at the time, died in an accidental incident. Shortly after, Marquis Cesar Servan, Frederick’s aide, was appointed as the new leader of the First Investigation Unit. 

“Robert testified that his friend was not the true culprit and was merely a victim who was used in a false investigation and discarded.” 

“How naive, Duke Hyacinth. Do you believe the words of a suspect who committed both a missing persons case and a murder case?” 

“I judged that he had no reason to lie, and even if his testimony is false, I believe there must be a reason he chose that specific claim.” 

Not long after Marquis Cesar Servan assumed the position of unit leader, the suspect was apprehended. His name was Aaron Lloyd, a seemingly ordinary coachman who traveled across the kingdom. 

It was revealed that Lloyd’s method involved murdering victims and transporting their bodies to the capital using his carriage, shocking the citizens. 

Despite the abundance of evidence, including the carriage, Lloyd denied all charges during interrogation. Before his trial date, he committed suicide. 

Since then, there were no further victims in the serial killings, and Aaron Lloyd naturally became established as the culprit. The case was closed, and Marquis Cesar Servan was elevated to the rank of duke by the Emperor in recognition of his efforts. 

“So, are you planning to interrogate me now?” 

Although both were investigation unit leaders, Duke Cesar Servan led the First Investigation Unit. The First Unit oversaw the Imperial Family and the capital, the Second Unit handled other regions, and the Third Unit managed areas near the borders. 

Despite all being investigation units, there were differences in authority and composition. The First Unit was composed entirely of nobles, the Second Unit had a mix of commoners and nobles, and the Third Unit was mostly commoners. 

No matter that Cesar Servan had risen from Marquis to Duke—he was still a Duke. Moreover, solving the Lily Serial Murder Case had earned him the Emperor’s favor, so it was not wise to challenge him with overreach.

However, Robert had spoken of deep-rooted corruption within the investigation units. He claimed that the truth was buried, and innocent victims were manipulated into being condemned by the law to serve the units’ agendas. His face, filled with anger, despair, and frustration, remained vivid in Azrael’s mind. 

The truth must not be buried. Even the faintest possibility deserved to be revisited, as it was the investigator’s duty to uncover it. 

“I am merely investigating the case. Even if it’s the testimony of a suspect, it is still the result of interrogation. Therefore, I would like to review the investigation records from the First Unit regarding the case. I trust you will grant me access to the archives.” 

“Fine. You may verify the records yourself and make your judgments. However, for security reasons, none of the records may be taken out of the archive. I trust you will understand this condition.” 

“Of course. Thank you for your cooperation.”  

Azrael left the office as politely as he had entered, offering a respectful farewell. Duke Servan watched him leave, his hands crumpling the papers he was holding. 

The aide, sensing the tension, cautiously entered the office. Duke Servan threw the crumpled papers onto the floor, attempting to suppress his anger.  

“A brat still wet behind the ears… Leading nothing more than a bunch of commoner knights.” 

“Um… My lord, are you sure about this? Is it alright to grant him access to the archives…?” 

“Yes. Even if our dear Duke Hyacinth spends countless nights poring over the records in the archives, what could he possibly uncover? He needs to realize something far more important—that he cannot live forever immersed in his own pristine waters.” 

Duke Servan sighed and placed a cigar between his lips. His aide naturally pulled out a match and lit the cigar’s tip. As Servan inhaled deeply and exhaled, acrid smoke dispersed into the air. 

“Hyacinth believes in the existence of truth. That’s why he can live so earnestly. He has the eyes of someone who thinks he’s right, who thinks he’s just. Do you remember the previous leader of the investigation unit?” 

“Are you referring to Duke Henry Frederick?” 

“Yes. He has the exact same look as Frederick did. Light that’s too bright can guide people, but it can also blind them.” 

Ash from the cigar fell onto a small framed portrait sitting on the desk. The portrait depicted the former leader of the First Investigation Unit, Duke Henry Frederick. 

The aide handed Duke Servan a document with no official seal. 

“What’s this?” 

“It’s a personal request from His Highness, the Crown Prince.”