Chapter 132 In The Corner Of The Night
"A sharp blade piercing the chest, huh?"
The crimson light streaming through the office window was strong and vibrant, but that didn't mean it was easy on the eyes. Yet, for a different reason than brightness, Shidou squinted.
The information on the documents in his hand was about a violent incident that had occurred just a few days ago. This was also the reason Shidou had been temporarily reassigned to the patrol team, but it was all quite puzzling.
"But I can't see their escape route. Even though it was a narrow alley in a busy town, there were still people who heard the screams and rushed over. But all that was found at the scene was the body, and no eyewitness accounts of the perpetrator... right?"
Right after the stabbing, the murderer vanished into thin air. If the witness's testimony was correct, there was barely a 5-second gap before they arrived.
It was as if the culprit had completely erased their presence, leaving no clues about their escape.
"...The key lies in the wound. It's probably a rare scar made by a weapon called a 'blade(刀)'... but we've confirmed the belongings of the witness, right?"
"Yes. Just to be sure, we searched their home, but we didn't find anything that resembled a blade. We also conducted interviews and investigations, but it seems the witness was almost empty-handed at the liquor store during that time, so it's unlikely that the man was involved in the crime."
The one answering Shidou's questions with a steady tone was a current member of the patrol team. Perhaps due to their friendship, there was a glimmer of respect in the staff member's eyes as they looked at Shidou.
"What did you manage to get out of the Lord Rompt's lady?"
"Nothing in particular. I asked about her recent friendships and if she had any grudges... but..."
"She claimed to know nothing, huh?"
"Yes. We ended up being the ones asked about the inheritance procedures and rights. They had been together for many years, but it felt rather cold."
"...Save the pointless comments."
"My apologies."
In the end, the only clue was the wounds on the body. Even though they were working to prevent reoffending, Shidou sighed, realizing it would be tough to catch the culprit with just this.
"Still, I never thought I'd see you back, Mr. Shidou."
"...This is merely a temporary measure. For now, I'm just a captain of the squad."
"Yeah. It's Reginleif, right? Even with that Joosa situation, they're getting a lot of buzz in town."
"Buzz, huh? With 2 reckless jokers around, I hope they don't get too much hype."
"Haha. Even Mr. Shidou is having a tough time with them? Youth really is something else."
Shidou sighed at the staff's words, thinking they were just reckless.
Having a tough time, huh? He can't deny that. Since becoming captain, he has struggled to keep them in line more times than he can count.
Especially Hiiro Merifar. He could be smarter about things, but once he decide on something, he won't budge. He doesn't know compromise and will charge ahead, even risking his lives.
Even the intelligent Quollio and the deluded Shura seem to be influenced by that guy's foolishness.
'Chase her! You're the only one with free hands!'
'...Is that okay?'
'Hmph. No matter how you act like a "third-rate loser," you're still my subordinate. I've given the order, so hurry up and go.'
'Gotcha!'
That scene was a bundle of danger.
It reminded him of the past.
And at the same time, it was vivid.
So vivid that it brought back memories of the past.
"But Mr. Shidou looks really lively right now."
"...Hmph. This is what they call being burnt out."
But was it just his hands that got burnt?
His one good eye narrowed again as he looked out the window.
In the world dyed crimson, the sun shone brightly.
* * *
"Tch, what a stingy situation."
With his wallet feeling much lighter, Shouk Shateiya kicked a stone in the bustling street.
He must have had a drink. His long nose was red, and his steps were a bit unsteady. Even while drunk, Shouk was in a foul mood.
"...I'm never going back to that gambling den. Ugh, I'm so unlucky. It's all that damn Hiiro's fault."
Cheap booze wasn't enough to soothe his losses. The face of that annoying guy came to mind.
The Incident at the End of Spring. Shouk, stripped of his knight title, was now scraping by in the town, doing odd jobs to earn a few coins.
He polished shoes, stacked bricks, worked with wax, and carried loads, all to make some cash and gamble. And today, he lost again, drowning his sorrows in alcohol.
"What's all this about being a rising star? Getting too cocky. That bastard Hiiro, I wish he'd just drop dead on some mission or another."
Hearing Hiiro's name today at the tavern made the already cheap and nasty booze taste even worse. Shouk cursed under his breath. The guy who put him in this mess was riding a wave of good luck and gaining a reputation.
It was infuriating. They didn't even cross paths anymore, but just hearing his name made Shouk's blood boil.
"...Huh?"
When someone's in a bad mood, they're more likely to make mistakes. The little guy, who had often let himself be swept away by bad luck, sensed another opportunity.
"...Heh, what a fine woman. Classy, too. Her clothes are pretty simple, but it's the ones like her that usually have money saved up."
What caught Shouk's eye was a woman with beautiful azure hair. She was attractive, had a nice figure, and while her clothes weren't flashy, they were clean. More importantly, her graceful movements hinted at her elegance.
She didn't look like someone from the rough parts of town. She must have been hiding her status to come to this bustling area. Probably a noblewoman looking for a lover, or maybe a rich man's mistress.
"...I'm in luck."
What's more, she was heading into a narrow alleyway, one of the quieter spots in the busy town. In the noisy nightlife, screams could easily get lost in the chaos.
Not wanting to miss this chance, Shouk hid a knife behind him and followed her──only to end up regretting it terribly.
"I thought you were some kind of serial killer, but you're just a pathetic little guy."
"Ugh, no... damn it, how could I, of all people, be taken down by a woman like this?"
"Let's just say hello. Sorry, but I know how to deal with scummy guys like you. You think you can handle me with just a knife? You're not worth that much."
In just 3 seconds after she spoke, Shouk found himself face down on the ground.
It was like lightning striking. The moment he turned around, the whip she had hidden was cracked, hitting his nose hard.
Caught off guard by the sudden attack, he stumbled back, only to have his legs swept out from under him, rolling onto the ground. Plus, he inhaled the powder that was thrown all over his face, and his body went into paralysis. It was definitely Bilibimos' scales.
"Y-you, how did you know I was going to attack...?"
"I've been through my share of tough situations. Besides, I'm planning to dive even deeper into this, so I can't let my guard down. And your kind of thug-like malice? It was obvious just from your gaze."
In short, this woman was prepared even before he spoke to her.
The target she had set her sights on was no weak little lamb. Even in his confusion from her swift moves, he finally realized his blunder.
"W-who the hell are you...?"
"Me? Well, I go by Razuri now, but you don't have to remember it. I'll have a different name in 3 days anyway."
"Hah... what the hell is that? I don't get it."
He asked out of reflex, but he was quickly engulfed in smoke
His head was filled with confusion, and he had no desire to dig deeper. He had been so easily repelled. It was probably also because he was fed up with his recent string of failures.
It was undoubtedly humiliating, but more than that, he felt like he had been taught a lesson about the difference in their levels, and he had lost the will to resist.
"Well then, all that's left is to hand you over to the knights..."
"Tch, damn it. I've really hit rock bottom."
"Oh? You're surprisingly composed for someone who looks like you. I thought you'd put up a pathetic struggle."
"Shut up. Damn it, I really can't catch a break. This is all that guy's fault. Hiiro, you better remember this, you bastard!"
"...!"
He didn't care anymore. It was a different kind of acceptance, a frustrated mutter as usual. But for some reason, there was a moment of silence, and he instinctively looked up at the woman.
She had her hand on her chin, deep in thought. What could she possibly be thinking? It shouldn't be that hard to decide what to do with a thug.
"...Heh. Yeah, I just happened to need a hand."
"...huh?"
He had been looking up at her with a puzzled expression, but soon a strangled scream escaped his throat.
Because the smile the woman wore was incredibly beautiful and enchanting. The moment he saw it, he got a chilling feeling in his spine, like something bad was about to happen.
"Do you remember my name, Razuri? I hope you do, Mr. Thug?"
"Uh, um, why is that...?"
"Oh, it's obvious, isn't it?"
And that eerie feeling unfortunately became a reality.
"You have to remember the name of the person who will be your master from now on... or else you can't be a 'servant,' can you?"
In a dark corner of the uncertain night, Shouk found himself holding his head in despair.
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