Chapter 8 : Heroine and the bloody crown

The uproar this time was massive.

A serial killer was on the lose, and he or she targeted the highest members of society. The talks of war were becoming more and more present. First Oriens' first prince, and now one of Mana's princes...

Other nobles were running away, and slowly, but surely, the castle became deserted, the large marble hallways only being animated by the flickering of the torches, save for the servants, the First prince, and the foreign delegations, who arrived to help us investigate and collect the corpses.

Even the weather was darkening, temperature dropped, and rain poured often. But after all, we were in October, in autumn, so maybe this was to be expected.

Lilia-chan didn't even bother going out of her room anymore and sent her 'servant' deliver the paperwork in her place. She's young , so everyone let her, after all, they are scared too. They try not to show it , for some reason, but from the way they jump when somebody talks to them, or when there is a sudden loud noise, the way their eyes shift from left to right before moving, and even the way they absolutely refuse to be alone betray their anxiety.

Me though ? Well, this might be a 'no save game' but I'm not from here. I don't care what happens to those guys, they're only data.

Which is why I'm currently sitting in front of Nagito , back at the library. It's pretty dark, because rain pours and it looks like a storm is coming.

He looked pretty amused, for some reason.

"So, a question for a question ? Do try to remember this time."

I thought about this for a moment, but then, it would make more sense that him suddenly gaining some measure of self awareness.

"You ... You're not Nagito the Butler, right ?"

He looked pretty surprised, before humming, tapping his fingers against the table.

Pat-pat-pat-pat

He finally decided on his answer, tilting his head.

"Indeed, I am not."

I bit my lip to tone down the urge to ask another question.

He smirked at me.

Pat-pat-pat-pat

"So, it seems you can learn. Why are you so interested in this case?"

That was my turn to be surprised.

"The murders all revolve around me, of course I would try to find out what's happening."

Pat-pat-pat-pat

"Eeeeh..."

He looked pretty underwhelmed by my answer. But in any case, this was my turn to ask a question.

"Why me ? I mean, There are a lot more nobles that probably did more to hurt people, so why does everything revolve around me ?"

He nodded approvingly and laced his fingers on the table in front of it.

Pat-pat-pat-pat

"Hmm, this is pretty complex, you know? Sometimes, things don't need a reason, and sometimes, it's all just a stroke of bad luck. Yours is pretty impressive, for the people you killed weren't really ordinary. All in all, it all comes down to the fact that you offended the wrong person, but that would be expected from a lowly maid suddenly being thrown in the game of royal politics, I suppose..."

I should be offended, I know I'm being looked down upon, but some part of me knows he's right. My only experience with nobility and politics consists on being saved from them. Now I'm the first duchess, one of the country's most powerful figures, and I don't know what to do with it. First duke should have lived....

"And now would be my time... Hmmmmm... Sorry, it's hard to find a good question, you're a pretty boring person , you know."

Damn whoever it is and that impish smirk.

" The coronation will take place at the beginning of next week. What are you going to do?"

What ?

"What ?"

He calmly repeated the question.

That was clearly a hint so as to when the next murder would take place.

"I... I assume I'll be there ? After all, First prince-sama invited me ?"

His eyebrow raised and he snorted in disdain.

"Not even calling him by his name, how pathetic."

Well, sorry I don't remember irrelevant details !

My turn anyways ! With his question, I know the next murder will take place during the coronation. The killer's MO seems to be ripping off the heart and doing whatever to the corpse, so...

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

What should I ask ?

"Hmmmm..... Who are you ?"

The would be good enough a question, right ?

The person in front of me sighed.

"Finally asking that question are you ? Well, I don't really have a name, But I doubt that's your true question. I am your enemy, yes, and I am the killer's ally."

"W-W-W-Whaaat ?! Th-Then why are you even speaking to me ? What do you even get out of this?!"

Another sigh of disappointment.

"How hotheaded. A single slightly shocking , totally expected revelation, and you immediately forget your situation.... You'll be lucky if you only get chewed and spat out."

Ah, I ended up asking several questions....

I feel sleepy...

Next thing I know, I'm alone in the Library again.

Well, at least, I know who the next victim is, and when he will be killed.

I don't know if I can save them, but it can't hurt to try, right ?

Week 5 Day 1

After several problems that caused the coronation to start late, it was finally time.

I did my best to shadow First-prince-sama, no, not anymore. I did my best to shadow King-sama to keep him from being hurt in case 'Nagito' was lying, but apparently, I needn't worry. The court in front of the church was packed with people, and we were all waiting for the King to appear.

For some, strange, reason, 'Nagito' was next to me.

In front of the tall, white building, the doors were closed, for it was customary for the king to spend some time in front of his ancestors' tombs. I looked around and, nearest to the giant red carpet were the highest ranked nobles of the kingdom. In front of me, from the other side to the carpet, wad Lilia-chan and her attendant.

Wait.

I look to my right again, he was still here.

He noticed I was looking and smiled maliciously, pointing towards the doors.

The king was going out as the doors opened, and the bells were ringing loudly.

But there was something wrong, he was staggering and left a trail of blood behind him!

I was about to run towards him, but everything happened too quickly.

He lost his footing and put a knee to the ground, and from the sky, one of the bell fell.

On him.

With a sickening crunch that was reverberated troughout the court.

There was a moment of stillness.

And then , general panic.

As I was trying to decide what to do, I saw 'Nekota' walking away.

Maybe it is because I am under shock, but I feel strangely peaceful.

I' still am going to follow him to get my answers.

We walked for hours, and at the beginning of the night, we arrived in front of a small , dilapidated house.

It looked strangely familiar.

"This tale is nearing its end, but what end awaits you, I wonder..."

'Nagito' mused, arms crossed and head tilted.

There is something wrong.

Wrongwrongwrongwrongwrongwrongwrongwrongwrongwrongwrongwrongwrong

I'm scared, my head hurts, and those damned yellow eyes are watching me from behind!

"Everyone is waiting, 'onee-chan', will you make them wait even more ? It's not very polite, you know ?"

I can't breathe, my head hurts even more, I hear a wolf's howl.

" Who is... Everyone ?"

"Now, that would be telling, wouldn't be ?"

The voice changed, and instead of a yellow eyed 'Nagito', a yellow eyed 'Lilia' was now in front of me.

"It's time for this to end, 'onee-chan'... Will you make everyone wait?"

I want to run away.

I turn around and see wolves, in a circle around me.

My breath hitches.

"I was just being polite here, 'onee-chan'. I think you know what will happen if you refuse my invitation."

Aaah, so that's what it goes down to ?

Danger ahead, certain death behind?

'Lilia''s smile is too big, her skin folding and revealing an incredibly sharp set of teeth.

I laugh hollowly, before opening the door.

----------------------------------------

Yep, I finally did it!

Cliffhanger bitches !

Puhuhuhuhuhu!

Feeling despair yet ?

For those who don't understand what's going on ? Well, that's the point of the maneuver.

Mindfuckery hurray!

Everyone ready for the twist :D ?