gulp—!

Trailing along the road leading out of the academy, I can't help but feel my heart thumping. Normally, students are not able to step out without a good reason, so this is a rare opportunity to explore the capital... Maybe.

Staring at the back of Professor Heisenberg and Professor Florence, I remember the former's face a few moments ago. While moving, we encountered Lady Amelia and Aurora leisurely cruising around the vicinity. Perhaps still skeptical, Professor Heisenberg asked the lady directly... and received a nod.

Unfortunately, the story is not a giant hoax.

''It's been a while since I've been here~''

''Is that so?''

''Mhm!''

I've been noticing it for a while, but these two professors... They seem to get along quite well.

''In any case, do you have any speculation as to what might have happened, Claudia?'' Professor Florence casually asks. ''Mass suicide, psychological traumas...''

''If we were to follow the initial assessment of these cases having the same cause, I think we might have a serial killer in our hands.'' Professor Heisenberg replies. ''A perverted one at that.''

''I suppose. Killing people by traumatizing them to the point of suicide is quite brutal... Though, what about the possibility of a supernatural phenomenon?''

''I hardly think a banshee of the sort can target people this specifically and meticulously.''

''Hm...''

Right then, a member of my party, a girl who is usually quite reserved, speaks up.

''Um... Where exactly are we going, may I ask?'' Vera utters, seizing the attention of the two professors.

''We will be visiting the area of interest and collecting testimonies from the people there, of course.'' Professor Florence replies, raising her index finger. ''Good thing we have Claudia here. Her identity should make things easier.''

''...Don't say it like that.''

''Why? Should I have mentioned your charismatic personality instead?''

''Please stop.''

''Oh, you're getting embarrassed~''

...What is this atmosphere?

As I turn around and take a look at my party members, they, too, seem quite helpless. We shrug our shoulders together and obediently follow the adults.

Passing through the busy afternoon road, we eventually reach the portion of the capital where the cases are allegedly happening. Enveloped by the sunset, we are greeted with the busy scene of people returning from work with tired silhouettes.

This is District 5, North of the capital.

''...Let's go.''

One after another, we step through the entrance and enter the scene.

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''...?''

Suddenly, an unsettling sensation spreads at the back of my head. Something that I can't exactly pinpoint, yet still present in my consciousness. Something... Has changed.

But what is it?

''Claire?''

''Ah, sorry, I was dazing.''

...It's probably nothing.

As it is, Professor Heisenberg quickly navigates toward one of the houses that have had a victim—a small condominium, only three stories tall and appears to be relatively old.

''Ah, there was indeed something like that, Lady Heisenberg.'' The owner nods solemnly. ''It was quite a head-scratcher for me as well. The young man was so full of life before...''

''Do you have any clue regarding the reason for his suicide?''

''Regretfully, no. As I have said, he was so eager to live before.''

''Hm... The scene is handled by this district's police, right?''

''Oh, of course.''

After a brief moment of pondering, Professor Heisenberg leads us to the police department of District 5, where she requests a direct talk with the chief. Needless to say, with a member of the powerful Heisenberg house directly asking for permission, the chief yields right away with sweat on his forehead. Moreover, he voluntarily hands over a copy of the supposedly classified information about these cases.

''Are they, as expected, related to each other?''

''Yes, Lady Heisenberg.''

''Hm... Well, good job.''

''It's an honor...''

Just like that, we now have the right to inspect the scenes. All of them. And even a classified file of evidence...

It's quite a ridiculous concept, wielding such immense power... Well, I prefer having the power of a respected and feared lone wolf like Silaerob, though. It's such a cool position to be in...

Nevertheless, upon returning to the condominium earlier and showing the permit, we enter an obscure room on the third floor. Here, the space seems as though it has been through a storm, with objects scattered all over the place, some with blood trails over their surfaces. A weird smell hits my nose, causing my face to crunch up.

gulp—!

It's unnerving all of a sudden.

Carefully, we begin to inspect the clues left behind. However, there's really nothing to dig further into since the police have already done it for us. We can't be better than them.

''Claudia, let's not waste any time.''

''Hm.''

Professor Heisenberg opens the file and begins to flip through the pages, eventually stopping at a certain spot.

''Here it is. Hamilton, 23 years old, a construction worker. Death by self-hanging... The body shows signs of struggles before death, with fingernail marks across the length of his forearms and legs...''

''Ugh...''

Perhaps being in the room of the deceased himself, the description gets even more eerie. Even the usually bright Kris is trembling.

''Anything else notable?'' Professor Florence asks.

''There is a pinned diary page here. It reads... 'He's here. That thing has finally come to my house. It's hiding in the closet. I can see its dull eye gleaming every time I look through the crack. How did this happen?'''

''Eek...!''

Instinctively, we divert our gazes to the wooden closet, which has its door torn down violently, and take a step back. Nevertheless, the red-haired professor continues.

"Ahem... 'It appeared in my dreams, haunting me. And now, it's here. No one comes to help me, not even the police. Is confronting it alone my only option? If I can—'''

''...?''

"The last part is suddenly cut off. I suppose this is where he went insane or something similar."

At this, Professor Florence frowns. ''It sounds more like a murder to me.''

''It could just be the man's delusion. We don't know.'' Professor Heisenberg sighs.

''Still, something strikes me that it is premeditated. Not to mention the police... How about the other cases?''

As it is, we begin to look through the file. For almost everybody, something about their death seems amiss. A person would have their body unnaturally bent; another would have their blood drained. On the other hand, their diaries all point to some sort of creature that lurks in the corner, constantly threatening them to death.

It would stalk them, lure them, deceive them, and force them to take their own lives.

At this point, there is no doubt that the police's conclusion is flawed. It's simply impossible for this many people to cite the exact same creature.

''Hah...'' Professor Florence sighs helplessly, a hint of uneasiness visible in her eyes. ''This case is getting much more complicated.''

Professor Heisenberg mutters, rubbing her chin and narrowing her eyes. ''Amelia clearly said the imperial knights would join the operation, yet they still have the confidence to show this to us.''

Suddenly, a terrible premonition pops up in everyone's mind.

''Unless... They have something so powerful it can negate even the imperial knights...?''

For the moment, we are essentially stunned, standing in place with chills running down our spines.