Sonata keep looking around her surroundings, she has been alerted of that Marauder who keep spying on her and National Postal Service lately. Not only that, no matter when she spend some time with her friends--her wolf ears would twitch at the slightest sound of footsteps that recognize the Marauder's footsteps. She was waiting for Claire who was cooking dinner for the four of them in their mess after Suona's father moved to the mess where his daughter and her friends lived by his superior's placement, she can smell the scent of the Mandragora that Claire obtained from Dr. Chamberlain's greenhouse lab--as she washed the rice grains after taking it out from the package and placed them in the sink.

The other Mandragora plants were being grown in the greenhouse, it is also used as either food ingredients or for the weaponries--depends on their kinds. The Salt Mandragora is for food ingredients, while the Bomb Mandragora is for weapon forgery--those Mandragora plants should not be confused or grow on any other places like the field or the wilds, it will make other humans will get wounded if they taste the plant's root. Sometimes, she used the Mandragora's red roots and the sap of their pods for the cooking.

"What's the dinner for today?"

Gabriel asked, holding Claire's white Anggora cat who's nothing but a spoiled-ass feline, sleeping peacefully as Elizabeth choose to ignore them while being cuddled. He was the most mature and the responsible young man between the trio, he might look gloomy and indifferent most of the time but he has a pretty heart whenever someone is in danger. "Carbonara Spaghetti with Honey Lime Salmon Fillet and Cottage Loaf," Claire answered, which made Sonata wiped her drool from listening to that. "Tomato sauce, butter and wine. However, if there's a large amount of Mandragora--we can infuse the sauce with additional mandragora's root."

Claire explained, she remembered when the three of them hunting for Mandragora and they had to wear their earmuffs to cover their ears from their loud screaming and screeching due to their annoyance. Not only that, they had to make the Mandragora sleep so they're easy to pick or pulling the roots without digging their hands, and it was the worst.

"I remembered after the harvest in Dr. Chamberlain and Marie's Greenhouse Lab, the roots are dry and will rot in four hours if it's hot--better to enjoy in a form of juice and I recommend you for being careful, otherwise you're putting Mandragora's juice inside your lungs and the bad one is you can die of suffocation within seconds," Sonata added.

Solvine finished making the Iced Passion Fruit Squash for the four of them, he smiled at his daughter who smiled back after helping him with the drink. After that, Claire finished the plating and placed the huge plate of dinner on the table with Sonata and Gabriel who helped her bring the breads, before sitting down as the four of them began their daily dinner.

"Thank you for the food!"

Sonata said happily as she slurped the spaghetti happily, content with Claire's cooking. "When did you learn how to cook, Claire?"

Solvine asked his daughter's best friend, cutting the salmon fillet elegantly with his table manners. "My late-mother taught me, every time the spring, summer, autumn and winter festival was celebrated annually by the city citizens. I remembered the Autumn Festival where she cooked Pumpkin Pottage, winter would be the Mandragora Soup and the summer was Summer Basil Vongole--the Spring would be Beef Stroganoff with Potatoes; it has my own recipe of adding more onion garlic in that dish."

Claire responded, telling her stories of her late-mother from the years ago. Ever since the Day of Disappearing Stars, all of their happy times were completely gone from those events--but, she will find a way to amend their wrongdoings while hoping there's future to help. Gabriel placed Elizabeth down, she rolled in the sofa before making her bed on the couch pillow--purring like a hungry cat that she is despite already eating her treats.

Meanwhile, Suona's eyes sparked at Xinglan's cooking and made her squealed delightfully while hugging him--Amaris watching them in confusion and shock. So, this is the infamous Suona Fermata--the Spring Serpent Mail-Hunter and the daughter of the legendary beast true to her title and now he's a human. Not only that, a heir of Hausen Family and the first noble to have joined the National Postal Service for the first time. "Thank you! Your cooking is so amazing and delicious~!"

"Let go of me... you don't know anything about personal space, do you?"

"Um, hey... Xinglan, didn't you notice that I've been watching you during the test?"

Xinglan almost choked when Suona tried to tease him, meanwhile Amaris laughed with fist bumping her hand--ignoring them whenever Suona made a face or Amaris smiled. "Nah, I was just testing your limits," Suona teased him as her serpent dragon tail swaying happily, making him glare at her as his ears turned slightly red.

Suiren watched his daughter having fun as he smiled a little, preparing the Iced Camellia Tea for the dinner. "Alright, all of you better behave or else Master Alastair will scold everyone in the neighborhood," he reminded while pouring the tea into their glasses on the table. Amaris nodded when Suona was clinging to her, to her dismay.

They still laughing as the night was about to begin as the four of them could finally relax in the Employee's Mess, ignoring the cold windy weather around the Canaria. Also, they have to prepare to capture the intruder who have been roaming around Welkin City tomorrow to gain some informations.

Meanwhile...

"Urgh… so tiring…"

Ruka walk back to the Legal Affairs Bureau that's not far from the station, with her guardian who was accompanying her. "Do you need anything, ojou-sama?" she yawned when she look back at him, before she look forward with folding her arms. "Shintaro, prepare my warm bath in the bathroom, I'm want to take a bath after the meeting," he nodded as he smiled at her sweetly, which made her look away in flustered but refuse to admit that she's indeed flustered.

"You've returned!"

Jilian smiled when she hugged her from the side, that made her face pale when she did. She has a long silver-white hair with bangs almost covering her blue-yellow eyes and cheeks, fair complexion as she wears a black collared bodysuit underneath a white Chinese robe, in addition of dark blue and platinum-colored haori-like coat. "Stay out of my way- commoner," she didn't seems to annoyed by that, despite many people were trying to adjust on how she behaved.

"Oh come on, your librarian is your friend too~! Alden is kind enough to let us stay here, you know," she sighed when she think about it, mostly about Claire and Gabriel but also Sonata. "Prime Minister? Hmph, I can't stand it when he was like that, if I saw him smile- I would've punched him into the wall for that!"

Ruka threatened but sounded lack of seriousness when they're around, she was resting her hands on her hips when one of the Enforcers arrived in here. Nicholas Xiao-Long Hughes or Nico, one of the Keepers like Shintaro waving at them with a smile. He has a dark brown-orange short hair with bangs almost fell over to his amber-colored eyes, fair complexion and a black Chinese-style bodysuit underneath his white robe-like coat with black belt and jade sash, wearing a black pants were tucked into his bluish-black knee-length boots and he also wears a long black fingerless gloves. "Good evening! Good to see you here!"

Chelsea Mey-Rin or Rin; one of the female Enforcers winking at them before Shintaro has returned to Ruka’s side, waving her hand at them that she welcomed their return from their work. Her light-rose hair was tied in twin-tails with black ribbons, her bangs almost covering her aquamarine eyes and has fair complexion. Wearing a black strapped one-piece black dress reaching her thighs, white furred jacket and black fishnet tights with black cleopatra-like heels.

"Rin, there you are!"

"We're going to have a fun shopping during free time!"

"Of course, when we're on break!"

Shintaro smiled at them while Nico also making sure they are alright this time, because their duty was quite dangerous and need the public's trust. "How was the Prime Minister, Nico?" he sighed softly when he rests his hand on his hip, looking back at him when he elaborated.

"Prime Minister was doing fine, all I hoped that he wouldn't smile because it would scare the guests and also… our calico cat here, Victoria."

Victoria was a Persian-calico cat with fluffy furs who was on the study desk, licking her paws that she also has black collars with pendant of her name. "How have you been?" Alice asked when she's sitting on the chair behind the library's desk, the spot that supposedly belonged to the cat but she also owning that. The cat was purring when she's caressing her back and then tickling her lower back, the cat was enjoying that and that is one thing she liked.

Alice Liddell's long hair is white with bangs almost covering her red eyes, her complexion was light and pale. Wearing a Gothic-Lolita black and red dress with a ribbon and bow in the middle, wearing a black and red cape over her shoulders-wearing a black tights and red-black shoes. "Your stuffed rabbit, milady," Nico handed the doll for her and she thanked him quietly, holding that to her before she stand up and facing the others.

"Everyone, the rising star is coming."

Ruka stopped talking with them when she heard Alice spoke and she nods in return, not wanting her to be impatient. "A-Alright, where is he?" she asked, absolutely taking this meeting seriously and of course she don't want to waste her time with the Prime Minister. "Well then, looks like you have returned--Ruka," she heard his voice when she turn around to look up at him, narrowing her eyes sternly when she clenched her fists.

"Prime Minister."

Alden Walker; the Prime Minister of Canaria Government walk up to them at the second floor behind the railings, with his hands behind his back. He has a dark brown longer hair that was tied in ponytail, a long bangs almost covering his eyes and tan complexion. His eyes are bluish-green; sometimes seen gold, he mostly wore dark formal clothes such as suits. No matter what he wear, he always appear charming but Enforcers doesn't like the fact that he has eerie smile. Ruka was daring to make him smile in terms of work, but that's what make him bad and they did not care about it.

Alice was hiding behind Nico's feet that he hold her shoulder to calming her, looking up at him sternly when he explained.

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"I heard that the Postmaster-General didn't like our idea of lending us a hand with their Emissaries, how unfortunate that negotiation didn't work well-I don't think Henriette will listen to you because you always been an eyesore-you always forced her although she hates men… no wonder she doesn't want to talk to Shintaro and Nico…"

Henriette Shikoba or known as Henriette; the Captain of Executive Enforcers, she was sitting on the couch while listening to them from upstairs calmly--enjoying their complaints towards Alden with passion. She has a long white hair with hime-bangs and both bangs fell between her face, the remaining behind her ears are tied with black ribbons. Wearing a kimono with a white colored furisode, patterned with black clouds, green plants and the purple sprouts. With multi-textile obi tied beneath her bust, with the colors of black and red color. Her kimono rests pasts her shoulders and exposes cleavage, as well an obi tied in the front. The lower half of her dress takes a mermaid style and frills at its split and ends. Her mask was painted black to resemble fox masks with color of red, yellow and green, and by the presence of nine "tails" at the back. Other accessories were a flower hairpin, a rope-like necklace with a tassel, along a black fan.

Shintaro stared at his mistress whose fists are loose for a moment, then she scowled at him. "That's not their business to join us, delivery service isn't suitable for us you know, unless paying taxes for the government. Not defending them, but they have no trust upon us at all."

Her teammates agreed with her even her guardian when it comes to their trust, they're not easy to negotiate especially towards the Masters. All of them are not influenced by him, they have vision and mission for National Postal Service to the people. He hated them for it, how dare they choose to be neutral on this mess. "Curse those bastards…" he mumbled, they didn't hear what he said but he proceeds to brush that off. "Hmph, if that's the case then let them have their time... by disturbing them. Since that delivery express is neutral and not siding with anyone, we have to be serious and make them accept it."

They nodded at him before they were dismissed.

Henriette rolled her eyes, observing them from upstairs before Ruka sighed. "Don't worry, Captain. We won't let this bastard ruin any of us--it's obvious that this alliance was the only chance for us to ensure the safety of citizens. He's the prime minister, anyway--no reason to blame him…" her voice trailed, the others sighed except Alice who was staring at him. "Also, let's wait for our superiors. These couple will be back from their official duties in Selune Town."

--Ninth Day of the Festival of Lights--Second Week--

"So, Xinglan. What was the description of the Marauder who attempted to kill you?'

Xinglan rubbed his temple when Alastair asked, the others were in the pavilion of National Postal Service's headquarters while investigating the attacker. "Hold on, let me sketch him... I'm not good at describing people physically, but I can illustrate him--that's the thing," he answered, using his pen and paper before drawing a man with a messy hair with bangs almost covering his eyes and has alabaster complexion, he wears a collared black cape that covered his entire clothing. It was the same description just like what Sonata and Suona witnessed, in addition of the claw-like scars on his wrist that he added.

Sonata shrieked as she recognize the Marauder, while standing between Claire and Gabriel. "I know that man! He's trying to rob my letters during my delivery there!" she pointed out, making Lloyd looked shocked as Alastair and the rest--since they knew this wasn't an assassin yet, it was just someone who attempts to destroy the civilization due to his unknown agenda.

"Cadenza?" Solvine asked, still familiarizing with the geography of Canaria so he still asking both Lloyd and Alastair. "Cadenza District is located near Campbell Altus, Master Solvine. There are many legends that this District is full of legends, an ancient tree can be seen in Cadenza forest and the historical buildings from Old Households from the old Canarian civilization," Lloyd stated, hoping the latter can understood the whole information and he indeed does. He nodded in understanding, before he listened to the Vice Postmaster-General talking to Xinglan with his arms folded. "Why did he attack you?"

Xinglan tried to remember what happened, before he explained. "Well, he doesn't talk much after he dragged me there--but before he was going to kill me... he was offering some kind of pact that... if the Reverse Organization can borrow the Huaxian nobles to conspire against the government of Canaria, we can get the freedom we desired--but I brush that off and refused the offer. Why did I refuse? Listen, we all know Huaxian's dark history with the government--before they allowed us to reside as long we use the surname of the Canarian nobles while keeping our real name, that's when the tension were resolved but no, if the Huaxian themselves conspires against their own, believe me..."

He explained, pausing for a moment to draw the line on his paper and Alastair noticed this. "The Reverse Organization are taking the advantage of their past's mistakes."

"According to the reports, the intruder is still in hiding and no signs of him leaving the premises, but this time--he left a message for us. We also got the clue about this intruder, through this."

Senja explained, he placed the folder of one of the Mail-Hunters that labelled 'MIA' and the captured photo of the Marauder through a vintage camera. "Master Oswald sent me this picture from his camera and the folder from one of the archives of the missing Mail-Hunters, it appears like this Marauder is connected to the missing Mail-Hunters and stolen letters after his disappearance. The name of the intruder is Claude Oak, he's a Mail-Hunter who went missing two years ago," he stated.

Sonata listened as he saw the man named Oswald for the first time, learning that he's the Senior Chief General in National Postal Service and the Director-General of Human Resources Department. Not gonna lie, his presence truly intimidate her--let alone trying to talk to him. His aura is very cold, although her mentor is scary by his scowl and stern expression--Oswald seems to be scary when it comes to his cold and somewhat 'sleepy' expression. "Sonata Nocturna," he called, making Sonata jolted and saluted. "Yes, sir!" she replied, Oswald look up at her and began to write down something on his file on the clipboard. "Is there any questions regarding this Marauder?"

Oswald questioned, looking up at her as he crossed his leg, Sonata observed the photo of the missing Mail-Hunter and the captured shot of the Marauder--finding them to be the same person. However, why is the Mail-Hunter looks so familiar to her when she saw the photo? Did her mind playing some trick on her? "I want to know about Claude Oak, what kind of Mail-Hunter is he?" she asked, he was silent for a moment before Mathilda explained with a smile. "He was one of the dedicated and the gifted Mail-Hunter in NPS, talented and skilled with his Automotive Gear proficiency and how he connects with people. He has a younger sister who's paraplegic, her name is Sylvette Oak. They were orphans after their parents passed away from the plague, so we're taking care of them. Claude also friends with many Mail-Hunters, he's very memorable to everyone."

Suona listened as she tried to recall the first Mail-Hunter who went to their hometown before they left for Welkin, it was faint but she can tell he was 'familiar' just by looking at the photo. "Claude? Isn't he one of the most gifted apprentices during his training and promotion? I believe that he always wanted to become a Captain of the Mail-Hunters to cure his sister," Lloyd asked.

Alastair nodded, confirming that those rumors are indeed true; Claude is one of the top students when it comes to training to become a licensed deliveryman in National Postal Service--while Suiren was reading his profile. "That's why we are worried about his well-being when he disappeared last year... there has been many cases of letters and packages being stolen or lost--it seems like the Marauders are targeting those who are working in this building alone. We suspected that Claude became a Marauder, due to his sudden disappearance and because he's been gone for over two years."

Oswald explained, before Mathilda folded her arms and continued. "We don't know how did he went missing, he was supposed to be appointed to be a Captain when he turned seventeen during his Master's examination--he went missing like long time ago and I assume he was in his twenties now. We don't know what to do with Claude but... considering this, he's probably going to attack that night. By any chance, who can capture him?"

"We should go now," Alastair suggested, before he continued. "But, in order to capture him, it would be difficult since he's a Marauder--also he know the areas of our Headquarters better than us. Let's take some time to prepare ourselves and think of a plan."

Solvine agreed, he stood up and walked towards the door. "Claire, Gabriel, Sonata, we're counting on you three. Suona, you're coming with Xinglan and Vincent--we need to set up a trap and ambush him in the dark!" Lloyd demanded, and all of them gave affirmative nods before departing.

At the dusk, the sky and ocean is orange--just like the name of the districts. Clouds are slowly starting to gather with the arrival of the dawn, spreading its fleeting calmness. They made a strategy meeting inside their room while waiting for the others to finish preparing themselves, they were waiting for the intruder to sneak out and they were going into their hiding places. The sound of the door opening and shutting echoed throughout the hallway, making Xinglan and Vincent froze as they can hear footsteps heading to the room--gentle but firm, somehow it wasn't making them nervous. Not by a bit, he was a Marauder with mysterious goals. "Hide, now!" he whispered as the footsteps came, until the intruder actually appeared on their sight.

Claude appears to have the aura of a chivalrous, composed yet secretive and sophisticated individual with a calm expression--indicating that his intentions are never revealed on his face and his emotion is masked perfectly and barely showing and his intentions are mysterious. He was checking the desk, eyes seemingly distant as he sat down with his elbows on the wooden table and his hands folded--now resting his chin on it. A sigh escaped through his lips, Xinglan and Vincent watched him as they were wondering what was the intruder's agenda at the first place.

Suona recognized the man as well, after she saved Xinglan from him--she grew cautious as he leaned towards the seat. He suddenly stared at the painting with a thoughtful expression, as though he was thinking about the next objective. It got him wondering, what is he planning exactly? His intention would reveal itself in the future to come, or possibly in a deadly mission. 'Crap, this is so creepy...' Gabriel thought, staying behind the large vase while watching the mysterious former Mail-Hunter suspiciously.

Sonata nodded at Xinglan who was in the ceiling, waiting to ambush with Vincent and Suona until Sonata saw the man stretched his arms wide before walking away from the seat. Perhaps, he was coming out of the room. He knew that hiding was a bad idea but the people hiding around the National Postal Service's lobby were watching him, only in silence and watch him wandering around. Xinglan is proficient in martial arts, so he can restrain Claude with his battle prowess should he needs to. So there is no reason for Xinglan to not hesitate this man until he is locked up with the help of the soldiers.

"Good, time to make your ambush now," Lloyd mouthed through his mouth, encouraging his Mail-Hunters to accomplish their mission once and for all. In the back, they're already prepared to arrest Claude after all.

Claude stopped when he heard footsteps, making him went ahead and quickly heading outside the hall of the headquarters' main entrance--there has to be more he's in for.

It might be not the best way to apprehend a Marauder like him, but at least Xinglan need to hurry and chase him. 'Use your horror instincts, don't let him go free for too long...' Lloyd thought once again, mentally suggesting to Xinglan as he can feel it. Xinglan narrowed his eyes and screamed right through his throat.

Claude quickly looked over his shoulder and then began to flee, but the Mail-Hunter begun to chase him and the Marauder didn't get a second to waste. Suona yelled and shouted from behind Xinglan as she chased him with Xinglan, Amaris also screamed--out of concern. This made some staffs turn their heads to witness the commotion, noticing the teenager who looked like a murderer to chasing the intruder through the hallway.

Alastair and Solvine nodded before they ambushed Claude from behind, Alastair hold him from the left and Solvine holds him from the right; making him unable to escape. Claude was forced to stop his tracks as he accidentally stumbled onto both of them, seeing he can no longer escape.

"We got him!"

Alastair and Solvine brought him to the interrogation room with Dr. Chamberlain and Lloyd, closing the door behind them and they sat Claude down on one of the chairs--facing him as he remained silent. "Well well well, a Marauder of Reverse hm?" Lloyd questioned as Solvine was typing on his typewriter on the table between them, to make a written verbatim record using a unique shortened writing style "steno" on the vintage steno machine. Oswald was sitting across the Marauder with his arms folded, keeping an eye on him in case he was acting up.

Claude doesn't resist, but Lloyd can tell he was glaring at him because of the guilt--but it is confirmed, he was caught trying to destroy the Postal Organization for unknown reasons but they don't know it's yet. Alastair was standing on the other side of Lloyd and Solvine--to monitor the vintage lie detector machine to see if he's telling the truth, while Mathilda was in charge of recording through the tape with Senja and Suiren by her side--in the monitor room.

From how Claude looked, his violet-colored eyes were dull and empty, his smoke-white hair was messy with dirt and dusts on top of his head--he smelled bad too as he doesn't bathe for days. "Now..." Lloyd cleared his throat, bringing the chair forward towards Claude while Alastair kept the same distance--still standing behind Lloyd and Solvine.

"Let's begin."