With the class splitting up and discreetly linking themselves to the crowds surrounding the suspects, they began to listen in to the conversations only for a voice to make an announcement.

“For those working with a team, please register your teams so that the reward may be distributed correctly.”

A few grumbling voices in each group sounded out, but the groups, in the end, all went up and registered. There were three groups, each headed by a different high noble. The Investilaters led by Lux Lightbringer, Military Polis led by Septus, Auditors led by Stephano.

The class each individually groaned in embarrassment at the lacklustre names their respective team leaders had picked. With one final little wave to each other, they went off with their chosen groups. But just as each group reached a door, one of the teams loudly shouted out.

“We accuse Lord Gorm of the North!!!” A noble in High Priests Bernard’s team shouted.

“Is that your official accusation as a party?” the servant running the show asked.

“Of course it-”

“Oh, he is separate from our party,” Bernard said hastily, cutting off the noble, who looked shocked at the sudden dismissal before grinning.

“Very well, I shall be the sole recipient of the prize. I formally accuse Lord Gorm!”

“Ok, I’m sorry to say that is a failure, and you are now disqualified from the game. You may remain here and enjoy the amenities with those not participating,” the servant replied, gesturing to the corner where a group of nobles were standing.

“Buh…”

“Ok, gang, let's go look for some clues!” Bernard said as he led the group out of the ballroom and into the hallway.

—-----------------

Stephano Party: The Auditors (Bea and Gunter)

Bea and Gunter followed closely behind Stephano and his other hangers-on, hoping to at least hear something pop out. Some kind of clue, they obviously weren’t expecting a confession, but something they could offer to Daisy to stop her downward spiral would be a gods send.

“Ok, I think the best place to begin would be the kitchen,” Stephano announced.

“Why is that m’lord?”

“Simple, that is one of the main hubs for servants; surely one of them saw something in this little game of ours.” The hangers-on all nodded sycophantically as they kept a close shield around him.

Arriving in the kitchen, everyone in the Auditors stopped and gaped at the kitchen. The saying silverware was often used for cutlery. But here, it was a term that could be used for every single object in the kitchen. Everything from the mixers to even the cupboards were coated in silver.

“Such wasteful spending,” Stephano grumbled as he looked around the room in disgust.

“Sir?” Bea asked, confused. Stephano was a rather famous and rich merchant.

“I always had issues with Gabriella demanding more and more investment. Now I see where my money was going, not just to these excessively lavish parties but to her entire lifestyle. Almost makes me wish she really was dead,” he replied with a chuckle.

“What do you mean, chief?”

“Chief? I like that one… but you kids clearly are still new to this side of things. A merchant cant survive on coin alone; he must make contacts. But some are better cut off, sometimes permanently.”

“What if, say for instance, someone found something they shouldn’t?” Bea asked in a less than subtle attempt to question him.

“I’d deal with it in the traditional manner. However, I am struggling to do even that; I lost my chief accountant recently. That man could cook books better than this man cooks meals,” Stephano said, gesturing to the chef, who was patiently waiting for them to address him.

“Speaking of which. You there explain yourself.”

“Me, sir?” The chef asked.

“Do you know anything about this murder nonsense?”

“Oh, never me, sir… though I did hear the lady worrying about someone with great skill with information.” The chef's relatively flat and monotone reply, as if he was reading it off a page gave, told them he was no performer.

“Interesting… thank you, man… come Auditors, we have more rooms and servants to interrogate.”

—---------------

Lux Light Bringer: The Investilaters (Maxwell and Tasha)

Lux Lightbringer led his team through the manor towards the library, saying that is where his hired help always found answers. Maxwell and Tasha, however, shared a look that spoke volumes. This Lux was clearly an idiot; he had sycophants around him, assuring him every action he took was the right one.

“So tell me about yourself, my lord,” Maxwell began when he got a moment to speak to Lux.

“Oh… with those pale eyes and slightly longer teeth, you are a werebeast, right?” Maxwell nodded, acknowledging Lux’s eyes were at least functional to see the identifiers of his race.

“Well, let me tell you, Luxy was a lonely little boy,” Lux dramatically rested the back of his hand against his forehead.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“But after Luxy’s parents died of illness, Luxy became one of the richest boys around, and he found lots of new friends who all wanted to be nothing but Luxy’s bestest friend.” Maxwell had to swallow his words as pointing out to this simpleton that they were just after his money would do him no favours.

“Luxy though was wise. He knew good investments from bad, and whoosh, I became the geniuses money person in the capital.”

Maxwell paused in his step to blink repeatedly. Maxwell had met Lady Elissa’s brother, and he was simple. But this man-child who was a suspect appeared to be as sharp as a lead marble and twice as dense.

Arriving in the library, the group was surprised to find the room in disarray. Clearly staining the carpet towards a bookshelf were a set of bloody footprints that seemed to continue on through the bookshelf itself.

“So we are looking for a murderous ghost… A murder-ohst…”

“Most witty and excellent deduction, my lord!!!” a few of the people around him echoed the sentiment and applauded the man for his clearly faulty deduction.

“Maxy…”

“Yeah, Tash?”

“I know I’m not clever… but I’m not that dumb, am I?” Tasha asked, pointing to Lux, who was basking in the praise.

“You were when you were fawning over Lady Elissa.”

“I… wow… ok, should we tell them it’s clearly a secret door?”

Maxwell looked at the group, who were all very self-satisfied with themselves and were blatantly ignoring the single book left on the shelf that had ‘Opening up’ along its spine.

“Excuse me, sir, but I think the ghost used that book there. Should we check it for clues?” Maxwell asked in the voice he had heard Alex use when addressing his kindergarteners.

“Brilliant idea… I am glad I came up with it myself hours ago,” Lux chortled to himself as he pulled on the book. All at once, a loud clack sounded out from behind the shelf, and it began to slide out of the way. Lux, however, let out a girlish squeal and retreated behind one of his sycophants.

“You there, you tried to make me look foolish… I will have you killed for such an act!!!” Maxwell was taken aback by the sheer audacity of the man.

“But my lord, you showed such valour approaching the secret door. I myself would be too cowardly to ever attempt such a feat,” Maxwell said, trying to appease the idiot.

“But Maxy, you are super duper, bra-mhmhmhm,” Maxwell hastily covered Tasha’s mouth to stop her rebuttal of his thinly veiled lie.

“Ah… yes, I guess I am a hero…” Lux replied, having forgotten his anger and puffing his chest proudly.

Looking into the secret room now open to everyone, they could all see a wall coated in pictures of various people with documents. All linked by red string in a web on links.

“Oh, a conspiracy!!” Lux cheered as he clapped his hands. “I love conspiracies!!”

“You know I am part of a really secret conspiracy right now,” Lux bragged, to which his sycophants began to applaud again.

“Like what, my lord?” Tasha asked.

“Recently, I hired a few thugs to help me keep a super secret. Can’t say more gotta keep everything hush-hush.” Both Maxwell and Tasha decided not to point out that bragging about it kind of was the opposite of hush-hush.

“Still, these strings must mean something; maybe the killer is a kitten?”

—-------------------------------------------------

Septus Party: Military Polis (Daisy and Kline)

Daisy and Kline had joined up with Septus’ party, which had been named the Military Polis. Daisy had chosen this group as she was increasingly convinced that Septus was the one behind her parent's attack.

“Let’s go to the study. I’m sure Gabby has put some document on her desk,” Septus suggested, to which a few of the other team members nodded as they set off to where the study was located.

“So, my lord, I heard there are rumours of conscription coming up?” One of the party members asked.

“Rumours? I suppose they would be spread, but I am opposing conscription.”

“Aren’t we on the verge of war? Surely having more bodies to throw at the problem will help the issue.”

“You see, that is the problem. Throwing bodies is the last thing we should do. We should focus on creating a small but quality force. We are on the defensive, so we don’t need to have great numbers. Any numbers issues, we can just have a necromancer of golemmancer conjure up a few of their makeshift soldiers.”

“Besides, I would take a properly trained soldier who volunteered over a peasant who had a spear slapped in his hand. One has taken their own willing decision to stand up.”

“But surely we can’t let people sit about doing nothing?”

“Phillip… I can see your meaning but there is an old military saying I learnt when studying in the Octogram Military school that the thing that is worse than a competent enemy is an incompetent ally. I have no desire to risk people who will falter when I can have a bulwark who chose to be there.”

Daisy and Kline shared a glance as they overheard this conversation. Their impressions from rumours they had heard about Septus were that he was a glory-hungry military man. But despite this reputation, he was speaking rather logically regarding his role. If nothing else, they could at least credit him for being a semi-competent officer.

As they proceeded through the manor, the pair noticed Septus spot them. Despite the masks, he clearly recognised them and slowed his pace to match theirs, letting the rest of his party proceed forwards.

“Young Lady Haemont… I am concerned you are lacking a guardian.”

“She has me,” Kline said, placing himself between Septus and Daisy. In part to block Septus but also to block Daisy, who he could already feel begin to radiate bloodlust. Septus gave Kline an appraising glance before nodding.

“Impressive, you have the makings of a true commander in you. Not a single opening.”

“It is thanks to my training,” Kline replied as he involuntarily shuddered at the memory. So many ambushes… so many bugs put in his clothes.

“Must’ve been some kind of hellish training. I know veterans that still leave a sliver of an opening.”

“Still, one guard may not suffice. May I offer my services once again, Lady Haemont?” Daisy, who had been quiet till this moment, finally snapped.

“No!! I will not and will never accept your offer for protection… Why would I? Your men are the ones who attacked my parents… THEY KILLED MY MUM!!!”

While Daisy to too furious to notice it, Kline, who had honed his senses to a fine point, did. There was a momentary flash of shock and confusion across Septus’ face. If Kline had to hazard a guess, he had to assume Septus had no idea about what Daisy had just told him about.

“Enough of this. I’m going back to the ballroom,” Daisy grumbled as she stormed off.

“I…I should go after her… good luck with the clue hunting,” Kline said, giving a quick wave goodbye as he raced to catch up to Daisy. All while Septus was still frozen stiff.

A couple of hours passed when a bell to signal the game's ending rang throughout the manor. Slowly but surely, each group returned to the ballroom, each looking self-assured that they knew who the real killer was.

The body impaled to the wall above the stairs now had a blanket draped over it; despite this, the blanket had a large red stain in the middle. The class regrouped and convened what they had learnt about their chosen suspects.

“Ok, will the participants step forwards to declare who the culprit is and what evidence they have to back it up?” the servant who was leading the party asked.

It was as the three main team leaders stepped forward that the figure in the shadow of a pillar once again caused the lights to go out and to strike at his next target.