Instead of keeping an awkward silence, you decide to try and have a nice conversation with Walter. The first thing you do is try to defuse the tension. You explain to him in simple terms that you believe he is more than capable of solving the murders and that you were sent here as aid.

“Yeah, I understand,” sighs the captain. “We all have our jobs to do. I’m sure you want to be here just as much as I want you here.”

Bronx scratches the back of his head shyly as you nod in agreement. “I’ll tell you what,” he mutters. “Let’s solve this case as quickly as possible so we can part ways and both feel a little bit at ease.” You smile softly at his words.

“Here,” the captain says as he extends his hand out. “Let me help you with your bag. It’s the least I can do after being a bit childish earlier.”

You humbly decline and explain that you noticed his pained expression when he shook your hand and that you don’t wish for him to hurt himself on your behalf.

“I see you are quick to notice such small details,” smiles Walter. “My hand are charred for life after a failed assault upon the dragon that lives in Mount Cybil. The attack took place twelve years prior.”

You inquire about how he was able to survive such and large undertaking.

“I dove behind a large section of stone near the wall of the cavern as the flames belched forth from the serpent’s maw,” he explains. “I hid there like a coward as I heard the screams of my allies and smelt their flesh burn.”

You ask if the heat from the stone was the reason for his burnt hands although you know they would have healed by now if that were the case.

“No,” sighs the captain with sadness welling up in his eyes. “I tried to recover the bodies of my allies, my hands melting upon their flesh and armour. The red treasure-hoarding beast found this to be assuming and allowed me to live and drank in my suffering and pain as I continued my efforts.”

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He takes off a glove as you keep making your way towards our destination. His hand was black as night with ashy marks where the natural wrinkles of a hand should be. Even though this was only a few shades darker than his natural skin tone, it was very obvious. Tiny glowing embers pulsed beneath his flesh.

“My hands have been tainted by the dragon’s fire and now it burns within my skin as a constant reminder of that day,” explains the captain before slipping his glove back on. “But I have plans to rectify my trauma within the coming years.” Walter pats the sword at his side as he says these words.

The sword looks incredibly ornate and almost as it would be for show instead of practical use. The metal shines brightly like silver in the morning light. A few gemstones are set along the cross-guard, each one a different colour. This single piece of equipment looks to be the most expensive thing Bronx owns. Just looking at the sword makes you believe that it must possess some magical properties hence why the captain carries it around despite its weird appearance.

Your curiosity gets the better of you so you inquire about the blade.

“I had this blade made for the purpose of slaying that fucking dragon,” claims Walter proudly. “There are a few dragon whelps held with the great city of Carthus to help create weapons that are designed to target dragons. I had to pay handsomely as well since they needed magical ingredients that only the slayer’s guild in Longinus could procure.”

You silently think to yourself about purpose and how everything has one. Perhaps it is Walter Bronx’s purpose to aid you in finding this serial killer so you can see yourself elevated within the Order. You decide that after this is made possible, you’ll assist him with the power of the Order in slaying the dragon.

“Of course, weapons are not enough to topple the beast,” laughs the captain. “I have brought an armour expert into Alderbrand to make shields that can absorb a dragon’s flame so that the men may never be burned to death.”

Acquired Clue: Dragon Slayer

You have befriended Walter Bronx, the captain of Alderbrand’s guard. He will be willing to assist you in all matters involving the case and will try to help you in other matters should you need it.

The captain looks strong so you feel you won’t hesitate to ask him to stand beside you in battle. Not only this but you think you may be able to manipulate him to use his high standing within the town to get you things or into places you wouldn’t be able to do yourself.

Walter Bronx can also assist you in anything involving dragons should you feel brave enough to try and fight the dragon before you solve the case.

Thankfully the walk is quick due to the conversation and before you know it, you arrive at the scene of the crime. From a glance, you notice a few things without the need to investigate. The first is that the crime happened in an isolated location as the house before you is further from the city’s center than other homes. Secondly, the area seems to be a poorer neighbourhood. And the most obvious but final observation is that a fire occurred within this building as you can’t see burn marks originating from the outside of the home.

Acquired Clue: Indoor Arson

You are able to detect that the fire originated from inside the building making the investigation for clues inside harder than clues outsides. This also leads you to believe that the arsonist had a way into and out of the building but you won’t know more without a thorough check.

You walk up to the house and await background information before you begin investigating.

Go to Chapter 7