Vana's POV
“What will be our next move?” Jerome asked, raising a scorned brow.
I glanced over him, pondering over his question. My mind lingered at the raw emotions of sympathy to Detective Clorence, unable to relieve myself of the feeling. I erased these thoughts away, focusing on Jerome’s question.
“We should inform Jerome about everything once we’re back. His Majesty will know the right call to make,” I stated. We work for the King now and only he can give us orders. And if anyone would know how we should proceed in all of this, it would be Gregory.
“Gregory would be shocked if he hears of this. My only wish is that he controls his expression in front of Chairman Zerondale once he learns of the truth,” Yuna stated, sighing in concern.
“Is Gregory not good in acting?” Jerome wondered.
“He’s bad at hiding his expression or emotio
Vana's POV The carriage we rode on our way back to the capital past through the noble societal circle around the palace, driving through the main road where mansions and manors of the noble class were built. Elegant carriages and lavish-looking nobles trailed on the path and the sidewalk, living a whole different life from ours. “It’s my first time in this part of the city,” I mumbled, taking in the noblesse scenery outside the carriage window. “I’m rather over with it,” Yuna scowled, snarling as she glances at the window. “Outside these premises, people are suffering in poverty and survival, and yet these nobles are living as though none of those exists.” “You’re a noble, too, though, right, Yuna?” Jerome pointed. “I am, but unlike those ignorant fools, I know firsthand the reality of this world and this kingdom. I’ve seen it with my own eyes,” Yuna re
Vana's POV “Let me locate those places,” Gregory volunteered, hands propped flatly on top of the table. I nodded as a response to Gregory, letting him do what he can to it. He rolled up his sleeves up as he held a pencil and a compass in his hands, lowering his body. I gazed down on the map as I search for the palace and the guildhall, unable to find any of their landmarks as I realize that the map was the map of the kingdom. “Don’t we have a map of each territory? The range of the kingdom map is vast for us to pinpoint the location,” I pointed, eyes squinting as I realize the wrong thing we’re doing. “What maps do we need?” Yuna asked, striding to the door. “I’ll fetch it for us.” “One map of the Glymoke territory, the East Coast, Archborn City, the City of Eriflame and the surrounding territories between these four,” Jerome muttered, listing down the maps we
Vana's POV Jerome and I met up at the clock tower a couple of days after we visited the palace. Our first assigned location is the place near the clock tower, the location of the testimony that Sir Hendry wrote in order to prove that Chairman Zerondale manipulated the nominations eight years ago. “Are you sure we’re going at the right place?” Jerome scowled as we found ourselves lost in the middle of a shopping district. The alleys were lined with shops, stores, and boutiques, the sidewalks filled with strolling people that bustled in the afternoon sun. Vehicles horns blared as traffic jams the intersections, making the whole scene way chaotic than usual. We were walking for the past few minutes, drenching ourselves in our sweat as the scorching sun glisten against our skin. It’s not a good idea to walk in the middle of a street at exact noon, with no skin protection and no hat to w
Vana's POV We travelled all the way to the Northern Bridge of Archborn in search for the school the old lady in the bookstore mentioned. We were so focused on our search that we even forget to ask the old lady’s name and the son’s name. That’ll be another challenge in this mission. “Would that be the school the old lady was talking about?” Jerome wondered, pointing at a small building beyond the Northern Bridge. “That might be it, though we don’t know the name of the man we’re looking for,” I said, glancing at Jerome. “We’ll just ask,” Jerome grunted. “How? We’ll ask, ‘hey, is there a teacher here whose mother owns a bookstore named The Paperfelt’?” I retorted, snorting. “Yeah, well, that’s basically the only information we had. And I don’t want to go back there just to ask the old lady’s son’s name,” Jerome scowled as we
3rd POV Flickering lights, empty streets, and busy pubs overpower the capital as nighttime came, the clocktower striking midnight. It chimed as its hand ticked twelve, sending a message to the whole capital that it was time to end festivities and head home. It was not the case for Gregory and Yuna, as they walk the empty streets with quick, swift, and light steps. Their shadows danced against the flickering lights, their silhouettes concealed by the dark cloaks they are wearing. Like what they have discussed earlier in the day, Gregory and Yuna went to the Southern Bridge of the river in search for Madison O’delai’s evidence file. They were informed by Vana a few hours ago that they have found one of the four files, surprising them with the fact of where the location led them. “Any idea which part of the Southern Bridge area is the file hidden?” Yuna wondered at Gregory, glan
3rd POV “Yes, Your Majesty. I shall try to send a letter to Detective Clorence’s secret mail, if Lady Yuna knows about it,” Yddet informed, nodding. “Father’s secret mail…” Yuna murmured, remembering the mail Yddet was talking about. “Do you know about it?” Gregory wondered, eyeing Yuna. “I do. I’ll go check it out from time to time. Thank you for your help, Mr. Yddet,” Yuna responded while pondering. “No worries. Feel free to come back here whenever you wish. I’ll inform my staff to be discreet of your arrival whenever you drop by,” Yddet stated, assuring them that their identities will remain among themselves. “It’s a pleasure to have a conversation with you and His Majesety. I shall be of service whenever you need me.” “Thank you… we’ll take our leave now,” Gregory said, standing up from his seat as he and Yuna leaves the pub.<
Vana's POV I leaned against a pillar at the entrance lobby of the train station of Archborn, eyes surveying the crows as I waited for Jerome to arrive. It was the next day already after we got the testimony. Now, we’re on our way to the location of Mr. Randwin’s evidence file. I wore my silk, black skinny pants today, wearing a knitted halter top and a long trenchcaot to match the look. And instead of wearing my usual ankle boots, I wore my mountain boots, my belt and holster strap wrapped around my waist. I waited for Jerome; eyes fixated beyond the road in search for his silhouette. I noticed him immediately as his semi-formal attire always stands out in the crowd. He likes wearing tight-fitted shirts and trench jackets, with a hat and his holsters a combo he doesn’t miss. “I see that you stayed in your signature outfit today as well,” I greeted, musing as I lift my gaze up
Vana's POV “Is that… a town?” I wondered, eyes squinting as we approach the secluded area. The trees thinned as we neared the buildings, finding out that it was an abandoned town. Not only was there an abandoned, isolated train station, but there’s also a forgotten, abandoned town in the middle of the forest. The town wasn’t on the map either, not drawn nor identified as one, but seeing as we ended up here, the map may have pointed us at the right direction. My mouth gaped in awe and fright as we approach the town, skeptic and perplexed of our discovery. This is a good place to be a hideout for Igneus, though its quite far from Glymoke. Many questions piled up in my head as we enter the abandoned town, the pavements broken into pieces, layered by a lawn of grass and fern. Why is an abandoned town not visible in the map of the territory? Why is the two abandoned in the first p
Vana's POV“I do. I plan to return to Ashern after I graduate. I also plan to publicly leave the Shadows and remain its member in the dark. Then, I’ll open my own detective agency—”“You’re opening your own agency!” Jerome exclaimed, slamming his hands on the table, which startled me. “Seriously?”“Y-yes?” I stammered, bewildered. “Something wrong with it?”“Not really, but you’re going to do that alone?” Jerome scowled.“No, why do you think I’m telling it to you?”“It’s not what I think, is it?”“More or less. It’s what I need your opinion—or your answer, in this case. I can’t do it alone, and that’s a fact. That’s why, if you would like, I would like to have a partnersh
Vana's POVI stared in front of Green Serpent’s guildhall as I arrive at their doorsteps, contemplating myself. I gulped, pursing my lips as I hesitate to take a step forward. Maybe it’s a wrong idea to be here.The last time I stepped foot in this place was when I left the guild. Since then, I never tried or dared to return or join any other guild. I have other plans for the future. None of them includes joining another guild, even if it is Golden Scorpion.“Vana, I thought you wouldn’t arrive,” a voice called, and I turned to face who it was. Cara plastered a smile on her face as she came up to me, her hair flailing on her bare shoulders.“Good afternoon, Cara,” I greeted with a thin line on my face.“Why haven’t you entered?” she wondered.“Well…” I hesitated, gla
Vana's POV9 months laterI got off the train with my suitcase rolling on the ground, lifting my hands up in the air as the sun beamed above me. It’s been six months since the last time I was in Auregon. It’s been nine months since the Case of the Serpent and Scorpion came to an end.Many things happened in the past nine months. Many to be even count in my hands. I don’t even know where to start. After Chairman Zerondale’s arrest, he was jailed in the palace dungeons and was investigated for nearly a whole month by the royal investigators.He was put in trial the following month after the investigation, with all the charges we filed to him. It took almost two months for all his crimes to be verdicted, and in the end, he was sentenced to death.Lifetime of servitude or liftetime in prison wasn’t enough of a verdict for all
Vana's POV“You’re right. I made a mistake… a lot more than I could have ever imagined,” Master Sergis agreed, muttering.I flinched, my head tilting down at Master Sergis’ direction. His hands crumpled the letter, staring at it with his teeth gritting. A regretful gaze flickered in his eyes, raising it up at the ice wall’s direction.“From the beginning, I should have known something is going on when Zerondale enticed me against Ashemre. I should have… noticed that he fabricated it all,” he admitted, his voice full of sorrow and regret.“I knew Ashmere wasn’t that kind of person, and my wife would never betray me like that,” he mentioned, pertaining to the conversation between Ms. Madison and Master Ashmere that led to a cheating misunderstanding.“I should have… listened to t
Vana's POV“And I have the evidence to prove it,” I boasted.Heads turned and raised up at me as I yell, jaws dropped and irritated looks carved out of their faces. I stood in front of them with my back straight, breath hitching as my actions sink into my head.What in the magic did I just do?“Now you’ve done it…” Jerome mumbled with a sigh next to me.Not only did I used my magic arbitrarily and unexpectedly, but I also revealed the journal right from the start without any prior explanation. It’s already a mess, and I think I only made things messier.“How are the two of you even here? Aren’t you supposed to be executed?” Master Sergis asked in a shout. “Wha—how—” That is exactly the reason why things got complicated.It was surprising
Vana's POV“Case closed…” I mumbled with an unsettling feeling in my chest.“Vana, are you okay?” Jerome asked as he ran towards me in concern.I blinked, flustered as Jerome took my hand as soon as he knelt next to me. My eyes widened, but I remained composed as I pick myself up. “I’m… fine. I just… felt underwhelmed by everything,” I said, standing up from my spot.A soft smile curled up my lips as I assure him. He held my hand gently and we walked down from the stage. The chaos was all over the place, but my gaze fixated on Jerome as we head down the stage together.I followed him from behind, my eyes going back and forth between his back and his bleeding hands that held mine. I paused on my step, unable to stop the urge to speak.“Are you satisfied? About your revenge?&r
Vana's POV“Do you see it now? We lured you in a trap, Chairman Zerondale. Do you think I would be stupid enough not to realize that you were planning to assassinate the king?” I stated, a smirk plastered on my face.Chairman Zerondale stepped back, horror and fury stirring in his eyes. His jaw clenched, gritting his teeth with his eyes glaring at me. The Shadows surrounded him at the back center of the platform, our weapons drawn.“You can’t run away from your crimes forever, Chairman Zerondae. It’s time for you to face it,” Jerome said, taking a step forward.A sharp curve cured on Chairman Zerondale’s lips, a hysteric laugh leaving his mouth. He laughed out loud, a grim atmosphere emitting out in the air. He raised his eyes at us, a grim smile plastered on his face.“You can arrest me all you want, but I will alw
Vana's POV“Can you do it?” I asked Gregory as I roam inside his room.Gregory, Jerome, and I gathered inside his chambers to cast the illusion spell as part of our trap against Chairman Zerondale. Thanks to the information Professor Zander provided from the Magic Council Tower, and with a bit of calculation, inferencing, and assumptions, we narrowed down the day the Chairman would assassinate the king.“Shall we start then?” Gregory implored, standing at the center of his chambers.He glanced at me, gesturing for me to move out of the room as he prepares himself to cast the spell. Jerome observed the scene from outside of the room, leaning against the doorframe with his injured body covered with gauze.It hasn’t been a week since we were treated, and his bruises aren’t healed with magic either.I moved ove
3rd POVThe halls of Jasper Academy remained peaceful as the new academic year began. It won’t be long for Professor Zander to be asked to return to the academy, having to start teaching his new students. Unfortunately, he’s still in the middle of a mission.He made it an excuse that he’ll be having orientations with his new class, hiding his main objective of heading to the Magic Council Tower. Gregory already made arrangements with Angela about the Special Unit helping them, requesting Angela’s mother, Chairwoman Iris, to access the tower.Professor Zander lurked around the hallways near the Magic Council Tower, observing the people entering in and out of the tower. In the few minutes of his observation, only Chairwoman Iris entered the tower, with none of her assistants following her inside.It was the signal he’d been waiting for; one that Angela and Gregory menti