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The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 28: Guilty
Vana's POV Ms. Zeraphine burst out laughing, chortling as if Ms. Angela’s words did not intimidate her. She’s obviously intimidated, just like the rest of us, but her reaction doesn’t give that away. Silence followed after seconds of laughter, her voice echoing in the room. She loomed her head at us, her chin raised as if asserting her dominance. Her gaze reflected against the light, flashing a frightful glare. “Fine, I confess to the crime. I did murder Duke Castiel Glyndel. I killed my husband,” she admitted, her lips forming a smirk. My blood boiled as I clench my fist. She admitted to the crime like a proud winner, remorseless of the murder she had committed. I understand if she feels rage and resentment towards her ex-husband, but this… she looks like a madman. “Why did you do it? What’s your motive?” Ms. Angela asked, a grim expression pressed on her face. “Motive? Are you seriously asking me that?” Ms. Zeraphine chuckled, rolling her eyes at us. “I thought you’re the intell
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 29: A Test
Vana's POV The next few days have been extremely different from what I expected. I had thought that we’ll be back on track on our mission after the investigation we had on the duke’s death. What I didn’t expect, is that a serious, official investigation has to be done as well. The investigation commenced in secret with only a few people aware of the duke’s death. Because of that, our mission has been postponed for the time being and will continue once the investigation has been resolved. Because we were in the manor at the time of duke’s death, and solved the murder case, the investigation went smoothly with our help. Ms. Zeraphine was detained for the time being in the south wing of the duke’s manor, away from the eyes and ears of the servants and people of the manor. She was locked in a room, guarded by trusted police of the House of Glyndel. She’ll stay there for further investigation. The crime, however, had been examined thoroughly again, and the inspectors needed to heavily r
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 30: Official Mission
Vana's POV I took the liberty of flipping the file open, revealing it for everyone to read. The file contained a long, two-paged investigation report of the Breathing Deadman case, with a detailed information of the crime scene. After that, there are photos taken on the day the crime scene was first investigated, the evidence on the photos raw and fresh from the scene. There were multiple shots taken of the same area in different angles, giving us, the inspectors, a 3D perspective of the place. The following page of the file is a transcript of an interview of the only prime suspect and only personnel that was along the victim for supposedly the rest of their night shift and the whole night. What piqued my attention, though, is the conclusion of the prime suspect’s alibi. Because of the alibi she has given, she was excluded and considered not a prime a suspect. She was taken off the suspect list, and the list only included a number of insignificant names. There’s no way she was take
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 31: Museum
Vana's POV “Chairman Zerondale took the initiative to investigate the matter personally. If you need assistance for your case, it would be better to direct it to him,” Mr. Horus shrugged, scoffing. “Where is he?” Professor Zander asked. “He’s in the security room.” “Thank you,” Ms. Angela dismissed Mr. Horus as she scooted away from the area, navigating her way to the security room on the basement floor. She led us to a room a few feet away from the crime scene, knocking at the door in hopes for a response to come through. Ms. Angela entered after an inaudible sound came through, walking straight inside with a hint of annoyance in her eyes. We followed her inside, and I halted on my spot after my eyes landed on the tall man inside the room. Chairman Zerondale towered over us as he stood in the middle of the room. His robe-like garmnts flung on his shoulders down to his arms and legs, covering his round stomach and long legs. He was a big man—big, old man. His golden hair and fa
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 32: Breathing Deadman
Vana's POV The city of Esmori echoed with life as the afternoon sun grizzled on the streets. The morgue is not that far from the museum, with the building a few miles away. The morgue is located alongside the police station, near the border of the city. A morgue is a place where dead bodies are temporary stored while the body is being identified and investigated. The body of the victim is supposed to be at the hospital, especially since the body is breathing and in a state of coma, yet it stayed in the morgue. Technically speaking, he’s dead. But that doesn’t mean he’s also alive. He’s balancing between life and death right now. With his soul gone from his body, his body is basically a living shell and in a comatose state until the soul comes back. “Excuse me, we’re here for the autopsy report of the Breathing Deadman case,” Ms. Angela greeted as soon as we enter, imploring our purpose in the place. The woman in the helpdesk lifted her gaze up, her eyes recognizing Ms. Angela. She
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 33: Bella Gordon
Vana's POV “In short, you’ll need me to be able to question her in her home and search her house,” Chairman Zerondale wondered, raising a brow at us as we ride his carriage on our way to the janitress’ home. We had left the morgue and headed back to the museum to fetch the Chairman, dragging him along with or scheme. I didn’t think of it as a good idea, but Ms. Angela and Professor Zander proposed and agreed to the idea, so I had no choice but to play along. Professor Zander didn’t have the time to explain to Chairman Zerondale about the situation as Ms. Rosemary and Ms. Angela dragged the poor old man out of the museum and into his carriage. Our bodies swayed over the ride as the horses trudged as we reach a rocky path on the foot of the valley. Jerome, Professor Zander, and I were seated across from the rest of the team, with the Chairman sitting in between Ms. Angela and Ms. Rosemary. The sound of crunching branches and leaves echoed outside of the carriage, trees and woods sha
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 34: Home Investigation
Vana's POV “Roa, why are you here, geez. I told you to stay upstairs while mommy talks to our visitors,” Ms. Bella scolded in a gentle tone. “I’m sorry for this.” “No worries,” Jerome mumbled. “You can take your time.” “Go upstairs, Roa. Mum would be talking to our visitors. And no eavesdropping, okay?” Ms. Bella instructed to the child, ushering her son to head to the house’s second floor. The boy listened to his mom’s words, heading back to the second floor, picking up the tools and toys that fell down the stairs. My eyes turned into slits, looking at the items the boy held in his arms. Are those… dolls? That’s weird, why would a boy be playing with dolls? “I guess some kids like dolls,” I mentioned, glancing at Ms. Bella to see her reaction. Ms. Bella was startled at the comment, an awkward smile pushing on her face. “Uh—y-yes…” she stammered in agreement. I eyed her a suspicious look in secret, turning away before she notices. Now I can’t wait to look at the second floor of
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 35: Robbery
Vana's POV “We’ll have to find a way to get inside,” Jerome said, eyes staring at the wall. My eyes landed back on the fireplace, tracing the sharp lines cut through the black wall. The cracked line etched brick by brick, concealed within the flames bursting from the fireplace’s hearth. I followed where the lines lead, tracing it down on the floor beneath me. It stretched out from the fireplace, carving through the carpeted floor. I knelt on one knee, removing the thick carpet above the floorboards. The lines continued on the wooden floor, connected to the lines within the fireplace. If I had to guess, if the secret passage is opened, the fireplace would retract forward and slide to the side, while the floor would turn into steps leading down to the basement. This is based on the pattern carved on the wall and floor. “Should we take this chance?” I wond
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- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Epilogue Part 3:
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
- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Epilogue Part 2:
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
- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Epilogue Part 1:
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
- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Chapter 178: Conflict Resolved
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
- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Chapter 177: Two Guilds
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
- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Chapter 176: Unsettling Feeling
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
- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Chapter 175: Case Closed
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
- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Chapter 174: Trap
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
- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Chapter 173: The Dragon Egg
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
