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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
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 36: Witch
Vana's POV I bit my lip, battling my mind on what the right thing to do. This ring belongs to Chairman Zerondale. Why would his ring be in the vents of a crime scene? On top of that, the vent where I found it has lingering magic. Yeah, I should give this back to him. I shouldn’t assume or jump to conclusions just yet. There has to be an explanation to this. I stared at the ring for a long minute, contemplating on what I am supposed to do. I stood up, burying the ring on my pocket as I leave the crime scene and make up my mind. Its better to keep it to myself about where I found the ring. I don’t know why, but if I reveal that I found it on the crime scene, things will get extremely complicated. I have one last errand to do before heading back to the team. If the vent in the vault has lingering magic, there’s a good chance that the other vents outside the vault also have linge
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 37: Wina
3rd POVThe serene voice of Bella echoed in the air of the forest night. Her song brought her son to sleep, the lullaby humming in the air in a gentle, sweet voice. She nearly drifted to sleep herself, but she chose not to as she remembers the reason why she keeps herself awake.She smiled, a small, sad smile that falters in the distant air. She caresses her son’s hair, watching him sleep on his bed. She wondered about many sufferings her son would face. She wonders about how his son will live without a father.She pursed her lips, eyes watering as she thought of her son’s demise. She felt sorry for him, for having a mother like her. She leaned her face down, pressing her forehead against his. She plastered a kiss on his forehead, whispering into her son’s ear as if to reassure him.“I love you, my son… Roa…” she murmured with a sob.
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 38: Consciousness
3rd POV“I am going to surrender myself,” she declared, eyes glaring at the wall.Bella’s insides coiled as Wina’s aura burst in her mind, forcing her way through her defenses. Bella pushed her back, exploding her aura out, enough to push her back for the time being. Wina’s consciousness disappeared from her mind for a moment.She panted, enhancing her mind barricade with the remaining aura she has. She cannot let Wina stop her. She cannot let her take over her body. If she does, she will run away, flee, and escape from the crime.Bella heaved a breath, grabbing the bottle that contained Plaid’s soul and rushed back up the stairs. She placed the bottle in her pocket, dashing up as she reaches for the top of the stairs. Her body flung to the side as Wina came crashing against her mind’s barricade, pushing her off balance.
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 39: Zeraphine's Death
Vana's POVWith our investigation hitting a dead end, the team chose to head back to the manor, and wait until our warrant arrives tomorrow morning. I thought our problems end there, but I forgot to remember that Chairman Zerondale has no idea of the duke’s death yet.The manor was filled with nothing but silent awkwardness when we arrive. The duke’s death has been kept confidential to the servants who came the next morning of the death, and the death of the duke is kept secret to the public until our investigation is over.Right now, the duke’s body is kept on a room in the manor, where the memorial ceremony will later be announced.We head straight to the duchess’ office, Chairman Zerondale looking confused at the duke’s missing presence. The Chairman looked restless as he wanders his eyes inside the halls, searching for the duke.
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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
