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2024-10-29 19:42:56Vana's POV
Tacia and Cella are… dead…
A tremor coiled inside my stomach as I saw the bloodied bodies of Cella and Tacia lying inside the room. My breathing became shallow, and my knees barely managed itself from collapsing. Jerome’s grip tightened at my arm, and a horrified expression contorted on his face.
Detective Claude and Jamra quickly arrived at the scene, dashing as they tail behind us. Jamra gasped in terror and horror as she saw her stepsisters lifeless inside the room, screaming in fear and agony.
A few quests rushed down the hallway to find out what occurred, but were immediately stopped as Mr. Reiki, one of the Dark War heroes present and King Gregory’s aide, Ms. Yuna, block their way from moving forward. Queen Hyacinth sprinted towards us, ignoring us as she planned to walk straight into the room.
Detective Claude prevented the queen from
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The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 71: Being Framed
Vana's POV “I’m saying that one of us in this room is the killer. One in the four of us, that is,” Ezra stated. “Because you, me, Jamra, and Vana are the last people Tacia and Cella met before they were killed.” My heart thumped, pounding as it dawns in me. If Ezra’s saying the truth, it means that before me, the sisters talked to Jerome, Jamra, and Ezra. And the last person they talked to… is me. “That is a possibility. Looking at how the crime was committed, the last person with them would be capable of this,” Mr. Claude agreed. “But we shouldn’t be hasty.” “The dagger Vana brought with her as an emergency weapon is awfully similar to the murder weapon used in the crime. Isn’t that strange?” Ezra pointed, glancing at me with a devious look. I glared at her, recognizing the game she wants to play. With my dagger compared to the murder weapon, there’s a
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 72: Heels
Jerome's POV Vana was taken out of the crime scene by the royal guards of King Gregory, sending her to a room a few blocks away from the crime scene. My eyes lingered at her as she leaves the room, uneasy and doubtful. To think she’d be the first prime suspect just because she was last seen with the victims. It’s ridiculous. It’s not that I’m saying Cella and Tacia deserve their deaths, but they should’ve at least seen it coming after they were exposed as Ezra’s accomplices in all her bullying reports. Ezra’s lucky that Mr. Storm didn’t killer her earlier, too. “Shall we continue with our investigation?” Mr. Claude wondered, glancing at me. “I do hope you won’t be biased.” Unfortunately, I can’t promise that. “I’ll try my best,” I said. “Storm, go back to the ballroom and switch with reiki. With your unstable emotions and biased o
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Jerome's POV “Then, Jerome, show Lady Ezra out of the room. And escort Lady Jamra in,” King Gregory instructed. “Yes, Your Majesty,” Ezra and I answered in unision. I escorted Jamra inside the room, her eyes averting away from her sisters’ corpses with quivering lips. I studied her body movement, only to be out of focus as my thoughts gather to questioning someone else. “Lady Jamra Cindre, correct? Can you state your relationship with the sisters?” Mr. Claude asked straight away, his expression stoic. “They’re my stepsisters…” Jamra answered. “Are you in good terms with them?” “No, I don’t know if you have heard, Detective Claude, but the sisters bullied me and Vana, in Ezra’s lead,” Jamra stated. “Do they abuse you in your own home as well?” he asked. Jamr
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Jerome's POV “Now tell me, where were you at the time of the sisters’ death?” I gulped for a moment before answering the question. “When Ezra talked to the sisters, I followed them after I found their actions suspicious. I eavesdropped on their conversation like Ezra mentioned,” I explained, stating my answer as truthful as I remember. “Is Ezra telling the truth about her conversation with the sisters?” Mr. Claude wondered. “She basically summed it all up,” I replied. The King and Mr. Claude nodded, satisfied with the answers I gave them. “What’s your relationship with the sisters, Jerome?” Mr. Claude asked. “None. Only an acquaintance through Ezra,” I answered. “After you eavesdropped to them, did you talk with the sisters?” Mr. Claude interrogated, following the question. “I did… I t
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Jerome's POV “To question you and… to tell you what I’ve learnt,” I answered, pressing a hand against the door. Something tugs against my chest, wanting for the door to open. I closed my eyes, burying the thoughts as I focus on the case we have at hand. This is no time for me to think of needless thoughts. This is not the time for me to be distracted by any unrelated feelings to the case. “Okay, what are your questions for me?” Vana asked. I felt the door creak as a force from the other side lean on it. I wetted my lips, leaning my head close to the door. “You met the sisters last, didn’t you?” I asked, firstly. “Apparently, according to Ezra, I did. I’m not sure I’m the last, considering that someone else went in the room after me,” Vana stated. “But you talked to them, right?” I wondered. I needn’t to ask her relationship with t
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Vana's POV Jerome’s footsteps disappeared as he walks away after our conversation, the sound lingering in my ear. I lean against the door, taking in the remains of his presence outside the room. Never in my life have I thought that I would be so comforted by the presence of a guy I don’t consider as my friend or family. It felt weird. Strange. The thought of it etched on my mind, sending a tremor on my stomach. I know I should never rely on just anyone. And I’m aware that I shouldn’t trust anyone blindly for them to prove my innocence. I know all of those things, and yet… I… I trust Jerome and believe he’ll get me out of this mess. But that doesn’t mean I’d sit here and do nothing. I turned to face the door, leaning my forehead against it. I heaved a deep breath, knocking my head against the door to knock some senses into my brain. I closed my eyes for
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
