Death, Devotion, Dissonance

Chapter 158 - The Weight Of The Situation

With Evin and Bella's arrival things got even messier. The people there knew Bella as the Viscount's daughter, but they were still treating her like a child. It was obviously much worse for Evin, who was only known as Bella's boyfriend in Jiha town. 

The title made him famous, but largely in a bad light.

"Who are you supposed to be?" Baron Kasna asked, towering over Evin.

His large frame reminded Evin of some displeasing memories, making him feel a tinge of uneasiness. Evin thought he was over his fear of his father, but evidently, he wasn't completely free. 

<Do you want me to talk for you?> Endra asked. <Like Elune said, the situation's rather serious.>

Evin was unwilling, but thinking that he wouldn't want to act like Theor, relented. He slackened his control over his body, and allowed Endra to take over.

"My name's Eviendra, son of Lora," Endra said, humming. "Bella's boyfriend."

Evin felt that like there was no need to flaunt the fact like that, but he trusted Endra.

"Then what's your business here? Leave!"

'Since he's not reacting to me being Lora's son, he doesn't know that I'm related to the case…' Evin thought. 'Or he just didn't bother memorizing the names of a few 3rd grades…'

"I'm accompanying Bella. She's been given some freedom to act in her father's place and asked me to speak for her."

Kasna wasn't the only one confused by the news; Bella also looked at him, cocking her head. Endra pulled her closer and whispered at her to play along. She gave her the okay. 

"And what does she have to do with the murder of my son?" Kasna asked.

"As the Viscount's daughter, of course it would be in her authority to participate in this matter," Endra said. "And you can't say your son was 'murdered'. Nothing's clear as of yet."

Before the man could protest, Endra turned to baron Armbron's representative. "What of master Lyudvik, then?"

"I'm terribly sorry," the butler-like man replied. "He's fallen ill with a sickness and has been bedridden for the past two days. He's also afraid the sickness is infectious and is not willing to appear in public."

'What a cheap excuse,' Evin couldn't help but comment. 

"Is that so?" Evin hummed. "My condolences to master Lyudvik. He is most praiseworthy to care so much for the rest of us. More people should be as selfless as he is."

"I am thankful for your praise…?" the representative said, his tone turning questioning at the end of it. 

Deciding that he had nothing to do with the representative anymore, Endra turned to the inspector, an old mage who wore a perpetual scowl on his face.

"Sir… how should I call you?"

"Murdok's fine," the old man grunted. 

"Sir Murdok, what are your first impressions of the case?"

"It looks like a murder. The victim and the perpetrator are obvious for everyone to see… But of course, a thorough investigation will be held."

"And you don't find it weird that two noble mages were inside the house of a 3rd grade?" 

"As far as I know, there was only one person dead."

"Three mages checked that place and they all agreed there were two mages," Endra replied. "Have you even visited the place of murder?"

"I was just about to…" the old man grunted.

"…"

"…"

"Will you be the inspector with the highest authority in this case?" Endra asked, sighing.

The old man flatly stared at Evin for a few seconds before shrugging. "Yes. I sent a report to the higher-ups and they straight up told me to quickly solve this mess."

Evin hated the tinge of pride in the man's voice.

"In that case, send them another report, saying that the Viscount's family wants to 'properly' solve this case. You know, justice and all. If that doesn't work, call it a conflict of interested. I'm sure they'll send someone more fitting to deal with this… 'mess', as you so aptly described."

Evin then realized what the higher ups meant when they said to quickly solve the case. Of course, they would put the blame on the weaker side. Evin felt stupid for not realizing this sooner. He only now understood how precarious their situation was. He felt ashamed to think he was acting so carelessly. 

"Boy, you can't just order me around like that, yeah? Everyone's busy in this world, especially the mages like me who are forced to deal with shit like this."

"In that case, can I understand that you're willing to 'properly' solve this case, find the true culprit and put them to justice, no matter the enemies you'll make during it?" Endra asked, voice flat. 

"Don't waste your time, kid," Murdok grumbled. 

"You sound like you don't have the balls to do act outside your superior's expectations," Endra sighed. "In that case, this is clearly something above you. Please shut your mouth and call someone qualified."

The old man grumbled something under his breath, but went somewhere after grabbing a piece of paper.

After he left, Bella glanced at Evin, a look of puzzlement on her face. Well, of course she would be confused, Evin was acting like a completely different person. 

'If she had doubts about Endra's existence before, after this, she should definitely be convinced…'

The thought worried Evin, but he knew it was bound to happen sooner or later.

"What are you doing?" Kasna asked. "What's so complicated about this incident? My son's been murdered and the murderer isn't captured yet!"

"Sir, don't be so impatient," Endra replied, though Evin could tell he really just wanted to sigh. "I've told you that nothing's been confirmed yet. Your son's dead, true. By a Northerner named Ssatsko's hands, also true. But there are many reasons why someone would kill someone."

"Stop complicating things! If there's a murderer, then he should be detained and interrogated!"

"Of course, he'll be interrogated," Endra shrugged. "But in public. In a civil, educated manner. Same as the other suspect of the case, such as Lyudvik Armbron."

"Young man, as I've said-" the representative began speaking but Endra cut him off.

"Now, now, an inspector more capable and authoritative shall be coming to solve this matter. He'll surely know what to do. But before he comes, let us enjoy a small break."

Saying so, Endra nodded at Bella and Elune to follow along and walked away.

"Nice job," Elune said after they got to a seat. 

"Thanks." 

<Uh, should I take over now?>

<Not yet.>