Chapter 6: First Revenge(2)

“Missing?”

“That’s what the landlord says. After some unidentified thugs broke in, Crowley Altra also disappeared. He hasn’t returned yet.”

“Unidentified thugs…all of a sudden, such a preposterous thing?”

As she dipped the quill into the ink, Imperial Investigator Eve Vellam shut the report she was reading with a thud.

The situation was that she had summoned the necromancer to discuss some matters related to the incident from the previous day.

But the returned message was far beyond expectations.

“Then, what about the identities of those thugs? Were they properly identified?”

“Not exactly, but it seems they are hardliners who split from the order. We found the tattoos of the purists on the corpses.”

“Hardliners… Those who collectively opposed the decision to use Mr. Crowley as a cause-of-death investigator?”

“Didn’t they claim that necromancers should be executed from the beginning? It seems like they committed the act this time.”

“…I see.”

Eve sighed, holding her forehead.

Although it was called ‘missing,’ Eve, an official investigator, knew better than anyone the meaning behind it.
It was just a euphemism for ‘death.’

Of course, although more investigation was needed, if it was really extremist groups involved, the prospect of Crowley being safe was incredibly low.

“Shall I make you another cup of coffee? You seem to be in a complicated state of mind.”

Her subordinate, looking at her, asked, pointing at the empty cup.

“No, it’s okay. I’ll be leaving soon, so just clear the cup. You should also finish your work soon.”

Her subordinate nodded at the superior’s order and took the cup that needed to be washed and withdrew.

“Phew…”

Then Eve sighed, chewing on the end of her quill. It was a bad habit that always came out whenever she was troubled.

In recent times, violent crimes have increased nationwide.

All sorts of extraordinary anomalies occur frequently not only in the capital, but also in faraway places.

Thus, the already turbulent public sentiment has fallen even further.

And isn’t it because of that that the competition surrounding Princess Krimhild and Prince Ferdinand on the throne continues to overheat?

“…He was a good person.”

Although he was criticized as a descendant of an ancient witch, honestly, he was more sincere than most of the citizens.

At least, he was more kind than the human beings she had encountered as an investigator.

He had a sensible way of thinking, a sense of the law, and was surprisingly intelligent when she talked to him.

Crowley always responded indifferently, but in reality, it was very pleasant for her to have a conversation with him.

‘If he was born in an ordinary family, he would have lived well.’

She sighed in distress and organized the desk. Then, she packed her things and prepared to leave work.

The payday was just around the corner.

On her way home, she was going to buy the expensive dessert she had been eyeing for a while.

However, when she left her workplace and went out onto the street, the plan was completely ruined.

“Investigator Vellam?”

A stranger she met while walking on the street.

She knew her name.

“Who are you? Excuse me, but I think we’ve never met before.”

Eve subtly brought her hand to the hilt of her sword as she replied.

She was a professional investigator who had learned various self-defense techniques.

Since the situation was turbulent, it had become a habit for her to prepare for a counterattack whenever she felt suspicious.

But the words that came out of the woman’s mouth, however, were enough to pique her curiosity.

“I came at the request of Crowley Altra. I would appreciate it if you could spare me some time.”

“Crowley Altra…you say?”

“That’s right, Investigator Vellam. I am Crowley’s… friend. I have something to tell you on his behalf.”

“Friend? Did he even have any friends? As far as I know, his human relationships were very…”

“Yes. It was a rather narrow relationship. He has many bad evaluations. We are secretly acquainted.”

‘Damn, I can’t adapt.’

A thought while listening to the tone that was strangely gentle.

She was puzzled to think if the tone was slightly changing because the gender changed.

Because if it was the original me, I would have used a more grumpy and sullen tone.

Furthermore, my voice was even more subdued, and the degree of sincerity was so…

…Investigator Vellam was a real angel. She always smiled at me like that.

“By the way… are you perhaps a magician?”

Investigator Vellam, looking closely at my appearance, asked.

I had changed into clothes I bought from a clothing store instead of the clothes I used to wear.

A black robe made of fabric, a purple brooch made in the shape of violets.

And a jet-black cape with a thick crow feather collar.

It was a mysterious outfit that was perfectly suitable for the operation I had envisioned.

Looking her up and down, she narrowed her eyes slightly and added.

“Your outfit is, how should I say it… a bit unique.”

A subtle tone as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have.

The feelings of being very burdened were fully revealed.

No, why? This is cool, isn’t it? There are also a lot of crow feathers attached to the cape.

Is it because I have only lived as an investigator? She doesn’t have enough aesthetic sense.

“Yes, that’s right. I am a magician. Although I don’t belong to the Magic Tower.”

“Really? What’s your name?”

“I am called Anastasia. I am not a citizen of the Vǫlsunga Empire, but I came here from a faraway land to the northeast.”

I told a lie, taking out a name I had prepared in advance.

Then, I cautiously went straight to the point.

“In fact, he had to leave his place for a long time due to some circumstances. So, I came to inform you.”

“…Left his place? Suddenly, Crowley?”

The sharp eyes of Investigator Vellam became sharp for a moment.

Of course, I also knew why she was doing that.

I was currently in a state of being attacked by assassins and disappearing.

She couldn’t have not heard this news. She would surely be suspicious with her instincts as an investigator.

But a woman she’d never met before suddenly comes to her and says something like this?

Even if it were me, I’d be suspicious first. Isn’t she the one who harmed Crowley and came to explain the situation?

But I had a secret card that would dispel her suspicion.

“…And he told me to apologize on his behalf.”

I said in a calm voice, fiddling with the brooch.

“That he couldn’t go to the autumn leaves cafe as promised.”

She flinched. A slight disturbance was seen.

Only the conversation that she and Crowley knew.

Because I was reciting it as it was.

Sure enough, Investigator Vellam’s expression, which had been silent for a moment, became more relaxed.

“It really…seems to be so. Unfortunately.”

She said sadly, with a somewhat sad look.

“I understand the circumstances. Then, I won’t be seeing you anymore. We won’t meet again. Still… Crowley is safe, right? Purists are known to be fierce.”

“…That’s how it’s known?”

“Yes?”

“It’s nothing.”

I knew it. Although I expected that there would be some kind of measure, it seemed that my disappearance was handled as a terrorist act by hardliners.

It would have been easy for Ferdinand to subtly pass it on.

They’re the ones who have been singing that they should execute me as soon as they open their mouths.

I sneered at the prince’s cunning and replied.

“Don’t worry. Crowley is fine. It’s just that he’s become difficult to come out of the world.”

It’s not a lie. In fact, Crowley Altra was standing here and talking to her.

It’s just that everything has changed, including gender.

“…It’s okay if he’s safe.”

She smiled cheerfully as usual and offered a handshake.

“Thank you for coming to tell me, Miss Anastasia. Since I know the circumstances, I won’t talk about it carelessly. Wherever he goes, I hope he lives well.”

“Yes. I will definitely do that.”

“Oh, and receive this.”

What she offered with a handshake was, without a doubt, a small bundle.

Surprisingly, it was a bundle of money.

“Crowley, that man, honestly, his life is hard, right? Please, add it to his living expenses. Since he’ll be hiding, at least he shouldn’t be hungry.”

“…”

“Then, I’ll be going now. Miss Anastasia, please be careful on your way.”

Investigator Vellam turned around with a somewhat relieved expression.

She began to walk away, her bright blonde hair flying in the air.

I stared intently at her figure.

“Eve?”

I stopped her, calling her name.

When Eve turned her head, I smiled faintly and said, conveying my sincerity.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Eve replied kindly and began to walk away again.

I didn’t move from my spot until her figure became a tiny dot.

The trace of a relationship that I wouldn’t be able to see anymore after today.

I wanted to capture that in my pupils until the last moment.

“…”

When her figure disappeared, I put the bundle in my arms and changed direction.

Then, I started moving briskly, to the place I had to go from now on.

“…I see.”

A man muttering as he watched the woman start moving.

It was Nathaniel, who was using light magic to make himself invisible.

He had been hiding behind the barrier of refraction and eavesdropping on their conversation.

‘If he’s alive, I thought he would come to Investigator Vellam.’

The necromancer Crowley, whom he had investigated, was a man with extremely limited interpersonal relationships.

Only Eve Vellam was friendly towards him.

Therefore, he made a judgment when he started hunting.

If he followed Investigator Vellam all day long, he would eventually catch a glimpse of the cockroach.

And that judgment proved to be correct.

‘I just need to follow that witch.’

She would contact Crowley, even to deliver the money she had received from Investigator Vellam.

If he followed her, he’d find where his target was hiding.

Even if things didn’t work out well, it didn’t matter.

If necessary, he could torture that witch and get information.

‘By the way, where is she going?’

The witch called Anastasia was heading into the twisted back alleys.

She was going to a place where there were fewer and fewer people.

He thought she would go straight to a secluded hut or basement.

Or, is the cockroach secretly lurking in this back alley?

As he followed her with more and more curiosity, the witch suddenly stopped in place.

The place she reached was a dead end where there was nowhere else to go.

She was standing there quietly and not taking any action.

‘What’s her plan?’

It was when Nathaniel, who felt puzzled, frowned.

The witch took out a lollipop from her pocket and, with a leisurely movement, unwrapped the packaging.

Then, she kraduk, lightly bit the red lump.

She twirled the lollipop this way and that, and then turned around.

Then, she said, holding the whitish paper stick.

“Come out. Right now.”

‘Did she notice my existence?’

It’s not a delusion.

She was definitely talking about him.

Startled, Nathaniel carefully observed the appearance of the opponent.

First of all, she was nothing special except for the flashy outfit.

She didn’t seem to have any great power, nor did she seem to have any outstanding skill.

But if so, he couldn’t understand how she had seen through him.

‘…It must just be luck.’

Making the most reasonable judgment, Nathaniel dispelled his invisibility.

He must have made a noise by being careless.

There was no other way to explain the situation.

No matter who says what, he was a high-ranking magician about to be promoted to the 6th rank.

He wouldn’t be able to see through his disguise unless it was a great magician from the Magic Tower.

“You managed to notice my existence, witch.”

Nathaniel glared at the silver-haired woman, gathering mana in his arm.

She was just a slender and weak woman.

If he inflicted physical pain, she would soon open her mouth.

“I heard everything about our conversation. It’s no use trying to deny it now. So, tell me, witch, where is Crowley Altra… “

“I didn’t notice?”

“What?”

“I didn’t notice. I lured you on purpose.”

A sudden word.

He was bewildered and asked again, and the witch crushed the lollipop between her molars.

Then, flick She flicked the lollipop stick as if it was a cigarette butt and said.

“To the place that will become your grave. Court Magician Nathaniel.”