Chapter 71 ………………………..
– What I Want to Say
“It doesn’t seem related to magic.”
When Riness spoke lightly, several hooded figures nodded.
On the round, oversized wooden table lay a mess of papers—covered in scribbles and drawings. The faces of those peering down at them were grave. Checking again, Tyraine asked:
“Are you certain?”
“Yes. Everyone who went out to investigate agrees—there were no traces of mana anywhere at the crime scenes.”
They had gathered secretly at their promised meeting spot after completing preliminary field inquiries. They’d set investigation standards, then sent out pairs of clerics and soldiers to collect information.
“So, it’s not the work of an unregistered mage. That’s at least something.”
If the culprit could use magic, he’d be far harder to handle. Though this also meant the trail would be trickier to follow.
Tyraine’s adjutant, Max, spread out several sheets for all to see and continued in a serious voice.
“One thing is certain: he’s operating within the capital. We don’t know the exact sites of the killings, but the bodies turned up in different districts. Since it would’ve been hard to drag corpses far, it’s likely he confined victims nearby and killed them there.”
In fact, the victims’ arms and legs bore marks of binding. The more decayed and rigid the bodies, the clearer the impressions were.
“If the dump sites don’t overlap, maybe we can narrow down similar areas where the culprit might strike again. Couldn’t we station guards to watch them?”
“We’ve already deployed men at a few likely locations.”
Across from Max, the cleric Frida asked quietly:
“Hasn’t anyone been abducted yet?”
“Hard to say. People go missing off the streets all the time… Unless a large number vanish, it’s difficult to notice. If someone from a decent family disappears, they usually hush it up rather than announce it publicly.”
Just as mixed relief and disappointment flickered on the group’s faces, Tyraine grinned and added:
“Of course, there is one suspected abduction victim.”
“Who?”
“The viscount’s daughter from House Lindbergh—Miriam Lindbergh. She’s been missing for ten days.”
“Ten days?”
“Yes. Since no body’s turned up, she likely hasn’t been killed yet… but time is short.”
“What if she’s already dead, just not found?”
“Impossible. Every body so far was left in obvious places. That’s no coincidence. This bastard craves attention. If she were dead, she’d have been discovered by now.”
Cleric Sandra spoke up.
“At this point, couldn’t we issue a public order to catch the culprit before more victims appear?”
Tyraine shook his head.
“That may be exactly what he wants. His vanity is clear. Acting rashly could provoke him.”
“Damn it.”
“In any case, I already looked into the Lindbergh household.”
Everyone listened intently as he continued.
“Servants testified she disappeared near the back garden of the estate.”
“A hair ribbon she often wore was found during a search there.”
“Strange. He usually doesn’t leave traces. Was it because it was night?”
“Perhaps. But what’s more interesting is this—”
‘She’d been restless for days before. The night she vanished, she dressed up unusually carefully…’
Tyraine had noticed a nervous maid during questioning—head bowed, face pale. Looking deeper, he learned she was one of Miriam’s personal attendants. Coaxing her with promises of secrecy, he finally drew out a confession.
‘One doesn’t usually put on makeup at night, right? When I asked if she was going out, she said just for a walk. But…’
The maid had hunched in fear, whispering so softly he could barely hear:
‘It felt like she was meeting someone. Like a girl sneaking out to see the one she loved.’
Tyraine lowered his voice as well.
‘Any idea who?’
The maid shook her head.
‘Unless the young lady herself spoke, we wouldn’t dare ask.’
After a pause, her hands clasped tight, she added:
‘Oh—but I did overhear something odd…’
“…I may be able to identify a suspect. Possibly.”
At Tyraine’s words, murmurs spread. Riness narrowed his eyes at him.
“And how exactly did you find this out?”
“Eh?”
“Just now you said families like that usually hush things up. So how did you get such high-and-mighty people to talk?”
Tyraine pressed a finger to his lips with a sly grin.
“That’s a secret.”
Riness scowled, but Tyraine ignored him, glancing around at the others.
“Still, I’m not certain the lead connects. We’ll need to split up. Anyone here skilled in social circles?”
“Social circles?”
The clerics all shook their heads, clearly unwilling. A few soldiers raised their hands. Tyraine pointed at two.
“Julia, Marcel—you’re with me. Max, Daniel—keep investigating with the others. We still need to canvas the victims’ families.”
“Understood. How should we stay in touch?”
The temple had allowed clerics to use enchanted hand mirrors—crafted from special glass during production, then split and set with mana stones. Mirrors made from the same glass could communicate freely, though more functions required much higher costs.
Currently, only five mirrors existed, all held by clerics. Tyraine glanced at them with faint annoyance.
“One of you will need to lend me one.”
“Take mine.”
Daniel readily offered his. Murmurs rippled among the clerics as Tyraine gave a low whistle.
“Oh? You trust me?”
“Trust must be repaid with trust.”
Tyraine didn’t tease the meaning, only smiled briefly before hardening his expression again.
“Report anything you find. Now, let’s head out.”
No time to waste. At his final words, everyone nodded and began packing up.
“…Mmm.”
Cordelia rubbed her face against her arm before slowly opening her eyes. Her blurred vision sharpened, revealing dozens of papers and objects cluttering a wide desk.
Fully awake, she quickly sat up, her stiff arms and shoulders aching from being hunched too long.
She immediately checked her hands. Instead of her own smooth, delicate ones, they were large and rough.
“This is Noah’s body, huh?”
When had they switched?
It was the third time, so she wasn’t as shocked. Sunlight streamed through closed windows, flooding the desk. After days of rain, the sky had finally cleared. Birds chirped outside.
“Ugh, sleepy… wait, not sleepy?”
She normally never woke this early.
Every time she ended up in Noah’s body, she felt oddly self-conscious. Maybe she needed to train her stamina.
Yawning wide, Cordelia straightened her clothes, then stood and looked around the room.
She had thought it before—Noah’s workshop was messier than expected for someone usually so neat. Papers stacked to the brink of chaos, stray streaks of paint on the floor, mysterious scraps.
And there was just… so much. Not only paintings on canvas, but tiny sculptures, and what looked like architectural plans.
“Wow, this is amazing.”
“Are these paintings? He even does landscapes. Typical—he can do everything when he likes someone.”
“These little ones are animals? Oh, a rabbit! Cute.”
“Huh? And this one…”
Murmuring, she examined plaster pieces larger than her hand. Then she approached a tall white plaster figure standing nearby, its face only vaguely formed—not even clearly male or female.
Cordelia gazed up at the slightly taller statue and reached out to touch its face.
“Cold.”
The chill of plaster clung strangely to her palm. It looked the same as last time she’d seen it—still unfinished, though Noah was said to work quickly.
“Come to think of it, he doesn’t really do portraits either.”
Most commissions would be portraits, yet he avoided them. Peculiar, though since his livelihood didn’t depend on it, he had no reason to force himself.
Anyway—
“I’m hungry.”
The food here was good. Last time she’d switched bodies, she hadn’t had time for breakfast before running out.
She spotted a neatly placed pair of gloves on the desk and slipped them on.
“Alright, this time I’ll eat properly before moving. Noah should be fine… right?”
She recalled where she’d fallen asleep yesterday—in the duke’s mansion.
Rick wasn’t back yet, and the servants had seemed disappointed at her last brief visit, so she’d gone to show her face. Who’d have thought this would happen today of all days.
And considering today’s schedule…
“Oh well, he’ll manage somehow. Maybe I’ll just check the mansion when I return.”
They’d already agreed to meet at her own estate if the bodies switched again—since showing up at the duke’s in Noah’s body would be awkward.
Would he be flustered again? She kind of wanted to see that face.
Grinning at the thought, Cordelia strode out energetically, heading for the dining hall while carefully arranging her expression. Noah had already introduced her to the household staff, so as long as she behaved properly, she’d be fine.
Finding the corridor empty, she skipped lightly and threw open the dining room doors.
And froze.
Someone was already seated at the table, wearing a navy gown. Dark blue hair framed a pale face, refined features perfectly arranged. In her hair gleamed a golden pin woven with jewels, shaped like a flower in bloom.
Renowned as one of the kingdom’s great beauties—Cordelia suddenly recalled just how much Noah resembled the woman before her.
The clinking of utensils stopped. The woman turned toward her, navy eyes lighting with recognition.
