Chapter 63
As he ascended the stairs to his room, Calix felt a heavy weight in his chest.
“Wow, this guy’s tough! Most people spill their guts way before this point. You must be a real loyalist, huh?”
Even under Michel’s brutal torture, the man hadn’t said a word.
What if Lady Elena is disappointed that we couldn’t learn anything?
That thought worried him the most. He had told her confidently to go rest, promising results—yet he had returned with nothing. The fear that she might see him as incompetent left him anxious and tense.
He deliberately walked as slowly as possible, but before he knew it, he was standing in front of his room. Behind that door, Elena would be waiting. He longed to see her and yet feared it. He was terrified that she might look at him with disappointment or contempt.
He shut his eyes, bracing himself, and opened the door.
As the door opened, Duke Calix stepped into the room, carrying the box of evidence.
“You’re back?”
“Yes.”
She approached him and asked, and he nodded weakly in response.
Why does he look like that? Did something bad happen?
She grew worried. Had he gotten hurt trying to obtain information?
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“Lady Elena…”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry.”
“…?”
An apology, all of a sudden?
“I wasn’t able to find anything.”
Duke Calix lowered his head. Seeing his dejected face made her heart ache.
“The man didn’t talk, I take it?”
“No. Even Michel’s torture didn’t break him.”
“Tough bastard.”
“…”
He looked at her with downcast eyes, still gauging her reaction.
Though he hadn’t brought back any useful results, she didn’t like seeing him like this—shoulders slumped, full of guilt.
It hurts… seeing him like this hurts me.
“It’s not your fault, Duke. He’s just a stubborn man.”
“But… we finally caught one, and if he’s of no use, then…”
He sounded so unlike himself, muttering like a lost puppy. She found it strangely endearing.
“He’s still alive, right?”
“Yes, for now.”
“Then we still have a chance. And maybe he’ll be useful in other ways. Don’t lose hope just yet.”
“…Did you…”
“Hm?”
As she tried to comfort him, Duke Calix met her gaze.
After a moment of silence, he asked cautiously:
“Are you… disappointed in me?”
Thump.
Her heart dropped. Her entire focus zeroed in on him.
It was absurd, but she felt as if he might hear how loudly her heart was beating.
Why… why is he asking something like that?
She didn’t understand. Even though she felt flustered around him, why was he the one worrying about her feelings?
No way… Could he possibly…?
She almost let out a nervous laugh at the sudden thought but managed to hold it in.
There’s no way. He wouldn’t see me as a woman. Maybe just as a comrade… That’s all. He’s probably just frustrated with how little progress we’re making.
“There’s nothing to be disappointed about. It’s not like this is over yet.”
She answered, pretending not to notice the wild thudding in her chest.
“When I couldn’t get anything out of Inspector Jerry, were you disappointed in me, Duke?”
“Of course not. I’ve never been disappointed in you.”
“Same here. So don’t worry about that.”
“….”
She stepped away from him, needing to shift focus. There were other matters to discuss.
“Before you arrived, Michel dropped off a report. I hope it’s okay that I read it.”
“Of course.”
At her words, Calix smiled faintly—like his usual self again.
“The report actually did reveal something. Take a look…”
He placed the box on the table and moved beside her to review the report together.
The contents were simple but intriguing. Some locals had reported a woman—unfamiliar to the area—who had recently moved in. According to the neighbors, she seemed to be in poor health, and different people came by regularly to take care of her.
Michel hadn’t been able to see the woman himself, which was unfortunate. Still, the description matched what they knew about Dr. Scott’s younger sister.
Could it be…?
“Do you think this woman might be Dr. Scott’s sister?”
“If so, it would make sense that she wasn’t actually in the South. But… why would his sick sister be here of all places?”
“And why did the doctor pretend to travel south, even creating a fake trail?”
The report alone didn’t provide enough answers. In fact, it only deepened the mystery.
If this really was the sister, they had to confirm it before it was too late. If Dr. Scott had already reached her, then they might be running out of time.
“What do you think about going to that address first thing tomorrow morning?”
“Sounds good. But you must be tired. Please get some rest tonight.”
He smiled gently, but there was still one more matter to resolve.
“Duke, what are we going to do about the item the doctor dropped?”
“I’m not sure. Destroying it feels wrong, but keeping it makes me uneasy.”
“Hm…”
In the original story, the victim’s item became critical evidence. Keeping it might be risky.
But if they destroyed it, they could be accused of tampering with evidence… assuming such laws existed here. And if the real culprit was caught later, this item might be useful.
“I think it’s best we keep it safe, at least for now.”
“But what if I’m framed for the crime again, like before the regression?”
“Then we hide it somewhere no one can find it. And maybe… maybe it’ll help when the real culprit shows up.”
“You’re right. Then… where should we store it?”
He looked around the room, trying to find a place to hide the box.
“Give it to me. If I put it in the secret room, no one will find it.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want it to make you feel uncomfortable.”
“It’s fine. It’s just an object.”
“….”
While Calix hesitated, Elena walked over to the table and picked up the box herself.
“See you tomorrow, then.”
“Yes, Lady Elena. Please rest well.”
She was thoroughly exhausted after all the day’s chaos. Once inside the secret room, she placed the box inside a chest.
Who knows? Maybe a spirit will appear and tell me who the real culprit is.
She felt more sad than scared holding the item.
Silence blanketed the darkened hall.
From his golden throne, the cult leader looked coldly down at Dr. Scott, who was now groveling on the floor.
“So let me get this straight. You failed the mission, lost the evidence, and came running back here alone? And judging by the state of you, I’m guessing you even hitched a ride on a carriage.”
“I—I’m sorry!”
Dr. Scott bowed his head to the ground and shouted.
“‘Sorry’ doesn’t cut it. How do you think I feel when things are handled this poorly?”
“M-my apologies…!”
“Would you like to become the offering yourself?”
“P-pardon?”
The doctor flinched, stunned. The cult leader had never once offered a follower as a sacrifice before.
For him to say this now meant his fury had reached its peak.
Scott looked into the cult leader’s eyes and felt a chill run down his spine. He was so terrified, his body froze on the spot.
“You know how well I’ve treated you, right?”
“Y-yes! You’ve always been good to me, Master.”
“I even gave you another chance—something I never do for anyone. But you failed me. That’s… very disappointing.”
“…”
“So what, am I a joke to you?”
“N-no! Of course not, Master!”
“Then how do you plan to take responsibility?”
“T-that is…”
Scott bowed even lower, unable to form a proper answer.
The cult leader smirked—though it was hidden behind his mask, no one else could see.
“How about your sister pays the price instead?”
“What?! How could you—!”
“There’s nothing else you can offer me now, is there? You’ve been exposed. You can’t perform the autopsy anymore. You can’t get me more money. Am I wrong?”
“N-no, you’re right… but my sister—!”
“She’s pitiful, I know.”
The cult leader cut him off coldly, and Scott turned deathly pale. It was a warning not to argue further.
“Hm. What kind of punishment should I give her…”
He folded his arms, tapping them with one finger.
Despite trembling, Scott crawled forward and clung to the hem of the cult leader’s pants.
“Please! Please, not my sister!”
“And why not?”
“I’ll take the punishment! Whatever it is, I’ll endure it! Just please, spare my sister!”
“You’ll take any punishment?”
The cult leader stroked his chin, deep in thought.
His expression, hidden beneath the mask, was devoid of emotion.
