CHAPTER 08 – “Still Nothing?”
A bright light filled the room, casting long shadows across two figures inside.
One of them was Kaelan, lounging deep in his chair with his signature cynical expression. The other man, seated across from him, was barely on his seat—leaning forward anxiously, hanging on Kaelan’s every word.
“There’s really nothing this time either.”
“Then investigate again.”
“Kaelan…”
“Keep digging until you have something worth reporting.”
“Kaelan, this is the third time we’ve re-investigated her. The Duchess has nothing. No suspicious movements, no strange behavior. Absolutely nothing.”
“Who said she was the Duchess?”
At the mention of the title, Kaelan’s eyes sharpened like blades. The man flinched, recognizing his misstep, and quickly apologized.
“Sorry. That was careless.”
Kaelan had tasked his own intelligence network, The Blue Crows, with digging into that woman. At first, when the report came back clean, he figured she was just extraordinarily skilled at hiding her tracks. All that saintly kindness, that sweet demeanor—it had to be a front. She was clearly up to something.
When the second report came back the same, doubt started to creep in. Had his crows gotten sloppy? Had they lost their edge?
And now, a third report—empty again. Another dead end.
“Keep going.”
“Ugh, Kaelan! Seriously?!”
The man threw back his hood, revealing a head of tousled curls. He ran his fingers roughly through his hair, each pass making it messier, like the thoughts tangling in his head.
“Kaelan, I already mobilized every single crow in this branch for the third search! Even the ones on leave! We came up with nothing! We could run it a hundred times, a thousand—and we’d still get the same result!”
“You expect me to believe that woman just happened to know about the Countess’s affair when you didn’t? That doesn’t sit right with me.”
“Well… yeah, but still—”
“I built the Blue Crows so that nothing in this empire escapes my knowledge. You know that better than anyone, Troxi.”
“Yeah, I do, but…”
“Don’t let me down next time.”
“You want us to investigate again?”
“Yes. One last time.”
And with that, Kaelan pulled the black hood of his robe over his head—clearly done with the conversation.
“Kaelan! Wait—Kaelan! Damn it…”
Kaelan closed the door behind him without a backward glance, leaving Troxi behind to stew in frustration. The moment the door clicked shut, Troxi slammed his forehead onto the table with a loud thunk.
BAM!
The door burst open again.
Kaelan stood there.
Troxi’s head snapped up. Was he reconsidering? Had he changed his mind?
“Kaelan?”
“Send Anakyn to me.”
“Kael—!”
SLAM.
Of course not.
Knock knock—click.
Two figures wearing sleek black crow masks peeked through the now-closed door. Seeing their defeated lieutenant slumped over the table, they hesitated, then crept inside.
“Deputy Troxi… you alright?”
“Did Kaelan give you hell again?”
“Ugh. I’m doomed…”
From the look on Kaelan’s face earlier, they could guess how the conversation had gone. It wasn’t hard to imagine.
Poor Troxi…
“What the hell are we supposed to do when we keep finding nothing?!” Troxi groaned, ripping at his hair again. “I swear, I’m going to lose my mind!”
“But he’s not wrong. It is weird. How did the Duchess know something even we didn’t? That’s not normal.”
“I heard other intel groups got nothing, too.”
“Yeah, and that’s even more suspicious. But here’s the thing—her schedule never overlapped with the Countess. Or the Countess’s lover.”
“After the Duke disappeared, the Duchess practically became a recluse. She only sees the household staff—maybe a handful of others, tops.”
“Even if she found out ages ago, how? The whole affair happened through letters. There was no physical contact.”
“I don’t know, man. All I know is Kaelan wants a fourth investigation, and I’ve got nowhere left to look…”
“Deputy Troxi…”
“Croco, pull back everyone from the Hassen region except a skeleton crew—we need manpower. Mailon, go fetch Anakyn.”
“What? Anakyn? He’s in the middle of that big investigation, remember? That case from the high-profile client?”
“Yeah… but Kaelan wants him. I don’t have a choice.”
“Then what about the current case? You gonna send someone else?”
“No point. They asked for the best, and no one under Anakyn’s level has found anything either. We’ll just have to contact the client and stall. Kaelan’s the priority.”
“Man, I wish Captain Vix would just come back already…”
Crack.
The sound of Troxi’s clenched teeth cut through the air like a blade. Both Croco and Mailon froze and stared.
“…Yeah. When that guy gets back, I’m going to kill him.”
Hey! You brought up the Captain in front of Troxi?!
I didn’t mean to! It just slipped out!
Say something else—anything!
Croco elbowed Mailon hard, trying to steer them away from the brewing storm. Mailon fumbled for a new topic.
“Deputy! Can’t I be the one to bring in the Hassen crows? Anakyn’s impossible to track down, and he won’t come even if you ask—”
“Mailon. Troxi asked me to do it. Are you questioning his divine authority?”
“You little—! If you don’t pay me back for that gambling loan, then switch missions with me!”
“What?! You low-life! You said it was a no-strings favor!”
“You’d complain too if he’d sent you after Anakyn!”
“Maybe, but I’m not the one he picked, so it’s not my problem!”
“Deputy!”
“Deputy!”
“Ugh! SHUT UP! I’ve got enough on my plate without you two yammering in my ears! Figure it out yourselves!”
Troxi’s roar silenced them instantly.
They exchanged looks… and settled it the only way they knew how.
Rock, paper, scissors.
Croco raised both fists to the ceiling in victory, leaping with joy, while Mailon stared at his losing hand—scissors—with all the betrayal in the world.
Troxi didn’t even spare them a glance.
“…Where else can I look? Somewhere I haven’t considered…”
He murmured to himself, eyes bloodshot, hands clutching his head in frustration.
“We already checked her hometown, every person she’s had contact with—even briefly. The Countess, her lover, their friends, their families…”
Grandparents? Cousins? Neighbors? Lovers…?
The crows watched their struggling deputy with sympathetic eyes. Meeting Kaelan always left him drained, but this time seemed especially bad.
Our poor deputy…
“Deputy… maybe take a break—?”
“You know what? Round up everyone who’s off-duty! I don’t care if they went home—bring them back! I’m out here busting my ass, and you’re all lounging around?! Useless crows! Get your act together!!”
So much for comforting him.
Croco and Mailon shrieked and jumped out the nearest window to escape the storm.
[The Blue Crows]
The Blue Crows were Kaelan’s own creation—though no one knew when he had started building the organization.
They revealed themselves only after Kaelan came of age and officially inherited the Duke’s title. Until then, they operated in secret.
Initially known simply as “the Crows” due to their black masks, their official name was only made public after Kaelan took over.
Though known as an intelligence group, their combat prowess was nothing to scoff at.
Once, another group ambushed a Blue Crow to steal valuable intel.
“Hand it over quietly and we’ll spare your life.”
“Which pathetic group do you belong to? Stealing from others now?”
“We outnumber you—six to two. Don’t be stupid.”
Even when threatened by superior numbers, the Blue Crows didn’t flinch.
In fact… they struck first.
“Those bastards are insane.”
“It’s like a den of lunatics.”
Despite being wounded, the two Crows fought back fiercely—ruthlessly—and took down all six attackers.
Rumors of the event spread like wildfire.
After several similar incidents, no one dared challenge them again.
Before her regression, Bella had stayed in the Ducal estate even after passing the title to Kaelan.
“He’s so young to be a Duke. What if it’s too much? What if he needs me…?”
The Duke’s body was never found, and there were vague rumors of sightings that never amounted to anything. Bella couldn’t leave—not with those whispers swirling.
When Kaelan heard, he scoffed.
“You’d trust rumors that conveniently started right when I inherited the title? They’re just attempts to shake our foundation.”
Even so, Bella begged to stay—until the Duke returned.
She’d expected to be rejected, but Kaelan had simply said:
“Fine. But don’t make yourself a nuisance. Don’t get in my way.”
“I won’t. I promise. I’ll be quiet.”
It was after that conversation that she encountered them.
The Blue Crows began appearing around the estate.
Bella was stunned—not just by their existence, but by how long they must’ve been operating under Kaelan’s command.
“Lily~ Long time no see!”
“That looks heavy. Want help with that?”
“Bonart was heading toward the dining hall, I think.”
The crows were surprisingly friendly with the staff.
One day, cooped up in her room, Bella decided to take a walk in the garden. As she strolled, a masked crow approached her with a smile.
“Oh? Who’s this? Don’t think I’ve seen you before—”
“I’m—”
But as he got a good look at her face, he stopped.
Someone grabbed his shoulder, pulling him back and whispering urgently.
“That’s her. The one Kaelan warned us about. The lady.”
“Oh…”
With awkward smiles and hurried bows, they retreated.
And that… was Bella’s first encounter with Kaelan’s secret organization—the Blue Crows.
