𝘊𝘰𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯

1. No responses.

𝖭𝖾𝗎𝗏𝗂𝗅𝗅𝖾𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗌 𝖯𝖮𝖵:

"According to the judgement of the Oratrice Mechanique D'enalyse Cardinale. The accused is..."

The whole of the Opera Epiclese was seemingly on the edge of their seats, awaiting for me to read the envelope that appeared in front of me.

And not to my surprise...

"Guilty."

With that one word, the whole courtroom started smiling and chatting with the person next to them, while Anon Maurer awaited his sentence to be announced.

"Order in the court!"

With a single tap of my cane to the floor, the room silenced once again, and I looked at Anon with not a slight bit of pity.

"Anon Maurer, your crime of first degree murder will be consequenced by a life sentence in the Fortress of Meropide. The court is now adjourned."

And with that, people immediately got up and began to leave, while Anon needed to be dragged away by the Gardes due to his refusal of his sentence.

Humans truly confuse me,

If you're not willing to bear the consequences of your actions, why commit the crime in the first place?

"My dear Iudex, a thrilling trial as always!!" Furina spoke loudly across the room.

"Of course, Lady Furina, Fontaine would deliver no less." I agreed with her before making my way down to the stage, on my way out of the Opera.

"Hey! Waitt!" She shouted and quickly ran down the stairs to meet me in the main lobby.

"Something you need Lady Furina?" I asked her,

"Where are you off to? Usually you'd wait for me and then we'd go to the Palais Mermonia together," She questioned me,

"I'm simply visiting an old acquaintance of mine, they haven't been returning my letters and I seem to be quite concerned for them." I explained,

"Ah, alright then, your Archon allows it!" She proudly stated as I smiled and waved before exiting the Opera.

On my way to my acquaintances house, I pulled out the last letter I received from him over 2 weeks ago.

Usually, we'd send a few letters every week to each other to catch up on some pleasantries. Simple 'how are you doing' questions, informing the other of updates in their life.

In the last letter I received from him, him and his wife said that they were planning a trip to Sumeru City as an anniversary vacation, I asked for them to stop by Palais Mermonia on their way so I could give them their best, but alas, they never did.

I had sent exactly 4 more letters after receiving this one, and I hadn't gotten a single reply back.

I'm quite concerned, since he's not the type to suddenly blank someone and I don't believe I've done anything to earn his ire, so as a result I've decided to go visit him myself.

Fortunately, he only lives about a 15 minute walk from the Opera Epiclese, so I should be approaching his abode soo-

...

What's that smell?

It's horrible, like a horrid sweet smell,

The people walking around me clearly couldn't notice it, and for once I wish my senses weren't so keen.

I placed a white piece of fabric over my nose in order to keep the smell as little as possible and continued walking.

Hm,

It was getting worse.

With every step I took, it was getting a lot worse.

Until I was at the steps of their house.

And the smell was as bad as it could get.

Surely it wasn't coming from them, they are very clean and responsible people, but I suppose there's only one way to find out.

I knocked once.

I knocked twice.

No response.

I knocked once more.

Nothing.

Now I was truly getting suspicious,

"I apologize for my intrusion."

I said aloud, before unlocking the door with a string of hydro and cracking it open.

A wave of that smell, now ten times worse hit me and that nearly convinced me to turn around immediately, but nevertheless, I entered, shutting the door behind me and I cautiously began walking through the entrance hallway.

I took a step.

It worsened.

I took a step.

I saw blood smeared on the floor.

I immediately had my cane appear and held it tightly with my right hand, I could sense no living third party...

No, scratch that.

There was no living presence.

I hoped that they were just out of the house,

I hoped.

But that hope did nothing as I turned into their main living area and saw something that will never leave my memory, something that is now forever ingrained.

"No..."

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

I was still in a bit of a daze when one of the Gardes was asking me some questions, But I was responsive neverthelesss.

I had to be.

For the good of the case.

The more accurate information I can provide, the sooner I will bring justice to them.

Those poor people...

What had they done?

They led good lives, were caring,

How can someone strip life so easily!?

Disgusting.

"Monsieur Neuvillette, may I ask what you were doing at the victim's house?" The Garde asked professionally,

"They hadn't responded to any of the letters that I sent them, I grew concerned so decided to visit him and his wife, when the door was locked and there was no response, along with the awful smell, I decided to break in and check their safety." I explained their upcoming questions before they could even ask too,

"Perfect, thank you Monsieur, we've cornered off the Crime Scene and we'll have a member of the forensic team here soon to better understand the situation, please go and take some rest, what's in that room is not a sight that anyone should have seen when looking for a friend."

"I see, thank you for your service, I'll make my way back then." I nodded to him as he returned back inside and I walked away.

How could someone take away life so easily.

To purposefully do that to two innocent people,

I need to talk to Furina.

I need to find the person responsible for this.

No matter what.