Twisted Wonderland: Glorious Masquerade - Let the Bell of Solace Ring

Chapter 4-10: Old-School Mysteries

Once the doors are open, everyone walks inside the room. There, they find a large room with a fireplace, a desk, a shelf full of books, and other items.

"This...does not appear to be the bell tower," Malleus says.

"You're right. This is more like a room," Briar says.

"I was expecting more firelotuses, but no, there's an actual fireplace. There's also a large meeting table," Sebek says.

"The walls are lined with books and racks of red robes. I recognize them as what the students of this school wear," Sebek says. Then turns to see Azul, "Hm? What are you doing, Azul?"

Azul is looking at some of the papers on the desks, "Perusing some documents. I thought they might provide some insights into what room this is. Club expense reports, event programs, the student council ledger... I believe we're in Noble Bell College's student council room."

Idia also looks around, "Look at all this old stuff. They weren't kiddin' about being a historic college. Even the fireplace is an older non-technomantic type..." but something catches his eyes, "Wait."

"What is it, Shroud?" Malleus asks.

"There's something...off about this fireplace. Look at the brick on the right. It's weirdly clean, no soot on it at all," Idia says.

The group walks over to see that Idia is right. One of the bricks on the wall is clean, and not like the others.

"You're right. That suggests someone's been touching it regularly," Malleus says.

"Hmm, I wonder..." Briar says.

Briar then holds the brick and is able to slide it to the side. And then a book pops out from the secret compartment.

Silver, Sebek, & Azul say in shock, "The brick slid aside and a book popped out?!"

"A hidden book in a FIREPLACE? Someone's been reading too many old-school mysteries," Idia says, shocked.

"What manner of book is it? Perhaps a priceless grimoire one would prefer to keep concealed?" Malleus wonders.

"Since it's hidden in their office, maybe it's the student council's true ledger, proving they've been cooking the books! This could be the perfect chance to get dirt on this school. I must see what's inside!" Azul says and takes the book.

He then opens the book and turns its pages.

"You don't have to flip through it so eagerly..." Sebek shouts.

Soon, Azul stops at a specific page and reads, "'Day X of the month of Y-Classes went well as usual. Did some reading in the library after school...'" Azul soon realizes, "It's not a ledger at all. It's a diary. The writer noted down what books they read here. 'Fleur City and the Bell of Solace: A History,' 'Guide to the Greatest Magical Artifacts,' 'Illustrated Encyclopedia of Extinct Flora'... And what have we here... 'Growing Plants with Magic'?"

"Is that... Rollo Flamme's diary?" Malleus wonders.

"OH-HOH. A hidden diary that's never allowed to see the light of day? Hee hee hee," Idia replies with a snicker, "I bet it's filled with dark, embarrassing secrets, and that he'd totally cringe if anyone knew 'em! YOOO LOL, now I'm hype. I gotta read this, Imao."

"I suppose if this contains material that would be damaging to him, it would behoove me to know it. Let's continue reading..." Malleus says.

"I have to agree. Maybe it will tell us why Rollo is doing this," Briar says.

Then asks, "Mind if I see?"

"Okay," Azul says and hands Briar the book.

Briar looks over the pages and sees if there's a clue to Rollo's actions. She soon notices a photograph inside.

"Hmm..." Briar says, and looks at the photo.

The photograph shows that there are two boys. One of them looks older than the other, and both of them are wearing unusual clothes.

In her thoughts, Briar asks herself, "Who are those boys? The older boy looks a lot like Rollo, but who is the younger boy? His brother?"

Briar continues to turn some of the pages and stop at a specific page.

Briar realizes, "Ah..."

" Briar? What's the matter?" Malleus asks.

"Guys, look at this page here, and look at this photo," Briar says.

The boys look at the pages and the picture. And soon, the answer has become perfectly clear.

Azul says, "...Now I see."

Idia doesn't respond.

And Malleus says, "This explains much..."

Soon, Briar grows deeply concerned, "Rollo...

Meanwhile, somewhere on the top of the Bell Tower, Rollo is there, watching his creation do his work.

He says, "Ahh, the city's turned a marvelous shade of crimson... How cleansing it is. I've never felt so at peace before. Soon the firelotuses will spread beyond the city and take over all of Twisted Wonderland. And magic will vanish from the world forever. Then...no one will have to suffer. No one will endure what he did... I swear it, as my solemn duty."