Airship Murder Case (1)
Our Bell Epoque Grand Auction House has maintained its esteemed position unchanged since the reign of the previous king, always striving to provide kind and satisfactory service to our honored guests.
Thus, on the upcoming Friday marking the 100th anniversary of our auction house's opening, we will hold a special event to express our gratitude to those guests who have shown us unwavering support.
Rare and bizarre items, unseen in any previous auctions, that will captivate your hearts, are set to appear.
We sincerely hope for your attendance.
Only after telling Katrina, who was clinging to her with eyes flashing like she was about to devour Luna whole and begging to team up on the request, that she accepted did Luna finally get released to go home.
Back home, Luna went to bed early to prepare for tomorrow's request, then woke up at dawn, hurriedly packed her things, caught a carriage, and arrived at the airship dock right on time without being late.
"Hyah!"
Leaping cutely from the carriage she'd ridden for the first time ever, Luna hit the ground.
"Ugh... It wasn't as great an experience as I thought..."
Luna's high hopes for the carriage, which she'd built up endlessly before boarding, were shattered miserably inside the relentlessly bumpy ride.
[Tell me about it.]
Of course, I was just as dizzy. Why? Because this ungrateful disciple was too busy fretting over her own well-being to even notice her master rolling pathetically off the seat and tumbling across the carriage floor.
"I already said I'm sorry~"
[I'll let it slide this time.]
I chuckled softly at Luna's playful poke at the grimoire mixed with her coquettish charm and forgave her.
Anyway, after all the ups and downs, we finally arrived at the airship landing dock, which was pretty impressive.
"Whoa... Ships are flying in the sky!!"
As Luna said, the sight of massive vessels floating in the air, lined up one after another, was novel even to me.
In my previous life, I'd only seen such scenes in games or movies.
Every time something this surreal popped up out of nowhere amid everyday life, it really hit home that the world I was in was a fantasy one.
Stuff that made no scientific sense? Eh, just call it fantasy and everyone's convinced.
While the two country bumpkins were lost in awe staring at the ships...
"Yup!"
A playful voice came from behind Luna, and slender fingers poked her cheek.
"Eek?! Katrina?"
Katrina covered her mouth and giggled at Luna, who whipped around in surprise.
"Sis is so cute. Fun to tease."
Saying that, Katrina slithered her arm out like a snake and grabbed Luna's hand.
This bitch... she's not a lesbian, is she? Hands off Luna, you crazy woman!
Whether she heard my desperate wail from Luna's inner pocket or not, Katrina and Luna walked hand-in-hand to the airship entrance.
"Please present your tickets."
To the curt ticket inspector in a black uniform, Katrina and Luna handed over their pre-purchased tickets.
The inspector glanced at them, cut along the perforation, and handed them back.
"Confirmed. Have a pleasant trip."
Taking back their tickets with his dry voice, Luna and Katrina headed inside the airship.
The interior was like a hotel. Thirty rooms per floor from the 1st to 4th floors, and the 5th floor had a restaurant, banquet hall, terrace for viewing the scenery, and various other amenities.
"Wow~ It's super clean inside!"
Stepping into the room, Luna let out a small gasp of admiration.
Two fairly large beds, a desk, books on the shelf, a mini-fridge stocked with drinks. At this point, it was barely different from a hotel in my previous life, huh?
Katrina watched the marveling Luna with an endeared look, then casually popped open a wine bottle from the mini-fridge and chugged straight from it without even pouring a glass.
"Haaah! Now I feel alive!"
[What a total nutjob...]
'Yeah, right...'
"Sis."
"Y-Yeah! No, yes!"
"Talk casually to me, sis."
Katrina sat on the bed, patting the spot next to her as she eyed Luna.
"We've got time till we arrive. Wanna chat about the request?"
Trembling like a lamb marching to the slaughter, Luna sat beside Katrina, who opened her mouth with a satisfied expression.
"Sis. How long have you been a mage?"
"Uh... a month or two?"
"Whoa! Still fresh as a daisy!"
"How about you, Katrina...?"
"Me? Let's see..."
Furrowing her brow at Luna's question, Katrina slowly folded her fingers.
"Hmm... exactly three years now."
Oh, despite her antics, she's a pretty seasoned mage, huh?
"Wow... Katrina, you're an amazing mage!"
"Ahem!"
Katrina whipped her head away and gulped down more wine at Luna's innocent praise, but she couldn't hide her upturned lips.
"A-anyway! I brought up my experience for a reason."
"What is it?"
"There's a lot you need to know working as a mage in this business."
Katrina continued with a suddenly serious face.
"Watch out for fellow mages. Especially those in groups—they're even more dangerous. Like the deep-sea cult fanatics, the empire's Helpyfire Club, or those rootless pretty boys. There are plenty of small fries too, but these three are the worst. Useless trash dragging down the mage average."
Katrina gulped more wine, her throat burning.
"Because of those bastards, I have to hide my identity and work! Pretending to be an alchemist when I don't even want to—I'm dying of exhaustion!"
Venting her rage until she tired herself out, Katrina sighed deeply.
"Sigh. Anyway, watch out for other mages. Some psychos will kill the owner to steal a stronger grimoire if they see one."
"Ugh. Yeah. Thanks for the heads-up, Katrina."
"Alright! That's enough senior advice for a junior. Now, let's get into the request details for real?"
Katrina clapped her hands with a cheerful shout.
[What a crazy woman...]
Luna nodded quietly at Katrina, whose moods flipped like a Peking opera—joyful one moment, sullen the next.
"The request is exactly as stated. From the Bell Epoque Grand Auction House in the port city of Riviera. Run by the third son of the Fortuna family, one of the kingdom's seven great houses. About a month ago, mysterious incidents started happening. Guards vanishing, nearby bug swarms dying in weird shapes, fish raining from the sky. The owner got spooked and hired pricey mages from the magic towers and tons of mercenaries, but instead of solving anything, they just piled up casualties and burnouts. So the young master from the noble house personally came to the Black Tower Babel to hire real experts."
Katrina snickered like it served them right.
"Oh, and they're holding their first massive event ever. Probably to cover up the bad rumors. Idiots—should be closing the place down instead."
"K-Katrina. Can I really handle this?"
"Hehe. Don't worry, sis. Mages are naturals at mysteries. Anyway, isn't it hot? Your clothes look uncomfortable."
"Huh?"
The moment Katrina licked her lips and lunged at Luna.
Dear passengers, dinner service will begin shortly. Those wishing to dine, please proceed to the central banquet hall on the 5th floor. Enjoy your meal above the clouds.
The announcement vanished with the same cheerful chime as when it started.
"L-Let's go, Katrina! Aren't you hungry?!"
"Tch."
The mood killed by the announcement, Katrina clicked her tongue and got off the bed.
"Sis. Let's go eat."
"Phew. Y-Yeah!"
Luna sighed in relief behind Katrina's back, then startled at her words and scurried after her.
[You're taller than Katrina—why do you let her push you around? Just shove her off firmly!]
'It's not as easy as you think...'
By the time I'd finished gleefully scolding the hesitant Luna, we'd arrived at the central banquet hall on the 5th floor.
The banquet hall was quite splendid. Crystal chandeliers dangling from the ceiling, elegant candelabras on every table, white carpet on the floor. All sorts of luxurious decorations arranged tastefully—it was beautiful.
"Whoa...!"
[Yeah. Cleaner and flashier than expected, right? Can't underestimate an airship ju—]
"Look at that food!!"
[...Or not.]
Well, as Luna said, the spread was top-notch too. Fresh seafood glistening like it was just caught, thick steaks, fancy desserts. A shame I didn't have a mouth for it.
Having rushed over right after the announcement, early arrivals were already seated, chatting and eating.
As Luna and Katrina excitedly went to plate up food...
"Kyaaah!!!"
A woman's piercing scream erupted from behind the group.
Luna and Katrina whipped around in shock toward the sound.
There, a noblewoman in a flashy dress was screaming and pointing at us.
"Is this hag nuts? Who the hell does she think she i—"
Grrrrr!
Luna barely restrained her mad-dog instincts from charging.
But the noblewoman's finger didn't lower. Sensing something off from her pale face, Luna and Katrina slowly turned around.
And there...
"Grrrk... W-Water."
A blood-soaked man staggered into the banquet hall, clutching his throat where blood poured from what looked like savage gashes.
"W-Water."
The man seemed to have something to say, but his strength gave out, and he collapsed after those words.
While Luna froze in confusion, Katrina rushed over, pulling various potions from her handbag and dousing him.
"...He's dead."
Katrina said darkly.
The red blood pooling from the man stained the white carpet crimson.
As everyone in the hall panicked...
"Hold it!!! Everyone, freeze right now!!!"
A man with a Salvador Dali-esque curled mustache, long top hat, fancy coat, and monocle over his right eye—embodying every medieval gentleman essential—sprang up and shouted.
"Who the hell are you to order us around?!"
"Yeah! Someone's dead! We need to contact the captain now!"
The hall erupted in outrage at the man's sudden declaration.
He endured the barrage briefly, then pulled a round badge from his coat's inner pocket and flashed it.
"I'm Exmus, licensed detective of the kingdom! Anyone who moves from now on is the culprit!!!"
"Hah... Should I just wreck the place?"
Katrina eyed the self-proclaimed detective yelling his head off with a weary expression.
[Well. At least the trip won't be boring.]
"Someone died, and that's what you say?!"
Luna puffed her cheeks, even her gentle self angered, and scolded me.
[Yeah, yeah. Sorry.]
A murder on a luxury airship! Sorry, Luna, but this was gonna be fun.
I secretly thrilled (sans heart) and took in the chaotic scene.
Now then. Who could the culprit be?