15. Ah... This is what they call science... (1)
"We're screwed. Not a soul in sight."
Hercules clicked his tongue and turned away from the kitchen.
The moment he'd stepped into the crime scene, his usual grin had vanished, replaced by a stone-cold serious expression as he dove into the investigation.
"Souls, you say?"
"You're not with the guard, so you wouldn't know."
No. Why wouldn't I know? I even got replies from your creator in the comments.
This guy's a necromancer, despite looking nothing like one.
"I can see the spirits of the dead. That's why my first step in any investigation is to check if the victim's soul is still around."
Back when Hercules was a rookie guard, he'd solved countless cold cases with that ability, rocketing up to captain at just thirty.
'Every soul's different, but if not too much time has passed, you can even talk to them,' he'd said.
But once his soul-based investigative methods got too famous, the backlash started rolling in.
Citizen groups rose up, claiming he was disturbing the dead's rest.
Jealous colleagues in the guard spread rumors and fabrications to sabotage his fast track to the top.
And worst of all, criminals began exploiting his power—planning murders so the victims' souls would give false testimony when summoned, framing innocents.
Out of grudge, for hire, to protect a friend...
"Ah, forget I said any of that. It's a secret. Illegal these days."
"No idea what you're talking about, sir. We just arrived at the scene."
"...Right."
Hercules eyed me, catching my drift, then let out a dry chuckle.
"Well, take a look around. We'll check alibis once everyone's gathered."
"Got it."
I started scoping out the crime scene, stepping back as Hercules gave me space.
A typical noble mansion kitchen.
Now complete with unrealistically vivid bloodstains and a chalk outline...
At least there was no body. Small mercies.
The congealed blood reeked enough already; a corpse would've done me in.
"Whew."
I spent about twenty minutes poking around.
Checked the blood patterns, the knife, even browsed the cabinets.
More efficient to just open my catalog and grab something, but with Hercules watching, I had to play detective.
"Find anything?"
Hercules asked, voice thick with anticipation.
"Of course."
As if. Zilch.
How's a mid-twenties normie like me supposed to spot clues at a crime scene?
"Excellent! The suspects will gather soon—gonna name the perp right then?"
He was geared up, ready to slap cuffs at my signal.
"Point the finger without evidence?"
"Obviously not. Just give me the rundown. I'll handle verifying and proceeding."
"Afraid I don't have any verifiable proof."
"What?"
Hercules gawked at me like I'd grown a second head.
"How do you guys investigate murders around here?"
"Collect evidence from the scene, cross-check with alibis and suspect profiles."
"What kind of evidence?"
He stared like what the hell is this guy? then something clicked.
"Haven't brought a civilian to a scene before—forgot you're a merchant."
Yeah. No clue why Iris sent me here. Civilians don't belong.
"You compare suspect statements to scene evidence, contradictions pop up, chase those down, and boom—real killer."
Sounds like a courtroom drama. All I need is 'Objection!'
"No special tools or magic?"
"Depends on the investigator—some use spirits to replay the past, summon souls, etc. But basics are what I said."
Jackpot. The perfect opening.
In a world with alchemy, investigations deliberately shunned science.
That's why in the original story, the academy protagonists had to bail Hercules out.
Glad it's still following the novel's beats so far.
"Excluding alibis, find anything yourself, Captain?"
Hercules shook his head bitterly.
"No footprints indoors, weapon's ordinary. Autopsy won't help much."
Alibis as the only lead? Perfect.
Got it. Time for my tool.
"Need to grab some gear."
"Go ahead. Bring it back, and we'll start interrogations."
"..."
Did he forget something?
"Why the stare? Hurry up!"
I formed an OK sign with my thumb and index finger.
"What's that mean? You see spirits too?"
"...No."
Isn't this the 'gimme money' sign here?
Looked like I'd have to spell it out.
"As the guard mentioned, I'll use Eastern tools for the investigation."
Hercules nodded.
"Yeah, you said."
Why only remember that part?
"And that I need an advance to fetch them."
"Oh, right. Advance comes out of my pocket first—slipped my mind!"
Figured he'd settle up later.
Explaining to HQ for budget approval? Time sink, and likely denied.
"How much? Three gold, say?"
Decent chunk of change. I silently held up all five fingers on my right hand.
"Five gold...? Hmm..."
Creases formed on his brow.
"Eastern stuff's pricey, huh? Still a bargain if it cracks the case."
He fished five gold coins from his pouch.
"Captain. When did I say five gold?"
His eyes bulged.
"Fi...fifty gold?"
He dumped his pouch, counting every coin.
But Hercules...
Who said fifty?
"500 gold."
-Clatter-!
His grip slackened; coins rained to the floor.
"What!?"
Hercules had kept his voice down for the scene, but now it boomed.
"What happened?!"
A guard burst in from outside.
"Nothing! Investigation's ongoing—stay out!"
Hercules shooed him off.
This place better have killer soundproofing.
"You sane? Even Eastern goods don't cost astronomical sums like that!"
He scooped coins, incredulous.
I wished this tool wasn't 500 gold either.
But no dice. Never tested if my skill window shows to others, so couldn't check price upfront.
"That's the average for investigative tools. Exact price? Gotta check my shop."
Level 3 items capped at 10k gold.
Shattered my theory that prices matched real-world values.
Usually wraps in three gold like he guessed, but no seeing categories till I check.
So, bluff big.
Noble like him can swing it.
"Five hundred... five hundred gold..."
He muttered, face more grave than I'd ever seen.
...Broke?
"Tight right now, but I can head home and scrape together 500."
Yeah, nobles got reserves.
"Here's the deal. Suspects gather in two hours. I'll fetch the gold."
"Cash in hand, gear delivered."
"Do it. And one thing, just to be clear."
The air shifted instantly.
A pressure far heavier than that count's kidnapping attempt crushed down from Hercules.
"I believe Iris's favor doesn't mean you'll gouge us in a situation like this."
Thought all 500 would line my pockets, huh?
"I... I s-swear it's not..."
Choking under the weight, all I could do was plead innocence.
"Good enough. Go."
He released the pressure. I collapsed, gasping, as he strode out.
Took ages to recover, slumped there breathing.
Once steady, I went to open my skill window—then cursed my idiocy.
"Fuck me."
Just check the category in the bathroom?
Why didn't I think of that?
Hindsight's 20/20, but missing something this basic?
If he'd snapped and thrown hands? Even pulling punches, I'd be mangled nine times out of ten.
Sloppy. Reflect. Get your head straight.
More reflection needed, but priorities first.
I barred the kitchen door with a chair, opened categories, and checked my intended purchase.
[3 gold]
Ah... shit.