Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: The Culprit is at the Crime Scene... (3)
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I learned that Makina had gone missing on the night three days later.
After a grueling march that was more punishment than class, I dragged myself back exhausted and tiptoed toward the student council room, hoping she might have returned early and was resting.
I quietly washed up and crawled into bed, but there was no sign of her even past midnight into the next day.
At first, I thought it was just because Makina was busy, but after seeing Enoch Clark show up at the student council room, I completely dismissed that idea.
"I've never seen Enoch look that pale. I figured it wasn't an ordinary incident..."
Makina's daily routine was so rigidly precise it was almost eerie.
The first thing that came to mind upon hearing she'd vanished without a word was Inspector Julia Anne Smith.
Inspector Julia had promised to assist in the search for Makina but expressed reluctance—the reason being that this was none other than the academy.
-This dispatch is solely for investigating the [Kail Ace murder case], so anything beyond that is difficult. Normally, we'd start an inquiry, but Aegis Academy is a highly special place. Public authorities can't intervene until an actual crime is established... Damn. It's all just empty words.
Inspector Julia clicked her tongue, exchanged gestures with Investigator Henry, and handed me a note.
It was the address of the private residence outside the academy where they were staying.
We agreed to exchange information if any new developments arose from either side, and parted ways. Even then, I had no doubt Makina would return.
And so three days passed.
"Caught up in another headache."
Yudit sighed and sprawled out on the guest sofa in the student council room like she was stretching.
It just so happened that Makina disappeared right after she started sharing a dorm with me.
Rebellious students hardened by academy life often vanished for a week or two without much fuss, but the problem was that the one missing was Makina Christie.
"Still, the cadets aren't as shocked as I expected."
Yudit said, gazing at the ceiling from her half-reclined position on the sofa.
Sherry nodded at Yudit's words.
"Fortunately, all the events chaired by the student council president are over. Plus, it's hard for anything to happen to a white mage of Makina's caliber without anyone noticing."
"Rather, more than half of the few who know about her disappearance think it's just a simple runaway case."
"Runaway..."
I recalled the last time I'd seen Makina.
Her poring over the case files on the desk.
Even if she was buried in work until the very end, I didn't think Makina was the type to run away from stress.
'Something still feels off...'
On this island, aside from the academy—which had expanded repeatedly into a massive fortress-like structure—there were only a handful of private homes for employees and civilians.
Or perhaps, like other runaway teens, she'd holed up in the cave mountains.
'Wait, cave mountains?'
Come to think of it, Enoch Clark must have searched the academy thoroughly, so the only place left was the cave mountains.
Makina and the cave mountains—hard to imagine a less fitting pair.
As I mulled that over, Yudit cut in.
"For now, we've decided to split up and search for Makina."
"Then I'll—"
"You wait for Makina to come back. If our paths cross and she returns on her own, ask an employee to ring the bell five times."
"...Got it. Be careful."
"Yeah."
In an instant, the bustling student council room emptied out.
Even amid the commotion, my mind was filled with images of the cave mountains.
It sounded ridiculous even to me, so I mulled it over alone until sunset, when I suddenly stood and headed to the desk Makina usually used for work.
'There it is...'
And there, I found a bracelet engraved with a black lily that perfectly matched the one on Makina's left wrist.
I belatedly remembered her putting the case in that drawer after we shared the pair.
Resonance bracelets are typically made in pairs. While I'd worn both, Makina had only worn one—which proved useful now. The only issue left was if it didn't work—
-Hum.
Fortunately, the bracelet functioned fine.
The moment I touched it, it began vibrating faintly, as if waiting.
The pair she'd given me as "punishment" lacked this feature, so I hadn't noticed any extras—but now it was clear both of mine were the "lost child" versions.
'She called them resonance bracelets, but they didn't resonate, which struck me as odd.'
So this was how they were meant to be used.
I hurriedly slipped it on and dashed in the direction where the resonance grew stronger.
Sure enough, the vibration intensified the moment I turned toward the mountain.
Maybe because I'd been imagining it so much, I could vividly picture Makina's back as she climbed the rear mountain, passing the well.
"Huff, huff..."
I frantically climbed the mountain as the bracelet led me.
That was when the images in my head began overlapping with the actual scenery before my eyes.
And there—
"Makina!"
Incredibly, inside the well—filled only to ground level since we never used it—Makina Christie's head was visible.
Fresh off a winter storm, the well held frigid rainwater, and Makina lay collapsed within it.
I rushed to her, seized her limp body, and pulled her out.
Her paler-than-usual cheeks and dangling limbs meant she'd completely lost consciousness.
"What the hell..."
First, I checked if she was breathing. Then, to gauge her body temperature, I touched her wrist and neck.
Of course, she was ice-cold.
Makina had been left soaked in this winter chill.
"Damn, what do I do..."
What multiple latent abilities? What great white mage?
A person can die from a cold-water dousing in midwinter alone.
"...Arma..."
"Yes, it's me. Arma Cruise. Are you coming to?"
"...Yes. But this..."
"You fell into the well soaked— This isn't the time. We need help—"
"No."
Her pronunciation was startlingly clear, unlike her earlier daze.
I turned to her in surprise.
Makina's lips were blue, her body shivering as she suddenly bowed her head.
"Wasted time on pointless bickering."
This wasn't the moment.
Makina's eyes were dimming by the second.
Just as I tried to stand, hoping for a passing employee—
-Splash!
Something like wet cloth hit the ground.
'Wet clothes...'
-Splash! Splash!
From behind me, her soaked uniform top, belt, and cloak were tossed to the floor in sequence.
I belatedly realized she was still in wet clothes.
I quickly shrugged off my cloak and uniform top, handing them over without looking back. She took them silently.
Winter wind pierced my shirt, but Makina was far more urgent.
"—All dressed? Sorry, no time to be proper..."
As a novice without field experience, I'd forgotten how to treat a hypothermia victim.
"Didn't... expect any..."
But then came a grumble from Makina I'd never heard before.
Wearing my clothes, she staggered and collapsed against me.
I caught her as she murmured drowsily.
"To the chapel..."
"You're delirious. We're going to the infirmary."
A battle of wills ensued between hypothermia-dazed Makina Christie and well-fed, rested Arma Cruise.
No need to say it—this round was obvious.
Makina mumbled incoherently (sounded like complaints) while clinging to my arm, holding her ground.
I sized her up for a piggyback regardless.
"Rebound... holy power depleted... Once it recovers..."
"Rebound..."
What was rebound again?
Not my major—just peripheral knowledge—but probably the backlash from a curse.
'Makina cursed...'
If so, it explained how the Makina who'd burned through her holy power to save my dying self now withered so pathetically.
"There's a way to heal it, right? Once your holy power returns."
"Lived... too sheltered..."
"—Why do you suddenly sound like a grumpy little gang boss?"
It felt like dealing with a curt, prickly kid.
Before she could finish, I crouched down.
Using her imbalance, I hoisted her onto my back in one swift motion.
"Too bad Arthur Usher isn't here. He's better at this stuff."
"......"
"Makina."
"Arthur Usher... Arma Cruise... six of one, half a dozen of the other..."
Fortunately, Makina still had enough wits to faintly respond.
She buried her face in my back, muttering nonstop, but as I picked up speed running, her words faded.
...
...
...
-Bang!
I don't know how I made it here.
Anyway, Makina and I barely reached the chapel.
I don't know much about mages, but for white mages, such sanctuaries greatly aid holy power recovery.
I glanced around, pondering the holiest spot, and finally laid her on that altar.
"Here work?"
"......"
"Makina?"
"[Come in Light]."
Somewhat recovered, Makina chanted the spell in a clearer voice instead of answering.
Milky white light flickered briefly and vanished.
What followed was a grueling wait.
As her holy power trickled back, Makina scraped it all to restore herself.
'Isn't this robbing Peter to pay Paul? Maybe just carry her like this to the infirmary...'
Just as I thought to hoist her again—
Makina's complexion was improving.
"Haaa..."
Finally able to lift her arm, she made a faintly embarrassed face and covered it.
Her sleeves were a full handspan too long, like a kid playing dress-up in adult clothes.
"Almost died."
"You don't look particularly alive yet. Stay put and don't talk. I'm thinking."
"Forget thinking—I'm fine now. I'll return the cloak."
"Keep it. I like the cold."
Barefaced lie, but Makina let out a small chuckle before going quiet.
Only then could I survey our surroundings.
'First time in the chapel at this hour since the murder.'
Fate's cruel joke.
Ironically, the thought came to mind: the culprit always returns to the crime scene.
Tension eased, my overworked calves cramped, and my neck ached.
"Not really a suitable spot for murder, after all."
"Huh?"
"The chapel."
Are there suitable spots for murder...?
Probably babbling from the cold.
I debated responding to Makina but stayed silent.
Still lying down, she said,
"The culprit—neither a beast nor Arma Cruise, yet the evidence found is only Kail Ace's blood and Arma Cruise's blood. Two kinds."
"Whose blood?"
"Kail Ace and Arma Cruise—your blood."
"......"
My neck, stiff from fatigue moments ago, now chilled from tension.
I hadn't bled that day.