The Phantom Murder Cases of Lennox Dukedom

"What do you mean by that sir?", I ask sir Liber not knowing why. I mean, I do know what he says, but I don't understand why he says that.

"You know what I say", Said sir Liber sternly, "as for why, it's because of the Duke", Continued sir Liber while staring at the crowd around our dining table. We're at the inn's main hall and there are many people here waiting for dinner to be prepared.

"What happens to the duke sir?", while asking that question, I also think about the event in the novel. By this time, the Duke should still be alive. But judging by the reaction of sir Liber, my only guess is that the reason for our delayed departure is connected to that event. But that event shouldn't be related to us right? We're just nobodies.

Well except that I'm travelling with one of the best adventurers in this country, there's nothing special about us. Furthermore, from what I read in the novel, there are still some unsolvable mysteries surrounding this event. I don't think that is something that we can solve by strength alone.

"So something did happen to the duke", I confirm with sir Liber. Seeing that he's hesitant to speak. Maybe he didn't find the correct words to explain or he was just conflicted internally about whether to explain it to us or not.

Whatever it is, he can't keep us in the dark. Especially if this is a matter concerning the safety of the group member. Involving yourself in a dangerous situation can also lead us to life-threatening situations, it's our right to know such matters like this.

"Did it involve a murder case?", I said in a very low tone.

After I said that sir Liber's facial expression changed. Not only sir Liber, Camila and the usual calm face Andre also had a shocked expression. Seeing both of their expression, I believe that sir Liber already told them what happen.

So they plan to keep me in the dark huh? Do they think I'm so gullible to trust them with anything they said? I may look like a weak kid here, but inside me is an adult that tells lies daily without batting an eye. You can't fool me that easily.

"How did you know?", Camila asked me. She still couldn't believe that I got this information myself. And of course, I don't plan to tell them anything truthfully. Even if I told them, they wouldn't believe me.

"Would you believe me if I told you that some random guy just told me when I'm strolling outside today?"

"No", Camila answered instantly.

"Then that's your problem", I say without planning to explain further and turn my head towards sir Liber, "Sir, you can't keep me in the dark like this. I know you don't fully trust me as I'm an outsider in this group compared to Camila and Andre, but it's still my right to know what you're planning or to be exact, what this group is planning. As a member of this group, it's within my full right to know that"

We both stare into each other eyes for a few seconds while silence descends upon us. As sir Liber is the first one that broke that silence and says, "hmph, I know you're not a normal kid"

"Fine, I'll tell you t-"

"But father, he can't help us", beg Camile towards her father. Dude, she truly doesn't trust me.

"Camila, I always told you that, as an adventurer, we don't travel with someone we don't trust. Many great adventurers died not because of some monster in the forest, but because of a stab from a friend from behind. The first time I decided to travel with him, is the time I give him my trust"

Who knows that this stern old man can teach her daughter something useful once in a while? I change your image in my mind, sir Liber, you indeed can sounds wise once in a while.

"And for you Neil. The reason for me hiding this information from you is to protect you. As you can see, what we're about to do in this dukedom is something dangerous that could make us lose our life. Knowing that, are you sure that you still want to get involved in this?", He asks me, but I think running away won't do me any good. And it's not like that'll be a sure dangerous event. In any case, I plan to get involved with whatever happens. And who knows I can help with my knowledge from the novel?

"Yes, I believe that you'll protect me from danger sir Liber. But I also want to help you with anything I got. I tried to not be a burden. In any case, I can't continue the journey alone, and just waiting idly inside this territory doesn't really suit me", I answered resolutely. I could see Andre nodding his head from the side, but let's not mind him for now.

"I see, if that's what you decided then, don't blame me if something bad happens to you. As you can see, I can't protect you all the time, especially against an unknown enemy like this", Explain sir Liber.

"An unknown enemy?", I asked.

"Yes, the duke ask me for help this morning regarding some murder cases that happen inside the city. As for now, not many people know about this serial killer, but soon, the masses will know about it. I believe you also got this information in a place such as a bar where many rumour circulates"

"I indeed went to the bar today", though I hear no such information. But I'll keep silent about it, as it benefits me more.

"Are you old enough to drink kid?", Camila tried to mock me at the side, but I ignore her for now.

"But I'm not believing that the duke cares about some commoner getting killed in his territory. As a high noble, such kindness is very rare"

"Indeed, he doesn't care about the death of some commoners. Not until one week ago, when one of his trusted aides died. It is believed that the killer is the exact same serial killer. That's when it comes to him, he has to stop this serial killer before it gets out of hand"

"Why he didn't ask for the capital for help?", I asked.

"He already did, but the reinforcement from the capital is very slow and he still didn't receive any good news from them. That's when he heard the news that I'm at his territory, so he ask for my help instead", explain sir Liber.

Suddenly there's silence again surrounding us. That's quite some info to take in. It's not like I'm very shocked to hear that. I just believe that what I'm hearing is the start of the unfortunate event that will befall the Lennox Dukedom. An event that even our main character in the novel will have to solve in the future.

"I believe that's a lot to take in. As for now, that's the only information that I know. As for the rest, we'll have to go to Duke castle tomorrow and inquire more about it. Let's have our dinner first for now", sir Liber said when the inn waitress come to our table to serve us our dinner. So we continued our dinner in silence.

In the middle of the meal, I turn to sir Liber to ask him one last question that keeps hanging in my mind.

"One last question sir, if you don't mind", sir Liber that was eating his meal turns his head upward towards me, "Do you truly want to help him? as you know, it's not our obligation to help him solve his problem or does he offer you some rewards that you can't turn down?", This is something that truly confuses me for a while. Because I don't see us benefiting much from helping the Duke nor I do see sir Liber as someone who'd help any nobles that ask him for help.

Sir Liber ponders for a few seconds before answering calmly, "I have a debt that I've to pay. For that reason alone, I can't turn him down", he said while thinking about something.

"You have a debt? with him?", I asked bewildered. Because I don't think that this man in front of me has some weakness that makes him a debt to someone. And judging by his words, I don't think that it's something trivial either.

"Not with him, but with the previous Duke", he answered instantly and continued eating after that. Camile turns her head to her father, indicating even something he just said baffles her. I guess he rarely talks about his past, even to his own daughter.

Seeing the duke, I don't think he'd like it if I dig into his past more than this. As an adult, it is given that we have to know when to stop the conversation so that we don't make another person uncomfortable talking with us, so I'd better stop this topic. I conclude that something big happens in the past between this man and the previous Duke of this territory.

After we finish dinner, we began returning to our room to rest. By the way, I share the same room as Andre. Andre is a peculiar guy because last night I see him sharpen a blade by using moonlight from the room window as the only source of light. His expression seems pretty serious so I don't try to talk to him.

Shortly after we get into the room, Andre suddenly talks to me. It's rare for him to initiate a talk. Usually, it's just me, but I don't get much response from him, so I give up shortly.

"Is it true?", he asked.

"About what?"

"Is it true that you got the information about the serial murder from the bar?"

"Why do you ask that?", Seeing him don't believe me makes me anxious more than seeing Camile don't believe me. I don't know why. This guy seems to have a different aura with him that makes you more vulnerable as a person. No, I think it's just my feeling.

"No, it's nothing. Because I go to the casino and bar today, but I got no such info"

"Well, maybe I'm just lucky?", I tried to avoid his eyes.

He suddenly smiled towards me and say, "I guess you're right", and walk towards his bed after that. finally, silence descends upon this room.

I believe that he's suspicious of me. But there's nothing that I can do about it. If he said he doesn't believe me and forced me to say the truth, I might as well spill everything, even though he won't believe what I said.

That night, there were a lot of things to think about that made me harder to fall asleep.