Chapter 48: Gunpowder Detective (1)

The first day of the festivities began. The crowd couldn't compare to before as many people from different places coalesced in the city to enjoy themselves. Musicians and artists, many of them from Apollon as well, all started livening up the streets while the scent of sizzling meat and swirling ale filled the air.

People walked shoulder to shoulder as they sang and danced and visited the dozens of different attractions that the witty business owners had put up.

It wasn't much different at the estate either. More nobles were coming in as the day of Vienna's 17th came closer. People were considered adults by the age of 15 in this world, but they made their noble debut in their 17th year, hence the coming-of-age was just a delayed celebration. I didn't really understand why, but I didn't question it either.

"My lord, should we go into that one next?" Sophia broke me out of my thoughts with her words. She pointed in the direction of one of the buildings that were rented out to the firework businesses. I nodded and followed her inside.

Just as the door opened, a darkened room appeared in front of us. The employees and the management all turned their heads up to look at us with a frown on their faces.

There was a pile of finished fireworks on one end, while the people there sat idly in a gloomy atmosphere.

"Lady Sophia," I called out in a whisper.

"Yes," she said.

""Jackpot.""

The group moved inside and the manager came rushing over when he saw the two dressed-up knights behind us.

"Ah! How can I help you, esteemed guests?" He asked.

"What happened here?" I cut to the chase right away. "You all seem, rather down?"

"Ah..." the man held his tongue, but then his eyes fell on the two knights behind us. "Are you sent from the magistrate's office?"

I didn't say anything and only looked at him. The man assumed it to be a yes and continued speaking. "That! Our gunpowder and our stars! Someone stole all half of it all."

Bingo.

We had landed our mitts in the best place.

"Stars?" Lady Sophia chimed in from the side.

"It's what gives the fireworks their color and fuel," I said. "You can think of it as the firestarter needed to burn the fireworks."

"Oh, yes! This young officer knows a lot," the manager said. Well, I did read up on the fireworks when I had the time, fireworks and gunpowder.

"When was it stolen?" Sir Buhini jumped in at that moment, he asked us to excuse him and stepped in front. Of course, as the knight of this place, it was his duty and his concern to look into these matters, the three of us were just outsiders.

"It happened last night, sir. All of us work together. We all know that they get their money from the profits, as it is now, we can't even make up for the cost we spent sir! You have to help us."

"I see," Sir Buhini nodded and stroked his chin. He then turned back to us and spoke in a low voice. "Let us move to a restaurant. You should eat and relax and I'll send an investigation team here."

"Sir Buhini," Sophia said. "I think we should stay here and help take a look."

"No, this is not a matter that you need to involve yourself in, my lady."

"I am sure the festivities make the knights busy. We can't relax about the security of other places because of this. Us investigating would be optimal."

"I apologize, my lady, but the knights of Hall are more than capable enough to handle such incidents even in a busy time."

Buhini was respectful yet stern, he was a person fitting the vice-captain title. Any normal person would have caved by now.

Unfortunately, Lady Sophia was at a loss here.

Sure, she was witty, but I didn't see any way for her to 'hide' the whole truth and convince him. She would have to either tell him everything or cook up a lie. But a lie would be much more dangerous if it is caught, even more so if she ends up needing the knights' help. It would affect her reputation and trust altogether.

I watched as Sophia and Buhini stared at each other. I couldn't see their eyes, but I liked to imagine sparks flying between them.

What to do.

Even the manager seemed to be nervous about this matter.

I sighed and decided.

She was the one who couldn't lie. Not me. Since she wanted to hide it and I wanted her to think well of me in case I need a backer in the future, taking up this little jab was more than fine. I anyway didn't like the Halls, so taking a hit for the Mirxas was even better.

I shooed away the manager who nodded and immediately walked off.

"Sir Buhini," I said, gesturing at him to lean closer.

Buhini again thought for a few seconds before leaning in.

"We believe the remnants of the Dark Moon Bandits have made an appearance here."

"What?"

I was going to lie, sure. But that didn't mean I'll take the blame. Her problem was that she didn't want others to know that Mirxa had let go of a demon's agent, this was the most concession I could offer her.

"Yes. The city of Apollon and the Margrave of Mirxa were looking to catch these remaining rats. But, they seem to have a sharp nose for danger, these remnants managed to escape to the Hall territory."

Buhini stiffened. He then sighed. "I thought you two looked well-acquainted, lord Eugene. Now it makes sense."

We couldn't use the Marquis' name since it wasn't an official but a tacit discussion. Our only option here was to make Buhini shut up and keep him on our side.

"I understand. In that case, since the matter has shifted over to our territory, let us handle it."

"Lord Buhini, you will be placing a large number of people in danger if you do that."

"What do you mean?" Buhini started leaking some of his killing intent. It was less but focused.

This man was at least at the Projectile Ki stage, at least. Unfortunately for him, I, who had faced a dragon's killing intent from a different plane of existence did not feel much when faced with something like this. Even if it was stronger than me, it was just cute compared to that.

"It's because—"

"—Because one of them is a demon's agent, sir Buhini."

Lady Sophia intervened before I could make more lies. I widened my eyes and turned to face her, only to see her nodding at me lightly.

BITCH.

Don't nod at me! If you were going to fess up then why the fuck did you wait till I brought up the Dark Moon Bandits?!

Be more decisive you brat! I wanted to scold her, but the fact that she said it must have been because I suggested it yesterday.

Buhini was frozen stiff. He didn't say much nor did he ask much.

After a while passed, he looked at me.

"Is that true?"

I nodded.

"I'll trust you in Keith's name, lord Eugene."

"Thank you."

Buhini took in a sharp breath and held his forehead.

"If this is the case, we will have to move carefully."

"Sir Buhini," Sophia called out to him again. "Our first and topmost priority will always be the safety of the people. Always."

Buhini nodded again.

"You are a brave person, lady Sophia. I don't have to be panicking because you're handling it."

Buhini turned to the manager who was ten steps away.

"Take us to where the theft took place."

"Oh! Yes, yes! Thank you, oh knights!"

Now all four of us were on the same page, even if we were reading different lines, this much was enough.

Time to play detective.