Chapter 5 Elin-1

Although she didn't really want to do it, Niaes lifted the shroud. Elin glanced over. The partially uncovered body cast a large shadow.

"When were they found?"

"At midnight, three, and six. All at their own patrol positions."

"I don't need to look so closely." Elin patted Niaes's wrist, indicating for her to put the shroud down, then coughed a few times. "Sorry, I seem to have caught a cold. Perhaps it's because the weather here changes so quickly..."

Noticing Niaes's scrutinizing gaze, Elin smiled.

"These injuries couldn't have formed within a few minutes, Captain Niaes. They must have endured at least thirty minutes or longer of torture. It's unlikely they were all at their posts during that time."

"Of course, I'm aware of that. The killer must have taken them elsewhere... to do all this and then return the bodies to their original positions."

"Quite redundant steps. It seems he did all this to sow panic."

"Mr. Elin, so far you haven't provided anything I couldn't have figured out myself. When I knew there would be seven detectives coming to investigate, I didn't expect this situation."

"Don't be too impatient. I've only been here for half an hour. Shall we talk outside the tent?"

"Why? I'm not interested in taking a walk with you."

"If that were the case, I'd be straightforward about it. Right now, I just want you to give me a rough idea of where the bodies were found."

Niaes glanced at Elin, walked past him, and went outside the tent. Elin followed. It was night in the refuge valley. Niaes raised her hand, pointing to three different directions on the high cliffs.

"The area is quite vast. If it was done by one person, they must have put in a lot of effort," Elin said. "Apart from the actual act of killing, one must also consider how to conceal, how to carry the bodies through the patrols of other guards."

"Do you also think there was only one killer?"

"No, I'm just assuming. Although the methods of killing are consistent, it could also be a well-planned group. Not for anything else, just for safety, although not necessarily discretion. They must have known you had already ordered enhanced defense. However, have there been any reports of eyewitnesses to suspects?"

"No. Since this happened, all we've seen are the bodies of comrades."

"You believe there's only one killer. I can see it in your eyes."

"Not only that, I'm very sure all of this was done by that troll."

"You certainly have reasons to think so. The traces of poison, as well as the inscriptions on the chest... It's not that humans can't do it, but killers usually use such intimidating murders to show their stance and identity. As for whether it's only one troll who killed twenty soldiers under your command in a month, I reserve my opinion, but the killer's purpose is undoubtedly very clear. Fortunately, those inscriptions are still within my understanding of tribal languages. He's putting pressure on you and Prince Galin."

"From a certain perspective, I hope he succeeds. Prince Galin has stopped supplying our soldiers for two months. He said he would bring troops from Stromgarde to protect the refuge valley, but there has been no action. He's completely opposed to us."

"Don't be so pessimistic, Captain Niaes. You can try looking at the problem from a different angle. You speak as if Prince Galin has abandoned you, but from another perspective, he doesn't want more soldiers involved in this chaos, but he must resolve the issue quickly."

"But is thinking like that useful? The fact is that my country, which I pledged my allegiance to, has cracks, causing many victims who shouldn't have been there in the first place. Now those who follow me not only fail to gain recognition from the homeland but also have to face such vicious enemies on their own..."

"Do you regret it? Regret those protests, those petitions?"

"No. I don't regret it."

"But listen to yourself. 'I've caused a rift between me and my homeland, harmed others.' Don't forget, you didn't force those soldiers to follow you. They simply chose you as their representative. What you just said was overly self-pitying, unrealistic, and it doesn't help improve the situation. When I first arrived here, I saw you confidently giving orders to them, and I saw a leader. But now, all I see is a woman."

"I really don't know if you're trying to encourage or mock me, Mr. Elin. And I really dislike it when people use gender as a basis for judgment."

"Firstly, it's definitely not mockery. As for whether it's encouragement, there might be a bit, but I came here as a neutral party and didn't decide beforehand whether I'm on your side or Prince Galin's. From this neutral perspective, I can't commend your actions in leading soldiers to protest at Stromgarde. That is to say, you are certainly largely responsible for the current situation, as a chaos that led to the disappearance of the Tolkar Sword is no joke. Just imagine if something like this happened in Stormwind City..."

"Mr. Elin."

"What?"

"I don't think you're neutral. Frankly, I've always believed that the Seventh Bureau's experimentation with soldier corpses is related. I don't really understand Prince Galin himself, but I know at least the late king never did such things, so Prince Galin must have learned it from elsewhere. More than half a year ago, it was Mr. Jorgen who arrived at Stromgarde, and now you're here. Yes, you're here to solve the problem, but whose problem exactly is it?"

"You don't know? The Seventh Bureau's duty is to ensure everyone gets their candy. Let me tell you, on Halloween, every person wearing a human mask is a Seventh Bureau agent."

"I really don't know why they sent you here, whether because of your capabilities or because your nonsense ensures the secrecy of the Seventh Bureau won't be breached."

"If we spend more time together, you'll quickly find the third, fourth, and fifth reasons headquarters sent me."

Elin noticed several wounded soldiers looking over at him from not far away. They sat around the campfire. In the darkness, it was difficult to tell how much of the shadow on their faces was from smoke and how much was from scars. One of them tightened his grip on his sword when his eyes accidentally met Elin's, then immediately turned his face away.

"Your soldiers don't seem to like me very much," he said.

"Very unfortunate, my thoughts are almost the same. I have a question. Since the Seventh Bureau sent you here, you must be aware of everything that's happened here."

"Basically, I know as much as my superiors do. That's the only way to ensure I can do good."

"Are your superiors Mr. Jorgen?"

"You could say that."

"Then I want to ask..."

Niaes didn't speak immediately, looking at the ground not far away. Elin coughed a few more times.

"Ten seconds have passed, Captain."

"Have you ever heard the name Crecyda?"

"If it's just this question, I don't have much to hide. Yes, I've heard of her."

"Then Mr. Jorgen must have had contact with her at Stromgarde." Niaes glanced at Elin, then turned her head away. "I understand. This is something you definitely can't answer."

"It seems you understand the principles of the Seventh Bureau well. Maybe we can cooperate in the future. Regarding Crecyda, you must have more to say, right?"

"She was here over half a year ago, then went to Stromgarde. I haven't heard from her since."

"I see. You want to know if she's still alive."

"Can you tell me?"

"Don't rush, don't rush, Lady Hero. Regarding this matter, of course, I can't say anything now. But in the future, who knows. At least you've expressed a willingness to know about this issue, and I've taken note of it. Maybe someday I can help you. Maybe."

"I shouldn't have asked."

"What are you to her, friends?"

"Her disappearance at Stromgarde had a significant impact on me. I mean, without that, I wouldn't be certain that Prince Galin is really doing what he shouldn't with the soldiers' corpses. Although she initially only sought her husband, her quest eventually went far beyond her capabilities. She was just a civilian, without even a retinue. I really don't know why I didn't stop her from going to Stromgarde... maybe because I wasn't ready to abandon my trust in Prince Galin. But now, I really know nothing. Pledging to protect the country, being completely loyal to the sovereign, from my birth until half a year ago, everything was so straightforward. Mr. Elin, the taste of shaken faith is really unbearable, I don't know if you can understand."

"Understanding a belief and actually applying it are two different things. I understand your thoughts, but the Seventh Bureau preaches skepticism, perhaps the only unwavering belief for us is to get things done and stay alive."

"Will you assist us in investigating the murderer?"

"I'd be happy to, and catching him might also lead us closer to the mastermind behind the theft of the Tolkar Sword. But first, I need to go to Stromgarde to meet Prince Galin. I need to know how many options are before me."

"Since you don't plan to catch the murderer immediately, I hope you're going to persuade Galin to hand over Lawrence Romano. That's the best way to break the deadlock."

"Don't be so quick to draw conclusions. Who knows if Lawrence even exists. Honestly, no one can be sure. The first thing I need to do is confirm this, which is also helping you. I might stay another day, or I might leave tomorrow morning."

"As for the murderer, don't you plan to give me some advice?"

"Advice? Let me think, strengthen patrols?"

"Forget it. I'll just pretend you didn't come."

"Well then, goodnight."

After Elin walked a few steps, Niaes called out to him.

"Mr. Elin, as far as I know, the Seventh Bureau operates with minimal personnel as much as possible. But besides the retinue, I saw you brought a woman with you. She doesn't seem like she's from the Seventh Bureau."

"Well... you're right. She's not from the Seventh Bureau. But she still came with me. Is there a problem?"

"I just hope this won't affect your work here. To some extent, it's also to avoid affecting us. You know you're here to deal with very serious matters."

"'Mr. Elin, I really dislike it when people use gender as a basis for judgment! Really really dislike it!' That's what you said to me just a few minutes ago, Captain Niaes. You've criticized me almost every sentence just now, and now I finally caught a loophole. Have a little introspection, how about that? Trust me, you don't know what she's capable of. Again, goodnight."

Elin left. Niaes stood still for a while. She looked at the moon, then glanced around at the guards on the cliffs, and for a moment, she fantasized about accidentally discovering the murderer herself. A guard came to ask her how to handle the three new bodies, whether to bury them as soon as possible or try to send them back to Stromgarde.

"Bury them," she said.