Vol 1 Chapter 14: Unsummoned Visit

The afternoon sky began to change color, from orange to light purple, enveloping the small village of the Rose Valley in a deceptive peace. But inside the small house of Marry el Rose, the air felt heavier—not because of danger, but because of the past that had suddenly visited without warning.

Clara, the detective who brought the storm with her calm steps, now sat politely at Marry's dining table. In front of her, a cup of rose tea slowly evaporated. Silence filled the room. Only the sound of wood creaking in the wind and the soft gurgling of the teapot made time feel like it was passing.

"You... live here with your daughter?" Clara asked, breaking the silence.

"For seven years," Marry answered. Her voice was flat, but there was no fear in it. Only exhaustion. Only... fragile tranquility.

—

The Uninvited Guest...

Clara did not answer right away. She looked at the simple but well-maintained interior of the house. The wooden walls covered in Caelan's handmade drawings. A vase of fresh flowers on the corner of the table. An old rag doll on the rocking chair.

This... is not a criminal's house.

This is a mother's house.

But Clara's instincts were still raging. She came not just as a guest, but also as someone who brought past wounds and unanswered questions.

"Why did you stop?"

"Why don't you... carry out justice like before?"

Marry fell silent. Leaning back against the chair, she stared at the window.

"Because I finally realized, not all justice must be paid for with blood."

Caelan, the Bridge between Past and Present...

Caelan, who had been playing in the yard, came in carrying wild flowers in her hands.

"Mom, flowers for you!"

Marry smiled and stroked her daughter's head.

Clara just stared.

And when Clara's eyes that contained the [Eye of Judgment] ability looked at Caelan... she saw something that made her choke.

Light.
The same light as Marry's ten years ago.

Not just white. But bright white.

"This child... is not an ordinary child. It's impossible."

Her soul was too pure. Untainted by the world.

Clara knew that a soul like this did not come from an environment full of falsehood. This child grew up in genuine love.

"Marry... has not changed. Even cleaner than before..."

—

Undercover Investigation...

As dinner time approached, Clara made small talk with Marry, asking about the villagers, about her work, even Caelan's study habits.

But behind her words, she was digging. Probing. Looking for a loophole.
Were there any signs that the two fugitives she was chasing, Bragg and Garel, had ever stopped by here? Or worse... had been killed here?

However, there were no traces.

No aura of blood. No trace of fear.

This house was clean. Too clean for a former executioner.

But it wasn't that Marry was hiding something.

"She... truly wanted to live in peace. Even throwing everything away for this child."

—

Silent Statement at the Doorway...

As night fell, Clara finally stood up.

"I... won't ask any further. At least tonight."

Marry escorted Clara to the front door. The night wind carried the scent of roses.

"Tomorrow, will you return as a Detective?"

Clara lowered her head.

"I don't know yet... maybe tomorrow, I'll return as Clara."

Both were silent.

Until Caelan's sleepy voice called from inside:

"Mom, hug me before you sleep."

Marry smiled softly, then turned to Clara.

"See you tomorrow, Clara."

And the door closed softly.

Clara stood for a while under the moonlight.

In her life as a detective, she had met many people, imprisoned criminals, saved victims, and tried the corrupt. But only two people in her life made her soul waver:

A person with a bright white soul,

And a little girl who might... be more than just light.

"Do I have to drag them back into a world full of darkness just because of the past?"

Clara's steps away from Marry's house that night were not the steps of a winner or a law enforcer.

They were the steps of a woman who was asking...

"What is the meaning of justice... if it ends up destroying a life that has been redeemed with blood?"